Vietnam at a Glance – 9 Days

Day 1: Hanoi arrival – City Tour

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, we will be welcomed by our friendly local guide and transferred to our hotel.

(Note: Hotel’s check-in is 14.00/15.00, Early check-in is NOT included).

In the afternoon, begin your Hanoi exploration with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from outside, followed by Tran Quoc Pagoda, the city’s oldest temple located on the peaceful West Lake.

In the evening, enjoy a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a maze of narrow streets filled with shops, cafés, and local markets.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Trang An (B)

In the morning, depart Hanoi at 8:00 AM for a drive southward to Ninh Binh province. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital in the 10th and 11th centuries, where you will explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le set amid dramatic limestone mountains and rice fields.

In the afternoon, embark on a serene boat ride along the Hoang Long River through Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Glide through water caves and admire the diverse flora and fauna before returning to Hanoi around 4:00 PM.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on boat (B, L, D)

Pick up at hotel after breakfast, we transfer to Halong via Express Way. On arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, we will board our cruise, followed by a Welcome drink and a short brief on safety regulations. We start our exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay passing through some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Luon Cave & Titop Island.

Lunch on board while the vessel cruises toward Luon Cave.

In the mid-afternoon, we take the kayaking around around the thousand-year-old rock formations of Luon Cave area. We then transferred by tender to Titop Island where we can free at the beach or hike to the top for stunning views of Ha Long Bay.

Back to our cruise and participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

We have dinner and spend the night on board.

Overnight on the cruise.

NOTE:
• From 2-8 pax: Join cruise bus
• From 9 pax onward: Private transfer

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Danang (B, BR)

In the morning, start the day with a Tai Chi session on deck before visiting Sung Sot Cave, one of Halong’s largest and most impressive caves. Continue cruising past Ba Hang Fishing Village and Dog Islet while joining a cooking demonstration and enjoying brunch on board before disembarkation.

In the afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi for your flight to Danang.

Overnight in Danang.

Day 5: Danang – Bana Hill – Golden Bridge – Danang (B)

In the morning, travel to Ba Na Hills and enjoy a scenic cable car ride up the mountains. Visit the beautiful Le Jardin D’Amour gardens, the historic Debay Wine Cellar, and the Linh Ung Pagoda.

In the afternoon, walk across the Golden Bridge, the iconic landmark held up by giant stone hands, and admire panoramic views of the mountains. Continue to the French Village with its charming European-style architecture, lively street performances, and diverse dining options. Have fun at Fantasy Park with a variety of games and attractions.
In the evening, return to Danang and spend the night at leisure.
Overnight in Danang.

Note: Tickets exclude wax museum, wine cellar, indoor climbing and alpine coaster.

Day 6: Danang – Hoi An Bamboo Basket Boat & Walking Tour (B)

Today, join us on an excursion to Cam Thanh village, being a fisherman at Cam Thanh water coconut village tour you will enjoy experiences from learning traditional fishing techniques and how to row unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat, fishing and catch the crabs, coconut mussel while exploring the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war.

Discover Hoi An ancient town, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There are plenty to see in this tranquil and delightful town, some of which are the famous Chinese Assembly Hall & Temples, Old houses & Japanese Covered Pagoda Bridge, Old house of Tan Ki, Sa Huynh Culture Museum. We visit these sights on an exciting walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past.
Overnight in Danang.

Day 7: Danang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling economic hub. Upon arrival, continue the journey to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used during the Vietnam War. Explore the maze of tunnels—some of which have been widened for visitors—and learn how soldiers once lived and fought in these challenging conditions. Along the way, see the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters created by 500lb bombs dropped by B-52 bombers. After returning to the city, visit the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, two of the most important architectural landmarks from the French colonial era.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch in an Indian restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, the two sites that we can’t ignore when we visit the city. Dinner at an Indian restaurant and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B)

In the morning, depart from your hotel for the peaceful town of My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Begin with a visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda, an impressive Buddhist temple blending Vietnamese, Khmer, and European architectural styles. Continue with a scenic boat trip along the Mekong River, where you will stop to visit local homes and orchards, a coconut candy workshop, and a honeybee farm. Enjoy a sampan ride through palm-shaded canals, taste tropical fruits and honey tea, and experience a traditional Southern folk music performance. In the late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Half Day City Tour - Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Spend the morning exploring the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Reunification Palace, once the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, before stopping at Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, both iconic landmarks reflecting the city’s French colonial heritage. Afterward, enjoy free time for last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market or relax at leisure. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Tour by DMC Vietnam ends.