HANOI – HA LONG – NINH BINH – DA NANG – HO CHI MINH

Useful information

This 10 day journey is perfect for first-time visitors who want to see the very best of Vietnam in comfort. From the charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the karst islands of Ha Long Bay, to the limestone landscapes of Ninh Binh, the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, the cool mountain air of Ba Na Hills and the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City – this program has it all.

You will travel with a mix of shared (SIC) and private services, stay in centrally located hotels, and enjoy a special complimentary Vietnamese hair-washing ritual or body massage during your stay in Hanoi.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover Hanoi’s history, culture and unique Train Street

• Cruise UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay on a modern day cruise

• Explore Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Trang An and Mua Cave

• Experience traditional craft villages: Bat Trang ceramics, Chuong conical hats, Quang Phu Cau incense

• Fly to Da Nang and visit Marble Mountains, Coconut Forest and Hoi An Ancient Town

• Ride the cable car to Ba Na Hills and walk on the famous Golden Bridge

• Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, visit Cu Chi Tunnels and cruise the Mekong Delta

• Complimentary Vietnamese hair washing experience or body massage in Hanoi

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi – Half-Day City Tour

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Hanoi. Check in and relax.

Afternoon – Half-Day City Tour (around 4 hours):

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside):
  See the imposing granite structure that houses the preserved body of President Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside), and admire the spacious, symbolic Ba Dinh Square around it.

• Tran Quoc Pagoda:
  Located on a small island in West Lake, this is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi (around 1,500 years). The combination of ancient architecture, tranquil lake views and spiritual ambiance makes it one of the city’s most beautiful sites.

• Train Street:
  Walk along the narrow railway street where trains pass just a short distance away from local houses and cafes. Feel the unique atmosphere and see daily life unfolding right beside the tracks.

• Water Puppet Show:
  Enjoy a traditional water puppet performance – a unique Vietnamese art form. Puppeteers stand in water behind a screen, bringing wooden puppets to life with stories from rural life and legends, accompanied by live music.

After the tour, transfer back to your hotel and free time.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00–08:45

Shared (SIC) limousine pick-up from your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter.

11:45–12:00 – Boarding the Cruise

Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, check in and board your Ha Long day cruise.

12:00–13:30 – Lunch on Board

• Cruise through the most beautiful parts of Ha Long Bay

• Pass famous islets such as Dog Rock, Duck Rock and Thumb Rock

• Enjoy a generous buffet lunch with seafood and Vietnamese dishes

13:30–14:30 – Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave

• Visit the largest and most impressive cave in Ha Long Bay

• Walk up around 200 steps under the forest canopy to reach the cave entrance

• Explore the spectacular chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites

(Those who prefer to relax can stay on the boat and enjoy the sundeck or jacuzzi.)

14:30–15:30 – Luon Cave – Kayaking / Rowboat

• Move to Luon Cave area

• Choose between kayaking or sitting in a bamboo rowboat paddled by a local

• Enjoy the calm lagoon surrounded by cliffs and greenery

15:30–16:30 – Titop Island

• Climb up to the viewpoint for a panoramic view over Ha Long Bay

• Or relax and swim at the small sandy beach

17:00 – Sunset Party

• Enjoy tea, fruit, cakes and wine (complimentary) as the sun sets

• Relax on the sundeck while cruising back to the harbor

18:00–20:30

• Disembark at Tuan Chau

• Shared limousine transfer back to Hanoi

• Drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter
  Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Bat Trang – Chuong Conical Hat Village – Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 – Pick-up from hotel (or Hanoi Opera House)

Bat Trang Ceramic Village

• Visit the village temple, dedicated to the tutelary god who reclaimed the land and developed the pottery craft

• Walk through old alleys, see ancient houses and talk with local artisans

• Visit a ceramic workshop and learn the full process of making pottery

• Hands-on experience: shape your own ceramic product (optional firing and shipping to your hotel at extra cost)

• If time permits, explore the local market and visit another family that combines traditional and modern production methods

11:30 – Depart for Chuong Conical Hat Village

• Visit a family with a long-standing tradition of making Vietnamese conical hats

• See an old wooden house with classic Northern Delta architecture

• Join a simple cooking class with the host and enjoy a home-style Vietnamese lunch

• Sip green tea, relax and experience peaceful rural life

• After lunch, learn how to make a traditional conical hat and try your hand at crafting one yourself

14:30 – Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

• Arrive at the famous incense-making village

• Visit the largest family-run workshop in the village

• See the full process of incense production

• Take photos among hundreds of bright, colorful incense bundles laid out to dry

• Interact with friendly locals and try making incense sticks

Around 16:00 – Tour Ends in Hanoi

After the tour, you will receive a complimentary Vietnamese hair-washing experience or body massage package – a relaxing local-style gift from us.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:00 – Pick-up from Hanoi Old Quarter / Opera House

