Vietnam Highlights – 9 Days

Tour Overview

Discover the highlights of Vietnam on this 9-day journey from north to south, from the bustling capital of Hanoi to the stunning limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, the imperial city of Hue, the charming ancient town of Hoi An, the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, and the lush Mekong Delta. Experience the rich history, stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality of this beautiful Southeast Asian country.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). Transfer to your hotel in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, a beautiful city with its unique blend of French colonial architecture, ancient temples, bustling markets, and vibrant street life, known as the City of the Rising Dragon. Explore Hanoi: visit the Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword, a beautiful lake in the heart of the Old Quarter, with its iconic Turtle Tower and the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple connected by the red Huc Bridge), the Old Quarter (the historic heart of Hanoi, with its 36 streets each traditionally dedicated to a specific trade, with its bustling markets, street food stalls, traditional shops, and narrow streets, a great place to wander and experience the vibrant street life), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of modern Vietnam, a grand marble mausoleum in the Ba Dinh Square), the One Pillar Pagoda (a beautiful Buddhist temple built in 1049, with its distinctive shape of a lotus flower growing from a single stone pillar, one of the most iconic temples in Vietnam), the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu, the first university in Vietnam, founded in 1070, a beautiful Confucian temple with its five courtyards, the Temple of Confucius, and the famous turtle steles honoring the graduates of the university), and the Hanoi Opera House (a beautiful French colonial opera house built in 1911, modeled after the Palais Garnier in Paris, with its beautiful architecture and performances). Evening enjoy a traditional water puppet show (a unique Vietnamese art form dating back to the 11th century, with puppets performing on water accompanied by traditional music, a must-see cultural experience). Welcome dinner with Vietnamese cuisine including pho (Vietnamese noodle soup, the national dish), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), spring rolls (goi cuon), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), egg coffee (cà phê trứng, a Hanoi specialty), and Vietnamese coffee (strong and rich, served with condensed milk). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Ha Long Bay Cruise

Morning drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (approximately 2.5-3 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world, with its stunning 1,600 limestone karsts and isles rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, creating a breathtaking seascape that has inspired countless poets and artists. Upon arrival, board a traditional junk boat or cruise ship for an overnight cruise through the bay. As you sail through the bay, enjoy the stunning scenery of the limestone karsts, islets, and caves, with the boat gliding through the calm emerald waters. Visit the Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay, with its stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and its beautiful chambers), the Ti Top Island (a beautiful island with a white sand beach and a hilltop with panoramic views of the bay, named after the Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov), and the Luon Cave (a beautiful cave accessible by kayak or bamboo boat, with its stunning rock formations and the beautiful lagoon inside). Enjoy activities including kayaking through the caves and lagoons, swimming in the emerald waters, and taking a cooking class on board (learning to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls). Evening enjoy a beautiful sunset over the bay, with the limestone karsts silhouetted against the orange sky, and a delicious seafood dinner on board. Overnight on the cruise ship in Ha Long Bay.

Day 3: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi & to Hue

Early morning watch the sunrise over Ha Long Bay, with the first rays of light hitting the limestone karsts and the calm waters, a magical and unforgettable experience. After breakfast, continue exploring the bay: visit the Bai Tu Long Bay (a less crowded but equally beautiful part of Ha Long Bay, with its stunning limestone karsts and pristine beaches), the Vung Vieng Fishing Village (a floating fishing village where you can see the traditional way of life of the fishermen, with their floating houses and fish farms), and take a bamboo boat ride through the caves and lagoons. After lunch, disembark from the cruise ship and drive back to Hanoi (approximately 2.5-3 hours). Upon arrival in Hanoi, fly to Hue (approximately 1.5 hours), the former imperial capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), a beautiful city on the banks of the Perfume River, known for its historic citadel, royal tombs, pagodas, and cuisine (Hue is famous for its royal cuisine, considered the most refined in Vietnam). Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Evening explore Hue and enjoy dinner with Hue cuisine including bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup, a Hue specialty), banh khoai (Hue crispy pancakes), banh beo (steamed rice cakes), and com hen (baby clam rice). Overnight in Hue.

