The Must-See destinations of Vietnam - 12 days tour - Parfum d'Automne
 

The Must-See destinations of Vietnam – 12 days tour

per person

If you have limited time to spend in Vietnam but want to get the broadest overview possible, this 12-day itinerary from North to South is perfect for you.

To shorten the distances and save time, the extreme Northern Vietnam mountains have not been included in this program. However, in Northern Vietnam, you can visit the Mai Chau Valley located 200 km from the capital Hanoi, Halong Bay aboard our Quatre Saisons junk, and Ninh Binh, also known as the Inland Halong Bay.

Further south, you will find the laid-back lifestyle of Central Vietnam by visiting Hue, Danang, and Hoi An. Finally, you will discover what has been called the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta.

A perfect itinerary for those who want to focus on the essentials and/or for those combining multiple countries (Vietnam-Cambodia, for example). You can then easily take a flight to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, for example.

12 days and 11 nights
  • Departure
    Hanoi
  • Departure Time
    8h
  • Return Time
    17h
  • Dress Code
    Comfortable and rainproof clothing, hiking shoes, first aid kit.
  • Included
    The Must-See destinations of Vietnam – 12 days tour
1
Arrival in Hanoi and Old Quarter discovery
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi (please specify flight number and arrival time). You will be greeted by our driver and guide, and then transferred to the hotel. You can drop off your luggage at the hotel (rooms available from 1:00 PM). Lunch will be provided at a city restaurant. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi and Hoan Kiem Lake. You will learn about the history of Hanoi's Old Quarter, its guilds, and our guide will take you through the narrow alleyways, full of surprises. Perfect for experiencing the atmosphere of Hanoi from day one! Among other visits, you will explore the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son Temple located on a peninsula in the lake, and the Dong Xuan Market. You will end the afternoon with a traditional water puppet show. Accompanied by our guide, you will learn about Vietnamese legends! Dinner on your own and overnight at the Parfum d'Automne Guesthouse or a 3-star charming hotel.
  • Included in the day: Airport transfer to the hotel, lunch, entrance tickets for visits, transportation by car with driver, services of an English-speaking tour guide, accommodation.
2
Hanoi - historical discovery
You will have breakfast at your hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up to explore the rest of Hanoi. The morning will be dedicated to Vietnamese history with visits to the Temple of Literature (a symbol of Confucianism) and the Tran Quoc Pagoda (the oldest Buddhist Pagoda in Hanoi). After lunch at a city restaurant, you will visit the Museum of Ethnology, which houses a vast amount of information about the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the early evening, we recommend attending My Village (optional), an impressive show combining dance and circus performances! Children will love it! Dinner on your own and overnight at the Parfum d'Automne Guesthouse or a 3-star charming hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets for visits, transportation by car with driver, services of a English-speaking tour guide, accommodation.
3
Hanoi - Mai Chau (150 km)
After breakfast at your hotel, depart with your guide and driver to Hoa Binh, with stops along the way to admire beautiful landscapes. Lunch and a visit to the Muong ethnic village (located at the foot of Thung Khe Pass). Continue driving to Mai Chau. Arrival in the Thai village of Pom Coong. Visit the village, have dinner with the locals, and enjoy an evening of traditional Thai dances. Overnight at a homestay in a stilt house.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car transport with driver, services of an English-speaking tour guide, traditional dance performance, homestay accommodation.
4
Mai Chau - Ninh Binh (150 km)
After breakfast with your hosts, you will hit the road towards Tam Coc (about 3 hours of driving). Your first stop will be at the Trang An site for a boat tour on the river. Then, you will be taken to the Tam Coc district for lunch. After checking in at your hotel, you will take bicycles to visit the Jade Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple, and the rice fields in Tam Coc. In the late afternoon, you will have the option to climb to the top of Mua Mountain for a splendid view of the entire Tam Coc area. Please note that the ascent requires some effort (climbing 450 steps). Dinner is on your own, and you'll spend the night in Tam Coc.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, private car transport with driver, English-speaking tour guide, bike rental, entrance tickets (Trang An), hotel accommodation.
