Trip Overview
Embark on a 9-day Vietnam tour package, blending Hanoi’s historic charm, Ninh Binh’s serene landscapes, Halong Bay’s UNESCO-listed karsts, Danang’s coastal allure, Hoi An’s ancient beauty, and Ho Chi Minh City’s (Saigon) vibrant energy, culminating with the historic Cu Chi Tunnels. Crafted for couples, solo travelers, and small groups, this journey offers cultural immersion, natural wonders, and urban exploration. From Hanoi’s Dong Xuan Market to Hoi An’s lantern-making workshops and Saigon’s Nguyen Hue Walking Street, this itinerary promises a vibrant tapestry of unforgettable moments.
- Explore Hanoi’s Ngoc Son Temple and Dong Xuan Market via cyclo ride.
- Glide through Ninh Binh’s Tam Coc rivers and climb Mua Cave’s viewpoint.
- Cruise Halong Bay’s Sung Sot Cave with kayaking and sunset cocktails.
- Wander Bana Hills’ Golden Hands Bridge and Hoi An’s Tan Ky House.
- Discover Saigon’s Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Cu Chi Tunnels’ history.
Price on Request
8N/9D
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi – Half-day City Tour
Where: Hanoi (Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple)
Arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, where your local guide warmly welcomes you. Transfer to a cozy downtown hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, begin a half-day city tour at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi’s cultural heart for events and demonstrations. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum (exterior view, closes in the afternoon), house-on-stilts, fishpond, and the iconic One-Pillar Pagoda. Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university from 1070, rich with history. Enjoy a 1-hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, known as the “Sword” Lake, visiting Ngoc Son Temple’s red bridge and browsing Dong Xuan Market’s vibrant stalls. Return to your hotel for a restful overnight stay in Hanoi.
Meals Included: None | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Tam Coc & Hoa Lu
Where: Ninh Binh (Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Bich Dong Pagoda)
After a hearty breakfast, drive 90km south to Ninh Binh, known as “Halong Bay on Land.” Board a scenic boat ride through Tam Coc’s emerald rivers, framed by limestone karsts and paddy fields, perfect for serene exploration. Enjoy a local lunch at a riverside restaurant, then visit Hoa Lu, the 10th-century royal capital, marveling at the Dinh and Le temples’ intricate wooden reliefs. Conclude at Bich Dong Pagoda, a tranquil cave temple, and climb Mua Cave’s viewpoint for panoramic vistas. Return to Hanoi by late afternoon for a restful overnight stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight Cruise
Where: Halong Bay (Sung Sot Cave, UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Savor a hearty breakfast, check out, and drive 3 hours through the Red River Delta’s lush fields to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Board an overnight cruise at Tuan Chau Marina, sailing through emerald waters dotted with limestone karsts. After lunch onboard, visit Sung Sot Cave, famed for its stunning stalactites. Enjoy kayaking or swimming near floating villages and sip sunset cocktails on the deck. Join a cooking demonstration before dinner. Evening activities include onboard entertainment or relaxation. Overnight stay in a twin-sharing cabin on the cruise.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Halong Bay Cruise (Twin-Sharing Cabin)
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Danang
Where: Halong Bay, Hanoi, Danang
Wake to a mesmerizing sunrise over Halong Bay’s islets, known as the “Eastern Sea.” After breakfast, cruise past unique formations like Sail Island or Turtle Islet. Enjoy brunch onboard, then disembark and transfer to Hanoi’s airport (no guide) for your flight to Danang, a coastal haven. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in (typically 14:00–15:00). Spend the evening at leisure, exploring Son Tra Peninsula’s greenery or Danang’s local coffee culture. Overnight stay in Danang.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Danang
Day 5: Danang – Bana Hills – Golden Hands Bridge
Where: Bana Hills (Golden Hands Bridge, Funicular, Fantasy Park, French Village)
After a hearty breakfast, journey to Bana Hills, a French hill station at 1,487 meters. Ascend via a scenic cable car to walk the Golden Hands Bridge, its golden arcs held by giant stone hands, often misty in August. Ride the funicular to explore Fantasy Park’s thrilling rides, Linh Ung Pagoda’s towering Buddha, and the French Village’s charming streets. Stroll Le Jardin D’Amour gardens for serene moments. Descend by cable car and return to Danang for a restful overnight stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Danang
Day 6: Danang – Hoi An – Ancient Town & Boat Ride
Where: Hoi An (Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, Thu Bon River)
