Embark on a memorable journey to Vietnam in 12 days, through the country’s most iconic destinations, from the dynamic streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the breathtaking beauty of Ha Long Bay. Start in the vibrant south with a visit to Saigon and a scenic cruise through the Mekong Delta. Continue north to the charming town of Hoi An and the historical grandeur of Hue.
Explore the elegant capital Hanoi before venturing ino the peaceful landscapes of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, known for its rice terraces and ethnic villages. Visit the stunning karst scenery of Ninh Binh, then conclude with a relaxing cruise in Ha Long Bay. This tour blends culture, nature, and history, offering a complete Vietnam experience.
When you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, you will be welcomed by the guide and driver and then transferred to the hotel. Depart for an orientation tour in the city centre.
Ben Thanh Market
Your Ho Chi Minh City tour begins at Ben Thanh Market, the symbol of the city. Then, head to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office (built to the plans of Gustave Eiffel). Next, come by the Headquarters of the People’s Committee of HCMC, the former Central Town Hall, the most beautiful colonial building in the city.
Afternoon, visit the “traditional city” with its must-sees, including the Museum of Traditional Medicine of Vietnam, a treasure trove of documents, objects, and instruments of a wide variety related to local medicine.
Free time for rest.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees.
Departure for the Mekong Delta, a territory half land, half water in the far south of the country.
Arrive in Ben Tre, a large town located in the heart of the northern branches of the river. Boat trip on the rivers to reach Nhon Thanh, a small region still not very touristy, well known for its coconut trade and the manufacture of coconut products such as coconuts, coconut thread, coconut activated carbon… Stop at the brickyards to discover the stages of brickmaking. Enjoy the local fruits and honey tea in the garden.
Coconut Forests in Ben Tre
A 10th Loi (motorized bicycle) ride on the verdant island, abundantly covered with coconut plantations. The route, away from mass tourism, takes you along small paths, under the shade of coconut trees, which offer a particularly poetic landscape. Stop at farms to observe the production of coconut candy and mats.
Continue with a ride in a small rowboat through the arroyos surrounded by water palms, to immerse yourself in the daily of the delta.
In the afternoon, drive to Giong Trom through coconut plantations and multitudes of canals linked to the great Mekong. You will stay at a charming lodge located on the banks of the Ham Luong River. Free time to relax in a peaceful setting with the opportunity to watch the sunset. In the evening, participate in the preparation of Banh Xeo, followed by dinner with your creations.
Overnight at the lodge.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After enjoying a peaceful breakfast, set off on a bike through coconut country, along small, shaded roads to Oc Island. Known as the largest island on the Ham Luong River, this island offers stunning scenery, including lush fruit gardens, rows of green coconut trees, and the tranquil lifestyle of the southerners. This tour will allow you to explore the daily lives of local people and their craft activities with a visit to a small local market and a coconut shelling factory.
Ham Luong River
Back at the lodge, enjoy some free time to rest and relax by the pool before checking out at noon.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City for the flight to Da Nang, the stunning coastal city in the center of the country. Meet and greet by the driver and transfer to Hoi An, 30 km from Da Nang.
Overnight at the hotel.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang flight ticket, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Today, you will take part in a sightseeing tour of Hoi An’s beautiful waterfront and historic Ancient Town. The city was a major trading port dating back to the 16th century. You’ll visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation, which dates to 1845.
Hoi An’s vibrant craft culture is rooted in generations of tradition
Afterward, you can browse the waterfront market for fresh produce and seafood. Perhaps order a custom-made suit or outfit—Hoi An is famous for its tailors. Cap the evening with dinner in Ancient Town, followed by a riverfront stroll to see Hoi An’s famous colored lanterns.
Overnight at the hotel.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Departure for Hue, the ancient imperial city located 150 km north of Hoi An. The off-the-beaten-track route takes in the coastal region of the East Sea and the famous Hai Van Pass road. There are several visits planned along the way, including the highest Hai Van pass in central Vietnam, views of Lang Co Beach and the peaceful Lap An Lagoon located at the foot of the pass, the Marble Mountain and the An Bang Cemetery, nicknamed “the city of ghosts’.
Breathtaking view from Hai Van Pass
Arrive in Hue in the afternoon, check into the hotel and the remaining time is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hue.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Have breakfast, then take part in Hue City Tour. Start your adventure at the Imperial City, residence and workplace of the 13th Nguyen Kings for 143 years. Then, visit Minh Mang Mausoleum, the Emperor famous for having been the father of 142 children with 43 concubines. You will also visit Phu Mong Village with garden houses, a constituent element of Hue’s imperial identity.
Imperial City of Hue
Next, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the most beautiful and most visited pagoda in Hue, or the very peaceful Tu Hieu Pagoda, where the tombs of eunuchs from the Nguyen Dynasty are located. Depending on the time of day, you may even see the monks praying.
