11-Nights Classic Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong Bay & Ho Chi Minh from $3,028

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Transfer: Hanoi Airportto Hanoi - The Old Quarter

Hotel: La Siesta Classic Ma May (4 Star Rating)

With its imposing white exterior and warm Asian-inspired interior, La Siesta Classic Ma May is situated in the heart of the Old Quarter, close to Hoan Kiem Lake providing a luxuriously quiet oasis within the busy maze of streets.

The property has 65 bespoke-designed guestrooms and suites, the Moonlight Sky Bar on the rooftop, La Spa and gym on the 3rd level and Red Bean Restaurant on the ground floor.

Day 2: Full Day Hanoi Highlights City Tour

Step into the soul of Vietnam's capital on a day that celebrates history, heritage, and everyday rhythm. Whether you're drawn to iconic monuments or the quiet beauty of temple courtyards, this journey through Hanoi delivers the perfect balance of grandeur and authenticity. It's a chance to connect with the city's storied past, vibrant present, and the subtle artistry woven through both.

Your day begins in Ba Dinh Square, where solemn sentries guard the imposing marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. Dive deeper into the life of this national figure with a visit to his stilt house-a modest wooden bungalow tucked within leafy grounds-and the museum that charts Vietnam's path to independence. Just nearby, the One Pillar Pagoda rises gracefully from a lotus pond, echoing ancient spiritual legends. From here, the narrative turns personal: choose from one of three cultural institutions based on your curiosity.
- The Vietnamese Women's Museum brings voice to untold stories;
- Hoa Lo Prison is a stark window into colonial and wartime struggles;
- The Fine Arts Museum reveals the creative soul of the country through sculpture and traditional brushwork.
Each offers a different lens into Hanoi's identity.

After lunch, you'll continue to the Temple of Literature-a serene sanctuary of stone turtles, sweeping eaves, and scholarly legacy. Built in 1070 and once home to Vietnam's first university, it's an enduring tribute to Confucian values and academic pursuit. Then it's time to loosen the pace with a walk through the Old Quarter. Here, the hum of motorbikes blends with the scent of sizzling street food as you meander through narrow alleys named after centuries-old trade guilds. This is where Hanoi's local life thrives-on stoops, under canopies, between rows of crumbling colonial facades. Tucked into one of these bustling corners is a quintessential Vietnamese café-simple in setting but rich in atmosphere. Find a seat at a streetside table, sip on thick, fragrant coffee, and watch the mosaic of the city unfold. It's not just a drink-it's a ritual, a rhythm, a cultural pulse that lingers long after your cup is empty.

Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay

This morning, transfer from your Hanoi hotel to Halong Bay. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Island, transfer to the Paradise Elegance. You will be greeted by the Paradise crew who will aim to provide you with the highest standards of service throughout the journey. Halong Bay is blessed with numerous grottoes, hidden pools and mystical islands and this afternoon, there will be the opportunity to disembark the boat and explore the region further. Off-boat excursions are usually by ship's tender although often there is the opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of the bay by bamboo rowing boat. Today's cruising program includes a visit to Titov Island and Luon cave. At sunset, Paradise Elegance will anchor overnight. It is the perfect time to enjoy Happy Hour and Canapes while being serenaded by a live music performance at L'Odyssee Sundeck or Piano Lounge before sitting down to delicious dinner.

Hotel: Paradise Elegance (5 Star Rating)

A sleek, modern vessel that fuses contemporary styling with Vietnamese design concepts, the Paradise Elegance is a meticulously designed steel boat that has reimagined luxury cruising on Halong Bay. Boasting a piano bar, day spa and wellness centre, butler service and the full range of dining options, the Elegance is a work of art, the experience exquisite, the journey flawless.

