12 Days The Best Of Vietnam

  • Domestic Airfares in Vietnam
  • 3⭐️ Hotels (4 - 5⭐️ Hotel Options Available)
  • Meals as indicated in itinerary
  • Local English speaking guides
Overview

Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An , Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnel, Mekong Delta.

Itinerary

Day 01: Hanoi - Arrival (No Meal)

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), a tour guide will meet you and guide you to your driver for transfer to your hotel. Then you are free.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal included: None.

Day 02: Hanoi - City Tour (Breakfast)

Today we spent a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this site is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origin dates to the foundation of Hanoi a thousand years ago.

Your tour of Hanoi continues with a trip to the remarkable Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam’s first university. After lunch, you’ll enjoy the always impressive Ethnology Museum dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. You’ll then continue to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem.

In front of this lake is the famous Water Puppet Theatre where you’ll see a fantastic performance. Overnight in Hanoi.

Remarks:

  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his Museum are closed on Monday, Friday, and the whole months of Oct/Nov.
  • Ho Chi Minh House and all Museums are closed on Monday.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 03: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Overnight on Cruise (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Pick-up at your hotel and start the scenic drive to Halong Bay. Enjoy the landscape of the countryside and a short break on the way. Embark on the cruise followed by a short cruise briefing. Savour a delectable lunch as you cruise among the limestone islands.

Take a small sampan among the hidden bays around the Luon Cave. Cruise to Ti Top Island, go swimming or relaxing at the beach or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay. Enjoy the sunset with dinner. After dinner, fish for squid or just laze around. Overnight on cruise in Halong.

Note: detail itinerary of cruise will be mentioned detail when the tour is confirmed
The program is subject to change based on weather condition or administrator management.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 04: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue (Breakfast)

Start your day with Tai Chi class and breakfast at sunrise. Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the nicest cave in Halong Bay. Continue your cruise exploring Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet and more.

While heading back to the harbour, watch the cooking demonstration before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

After the cruise, you are picked up & transferred to airport for your flight to Hue.

Upon arrival, you are picked up & transfer to your hotel in Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 05: Hue City Tour (Breakfast)

In the morning, take a boat ride along the romantic Huong River. Stop off at the Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the river to see the 7-storey Stupa. The pagoda is also home to the old Austin car driven to Saigon by the Venerable Thich Quang Duc in 1963 for his self-immolation.

Continue to visit the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang (1791-1841), built between 1841 and 1843. The Emperor’s mausoleum complex consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions etc.) designed on a symmetrical axis.

Lunch is a special vegetarian meal with the nuns of Dong Thuyen Pagoda. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy some “retail therapy” at Dong Ba Market before transferring back to the hotel.

Overnight in Hue.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 06: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (Breakfast)

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Danang, stop off for a refreshment break at Lang Co beach, one of the World’s most beautiful bays. Continue to Danang to visit the Cham Museum & Marble Mountain.

On the way to Hoi An, you pass My Khe beach – classified as one of the most attractive beaches on earth. If the time is enough, take some free time to enjoy swimming at the beach before continuing to Hoi An.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, you are checked in at the hotel & free for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 07: Hoi An - Ancient Town (Breakfast)

The ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional buildings with Chinese and Japanese influence. There’s plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, Pottery Museum, 200 years old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda and vibrant market.

Today we include these on a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past. You’ll understand why many visitors come to Hoi An again and again.

Despite the beautiful setting, many visitors site the food as the highlight of their trip to Hoi An – ask your guide for a recommendation!

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 08: Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

An early morning transfer to Danang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

On arrival you’ll be guided round some of the most important attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, beginning with the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the Southern Vietnam President until the end of April 1975.

Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 09: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Half Day Tour (Breakfast)

After an early breakfast you’ll avoid the city heat to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the American war.

Afterwards, you’ll continue to the headquarters of Cao Dai religious sect which is in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. It’s an unusual religion with an eclectic mix of different saints from different religions and has Victor Hugo and Charlie Chaplin as patron saints.

Back to Saigon, this afternoon, you’ll also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best examples of Taoist temples in Vietnam, and the War Remnant Museum.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho (Breakfast)

Departing from the hotel and arriving in My Tho, take a motorboat on the upper part of the Mekong River (Tien River) to see the fish market and the floating fish farm. Enjoy the view of Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn, and Turtle islands as well.

Arrive at Unicorn Island, visit orchards and bee farms to taste pure honey and honey wine, take a walk around the fruit garden: taste the seasonal fruits as you enjoy a traditional South Vietnamese musical performance.

Cross the Mekong River to Bến Tre province. Enter the Rạch Xếp natural canal, which is fully covered with water coconuts. Visit Nam Bo house (traditional Southern Vietnamese houses) by horse carriage (or Tuk tuk ) and stop by a coconut candy mill to indulge in this tasty snack while seeing how it is made.

Enjoy a memorizing rowing boat trip through small canals under the shadow of coconut palms.
Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch at local restaurant (own expense)

Transfer to Can Tho for your stay.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 11: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

Have an early breakfast at the hotel and check out the room.

06:30 AM ~ 07:00 AM Being at a wharf to board a motorboat for sightseeing at the Cai Rang Floating Market which is the biggest and most colorful floating market in the Mekong Delta’s region.

In the very early morning, the river has become a busy commercial site where hundreds of boats packed with fruits, vegetables, plants, and foods… line along the river and are ready for trading. Sellers will hang samples of what they are selling on the top of a long pole on their boats so that buyers can see from a distance what sellers are selling.

