18-Day Amazing North to South Vietnam Tour from Hanoi: Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, Danang, Hue and Ho Chi Minh | Phong Nha Cave | Cuchi Tunnel

Upon arrival at Noibai International airport, our representative will meet and transfer you to downtown for relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

7:30am - 8:30am: Tour guide and shuter bus will pickup you at the hotel in Ha Noi old quarter and Hanoi Opera House then depart to Hanoi city tour full day.

9:00am: Visiting first place named Tran Quoc pagoda on the West Lake the oldest pagoda in Vietnam.

9:30am: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One-Pillar Pagoda which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 - the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

11:00am: Visit the colorful features of the 54 ethnic groups of Viet Nam in the Ethnology Museum.

13:00pm: Bus takes you to a local restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter, have a rest and enjoy the lunch.

14:00pm: Visit Temple of Literature, the most famous temple situated in Hanoi, also functioned as Vietnam's first university. It was first constructed in 1070 under King Ly Nhan Tong and dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. A vast structure that has existed to present day.

15:30pm: Drive to legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple dedicated to Van Xuong saint and former general commander Tran Hung Dao for his struggle against Mongolians. You also see the beautiful Vietnamese and French architecture around the lake.

16:00pm - 16:30pm: Arrive at the hotel in Ha Noi old quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.

8:00am - 8:30am: Leave Ha Noi city for Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay town, Ha Long city. Refresh up at the lounge.

12:00pm - 12:30am: Embark Oriental Sails. Enjoy welcome drink and get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.

13:15pm: Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Ha Long Bay, admiring the fascinating nature, then anchor at Titop Island area.

15:00pm - 16:00pm: Join a guided visit to Sung Sot Cave (also called Amazing Cave), one of the biggest and the most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay.

16:00pm - 17:00pm: Climb to the peak of Titop Island for the panorama view of the bay. Going down and relaxing on the beach, swimming in the crystal water.

17:20pm: Return Oriental Sails, enjoying the sunset while relaxing with Happy hour from now to dinner time at the bar.

18:00pm: Enjoy happy hours with various drinks on discounts. Take part in a cooking demonstration and food décor with our Chef.

19:00pm - 21:00pm: Dinner is served. Private dinner is available on requested.

21:00pm - 22:00pm: Time to join squid fishing with the crew, sing karaoke or just laze around or relax in your cabin. Overnight on Oriental Sails.

6:30am: Welcome a new day with amazing dawn on the Legendary Gulf of Tonkin. Refresh your body & soul by a Tai-chi lesson on sundeck.

7:00 - 8:00am: Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while charming the labyrinth of Karst.

8:.00 - 9:00am: Join a guided to explore hidden parts of the bay, Luon cave. You share a sampan with other tourists with a local rower or taking a kayak on your own.

9:00am: Return to Oriental Sails for shower.

9:30am: Check out your room. Oriental Sails weighs the anchor to continue to roam the picturesque route toward Bai Chay bridge for photos.

10:50am: Have lunch.

11:30 - 11:45am: Disembark. Cruise ends.

12:30pm: Get on the bus directly to Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Cuc Phuong National Park is located in Ninh Binh province. The Park is conveniently located on the route to several tourist attractions including Bich Dong pagoda, Hoa Lu. It was officially opened in 1960 as the first national park in Vietnam. Cuc Phuong National Park is surrounded by several limestone cliffs, the highest being May Bac, meaning “ Silver Cloud”, with a height of 656m. There are plenty of plants and animals living in the park. There are estimated 2000 different species of flora and the 450special fauna account for 38% of the national fauna.

9:300am: Visiting Cuc Phuong National Park, you are not only do trekking in the primary forest but also excellent hiking opportunities abound in the park and you could spend a day trekking through the forest. On the way visit the Cave of Early Man ( had over 7000 years). Picnic lunch in the forest. 

