Vietnam Essentials - 14 Days
Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through Vietnam's essential natural and cultural sites. This rich and flexible itinerary takes you from Hanoi to Hue, Hoi An, and Saigon, offering a comprehensive panorama of this land of rice paddies and legends.
The landscapes of three major regions with very different beauty: karst peaks, rice paddies and arroyos of the Mekong Delta, coconut jungle, and magnificent traditional architectural monuments.
Two exceptional karst sites: Halong Bay and its "Terrestrial" version in the Ninh Binh region.
Two must-see historic coastal cities: the Imperial City of Hue and the ancient town of Hoi An.
Rich activities with highlights: Cruise in Halong Bay, bike rides through the countryside of Ninh Binh, sampan rides to visit the Cai Rang floating market and the arroyos of the Mekong Delta.
Itinerary Expand All
Day 1Arrival To Hanoi (L)
Upon your arrival at the airport, our guide and driver will greet you and take you to the city center of Hanoi.
Optional: Participate in a one-hour traditional Vietnamese massage session with medicinal herbs.
Afternoon: Visit the Museum of Ethnology to learn about the diverse lifestyles, customs, and traditions of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.
Take a leisurely walk to visit the Long Bien Bridge with a beautiful view of Banana Island, explore the Long Bien fruit market . Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university (established 1070). This serene complex honors Confucius and features well-preserved traditional architecture, courtyards, ponds, and gardens.
Ba Dinh District. This area includes Ba Dinh Square, the botanical garden, the Presidential Palace (formerly the Governor's Palace of Indochina), Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda, one of the city's oldest monuments (built 1049).
Tran Quoc Pagoda: Built in 1615 on the shore of the large West Lake.
Lunch with Hanoi specialties: Grilled pork and Egg Coffee.
Old Quarter of Hanoi, a bustling commercial center near Hoan Kiem Lake. This "open-air museum" is famous for its unique tube houses, narrow alleys, temples, and vibrant markets.
Lunch: Enjoy grilled pork with vermicelli and egg coffee.
Evening: Attend a traditional water puppet show, a popular art form typical of northern Vietnam that combines traditional music and scenes of rural life.
Optional: Train Street: A unique and thrilling attraction where trains pass just inches from the surrounding buildings, offering a rare glimpse into the daily life of Hanoi
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3Hanoi – Baitulong Bay, Overnight Cruise (B, L, D)
8:00 AM: Transfer to Sun Pier. Boarding at noon. Transfer by small boat to reach the hotel boat.
12:45 PM: Welcome drink and brief presentation about safety instructions on board the boat and the itinerary.
1:30 PM: Lunch on board the boat as it sails towards Bai Tu Long Bay.
3:00 PM: The boat sails towards the Cong Do and Cap La region, with a kayaking activity through the karst rocks. Possibility to stop at a wild beach depending on the tide.
5:30 PM: Return to the boat and relax on the upper deck.
7:00 PM: Dinner on board the boat. Free evening for squid fishing.
Overnight on the Renea Cruise.
Day 4Halong Bay – Ninh Binh, Countryside Life (B, L, D)
Day 5 Ninh Binh, In-Land Halong Bay – Night Train To Hue (B, L, D)
Day 6Hue - Minh Mang Tomb – Tam Giang Lagoon - Hue (B, L)
You'll arrive in Hue around 8:00 AM. You will be greeted by our guide and driver, then have breakfast at a local restaurant.
Next, you will visit the Tomb of Minh Mang, a harmonious blend of nature and art nestled within a landscape of mountains and rivers. This strategic location was chosen to ensure the dynasty's good fortune. Considered the most opulent of the royal tombs, this 28-hectare site features 40 monuments arranged symmetrically along a 700-meter axis. The structures are enclosed by the La Thanh perimeter wall, and the entire complex blends perfectly with its environment, thanks to its lush gardens and shimmering ponds
Afternoon: Discover the pristine site of Tam Giang Lagoon - one of the most important brackish water expanses in Southeast Asia.
