After returning to the city, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your exploration. Your afternoon includes visits to key landmarks: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and the Reunification Palace, the former presidential home of South Vietnam. At the War Remnants Museum, powerful exhibits offer a raw and moving look at the cost of conflict.

To close the day, you’ll join your guide for a sidewalk coffee — as you sip, you’ll learn about local slang, cultural quirks, and the everyday rhythms of city life from a local’s perspective.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Tour guide · Entrance fees · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation

Along the way, stop to see how locals make bricks by hand, sample fresh coconut candy, and visit family-run workshops. Then hop on a xe lôi (local motor cart) or bicycle to explore the countryside, passing rice paddies and garden farms.
After a traditional southern lunch, relax with a sampan boat ride through quiet backwaters before continuing on to Can Tho, the capital of the delta. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle in for the evening, where a stroll along the riverside offers a glimpse of Mekong life at dusk.

Overnight in Can Tho

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Boat rides · Tour guide · Entrance fees · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation

After returning to your hotel in Can Tho for breakfast and check-out, travel back to Ho Chi Minh City for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to Hoi An — a lantern-filled town by the Thu Bon River. Take the evening to relax and soak up the town’s peaceful ambiance.

Overnight in Hoi An

Included: Boat ride · Private A/C transfers · Domestic flight · Tour guide · Speed boat ticket · Meals: B · Hotel accommodation

From there, board a boat and glide along the Thu Bon River toward Van Lang Fishing Village and the lush Bay Mau Water Coconut Forest. Surrounded by mangrove palms and narrow canals, this area was once a wartime refuge and is now home to generations of fishing families. Climb into a basket boat and float through the forest, where local rowers share stories, demonstrate traditional net casting, and maybe even show off some spinning tricks!

Later, join a local family for a hands-on cooking class, preparing signature Hoi An dishes like Tam Hữu (shrimp, pork, and herbs on skewers) and Bánh Xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes). After lunch, enjoy a calming foot soak with medicinal herbs, a time-honored wellness tradition.

In the afternoon, explore the heritage heart of Hoi An. Visit the Quan Cong Temple, built in honor of a Chinese general known for loyalty and courage, and wander through the ornate Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. Cross the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, and visit the 200-year-old Tan Ky Ancient House, filled with original architecture and family heirlooms. End your day wandering through the lively Hoi An Market, where fresh seafood, tropical fruits, spices, and handicrafts await.

Overnight in Hoi An

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Entrance fees · Tour guide · Bicycle · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation

Arrive in Hue, the former imperial capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, explore the vast Imperial Citadel — the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty — followed by a visit to the peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda and the regal Tomb of King Minh Mang, set among pine trees and lotus ponds.

Overnight in Hue

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Entrance fees · Tour guide · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation

In the afternoon, explore the Vinh Moc Tunnels — a vast underground network dug by villagers to withstand relentless bombing. Extending nearly 30 meters deep with multiple levels, these tunnels housed entire families, complete with kitchens, wells, and even maternity rooms. Walking through the dim passageways offers a powerful glimpse of resilience and survival.

Late afternoon, arrive in Phong Nha, where you’ll check into your hotel near the national park’s edge. Enjoy a quiet evening surrounded by limestone mountains.

Overnight in Phong Nha

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Entrance fees · Tour guide · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation

Today is a highlight for nature lovers. Start with a visit to Paradise Cave — one of the most spectacular dry caves in Asia. Stretching over 31 kilometers beneath the limestone mountains of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, the cave reveals a surreal underworld of giant stalactites, delicate draperies, and cathedral-like chambers. Wooden walkways guide you deep into the cave’s heart, where dramatic formations tower above you like frozen waterfalls and intricate stone sculptures.  