5
Ninh Binh - Cat Ba island - Lan Ha bay (150 km)
The driver will pick you up from your hotel around 7:00 AM, heading to Cat Ba Island. First, you will take a ferry to reach the island. After the ferry, to get to the town of Cat Ba (located about 30 km away), where our junk boat is located, we offer you a one-hour motorcycle ride with a driver, off the beaten path. It is possible to take a car if you do not wish to experience the motorcycle ride. Around 12:30 PM, you will board one of our traditional boat, the Four Seasons (4 cabins) junk.  The junk boat first crosses the fishing village of Hang Vem in Lan Ha Bay. Sailing is possible depending on the wind. Enjoy this trip to relax, swim, and soak up the sun on deserted beaches (weather permitting, of course). You have the option to go kayaking and explore a fishing village. Lunch and dinner are served on board and consist of seafood (fish, shrimp, squid, shellfish) purchased on the same day from local fishermen. You will spend the night on board in a bay in the middle of Lan Ha Bay.
  • Included in the day: Private car transfer from Ninh Binh, English-speaking tour guide, cruise on Four Seasons boat, lunch and dinner, kayaking, overnight stay on the boat.
6
Lan Ha - Cat Ba island - Hanoi (95 km)
Breakfast on board the junk boat before starting the morning program: a 2-hour bike ride to reach the village of Viet Hai. After the ride, brunch will be served on the boat. You will return to Cat Ba Island around 12:30 PM to pick up your car. You will return to your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon.
  • Included in the day: Cruise, activities, breakfast, brunch, car transfer to Hanoi, overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.
7
Hanoi - Hue (flight)
Transfer by car from your hotel to Hanoi airport. Arrival at Hue airport, greeted by the driver and your guide, and then transfer to your hotel. Vegetarian lunch at Lien Hoa Pagoda. In the afternoon, take a sampan ride to Thien Mu Pagoda and visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. Depending on the available time, you can also visit Dong Ba Market. Dinner is at your leisure, and you will spend the night at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, flight from Hanoi to Hue, lunch, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, hotel accommodation, a small bottle of water per person.
8
Hue - Danang - Hoi An (150 km)
After breakfast, you will take a boat ride on the Perfume River to reach Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, you will continue by car towards Hoi An. On the way, you will visit the mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. After lunch, you will continue your journey to Hoi An. During the journey, you will stop at Lang Co Lagoon and the Hai Van Pass. In Danang, you will visit either the Cham Museum or the Linh Ung Pagoda (based on your preference). You will arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon, and you will be dropped off at your hotel. Dinner is at your leisure, and you will spend the night in Hoi An.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance fees (sampan on the river, mausoleum, Cham Museum), private car transport with driver, English-speaking tour guide, overnight at the hotel.
9
Hoi An - My Son - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, you will depart for My Son, also known as the "Valley of the Kings," which was the site of the Cham Kingdom's capital flourishing until the 10th century. You will visit the archaeological site and then return to Hoi An for lunch. In the early afternoon, you will explore the old town of Hoi An, including the former fishing port of Faifo, the typical market, the Japanese covered bridge, the Chinese temple, the ancient house of Tan Ky, and more. Then, you will be transferred to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel by a driver without a guide. Dinner is at your leisure, and you will spend the night at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance fees (My Son), private car transport with driver, English-speaking tour guide, transfer to Da Nang Airport, transfer from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the hotel, overnight at the hotel.
10
Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Ben Tre - Thoi Son (Mekong delta, 100 km)
