12 Days Vietnam Itinerary: From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Your adventure begins in Hanoi, Vietnam’s captivating capital. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our local guide and transferred to a hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter. This neighborhood is famous for its labyrinth of narrow streets, each named after a traditional trade or craft. After check-in, take your time to relax after the flight.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Northern Vietnamese specialties. The cuisine here is light and balanced, often served with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and delicate dipping sauces. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, set out for a comprehensive city tour that immerses you in the heart of Hanoi’s history and culture. Highlights include:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum – pay respect to Vietnam’s beloved leader.
• Presidential Palace & Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House – once his official residence, still preserved in simplicity.
• One-Pillar Pagoda – an iconic 11th-century wooden structure symbolizing purity.
• Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first national university, dedicated to Confucius.
• Vietnam Ethnology Museum – offering insights into the country’s 54 ethnic groups.

After lunch, take a guided stroll through the Hanoi Old Quarter, where buzzing scooters weave past colonial architecture and sidewalk vendors. Sample local snacks, such as pho cuon (fresh noodle rolls) or egg coffee.

As the evening approaches, experience the world-famous Water Puppet Show, a traditional art form originating in the Red River Delta, depicting folk tales and village life. Overnight in Hanoi.

Leave Hanoi in the morning for a day trip to Ninh Binh Province, known as “Halong Bay on land.”

• First stop: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the political center of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Explore the temples dedicated to Kings Dinh and Le, surrounded by limestone peaks.
• Continue to Tam Coc, where a sampan ride along the Ngo Dong River reveals spectacular karst mountains, lush rice paddies, and mysterious caves. Locals row the boats with their feet—a unique sight.
• After lunch, visit Bich Dong Pagoda, nestled into the cliffs, featuring a trio of ancient temples and caves.
• Conclude the day with a hike up to Mua Cave viewpoint, offering a panoramic view of Tam Coc’s dramatic landscape—best enjoyed at sunset.

Return to Hanoi in the evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

Today, embark on an unforgettable journey to Halong Bay, one of the world’s most stunning natural wonders.

• Morning transfer to Halong (approx. 2.5–3 hours).
• Board a deluxe cruise and sail into the bay’s emerald waters. Watch as thousands of limestone karsts rise dramatically from the sea.
• Lunch is served onboard as the boat glides past hidden lagoons and floating villages.
• In the afternoon, visit a fishing village to learn about traditional life on the water. Participate in a short bamboo boat ride or kayaking session.
• Back onboard, join a cooking class or simply relax with a cocktail on deck as the sun sets.

Dinner is a lavish seafood feast. Later, enjoy onboard activities: movie screenings, board games, or spa treatments. Overnight on the cruise, surrounded by the tranquility of the bay.

Start the day with Tai Chi exercises on the sundeck as the first light of dawn spreads across Halong Bay. After breakfast, venture into a limestone grotto, marveling at its impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Back on board, enjoy brunch while cruising through the bay’s majestic scenery. After disembarking, transfer back to Hanoi. The evening is yours for free exploration—wander the Old Quarter, enjoy live music at a café, or sample more street food delights such as bun cha or grilled seafood skewers. Overnight in Hanoi.

This morning, catch a short flight to Hue, Vietnam’s imperial capital during the Nguyen Dynasty. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel before beginning your exploration.

Highlights include:

• The Imperial Citadel – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with palaces, gates, and temples.
• Forbidden Purple City – once reserved for the emperor and his family.
• Ancient royal monuments scattered across the Citadel.

Dinner will be a special royal banquet, allowing you to taste Hue’s unique court cuisine, famous for its refined presentation and balanced flavors. Overnight in Hue.

Today begins with a scenic boat ride on the Perfume River.

• Stop at Dong Ba Market, Hue’s busiest marketplace, where you’ll select ingredients for your cooking class.
• Visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, perched on a hill overlooking the river.
• Continue to Thuy Bieu Village, renowned for its garden houses and traditional crafts. Participate in a cooking class at a local restaurant, followed by lunch.
• Enjoy a relaxing herbal foot massage.
• In the afternoon, tour the Tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh, each reflecting distinctive imperial architecture and philosophy.

Return to your hotel in Hue for the evening. Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, depart Hue for a breathtaking drive along the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal roads.

• Stop in Da Nang to visit the Cham Museum, showcasing artifacts of the ancient Champa Kingdom.
• Climb the Marble Mountains, dotted with caves, temples, and viewpoints.

By afternoon, arrive in Hoi An Ancient Town. After checking in, enjoy a leisurely evening wandering the lantern-lit streets, trying Hoi An specialties such as Cao Lau noodles or white rose dumplings. Overnight in Hoi An.

Step back in time as you stroll through Hoi An Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, a 16th-century icon.
• Explore Tan Ky Ancient House, preserved over seven generations.
• See the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, a colorful temple built by Chinese merchants.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure—perhaps shopping for tailor-made clothing or visiting a riverside café. In the evening, watch the town glow with lanterns, enjoy folk performances, and try street food along the river. Overnight in Hoi An.

Transfer to Da Nang Airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

After check-in, embark on a half-day tour:

• Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office – French colonial landmarks.
• Independence Palace (Reunification Palace) – key site of the Vietnam War.
• War Remnants Museum – offering poignant insights into the nation’s modern history.
• Ben Thanh Market – a bustling place to shop for souvenirs and taste local snacks.

In the evening, you’re free to explore Saigon’s nightlife: rooftop bars, night markets, or simply a riverside stroll. Overnight in Saigon.

A two-hour drive takes you to the lush Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam’s “rice bowl.”

• Board the Mekong Queen wooden boat at Cai Be. As you cruise along the river, sample fresh tropical fruits and watch local life unfold.
• Visit floating markets, where traders sell produce directly from their boats.
• Disembark at Tan Phong Island for a leisurely cycling or motorbike tour through shaded village paths. Stop at family workshops producing traditional items: water hyacinth crafts, palm-leaf roofs, rice paper, coconut hammocks, and handmade hats.
• Enjoy a home-hosted lunch featuring Mekong specialties such as elephant ear fish or caramelized pork.

By late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Saigon.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight. Your 12-day Vietnam journey concludes, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Vietnam’s heritage, culture, and landscapes.