From Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi: Explore Vietnam with Justine

Xin chào and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City – a vibrant metropolis where French heritage meets modern energy. If you arrive early, you might explore Pham Ngu Lao Street’s bustling open-air market or pay a visit to the serene Vinh Nghiem Pagoda.

Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 4:00 p.m., where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers. Later, at 6:30 p.m., enjoy a group welcome dinner – expect fragrant herbs, fresh lemongrass, and rich sauces that capture the very essence of Vietnamese cuisine.

🏨 Accommodation:

• Alagon D’Antique Hotel https://alagondantiquehotel.com/

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Welcome Dinner

ℹ️ Important:

• It is very important that you attend the welcome meeting. If your arrival plans mean that you will not be able to attend, please let your trip host know immediately

Enjoy a free morning to discover Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. You might stroll through Ben Thanh Market, visit the War Remnants Museum, or wander the leafy boulevards to admire French colonial architecture. Cafés are everywhere – perfect for sampling strong Vietnamese coffee and watching the city buzz around you.

In the late afternoon, your guide will meet you at the hotel at 5:00 p.m. for an unforgettable food-on-foot tour. This is Saigon at its best – street food legends, bold flavors, and the city’s vibrant energy in full swing. Over three delicious hours, you’ll eat like a local, tasting the dishes that define this culinary capital. The tour wraps up around 8:30 p.m., leaving your evening free to keep exploring the city.

🏨 Accommodation:

• Alagon D’Antique Hotel https://alagondantiquehotel.com/

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast

This morning, depart the hotel at 7:30 a.m. for a full-day adventure in the Mekong Delta. Travel by private boat to My Tho, where you’ll visit coconut gardens and stop at a local home to taste fresh tropical fruits and coconut jams. Glide through shaded waterways by sampan, passing groves of coconut palms, then continue with a tuk-tuk ride through nearby villages to see daily life and the cottage industries built around coconut products.

Enjoy a traditional lunch in the heart of the Delta, featuring regional specialties like the renowned elephant ear fish. In the afternoon, cruise along the broader waterways before returning by bus to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving around 4:30 p.m.

🏨 Accommodation:

• Alagon D’Antique Hotel https://alagondantiquehotel.com/

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, farewell Ho Chi Minh City as we depart the hotel at 7:30 a.m. for a short flight north with Vietnam Airlines (VN122), departing at 10:00 a.m. and arriving in Danang around 11:25 a.m. From here, a private car will transfer you to Hoi An, passing the striking Marble Mountains along the way. On arrival, check in to your hotel and take some time to settle in.

At 2:30 p.m., your leader will guide you on an orientation walk through Hoi An’s World Heritage-listed Old Town. Once a bustling 16th–17th century trading port, the town blends European, Chinese, and Japanese influences. As you wander, you’ll see Chinese temples, Japanese pagodas, French-colonial buildings, wooden shop houses, and winding canals. Along the way, sample a local favorite – banh mi – before enjoying free time to explore at your leisure. Browse the lively Hoi An Market or discover street stalls offering ceramics, lanterns, paintings, and traditional crafts.

🏨 Accommodation:

• Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa https://almanityhoian.com/en/

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast

The rest of your time here is free to relax and enjoy the charm of Hoi An. This is one of the best places in Vietnam for souvenir shopping, from t-shirts and paintings to ceramics and handmade crafts. If you’ve ever considered having clothes tailored, Hoi An is the place to do it. You may also like to join a cooking class to discover the secrets of Vietnam’s vibrant cuisine, or simply unwind by the pool.

Your guide can also help arrange optional activities, including:

• Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Local Chef
• Half-Day Visit to My Son Sanctuary
• Hoi An Boat, Bike and BBQ Dinner

🏨 Accommodation:

• Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa https://almanityhoian.com/en/

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast

Depart Hoi An at 8:00 a.m. and travel north along the spectacular Hai Van Pass, a winding mountain road offering breathtaking views of Lang Co Beach. Pause at Lang Co to enjoy lunch before continuing to Hue, the former imperial capital, arriving around 12:30 p.m. After checking into your hotel and taking a short rest, meet your leader in the lobby at 3:00 p.m. for an afternoon of exploration.

