Spend 15 days in Vietnam and immerse yourself in collection of World Heritage Sites in Vietnam from historic and cultural to breath taking beauty natural landscapes. This trip offers you a chance to explore most of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam from the wonderful landscape of Halong Bay, Trang An complex, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to the charm of Hoi An ancient town, the cultural and historic site of Hue Complex Monument and My Son Sanctuary. This tour will immerse you in history, nature and tradition.
Destination included: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong – Phong Nha – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh
Duration: 15 days
Why you will love this trip?
- Soaking up the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- Enjoying peaceful atmosphere and incredible beauty of Halong Bay– a world natural Heritage site
- Witness the breath-taking scenery of Ninh Binh, with its limestone karsts rising from emerald rice paddy fields beside winding rivers.
- Visiting the most highlight historical, cultural sites and architecture in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam with our expert
- Experiencing local life of Mekong Delta residents
- Feeling the metropolitan pulse of Ho Chi Minh City and experiencing its highlights
DETAILS ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival, Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon your arrival in Hanoi, your guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to get rid of the jet lag and have a rest.
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: not available
Day 2: Hanoi Sightseeing (B,L)
Afterward, set off to Tran Quoc Pagoda Located on a small penisula on the East side of West Lake, is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years. Then head to Quan Thanh temple, was established during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To in the 11th century and was dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu, Guardian of the North in Taoism. Be sure to keep an eye out for the grand three-door entrance, guardian tiger, banyan tree, delicate woodcarvings and gigantic four tons black bronze statue.Start your morning with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. His preserved body has been an important landmark in the capital city since 1975, and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam’s history. From there, wander through the beautiful surrounding gardens toward the One Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace, where a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s simple working space is on display.
Have lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Museum of Ethnology and hop-on a cyclo and cycle through the Old Quarter of Hanoi (about 1 hour) last stop is Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy a Water Puppet Show to learn more about Vietnamese traditional culture.
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh
Meet your guide and driver in the morning and depart Hanoi bound to Ninh Binh Province. Known lovingly as "Halong Bay on land", this stunning province boasts similar limestone karst topography that rises from emerald rice paddy fields and winding rivers. After a two and a half-hour drive visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital city of the Dinh Dynasty and Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam.
After lunch, take the amazing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes, was officially recognized as world heritage site since 2014. The area is unique in having been invaded by the sea several times in the recent geological past but is now emergent on land. The blend of towering mountains draped in natural rain forest, with large internal basins and narrow cave passages containing quietly flowing waters, creates an extraordinarily beautiful and tranquil landscape.
Overnight: Ninh Binh
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 4: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Following breakfast, depart from the hotel in Hanoi for the 4hour drive to Halong Bay. Arrive to the Halong City jetty around noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome on board, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some sightseeing, on-board activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing. Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight: on board
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B,L)
Enjoy a memorable morning in the middle of Halong Bay. Early risers can catch a stunning sunrise and breakfast will be served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly back towards port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi.
Overnight: Hanoi
Meal: breakfast, brunch
Day 6: Hanoi - Dong Hoi (B)
Be free in the morning till it is time to take the flight to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival, a guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.
Overnight: Dong Hoi
Meal: breakfast
Day 7: Dong Hoi Sightseeing (B,L)
Meet your guide and driver in the morning and transfer to Phong Nha National Park, and then board your private boat for the 1.5km cruise down the Son River to the Phong Nha Caves. You will enter the mystical tunnels filled with mighty stalactites and stalagmites and visit the Paradise Cave before returning to Dong Hoi.
Overnight: Dong Hoi
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 8: Dong Hoi - Hue (B,L)
Following breakfast, depart from your hotel in Dong Hoi to Hue. On the way, visit Vinh Moc Tunnels - The Old DMZ (Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone). Unlike the famed Cu Chi tunnels, which were used by the Viet Cong for combat, the Vinh Moc Tunnels were bomb shelters predominantly for civilians. Secretly built between 1966 to 1967, the red soil had to be dispersed under the cover of night to avoid detection by enemy surveillance. Three different levels were constructed with 13 entrances/exits, including seven to the coast. During bombing raids, village life carried on undergrounds.
Stop by Hien Luong Bridge Ben Hai River, has been the boundary separating the two parts of the country, the North and the South of Vietnam. Arrive Hue, have lunch at a local restaurant before check in hotel and the rest of the day is spent at your leisure.
Overnight: Hue
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 9: Hue Sightseeing (B,L)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before exploring Hue’s famous citadel and the illustrious examples of grand dynasties past.
Begin your day by a visit to the Royal Tomb of King Ming Mang, the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty, governed southern and central Vietnam from 1820 to 1840. This majestic tomb is renowned for its architecture and sublime forest setting. Follow with a boat trip down the peaceful Perfume River, taking in the endless surrounding greenery. Hop of at the pier and visit to the seven-storeys Thien Mu Pagoda, considered by many as the unofficial symbol of Hue.
Have lunch before transfer to visit Hue’s Imperial Citadel, the capital city of a reunified Vietnam in 1802 until 1945 under the reign of the Nguyễn dynasty. It was the cultural, spiritual and political heart of the country during this time, has a circumference of 10 kilometers with the height of 6.6 meters and 21 meters thick with forts being meanderingly arranged, accompanied by cannons, artilleries and ammunitions, which can be divided into two main parts: The Citadel and the Forbidden purple city. Later on, absorb the energy, sounds and odors of the bustling Dong Ba Market before drive back to your hotel.
