5-Day North to South Vietnam Cultural and Scenic Tour

Day 1: Hanoi Heritage Tour

Hanoi, Vietnam on April 29, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at KOTO Restaurant

Enjoy a delightful Vietnamese breakfast at KOTO, known for its social enterprise and delicious Pho and Egg Coffee.
VND150000, 1h

9:30am

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Explore the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple located on a small island, a serene start to your Hanoi experience.
VND30000, 1h

11:00am

Tour the Old Quarter

Walk through Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter, absorbing traditional architecture and street life, and browse local shops and markets.
Free, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Savor the famous Bun Cha, grilled pork with noodles, at this place made legendary after President Obama’s visit in 2016.
VND70000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Explore the mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House to dive into Vietnam’s modern history. Open 8:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-4:00pm, closed Monday and Friday, so plan accordingly.
Free, 1h30m

4:00pm

Coffee break at Cafe Giang

Try the original egg coffee at this famous Hanoi cafe, a unique and creamy local specialty.
VND40000, 30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long

Relish Cha Ca, a traditional Hanoi turmeric fish dish cooked at your table, offering an authentic local dining experience.
VND200000, 1h30m

Day 2: Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay, Vietnam on April 30, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at hotel in Hanoi

A quick breakfast with Vietnamese coffee and banh mi before departure.
Included in hotel stay, 30m

8:00am

Travel to Halong Bay

Board a comfortable shuttle or private car for a 3.5-hour scenic transfer to Halong Bay.
VND600000, 3h30m

11:30am

Board overnight cruise

Check in to a luxury cruise for lunch and set sail to explore the breathtaking limestone karsts and emerald waters of Halong Bay.
USD150, 4h

3:30pm

Kayaking and Cave visit

Enjoy kayaking around the islets and visit stunning caves such as Sung Sot Cave, open till sunset.
Included in cruise, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner on board

Enjoy fresh seafood dinner under the stars onboard your cruise.
Included in cruise, 2h

8:00pm

Night squid fishing or relax on deck

Try your hand at squid fishing or simply relax on deck absorbing the peaceful bay scenery.
Included in cruise, 2h

Day 3: Imperial City Hue

Hue, Vietnam on May 1, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast on cruise

Enjoy a fresh breakfast as the cruise continues exploring the bay before disembarking.
Included in cruise, 1h

9:00am

Transfer to Hanoi airport and flight to Hue

Return to Hanoi by car (3.5 hours), followed by a 1-hour flight from Hanoi to Hue.
VND1500000, 5h

3:00pm

Visit Imperial City (The Citadel)

Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the former imperial palace and temples. Open daily 8:00am-5:30pm.
VND150000, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Ancient Hue Restaurant

Savor royal-style Hue cuisine, including signature dishes like Bun Bo Hue and Nem Lui.
VND250000, 1h30m

Day 4: Hoi An Charm

Hoi An, Vietnam on May 2, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Light breakfast before transfer to Hoi An.
Included in hotel stay, 30m

8:30am

Travel from Hue to Hoi An

Journey by road through scenic Hai Van Pass, about 3 hours drive.
VND500000, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at Morning Glory Restaurant

Enjoy authentic Hoi An specialties such as Cao Lau and White Rose Dumplings in a charming setting.
VND150000, 1h

1:30pm

Explore Ancient Town

Visit historic sites including the Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses, and vibrant markets. Open daily 7:00am-9:00pm.
VND120000, 2h30m

4:00pm

Coffee at Faifo Coffee

Relax with a cup of specialty coffee overlooking the Thu Bon River.
VND50000, 30m

6:30pm

Dinner at Mango Mango

Dine on creative Vietnamese fusion cuisine with a great view of the river and lantern-lit ambiance.
VND250000, 1h30m

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh Life

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 3, 2025

6:30am

Early Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel to prepare for travel to the south.
Included in hotel stay, 30m

7:30am

Fly from Da Nang (near Hoi An) to Ho Chi Minh City

Morning flight of approximately 1.5 hours.
VND1500000, 1h30m

9:30am

Visit War Remnants Museum

Explore exhibits detailing the Vietnam War’s history; open daily 7:30am-6:00pm.
VND40000, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Pho Hoa

Taste southern style Pho at one of Ho Chi Minh’s most famous Pho restaurants.
VND70000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office

Marvel at French colonial architecture and vibrant city atmosphere.
Free, 1h30m

3:00pm

Shopping at Ben Thanh Market

Experience vibrant local market life, perfect for souvenirs and snacks.
Free entry, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at The Deck Saigon

Dine on waterside with contemporary Vietnamese and international flavors to end your trip in style.
VND350000, 1h30m