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12-Day Cultural and Scenic Journey Through Vietnam

Viewed by 94 travelers

Day 1: Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 16, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pho 2000

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese pho, a traditional beef noodle soup, at this famous local spot open from 6:00am to 10:00pm.
VND60000, 1h0m

9:30am

Visit War Remnants Museum

Explore exhibits focusing on the Vietnam War and its impact, a must-see to understand the country's history. Open 7:30am to 6:00pm.
VND40000, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Ben Thanh Market

Sample diverse Vietnamese street food in the bustling market open daily from early morning till late evening.
VND80000, 1h30m

2:00pm

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office

Visit these iconic French colonial landmarks located close to each other, perfect for photography and a glimpse of Ho Chi Minh's heritage.
Free, 1h0m

5:00pm

Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan

Dine in a charming traditional Vietnamese setting; this restaurant offers a broad selection of authentic dishes from 10:00am to 10:00pm.
VND150000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Mekong Delta Experience

Mekong Delta, Vietnam on May 17, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Start early with a hearty breakfast at your hotel to prepare for the day ahead.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Travel to Mekong Delta

Embark on a 2-hour drive to the Mekong Delta region, known for its river life and floating markets.
VND500000 (transport), 2h0m

10:30am

Boat tour at Cai Be Floating Market

Explore the lively floating market by boat, observing local trade and sampling tropical fruits. Tours run from early morning to noon.
VND300000, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at a local riverside restaurant

Enjoy fresh Mekong river specialties including fish and tropical fruits.
VND120000, 1h30m

3:00pm

Visit local villages and coconut candy workshop

Meet the locals and see how traditional coconut candy is made; open till 5:00pm.
Free, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Drive back to the city to rest after a full day of discovery.
Included with transport, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Pizza 4P's

Try Vietnamese-influenced artisan pizza in a trendy setting, open until 11:00pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Mekong Delta

Day 3: Fly to Da Nang and City Tour

Da Nang, Vietnam on May 18, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Early breakfast before heading to the airport.
Included, 1h0m

7:30am

Flight to Da Nang

Catch a short flight (approx 1.5 hours) from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, the gateway to Central Vietnam.
VND1500000, 1h30m

9:30am

Check-in at hotel and freshen up

Settle into your accommodation close to the beach.
Varies, 1h0m

10:30am

Visit Marble Mountains

Explore the stunning limestone peaks with caves, pagodas and panoramic views. Open 7:00am to 5:30pm.
VND40000, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Madame Lan

Enjoy traditional Central Vietnamese cuisine in a beautiful garden ambience. Open 10:00am to 10:00pm.
VND150000, 1h30m

3:00pm

Relax at My Khe Beach

Spend the afternoon on the sandy shores of this famous beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Free, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Be Man Seafood

Taste fresh seafood dishes popular in Da Nang, open until 10:30pm.
VND180000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Da Nang

Day 4: Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An, Vietnam on May 19, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before exploring.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Travel to Hoi An Ancient Town

A short 30-minute drive from Da Nang to the beautifully preserved historic town.
VND150000 (transport), 0h30m

10:00am

Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour

Stroll through lantern-lit streets, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, and ancient houses with an entrance ticket covering multiple sites. Open 8:00am to 10:00pm.
VND120000, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Morning Glory

Savour traditional Hoi An dishes like Cao Lau at this beloved restaurant, open 10:00am to 10:00pm.
VND150000, 1h0m

2:30pm

Shop and relax by the river

Shop for tailor-made clothes or souvenirs, then enjoy the riverside cafes.
Varies, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Cargo Club

Delight in tasteful fusion dishes with a lovely river view, open until 11:00pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day 5: Hue Imperial City

Hue, Vietnam on May 20, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast and check out

Enjoy breakfast and prepare for the journey to Hue.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive to Hue

A scenic 3-hour drive over the Hai Van Pass from Da Nang to Hue.
VND600000 (transport), 3h0m

11:30am

Check into hotel and lunch

Check in and eat at a local restaurant sampling imperial cuisine specialties.
VND150000, 1h30m

1:00pm

Imperial City Tour

Explore the historic Citadel complex, with gates, palaces and temples. Open 7:00am to 6:00pm.
VND150000, 3h0m

4:30pm

Visit Thien Mu Pagoda

Visit this iconic seven-story pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, open until 6:00pm.
Free, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Ancient Hue

Experience authentic royal-style cuisine in a special setting, open till 10:00pm.
VND180000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Hue

Day 6: Phong Nha Adventure

Phong Nha, Vietnam on May 21, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast and early departure

Eat and depart early for Phong Nha National Park.
Included, 1h0m

7:30am

Drive to Phong Nha

Approximately 4-hour drive into the stunning limestone karst landscape.
VND800000 (transport), 4h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at local restaurant

Savour local Vietnamese dishes before exploring the park.
VND120000, 1h0m

1:30pm

Explore Paradise Cave

Walk through one of the largest and most spectacular dry caves in Asia, open 7:00am to 5:00pm.
VND150000, 2h0m

