15-Day Vietnam Tour: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Fansipan, Hoi An & Mekong Delta

After breakfast, begin your guided exploration of Hanoi at Ba Dinh Square, an important landmark in Vietnam's modern history. Stop in the area in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where your guide will introduce the life of President Ho Chi Minh and key events connected with Vietnam's struggle for independence.

Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of Hanoi's historic Buddhist landmarks, beautifully situated beside West Lake. Afterwards, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where exhibitions, cultural displays and traditional houses offer insight into the customs and lifestyles of Vietnam's diverse ethnic communities.

Have lunch at a local restaurant before the afternoon activities.

In the afternoon, visit Hoa Lo Prison, where your guide explains the site's history from the French colonial period through the Vietnam War.

Later, stop at a local boutique café for a hands-on Vietnamese Egg Coffee Experience. Learn how Hanoi's distinctive egg coffee is prepared before making and enjoying a cup yourself.

Return to your hotel at the end of the tour. The evening is free for you to explore Hanoi independently, and dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam's most celebrated natural destinations. Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor around midday and board your overnight cruise.

Enjoy a welcome drink while the Cruise Manager introduces the vessel, safety procedures and the day's program. Lunch is served on board as the cruise begins sailing among Ha Long Bay's dramatic limestone islands and karst formations.

In the afternoon, explore Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), one of the largest and most impressive caves in the bay. Walk through its spacious chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Reaching the cave entrance involves climbing stone steps, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Continue to Luon Cave, a peaceful area surrounded by limestone cliffs. Explore the calm waterway by kayak or traditional bamboo boat, allowing you to experience Ha Long Bay at water level and enjoy its quieter natural scenery.

Return to the cruise in the late afternoon and relax during Happy Hour while taking in the changing light over the bay. Afterwards, join a Vietnamese Cooking Class, where the onboard team introduces the preparation of a traditional Vietnamese dish.

The evening continues with dinner served on board. Afterwards, relax on the cruise or join optional evening activities such as squid fishing.

Overnight in Ha Long Bay

Please note that the cruise itinerary, visiting times and activities may be adjusted according to weather, tides and operational conditions.

Wake early if you wish to enjoy tea, coffee and light breakfast refreshments while taking in the peaceful morning scenery of Ha Long Bay. Guests may also join an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck before the day's activities begin.

Travel by tender to Titov Island, where active travelers can climb toward the viewpoint for panoramic views across the bay. Guests who prefer a gentler experience may stop at a lower viewing area or spend time relaxing on the beach.

Return to the cruise, freshen up and complete the check-out procedures. Enjoy brunch on board as the vessel sails back toward Tuan Chau Harbor.

After disembarkation, meet your driver for the direct transfer to Ninh Binh. Upon arrival in Tam Coc, check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight in Tam Coc

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Ninh Binh at Mua Cave, where the main experience is the climb toward the mountain viewpoint. Follow the steep stone staircase for panoramic views over limestone peaks, waterways and surrounding rice fields.

The climb requires moderate physical effort, so comfortable walking shoes, drinking water and sun protection are recommended.

Continue to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, where the experience shifts from mountain viewpoints to Ninh Binh's peaceful river scenery. Board a traditional sampan and travel through limestone valleys, waterways and natural caves, enjoying one of the region's signature boat journeys.

Pause for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the tour.

In the afternoon, visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, an extensive Buddhist complex surrounded by Ninh Binh's karst landscape. While Mua Cave and Trang An highlight the region's natural scenery, Bai Dinh offers a different perspective through Buddhist architecture, religious traditions and monumental temple spaces.

After the visit, leave Ninh Binh and drive back to Hanoi. Arrive later in the day and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, leave Hanoi and travel north toward Sapa, passing through changing countryside and mountain landscapes as the journey climbs into northern Vietnam.

Upon arrival in Sapa, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning the afternoon's guided exploration.

Continue to Cat Cat Village, a traditional H'Mong community set in the Muong Hoa Valley. Walk along village paths surrounded by mountain scenery while learning about H'Mong culture, traditional houses and everyday life in the highlands.

The route includes slopes, steps and some uneven sections, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Afterwards, visit Moana Sapa, where you can enjoy views across the surrounding mountains and valleys before returning to Sapa Town.

After checking in, the remainder of the evening is free for you to relax or explore independently.

Overnight in Sapa

After breakfast, set out to discover Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Vietnam and the Indochina region.

Travel to the cable-car station and begin the scenic Fansipan Cable Car journey above Muong Hoa Valley, with impressive views across the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

After reaching the upper cable-car station, continue on foot toward the Fansipan Summit. Follow mountain pathways and stone steps through the spiritual complex, passing Buddhist structures and viewpoints as you gradually make your way toward the summit at 3,143 meters above sea level.

The final ascent requires moderate physical effort, particularly because of the altitude and number of steps. Comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket are recommended, as weather conditions near the summit can be considerably cooler and more changeable than in Sapa Town.

Travelers who prefer not to complete the entire walk may use an available mountain transport option for part of the final ascent.

After enjoying the summit scenery, descend and enjoy a buffet lunch before beginning the return journey to Hanoi.