We'll stop in a lakeside village on the edge of Dam Chuon - the widest part of Tam Giang Lagoon. Take a short walk to meet the locals before boarding a small motorboat for a tour of part of the lagoon. Observe the aquatic life of local fishermen who often set their nets and traps in the fish-rich waters at this time. Learn fishing techniques from a local fisherman and enjoy the sunset over the lagoon.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 7Hue, Imperial City And Royal Tomb (B, L)
At 8:00 AM, begin your exploration of Hue, Vietnam's former imperial capital and a 1993 UNESCO World Heritage site.
Start with the Imperial City, the heart of Vietnam's last feudal dynasty. Explore its key areas: The Citadel, Imperial City, and Forbidden Purple City, including landmarks like the Flag Tower, Nine Dynastic Urns, South Gate, Palace of Supreme Harmony, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Temple of Nguyen Kings.
Next, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an iconic Hue landmark, notable for its 21-meter-high octagonal tower representing Buddha's seven incarnations.
Embark on a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thuy Bieu village, known for its "Thanh Tra" pomelo trees. Lunch at restaurant.
Afternoon: Take a leisurely walk through Thuy Bieu's orchards and garden houses, soaking in the serene, rustic atmosphere. Discover two unique sites: the Tiger Fighting Arena, where emperors staged tiger and elephant battles, and the nearby Voi Re Temple, dedicated to the elephants that fell in these fights.
Continue to the Tomb of King Tu Duc, a stunning example of traditional Vietnamese art, offering insights into the Nguyen Dynasty and French colonial history.
Enjoy a photo stop at a craft workshop specializing in incense and conical hats in Thuy Xuan. On your way back to Hue, pause at Bellevue Hill for panoramic views of the Perfume River.
Day 8Hue – Hoi An, Ancient Port Town (B, L)
Day 9Hoi An Countryside, Local Life & Sacred Valley My Son (B, L)
Day 10Hoian - Danang - Flight To Saigon (B, L)
Day 11Hochiminh City – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B, L, D)
Day 12Cai Rang Floating Market - Sadec - Saigon (B, L)
Cai Rang Floating Market & Sadec
6h40: board a boat to explore Cai Rang floating market, the largest in the Mekong Delta.
Take a walk to visit a rice noodle (Hu Tieu) factory, a local specialty. Continue to a famous land market, comparing its diverse offerings (fruits, vegetables, fish, etc.) with the floating market.
Next, visit a cocoa garden to learn about planting, local cocoa, and chocolate production, and enjoy a glass of hot chocolate.
En route to Sadec, known for its flowers and bonsai. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, then stroll along the riverbanks admiring colonial houses and the school where Marguerite Duras' mother taught.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight at your hotel.
Day 13Hochiminh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi - Hochiminh City (B, L)
Day 14Hochiminh City Tour - Departure (B, L)
Stroll through the former Catinat Street (now Dong Khoi Street), visit the Central Post Office built in 1886 by Eiffel, the Notre-Dame Cathedral with its Neo-Romanesque style in red bricks, City Hall, and the Municipal Theatre (Opera House).
Afternoon: We will visit the Reunification Palace, the Chinatown area, and the Thien Hau Temple (Temple of the Celestial Lady).
Transfer to the airport for the departure flight.
Prices and Accommodation
How to book?
Enter your travel date, the number of adults, and the language
Click "Book this tour" for price, then "Book now" to reserve.
"Pricing is for up to 6 adults. For larger groups, please request a customized offer in your 'special requests'
Included
- Accommodation
- Transportation according to the program in sharing shutted bus or a private vehicle with a driver for your group
- Meals as mentioned in the program: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
- English-speaking guide
- Visiting fees and entrance fees to the sites, Kayaking
- One liter of bottled water per day per person, Handling fees
Excluded
- Bank fees
- Travelers' personal insurance, Beverages, phone, personal expenses, and anything not clearly mentioned in the "This price includes" section
- Surcharge during public holidays (if any)
- Tipping (based on your satisfaction, a suggested reference is $5 USD/day/traveler for guides and half that for drivers).
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