Vietnam Highlights Journey: From Hanoi to Saigon 8D7N

Hanoi Arrival

On arrival Hanoi airport, greeted by our private guide and driver, then get your private transfer to your hotel in city center. Check-in time is 2 pm, early check-in is subjected to availability. Rest of the day at leisure exploring Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam, known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi City Explore (B/L)

Breakfast at your hotel. By 8.30 am, greeted by your private guide and driver at your hotel, start our full day tour to Hanoi’s highlights sites including the Ho Chi Minh Complex:

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his stilt house, Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda (Note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes on every Monday and Friday. Remember to wear clothes that’s over your knee and covers your shoulder when visiting Ho Chi Minh complex or the pagoda). Next-stop is Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dated back to 1070.

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, continue to the Ethnology Museum (closes every Monday) where you can learn about all ethnic groups in Vietnam. Head back to Hoan Kiem Lake for a leisure walk around of which Ngoc Son Temple and The Huc Bridge will be the must not miss. Back to the Old Quarter, you can choose to walk/ have cyclo ride or shared electrical car through the narrow streets that were famous for its specialized craft making guilds. The guild streets were named for their product or location and still bear such names nowadays; and then join in a unique water puppet show that features the Viet folklore and culture. Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Ninh Binh Day Trip (B/L)

Group tour today by Authentic Ninh Binh

Limousine Transfer – Small Group Tour: 8 pax/ group

07:00 – 07:30 AM: Our limousine and English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel, homestay, or Airbnb in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Depart for Ninh Binh on a 2-hour drive. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Red River Delta, lush rice paddies, and peaceful rural villages. We will stop for a 15–20-minute break before continuing the journey.

09:30 – 09:45 AM: Arrive at Mua Cave – one of the most famous check-in spots in Ninh Binh. Climb nearly 500 stone steps to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain, where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of Tam Coc, Ngo Dong River, and the majestic limestone mountains.

12:00 PM: Enjoy a Vietnamese set menu with local specialties at a traditional restaurant. After lunch, take a short break before continuing the tour.

1:30 – 3:30 PM: Board a traditional sampan boat for an unforgettable journey through Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you glide along the emerald river, pass through mysterious caves and admire towering limestone cliffs and tranquil valleys, often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land.”

3:40 – 4:20 PM: Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the first capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. Explore the historical site and the temples of King Dinh and King Le, learning about Vietnam’s fascinating history.

4:30 PM Depart Ninh Binh and return to Hanoi by limousine.

6:30 – 7:00 PM: Arrive in Hanoi and drop you off at your hotel or residence. Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Halong (B/L/D)

Option 1: Sena Cruise

07:45 – 08:30 | Pick-up (estimated time)

Around 7:45 – 8:30, shared shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.

11:30 – 12:00 | Arrive Tuan Chau Harbor

12:00 – 12:30 | Transfer to the main boat by tender. Embark on Sena Cruise Warmly welcome to Sena Cruise! While enjoying a welcome drink, our cruise manager will deliver a cruise briefing and safety introduction. After that you will check in your cabin.

13:00 – 13:30 | Enjoy fabulous lunch

Fabulous lunch is served while Sena Cruise – Luxury Boutique Cruise starts her sail into magnificent Lan Ha Bay – an extension of Ha Long Wonder which is much quieter and has fewer tourists. The cruise will pass a thousand of uniquely shaped limestone towers and islands.

15:00 | Explore Lan Ha Bay

We will visit the Dark and Bright Cave – famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. Here you will take some photos of the romantic, lyrical local see-sights. This is also the best time for tourists to enjoy bamboo boats or swimming – which is an interesting activity to discover the truest beauty of the Limestone Mountains and the blue sky of Lan Ha Bay.

Afterwards, visitors immerse in the emerald green water of Lan Ha Bay with exciting swimming activities.

17:00 | Return to Sena Cruise

Enjoy a sunset party on Lan Ha Bay. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the stunning moment of sunset at Lan Ha Bay.

You will also have a chance to join our Cooking class to challenge your skills in preparing very famous Vietnamese spring rolls.

Before dinner, our experienced captain will choose the most tranquil area to anchor for overnight.

19:00 | Savor deluxe dinner

Reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at a panoramic bar or take one of our onboard activities: squid fishing, karaoke. (We open the light and prepare the squid fishing rods)

You will stay overnight on cruise.

