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From Halong Bay to Mui Ne – 13-Day Relaxation Journey

Vietnam
13 days
Classic
Beach extension

Overview

Here is an itinerary that will please the greatest number!

You will discover the must-see sites (Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta) in the North and Center of Vietnam before relaxing on the beaches of Mui Ne. This seaside resort is also known for its sand dunes, which are as surprising as they are spectacular.

An ideal trip for those who wish to combine cultural discoveries with moments of relaxation.

Practical Information

Duration
13 days
Start / End
Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City
Guide Language
English
Regions Visited
Northern – Central – Southern Vietnam
Best Time To Go
December to May
Ideal For
Couples / Friends / Families / Seniors
Difficulty Level
Easy
Accommodation
Hotel / Junk Boat

Photo Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi (L)

Arrival in Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam. After visa formalities, you will be greeted by your local French-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center (room available from 2:00 PM). The day will be adapted according to your arrival time. You will start your first visits in the city center to soak up the charm of this millennial capital (1010–2010):

End the day with a relaxing massage session.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Included for the day: Lunch, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, private car and driver, entrance tickets, massage session, overnight at the hotel.

Day 2
Hanoi - cultural tour (B, L)

A day dedicated to exploring the most remarkable cultural sites and historical monuments of Hanoi:

  • The Temple of Literature, a symbol of education and one of Hanoi’s emblems;

  • Ba Dinh Square, home to the former Governor’s Palace of Indochina, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and his house;

  • Colonial heritage with French concessions: the Grand Theater, the Metropole Hotel, the State Bank, the Indochina University, and the former Paul Doumer Bridge;

  • The Museum of Ethnology, housing a collection of 25,000 ancient and contemporary objects that bear witness to the history of local populations.

In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show – a distinctive feature of Vietnamese culture, listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Lunch, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, car and driver rental, entrance tickets, lunch, overnight at the hotel

Day 3
Hanoi - Ninh Binh (Halong Bay on land) (B, L, D)

Departure for Ninh Binh – the land of limestone mountains, sugarloaf hills, and rice paddies flooded by rivers and lakes all year round.

Visit Mua Mountain, where a 486-step stone staircase leads to the top. This bell-shaped mountain offers a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region.

Transfer to Tam Coc for a bike ride and relaxation while exploring this fabulous region. You will pass through villages and sugarloaf hills, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere that reigns in this rural area.

In the afternoon, take a boat trip on the Ngo Dong River to discover Tam Coc. This long river winds through rice paddies and limestone hills, passing under three caves at the foot of the karst cliffs. Your boat glides gently on the water, rowed by local women, taking you into a dreamlike landscape.

Continue to Hoa Lu, the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam (960-1009), and visit the temples of Kings Dinh and Le, nestled at the foot of a valley surrounded by rice paddies and limestone peaks. Learn about the history, particularly the millennium-long conflict of Vietnam against Chinese troops, with Kings Dinh and Le being the first victors and unifiers of the country.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Included for the day: Lunch, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, car and driver rental, entrance tickets, , and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4
Ninh Binh - Cat Ba island - Lan Ha Bay (B, L, D)

You will leave by car with your guide around 7:00 AM, heading towards Cat Ba Island. The drive takes about 3.5 hours to reach the ferry terminal. The ferry will take you to the island. You will then cross the island by motorbike (our local colleagues will drive you) to reach the Ben Beo pier at the southern end of the island. Lunch and then a cruise aboard our traditional junk (Quatre Saisons or Majonq). Kayaking and swimming in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight on board.

Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, services of a Vietnamese English-speaking guide, car and junk rental, entrance tickets to Lan Ha Bay, overnight on board.

Day 5
Lan Ha Bay - Hanoi - Flight Hue (B, L)

We recommend waking up early to enjoy the sunrise from the boat’s upper deck! After breakfast, you will have two options: a bike ride to Viet Hai village or a cruise and swim in a secluded cove in Lan Ha Bay. You will return to Cat Ba Island around 12:00 p.m., where your car will be waiting. Arrival back in Hanoi is expected around 4:30 p.m.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue.

Upon arrival in Hue, meet our driver and transfer to your hotel. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, services of a Vietnamese English-speaking guide, car and junk rental, bicycle rental, Hanoi–Hue flight, reception and transfer to the hotel in Hue.

Day 6
Hue - city tour (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will set out to explore the city with your guide. On the program:

  • The Imperial City, the residence and workplace of the 13 Nguyen emperors for 143 years.

