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Discover the essence of Vietnam on a 12-day journey that blends culture, nature, and history. From vibrant Hanoi to the charming streets of Hoi An, and from the breathtaking landscapes of Halong Bay and Ninh Binh, this itinerary takes you through the country’s most iconic highlights.
Immerse yourself in the imperial history of Hue, experience the dynamic energy of Ho Chi Minh City, and end your trip with a memorable escape to the Mekong Delta, where floating markets and lush scenery await. A perfectly balanced itinerary that combines must-see landmarks with authentic encounters, offering a complete immersion into the spirit of Vietnam.
Arrival at Hanoi airport at 06:35 AM. Meet your guide and driver, then transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage.
Begin gently with a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, followed by a walking tour to explore some of its main streets and Ngoc Son Temple on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Lunch at a local specialty restaurant with Bun Cha Nem (grilled pork noodle soup served with spring rolls). Afterwards, check into your rooms in the early afternoon.
In the afternoon, your choice of visits: the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university later dedicated to Confucius, or the Museum of Ethnology, which offers insight into the country’s ethnic diversity.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional water puppet show.
Overnight at the hotel.
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi and transfer you to Sunworld International Port (if using our shuttle service).
12:15 – Arrival at Sunworld International Port. You will have a short time to relax before boarding one of the Tonkin Cruise Junks.
12:30 – Transfer by tender boat (5–10 minutes) to your Tonkin cruise junk.
12:45 – Warm welcome with refreshing drinks, safety briefing, then check-in to your cabin.
13:00 – Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch while the boat gently cruises towards the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, in the Cap La area.
15:30 – Kayaking to explore the stunning natural scenery of limestone islands and islets, with opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxation.
17:30 – Sunset party on the sundeck as the boat heads to Cong Do area to anchor for the night (Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30 PM).
18:30 – Join a cooking class and learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes.
19:30 – Lavish barbecue dinner on the sundeck (not available before October).
21:00 – Free time to relax on the sundeck or try your luck at squid fishing (board games also available).
06:30 – Early morning wake-up for a Tai Chi session.
07:00 – Light Western-style breakfast while the boat cruises towards one of the most beautiful fishing villages in Halong Bay.
07:30 – Transfer by small boat to Vung Vieng fishing village.
08:00 – Rowing boat excursion (rowed by a local fisherman) to explore Vung Vieng and learn more about the local fishing life.
09:30 – Return to the main boat and cruise back to the port along a different route.
10:30 – Fusion-style lunch served on board.
11:00 – Disembark at Sunworld Port. Transfer by car to Tam Coc. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at your hotel, then depart by car for the Trang An scenic site.
Enjoy an early-morning sampan boat ride to avoid the crowds, followed by a visit to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam.
Return to Tam Coc for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Bich Dong Pagoda and climb to the top of Hang Mua for a panoramic view.
Relax by the hotel pool before heading to Ninh Binh station to board the train. Overnight in a sleeper cabin.
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick you up for a day of sightseeing.
Start with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, built between 1805 and 1832 by Emperor Gia Long. Continue with the discovery of a “Nha Vuon,” or “Garden House” — a unique architectural style specific to Hue, where the dwelling is organically connected to the garden, plants, and surrounding landscape, creating a certain sense of spirituality.
Lunch at a local restaurant, where you will taste traditional specialties, including the famous Bun Bo Hue, a beef noodle soup originating from the former imperial city.
In the afternoon, visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Nestled among frangipani trees and pines, and designed according to the emperor’s own plans, this magnificent mausoleum is one of Hue’s most beautiful sites. It exudes tranquility and stands as a fine example of traditional Vietnamese art, while offering insights into the history of the Nguyen dynasty.
Continue with a visit to Tu Hieu Pagoda, located near the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. The pagoda radiates serenity and is home to an active community of monks. In the garden, you can also see the tombs of several royal mandarins.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart with your guide for Danang, driving along the Hai Van Pass (“Pass of the Clouds”), which offers stunning panoramic views of the central coastline from its summit.
In Danang, visit the Cham Museum, home to an impressive collection of sculptures from the now-vanished Champa Kingdoms. Lunch in Danang.
Continue your journey to Hoi An and check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the narrow streets of Hoi An’s old town, where you will discover highlights such as the Japanese Covered Bridge built in 1593, the Folk Museum, Tan Ky House, the Tran Family Chapel, and elegant centuries-old merchant houses of Chinese and local notables.