Keep following the popular trails will lead you to several ancient trees called by the name Cho Chi 1000 years, the oldest tree in the forest.

14:30pm: Back Tam Coc, enjoy sunset party.

17:30pm: Take bus to Mai Chau. 

Arrival Mai Chau 23:00. Drop off Mai Chau Valley View.

Breakfast at hotel then free time to explore Mai Chau or Pu Luong by yourself.

Breakfast at hotel then free time to explore Mai Chau by yourself. 

14:30pm: Bus pick you up at Mai Chau Valley View transfer Hanoi.

18:00pm: Drop off ET - Pumpkin.

19:30pm: Bus transfer you to Station catch train to Sapa. Overnight on Train.

Pick up at the train station when you arrive and transfer to Sapa by a tourist shared bus.

Early check in is possible when you arrive if the room available otherwise we will provide you a basic room where you can have shower.

Start the trip at 9:30 as below.

First start of 6km of walking down to the south east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong. Continue a 2km-trekking down to Lao Chai village, through terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people. Lunch at a local family, it gives you a worth chance for you to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscapes…on the way. Last trek is about 2Km to the bus stop in Tavan then get back to Sapa by jeep or minivan. Overnight in Sapa.

A walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then next 3 km to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up on the way a jeep to return to Sapa.

Afternoon. Driver you to Cable Car Station and spend 20 minutes with cable car to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Reach the altitute of 2800 meters, you have a good time to see the view and take photos, visit pagoda the spiritual destinations and trek up to 600 steps you will reach the peak of Fansipan - the Roof of Indochina. ( Spend about 1,5 hours for hiking and taking photos). Come back to Cable Car Station and return to Sapa town, Free time to have dinner at your own.

17:30pm - 18:00pm: Transfer you to Lao Cai station catch train back to Hanoi. Overnight on Train.

Suggest flight : Hanoi - Danang (7:00am - 8:20am) by Jetstar airline - Charge from $80/pax (Airfare is not included)

Arrival Hanoi early Morning arround 4:30 - 5:00am. Driver will pick you up then transfer Noi Bai airport catch flight to Danang.

Arrival Danang. Driver only pick you up thentransfer to Hoi An old town, check in hotel ( 14:00pm)

Arriving Hoian - one of the World’s Heritage Site, you have chances to walk around this town, visit the ancient houses, ancient assembly hall, ancestral temple, and the symbol of Hoian, Japanese Bridge Pagoda by yourselves. In Hoian, everything is preserved as they were hundreds years ago. At night time, Hoian shows its beauty with colorful lanterns hung all around the town, and in the night market, where you can buy various kinds of souvenirs. (expense is taken by you). Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast at hotel:

8:30am: Tour guide will pick you up at Hotel, and then we go to visit My Son Sanctuary – one of World’s Heritage Sites.

10:00am: My Son Sanctuary, which used to be the citadel of Champa Kingdom, has been keeping the ancient beauty with more than 70. architectural works, which are the temples of the old Champa Kingdom. They still survive until today, despite the destruction of many wars. You will be able to not only discover the old Cham Pa monuments but also admire the Champa traditional dance performed by the professional local artists.

12:30pm: Depart for restaurant near Hoi An.

1:30pm: Having lunch in a local restaurant.

2:30pm: We will go back to your places in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast at hotel, check out hotel.

8:00am: Local guide will see you at your hotel with your bicycle. You will cycle to a local farm in Tra Que Village. A short stroll will take you around the vegetable garden and then you can join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Following steps are raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetable and many other gardening activities. After all these activities, you will take a short rest and enjoy foot bath before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. 

Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including “Tam Huu” spring roll, “Banh Xeo” or local pancake of people in Vietnam middle region. You can join the cooking with the chef on these meals. After your morning excurtions and your lunch, you will take a Vietnamese traditional post-prandial nap before learning how to harvest and wrap the vegetables.

Around 2:00pm, bid farewell to your host family before riding back to Hoi An.

