Viet Nam Overview 12 Days

Begin your day with a full-day city tour of Hanoi, starting at the Ho Chi Minh Complex where you’ll explore key landmarks such as the Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace, Fine Arts Museum, and Ho Chi Minh’s former stilt house. Continue with a visit to the Temple of Literature and Ngoc Son Temple. After enjoying lunch, head to Bat Trang Pottery Village, followed by a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and the lively Old Quarter. Spend the night at your hotel in Hanoi.

Notes:

• The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday and Friday mornings.
• Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and operational conditions.
• Bat Trang Pottery Village is included on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (without the Ethnology Museum). On Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the Ethnology Museum is included instead (without Bat Trang).

After breakfast, set off for Mai Chau with a scenic drive through the countryside. En route, stop by Lac Village to stroll through White Thai communities, where you can observe locals crafting traditional garments and wooden stools. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Mai Chau Hideaway Lake Resort.

In the afternoon, take a short excursion to Go Lao Waterfall and explore nearby villages, well-known for their charming stilt houses and welcoming atmosphere. Return to the resort and enjoy some free time to relax, either by the pool or in the peaceful natural surroundings.

In the evening, savor a warm and delightful dinner at the resort.
Overnight stay in Mai Chau.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Spend your morning kayaking on the serene Da River, part of Vietnam’s largest lake. The jade-blue water and untouched natural beauty create a breathtaking scene that’s sure to captivate you from the very first glance. Afterward, have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Hanoi.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Depart for the world famous Ha Long Bay, Ha Long Bay is a stunning limestone archipelago stretching over some 1500 square kilometers and comprising nearly 3000 islets. Warm welcome aboard with refreshing drinks and a brief introduction to the cruise itinerary. Enjoy a scenic voyage through majestic limestone formations, shaped by nature over millions of years. Visit remarkable natural sites, with options for kayaking, swimming, or exploring hidden caves. Savor a gourmet lunch and dinner featuring fresh local seafood and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. In the late afternoon, join exciting onboard activities: Sunset party on the sundeck with drinks & breathtaking views. Traditional Vietnamese cooking class – learn how to make signature dishes. Squid fishing at night for a fun hands-on experience. Spend the night in a deluxe cabin with ocean views, falling asleep to the gentle waves.

Overnight on cruise.

Start your morning with Tai Chi on the sundeck, embracing the fresh sea breeze and golden sunrise. Enjoy a light breakfast, followed by a visit to another scenic highlight of the bay. Immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility or take part in more activities like a bamboo boat ride. Return to the cruise for a hearty brunch while sailing back towards the harbor. Disembark with unforgettable memories of this magical journey. Transfer to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue. On arrival in Hue, transfer to your hotel and check in

Overnight in Hue

Morning: Begin with a boat cruise along the Perfume River, stopping at traditional handicraft villages known for making conical hats and bronze casting. Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, a symbol of Hue and once considered the royal pagoda of the Nguyen Dynasty. Then, visit the majestic Imperial Citadel before breaking for lunch.

Afternoon: Discover the ornate royal tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Later, experience the tranquil atmosphere of a typical garden house — a signature of Hue, often referred to as the "city of gardens." Conclude your day with a visit to the bustling Dong Ba Market.

Overnight in Hue.

Depart from your hotel in Hue and travel to My Son Sanctuary, passing through the scenic Hai Van Pass with a stop at the summit for photos. Enjoy a short break at Lang Co Beach before continuing the journey.

The route takes you through Hoi An toward the My Son Sanctuary, a remarkable archaeological site featuring a cluster of ancient Champa temples nestled in a lush valley surrounded by mountains. Once a sacred site for royal ceremonies and burials of the Champa kings, My Son is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most important Hindu temple complexes and a treasured cultural heritage of Vietnam. Despite the passage of time, many impressive temple ruins remain standing today.

Upon arrival, spend about two hours exploring the site with your guide, who will share insights into the rich history and spiritual significance of the area. Afterward, transfer to Cau Lau boat station and enjoy a relaxing boat trip to Kim Bong Carpentry Village, located just 3 km from Hoi An, where skilled artisans continue centuries-old woodworking traditions.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Free time in Hoi An until transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh.

Dinner on floating restaurant on Sai Gon River.

Diner program:

7:00PM: Welcome guests on Boat

Service dinner, Performance music & dances

7:45PM: Depart Dinner– Cruise along Saigon river

9:30PM: Dropping the guests off at Bach Dang harbor

Transfer back Hotel.

Night in Ho Chi Minh City.

8:00 AM – Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel or the airport. We’ll depart from Saigon and head to My Tho city, located about 75 km away—approximately a 1.5-hour drive along the first expressway in Southern Vietnam. This scenic drive offers a unique glimpse into the Mekong Delta, passing through lush rice paddies, orchards, and quaint villages.

Upon arrival in My Tho, you’ll board a local motorboat to cruise across the mighty Mekong River—the longest river in Asia, flowing through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, with a total length of around 4,800 km. Enjoy a refreshing coconut drink as you cruise along the river.

Your first stop is Unicorn Island, where you’ll sample natural products like honey, bee pollen, and royal jelly. Then, continue by boat to Dragon Island to see how locals make traditional coconut candy—a specialty of Ben Tre province.

You’ll take a leisurely walk through the village before hopping onto a horse-drawn carriage for a scenic 1.5 km ride. At the fruit garden, enjoy a tasting of tropical fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, longan, and royal bananas, accompanied by a performance of Southern Vietnamese folk music known as “Cai Luong.”

Next, you’ll board a hand-rowed sampan for a peaceful 2 km ride through the serene waterways lined with water coconut palms, offering a close-up look at rural life in the Delta.

Lunch will be served on Turtle Island, featuring local specialties like the famous “Elephant Ear Fish.”

After lunch, we return to the harbor and make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, a journey of around 2 hours. 

Overnight in Saigon.

Discover the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City on a captivating half-day city tour. Begin your journey along Dong Khoi Street, a historic avenue lined with elegant colonial-era architecture. Continue to the iconic Reunification Palace—also known as the Independence Palace—followed by a visit to the powerful and moving War Remnants Museum.

In the afternoon, explore the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, an astonishing underground labyrinth of passageways, living quarters, and hidden bunkers once used by Vietnamese soldiers during wartime.

Return to the city for an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the Hotel. Check out by 12 noon.

Rest of the day free at leisure until your private vehicle (no guide) will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight. End services.