  • The Mausoleum of Minh Mang, the emperor famous for having fathered 142 children with 43 concubines.

  • Phu Mong Village, known for its garden houses – a defining feature of Hue’s imperial identity.

  • Thien Mu Pagoda, the most beautiful and visited pagoda in Hue, or the very tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda, where the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty eunuchs are located. Depending on the time, you may have the chance to witness the monks’ prayer session.

In the evening, enjoy a royal dinner aboard a dragon boat on the Perfume River. Overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, services of a Vietnamese French-speaking guide, car rental, entrance tickets, dinner, overnight at the hotel.

Day 7
Hue - Hoi An (B, L)

Full day at leisure to explore the old town of Hoi An on your own.

You can shop in the old quarter (lacquerware, handicrafts, etc.) and even have tailor-made clothes created in the silk shops.
You may also enjoy a bike ride through the surrounding countryside, where you will find several traditional villages (vegetable growing, pottery, carpentry, etc.).
Relaxation on the beautiful beaches of the Eastern Sea (Cua Dai, An Bang…) located near Hoi An (weather permitting).

Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, overnight at the hotel.

Day 8
Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the southern capital (formerly Saigon).

Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the “Colonial Saigon” city center:

  • Ben Thanh Market – the symbol of the city.
  • Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office (built from the plans of Gustave Eiffel).
  • Ho Chi Minh City Hall – the former Central Town Hall, considered the most beautiful colonial building in the city.

Lunch with local specialties. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, transfer to the airport, flight Danang – Ho Chi Minh City, greeting and transfer to the hotel, English-speaking Vietnamese guide, overnight at the hotel.

Day 9
Visit to the Mekong Delta (B, L, D)

Departure by road to the Mekong Delta – a semi-terrestrial, semi-aquatic world in the far south of the country. Arrival in Cai Be, a small town located on the northern branch of the Mekong. Board a private sampan for a magnificent cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Visit Cai Be floating market, which is authentic and not very touristy. Discover the unique river trade of the local inhabitants of the Mekong region. Continue upstream along the Mekong by boat, an opportunity to witness life on both banks: brick making, rice drying, fishing…

Arrive in Sa Dec, a little-known town in the heart of the Mekong Delta, where the famous French writer Marguerite Duras spent much of her childhood. Visit the “Chinese House”, featured in Marguerite Duras’ novel The Lover, as well as a Caodaism temple, pagodas, and more. Lunch and overnight onboard.

Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, car rental, entrance tickets, dinner, overnight at the hotel.

Day 10
Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

Early morning arrival in Can Tho, then visit the Cai Rang floating market, a colorful spectacle with numerous boats loaded with fruits, vegetables, and all kinds of goods for trade. Enjoy some shopping, then depart for Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch en route. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, car rental, entrance tickets, overnight stay at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City - Mui Ne (B)

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Free time for the rest of the day. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne, overnight at the hotel.

Day 12
Mui Ne (B)

Free day in Mui Ne. Meals at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, overnight at the hotel.

Day 13
Mui Ne (B)

Free day in Mui Ne. Meals at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Included in the day: Breakfast, overnight at the hotel.

Day 14
Mui Ne - Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Free morning, then transfer from Mui Ne to Ho Chi Minh City Airport.

Included in the day: Breakfast, transfer to the airport.

FAQ

All our tours are private. You will travel with your own vehicle, driver, and guide, ensuring maximum comfort and flexibility throughout your journey.

Private tours for solo travelers are significantly more expensive, and most guides are unwilling to lead one-person tours. Therefore, this itinerary is available starting from 2 travelers.

If you’re traveling alone, we can offer day trips or short excursions instead.

No, our tours begin upon your arrival in Vietnam.

However, we’re happy to assist you in booking your international flights if needed.

You’ll find the ideal travel period in the “Practical Info” section, based on the climate in the regions visited.

That said, this tour is available year-round, with a few adjustments depending on the season.

This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking cultural discovery and immersion in nature.

It can be adapted for couples, families, or groups of friends of all ages.

Absolutely! All our tours are fully customizable.

You can modify the duration, change accommodations, add activities, or adjust the pace according to your preferences.

Simply send us a request using the contact form on this page.

One of our travel advisors will get back to you quickly to finalize your itinerary and provide a personalized quote.

Destinations Visited on this Tour

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By phone

+84 9 66 59 98 05

By email

info@parfumdautomne.fr

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