Pick you up back to Da nang. Check in hotel. Overnight in Da Nang.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Then, check out hotel.

7:30am: In the morning, you will be picked up at hotel, then we start Hue city tour. On the way to Hue, you will pass through Hai Van tunnel, the longest tunnel in Southeast Asia.

Besides that, you will have some time to enjoy the golden sandy beach of Lang Co Bay – one of the most beautiful bay in the planet.

9:30am: After arriving Hue citadel, you will visit Khai Dinh Tomb – the combination of Asian and European cultural structure, embodying the beauty of this ancient city.

Thien Mu Pagoda – the most beautiful pagoda of Hue, which is considered as the National pagoda of The Nguyen Dynasty, is your next destination after Khai Dinh Tomb. You can find the relics of Monk Thich Quang Duc – his private car, an eloquent witness of the Buddhist era in Vietnam.

12:30pm: At lunch time, introduces to you Hue specialties – the featured local dishes of this ancient city, in one of Hue’s famous restaurants.

1:30pm: We will take you to Hue Imperial city – the former administrative center as well as the accommodation of 13 Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty – the last feudatory Empire of Vietnam. The Imperial city is preserved as new for hundreds years, and tourists are allowed to visit many places such as Meridian Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and Duyet Thi duong theatre. Our tour guide will tell you the secret stories of the Royal family, of the Kings and the Queens’ lives.

Affer that, drop you off at Hue hotel to check in. Overnight in Hue.

6:30am: Our guide and bus will pick you up at your hotel. On the way, stop to visit La Vang church and our guide will presenting Quang Tri Citadel (Nonstop) which was built in 1824 (The fierce battle of 81 days and nights has made this citadel well-known all over the world) Then to continue the itinerary our guide introduces about many places such as: Ben Hai river, Hien Luong bridge, Doc Mieu base…

12:00pm: Arrive in Phong Nha - Ke Bang national Park. Lunch at restaurant.

After lunch, cruise along the Son river to Phong Nha Cave. You will feel the magical and magnificent caves. Phong Nha also boasts underground rivers, large caverns and passageways and broad, pristine sandbanks. The most impressive cave - Phong Nha cave is probably also the most beautiful with many fascinating rock formations with imaginative names such as The Lion, Fairy Caves,... inside the Phong Nha Caves, the more illusory the stalactites and stalagmites look as they glitter when right light is shone on them.

3:30pm: Back to Hue on Ho Chi Minh trail. On the way back, you have Snack on the bus.

7:30pm: We arrive in Hue and drop you off at your hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Suggest flight: Hue - Saigon (8:50am - 10:15am) by Vietjest airline from $95/ticket (Airfare is not included)

Have breakfast then Check out hotel. Pick you up to transfer to Phu Bai airport to catch the flight to Saigon.

Arrival Saigon. Driver transfer you to Hotel for check in (14:00 ) If avaible room, You will check in soon.

Afternoon: You free time to relax and explore Saigon city by yourself. Overnight in Saigon.

Start 8:00 am: The Great Holy See Temple, built in 1926, is considered one of the most striking structures in all of South-East Asia. It is the headquarters of the unique Cao Dai sect, a religion with a hybrid of Buddhism, Christianity & Confucianism. Above the entrance is the all-seeing holy eye – symbol of the sect. Visitors will attend the midday ceremony’s extravaganza to witness the daily mass held by the Cao Dai followers which is a fantastic experience. After lunch, proceed to Cu Chi to explore the amazing site where Viet Cong hid during the War. It is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone". Visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before entering the tunnels. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food in war time). Return to SaiGon. 19:00 drop off your hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Start 8:00: Enjoy the scenic journey along the way bordered by green rice fields.  

On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals. 

Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. Meet the bus and return to HCMC. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home your own private collection of beautiful memories.  

17:00 Drop off your hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast at your hotel. Free at leisure until transfer the airport catch flight back your country. End of services!