Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels
9 Days / 8 Nights
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel in central Hanoi. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant featuring authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Historical Landmarks (B/L)
Spend a full day exploring Hanoi’s cultural and historical treasures:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & His Stilt House
- One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049)
- Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, built in 1070
- Tran Quoc Pagoda – Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple
- Ethnology Museum (or History Museum)
Afternoon cyclo ride around the Old Quarter and visit Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
Drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long Bay – UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Board a traditional wooden junk boat for an overnight cruise. Discover limestone caves, karst islands, and fishing villages. Enjoy seafood meals onboard.
Overnight on board in Ha Long Bay.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B/Brunch)
Morning cruise through the bay with optional Tai Chi on deck. Visit a grotto before brunch on board. Disembark and return to Hanoi Airport for flight to Hue – Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 5: Hue – Imperial Heritage (B/L)
Explore the royal city of Hue, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site:
- Boat ride on Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda (1601)
- Imperial Citadel & Forbidden Purple City
- Royal Antiquities Museum
- Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang & Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh
Dinner with Hue royal-style cuisine (optional).
Overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (B/L)
Scenic drive along the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An, stopping at Lang Co Beach and Marble Mountains. In the afternoon, walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO site):
- Japanese Covered Bridge (1593)
- Ancient merchant houses
- Chinese Assembly Halls
- Local market & riverside streets lined with lanterns
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Morning excursion to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient Cham Kingdom (4th–13th centuries). Explore red-brick Hindu temples and learn about Cham culture. Return to Hoi An for lunch. Afternoon transfer to Danang for flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels & City Highlights (B/L/D)
Morning visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the underground network from the Vietnam War. Explore tunnels, bunkers, and command centers.
Afternoon city tour of Saigon’s landmarks:
- Reunification Palace
- War Remnants Museum
- Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office (French colonial heritage)
- Ben Thanh Market
Evening farewell dinner on Saigon River Cruise.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Free time for last-minute shopping or relaxation before transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight.
✅ Highlights of the Tour:
- 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ha Long Bay, Hue Imperial City, Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, Thang Long Imperial Citadel (if added in Hanoi)
- Blend of ancient dynasties, colonial history, and Vietnam War relics
- Cultural immersion with traditional food, markets, and local villages