Vietnam In Sight: Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
A Curated North-To-South Itinerary Through Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An And Saigon — Perfect For First-Time Visitors.
Hanoi → Halong Bay → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Cu Chi Tunnels
Tour code: VN-8D-CLASSIC
Overview
A Classic 8-Day Vietnam Discovery From Hanoi To Ho Chi Minh City, Featuring Halong Bay Cruise, Hue Imperial City, Hoi An Ancient Town, Mekong Delta And Cu Chi Tunnels.
Discover the most incredible destinations of Vietnam on an 8-day journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City: Halong Bay, Hue Imperial City, Hoi An Ancient Town, the Mekong Delta, and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Highlights
Hanoi – Hoan Kiem Lake & 36 Streets: Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, explore the Old Quarter with 36 streets, and enjoy a water puppet performance.
Halong Bay – Majestic Heritage: Overnight on a cruise, kayak among limestone islands, learn to cook, and watch the sunset over the bay.
Hue Imperial City – Ancient Capital: Explore the Citadel, Tu Duc Tomb, listen to royal court music on the Huong River, and savor imperial cuisine.
Hoi An – Lantern-Lit Ancient Town: Walk through streets glowing with lanterns, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, old houses, and try local specialties.
Ho Chi Minh City – Dynamic & Modern: Visit the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and feel the vibrant life of Vietnam's largest city.
Mekong Delta – Waterway Life: Cruise through Cai Rang Floating Market, visit fruit orchards, and immerse yourself in the canal life of the Western region.
Cu Chi Tunnels – Symbol of Resilience: Learn about the legendary tunnel system, experience crawling through narrow passages, and try sport shooting.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Hanoi – Old Quarter & Water Puppet Show
Our guide and driver will greet you at Noi Bai Airport and transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter. After resting, take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, explore the Old Quarter, and enjoy a water puppet performance at Thang Long Theatre. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2
Hanoi – Overnight on Halong Bay Cruise
Start the morning with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake or practice Tai Chi. After breakfast, a private car takes you to Halong Bay (approx. 2.5 hours). Board a wooden junk boat, enjoy lunch while cruising past limestone islands. In the afternoon, visit caves, kayak, or swim. Watch the sunset, join a cooking class, and have dinner on board. Sleep in an air-conditioned private cabin.
Day 3
Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue
Start the day with Tai Chi at sunrise and a light breakfast on board. Continue cruising through quieter areas of the bay before returning to the port around noon. A car takes you to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, your Hue guide greets you and transfers you to your hotel for rest.
Day 4
Hue Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda & Royal Tombs
After breakfast, board a dragon boat on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda – the symbol of Hue. 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 rest.
Day 5
Hue – Hai Van Pass – Hoi An Ancient Town
Depart Hue after breakfast, traveling along one of Vietnam's most scenic coastal roads over Hai Van Pass, enjoying panoramic views of mountains and sea. Stop at Lang Co Beach for photos and Marble Mountains near Da Nang to explore caves and pagodas. Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon, check in, and stroll through the lantern-lit streets, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge and Fujian Assembly Hall.
Day 6
Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Wake up early for a quiet stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town before it gets busy, then have breakfast and enjoy free time for shopping or relaxing by the river. Midday 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 the War Remnants Museum. Evening free at leisure in the city center.
Day 7
Mekong Delta Day Trip – Cai Rang Floating Market
After an early breakfast, take a car to Cai Rang in the Mekong Delta. Board a small boat 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 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 system used during the war. Your guide explains how people lived, fought, and moved through the narrow tunnels; you can experience crawling through a safe section. Return to Saigon for lunch and some souvenir shopping before a private car takes you to Tan Son Nhat Airport. End of program.
Included / Not Included
Included
- Round-trip transfers as per program (air-conditioned tourist vehicle)
- Domestic flights: Hanoi – Hue, Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Airlines / Jetstar)
- Luxury overnight cruise on Halong Bay (Deluxe cabin)
- 3-4 star hotels / local resorts throughout (7 nights)
- Meals as indicated in program (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners)
- Entrance fees to all historical sites and attractions per itinerary
- Boat trips on Huong River, Cai Rang Floating Market, kayaking on the bay
- Experienced Vietnamese-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Water on coach (2 bottles per day)
Not included
- Personal expenses: phone, laundry, drinks outside the program
- Tips for guide and driver (recommended: 3-5 USD/day)
- Visa (if applicable)
- Meals not listed in the includes section
- International flights to Hanoi and from Ho Chi Minh City back home
- Optional activities outside the program (shooting at Cu Chi, massage, etc.)