In late afternoon, come back to the hotel and check out for the flight to Hanoi.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, meet your driver and transfer to your accommodation.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Hue – Hanoi flight ticket, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Today, you will discover some of the most remarkable cultural sites and historical monuments of Hanoi.
Your adventure begins with the Temple of Literature, the symbol of feudal education and one of the emblems of Hanoi. Then, head to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the former palace of the governor of Indochina, the mausoleum and the house of Ho Chi Minh located. You will also visit the Museum of Ethnography, which houses a collection of 25,000 ancient and contemporary objects that serve as witnesses to the history of local populations.
Hoan Kiem Lake – Temple of Literature – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
In the evening, there will be a water puppet show, a Vietnamese cultural specialty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight at the hotel.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, depart for Pu Luong Nature Reserve via Mai Chau. A stop along the way offers breathtaking views of the valley: a panorama of vast expanses of rice paddies dotted with villages and traditional houses, as well as mountains covered in bamboo forests, a characteristic feature of the region.
Arrival in Pu Luong around noon. This nature reserve covers 1,700 hectares and constitutes the largest area of karst forests in northern Vietnam. It is largely inhabited by Thai minorities, who speak the same language as their Thai compatriots.
Pu Luong golden rice fields
In the afternoon, hike through the hills and Thai villages. Start your walk at Don village, then continue to Uoi, a large hamlet with many stilt houses. Along the way, you will meet Thai people working in the forests, gardens or fields. They often carry the traditional long Thai knife worn on their backs while they work.
The walk continues to Mr. Ty’s home in the village of Ban Lac. It’s beautiful house perched on stilts, home to three generations: Mr. Ty wife, their children and their grandchildren. Spending the night at Mr.Ty’s house is an exclusive and intimate experience.
You will take part in the preparation of the meal, followed by a warm dinner in the company of our hosts, an enriching experience, a total immersion in their way of life.
Night in a house on stilts.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, start your day with a pleasant bike ride surrounded by nature. The route is off the beaten track, passes through iconic rice-farming villages, and offers a complete immersion in the daily lives of the locals. Enjoy stunning panoramas of flowing water, vibrant green rice paddies, and majestic limestone peaks.
Note: If you visit on a Thursday or Sunday, take this opportunity to discover the Pho Doan market, which brings together local people, including women wearing colorful brocade costumes.
Tien Moi Bridge
The bike ride ends at Tien Moi Bridge, followed by a hike through the lush bamboo forest (being a large karst area, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is home to expanses of verdant forests). Walk for about 2 hours along a trail winding alongside a stream before joining our driver for the transfer to Ninh Binh.
When you arrive in Ninh Binh, check into the hotel, and the remaining time is at your leisure.
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Boat trips on the Ngo Dong River to discover Tam Coc. This long river winds between rice paddies and sugar loaves, and passes under three caves at the foot of limestone peaks. Your boat glides gently on the water thanks to local rowers, who will take you through magical landscapes.
Disembark and enjoy a relaxing ride by bike or oxcat through villages and sugar loaves to enjoy the serene atmosphere of this rural region.
Ripe rice season in Tam Coc
The program continues with a visit to Mua Cave, which was once a renowned venue for its dancing performances for the Tran Kings. Climb a white staircase of 486 stone steps to the summit. This bell-shaped mountain offers a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region.
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Depart for Ha Long Bay, often hailed as the most beautiful bay in Vietnam and one of Asia’s most magical landscapes.
Upon arrival, embark on a traditional wooden junk where the crew warmly welcomes you before setting off on a scenic cruise through the stunning northern part of the bay, Bai Tu Long. Marvel at the iconic limestone islets shaped like snails, dogs, roosters, and incense burners. Explore the magnificent Thien Canh Son Cave, adorned with ancient stalactites and stalagmites.
Ha Long Bay Cruise
Continue your journey to Cap La, where you can indulge in kayaking and swimming in the pristine waters. In the late afternoon, relax on the sun deck before joining a fun cooking demonstration to learn how to make spring rolls. Enjoy delicious seafood meals onboard, then spend your evening at leisure with card games or night fishing.
Overnight on board.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Wake up at dawn to enjoy the moment of unique splendor—the first rays of sunlight emerging from the thousands of sugar loaves in the bay— and participate in a Tai Chi session on the terrace.
Boat or kayak trip to discover the fishing village of Vung Vieng, and possible encounters with local inhabitants.
Tai Chi Session in Ha Long Bay
Lunch on the junk, disembarkation, then return to Hanoi. Free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
End of service, and see you on the next holiday with IDC Travel!
Included: Transportation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: Breakfast.
– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines, boats, trains…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.
– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:
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