4:00pm

Boat trip on Son River

Take a scenic boat ride surrounded by jungle and mountains, available until evening.
VND200000, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at local guesthouse

Enjoy fresh regional cuisine at your accommodation.
VND130000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Phong Nha

Day 7: Fly to Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 22, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast and check out

Early breakfast and prepare for transfer to Dong Hoi Airport.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive to Dong Hoi Airport

1.5 hour transfer to take a domestic flight to Hanoi.
VND400000, 1h30m

10:00am

Flight to Hanoi

Flight approx 1 hour to the capital city.
VND1200000, 1h0m

11:30am

Check-in and Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Delight in Vietnamese food served by a social enterprise open from 10:00am to 9:00pm.
VND180000, 1h30m

1:30pm

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Relax by the beautiful lake and visit the historic temple, open 8:00am to 5:00pm.
VND30000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Explore Old Quarter walking tour

Discover narrow streets and traditional markets with local artisans.
Free, 2h0m

6:00pm

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Experience unique Vietnamese water puppetry, shows run from 6:30pm, booking advised.
VND100000, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long

Sample Hanoi’s famous grilled fish dish, open until 10:00pm.
VND160000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 8: Ha Long Bay Cruise

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam on May 23, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Have breakfast before departure to Ha Long Bay.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Travel to Ha Long Bay

Drive approximately 3.5 hours to Ha Long Bay area.
VND600000 (transport), 3h30m

12:00pm

Board Ha Long Bay Cruise

Start a 2-day overnight cruise exploring UNESCO listed karst islands with lunch included onboard, activities include kayaking and cave visits.
USD150, 2d0h
Find Hotels in Ha Long Bay

Day 9: Ha Long Bay & Return

Ha Long Bay to Hanoi, Vietnam on May 24, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast on Cruise

Enjoy breakfast with spectacular views on board.
Included, 1h0m

9:00am

Kayaking and Cave Exploration

Further explore caves and lagoons of Ha Long Bay before disembarkation.
Included, 2h0m

11:30am

Disembark and lunch

Lunch served as the cruise docks back on shore.
Included, 1h0m

1:00pm

Return to Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi for evening rest, approximately 3.5 hours.
Included in cruise package or VND600000, 3h30m

6:30pm

Dinner at Home Hanoi Restaurant

Sit down for modern Vietnamese cuisine in the Old Quarter, open till 10:00pm.
VND180000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Ha Long Bay to Hanoi

Day 10: Ninh Binh Countryside

Ninh Binh, Vietnam on May 25, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Prepare with a good breakfast before the day trip.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Drive to Ninh Binh

Travel 2 hours to this stunning countryside area often called 'Halong Bay on land'.
VND300000 (transport), 2h0m

10:00am

Boat ride at Tam Coc

Row through caves and lush rice paddies on local sampans, available 8:00am to 5:00pm.
VND150000, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at local restaurant

Enjoy fresh river fish and Vietnamese specialties.
VND120000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Bich Dong Pagoda

Climb to this beautiful cave pagoda complex nested in limestone mountains, open till 5:00pm.
VND20000, 1h0m

3:30pm

Return to Hanoi

Head back to Hanoi for the night.
Included, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Taste the famous Hanoi grilled pork with noodles, open until 9:00pm.
VND80000, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Ninh Binh

Day 11: Sapa Mountain Trek

Sapa, Vietnam on May 26, 2025

6:00am

Early Breakfast and depart by train or bus

Take the morning train or bus from Hanoi to Sapa, journey about 5-6 hours.
VND400000, 5h30m

12:00pm

Arrival and Lunch in Sapa

Check into hotel and enjoy a meal featuring local ethnic ingredients.
VND130000, 1h0m

1:30pm

Easy walk around Sapa town

Visit the Sapa Market and local cathedral, enjoying mountain views.
Free, 2h0m

4:00pm

Visit Cat Cat Village

Tour one of the nearest ethnic minority villages, open until early evening.
VND50000, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Hill Station

Enjoy local fusion cuisine in a warm setting, open till 10:00pm.
VND180000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Sapa

Day 12: Sapa Trek & Return

Sapa to Hanoi, Vietnam on May 27, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Have an early breakfast before trekking.
Included, 1h0m

8:00am

Trekking to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages

Experience a half-day guided trek through terraced fields and ethnic minority villages, suitable for moderate fitness levels.
VND350000 (guide), 4h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at a homestay or local restaurant

Enjoy home-cooked ethnic minority dishes during the trek.
VND100000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Return to Sapa town

Transfer back to town for freshening up and last shopping.
Included, 1h0m

4:00pm

Depart Sapa for Hanoi

Take an afternoon bus or train back to Hanoi, arriving late evening.
VND400000, 5h30m

9:30pm

Late Dinner at Pho Bat Dan

Enjoy a late-night bowl of authentic Hanoi pho, open 24 hours.
VND70000, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Sapa to Hanoi
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