Vietnam at a Glance: Classic Tour from Hanoi to Saigon
A well-organized itinerary from North to South through Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Saigon — perfect for first-time visitors to Vietnam.
Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Cu Chi Tunnels
Tour code: VN-8D-CLASSIC
Overview
Discover classic Vietnam in 8 days from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, including a Ha Long Bay cruise, Hue's Imperial Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town, the Mekong Delta, and Cu Chi Tunnels.
Explore the best of Vietnam on this 8-day journey designed for first-time and returning visitors alike. Start in the ancient capital of Hanoi and end in the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City. This classic North-to-South itinerary combines UNESCO World Heritage sites, royal history, lantern-lit ancient towns, and the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta.
Journey Highlights
- Hanoi: stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, explore the atmospheric Old Quarter, and watch a traditional water puppet show.
- Ha Long Bay: spend a night aboard a classic wooden junk boat amidst thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald waters.
- Hue: take a dragon boat on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and visit the Imperial Citadel and Tu Duc Tomb.
- Hoi An: wander the lantern-lit streets, visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and relax by the Thu Bon River.
- Ho Chi Minh City: admire French colonial architecture, the War Remnants Museum, and the historic Reunification Palace.
- Mekong Delta: cruise through Cai Rang Floating Market, visit fruit orchards, and experience riverside life.
- Cu Chi Tunnels: crawl through the legendary underground tunnel network from the Vietnam War.
Throughout the trip, you will be accompanied by experienced local guides who share stories, context, and tips to bring each destination to life. Hotels are carefully selected for comfort and location, private air-conditioned transportation is provided, and domestic flights are arranged so you can focus on experiences rather than logistics.
The tour is fully customizable: add extra nights in Hanoi, Hoi An, or Saigon, upgrade to boutique or 5-star hotels, or extend with a beach stay in Mui Ne or Phu Quoc.
Highlights
Explore Hanoi's Old Quarter and watch water puppetry
Overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay
Visit Hue's Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Tu Duc Tomb
Stroll the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An
Boat through Cai Rang Floating Market in the Mekong Delta
Discover Cu Chi Tunnels and Saigon's colonial landmarks
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi – Old Quarter & Water Puppetry
Your guide and driver will pick you up at Noi Bai Airport and transfer you to the hotel in the Old Quarter. After resting, take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, explore the Old Quarter, and watch a water puppet show at Thang Long Theatre. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2
Hanoi – Overnight Cruise on Ha Long Bay
In the morning, take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake or practice Tai Chi. After breakfast, a private car takes you to Ha Long Bay (about 2.5 hours). Board a wooden junk boat and enjoy lunch while cruising past limestone karsts. In the afternoon, explore caves, kayak, or swim. Watch the sunset, join a cooking class, and have dinner on board. Overnight in a private air-conditioned cabin.
Day 3
Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue
Start your day with Tai Chi at sunrise and a light breakfast on board. Continue cruising through the quieter areas of the bay before returning to the port around noon. A car will take you to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, your Hue guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in and rest.
Day 4
Hue's Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda & Royal Tombs
After breakfast, take a dragon boat on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda — the symbol of the ancient capital of Hue. Then continue to the Imperial Citadel, a complex of palaces, gates, and temples of the Nguyen Dynasty. After lunch in the city center, visit the peaceful Tu Duc Tomb with its gardens, lakes, and pavilions. Return to the hotel for relaxation.
Day 5
Hue – Hai Van Pass – Hoi An Ancient Town
Leave Hue after breakfast and travel along one of Vietnam's most scenic coastal roads, crossing Hai Van Pass for panoramic views of mountains and sea. Stop at Lang Co Beach for photos and the Marble Mountains near Da Nang to explore caves and pagodas. Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon, check in, and then stroll through the lantern-lit streets, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Fujian Assembly Hall.
Day 6
Hoi An – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
Wake up early to stroll through Hoi An's Old Quarter before it gets crowded, then have breakfast and free time for shopping or relaxing by the river. At noon, transfer to Da Nang Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, and War Remnants Museum. Evening free in the city center.
Day 7
Mekong Delta Day Trip – Cai Rang Floating Market
After an early breakfast, drive to Cai Rang in the Mekong Delta. Board a small boat and navigate through the bustling floating market, where vendors sell fruits, vegetables, and breakfast from their boats. Continue through narrow canals lined with water coconut palms, stop at a fruit orchard and a local house to enjoy fresh fruit and listen to traditional Vietnamese folk music. Enjoy a Western-style lunch before returning to Saigon in the late afternoon.
Day 8
Cu Chi Tunnels – Saigon Highlights – Departure
After breakfast, drive northwest to the Cu Chi Tunnels — an immense tunnel network used during the war. Your guide will explain how people lived, fought, and moved through the narrow tunnels; you can even try crawling through a safe section. Return to Saigon for lunch and souvenir shopping before a private transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport. End of program.
Included / Not Included
Included
- Private airport transfers and air-conditioned transportation throughout the trip
- English-speaking local guides at each destination
- 7 nights accommodation at 3-star hotels (upgradable)
- Overnight on Ha Long Bay junk boat with private cabin and meals on board
- Domestic flights: Hanoi – Hue and Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City
- Entrance fees and boat trips as per itinerary
- Daily breakfast, plus lunches and dinners as per itinerary
Not included
- International flights to/from Vietnam
- Vietnam visa and travel insurance
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, souvenirs, and tips
- Optional tours and hotel room upgrades