Continue your journey to Hanoi and arrive later in the day. The evening is free for you to relax or explore independently, and dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight from Hanoi to Da Nang.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, meet your driver for the private transfer to Hoi An. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore independently.

No guided activities are scheduled after arrival, giving you time to relax after the journey or explore Hoi An independently.

You may wander through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, enjoy the riverside atmosphere or discover local restaurants and cafés at your own pace.

Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, leave Hoi An for Cam Thanh Coconut Village, where you will board a traditional basket boat and explore the peaceful waterways of the nipa palm forest.

Along the way, learn about the local river-based lifestyle and the role these wetlands have played in the surrounding community.

Continue to Tra Que Vegetable Village, a farming community known for the herbs and vegetables used in Hoi An cuisine. Walk through the gardens, meet local farmers and take part in selected hands-on farming activities before joining a Vietnamese cooking experience using fresh local ingredients.

Enjoy the dishes prepared during the cooking session for lunch, followed by time to relax with a traditional herbal foot soak.

Later in the afternoon, continue to An Bang Beach, where you can unwind by the sea, enjoy a leisurely walk along the shore or simply relax before returning to Hoi An.

The evening is free for you to explore Hoi An Ancient Town independently.

Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, leave Hoi An and travel to Da Nang to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, home to an important collection of artworks and artifacts associated with the ancient Champa civilization.

The visit provides valuable historical and cultural context before continuing north through central Vietnam.

Travel via the scenic Hai Van Pass, stopping along the way to enjoy panoramic views across the mountains and coastline. Continue through the Lang Co area before arriving in Hue.

Stop at a local restaurant and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Minh Mang Tomb, an elegant Nguyen Dynasty royal complex where traditional architecture, courtyards, lakes and landscaped gardens were designed in harmony with the surrounding natural environment.

Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue's most recognizable Buddhist landmarks, overlooking the Perfume River.

Afterwards, board a traditional boat for a relaxing Perfume River Cruise back toward central Hue, providing a peaceful conclusion to the day's sightseeing.

Once the cruise concludes, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue

After breakfast, begin your guided exploration of Hue Imperial City, the former political and ceremonial center of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Walk through its historic gates, courtyards, temples and palace areas while your guide explains the history and royal traditions of Vietnam's last imperial dynasty.

Continue to Khai Dinh Tomb, one of Hue's most distinctive royal mausoleums. Unlike the more traditional royal tombs, Khai Dinh's architecture combines Vietnamese decorative traditions with European influences, creating an elaborate and highly detailed complex.

Stop at a local restaurant and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village, a traditional craft community known for producing incense sticks. Meet local artisans, learn about the basic stages of incense making and discover the cultural and spiritual role that incense continues to play in Vietnamese life.

Following the visit, head back to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free for your own arrangements, and dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hue

After breakfast, transfer to Hue Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still widely known by its former name, Saigon.

Upon arrival, meet your driver for the transfer into the city.

Enjoy lunch before checking into your hotel and taking some time to relax after the journey.

In the evening, join a guided Saigon Motorbike Street Food Tour. Ride through lively streets and local neighborhoods while experiencing the city's evening atmosphere and discovering its street-food culture from a local perspective.

Along the way, enjoy a selection of local food tastings included as part of the motorbike tour, sampling different Vietnamese dishes and specialties at several stops.

Once the tour concludes, return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at your own pace.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, leave Ho Chi Minh City and travel to Ben Tre, in the heart of the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival at Ham Luong Pier, board a local boat and cruise along the Ben Tre River, observing everyday riverside life and activities along the waterways.

Stop to see traditional brick-making before continuing to a coconut processing workshop, where you can learn how one of the Mekong Delta's most important agricultural products is transformed into different local goods.

Walk to a family-run workshop where sleeping mats are made and enjoy fruit and tea while meeting local residents.

Continue through the countryside by motor cart or bicycle, travelling along shaded village lanes and passing gardens, fields and rural settlements.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Ben Tre, with an opportunity to sample regional Mekong Delta dishes.

After lunch, board a traditional rowing boat for a peaceful journey through a smaller canal before meeting your driver for the onward transfer to Can Tho.

Check in to your hotel upon arrival, then enjoy a free evening with dinner at your own expense.

Overnight in Can Tho

Rise early for one of the signature experiences of the Mekong Delta.

Board a local boat and travel to Cai Rang Floating Market, where traders gather on the river with boats carrying fruit, vegetables and other produce. The early departure offers the best opportunity to experience the market while river activity is at its liveliest.

Continue along the waterways to visit a family-run rice noodle workshop, where you can observe the traditional process used to produce rice noodles and learn more about everyday food production in the Mekong Delta.

Return to your hotel for breakfast and complete the check-out procedures.

Before leaving Can Tho, visit Binh Thuy Ancient House, a historic residence that offers another perspective on Mekong Delta culture through its architecture, family heritage and blend of Vietnamese and European influences.

After the visit, begin the drive back toward Ho Chi Minh City. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the route, then continue to the city, arriving in the afternoon.

Check into your hotel and enjoy your final evening in Vietnam at leisure. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by free time in Ho Chi Minh City according to your departure schedule.

You may relax at the hotel, explore independently or make your own meal arrangements before leaving.

At the appropriate time, meet your driver for the private transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

End of the 15-Day Vietnam Journey.