Meal(s): Dinner, Lunch

Day 4: Halong Bay to Hanoi then Hue

Rise early and start the day with a Tai Chi session at L'Odyssee Sundeck before enjoying a light continental breakfast at Le Marin Restaurant. This morning you will visit Sung Sot cave, the most beautiful and largest cave in Halong Bay. Back on the ship, enjoy a full breakfast while cruising past Thien Cung and Dau Go Cave and the Fighting Cock Islet. Paradise Elegance returns to Tuan Chau Marina and you will get transferred to your Hanoi Hotel.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Transfer: Hanoi - The Old Quarter to Hanoi Airport

Transfer: Hue Airportto Hue

Hotel: Anhill Boutique Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Nestled in the peaceful outskirts and surrounded by the lush pine trees of Thien An Hill, only 10 minute drive away from Hue Imperial Citadel, aNhill Boutique is a niche destination boutique resort harmoniously balancing culture experiences and sublime retreats. The resort features 29 beautiful suites and 5 private pool villas from one to three bed-room in a greenery 1,4 hectare landscaping, a manicured garden, a fine-dining restaurant, spa & yoga facilities, 2 swimming pools, and a herb garden. aNhill offers our guests a journey of experiences, from cycling itineraries with short ride to more extensive expeditions, daily yoga to culinary experiences like cooking classes, picnic lunch or a themed dinner.

Day 5: Half Day Perfume River Cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda, Imperial Citadel and Antique Museum

Hue is a city steeped in rich history, particularly during the Nguyen Dynasty. The city boasts magnificent architectural works, temples, and Royal tombs with outstanding cultural and architectural values as a former capital city. This excursion commences with an interesting boat ride along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda with octagon shape with 7 floors. Seven is a sacred number according to Vietnam Buddhism. Take a leisurely walk to a private museum housed in a beautiful ancestral temple filled with pieces collected by a Vietnamese born German professor who teaches East-West comparative philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. After more than 50 years of living abroad, she followed her heart and returned to her hometown of Hue to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Hue's traditional cultural values. This museum is the first and only private museum dedicated to ancient artifacts fished out of the Perfume River. Next, visit the Imperial Citadel. Built between 1804 and 1833, this heavily fortified structure remains the heart of modern-day Hue, despite its tumultuous history. The fortress is still remarkably well-preserved and provides an incredible insight into the grandeur of Vietnam's past. Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant before returning to hotel.

Day 6: Overland from Hue to Hoi An Including Lang Co Fishing Village En-route

Depart Hue and travel overland through the most beautifully scenery in Vietnam as you traverse the Hai Van or "Cloudy Pass" to reach Lang Co Fishing village where you will enjoy a tour before traveling onwards to Hoi An.

Hotel: Boutique Hoi An Resort (4 Star Rating)

Explore the rich heritage of Hoi An at Boutique Hoi An Resort and discover authentic Vietnamese cuisine and hospitality. The Boutique Hoi An Resort offers a variety of unique facilities and services. A large swimming pool surrounded by a tropical garden forms the centrepiece of the resort. The Hoi An spa is located next to the pool, and provides a haven for pure relaxation and rejuvenation. The resort is ideally located on Cua Dai Beach, only 5 minutes from Hoi An centre, 35 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from the town of Da Nang.

Day 7: Full Day to Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hill

Located 1,400 meters above sea level with a length of nearly 150 meters, the Golden Bridge is covered with a coat of metallic yellow paint. The structure is held aloft by two giant hands and designed to resemble a silk strip floating among white clouds. Greeted by your guide at your hotel, you are transferred about 1.5 hour drive from Hoi An to the bottom of Ba Na hill. First, experience an amazing view over the primitive forest from one of the longest cable cars from the foot of the hills to the peak. The eye-catching design is unique, with giant stone hands carrying the bridge. There are a variety of optional attractions to discover on your own. After your own lunch, walk to the summit of the mountain- the highest point of Ba Na hills, then visit Bell Tower and Nghinh Phong tower. The journey back to the foot of the hill will be by cable car as well, where the driver awaits for the transfer back to the hotel.

Day 8: Half Day Hoi An Walking Tour

Nested along the central coast, Hoi An is a city that blends history, culture and natural beauty into a captivating destination. With its well-preserved ancient architecture of 15th-19th century, colorful lantern-lit streets, vibrant traditional textile workshops, Hoi An offers a journey back in time. Without most forms of motorized transport, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of this ancient port is perfect for exploring on foot. Explore beautifully preserved old merchant houses, atmospheric temples, and lively market as you stroll through the back streets of this enchanting destination. Pay a visit to the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the busy waterfront, where colorful fishing boats bob up and down on the Thu Bon River. During the walk, make a stop at a market to taste well-known local green leaf cakes in Hoi An. Wrap up the tour by visiting a Tea House that supports disadvantaged youth. The majority of the staff are hearing impaired, making for a unique experience as you communicate your order of tea or coffee or home-made cookies by writing it down or using wooden blocks with words.