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

• Visit the former capital of Vietnam (10th–11th centuries)

• See the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le

• Learn about early Vietnamese dynasties and enjoy the mountain scenery surrounding the old citadel

After local lunch – Trang An Boat Trip

• Board a rowing sampan through the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

• Enjoy the peaceful river, towering limestone cliffs and lush greenery

• Pass through natural caves and admire the karst formations and tranquil scenery

Mua Cave and Viewpoint

• Climb nearly 500 stone steps to the top of Mua Mountain

• Visit the tower with traditional Vietnamese design

• Take in the panoramic view of Tam Coc, rice fields and surrounding mountains

Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi – Fly to Da Nang – Dragon Bridge & Son Tra Night Market

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Noi Bai Airport by private car for your flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport:

• Our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Da Nang

• Check in and relax (usual check-in time 14:00–15:00)

Evening (No guide):

• Private car pick-up to see Dragon Bridge illuminated at night

• Visit Son Tra Night Market to enjoy local street food and souvenirs

Overnight in Da Nang.

Day 6: Marble Mountains – Coconut Forest – Hoi An Ancient Town & Night Market

Morning: Breakfast and free time.

13:50–14:00 – Pick-up from hotel

Marble Mountains

• Visit a cluster of five marble and limestone hills named after the five elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth)

• Explore pagodas, caves and viewpoints once revered by Cham people, Vietnamese emperors and generals

Coconut Forest (Bay Mau)

• Travel to the water coconut forest along Hoai, Thu Bon and De Vong rivers

• Take a fun basket boat ride through the mangrove ecosystem

• Watch local fishermen cast nets and see boat-spinning performances and basket-boat “races”

Hoi An Ancient Town & Night Market

• Walk through lantern-lit streets, old houses, temples and riverside alleys

• Experience the unique charm and preserved architecture of this UNESCO-listed town

• Release paper lanterns on the river (optional)

• Enjoy a local dinner with typical Hoi An dishes

Return to Da Nang.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Day 7: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30 – Depart for Ba Na Hills

• Drive along the beautiful coastal road, see Thuan Phuoc Bridge, Thanh Beach, Red Beach

09:00 – Ba Na – Suoi Mo Cable Car Station

• Take the cable car to De Bay Station

• Enjoy bird’s-eye views of forests, waterfalls and valleys

09:30 – Golden Bridge & Le Jardin Area

• Visit the iconic Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands

• Explore French-style gardens, old French wine cellar remains, ancient pomelo tree and Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda with a 27m-high Buddha statue

Take the second cable car line to the top of Nui Chua.

11:30 – Lunch at restaurant

12:30–14:00 – Top of Nui Chua & Fantasy Park

• Reach the summit area (around 1,487m)

• Enjoy panoramic views of Da Nang City and Da Nang Bay

• Visit the remains of ancient villas and the Debay Suspension Bridge

• Free time at Fantasy Park with many indoor games and attractions

16:30 – Take cable car down

Return to Da Nang.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Day 8: Da Nang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival:

• Transfer to your hotel and check in

• Later, join the shared (SIC) tour to Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels

• Drive about 60 km from the city to Cu Chi

• Watch a short documentary about the war period

• See the underground network of tunnels used during the war (over 200 km)

• Learn how guerrillas lived, fought and set traps

• See homemade weapons, bamboo traps and hidden entrances

• Try crawling inside a section of the tunnel (optional)

• Visit a rice paper and rice wine workshop

• Optional: experience firing an AK-47 or other weapons at the shooting range (extra cost)

Return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Mekong Delta – My Tho – Ben Tre

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to the Mekong Delta.

Around 10:00 – Arrive in My Tho

• Take a motor boat on the Mekong River, passing Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Turtle Islands

• See fishing ports, stilt houses and boat-building yards

Stop at Unicorn Island:

• Walk to fruit gardens and taste tropical fruits

• Enjoy honey tea, honey wine and traditional Vietnamese music performed by locals

• Take a rowing boat through small palm-lined canals

Continue by motor boat to Ben Tre:

• Visit a coconut workshop and observe local life along green canals

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Half Day Tour  + Private Airport Transfer

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out procedures (you can leave your luggage at reception if needed).

Half-Day City Tour (SIC)

• Independence Palace (Reunification Palace):
  Former residence of the President of South Vietnam, an important historical site associated with the end of the Vietnam War.

• Notre Dame Cathedral (outside, if under renovation):
  Built between 1877–1880 with French architectural style, a symbol of Catholicism and a city landmark.

• Saigon Central Post Office:
  Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this colonial-era post office is famous for its vaulted ceilings, tiled floors and historic maps.

After the tour, the SIC vehicle will drop you at the meeting point.

A private car will then transfer you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your departure flight.

End of services.