17-Day Vietnam Tour: Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Hoi An, Hue, Mekong & Mui Ne

After breakfast, begin your guided exploration of Hanoi's heritage and culture at Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where your guide introduces important chapters in Vietnam's modern history.

Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda beside West Lake before visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, offering an insightful introduction to the traditions, lifestyles and cultural diversity of Vietnam's ethnic communities.

Enjoy lunch before returning to central Hanoi for a relaxed walk through the Old Quarter. Visit Dong Xuan Market and Bach Ma Temple, then continue toward Hoan Kiem Lake, passing traditional shop houses and observing the characteristic street life of the capital.

Pause at a local café to discover Hanoi coffee culture before attending a traditional water puppet show in the late afternoon or early evening.

Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, arriving at the harbor around midday. Board your overnight cruise, enjoy a welcome drink and safety briefing, and settle in as the vessel begins sailing among the bay's dramatic limestone formations.

Lunch is served onboard while cruising deeper into the bay.

In the afternoon, explore Sung Sot Cave – Surprise Cave, one of Ha Long Bay's remarkable limestone caverns. Continue to Titov Island, where you may climb to the hilltop viewpoint for sweeping views over the bay or relax on the beach below.

Return to the cruise and unwind on the sundeck as the vessel heads toward its overnight anchorage. Depending on the cruise program, you may join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration or sunset activity before dinner.

After dinner, enjoy free time onboard or try optional squid fishing.

Overnight in Ha Long Bay

Early risers may begin the day with an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast while surrounded by Ha Long Bay's morning scenery.

Continue to Luon Cave, where a quiet lagoon enclosed by limestone cliffs can be explored by kayak or traditional bamboo boat.

Return to the cruise to freshen up and complete check-out formalities while sailing back toward the harbor. Enjoy brunch onboard before disembarking in the late morning.

Meet your driver and travel directly from Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh, avoiding an unnecessary return to Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Tam Coc, check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Tam Coc

Cruise activities and their sequence may vary according to the selected vessel, weather, tides and local operating conditions.

After breakfast, travel to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and board a traditional sampan for a peaceful journey through limestone mountains, caves and tranquil waterways surrounded by Ninh Binh's distinctive karst scenery.

After the boat journey, enjoy lunch before continuing to Bai Dinh Pagoda. Explore the principal areas of this extensive Buddhist complex with your guide while learning about its religious and cultural significance.

Rather than attempting to cover the entire complex, the visit focuses on its main highlights, keeping the day's schedule comfortable before the journey back north.

Later, return to Hanoi and enjoy free time for dinner on your own before transferring to Hanoi Railway Station.

Take the overnight train to Lao Cai, traveling in an air-conditioned soft-sleeper cabin.

Overnight on the train

Arrive at Lao Cai Railway Station in the early morning and transfer through the mountains to Sapa.

On arrival, enjoy breakfast, leave your main luggage at the hotel and take some time to freshen up. An early check-in may be possible, depending on hotel availability.

Begin your guided Muong Hoa Valley trek, descending toward Y Linh Ho Village before continuing to Lao Chai, home to Black Hmong communities.

Walk through a landscape of terraced rice fields, mountain streams and rural villages while your guide shares insights into local traditions and everyday life in the valley.

Continue toward Ta Van Village, where lunch is served in or near the village.

Return to Sapa by vehicle in the afternoon, check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Sapa

Activity level: Moderate. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip, sun protection and a light rain jacket are recommended.

After breakfast, check out and travel into the mountain scenery surrounding Sapa.

Stop at Silver Waterfall, where water cascades down the forested slopes of the Hoang Lien Son range. Those who wish may climb part of the stone pathway for a closer view.

Continue toward the O Quy Ho area to visit Rong May Glass Bridge. Suspended high above the surrounding landscape, the elevated walkway offers impressive mountain and valley views when weather conditions are clear.

Return to Sapa for lunch before boarding a VIP bus to Hanoi in the early afternoon.

Upon arrival in Hanoi in the evening, transfer to your hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi

Rong May Glass Bridge may not be suitable for travelers who are uncomfortable with heights.

After breakfast, transfer to Hanoi Airport and board your flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and enjoy lunch before heading toward the coast.

Explore Son Tra Peninsula, where forested hills rise above Da Nang's shoreline, before visiting Linh Ung Pagoda and enjoying panoramic views across the city and coastline.

Continue south to Hoi An, check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

The evening is free for you to begin exploring Hoi An's lantern-lit streets independently. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, travel into the countryside to visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-listed archaeological complex set within a forested valley.

Explore the surviving Cham temple towers while learning about the history, architecture and religious traditions of the Champa civilization.

Return to Hoi An for lunch before beginning a guided walking tour through Hoi An Ancient Town.

Visit Quan Cong Temple, Fujian Assembly Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky Ancient House, gaining a deeper understanding of Hoi An's former role as an important international trading port.

Later, join a traditional lantern-making workshop, where a local artisan introduces the basic techniques behind one of Hoi An's best-known crafts.

The evening is free at leisure, and dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hoi An

Rise early and transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang Railway Station for one of the most scenic journeys of the tour aboard the Connecting Central Heritage Train to Hue.

