North to South Tour Vietnam Highlights Discovery
(17 Days / 16 Nights)
From 2600 USD per person when 2 people sharing room
OVERVIEW
This 17-day journey showcases Vietnam’s most iconic destinations, blending cultural immersion with scenic adventures. Begin in vibrant Hanoi with its rich history and street food delights before cruising through the breathtaking Halong Bay. Explore Hue’s imperial legacy and ride along the scenic Hai Van Pass to charming Hoi An. Discover local traditions with cooking and coffee classes, then head south to the Mekong Delta for authentic rural experiences. Conclude in dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, uncovering its historical landmarks and vibrant urban life.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour Full Day (08:00 – 16:00) (B-L) 4
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay 3D2N Cruise (B-L-D) 5
Day 4: Halong Bay Exploration (B-Br-D) 6
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B-Br) 7
Day 6: Hue Immersion Full Day Tour (08:30 – 19:00) (B-L-D) 8
Day 8: Motorcycle Tour from Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (08:00 – 16:00) (B) 10
Day 9: Free Time in Hoi An (B) 11
Day 10: Hoi An – Master Coffee Class (08:30 – 11:30) (B) 12
Day 11: Hoi An – Cooking Class with Boat Tour (12:30 – 17:30) (B-D) 13
Day 12: Free Time in Hoi An (B) 14
Day 13: Hoi An – Transfer to Danang – Flight to Can Tho (B-D) 15
Day 14: Floating Market, Local Craft & Daily Life (B-L-D) 16
Day 15: Green Village – Ho Chi Minh City (B-L) 17
Day 16: Cu Chi Tunnel and City Tour (08:00 – 16:00) (B-L) 18
Day 17: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City (B) 19
TOUR PROGRAM
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, the driver will meet and transfer you to Rex Hanoi Hotel. Take the rest of the day to settle in, relax, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city.
In the evening, you will join a Hanoi Street Food Tour (17:30 – 20:30). Visit carefully selected, hygienic local spots to savor authentic Vietnamese dishes, enjoying 10 tastings at 8 stops. Wander through the Old Quarter’s lively alleys, sip traditional Vietnamese coffee, and gain deeper insights into the city’s food, culture, and history with your expert guide.
Accommodation: Rex Hanoi Hotel
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour Full Day (08:00 – 16:00) (B-L)
After breakfast, set out on a full-day Hanoi city tour. At 08:00 AM, the tour guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel to join in the Hanoi City tour full day. Discover Hanoi’s rich history and vibrant culture on this full-day city tour. Start at Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, a national heritage site. Then, explore the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum, stilt house, and One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Hanoi since 1049.
Next, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Continue to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao.
Enjoy a local lunch in the Old Quarter before visiting the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, honoring Confucius and renowned scholars. Stop by the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural and Long Bien Market to experience local life.
Conclude your tour with a visit to the historic Long Bien Bridge, designed by the architect of the Eiffel Tower, offering a perfect spot for photos. The tour ends at 4:00 PM.
Accommodation: Rex Hanoi Hotel
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay 3D2N Cruise (B-L-D)
At 8:15 – 8:35 AM, you’ll be picked up from the hotel and transferred by Limousine Bus, with a brief stop along the way. Upon arrival at the cruise, you’ll check in and enjoy a delicious lunch before settling into your cabin. In the afternoon, explore the Dark and Bright Cave by kayak or local rowboat. Relax with a swim around the cruise, then join a cooking demonstration, happy hour, and enjoy dinner. Overnight on board.
Accommodation: Stellar of the Seas Cruise
Day 4: Halong Bay Exploration (B-Br-D)
Start with a sunrise viewing and a golf class, followed by a Tai Chi session and breakfast. After a relaxing morning onboard, enjoy a brunch buffet before heading to the Viet Hai floating village by electric car or bike. Visit the Ba Trai Dao natural beach in Lan Ha Bay for swimming and relaxation. Return to the boat for a cooking demonstration, happy hour, and dinner. In the evening, participate in a fishing session or enjoy the pool, mini-golf, or spa. Overnight on board.
