Vietnam Highlight Tour – 15 Days

Xin chào Vietnam! Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a local tour guide and driver, and then we will transfer you to the hotel for relaxation. The check-in time of the hotel will be 2 pm

Around 6 pm, we will start walking around the Old Quarter along different streets, trying to taste many kinds of local food such as beef/chicken noodle soup, oil-fried pastry, tofu, rice pancake, pillow cake, sweet soup, stuffed pancakes with pork, draught beer… and one of our best surprised is a stop at Dong Xuan whole sales market where we know many kinds of ingredients being sold.

Last but not least is our happy ending at a hidden coffee shop in the Old Quarters, where you can enjoy its famous ‘egg coffee’ in the pleasant surroundings overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. It would be a great chance to immerse oneself in the local life on the weekend here. After the tour, we return to the hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi.

Today, we will venture out to explore Hanoi. First up, we will drive to the Temple of Literature, which was originally built as a temple to Confucius, and the infamous Hoa Lo Prison Museum. Hoa Lo is also known as the ‘’Hanoi Hilton’’ and was where former US presidential candidate John McCain was incarcerated for over 5 years.

Later this afternoon, we will have a short time at Phung Hung Street. The train will run through this area while we enjoy our coffee here. Then, we move to the Ngoc Son Temple in Hoan Kiem Lake to visit one of the most famous temples in Hanoi. Later this afternoon, we will enjoy a 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired “Old Quarter”. We will be free to shop in the Old Quarter, ranging from markets through to designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art galleries. After the tour, we sit down to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets.

After breakfast, you will leave Hanoi for Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural landscapes. Upon arrival at the pier, board your overnight cruise and enjoy lunch while sailing among thousands of limestone islands rising from the emerald water.

During the afternoon, explore one of the bay’s caves, beaches or peaceful lagoons, depending on the cruise’s selected route. You may also have an opportunity to kayak or take a bamboo boat through the calm waters.

Return to the cruise in the late afternoon and relax on the sundeck as the sun sets over the bay. Dinner will be served on board, followed by a free evening at leisure.

Begin the morning with an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck while watching the sunrise over Halong Bay. After a light breakfast, continue exploring the bay with a visit to a limestone cave or another attraction included in the cruise program.

Return to the vessel for brunch as it makes its way back to the pier. After disembarkation, you will be transferred to Hanoi Airport for a late-afternoon or evening flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, meet your local driver and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

This morning, explore the atmospheric streets of Hoi An Ancient Town on foot. Once a thriving international trading port, Hoi An preserves a fascinating blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architectural influences.

Visit some of the town’s most notable landmarks, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, a traditional merchant house, a Chinese assembly hall and the colorful local market. Along the way, wander through narrow lanes lined with lantern shops, cafés, galleries and centuries-old houses.

The afternoon is free for shopping, visiting a tailor or relaxing beside the Thu Bon River.

In the evening, you may choose to attend the optional Teh Dar Show at Hoi An Lune Center. The performance combines bamboo circus, acrobatics, live music and stories inspired by Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

Today is a free day!

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel north toward Danang. Your first stop will be the Marble Mountains, a group of limestone hills dotted with Buddhist pagodas, caves and viewpoints. Climb the stone steps to discover hidden shrines and enjoy views across the surrounding coastline.

Continue to the Son Tra Peninsula and visit Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the impressive Lady Buddha statue overlooking the sea and Danang City.

After lunch, journey toward Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass, weather permitting. Stop for panoramic views of the mountains, coastline and Lang Co Lagoon before continuing to Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

Arrive in Hue in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel.

Today, discover Hue’s imperial heritage, beginning with the Imperial Citadel, once the political and ceremonial center of the Nguyen Dynasty. Walk through its grand gateways, royal courtyards and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City while learning about the emperors who ruled Vietnam from Hue.

Next, board a traditional dragon boat for a cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the city’s most recognizable religious landmarks.

After lunch, visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set among pine trees, lakes and traditional pavilions. If time permits, stop at a local incense-making village before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Hue before transferring to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, meet your local driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or begin exploring Vietnam’s most energetic city independently.

You may stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, visit the cafés and boutiques around Dong Khoi Street or join an optional evening performance of the À Ố Show at the Saigon Opera House, subject to the performance schedule.

Begin your city exploration at the Independence Palace, the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese government. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s modern history.

Make a photo stop at Notre Dame Cathedral before visiting the historic Central Post Office, one of the city’s finest examples of French colonial architecture.

After lunch, explore the vibrant atmosphere of Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, and visit the atmospheric Thien Hau Temple. End the tour at Ben Thanh Market, where stalls are filled with local food, textiles, handicrafts and souvenirs.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Leave Ho Chi Minh City in the morning and travel to Tay Ninh, passing through the southern countryside along the way.

Visit the colorful Cao Dai Holy See, the spiritual center of Cao Dai, a uniquely Vietnamese religion combining elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. Subject to timing, you may observe the temple’s midday prayer ceremony.

After lunch, continue to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used during the war. Explore the historical site, see concealed entrances and learn how people lived and operated beneath the ground during this period.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, leave Ho Chi Minh City and travel to the Mekong Delta, where rivers and canals shape the rhythm of everyday life.

Upon arrival in the Cai Be or Vinh Long area, board a local boat and cruise past riverside villages, fruit orchards and houses built along the waterways. Transfer to a smaller rowing boat to navigate the narrow canals shaded by water coconut palms.

Visit a family-run workshop to learn how regional products such as rice paper, coconut candy or other traditional snacks are made. Enjoy lunch featuring local Mekong Delta dishes before continuing through the countryside to Can Tho.

Check in at your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

Rise early this morning and board a boat to visit Cai Rang Floating Market, where local traders gather on the Hau River. Observe boats displaying their produce on tall poles and experience the lively atmosphere of the Mekong Delta in the early morning.

Continue cruising through the surrounding waterways before visiting a local rice noodle workshop to see how one of the region’s everyday staples is traditionally prepared.

Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. You will then travel back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free for last-minute shopping or relaxation.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend your remaining time at leisure until your scheduled transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight.

Your 15-day journey through Vietnam comes to an end, taking with you memorable experiences from Hanoi’s historic streets and Halong Bay’s limestone landscapes to Hoi An, imperial Hue, vibrant Ho Chi Minh City and the waterways of the Mekong Delta.

Hotel check-out time is normally before noon. Late check-out is subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.