12 Days · 11 Nights · Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City & the Mekong Delta.
A complete first journey through Vietnam — the historic capital, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, imperial Hue, UNESCO Hoi An, southern city life, and the waterways of the Mekong Delta.
Vietnam Highlights is our most popular first-time journey — a 12-day route that combines Vietnam’s essential destinations with carefully paced travel days, an authentic overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, and an immersive Mekong Delta experience.
The journey works both as a private tour and as a small-group departure. Every element can be adapted — extended in Hoi An, upgraded in Hanoi, or continued into Cambodia and Laos.
Four reasons this is our most popular introduction to Vietnam.
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta — the classic Vietnam route in a single trip.
Sleep on board a traditional junk boat in Ha Long Bay — one of the world’s great natural wonders — with kayaking and a sunset dinner.
A cooking masterclass at Tra Que village near Hoi An, a private Mekong Delta boat trip, and guided heritage walks in Hue and Hoi An.
We deliberately balance sightseeing with free time — Hoi An evenings, a Saigon free day, and open afternoons in the Mekong.
Six key stops across twelve days — a continuous route from north to south, ending in the Mekong Delta.
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. Tuck into Vietnamese food at a welcome dinner — a perfect first taste of the country’s distinctive cuisine.
Tour the historic highlights of Hanoi — the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Temple of Literature, and the serene Hoan Kiem Lake. Wander the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter, where French-colonial architecture meets traditional Vietnamese life.
Travel to Ha Long Bay — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of nearly 2,000 limestone islands rising from emerald waters. Board an authentic junk boat for an overnight cruise, with kayaking, swimming and a fresh seafood dinner on board.
Enjoy a final morning on the bay before disembarking and transferring back to Hanoi for your included flight to Hue — Vietnam’s former imperial capital on the banks of the Perfume River.
Explore Hue’s imperial monuments — the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, and the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Enjoy a plant-based lunch at An Nhien Garden, a serene retreat on the edge of the city.
Travel south to Hoi An, with a stop at the Marble Mountains — home to wartime caves and Buddhist sanctuaries. Arrive in Hoi An for an evening exploration of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, lit by thousands of silk lanterns.
Join a cooking masterclass in Tra Que village, where local farmers grow Vietnam’s finest herbs and vegetables. Learn traditional techniques and enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. The afternoon is free — relax at the beach or explore Hoi An at your own pace.
Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s dynamic southern metropolis. Settle into your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure — perhaps a stroll along the Saigon River or a rooftop drink overlooking the city.
Discover the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City — the Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the moving War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon, drive out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary underground network used during the Vietnam War.
A full-day excursion into the Mekong Delta — My Tho and Ben Tre. Board a private boat to explore the waterways, stop at a tropical garden, visit a local family, and enjoy a Vietnamese lunch in the countryside. This is a slower-paced day designed to show the rhythm of river life.
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City. Perhaps visit the Ben Thanh Market, explore the art scene at the Fine Arts Museum, take a cooking class, or simply relax at the hotel. Your guide can arrange optional activities or restaurant recommendations.
After breakfast, enjoy some free time until your private guide and driver meet you at your hotel. They will assist with your luggage and escort you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward journey. Your Vietnam Highlights tour comes to an end — until next time.
11 nights across hand-picked hotels and one overnight on a traditional Ha Long Bay junk boat.
A contemporary hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter, steps from Hoan Kiem Lake and the city’s historic streets.
An authentic wooden junk boat with comfortable cabins, a sun deck, and fresh Vietnamese cuisine on board.
A refined boutique hotel near the Perfume River, well-placed for exploring the imperial citadel and royal tombs.
A charming hotel with a pool, just a short stroll from the lantern-lit Ancient Town and riverside restaurants.
A modern hotel in the heart of District 1, walking distance to the city’s major sights, dining and nightlife.
A comfortable pace with rest time, free afternoons, and a slower Mekong Delta day built into the journey.
The 12-day version is the reference itinerary. It can be shortened, extended, or reshaped around your interests and travel dates.
Remove the Saigon free day and shorten the Mekong Delta visit.
The full reference journey — Hanoi, Ha Long, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, Mekong.
Add Sapa, Ninh Binh, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, or continue into Cambodia and Laos.
This 12-day journey is designed for first-time visitors to Vietnam, couples, and small groups who want a complete introduction to the country — Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta.
Twelve days gives you the historic capital, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, imperial Hue, UNESCO Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta. It is a comprehensive introduction without feeling rushed.
Accommodation, daily breakfast, selected meals, domestic flights, private transport, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, guided sightseeing, and cooking experience in Hoi An are included. International flights and visas are not included.
The cruise is 1 night on board an authentic junk boat in Ha Long Bay. You board after lunch, enjoy kayaking, a sunset, and dinner, then disembark after breakfast the following morning.
A full-day experience in the Mekong Delta — a private boat trip through waterways, a visit to tropical gardens, a local family stop, and a Vietnamese lunch. It is designed to show the rhythm of river life.
Yes. Popular extensions include Sapa, Ninh Binh, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, or continuing into Cambodia (Angkor, Phnom Penh) or Laos (Luang Prabang). We can add three to five nights at the end.
Yes. Every tour we design is fully customizable. We can upgrade hotels, change room configurations, or select alternative properties.
International flights, Vietnam visa fees, personal expenses, travel insurance, meals not specified, optional activities, and tips are not included.
Tell us your travel dates, the number of travelers, and the pace you prefer. We will design a Vietnam Highlights itinerary that fits the way you want to travel.