End the visit with the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1690, which houses a pagoda dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the sea goddess and protector of sailors.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast and then free time.
Night at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, then morning at leisure. Departure in the early afternoon after lunch.
Flight Danang – Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines at 3:20 PM.
Arrival at 5:05 PM in Ho Chi Minh City: meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, then depart with your guide. First stop at Notre-Dame Cathedral (outside) and the historic Central Post Office, beautifully located in the heart of a square, followed by a walk along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), lined with luxury boutiques and lively shops. Opposite the cathedral, you will see the Central Post Office of Saigon, whose metal framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel. Inside, you can admire a map of Saigon and a telephone network map of Cochinchina dating back to the early 1930s.
Lunch in the city. In the afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace and Giac Lam Pagoda, one of the oldest and most beautiful pagodas in Saigon. Continue with a stroll through the heart of Cholon, the former Chinese district, and discover the colorful Soai Kinh Lam fabric market, a lively place filled with countless stalls.
Overnight at the hotel.
At 7:30 AM, depart with your guide and driver towards My Tho (70 km – about 2 hours by road) for your discovery of the Mekong Delta, formed by the nine branches of the nourishing river. Upon arrival in the My Tho area, your first visit will be Vinh Trang Pagoda. Continue to Ham Luong Pier, from where you will begin your cruise on the Ben Tre River. Along the way, you will observe the lively activities on the river such as fishing, water transportation, and even traditional brick-making by molding and firing.
Next, visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along the canal, followed by a stop at a family-run mat-weaving workshop. By late morning, enjoy a ride on a motor cart (xe lôi) or by bicycle along shaded paths, passing by green rice fields and vegetable gardens. Lunch at Hai Ho family home.
In the afternoon, take a sampan ride along the canal before returning by boat to Ham Luong Pier. From there, depart for Tra Vinh (60 km – about 2 hours by road), a region inhabited by the Khmer people. Tra Vinh is one of the prettiest towns in the Mekong Delta, little known to mass tourism due to its location on a peninsula. It boasts an invaluable treasure: 140 magnificent Khmer pagodas, some of which are over 1,000 years old.
Arrival in Cau Ke, where you will be warmly welcomed by a local family. Then set out on a walk or bicycle ride through the villages to Ba Mi. Visit the surroundings and meet local farmers, gardeners, and horticulturists working in their rice fields or gardens. Continue with a visit to the Khmer pagoda or the school in Ba Mi (closed during school holidays from May to September).
End of the excursion, return to your host family for dinner and overnight stay.
At 7:30 AM, after breakfast, start the day with a cycling tour through Khmer villages such as Canh Dal, Tra Khao, and Giong Lon, where you will have the opportunity to meet local people and discover their daily life.
Your car will then take you to Cau Ke market. Visit the market and the old Huynh Ky house, dating back to the early 20th century and built in a typically colonial style. Beyond its architectural value, Huynh Ky’s old house is also considered a work of art, with roof reliefs and intricate wooden carvings of various motifs.
Lunch at a guesthouse or in a local restaurant. Afterwards, drive to Can Tho (60 km – about 1h40 to 2h). Upon arrival in Can Tho, enjoy a bike ride around the village near your guesthouse.
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
In the morning, take a motorboat ride to visit the Cai Rang floating market. Here you can admire the wide variety of products on sale — from familiar fruits such as mangoes and bananas to more exotic ones like mangosteens, star apples, sweet longans, and the famously fragrant durians. Surrounded by sweet aromas and fruity flavors, you will get a true taste of the Mekong Delta’s abundance.
Continue with a visit to Le Binh covered market, a lively fish and vegetable market located on the banks of the Mekong.
Afterwards, depart for Xeo Quyt in Dong Thap province, a historic site that served as an important battleground during the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1975. Today, this area is both a natural park and an open-air museum telling the story of the battle. You can explore the site on foot along a 2 km trail built above the mangrove, or take a 20-minute sampan ride. This excursion offers the chance to discover a pristine forest while also understanding the harsh conditions in which Vietnamese soldiers once lived.
Return to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon.
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.
If you have only a short time to spend in Vietnam but want to get the broadest possible overview, this 12-day North-to-South tour is made for you.
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Let’s talk and tailor it to your wishes.
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