Day 4: Hue Imperial City & Royal Tombs

Full day exploring Hue: visit the Hue Citadel (Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a massive walled fortress built in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long, modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its beautiful palaces, temples, gardens, and the iconic Ngo Mon Gate (the main gate of the citadel), the Thai Hoa Palace (the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where the emperors held their coronations and important ceremonies), the Forbidden Purple City (the private residence of the emperor and his family, with its beautiful palaces and gardens), and the beautiful gardens and pavilions), the Perfume River (Song Huong, a beautiful river flowing through Hue, with its scenic banks and the famous dragon boats, a beautiful place for a boat cruise at sunset), the Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda, the most famous pagoda in Hue, a beautiful seven-story pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River, built in 1601, with its iconic seven-tiered tower and the famous car in which the Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc drove to Saigon to self-immolate in 1963), and the royal tombs of the Nguyen emperors (a series of beautiful tombs scattered along the Perfume River, each with its unique architecture and beautiful gardens, including the Tomb of Minh Mang (the most beautiful and symmetrical, with its beautiful gardens and pavilions), the Tomb of Tu Duc (the most poetic and romantic, with its beautiful lakes, pavilions, and gardens, built by the emperor himself as a retreat), the Tomb of Khai Dinh (the most unique and modern, with its blend of Vietnamese and European architecture, and its beautiful mosaic interiors), and the Tomb of Gia Long (the first emperor’s tomb, with its beautiful setting on a mountain). After lunch, visit the Dong Ba Market (the largest market in Hue, with its bustling stalls selling food, clothing, and souvenirs, a great place to experience the local life and try Hue street food). Visit the Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts (with its collection of royal artifacts, including the royal crowns, jewelry, clothing, and art). Evening enjoy a boat cruise on the Perfume River at sunset, with the beautiful views of the citadel, the Thien Mu Pagoda, and the royal tombs, and enjoy traditional Hue music on board. Dinner with Hue royal cuisine. Overnight in Hue.

Day 5: Hue to Hoi An (via Hai Van Pass)

Morning drive from Hue to Hoi An (approximately 2.5-3 hours), passing through the beautiful Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass, one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world, with its stunning views of the ocean, the mountains, and the beautiful coastline, the pass was once the border between the kingdoms of Champa and Dai Viet, and is famous for its beautiful scenery and the historic Hai Van Gate at the top). Along the way, visit the Lang Co Beach (a beautiful white sand beach with its clear blue water, one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam) and the Lap An Lagoon (a beautiful lagoon with its stunning scenery and fishing villages). Upon arrival in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful and charming towns in Vietnam, a well-preserved ancient trading port with its unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European architecture, its beautiful yellow French colonial buildings, its iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, its numerous tailors (Hoi An is famous for its custom tailoring, with hundreds of tailors offering custom-made clothing at affordable prices), and its beautiful lanterns that light up the town at night. Check into your hotel. Explore Hoi An: visit the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau, the iconic symbol of Hoi An, a beautiful covered bridge built in the 16th century by Japanese merchants, with its beautiful temple and statues), the Tan Ky House (a beautiful 200-year-old Chinese merchant’s house, with its unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture, and its beautiful interior courtyards), the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation (a beautiful Chinese temple and assembly hall, with its stunning architecture, beautiful courtyards, and intricate carvings), the Hoi An Museum (with its exhibits on the history and culture of Hoi An), the Central Market (a bustling market with its fresh produce, seafood, clothing, and souvenirs), and the beautiful riverside along the Thu Bon River. Evening watch the beautiful lanterns light up the town (Hoi An is famous for its beautiful lanterns, with thousands of colorful lanterns lighting up the streets, houses, and the river at night, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere), and take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River with floating lanterns (you can release a floating lantern on the river for good luck, a beautiful and memorable experience). Dinner with Hoi An cuisine including cao lau (a Hoi An specialty noodle dish, made with local water and a special type of noodle), white rose dumplings (banh bao vac, a Hoi An specialty), banh mi (Hoi An has some of the best banh mi in Vietnam), and fresh seafood. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An & Da Nang

Morning explore Hoi An and the surrounding area: visit the My Son Sanctuary (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of the ancient Champa Kingdom, a complex of Hindu temples built between the 4th and 14th centuries, dedicated to the god Shiva, with its beautiful brick temples, stone carvings, and stunning setting in a lush green valley, often called the Angkor Wat of Vietnam, although much smaller), the An Bang Beach (a beautiful white sand beach near Hoi An, with its clear blue water and beach restaurants, a popular place for swimming and relaxation), the Cua Dai Beach (another beautiful beach near Hoi An), and the Tra Que Vegetable Village (a beautiful organic vegetable village near Hoi An, where you can learn about traditional farming methods, pick your own vegetables, and take a cooking class to learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes). After lunch, visit Da Nang (approximately 30 minutes from Hoi An), the fourth-largest city in Vietnam and a major coastal city, known for its beautiful beaches, the iconic Dragon Bridge, and the stunning Marble Mountains. Visit the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills, each representing one of the five elements, with its beautiful caves, Buddhist temples, pagodas, and stunning views of the ocean and the city, the most famous is Thuy Son (Water Mountain), with its beautiful caves and temples including the Huyen Khong Cave with its natural skylight and Buddhist shrines), the Dragon Bridge (the iconic bridge over the Han River, with its dragon shape that breathes fire and water on weekends, a popular attraction), the Han River Bridge (the first swing bridge in Vietnam, with its beautiful lighting at night), the My Khe Beach (one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, according to Forbes magazine, with its white sand and clear blue water), and the Son Tra Peninsula (a beautiful peninsula with its lush forests, stunning ocean views, and the famous Linh Ung Pagoda with its giant 67-meter-tall white Buddha statue (the Goddess of Mercy), the tallest in Vietnam). Evening return to Hoi An. Enjoy a final dinner in Hoi An and a last walk through the lantern-lit streets. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

