12-Day Vietnam Itinerary: Highlights from South to North

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy free time to relax or explore the city on your own.

Meals: N/A

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network used by the Viet Cong during the war.

Return to Saigon for an afternoon city tour:

• Reunification Palace

• War Remnants Museum

• Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office

• Ben Thanh Market – a bustling hub for souvenirs and local eats

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Depart at 8:00 AM to My Tho and Ben Tre provinces.

Visit the peaceful Vinh Trang Pagoda.

Boat trip along the Tien River, passing by the islets of Long, Lan, Qui, and Phung.

Enjoy activities:

• Walk through villages and fruit orchards

• Visit a honey farm, try honey tea

• Listen to Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern traditional music)

• Rowing boat ride through coconut-lined canals

• Watch coconut candy being made

Relax with lunch in a local garden restaurant.

Return to Saigon by 5:00 PM.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer to the airport and take a flight to Hue, Vietnam’s ancient capital.

Free time to relax and explore.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Morning dragon boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda.

Visit:

• Imperial Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty

• Royal Antiquities Museum

• Dong Ba Market

Lunch at a local restaurant with traditional Hue tea and herbal foot soak.

Afternoon visit to:

• Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh – fusion of East & West architecture

• Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang – known for its symmetry and serenity

• Visit traditional incense stick and conical hat villages

Transfer to Danang late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Danang

Morning at leisure in Danang with options to:

• Visit My Khe Beach or Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)

Afternoon:

• Visit the Marble Mountains

• Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town – UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Walking tour through lantern-lit streets

• Dinner in a local restaurant

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning visit to My Son Sanctuary, former capital of the Champa Kingdom.

Walk among red-brick towers and ancient sanctuaries.

Afternoon: return to Hoi An for free time to shop, tailor clothes, or relax by the river.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Evening guided Street Food Tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Try local dishes such as bun cha, pho, banh cuon, and egg coffee.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Visit:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda – Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or Vietnam Women’s Museum

• Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university

• Hoa Lo Prison Museum – “Hanoi Hilton”

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Depart at 8:00 AM for Halong Bay (approx. 2.5 hours by highway).

Board a deluxe day cruise:

• Visit Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) – Halong’s largest

• Explore Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat

• Swim and hike on Titop Island

• Enjoy a Sunset Party with wine and snacks

Return to Hanoi by 9:00 PM.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Depart at 7:00 AM for Ninh Binh (110km south of Hanoi).

Visit:

• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Temples of King Dinh and King Le

• Trang An Scenic Landscape – sampan boat through caves and temples

• Mua Cave – hike to Ngoa Long Peak for panoramic rice field views

Return to Hanoi by 7:30 PM.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Free time at leisure until transfer to Noi Bai International Airport.

End of your unforgettable 12-Day Vietnam Itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast