Classic Vietnam Tour: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Xin Chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, your private guide and driver will be waiting to welcome you with a signboard displaying your names before transferring you to your hotel in the city center.

Your guide will share useful information about your stay and answer any questions you may have. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

While every effort will be made to have your room ready upon arrival, the standard check-in time is 2:00 pm, so your room may not be available earlier.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Morning
After breakfast, transfer to the Saigon pier and board a speedboat to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a historic network of underground passages northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a scenic ride along the Saigon River as you travel towards this remarkable site.

Upon arrival, watch a short introductory video before exploring the area with your guide. Learn how the Viet Cong used the tunnels during the Vietnam War as shelters, supply routes, living quarters, kitchens and makeshift hospitals. Some sections have been widened to allow visitors to venture underground and experience a glimpse of life beneath the surface.

After your visit, return by speedboat to Ho Chi Minh City, where your city tour continues.

Afternoon
Begin at the Reunification Palace, once the official residence of the President of South Vietnam and a key site during the Vietnam War.

Continue to two landmarks reflecting the city’s French colonial heritage: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, known for its distinctive red-brick façade, and the Saigon Central Post Office, admired for its elegant architecture. Conclude your tour with a visit to Ben Thanh Market, a lively place to browse local goods and experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Evening
At 5:30 pm, arrive at the Saigon Opera House, a beautiful French colonial landmark in the heart of the city. Settle into your reserved seat and enjoy a complimentary beverage before the performance.

Enjoy the A O Show, an acclaimed production combining acrobatics, contemporary dance and live music to portray the contrasts between rural Vietnamese life and the country’s rapid urban development. Through imaginative choreography and creative stage design, the show offers a captivating introduction to Vietnam’s culture and changing way of life.

Show highlights

• Admission to the A O Show at the Saigon Opera House
• A creative portrayal of rural Vietnamese life and modern urbanization
• Impressive acrobatics, dynamic choreography and live music
• A choice of seating on the ground floor, middle balcony or upper balcony
• A complimentary beverage before the show

Morning
Leave the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind and drive approximately 3.5–4 hours to Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta. Arrive around midday, check in at Can Tho Ecolodge, and take some time to relax and enjoy the peaceful riverside surroundings.

Afternoon
Explore the countryside by bicycle, riding through lush woodland and quiet streams to Gian Gua, a revered site centred around a centuries-old tangle of banyan-like roots and branches. Discover the local shrine and learn about its cultural significance and the charitable work of a woman honoured by the community.

Continue cycling to a tropical fruit garden, where local growers introduce you to their family-run orchard and traditional cultivation practices. Sample some of the Mekong Delta’s seasonal fruits before visiting a nearby vegetable nursery, where you can help water or harvest local produce. You’ll also have the opportunity to plant a vegetable or tree sapling at the ecolodge or in Ba Lang Village, contributing to the local community.

Return to the ecolodge for a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, discovering the fresh ingredients and distinctive flavours of southern Vietnamese cuisine.

Evening
Learn to prepare regional specialities under the guidance of the ecolodge’s chefs. Explore the ingredients, practise traditional cooking techniques, and hear about the origins of each dish as you prepare your meal. Afterwards, sit down to enjoy the dishes you’ve created and take home the recipes to recreate a taste of the Mekong Delta in your own kitchen.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Morning
Depart from the pier at Can Tho Ecolodge by sampan and cruise along the Ba Lang River towards Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the Mekong Delta’s busiest floating markets and a recognised national intangible cultural heritage site.

Experience the lively river trade as local vendors sell their goods from boats and canoes, with colourful produce and welcoming smiles bringing the market to life.

Continue by boat to a local rice noodle workshop, where you’ll discover how hu tieu, a popular Vietnamese rice noodle, is made. Observe the traditional process and try your hand at some of the steps yourself.

Next, visit a local farm garden to stroll along peaceful paths, admire the rural surroundings and enjoy freshly picked tropical fruits. You’ll also have the chance to paddle a traditional Vietnamese sampan through the narrow waterways, a quintessential Mekong Delta experience.

Return to the ecolodge and prepare for check-out.

Afternoon
Your private driver will transfer you to Can Tho Airport for your flight to Da Nang, in central Vietnam.

Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel near Hoi An Ancient Town. Once a prosperous trading port during the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its well-preserved architecture, charming pedestrian streets and exceptional cuisine. This delightful riverside town offers a wonderful glimpse into Vietnam’s rich trading history.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Morning
After breakfast, start the day by discovering rural life in Cam Kim, a peaceful island community just outside Hoi An, on a guided motorbike tour. Cross Thanh Ha Bridge and visit Mr. Huynh Ri’s century-old house, where you’ll meet the owner and learn about the history of his family home.

Continue through the village, stopping to observe local boatbuilding and repair. Visit a traditional workshop to learn how woven bamboo basket boats are made, then join a local family to discover the craft of reed-mat weaving.

At your final stop, learn how to make traditional Vietnamese rice paper with a local family and sample bánh đập, a local speciality combining soft rice paper and crispy rice crackers.

Return to Hoi An via Cam Kim Bridge and enjoy lunch at The Field Restaurant, set beside riverside paths and rice fields. Afterwards, transfer back to your hotel.

Afternoon
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town on a guided walking tour, visiting its historic landmarks, including Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Continue to the Precious Heritage Museum, home to photographer Réhahn’s permanent collection celebrating the diverse cultures, traditional costumes and daily lives of Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

Take a relaxing break at Reaching Out Tea House, a tranquil retreat in the heart of the Old Town, operated by people who are deaf or have hearing and speech impairments. Enjoy a selection of fine teas and delicious cakes in this peaceful setting.

Conclude the day with a hands-on lantern-making workshop at a local craftsman’s home. Learn about the traditional techniques involved, from shaping the bamboo frame to cutting and attaching the fabric. With guidance from the artisan, create your own lantern to take home as a special souvenir of Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its charming architecture, excellent cuisine and unique shopping. Wander through the atmospheric streets of the Ancient Town, browse local boutiques, or visit one of the many skilled tailor shops to have a suit or tuxedo made to measure.

For a hands-on cultural experience, you may also choose to join a Vietnamese cooking class, often beginning with a visit to a local market to select fresh ingredients before learning to prepare some of Hoi An’s signature dishes.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Morning
After breakfast, meet your private guide and travel by private vehicle to the Royal City of Hue, a journey of approximately four hours. En route, enjoy one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal drives over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, with sweeping views of mountains and the sea.

Arrive in Hue around midday, check in at your hotel and enjoy a short rest.

Afternoon
Begin exploring Hue at the Imperial Citadel, the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last royal dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. Walk through the atmospheric walled complex to discover the Imperial Palace and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City, once reserved for the emperor and his royal household.

Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most iconic landmarks, known for its distinctive seven-storey octagonal tower and peaceful riverside setting. Afterwards, return to the city via Dong Ba Market, a lively place to glimpse local life and browse regional specialities.

Evening
At 6:00 pm, discover Hue’s food culture on a relaxed cyclo ride and evening food tour. Begin with an introduction to local cuisine and a few useful Vietnamese phrases before visiting a vegetarian restaurant, where Buddhist traditions have influenced the city’s distinctive culinary heritage.

Continue by cyclo through quieter neighbourhoods away from the main tourist areas, stopping to sample local favourites such as crispy Hue-style pancakes and lemongrass skewers at street-food stalls.

Pause at a charming café or local bar to enjoy a regional drink or a beer while learning more about Hue’s eating traditions. Finish with a taste of Hue’s colourful sweet soups, a beloved local dessert and a delightful end to your evening.

Overnight in Hue.

Morning
Begin the day with a visit to Thanh Toan Village, where you can explore the lively morning market and see locals shopping for fresh produce and daily essentials. Nearby, discover the historic Thanh Toan Covered Bridge, dating back around 300 years, and visit the local cultural museum to learn about traditional village life and meet members of the community.

Continue to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the finest examples of Nguyen Dynasty architecture and the final resting place of one of Vietnam’s longest-reigning emperors. Set amid a peaceful pine forest, the complex features tranquil lakes, elegant pavilions and intricate stone carvings, reflecting the emperor’s poetic sensibilities.

Leave the city centre and travel to a local Buddhist nunnery, where you’ll enjoy a traditional vegetarian lunch in a peaceful setting. Spend time with the nuns and learn about Buddhist traditions and their daily lives.

Afternoon
After lunch, return to your hotel to collect your belongings before transferring to Phu Bai Airport for your late-afternoon flight to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your private driver will be waiting to welcome you with a signboard displaying your names and transfer you to your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today, with your private guide and driver, discover Hanoi’s cultural landmarks and savour authentic local cuisine, including street food enjoyed alongside the locals.

Morning
After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver at the hotel for a full-day exploration of Hanoi’s highlights. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, dedicated to Vietnam’s revered national leader. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (subject to its opening schedule), his traditional House on Stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic 11th-century Buddhist temple.

