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Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh -Vietnam in 14 days

Highlights

  • A taste of bustling Hanoi with its busy markets and delicious street food
  • Discover the magnificent caves of Ha Long Bay
  • Visit the Imperial City of Hue
  • Experience the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta
From £2210 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

This once in a lifetime trip takes you to the real Vietnam. See Hanoi like a local, cruise beautiful Ha Long Bay, visit the stunning imperial City of Hue and relax in a hot spring retreat. Get off the beaten track in Hoi An and enjoy wonderful home made food. You tour ends in the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh where you'll tour the Mekong Delta by sampan, cycle through rural villages and see the other side of the cty.

Summary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival Day

Day 2: Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue

Day 6&7: Hue

Day 8, 9, 10: Hue – Hoi An

Day 11: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City

Day 12&13: Ho Chi Minh City

Day 14: Departure

Arriving in Hanoi, you’ll be taken directly to your accommodation to relax, and the next day  you embark on the trip of a lifetime exploring vibrant Hanoi with its bustling markets, crafts and street food and discovering the amazing peace and tranquility of the lush green hillsides and river valleys which make up the magnificent natural landscapes of Northern Vietnam. You will cruise the Unesco site of Halong Bay and its magnificant caves, before flying to Hue with its imperial city, steeped in ancient history. On to Hoi An where you’ll learn to cook like a local and visit a traditional food market, and walk the city like a local, then to Ho Chi Minh the bustling vibrant city that never sleeps, where you’ll discover the other side of the city as you sail the mekong Delta immersing yourself in rural Vietnam.

Return home refreshed and invigorated with amazing memories to last a lifetime.

Hanoi at Leisure

Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Ha Noi.

The ‘city of lakes’ is located on the banks of the Red River, it is one of the most ancient capitals of the world, with elegant colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums. It has a French colonial history and is renowned for its delicious cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and crafts.

Chaotic and noisy, but fascinating, Hanoi traffic is unlike anywhere else. You should always look in both directions before crossing the road in this city, it is often said that “If you can make it through Hanoi rush hour traffic, you can make it anywhere in life”.

Have some time to relax and freshen up, then why not head down to the hustle and bustle of Hanoi 36 Streets area (aka ‘the Old Quarter’).

Accommodation

Tirant Hotel Hanoi- Executive Balcony Room

 

 

Hanoi like a local

Hanoi is a great city to explore by foot, although the traffic is crazy, you can see so much more from a ground level. Today will start with a full-day guided walking tour of the city and explore Hanoi like a local! By the end of the day you will have a full understanding of this amazing city. We will start with the Ngoc Son temple, the gem of the HoanKiem Lake, where you will have an overview about Vietnamese culture and religion from our local guide. Hop in a traditional red cyclo and get taken through the organised (and sometimes not so organised) chaos of Hanoi. Later we will stroll back to the Old Quarter, stop along the train tracks where locals still live and sample a Hanoi institution ‘Bia Hoi’ – this is an amazing fresh beer brewed and served by the friendliest local people. One glass sets you back around 5,000 VND (0.25USD). You’re also encouraged to try some of the best street food Asia has to offer. We suggest diving right in and eating local Vietnamese (such as pho/ banh mi or bun cha). Also worth mentioning is the ‘egg coffee’, another Hanoi classic. In the evening, sit down to a traditional water puppet performance (or the ‘Four Palaces’ cultural show). This northern tradition, dating back nearly a thousand years, is performed alongside traditional Vietnamese music that employs drums, wooden bells, horns and bamboo flutes.

Accommodation 

Tirant Hotel

Meals Breakfast and Lunch

Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

After breakfast  you will be collected and taken to Ha Long Bay, which is home to about 1,600 islands and islets and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site also famous for its many unique and beautiful caves.

Today we will visit Trinh Nu grotto, situated on the island range of Bo Hon and just about 15 km from Bai Chay Beach.