Accommodation: Stellar of the Seas Cruise
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B-Br)
Enjoy another sunrise and Tai Chi session before breakfast. Take photos by drone at the swimming pool (weather permitting). Pack up and enjoy a final brunch buffet before settling any personal expenses. Return to the mainland by speedboat. The Sharing bus will transfer you back to Hanoi and meet your driver for a transfer to the airport around 14:30.
Take a domestic flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. The evening is free for you to explore Hue’s peaceful streets, riverside promenade, or sample local dishes such as bun bo Hue. Overnight in Hue.
Accommodation: Saigon Morin Hotel
Day 6: Hue Immersion Full Day Tour (08:30 – 19:00) (B-L-D)
At 8:30 AM, the tour guide will meet you at the hotel to start a full day Hue Immersion tour (08:30 – 19:00). Discover Hue’s culture with a cyclo ride through Kim Long, exploring lush gardens, Mandarin temples, and local crafts. Visit a Garden-House for a traditional meal and an herbal foot bath.
Continue by motorbike to Tam Giang Lagoon, visiting an ancient village and a fisherman’s home to learn about fishing tools. Join a boat ride, experience traditional fishing, and explore life on houseboats. End your journey at a vegetable farm with a “farm-to-table” seafood dinner featuring freshly caught fish. This immersive tour highlights Hue’s heritage, farming, and fishing practices amidst the serene beauty of its lagoon. After the tour, transfer to the hotel for an overnight.
Accommodation: Hotel Saigon Morin
Day 7: Free Time in Hue (B)
Today is completely free for you to explore Hue at your own pace. You may wish to wander through the bustling Dong Ba Market, stroll along the Perfume River, or relax at your hotel and enjoy the facilities. For a cultural experience, you could choose an optional activity such as visiting additional royal tombs, Imperial City of Hue or sampling Hue’s famous street food specialties. The evening is yours to relax or discover Hue’s vibrant nightlife.
Accommodation: Saigon Morin Hotel
Day 8: Motorcycle Tour from Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (08:00 – 16:00) (B)
After breakfast, embark on an unforgettable motorcycle journey from Hue to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal routes.
Starting at 8:30 AM, the tour guide will come to pick you up at the hotel to join in the Motorcycle tour from Hue to Hoi An (via Hai Van Pass). Start visiting a mushroom village and enjoy scenic rice fields. Continue to Tam Giang Lagoon to explore a local fishing village before relaxing at Mo Waterfall. After a lunch stop at Lang Co Beach, ride through the stunning Hai Van Pass, famous for its cloud-covered ocean views. Visit My Khe Beach, then explore Linh Ung Pagoda and Marble Mountains, home to caves, pagodas, and ancient legends. Conclude in Hoi An at 4:30 PM. Then check into your hotel. Evening free to explore the charming lantern-lit streets.
Accommodation: AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villas
Day 9: Free Time in Hoi An (B)
Enjoy one day of relaxation and exploration in Hoi An. Stroll through its well-preserved Old Town, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, and admire ancient merchant houses. Get tailor-made clothing, or visit the lush countryside on a cycling tour. Spend time at An Bang Beach or take a boat ride to the nearby Cham Islands. Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation: AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villas
Day 10: Hoi An – Master Coffee Class (08:30 – 11:30) (B)
After breakfast, join a Master Coffee Class to learn about Vietnam’s rich coffee culture.
At 8:30 AM, the driver will pick you up at the hotel to transfer to the Coffee Class. Join the 2.5-hour Hoi An Coffee Class at Phin Lab Roastery. Explore Vietnam’s coffee culture, learning about Third Wave Coffee and the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans. Create Vietnamese coffee drinks, including cold brew and coconut egg coffee, with guidance from a coffee master. Enhance your skills in this hands-on experience. The class includes a short transfer from Hoi An’s old town and concludes with a return trip, offering a memorable dive into the art of coffee-making. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel at 11:30.
Accommodation: AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villas
Day 11: Hoi An – Cooking Class with Boat Tour (12:30 – 17:30) (B-D)
Late morning at leisure before joining a cooking class in the afternoon.
At 12:30, the driver will pick you up at the hotel. Immerse yourself in Hoi An’s countryside with a half-day cooking tour in Cam Thanh village. Begin at a local market to select fresh ingredients, then ride a bamboo boat to the cooking school. Relax with a head, shoulder, and foot massage before learning to prepare four Vietnamese dishes: green mango salad, wet spring rolls, pancakes, and chicken curry with steamed rice. Afterward, enjoy your creations and experience the flavors of Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.