Morning fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon, approximately 1.5 hours), the largest city in Vietnam and the economic hub of the country, a vibrant and bustling metropolis with its unique blend of French colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers, bustling markets, and vibrant street life, known for its energy, its delicious food, and its fascinating history. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Explore Ho Chi Minh City: visit the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace, a beautiful historic building that was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, the site of the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the gates, with its beautifully preserved 1960s interiors, the war room, the telecommunications room, and the rooftop helipad), the Notre Dame Cathedral (a beautiful French colonial cathedral built in 1880, with its distinctive red brick facade, twin bell towers, and beautiful stained glass windows, modeled after the Notre Dame in Paris), the Central Post Office (a beautiful French colonial post office built in 1891, with its stunning Gothic architecture, the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh, the old telephone booths, and the beautiful vaulted ceiling, still functioning as a post office), the War Remnants Museum (a powerful and moving museum documenting the Vietnam War (the American War, as it is called in Vietnam), with its exhibits on the war, the effects of Agent Orange, the military equipment, and the powerful photography exhibitions, a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the history of the war), the Ben Thanh Market (the most famous market in Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling market with its stalls selling everything from fresh produce and seafood to clothing, souvenirs, and street food, a great place to experience the vibrant street life and try Vietnamese street food), and the Bitexco Financial Tower (a stunning skyscraper with its unique helipad-shaped observation deck on the 49th floor, offering panoramic views of the city). Evening explore the vibrant nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City, including the famous Bui Vien Walking Street (a bustling pedestrian street with its bars, restaurants, street food, and vibrant nightlife, popular with tourists and locals alike), or enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigon River. Dinner with Vietnamese cuisine including banh xeo (Vietnamese crispy pancakes), hu tieu (noodle soup), broken rice (com tam), and Vietnamese coffee. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8: Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta

Morning take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels (approximately 1.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City), an incredible network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, stretching over 250 kilometers, with its living quarters, kitchens, hospitals, command centers, weapons factories, and booby traps, a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people during the war. Explore the tunnels: crawl through a section of the tunnels (reconstructed to be slightly larger for tourists), visit the underground rooms and chambers, see the booby traps and weapons, learn about the daily life of the soldiers living in the tunnels, and watch a documentary about the tunnels. After the Cu Chi Tunnels tour, continue to the Mekong Delta (approximately 2-3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City), a vast and lush delta region in southern Vietnam, where the Mekong River flows into the sea, creating a network of rivers, canals, swamps, and islands, known as the Rice Bowl of Vietnam, with its fertile land, fruit orchards, rice paddies, fishing villages, and unique way of life on the water. Visit the Cai Rang Floating Market (one of the largest and most famous floating markets in the Mekong Delta, where hundreds of boats gather to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and other goods directly from their boats, a unique and vibrant experience, best visited early in the morning), take a boat ride through the small canals and waterways of the delta, passing by fruit orchards, rice paddies, and stilt-house villages, visit a coconut candy workshop (where you can see how traditional coconut candy is made), a bee farm, a fruit orchard (where you can taste fresh tropical fruits including mango, durian, rambutan, mangosteen, and dragon fruit), and a traditional Vietnamese house in the delta. Enjoy a lunch of fresh Mekong Delta specialties including elephant ear fish (ca tai tuong), fresh spring rolls, and tropical fruits. After the Mekong Delta tour, return to Ho Chi Minh City. Evening enjoy a farewell dinner with Vietnamese cuisine. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Ho Chi Minh City or shopping (visit the Vincom Center, the Saigon Centre, or the Diamond Plaza for luxury shopping, or the Ben Thanh Market and the An Dong Market for souvenirs and handicrafts). Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda (a beautiful Chinese Taoist temple built in 1909, with its stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and the famous turtle pond, one of the most atmospheric temples in Ho Chi Minh City), the Giac Lam Pagoda (the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, built in 1744, with its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere), the Saigon Opera House (a beautiful French colonial opera house built in 1900, with its stunning architecture and beautiful performances), and the Nguyen Hue Walking Street (a beautiful pedestrian street in the heart of the city, with its beautiful fountains, public art, and the iconic Ho Chi Minh statue at the end). Do some last-minute shopping for Vietnamese products including coffee (Vietnam is the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, famous for its robusta coffee), fish sauce (nuoc mam), silk, lacquerware, and traditional handicrafts. After lunch, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) for your departure flight, concluding your unforgettable 9-day Vietnam highlights tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses