10-Day Vietnam Highlights Tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Start your day with a guided discovery of Hanoi’s history, culture, and local life, exploring some of the city’s most meaningful landmarks and atmospheric streets.

In the morning, visit Hoa Lo Prison, one of Hanoi’s most important historical sites. Originally built during the French colonial period, the prison offers a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s past and its wartime history.

Continue to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, one of the best museums in Hanoi for learning about the country’s cultural diversity. Through exhibits, traditional houses, and cultural displays, you will discover the heritage of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

If the museum is closed, an alternative cultural visit can be arranged.

Next, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on a peaceful island in West Lake. This beautiful Buddhist site offers scenic lake views and a calm introduction to Vietnam’s spiritual traditions.

Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant, where you can sample some of Hanoi’s classic dishes.

In the afternoon, explore the lively Hanoi Old Quarter on foot. Begin at Dong Xuan Market, the largest market in Hanoi, before walking through the famous “36 streets”, known for local shops, traditional trades, and everyday street life.

During the walk, visit several characterful streets, such as:

Hang Ma Street: Known for colorful decorations and festive items

Luong Van Can Street: A lively street with local shops and daily commerce

Lan Ong Street: Famous for traditional Vietnamese medicine

Make a stop at the iconic Hanoi Train Street, one of the city’s most distinctive urban sights. Then, enjoy a relaxing break at a local café and discover Hanoi’s famous coffee culture.

Continue to Hoan Kiem Lake, the symbolic heart of Hanoi, where you can enjoy the peaceful lakeside atmosphere and observe local daily life.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique Vietnamese cultural performance that brings folk stories and rural traditions to life.

Dinner is on your own expense.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, depart from Hanoi for a scenic drive to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most iconic natural landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel through the Red River Delta by comfortable vehicle. This route normally takes about 3 hours by car, passing countryside scenery, rice fields, and local villages along the way.

Upon arrival at the cruise port, board your overnight Halong Bay cruise and begin your journey through the emerald waters of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, known for dramatic limestone karsts, peaceful lagoons, and beautiful island scenery.

Enjoy a welcome lunch on board as the cruise sails through breathtaking seascapes. This is a relaxing way to experience one of the most famous highlights of any Vietnam 10-day itinerary.

In the afternoon, join the cruise activities such as kayaking, swimming, cave visiting, or relaxing on the sundeck while admiring the bay views. Activities may vary depending on the cruise program and weather conditions.

As the sun sets, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the bay from the sundeck. You may join the onboard sunset program or simply relax with panoramic views over the limestone islands.

In the evening, enjoy dinner on board, featuring fresh seafood and local dishes, while the cruise anchors in a quiet area of the bay.

Overnight in Halong Bay.

Wake up early and enjoy a peaceful morning on Halong Bay, surrounded by limestone karsts and calm emerald waters.

Start your day with a gentle Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over the bay. This quiet moment is a relaxing way to begin the day and enjoy the natural beauty of Halong Bay.

Afterward, enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, and pastries while the cruise continues through the scenic bay area.

Depending on the cruise program and weather conditions, you may visit Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island. Explore its limestone chambers, admire natural stalactites and stalagmites, and enjoy a scenic morning experience before returning to the cruise.

Return to the cruise and enjoy brunch on board as the vessel heads back to the pier, offering your final views of this beautiful UNESCO-listed seascape.

After disembarkation, meet your driver and return to Hanoi by private transfer. Upon arrival, continue to the airport for your domestic flight to Da Nang.

After landing at Da Nang International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed town known for its ancient architecture, lantern-lit streets, riverside atmosphere, and rich trading history.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend a full day exploring Hoi An’s countryside, local life, and UNESCO-listed Ancient Town. This well-balanced experience combines cycling through peaceful villages, a basket boat ride in the coconut forest, a hands-on cooking experience, and a guided walk through Hoi An’s historic streets.

After breakfast, start your morning with a relaxing Hoi An countryside cycling tour. Ride through green rice fields, quiet villages, and local farming areas, offering an authentic glimpse into rural life in Central Vietnam.

Continue to Van Lang Fisherman Village and Bay Mau Coconut Forest, one of Hoi An’s most distinctive eco-cultural areas, known for its water coconut palms, wartime history, and traditional fishing culture.

Along the way, you may pass local markets, schools, rice paddies, and village homes, with opportunities to observe daily life and interact with local people.

Upon arrival, be welcomed by Mr. Lam’s family with traditional green tea. Then enjoy a memorable basket boat experience in the coconut forest, where you will:

Ride a traditional round basket boat through the water coconut palm canals

Learn about local fishing techniques and river life

Cruise through peaceful waterways surrounded by lush coconut scenery

After the boat ride, return to the family house and relax with a traditional herbal foot bath.

Next, join a hands-on Hoi An cooking experience and learn how to prepare local Vietnamese dishes. Enjoy a homemade lunch featuring regional favorites such as:

Tam Huu: Hoi An-style spring rolls

Banh Xeo: Crispy Vietnamese pancakes served with fresh herbs and dipping sauce

Fresh local dishes: Seasonal ingredients prepared in authentic Vietnamese style

This experience offers a warm and personal introduction to Hoi An’s food culture and countryside hospitality.

In the afternoon, explore Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam’s most charming cultural destinations. Walk through narrow streets lined with old merchant houses, lanterns, temples, and local shops.

Visit some of Hoi An’s most iconic landmarks, including:

Quan Cong Temple: A historic temple with cultural and spiritual significance

Japanese Covered Bridge: An iconic heritage symbol in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town

Tan Ky Ancient House: A beautifully preserved merchant home reflecting Hoi An’s trading history

Enjoy time to take photos, browse local shops, and soak up the atmosphere of the ancient town before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hoi An for a full-day excursion to Ba Na Hills, one of the most popular mountain attractions in Central Vietnam.

Travel by comfortable vehicle from Hoi An to Ba Na Hills, passing through Da Nang along the way. Allow around 1.5–2 hours for this drive, depending on local traffic. Upon arrival, take the famous Ba Na Hills cable car, known for its impressive length and scenic mountain views. As you ascend, enjoy panoramic landscapes of forested hills, waterfalls, and clouds drifting across the mountains.

At the top, visit the iconic Golden Bridge, one of Vietnam’s most recognizable landmarks, famous for its giant stone hands and dramatic mountain setting. Continue exploring the main highlights of Ba Na Hills, including:

Le Jardin D’Amour Gardens: Beautiful themed flower gardens with photo stops

Debay Wine Cellar: A historic French wine cellar dating back to the colonial period

Linh Ung Pagoda: A peaceful Buddhist site with sweeping views over the mountains

French Village: European-style architecture, cafés, shops, and lively street scenes

Chua Mountain: The highest point of Ba Na Hills, offering wide mountain views

Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple: A tranquil spiritual site for a quiet cultural stop

Tru Vu Tea House: A relaxing place to enjoy Vietnamese tea culture

Carnival shows: Colorful performances and entertainment, depending on the daily schedule

At midday, enjoy a buffet lunch at Ba Na Hills, with a wide selection of Vietnamese and international dishes.

In the afternoon, continue to Fantasy Park, one of Vietnam’s largest indoor amusement parks. Fantasy Park features more than 90 indoor games and attractions, including family-friendly rides, Dinosaur Park, 4D and 5D cinemas, and other entertainment activities.

Later, return by cable car and enjoy the final scenic views of Ba Na Hills before meeting your driver for the transfer to Da Nang.

Spend the evening at leisure after returning to your hotel. You may relax at My Khe Beach or Da Nang Beach, explore the city, or enjoy local Vietnamese cuisine on your own arrangement.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Da Nang International Airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, the vibrant economic and cultural hub of southern Vietnam.

Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, enjoy free time to relax or explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. You may stroll around nearby streets, visit local markets, discover colonial-era architecture, or simply unwind after the flight.

In the evening, join a memorable Ho Chi Minh City Vespa Street Food Tour, one of the most exciting ways to experience Saigon’s nightlife and local food culture. Ride through lively districts and hidden alleys by Vespa while tasting authentic Vietnamese dishes in local settings.

Begin with light snacks before continuing to a local restaurant for traditional cuisine and refreshing drinks. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to Saigon’s street food culture, daily life, and vibrant evening atmosphere.

Continue the experience with a stop at a traditional Vietnamese coffee shop, followed by a visit to a lively bar or music venue for a fun look at Saigon after dark.

When the tour concludes, transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for a guided visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of southern Vietnam’s most important wartime sites.

Travel from the vibrant city center to the countryside, where busy urban streets gradually give way to rural landscapes. Upon arrival, explore the remarkable Cu Chi Tunnels network, a vast underground system used during the Vietnam War for shelter, communication, supply routes, and military operations.

During the visit, discover hidden entrances, underground bunkers, trap systems, and wartime survival methods. For a more immersive experience, you may crawl through selected tunnel sections that have been adapted for visitors. An optional shooting range experience is available at your own expense.

After the Cu Chi Tunnels excursion, return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue your Ho Chi Minh City highlights tour with visits to the city’s most iconic landmarks. Explore the War Remnants Museum, where powerful exhibits provide insight into the Vietnam War and its lasting impact.

Continue to admire the French colonial architecture of the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the historic Saigon Central Post Office. Please note that access to the cathedral interior may vary depending on restoration work and local conditions.

End the day at the Reunification Palace, an important historic landmark associated with the end of the Vietnam War.

After the experience, return to your hotel, with the evening free to relax or explore independently.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, depart from Ho Chi Minh City at around 08:30 for a full-day Mekong Delta excursion to Ben Tre, one of the more authentic and less-visited areas of the region.

On the way, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the largest and most impressive temples in the Mekong Delta. The pagoda is known for its peaceful atmosphere and unique blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, and European-inspired architectural styles.

Continue to Ham Luong Pier in Ben Tre, where you will board a boat and cruise along the Ben Tre River, a branch of the Mekong River. As you travel through the waterways, observe local river life, traditional fishing activities, small boats, and daily scenes along the riverbanks.

During the cruise, visit a traditional brick-making workshop and a coconut processing workshop, two local industries closely connected to daily life in Ben Tre. Continue with a short walk to a family-run workshop where traditional sleeping mats are made by hand.

Enjoy fresh tropical fruits and tea while experiencing the warm hospitality of local villagers.

For a closer look at countryside life, continue by motor cart / xe lôi or bicycle through quiet village paths, coconut groves, rice fields, and vegetable farms. This peaceful route offers an authentic glimpse into rural life in the Mekong Delta.

Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch at a local family home, featuring regional Mekong Delta specialties prepared with fresh local ingredients.

In the afternoon, take a relaxing rowing boat ride through narrow canals shaded by water coconut trees. This gentle sampan experience is one of the most memorable ways to appreciate the calm beauty of the Mekong Delta.

After the boat trip, return to the pier and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the late afternoon.

In the evening, you may explore Ben Thanh Market on your own for shopping, souvenirs, and local street food.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Savor your final breakfast at the hotel before check-out.

At the scheduled time, your driver will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City for your departure flight. Please ensure your luggage and travel documents are ready before leaving the hotel.

Your 10-day Vietnam highlights tour ends with memorable experiences across the country, from the cultural charm of Hanoi and the natural beauty of Halong Bay to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City, and the peaceful waterways of the Mekong Delta.

It was our pleasure to welcome you on this trip. We hope to welcome you back for another journey to explore more of Vietnam’s beautiful destinations.

End of tour services.