Legend has it that there was once a beautiful fisherman’s daughter who’s family was so poor that they were servants to the fishing zone’s rich administrator. The administrator forced the family to give him the girl as a concubine. However, the daughter refused as she already had a lover. Angered by her refusal, he exiled her to a wild island where she waited in vain for her lover to rescue her and eventually died of starvation, when she turned to stone. When visiting the cave, you can see the stone image of a girl with long flowing air, lying on the rocks, with her eyes looking towards the mainland.

Trinh Nu Grotto consists of three chambers: one looks like a  house with a flat roof, one is 8 meters long and 5 meters wide, and the other is linked by a narrow window. Inside the grotto, there are many stalagmites and stalactites in many different forms creating beautiful images  on the walls.

You will spend some time on the beautiful sandy beaches before you board your cruise boat for a gentle cruise around the islands of Ha Long Bay.

Accommodation

Overnight on board the Bhaya Classic – Double Cabin

 

Meals Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner

Ha Long Bay to Hanoi

This morning you will visit another of the amazing caves of the Ha Long Bay area Sung Sot Cave – Surprise Cave is one of the most beautiful Halong Bay caves, located on Bo Hon Island, which is in the centre of Halong Bay. It is the largest and most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay, and to get to the cave you will need to trek a little under the foliage of the forest, and climb the long stone stairs, but it is worth the walk! A magnificent cave around ten thousand metres square and its chambers are around 30 metres high. There are abundant giant Stalactites and stalagmite structures which are an amazing sight to see.

 

In the afternoon you will return to Hanoi and spend the rest of the day exploring or relaxing at the hotel.

Accommodation

Tirant Hotel – Executive Balcony

Meals Breakfast and Lunch

Flight from Hanoi to Hue

After breakfast, it’s time to check out! You’ll be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight to Hue – the Imperial city!

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

At the Alba Spa hotel, spend some time relaxing and recharge and get ready to explore Hue city!

Accommodation 

Alba Spa Hue – Deluxe City View

 

Meals 

Breakfast

Forbidden City

After breakfast you’ll be picked up by a local guide, ready for an adventure to the Forbidden City this morning, where you’ll gain insight into Vietnam’s imperial history. Our local guide will pick you up from the hotel then walk you to the Royal Palace. Situated in the fortified Citadel, the Forbidden City was once home to Vietnam’s royalty: the emperor, his family, court women, and few others lived within the structure protected by a moat and tall brick walls.

We will then pay a visit to the King Tombs of Nguyen Dynasty.

From moss-covered towers hidden in the hills to faded stone warriors proudly protecting the dead, the tombs evoke the feeling of a forgotten, almost mythological world. The kings of the Nguyen Dynasty designed their own tombs, reflecting their varying temperaments, philosophies, and priorities.

Dig deeper and you’ll discover the tombs don’t just embody the lives and souls of the Nguyen Kings. They also recount the story of one of Vietnam’s most enthralling historical periods, including national unification, military conquest, and the cultural impact of French colonialism.

 

Accommodation

Alba Spa Hue – Deluxe City View

Meals

Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

Hue Hot Spring Getaway

After breakfast, check out and embark on a journey to the more ‘off the beaten track’ part of Hue. You’ll head to the root of Truong Son mountain.

Truong Son Mountain Range is the longest range in Vietnam, and is a true open-air museum of geology, biology, ethnology, and culture. It is the principal mountain range of Indochina and the watershed between the Mekong River and the South China Sea. It extends parallel to the coast in a gentle curve generally northwest-southeast, forming the boundary between Laos and Vietnam.