Day 9: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Exploration

Transfer: Hoi An - Beach to Da Nang Airport

Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City Airportto Ho Chi Minh City - District One

Hotel: Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint (4 Star Rating)

Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel offers guests the utmost in quality, comfort and convenience. Located in the city centre, the hotel is within walking distance of Le Loi Boulevard, the Central Business District and thriving nightlife. In-house facilities include a restaurant, cafe, sky bar, rooftop swimming pool, health club, spa and cinema.

Starting the city tour with a visit to the historic former Presidential Palace. This landmark gained its place in history as the first North Vietnamese tanks passed by, signifying the end of the Vietnam War. Take a walk along Book Street, passing by the Notre Dame Cathedral, and stop by one of the local stands to purchase Saigon postcards. Then visit the colonial-era Post Office, featuring classic Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial designs. Take the opportunity to admire the stunning architecture of a bygone era and send a postcard to your family back home. Next, either walk or drive to the War Remnants Museum, primarily focuses on the Vietnam War but also showcases exhibits dating back to the French colonialist period and the first Indochina War.

Day 10: Full Day Mekong Delta with Cai Be Princess

If you've ever dreamt of drifting through canal-laced villages, cycling beneath leafy canopies, or sipping tea with friendly locals in riverside homes, this is your invitation. The Mekong Delta isn't just a destination-it's a rhythm, a way of life that flows as gently as the rivers that shape it. This immersive day trip takes you deep into Vietnam's lush south, where time slows down and every waterway leads to something quietly extraordinary.

Leaving the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind, you'll travel for 2.5 hours into the peaceful heart of the Mekong Delta. Soon the city fades into a landscape of water channels, lush orchards, and swaying palms. Board a traditional wooden sampan for a tranquil cruise through shaded streams and peaceful backwaters. Along the way, glimpse daily life as it has unfolded for generations-families fishing from wooden skiffs, hammocks swaying on stilted porches, and workshops humming with quiet activity. Upon reaching Tân Phong Islet, choose your pace: pedal gently along village paths on a 5-kilometer bicycle ride past gardens and lotus ponds, or take a relaxed rowing sampan followed by a short walk through leafy surroundings. Visit cottage industries where families craft rice paper and turn humble local ingredients into time-honored treats.

The afternoon deepens your connection to Delta life. Step inside family-run workshops and riverside homes where traditional skills are passed down through generations. Meet locals whose livelihoods are deeply tied to the land and water, and gain insight into how resilience and resourcefulness shape everyday life here. Lunch is served in an elegant colonial-style villa tucked into a quiet corner of the countryside-its wraparound verandas shaded by flowering trees and the air thick with the scent of tropical blooms. The meal features a curated selection of Delta specialties, offering a refined yet authentic taste of southern hospitality that recalls the leisurely elegance of Indochine days. As the day winds down, your boat meanders back through winding streams, the sun dipping low and casting golden reflections on the water's surface. It's a quiet moment, and one you'll carry long after the journey ends. From the pier, return by road to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the early evening.

Day 11: Half Day Uncover Vietnam's Past at Cu Chi Tunnels

Synonymous with the Vietnam War and a testament to the determined spirit of the Vietnamese, the underground network of passages at Cu Chi is a fascinating day trip out of the city.

Work on the tunnels began during the war against the French in the 1940s and over the next 25 years as the conflict with America escalated, they were improved and expanded to create an underground city of meeting areas, storerooms, living quarters and much more. The tunnels allowed the Viet Cong to control a vital area of South Vietnam and at their height, extended for more than 200KM in length and stretched from what was then Saigon to the Cambodian border.

Preserved as a memorial park, a small section of this remarkable network is open to the public and there is the option to go below the surface to visit the tunnel first hand. There is plenty of interest above ground as well and it is recommended to bring good footwear, sunscreen and a hat. Please note you may get a little dusty if you decide to go underground.

Day 12: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City - District One to Ho Chi Minh City Airport