The 8-Day Vietnam Tour: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Saigon & Ben Tre Homestay begins in Hanoi and ends in Ho Chi Minh City, combining the capital’s cultural heritage, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, Saigon’s historic landmarks and authentic local life in the Mekong Delta.
Start with an arrival-permitting Hanoi Jeep Tour, followed by a deeper look at the city’s history, architecture and coffee culture. Continue to Ha Long Bay, where an overnight cruise brings you to Surprise Cave, Titov Island and Luon Cave, with kayaking or a bamboo boat experience. After returning to Hanoi, fly south to explore key landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City before traveling to Ben Tre.
The final part of the journey offers a more immersive pace, with a Ben Tre River cruise, traditional village workshops, rowing boat experience, countryside cycling, coconut gardens, cocoa tasting and a Mekong Delta homestay with a home-cooked Vietnamese dinner. Guided sightseeing, comfortable transfers and well-planned free time create a balanced introduction to Vietnam’s cities, landscapes and everyday local life.
After breakfast, set out on a guided Hanoi City Tour, beginning at Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the capital's oldest Buddhist pagodas, beautifully positioned beside West Lake.
Continue to the square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where your guide will introduce the life of President Ho Chi Minh and explain his importance in Vietnam's modern history.
Next, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to discover the traditions, architecture, clothing and lifestyles of Vietnam's diverse ethnic communities.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university and an enduring symbol of the country's long-standing respect for education and Confucian scholarship.
Later, visit Hoa Lo Prison, where exhibitions provide further insight into Hanoi's colonial and wartime history.
Take a relaxing break at a local café and discover Hanoi's distinctive coffee culture, including the story behind traditional egg coffee and how this local specialty is prepared.
Conclude the guided programme around Hoan Kiem Lake and the atmospheric Hanoi Old Quarter before returning to your hotel.
Dinner is at your own arrangement, leaving the evening free to explore Hanoi independently.
Overnight in Hanoi
After breakfast, leave Hanoi at approximately 8:00 AM and travel to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam's most celebrated natural landscapes.
Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor around midday and board your Ha Long Bay overnight cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink and safety briefing before settling in and having lunch as the cruise begins sailing among the bay's dramatic limestone islands.
In the afternoon, explore Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave), one of the largest and most impressive caves in Ha Long Bay. The visit involves climbing a number of stone steps, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Continue to Titov Island, where you may climb to the viewpoint for panoramic views across the bay or remain near the beach for a more relaxed experience. Swimming may also be possible, weather permitting.
Return to the cruise in the late afternoon and enjoy Happy Hour while taking in the scenery from the deck. Afterwards, join an onboard Vietnamese cooking class, where the cruise team will demonstrate how to prepare a traditional local dish.
Enjoy an evening dinner on board the cruise. After dinner, relax on deck, enjoy board games, arrange an optional massage at additional cost or try squid fishing with the crew.
Overnight in Ha Long Bay
Wake early if you wish and enjoy tea, coffee and light breakfast pastries while admiring the peaceful morning scenery of Ha Long Bay.
Guests who are interested may join an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck before the morning excursion.
Travel by tender to Luon Cave, a tranquil area surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and calm emerald water. Choose between kayaking through the lagoon at your own pace or taking a traditional bamboo boat rowed by a local boatman.
Kayaking involves light physical activity, while the bamboo boat offers a more relaxed way to experience the surrounding scenery.
Return to the cruise, freshen up and pack your belongings as the boat begins sailing back towards Tuan Chau Harbor.
Enjoy brunch on board while taking in your final views of the bay before disembarking in the late morning and transferring back to Hanoi.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.
Please note that the Ha Long Bay cruise itinerary, activity sequence and timings may be adjusted according to weather, tides and operational conditions.
Overnight in Hanoi
After an early breakfast, transfer to Hanoi Airport for your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly known as Saigon.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning a carefully paced half-day Ho Chi Minh City tour through the historic center.
Visit the Independence Palace, closely associated with the final chapter of the Vietnam War, before continuing to the War Remnants Museum for further insight into Vietnam's modern history.
Continue through the city's French colonial quarter, stopping at Notre-Dame Cathedral, viewed from the exterior, and the historic Central Post Office.
Conclude the sightseeing programme around the Saigon Opera House and the surrounding central boulevards before transferring to your hotel for check-in.
Today's sightseeing schedule is subject to the actual flight schedule and arrival time in Ho Chi Minh City.
Dinner is at your own arrangement, and the evening is free to relax or explore independently.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, leave Ho Chi Minh City and travel south to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta, a region shaped by coconut gardens, waterways and traditional village life.
Arrive at Ham Luong Pier at approximately 10:30 AM and board a local boat for a scenic journey along the Ben Tre River. Observe life along the waterways before stopping at small local workshops to learn about traditional brick making, coconut processing and mat weaving.
Continue deeper into the countryside by motor cart or bicycle, following peaceful village roads surrounded by tropical gardens and rural scenery.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your journey through the Mekong Delta.
Later, board a traditional rowing boat for a peaceful journey along one of the smaller canals before continuing by vehicle to your local homestay.
After check-in, enjoy some free time to relax, walk around the village or simply take in the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.
In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked Vietnamese dinner prepared with fresh local ingredients. Afterwards, unwind with a traditional herbal foot bath using locally sourced herbs and Sa Huynh salt.
Today's cycling is leisurely and suitable for most travelers. Lightweight clothing, comfortable footwear, sun protection and insect repellent are recommended.
Overnight in Ben Tre.
After breakfast, begin the morning with a leisurely Ben Tre countryside cycling experience, following quiet village paths through coconut gardens and rural communities.
Stop to enjoy fresh coconut and learn more about traditional southern Vietnamese homes and the everyday lifestyle of local families.
Continue to a local cocoa-growing area, where you can taste cocoa products and learn how cocoa is cultivated, harvested and processed in the region.
Cycle through peaceful landscapes of orchards, gardens, rice fields and canals, gaining a closer perspective on local life in the Mekong Delta.
After the morning activities, enjoy lunch featuring local dishes before returning to the homestay to collect your belongings.
Travel back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon, with arrival expected at approximately 5:00 PM.
The remainder of the evening is at leisure, with dinner at your own arrangement.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, enjoy free time in Ho Chi Minh City according to your departure schedule.
Relax at the hotel or explore the nearby area independently before meeting your driver for the scheduled transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
End of your 8-day Vietnam journey.
* Notes:
Optional: snacks, a camera, and a small daypack for daily excursions.
Don’t worry — we’ll guide you with more details before your trip.
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Everything you need to know about this tour
This 8-day Vietnam tour starts in Hanoi and ends in Ho Chi Minh City. The journey combines Hanoi’s cultural and historic highlights, an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, sightseeing in Saigon and a countryside Ben Tre homestay experience in the Mekong Delta before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for departure.
The Hanoi Jeep Tour is subject to your actual flight arrival time and the operating schedule on the day. After arriving at Noi Bai International Airport, you will transfer to your hotel and have time to settle in. If the timing allows, the Jeep Tour provides an introduction to Hanoi’s streets, neighborhoods and everyday local life.
The guided Hanoi City Tour includes Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison. You will also discover Hanoi’s coffee culture before concluding the programme around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, included as part of the tour.
This customizable tour can be tailored to your travel style, dates, and preferences.
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Impressive, excellently organized trip to Vietnam
A very well-organized and very interesting trip
Tailor-made tour of the beauty of authentic Vietnam
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