Step back in time with a guided visit to the Imperial Citadel and the once-exclusive Forbidden Purple City. Reserved for the emperor and his concubines, much of the complex was destroyed during the war, but its evocative ruins still whisper stories of Vietnam’s royal past. The tour concludes around 5:30 p.m., after which the evening is free to relax and soak in the poetic charm of Hue at your own pace.

🏨 Accommodation:

• White Lotus Hue Hotel https://whitelotus.com.vn/

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast

Begin the day with an early 6:00 a.m. hotel transfer for your Vietnam Airlines flight (VN1540), departing Hue at 7:50 a.m. and arriving in Hanoi around 9:10 a.m. A breakfast box will be provided for the journey. Upon arrival, visit the Temple of Literature – a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of the bustling capital.

Later in the afternoon, around 4:00 p.m., set out to explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, famous for its 36 historic streets, each once dedicated to a particular trade. Wander through Dong Xuan Market and circle the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake, admiring the mix of French colonial architecture, Buddhist influences, and modern design that give the city its distinctive character. The evening is then free for you to enjoy Hanoi at your own pace.

🏨 Accommodation:

• M Village Signature Hotel https://mvillage.vn/en/branch/signature-by-m-village-tho-nhuom

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast

Depart Hanoi at 8:00 a.m. and journey south to Ninh Binh, a UNESCO-listed gem often called “Ha Long Bay on land” for its dramatic limestone peaks rising from emerald rice fields and winding rivers. Arrive around 10:00 a.m. and take a rowboat cruise through the Van Long wetlands, gliding past lotus ponds, rice paddies, and towering karst formations – a serene and unforgettable way to experience the landscape.

At lunchtime, you’ll be warmly welcomed into a local family’s home for a traditional Vietnamese meal. Savor specialties such as grilled beef wrapped in guise leaves, crispy spring rolls, and fried fish in tomato sauce while learning about life in the region. Afterwards, visit the ancient Dinh and Le Temples, built in the 10th century to honor two of Vietnam’s kings. Today’s activities conclude around 3:00 p.m., after which you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

🏨 Accommodation:

• Hidden Charm Resort https://hiddencharmresort.com/

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning at 8:00 a.m., set out on the drive to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes. The journey takes around four hours, passing rural villages, green rice paddies, and everyday countryside life along the way.

Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor around noon and complete your cruise check-in before boarding your boat. As you begin your journey into the bay, prepare to be captivated by thousands of limestone karsts and islets rising majestically from the emerald waters. Glide past secluded coves and floating fishing villages, gaining a glimpse into the traditional life of those who call the bay home.

During the cruise, you’ll make a stop to explore one of Halong’s famous grottoes, where dramatic stalactites and stalagmites have formed over millions of years. The rest of the afternoon is spent soaking in the scenery from the deck, enjoying the fresh sea breeze, and experiencing the magic of this natural wonder.

🏨 Accommodation:

• Paradise Cruise https://www.paradisevietnam.com/en/our-masterpieces/paradise-elegance

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with an energizing Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast of freshly baked pastries, coffee, and tea in the restaurant. Take in the final views of Halong Bay’s turquoise waters and towering limestone peaks from your floating accommodation before returning to shore. Arrive back at the harbor around 10:30 a.m. and disembark at Ha Long cruise port by 11:00 a.m.

From here, travel by private minibus back to Hanoi (approximately three hours). In the evening at around 6.30 p.m., gather with your leader and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local Hanoi restaurant. Share stories, reflect on the highlights of your journey, and enjoy one last taste of Vietnam’s vibrant cuisine together.

🏨 Accommodation:

• M Village Signature Hotel https://mvillage.vn/en/branch/signature-by-m-village-tho-nhuom

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed morning before heading to the airport – or stay longer to explore more of Hanoi!

🍽️ Included Meals:

• Breakfast