Situated at the base of the Truong Son Mountains, the Thanh Tan hot springs have long provided unique health benefits for locals, and are now bringing their restorative powers to a wider audience

Filled with restorative calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and other minerals, the hot springs are a therapeutic soak , before an invigorating sauna and steam bath and then a cold bath, this opens up the pores, pulls out toxins and shocks the body into a unique sense of reinvigoration and health. This is a  Japanese-style, seven step onsen experience, surrounded by trees, stones and birdsong, it’s a perfectly way to relax

Accommodation

Hue Alba Wellness Resort – Bungalow

Meals

Breakfast

Hue to Hoi An by Open Top Army Jeep

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll travel to Hoi An by open top Army Jeep. These are vintage vehicles used since the war time. On the way you will have lunch by the beach and stop on the top of Hai Van pass and enjoy the breath-taking views there

The Hai Van pass is a 20-kilometre strip of road that joins the city of Da Nang and Lang Co in Hue Province. At 500 metres above sea level, it’s the highest pass in the whole of Vietnam.

As the road curves back and forth, some slight bends, some hairpin turns, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of misty mountains rising high over the South China Sea, deserted sandy beaches, forests and the twinkling lights of far-off cities.

When the Hai Van Tunnel was built in 2005 (now the longest tunnel in Southeast Asia) much of the traffic from the pass was redirected to the shorter and considerably less windy route! Today, the road exists as a scenic alternative, free of any lorries and other heavy vehicles, the quiet road is enjoyed by tourists who come to experience the road by motorbike, jeep or even bicycle!

It will be around a 5-6 hours journey to get to Hoi An. You will start by making our way up the Pass to viewpoints with awesome photo opportunities overlooking the coast and the train tracks and pass by the ruins of majestic French colonial buildings  We will  descend down the other side of the pass and head to the beach for a spot of lunch and may even have a swim to cool down.

Once you arrive, check in and relax at your hotel in Hoi An. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An was a major trading port with the West from the 15th to the 19th century. Today it has been restored to look exactly as it did more than a century ago, giving it an old-world feel full of nooks and crannies to explore.

 

Accommodation 

Ancient Houses Villages Resort – Garden View room

Meals: Breakfast

Hoi An Cooking Class and Traditional Foot Massage

Today you will start the day with a trip to Hoi An Central Market to experience the hustle and bustle of daily life of a local, learning bout the local produce and the ingredients of traditional dishes.

Then we head to Tra Que village, visit the herb garden of Hoi An and afterwards enjoy a foot massage as a nice treat to yourself after a morning of walking!

Then we will meet our local chef and experience an authentic Vietnamese cooking class, where you’ll learn to cook your own local dishes from locally grown produce with traditional recipes and the helping hand of our professional chef.

You will enjoy your  delicious lunch in the beautiful and tranquil garden of Tra Que.

Accommodation 

Ancient Houses Villages Resort – Garden View room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hoi An Local Food walk

Enjoy the morning to relax at your hotel.

In the evening, your guide will take you to explore the charming ancient town with an evening tour where you can feast on the best local dishes. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colourful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda, making it distinctive and unlike any other city in Vietnam. Besides its architecture, Hoi An is also famous for street food such as cao lau, banh xeo, my quang, and your guide will be pleased to introduce you to these delicacies.

They are sold on the street or in small shops dotted around the beautiful town.  Hoi An was also the main port of the silk route, and the ancient town is renowned silk and tailoring. Hoi An is home to more than 400 cloth and tailor’s shops!

Accommodation 

Ancient Houses Villages Resort – Garden View room

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

From Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, check out and say goodbye to the Central Coast of Vietnam to head to Da Nang Airport and board a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival,  you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, spend the rest of the day strolling around the busiest city of Vietnam.

Accommodation 

Fusion Suites Saigon – Suite Double.

Meals: Breakfast

Sampans and Cycling The Mekong Delta

This Morning your will be collected from your hotel for a two-hour drive to the picturesque and friendly Ben Tre Province, where you’ll be one of the rare tourists who visit here.

We will make our first stop at a beautiful local market, one of the largest of its kind in the region, and watch from robust trading activities going on to everyday family grocery shopping. Don’t miss trying a variety of tropical fresh fruits from the local home gardens!

We will then board a cruise going down the Mekong River to watch the daily going-one of the locals, and then Xelôi (a motorised cart, a form of local transportation that is more comfortable than the traditional ox-pulled cart) and continue our exploration.