After lunch, continue your journey by boat along the tranquil Son River. As limestone cliffs rise on either side, you’ll glide into the mouth of Phong Nha Cave — a vast river cave stretching over 7 km. Glide past shimmering formations and walls carved with ancient Cham inscriptions, earning it the name “Fairy Cave.” Part of a UNESCO listed karst landscape over 400 million years old, these caves reveal nature’s artistry in stone and water. 

Overnight in Phong Nha

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Boat rides · Entrance fees · Tour guide · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation 

After a relaxed morning, transfer to Dong Hoi Airport for your short flight to Hanoi. On arrival, your driver will bring you to your hotel in the capital’s heart. The rest of the day is free — explore at your own pace or unwind with a Vietnamese coffee in the Old Quarter. 

Overnight in Hanoi 

Included: Airport transfers · Domestic flight · Meals: B · Hotel accommodation 

Begin your day at the solemn Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the preserved body of Vietnam’s founding leader lies in state. The Mausoleum is open to visitors from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Tuesday to Thursday and on weekends (closed Mondays and Fridays). If your visit falls on a closed day, you’ll still explore the peaceful Ba Dinh Square from outside and visit nearby sites including Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and nearby One Pillar Pagoda, set in a peaceful garden. 

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, where courtyards and ancient steles reflect centuries of scholarly tradition. 

After lunch, visit Hoa Lo Prison once used by French colonists and later during the Vietnam War — known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Later, hop aboard a traditional cyclo for a slow ride through the lively streets of the Old Quarter. Listen as your guide shares stories of guild streets, ancestral homes, and sidewalk culture, while motorbikes weave past and vendors call out their wares.  

End your day with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals gather to dance, exercise, or simply enjoy the breeze. Then take your seat for a traditional water puppet show — a uniquely northern art form where wooden puppets glide across the water, telling folk tales with live music and old-world charm. 

Overnight in Hanoi 

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Entrance fees · Tour guide · Water puppet show · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation 

Transfer distance: ~ 300 km 

Depart Hanoi this morning for a scenic drive to Ha Giang, one of Vietnam’s most remote and culturally rich provinces. As the city fades, rolling hills give way to soaring peaks and ethnic minority villages. 

On the way, stop to visit a Tay ethnic village, where stilt houses nestle amid green rice fields. Depending on your preference, you may stay in a comfortable hotel or opt for a homestay to experience authentic Tay hospitality. 

Overnight in Ha Giang City  

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Tour guide · Meals: B, L, D · Hotel or homestay accommodation 

Wake up to fresh mountain air and begin your journey into the heart of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. Pass through Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, admire the Twin Mountains, and continue on winding roads past limestone peaks and deep valleys. 

After lunch in Yen Minh, visit Pho Bang’s ancient houses and the H’mong King’s Palace built in the early 1900s during French colonial rule, this stone fortress was home to Vuong Chinh Duc — the “King of the H’mong.” The architecture blends Chinese, French, and H’mong elements, with defensive walls, inner courtyards, and stories carved into every room.  

Arrive in Dong Van town in the late afternoon, nestled in a valley surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Take time to settle into your hotel, and if you like, stroll through the small market or sit down for a warm cup of tea at a local cafe. 

Overnight in Dong Van town 

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Entrance fees · Tour guide · Meals: B, L, D · Hotel accommodation 

After breakfast in Dong Van, set out on one of the most breathtaking drives in all of Vietnam — the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass. This sky-high road snakes along limestone cliffs above the Nho Que River, offering panoramic views of deep canyons, razor-edged peaks, and tiny villages clinging to the mountainside. Known as the “King of Passes,” Ma Pi Leng is part of the Happiness Road — a historic route built by hand in the 1960s by thousands of ethnic minority workers. 

At a scenic viewpoint, pause at the Youth Monument, dedicated to those who carved this incredible road into the rock. From here, you’ll begin a short but spectacular trek along the Sky Walk, a narrow trail etched into the cliffs with sweeping views on all sides. It’s a moment to breathe in the crisp highland air and feel fully immersed in the grandeur of the northern frontier. 