After the Cai Rang market, continuing cruising through small creeks to a local orchard and enjoying tropical seasonal fruits (included).

Around 10:30 AM I return to the hotel and have free time for lunch (at own expense).

Around 12:00 PM going back to Ho Chi Minh with a small stop-over at Vinh Long market. Then, going across the My Thuan suspension bridge and taking a short break at Mekong Rest Stop and returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (Breakfast)

Depending on your departure time there is some free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh on our own before a transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport on your departure flight. Trip ends at the airport.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel.

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Tour Included

02 Domestic airfares: Hanoi to Hue, Danang to Ho Chi Minh City.

01 Nights’ shared Accommodation in twin/double room with full board on cruise in Halong Bay

Meals (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in itinerary.

Daily breakfast at hotel.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner & brunch on cruise.

02 bottles of mineral water/ person/ day on bus on days of transfer and sightseeing.

Local English speaking guides.

Ha Noi – Halong Bay: 01 guide.

Hue - Da Nang – Hoi An: 01 guide.

Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta: 01 guide.

All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles (types of vehicles depending on the number of pax).

1 – 2 pax: 07 car seats.

3 – 7 pax: van of 16 seats.

8 – 12 pax: coach of 29 seats.

13 – 15 pax: coach of 35 seats.

All entrance fees as program.

Boat trip as mentioned.

Tour Excluded

International airfares to/ from Australia (quoted separatedly, if requested).

Book a multi-city ticket with VN Holidays, your connections are protected.

Need domestic Australia/ New Zealand connecting flights to join Vietnam Tours? Let us handle in “one booking” with special ADD ON fares and convenience.

Visa to Vietnam (Clients can click here to apply E-visa online or contact VN Holidays team to help with service fee.)

Optional tours.

Surcharges for other language guides.

Surcharges for Lunar New Year (TET) holiday.

Personal travel insurance.

Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc.

Meals and services other than mentioned in the program.

Drinks with meals.

Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking.

Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program.

Other Information

Tour Prices (Seat In Coach Tours)
Seat In Coach Tours in Hanoi City Tour, Halong Bay by Shuttle Bus, Hue, Cu Chi Tunnels and Private Tours in Other Cities.

Seat-In-Coach, we often call it “SIC” for short. It means that you will share the seats in a coach with other tourists.

Group Size (Min 2 Person) Standard Class (3*) Superior Class (4*) Deluxe Class (5*)
Price Per Person $ 2,299 $ 2,499 $ 2,899
Single Supplement $ 600 $ 850 $ 1,300
Tour Prices (Private Tours)
Private Tours For The Whole Itinerary:
Group Size (Min 2 Person) Standard Class (3*) Superior Class (4*) Deluxe Class (5*)
Price Per Person $ 2,499 $ 2,699 $ 3,099
Single Supplement $ 600 $ 850 $ 1,300
Departure Dates

Available Dates: Until 31 Dec 2025

List of Hotels (or Similar)
Standard Class (3*)
City Hotel
Hanoi Chalcedony
Halong Bay Garden Bay Cruise
Hue Emm Hue
Hoi An Lantana Riverside
Can Tho Iris Can Tho
Saigon Acnos
Superior Class (4*)
City Hotel
Hanoi The Q Hotel
Halong Bay Calypso Cruise
Hue Eldora
Hoi An Hadana Boutique Resort
Can Tho TTC Can Tho
Saigon Alagon D’antique
Deluxe Class (5*)
City Hotel
Hanoi Pan Pacific
Halong Bay La Regina Grand
Hue Indochina Palace
Hoi An Little Oasis
Can Tho Victoria Can Tho
Saigon Grand Hotel Saigon
Peak Season Surcharges
Time Holiday
30 Aug – 02 Sep 2025 (4 Days) Independence Day
20 – 25 Dec 2025 Christmas
26 Dec 2026 – 05 Jan 2026 New Year
14 Feb – 28 Feb 2026 (2 Weeks) Tet Holiday
30 Apr – 04 May 2026 (5 Days) Victory and Labor Day
Changes

The itinerary can be changed due to weather, tide levels, and operating conditions.

Programmers, prices, services and conditions are based on those valid at the time of proposal submission and are subject to change thereafter without advance notice until all services have been paid in full.

Special Requests

Your special requests (diet, vegetarian,…) should be sent before your departure date.

VN Holidays' Responsibility

Certain parts of the tours on offer are provided by independent third parties, such as airlines, hotels, transport operators and local tourist offices.

VN Holidays is not responsible for any loss or theft, injury or damage caused thereby to the tourists, including those occurring outside of the normal touring programmers.

Additional expenses incurred due to delay, accident, natural disaster, political actions and unrest shall be borne by the tourists.

About Us

“Indochina is our home. See the soul of Vietnam with VN Holidays. For over 30 years, we’ve been crafting perfectly paired itineraries that showcase the true soul of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Our expertly designed tours include everything you need for a hassle-free journey, from flights and accommodation to meals and English-speaking guides.

Tailor-made trips: We create itineraries that fit your interests and desires. Expert guidance: Our team in Sydney and Vietnam are here to support you every step of the way from beginning, throughout your trip and after. Seamless travel: Relax with award-winning Vietnam Airlines (5-Star!) and their impressive on-time performance.”

12 Days The Best Of Vietnam

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