Continue to Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton,” which was used by French colonial authorities and later held American prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.

Enjoy lunch at Lan Ong Restaurant, set on one of Hanoi’s best-preserved traditional streets. Featuring beautifully presented dishes inspired by Vietnamese culinary heritage, the restaurant offers a distinctive introduction to the country’s flavours and traditions.

Afternoon
After lunch, enjoy a traditional cyclo ride through Hanoi’s French Quarter, passing elegant colonial landmarks such as the Vietnam National Museum of History, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, and the Hanoi Opera House.

Experience a traditional water puppet show, a distinctive art form originating in northern Vietnam, before stopping at Pho Co Café for a cup of Hanoi’s famous egg coffee. From the café, enjoy views of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

Evening
Set out on a guided Hanoi street food tour, beginning with a walk through Thanh Ha Market, where bustling stalls offer a glimpse into the city’s everyday life and culinary traditions.

Sample local favourites such as green papaya salad (nom du du), pâté bánh mì, and bún chả, Hanoi’s signature dish of grilled pork served with rice noodles and fresh herbs. Along the way, discover traditional ceremonial cake stalls and enjoy a taste of Vietnamese dessert.

Return to your hotel after an engaging day of history, culture and local flavours.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning
After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver for a journey to Ninh Binh, a beautiful region of towering limestone mountains, lush rice fields and peaceful countryside that offers a glimpse into rural Vietnam.

Begin at Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, where colourful bundles of incense are arranged in striking formations to dry in the sun. Visit local workshops and, where possible, meet families who have practised this traditional craft for generations. Learn about the incense-making process and the role of incense in Vietnamese worship and spiritual traditions, while capturing memorable photographs of this vibrant village.

Continue to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital during the Dinh and early Le dynasties. Visit King Dinh Temple and King Le Temple, admired for their traditional architecture and spiritual significance, set against a dramatic backdrop of limestone mountains.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialities.

Afternoon
After lunch, explore Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its spectacular limestone karsts, tranquil waterways and extensive cave system.

Board a traditional rowing boat and drift along the peaceful river, passing through natural caves and beneath towering limestone cliffs. Along the way, admire the lush rice fields, verdant landscapes and birdlife that make Trang An one of northern Vietnam’s most memorable natural attractions.

After the boat journey, return to Hanoi and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning
After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver for the transfer to Tuan Chau Marina, where you’ll board the elegant Peony Cruise for an overnight journey through the spectacular landscapes of Lan Ha Bay.

Upon boarding, enjoy a welcome drink and a refreshing towel while the crew introduces the cruise and its itinerary. Settle in as the vessel sails into the bay, with a delicious lunch of fresh seafood and Vietnamese specialities served on board as you admire the surrounding limestone karsts and emerald waters.

Afternoon
Around 3:30 pm, arrive at Tra Bau, a peaceful area of Lan Ha Bay known for its unspoiled scenery and dramatic limestone formations. Enjoy a kayaking excursion to explore the quiet waters and hidden corners of the bay, or take a refreshing swim when conditions permit. Alternatively, relax in the cruise’s jacuzzi.

From 5:30 to 6:30 pm, join a Vietnamese spring-roll cooking demonstration or head to the sundeck to admire the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy happy hour at the bar, with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on selected drinks, while taking in the magnificent views.

Evening
At around 7:30 pm, savour a delicious dinner featuring local cuisine, thoughtfully prepared by the onboard chef and served in an intimate setting.

Later, unwind with a drink at the sky bar, enjoy an optional spa treatment, or relax on the sundeck beneath the starry sky. You may also try night-time squid fishing from the main deck, a fun way to round off your evening on the bay.

Overnight on board Peony Cruise.

Morning
Start the day with an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy breakfast on board while the cruise makes its way back towards Gia Luan Pier.

After breakfast, travel by transfer vehicle to Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island, part of the Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve. Explore this impressive limestone cave, renowned for its fascinating stalactites, distinctive rock formations and unique cave ecosystem.

Return to Peony Cruise around mid-morning to check out of your cabin and enjoy an early lunch on board. Settle any outstanding bar bills before disembarking.

Late Morning
Disembark at approximately 10:30–11:00 am and transfer back to Tuan Chau Marina, where your private guide and driver will meet you for the journey to Hanoi.

Continue directly to Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight home. If you wish to extend your travels, we would be delighted to help plan your next destination.