Depending on the train schedule, an early breakfast at the hotel or a breakfast box will be arranged before departure.

Travel north across the spectacular Hai Van Pass, enjoying views of forested mountains, stretches of coastline and Lang Co Bay as the railway winds between Da Nang and Hue.

The tourist railway linking Da Nang and Hue was introduced as the “Connecting Central Heritage” train and operates across the Hai Van Pass.

Upon arrival in Hue, meet your local guide and enjoy lunch before transferring to your hotel for check-in and a short rest.

Later, visit An Dinh Palace, a distinctive former royal residence combining Vietnamese decorative traditions with European architectural influences.

Conclude the visit and transfer back to your hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hue

Train schedules are subject to change and may require minor adjustments to the day's sightseeing program.

After breakfast, begin your exploration of the Hue Imperial Citadel, once the political and ceremonial center of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Walk through the historic complex and discover important areas including Ngo Mon Gate, the Palace of Supreme Harmony and surviving sections of the former Forbidden Purple City.

Continue to Tu Duc Tomb, an elegant royal complex set among lakes, pavilions, gardens and tranquil natural surroundings.

After lunch, travel to Thuy Bieu Garden Village, known for its leafy pomelo gardens and traditional garden houses.

Explore the village on foot at a relaxed pace, gaining an introduction to Hue's garden-house culture and everyday local life.

Following the excursion, return to your hotel by late afternoon. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Hue

After breakfast, transfer to Hue Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, meet your guide and enjoy lunch before beginning a relaxed introduction to historic Saigon.

Visit the Reunification Palace, Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral area, then continue through the elegant streets surrounding the Opera House and Nguyen Hue Boulevard.

Along the way, your guide introduces the city's colonial-era architecture and important chapters in its modern history.

In the evening, board a Saigon River dinner cruise and enjoy dinner while viewing the illuminated city skyline from the water.

At the end of the visit, head back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

The sightseeing sequence may be adjusted according to the domestic flight schedule.

Leave Ho Chi Minh City in the morning and travel into the Mekong Delta toward the Xeo Quyt Historical and Ecological Site.

Explore its peaceful melaleuca forest by small local sampan, gliding along narrow waterways beneath the tree canopy before taking a short walk through the historical area.

Xeo Quyt combines a preserved wetland environment with the remains of a former wartime base, bringing together nature and history in a quieter corner of the delta.

After lunch, continue to Sa Dec and visit Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, noted for its blend of Eastern and Western architectural influences and its literary connection with French writer Marguerite Duras.

Continue by road to Can Tho, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening.

Check in at your hotel, with dinner at your own expense.

Overnight in Can Tho

Activity level: Easy.

This is one of the longer road-transfer days of the itinerary.

Depart early in the morning for Cai Rang Floating Market, visiting while morning trading activity is taking place on the river.

Cruise among local boats and observe the rhythms of river commerce and daily life in the Mekong Delta.

After the market visit, enjoy breakfast before continuing to Binh Thuy Ancient House, an elegant historic residence reflecting a blend of southern Vietnamese and French architectural influences.

Enjoy lunch in Can Tho before beginning the road journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon reaching the hotel, check in and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, leave Ho Chi Minh City and travel toward the coastal city of Phan Thiet.

Visit Van Thuy Tu Whale Temple, a traditional maritime sanctuary associated with the whale-worship beliefs and fishing culture of local coastal communities.

The visit provides an introduction to the seafaring traditions that have shaped life along this part of Vietnam's south-central coast.

Continue to Mui Ne and enjoy lunch before checking in at your resort.

Take some time to rest and enjoy the beach or resort facilities during the early afternoon.

Later, travel to the Red Sand Dunes for a relaxed sunset experience. Walk across the rolling dunes and watch the colors of the landscape change in the late-afternoon light.

After enjoying the sunset, return to your resort. Dinner is on your own.

Overnight in Mui Ne

Depart before sunrise for an early-morning Mui Ne Jeep Tour, beginning with the spectacular White Sand Dunes.

Arrive as the first morning light spreads across the dunes and spend time walking along the sandy ridges while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Optional ATV or UTV rides are available at additional cost.

Continue to Mui Ne Fishing Village, where traditional fishing boats gather along the coastline and the morning activity offers a glimpse into local coastal life.

Afterwards, visit Fairy Stream, enjoying a gentle walk through shallow water between unusual red and white sandstone formations.

Return to your resort in the late morning and enjoy breakfast if it has not already been provided as a takeaway.

The remainder of the day is deliberately left free for the beach, swimming pool or resort facilities, providing a relaxed final full day after the journey through Vietnam.

Lunch and dinner are not included, allowing you to dine at your preferred restaurants.

Overnight in Mui Ne

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by some free time before departure, depending on your international flight schedule.

At the appropriate time, meet your driver for the private road transfer from Mui Ne to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Because the journey from Mui Ne and airport formalities require sufficient time, departure from the resort will be arranged with an appropriate buffer before your flight.

For very early departures, a breakfast box may be requested from the hotel, subject to availability.

There are no guided sightseeing activities scheduled today.

End of your 17-day Vietnam journey.