Option 2: V’Spirit Cruise

Around 8:15 – 8:45, shared shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.

11:45 – 12:00 Welcome to V’Spirit Cruises lounge at Tuan Chau International Harbor and complete check-in procedures.

12:00 Transfer to V’Spirit Cruises by a tender boat.

12:30 Embark V’Spirit Cruises, and enjoy a welcome drink while listening to cruise briefing and safety introductions.

13:00 Have lunch at The Dawn Restaurant while cruising from Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay.

15:00 Explore Bright cave on a traditional rowing bamboo boat with locals.

17:00 Join a cooking demonstration to get to know Vietnamese cuisine and create your own special flavors.

17:30 – 18:30 Enjoy a Sunset party with some complimentary while waiting for twilight over limestone islands. Take the chance of HAPPY HOUR to have your favorite drinks.

19:00 Dinner at the restaurant. Fine dining setting with degustation experience will create your memorable moments.

21:00 Enjoy starry night on the bay from the top deck with your favorite drink and have fun with board games. You can also try your luck with squid fishing. Overnight on the cruise.

Halong – Hanoi – Flight to Saigon (B/Br)

Option 1: Sena Cruise

06:00 | Sunrise Tai-chi section on sundeck

Be an early bird for a photo hunt and join our Tai-chi session on the sundeck to refresh your body and mind.

07:00 | Having light breakfast

Sena Cruises – Luxury Boutique Cruises continues her sail, passing amazing karst towers. Tea, coffee and light breakfast is served with fresh air and peaceful surroundings.

08:15 | Explore Tra Bau Area

Join kayaking & swimming to explore the Tra Bau area – the famous filming location for Kong Skull Island (King Kong) in Quang Ninh in 2018.

09:30 | Return to the boat for check-out

10:00 | Lunch time

During the time well prepared lunch is served, Sena Cruise – Luxury Boutique Cruise slowly navigates emerald water and thousands of Karst Mountains towards the Harbor.

11:30 – 12:00 | Disembark Sena Cruise and farewell the crew and back to Hanoi by bus

Option 2: V’Spirit Cruise

6:30 Start a day with a Tai Chi session, enjoy the fresh air and watch the sunrise on the bay.

7:00 Have a light breakfast on board.

7:30 Explore the Tra Bau area by kayaking, get closer to the rocky islands and admire the stunning nature of the bay. You have chance to kayak pass by a hidden temple of the fishing villagers if weather permits.

8:00 It’s time for swimming and water activities, immersed in the green water of the Bay with floats.

9:00 Return to the cruise, check-out.

9:30 Enjoy brunch at the restaurant while cruising back to Tuan Chau port.

11:00 – 11:30 Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina. Return to Hanoi by the shared transfer.

CABIN CHECK-OUT: 09:00 AM

15:00 – 15:15: Arrive in Hanoi at meeting point, AEON MALL Long Bien, from here a private driver will bring you to the airport for your flight to Saigon

FLIGHT VIETNAM AIRLINES VN 257 HANOI 17:30 – 19:40 SAIGON

On arrival at Saigon airport, greeted by our driver, get your private transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B/L)

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, by 8 am, private driver comes to hotel in Saigon to pick up, we depart for Cai Be. On arrival, meet up with your local guide. The program will start with a quick visit of Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. Then, we’ll come to Tân Phong island for the rowing boat. They will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Stop at local garden to enjoy some fruits with hot tea when listening to the traditional music. Then, start the biking trip on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses… On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes… (You can walk, but see less). 

Back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. Travel on the handmade canal to Ut Trinh home & have an optional lunch at this traditional house. After lunch, we can walk in the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice… Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise will end at the new boat station of VinhLong city, where our awaited driver will bring you back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

Saigon City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)

Group tour by TNK Travel (max 12 people)

Pick up: 07h30 – 08h00

Return: 19h00

Breakfast at your hotel.

This morning, you will be picked up by a shared shuttle bus with guide and driver at your hotel in District 1. Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification Palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.

Have lunch at local restaurant.

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.

Return to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

Saigon Departure (B)

Breakfast at your hotel. Today is your last day, free at leisure to explore city and do last-minute shopping until check-out time by 12 pm, hotel is happy to keep your luggage. Three and a half hours prior to your departure flight, private driver comes to bring you to airport. Tour ends at airport, see you again in Indochina!