From the cliff’s edge, descend to the banks of the Nho Que River, where emerald waters wind between towering canyon walls. Board a motorized boat and glide into Tu San Abyss Alley — the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia. As you cruise between the sheer rock faces, it’s hard not to feel dwarfed by the scale of the landscape, shaped over millions of years by tectonic forces and flowing water. 

After the boat trip, enjoy a simple local lunch in Meo Vac, then continue through more rugged terrain to a remote highland village — your home for the night. Here in Pavi Village, a local ethnic minority family will welcome you warmly. Enjoy dinner prepared from local ingredients, and share stories under a sky filled with stars. 

This day blends nature, history, and local connection — the kind of experience that stays with you long after the road ends. 

Overnight in Pavi village (Meo Vac) 

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Boat ride · Trekking · Tour guide · Meals: B, L, D · Homestay or lodge accommodation 

Say goodbye to Ha Giang’s stone mountains and head south to Ba Be — a land of rivers, caves, and lush forest. The long but scenic drive takes you through quiet towns and green valleys. Arrive at Ba Be Lake by late afternoon and settle into a eco-lodge near the park. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and fall asleep to the sounds of nature. 

Overnight in Ba Be National Park

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Tour guide · Meals: B, L, D · Homestay or lodge accommodation 

This morning, board a wooden boat to glide across Ba Be Lake — the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. Cruise through limestone cliffs, visit the mysterious Puong Cave, and observe daily life along the riverbanks. 

After lunch, begin your return journey to Hanoi through peaceful countryside. Arrive in the evening and check in at your hotel. 

Overnight in Hanoi 

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Boat ride · Entrance fees · Tour guide · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation 

Depart Hanoi this morning for Halong City, where you’ll board your overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay — a serene extension of Halong Bay known for its emerald waters, sculpted karsts, and peaceful seascapes with fewer crowds.  

Upon arrival at Halong International Cruise Port, check in at the cruise lounge before boarding a short speedboat transfer to your home for the night — a beautifully appointed boutique cruise ship anchored in the heart of Lan Ha Bay.  

Settle into your private en-suite cabin and enjoy a gourmet Vietnamese lunch on board as the boat glides past forested islets, floating villages, and towering limestone formations. In the afternoon, disembark at Cat Ba Island for a cycling excursion to Viet Hai Village, a secluded community nestled within Cat Ba National Park. Pedal through scenic forest trails and past tranquil fishponds, organic gardens, and traditional homes — a vivid glimpse into rural island life in Vietnam.  Back on board, unwind with a herbal tea, enjoy a massage, or simply soak in the quiet beauty of the bay.  

As the sun sets, join an interactive Vietnamese cooking class led by the ship’s chef, learning the secrets of local flavors and techniques. The crew serves dinner al fresco on the sundeck (weather permitting), where regional cuisine, live music, and a canopy of stars complete your unforgettable evening  

Overnight on board in Lan Ha bay

Included: Shared cruise transfer · Cruise guide · All onboard activities · Meals: B, L, D · En-suite cabin accommodation 

Wake early to the quiet beauty of Halong Bay. If you’re up for it, join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the first light hits the limestone peaks. After a light breakfast, the cruise continues through the bay, allowing you to take in more of its serene corners and hidden gems. Enjoy a hearty brunch on board before you return to the pier. Disembark late morning and return to Hanoi by early afternoon. 

The rest of the day is yours — revisit your favorite café, browse artisan shops, or simply relax. 

Overnight in Hanoi 

Included: Shared shuttle transfer · Cruise brunch · Meals: B, Brunch · Hotel accommodation 

Enjoy your final morning on this Vietnam South to North tour at leisure. Depending on your flight time, you may want to take one last walk around Hoan Kiem Lake or pick up souvenirs at a local market. 

Your driver will transfer you to Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight. 

Included: Private airport transfer · Meals: B