Overnight: Hue
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 10: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B,L,D)
Depart from the hotel in Hue in the morning and drive to Hoi An by Hai Van Pass (“Pass of the Clouds”), is the longest and highest mountain pass road in Viet Nam with a length of 21km. Stop by Hai Van Quan, which sits at the top of its namesake mountain pass in central Vietnam, separating Da Nang City and Thua Thien-Hue Province.
Stop at the Cham museum, the Cham civilization ruled central Vietnam from the 2nd - 13th centuries and was considered extremely important for religion and learning. Have lunch at Danang local restaurant before going to Hoi An town. Arrive Hoi An in the afternoon, check in hotel and have some free time on your own.
Afterwards, set off on a culinary adventure in Hoi An to discover the flavours and dishes that make this coastal town and its cuisine so unique. Alongside an expert local guide, your journey introduces you to the stories behind Hoi An’s most iconic dishes at the town’s most famous eateries.
Start your tour at a local restaurant famous for white rose dumplings, found exclusively in Hoi An. Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the locals working here, who churn out up to 6000 of these dumplings every day! Your visit here includes a chance to try making a few of your own dumplings before sampling a few.
In a nearby try another local specialty: banh can crackers. Served with quail eggs, pork and a tasty salad, this dish is a highlight of Hoi An street food culture and a must-try for every visitor. Pull up a small street-side stool and enjoy it with your guide.
Continue onward to sample grilled pork satay and spring rolls at a local restaurant. Next up is fried wonton - lovingly referred to as a “Hoi An pizza” - and finally try the famous Cao Lau noodle or chicken rice. Wrap up the tour with a stop at Sky Coffee Bar, a local favourite within the Hoi An Museum. Chat with your guide over a beverage here before heading back to your hotel for a restful evening.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11: Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An (B,L)
This morning departs for the My Son Sanctuary - the remains of Kingdom of Champa, a remarkable architectural ensemble that developed over a period of ten centuries. It presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia
After lunch drive back to Hoi An, visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it’s a short walk to Tan Ky House, a 200 years old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An. End your afternoon with a boat trip along Thu Bon river before returning back to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time in the ancient town.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 12: Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
You will have free time till your guide meets you and escorts you to airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, our guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel, the rest of the day is on your own.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: breakfast
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing (B)
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and dynamic metropolis full of contrasts, where street vendors and old pagodas stand alongside modern business and shopping centers.
The tour starts with a visit of the Reunification Palace, here on April 30th 1975 the war officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. The journey continues with the visit of the War Remnants Museum, this popular museum gathers a comprehensive collection of the war machinery, weapons, artifacts, documentation as well as a touching photographs exhibition dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists. Later in the morning you will stop by Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Central Post Office, two of the best examples of classical old Saigon architecture.
You will then enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Giac Lam Pagoda, the oldest and finest Buddhist temple of Ho Chi Minh City. Next, you will discover Saigon’s Chinatown, including the Soai Kinh Lam fabric market and Thien Hau Pagoda, a temple dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of the Sea. A short drive will finally bring you to the popular Ben Thanh market. The tour will end around 5.00PM when you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: breakfast
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
Depart from your hotel in the morning and drive approximately two hours to Ben Tre, and the gateway to the delta. Here, you will board a small boat to start your sightseeing around the waterways of Mekong Delta. Known also as the rice bowl of Vietnam because of its large rice production, the area has also diversified into activities related to aquaculture, rearing of animals, cash crops and fruit trees.
Visit a brick factory and board a small boat to meander through the canals and waterways in the area. Then, stop at a small homemade coconut processing plant to see how coconuts have been turned into oil, candy and woven mats that are later sold in the market. After the boat trip you will have a short walk to a local village to see mat weavers at work, before jumping on the Delta’s version of a tuk tuk ( xe-lôi ) and travelling down country roads to reach a nice local riverside restaurant for lunch.
Next, take a short cycling tour to explore the surrounding fields before boarding a sampan for a tranquil trip along the picturesque canals. Come back to the port and continue to visit Ben Tre local market before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving late in the afternoon. Enjoy one last night out on the town exploring the famous nightlife of Saigon and your final taste of Vietnam.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meal: breakfast, lunch
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City, Departure (B)
You will have free time till your guide escorts you to airport for your flight to next destination.
Meals: breakfast
Price is included:
- Accommodation as mentioned in the program based on twin/double share. In case of unavailability another equivalent option will be replaced.
- Ground transportation in private air condition vehicle.
- Meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
- English speaking guide at each destination except contrary indications
- All admissions fees according to itinerary.
- All logistical services necessary for the organization of the program
- Taxes
Price is not included:
- Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary
- Drinks during meals, and expenses of personal nature
- Tips & gratuities ( Tips is recommended around 3 USD/person/day and a half for driver if you satisfy with their services )
Ginkgo Voyage’s plus:
- 1 complimentary minelral water and 1 cold towel per person per day tour
- 24/24 service hotline, from office in Ho Chi Minh city
- Live Chat on website