Savor a hearty breakfast, then travel to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its 15th–19th-century trading port. Explore the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and visit Tan Ky House, a preserved 18th-century merchant home. Join a lantern-making workshop to craft a colorful keepsake. In the evening, enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Thu Bon River, releasing lanterns for a magical experience. Return to Danang for a tranquil overnight stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Danang
Day 7: Danang – Saigon
Where: Saigon
After a hearty breakfast, check out and transfer to Danang’s airport (no guide) for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, known as Saigon. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your downtown hotel. Explore saigon at leasure and indulge in the vibrant nightlife of this amazing city.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Day 8: Saigon – City Tour
Where: Saigon (War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street)
Embark on a city tour visiting the War Remnants Museum, showcasing Vietnam’s wartime history. Explore the Reunification Palace, a 1975 landmark, then view the Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior, built 1877–1883) and Gustave Eiffel’s Central Post Office. Stroll Nguyen Hue Walking Street and shop at Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs. Overnight stay in Saigon.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Day 9: Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels – Departure
Where: Cu Chi Tunnels, Saigon
Savor a hearty breakfast, then drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 200km underground network pivotal in the Vietnam War. Watch an introductory video, explore trapdoors, field hospitals, and wartime exhibits, with an optional short tunnel crawl. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then return to Saigon for leisure time. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (no guide) for your departure flight, carrying memories of Hanoi’s cultural vibrancy, Ninh Binh’s serene rivers, Halong Bay’s karsts, Hoi An’s ancient charm, and Saigon’s dynamic energy.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: None
Inclusions
- 7 nights’ accommodation in Hanoi, Danang, and Saigon hotels (double/twin sharing).
- 1 night on a Halong Bay cruise (twin-sharing cabin, non-private junk, shuttle bus transfers).
- Meals as listed in the itinerary.
- All entrance fees and sightseeing as per the Vietnam tour itinerary.
- Airport transfers (private basis, no guide for drop-offs), Halong Bay transfers (shuttle bus, SIC basis), Ninh Binh tour (SIC basis), Bana Hills tour with cable car tickets, Hoi An tour, and half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour (SIC basis).
- Half-day Hanoi city tour with 1-hour cyclo tour, full-day Ninh Binh tour with local lunch, full-day Bana Hills tour, full-day Hoi An tour, and half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour.
- Local English-speaking guides and 1 water bottle per person per day.
Exclusions
- GST (5%) and TCS (5%) applicable extra.
- Airport taxes, international and domestic flights.
- Meals not specified in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses (e.g., tips, camera/video charges, laundry, telephone bills).
- Costs due to flight delays or natural calamities (e.g., landslides, roadblocks), to be borne directly by the customer on the spot.
More Information
Prepare for your Vietnam tour package with these essential tips, tailored to the warm, humid, and rainy August weather of Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Danang, Hoi An, and Saigon:
- Travel Documents: Carry your passport (valid for at least 6 months from the travel date) and an authentic government ID card. Obtain your e-visa for Vietnam in advance here.
- Clothing: Pack lightweight, breathable clothing like cotton t-shirts, shorts, or trek pants to stay cool in the warm and humid conditions. Include a lightweight rain jacket or poncho for frequent afternoon showers during the monsoon season. Comfortable, quick-drying shoes with good grip are ideal for Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Ninh Binh’s boat rides, Halong Bay’s kayaking, Hoi An’s cobblestone streets, Bana Hills’ terrain, and Cu Chi Tunnels, which may be muddy. Bring flip-flops or sandals for casual moments on Danang’s beaches or Halong Bay’s cruise.
- Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen (SPF 40+), lip balm, and good U/V protection sunglasses to shield against the strong tropical sun during outdoor activities in Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, and Bana Hills.
- Health: Carry personal medicines (if any), insect repellent for rural areas like Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, and Cu Chi Tunnels, glucose powder, medicines for headaches, diarrhea, or motion sickness, Dettol, bandages, and cotton to stay comfortable in the humid climate.