Departure from your hotel after breakfast for a 1 hour and 15-minute journey to My Tho, the first gateway to the Mekong, located 70 km south of Saigon. Along the way, the French-speaking guide provides you with information about Saigon, current life in Vietnam, the Mekong, the Indochina and Vietnam Wars, the historical and cultural ties between France and Vietnam, and answers your questions. Upon arrival in My Tho, you will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest and most sacred in the region. You will discover Vietnamese Buddhism, as well as Taoism and Confucianism, three philosophies that deeply influence Vietnamese culture, along with ancestor worship. Head to the port where you will board a private junk boat, crossing the upper Mekong while circumnavigating Dragon and Unicorn islands located in Ben Tre province. Small sampans will then take you through small waterways where you will be amazed by the local vegetation, including coconut and water palm trees. Disembark in Tan Thach hamlet and take a short walk to the village's home for lunch. You will enjoy Mekong specialties amidst the orchards. Afterward, you will take sampans for a 20-minute ride to the neighboring village. Taste local fruits and honey tea. Then, you will hop on bicycles for a 2-hour ride on picturesque trails through rice paddies, orchards, and coconut forests. At the end, rowing boats will take you through the canals. Finally, you will return to the My Tho port by boat. Your car will pick you up and drop you off 3 km further at the Binh Duc pier, where a sampan will come to take you to Thoi Son Island. Overnight stay with a local family or at a hotel, depending on your choice. Note: If you stay with a local family, dinner is included, but not at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (only at the local family's place), entrance fees, English-speaking tour guide, private car with driver.
11
Vinh Long - Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
After breakfast, cross the river by boat and continue on the road (1-hour journey) to Cai Be, a river port where you will board a private junk boat. Visit the floating market and the craft village: discover local life, rice paper making, handicrafts, and taste local specialties such as coconut candies, puffed rice cakes, and longan honey tea. Have lunch at the Kiet family's old and beautiful traditional wooden house. You will then board the big boat heading to Vinh Long, about 170 km south of Saigon. Enjoy a 1-hour cruise through the canals, relax in hammocks, and soak in the scenery. Arrive and disembark on An Binh Island at a local's home amidst the orchards. Taste seasonal fruits while witnessing a traditional Mekong Delta music performance called "don ca tai tu," recently recognized as a UNESCO heritage. Around 4 PM, cross the Mekong by boat to visit a brick factory, then disembark at the Vinh Long port and explore the vibrant local market. Return by car to Ho Chi Minh City. You will arrive at your hotel in the evening. Dinner is on your own, and overnight at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance fees, English-speaking tour guide, private car with driver.
12
Ho Chi Minh City - airport transfer (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will have free time for your personal discoveries before transferring to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your departure flight.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, transfer by car to Ho Chi Minh City airport.
  • Here are the prices per person in dollars.
  • This is a private tour including private car transfers and the services of a English-speaking tour guide for each day of the tour.
  • The junk boat tour is done on the Quatre Saisons boat in a shared group (other people may be on the boat with you).
  • Everything is customizable; feel free to contact us to tailor this tour to your needs.
2 pers. 3 pers. 4 pers. 5 pers. 6 pers. 7 pers. 8 pers.
Hôtels 3* 1590 1290 1150 1050 990 899 890
Single option additional cost: 180 usd/pers
Hôtels 4* 1990 1690 1490 1450 1390 1350 1290
Single option additional cost : 515 usd/pers
  2 pers. 3 pers. 4 pers. 5 pers. 6 pers. 7 pers. 8 pers.
Hôtels 3* 2690 2190 1990 1750 1650 1550 1490
Single option additional cost: 275usd/pers
Hôtels 4* 3190 2690 2450 2190 2150 2090 1990
Single option additional cost: 750 usd/pers
The price does not include the air tickets for the flights from Hanoi to Hue and from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. The price will be an additional 60 to 120 USD per person per flight. The price will be confirmed at the time of ticket purchase.
 
  • Here are the accommodations we offer for this 12-day journey from North to South Vietnam. Of course, everything is customizable, and if you prefer other accommodations, we are happy to include them in the itinerary (subject to availability).

City

Hôtels 3 stars

Hôtels 4 stars

Hanoi Maison d’Hôtes Parfum d’Automne Hôtel Maison d’Orient ou équivalent
Mai Chau Nuit chez l’habitant Mai Chau Ecolodge
Ninh Binh Hotel Nam Hoa Bungalow Chez Loan
Halong Jonque Parfum d’Automne (Quatre Saisons)
Hue Rosaleen Pilgrimage village
Hoi An Green Heaven Resort Palm Garden
Delta du Mekong Nuit chez l’habitant Mékong Ecolodge
Ho Chi Minh Ville Le Duy Hôtel ou equivalent Paragon Saigon ou équivalent