North to South Vietnam Tour – 12 Days

This Vietnam local tour offers you the amazing opportunity to discover S-shape in all facets, a country with stunning landscapes, friendly people, authentic tradition, and rich culture. Take a trip to the whole journey throughout Vietnam, from the northern region to the Centre and the South, finally end in the Mekong Delta. If you are enamored of the charm of thousand years capital Hanoi, the authentic cultural richness of the northern tribes in the North, you will be enchanted by the softness of the former imperial city of Hue, the nonchalance of Hoi An ancient town in the Centre and be animated by the dynamic Ho Chi Minh city and the charm of Mekong Delta with its lush tropical orchard or the lively floating markets.

Tour Highlights

• Witness stunning landscapes from North to South, including Halong Bay, Marble Mountains, and Mekong Delta.
• Immerse yourself in the rich history and traditions of Vietnam, exploring ancient temples, pagodas, and imperial tombs.
• Indulge in authentic Vietnamese cuisine with local meals and cooking classes.
• Gain insights into Vietnam’s past with visits to significant sites like Cu Chi Tunnels.
• Interact with local communities, cruise along the Perfume River.

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnel – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 12 days/ 11 Nights
Departure Date: Any Time You Wish
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L, D)
Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh Province (B, L, D)
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay ( B, L, D)
Day 5: Flight to Hue (D)
Day 6: Hue City Tour (B, L, D)
Day 7: Hue – Danang free day (B)
Day 8: Danang – Marble Mountains – Hoi An Ancient Town (B, L, D)
Day 9: Hoi An – Flight to Ho Chi Minh city (B, L, D)
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnel (B, L, D)
Day 11: Mekong Delta experience (B, L, D)
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City for Departure flight (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D) 

Upon arrival at Noi Bai international airport, warmly welcomed by the local driver then take you back to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi. Suggestion: Explore the nightlife in Hanoi Old Quarter to feel the peaceful atmosphere.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L, D) 

Meet your tour guide and start your trip with the first place is Tran Quoc pagoda, a Buddhist relic and national heritage lying on the West Lake. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the final resting place of Viet Nam’s greatest father; his house-on-stilt and One pillar pagoda – modeled after a lotus flower, a symbol of Hanoi.

Take a visit to Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, constructed in 1070 dedicating to Confucius, sages, and many scholars.

After lunch, move ahead to Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, General Commander for the struggle against Mongolians. Then, freely explore the hidden beauty of the city. After that, the driver will drop you off at the hotel. Relax and stay overnight in this hotel.

Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh Province (B, L, D) 

Your guide & driver will pick you up at the hotel and then leave by coach to Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh province) by a scenic 2.5-hour drive. Arrive Hoa Lu, visit the historic capital of Viet Nam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties. The coach will then transfer you from Hoa Lu to Tam Coc.

After lunch, take a boat trip to visit Tam Coc and witness the beauty of the karst formations as you pass along their base and row into one of the many caves carved through the limestone.

You have one-hour cycling on the tranquil roads through villages, rice fields, rivers, and rocky outcrops in Tam Coc – Bich Dong (It’s about 5 km). Then return back to Tam Coc Port and get on the coach back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi. Drop off at the hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay ( B, L, D) 

Meet your tour guide, start the trip to Ha Long Bay. We will have a stop en-route in Hai Duong Province to free your legs. At noon, embark a wonderful time relishing in the majestic landscapes of Halong Bay. Enjoy lunch on board while passing through these stunning islets of Stone Dog, Incense Burner, and Fighting cock. Before back to the harbor to catch the vehicle back to Hanoi, we visit Thien Cung cave, the most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay. In the evening, arrive back in Hanoi and stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Flight to Hue (D) 

Transfert by private car to the airport for the flight Hanoi- Hue. Upon arrival in Phu Bai airport, meet the local driver then take you back to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in hotel in Hue.

Day 6: Hue City Tour (B, L, D)

After breakfast, the guide will pick up at your hotel by car. Start to visit Minh Mang’s tomb, Khai Dinh’s tomb, traditional Martial Art Van An, Tu Duc tomb.

Enjoy the savory buffet lunch. In the afternoon, continue with the visit The Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda. Then get on the boat for sightseeing along the Perfume River to see fishing village and sampan on the way back. Back to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in hotel in Hue.

Day 7: Hue – Danang Free Day (B)

Pick up at the hotel. Drive you to Da Nang city by a private car. Drop off at the hotel. Free day to relax and explore the city. Overnight in hotel in Danang.

Day 8: Danang – Marble Mountains – Hoi An Ancient Town (B, L, D)

After, a free morning, pick-up the guests at the hotel. Then transfer to the Marble Mountains. Visit the marvelous carvings-stone village, where the local sculptors create many marble products exported to many countries worldwide. Climb up to the peak of Marble Mountains by the stone stairs and delve into the panoramic view of the nearby countryside. We will then visit Huyen Khong cave and Linh Ung Pagoda.

Depart to Hoi An in the late afternoon then enjoy the Vietnamese dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, Visit Hoi An Ancient town: The Museum of History, Quang Dong temple, The Chinese Assembly Hall of Phuc Kien, Japanese bridge, Phung Hung Old house, Thang Loi handicraft workshop. Overnight in hotel in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An – Flight to Ho Chi Minh city (B, L, D)

Free at leisure until take you to Da Nang international airport to take the flight to Saigon. On arrival, pick up and drive you back to the hotel. Overnight in a hotel in Saigon.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnel (B, L, D)

In the morning, the trip starts by visiting the most iconic highlights in Saigon such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace, and the remarkable War Remnants Museum.

Have lunch at a restaurant, transfer to Cu Chi tunnels, located 60km from HCMC, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists – the network of more than 200 km of tunnels which plays an important role in Vietnamese War.

After lunch, start Cu Chi Tunnels’ exploration There stands a myriad of evidence of the fierce battle that took place during the 1960s when Cu Chi Tunnel was a “free target zone”. Before entering the tunnels, visitors will watch a short introductory video which shows how the tunnels were constructed. Then spend the next hour to explore Cu Chi Tunnels. Then enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war. Back to Saigon. Drop off at the hotel. Overnight in a hotel in Saigon.

Day 11: Mekong Delta Experience (B, L, D) 

In the morning, leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the way bordered by green rice fields. On arrival at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Visit Cai Be Floating Market, discover the life on the river.

Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat rides to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along the canals, then taste the fresh seasonal fruits & honey tea to the sound of Southern Vietnamese Folk Music, shown by the locals.

After that, take a visit to a local family that epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, try scrumptious coconut candy and witness the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages. In the late afternoon, transfer back to Saigon for overnight accommodation.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City for Departure Flight (B) 

Enjoy breakfast and free until your driver picks you to Tan Son Nhat airport for flight back. Tour ends. See you on your next trip!