Accommodation: AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villas
Day 12: Free Time in Hoi An (B)
Enjoy a relaxing free day in Hoi An at your own pace. You may choose to unwind at the hotel, enjoy a spa treatment for complete relaxation, or discover Hoi An’s rich cuisine with signature dishes such as Cao Lau and Mi Quang. In the evening, you have the option to attend the spectacular “Hoi An Memories Show,” an impressive outdoor performance that brings local history and culture to life.
Accommodation: AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villas
Day 13: Hoi An – Transfer to Danang – Flight to Can Tho (B-D)
After breakfast, transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Can Tho, the capital of the Mekong Delta.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Green Village Mekong. Check into your bungalow and take time to relax in the serene riverside setting. In the evening, enjoy a delicious home-style dinner prepared with fresh local ingredients. This is a perfect opportunity to experience authentic Mekong hospitality.
Accommodation: Green Village Mekong
Day 14: Floating Market, Local Craft & Daily Life (B-L-D)
Get up early to begin the day with a boat trip through peaceful, non-touristic canals, leading to the vibrant Cai Rang floating market. Here, experience a traditional riverside breakfast, sampling noodle soup, bread rolls, or coconut drinks from local vendors. If preferred, toast and jam can be arranged. Visit a glass noodle factory to observe and participate in rice paper-making alongside skilled locals. Then, stop by the bustling Cai Rang fish market to witness daily shopping rituals for fresh produce.
Return to the bungalow for lunch and a free afternoon. In the evening, around 17:00, take part in the City & Food tour to explore Can Tho City in the evening, and try some local food.
Accommodation: Green Village Mekong
Day 15: Green Village – Ho Chi Minh City (B-L)
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast and savor the last peaceful moments in the Mekong, surrounded by fresh riverside air. After a leisurely lunch, check out and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and unwind. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, with dinner at your own arrangement in the lively atmosphere of the city.
Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa
Day 16: Cu Chi Tunnel and City Tour (08:00 – 16:00) (B-L)
At 08:00 AM, the tour guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel to start the Cu Chi Tunnel and City tour by private car. This full-day adventure combines history, culture, and local life. Begin with a journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary underground network used during the Vietnam War. Watch an introductory video, explore narrow passageways, and see wartime relics including traps, a US tank, and bomb craters.
After returning to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch, visit the War Remnants Museum, followed by iconic French colonial landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Opera House, and City Hall. Conclude at bustling Ben Thanh Market, where you can shop for local goods before returning to your hotel.
Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa
Day 17: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City (B)
After breakfast, enjoy some free time until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight home. Your Vietnam journey comes to an end with wonderful memories of landscapes, cuisine, and culture.
Tour ends. Safe travels! See you again!
Thank you for choosing Sakima Travel !
TOUR INCLUSION
- Accommodation:
- 2 nights at Rex Hanoi Hotel
- 2 nights on Stellar of the Seas Cruise
- 3 nights at Saigon Morin
- 5 nights at AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villas
- 2 nights at Green Village Mekong
- 2 nights at Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa
- Meal: 16 Breakfasts/ 6 Lunches/ 7 Dinners
- Tour:
- Hanoi Street Food Tour (17:30 – 20:30)
- Hanoi City tour full day (08:00 – 16:00)
- Halong 3D2N Tour
- Hue Immersion Full day tour (08:30 – 19:00)
- Motorcycle transfer Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van pass
(08:00 – 16:00)
- Master Coffee class (08:30 – 11:30)
- Cooking class with boat tour (12:30 – 17:30)
- Green Village 3D2N Tour
- Cu Chi Tunnel and City Tour full day (08:00 – 16:00)
- Transfer: All transfers during the program
- Domestic Flight:
- Hanoi – Hue with Vietnam Airlines – Economy Class, included one piece of 23 checked luggage per ticket
- Danang – Can Tho with Vietnam Airlines – Economy Class, included one piece of 23 checked luggage per ticket
- Tax: VAT Taxes and services charge
TOUR EXCLUSION
- Personal Expense
- Tipping/ Gratuities
- Non-mentioned services in the program
- Flight tickets to/ from Vietnam