Ben Tre Province is The Coconut Producer in Southern Vietnam. Therefore, our tour wouldn’t be right if we didn’t take you to a coconut-processing factory! There, you will see how the locals make a living from coconuts and the variety of products that come from coconuts (who knew coconuts have so many uses!). Apart from coconut, there are many other traditional ways in which the Delta provides for its inhabitants and we’ll explore some more of them. You’ll then transfer to a hand-rowed sampan to go through the smaller canals, lined with lovely local palm trees. Relax with the sounds of nature, and immerse yourself in this peaceful atmosphere.

For lunch, we will serve up wonderful home-cooked dishes of delicious Vietnamese food.  After lunch, we will come to the highlight of our trip – a 40-minute cycle ride. We will take a leisurely cycle along the rural roads making the most of the stunning local scenery.

In the evening return to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation 

Fusion Suites Saigon – Suite Double.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch

 

Day at Leisure

Today is your last day in Vietnam, enjoy a leisurely walk in the city, perhaps do some souvenir shopping and taste your favourite local dishes one last time.

Your hotel offers you a complimentary spa treatment, so you may like to enjoy some relaxation before your flight home.

Accommodation 

Fusion Suites Saigon – Suite Double.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Departure Day

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel before you are collected for your flight home.

 

Late check out has been requested.

 

Heading home with wonderful memories of your amazing adventure in Vietnam. Thank you for visiting and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.

What's included

Included

  • Airport transfers to your first and from your last accommodation
  • Accommodation for 13 nights and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Your local guide for all the activities during of your experience
  • Flights from Hanoi to Hue on Day 5 and Da Nang to HCMC on Day 11
  • Guided walking tour of Hanoi
  • Guided visit to the caves of Ha Long Bay
  • Guided visit of the Forbidden City in Hue
  • Guided visit to Truong Son Mountain
  • Restorative seven step onsen spa experience
  • Travel to Hoi An by vintage army jeep via the Hai Van Pass
  • Guided walking tour of Hoi An market
  • Traditional foot massage in Tra Que village
  • Authentic vietnamese cooking class
  • Guided evening walk and street food tour of Hoi An
  • Guided visit to Ben Tre Province and market visit
  • Cruise down the Mekong River by boat and sampan
  • Guided cycle ride through Mekong villages and local lunch
Your local host

Anh

Quynh Anh (QA) graduated in tourism from Hanoi university and is super passionate about travel. She has exceptional people and communication skills and always finds a way to create the best holiday experience for her customers. QA is a very experienced tourism professional and knows all the hidden gems in Vietnam. She is based in Hanoi but spends a large part of her time in the local communities in North Vietnam developing IMPACT projects in the local communities. QA’s colleagues and customers all value her kindness and friendship. She will ensure you have the best time in her home country.

Quynh Anh (QA) graduated in tourism from Hanoi university and is super passionate about travel. She has exceptional people and communication skills and always finds a way to create the best holiday experience for her customers. QA is a very experienced tourism professional and knows all the hidden gems in Vietnam. She is based in Hanoi but spends a large part of her time in the local communities in North Vietnam developing IMPACT projects in the local communities. QA’s colleagues and customers all value her kindness and friendship. She will ensure you have the best time in her home country.

Anh image
Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

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Location

This once in a lifetime experience begins in the bustling city of Hanoi.

Meanwhile, its peaceful and picturesque countryside is a marked contrast to the busy city and is just a short drive away, featuring lush parks and lakes, verdant mountains, and traditional villages.

The tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City.

  • Hanoi
  • Halong Bay
  • Hue
  • Hoi An
  • Ho Chi Minh City

 

 

FAQs

What clothes should I pack ?

Weather in Vietnam is usually humid and warm, lightweight layers are recommended. Avoid 'short' shorts — even in hot weather, most locals don’t wear them.
For walking /trekking you will need sturdy trainers

Can this tour be tweaked?

Yes you can make minor changes to this itinerary, these will usually affect the price. Please let us know, we are happy to give you a quote.

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