10 Days Classic Vietnam Tour from Hanoi

The Best Vietnam Tour for the First-time Travelers

This 10-day Vietnam tour will take you to explore all essentials of Vietnam by the classic route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

Starting from Hanoi, you will get to know Vietnam from its capital and enjoy an overnight cruise in Halong Bay. Then, you will travel south to Hue, the ancient capital to learn more about how this nation was in the past. Continue your journey to Hoi An, the ancient town where you can enjoy a unique ambiance influenced by different cultures. The last stop of this 10-day trip is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon and now the most modern city in Vietnam. You will enjoy the great blend of the modern and the tradition of the "Paris of the East". And don't forget the day trip to the Mekong Delta! Taking a cruise along the Mekong, you will visit the floating market and see how the local's life looks.

Travel Route: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City

Day: 10

Best for: First-timers

Tour Type: Escorted private tour with personal tour guide and vehicle

Highlights

Enjoy the Unique Karst Landscape of Halong Bay

Cruise on the turquoise sea to closely enjoy the stunning landscapes of the limestone peaks. You can also go swimming, diving, or exploring the caves during your day tour on the Halong Bay cruise.

Step back in Time in Hoi An Old Town

Spend days in Hoi An Ancient Town to visit the exquisite architecture and experience the unique culture of the former international trading port of Vietnam, which is influenced by Chinese, Japanese, and European culture for centuries.

Discover the Mekong Delta

Take a slow boat trip along through the world of water, witness the floating market, and then visit the local villages that live on the water.

Get to Know Vietnam from its Largest City, Ho Chi Minh City

Have a city tour around Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum etc.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Welcome to Vietnam!

Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest or have a leisure walk around to have a glimpse of the city.

Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi Tour

Today’s tour starts with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. Then, you will visit the tranquil Temple of Literature.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Ethnology Museum.

At the end of today’s tour, you will explore the Old Quarter, the bustling area of narrow open streets and alleys.

Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature is a Temple of Confucius in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay (L, D)

After breakfast, you will transfer to Halong Bay, the spectacular World Heritage-listed site. You will board a traditional wooden junk boat and explore the jade waters studded with karst islands.

After lunch onboard, you will visit Trinh Nu Cave to see the stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites.

Then, you can go swimming or kayaking as you like in your free time.

Stay overnight on a cruise in Halong Bay.

The stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites.

Day 4: Halong Bay to Hue (B)

In the morning, you can joining a T’ai Chi class on the deck of the Junk boat. The time before we leave for the airport is your free time. You can enjoy a refreshing morning swim or take one last look at the Halong Bay.

In the afternoon, you will transfer to Hanoi train station and board the Reunification Express for the overnight train to Hue.

Stay overnight on the Train.

Join in a T’ai Chi class on the deck.

Day 5: Hue

Upon you arrive in Hue in the mid-morning, your local guide will pick you up at the train station and send you to your hotel to check in and leave your luggage.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a former home to Nguyen emperors that lists as a UNESCO heritage site in 2010. And then, you will visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the best-preserved religious monument in Hue.

Stay overnight in Hue.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel, an UNESCO heritage site.

Day 6: Hue to Hoi An via Da Nang

Today you will continue the journey to Hoi An via Da Nang. Driving through the beautiful peninsula of Lang Co, you can enjoy fantastic views over the South China Sea/Eastern Sea outside of Hue by passing through the Hai Van Pass.

Arriving in Da Nang at noon, you will have lunch here and visit Marble Mountain to explore the large caves which were used as hospitals by the Viet Cong during the war. Also, you will get stunning views over My Khe beach and the surrounding countryside.

Then, you will head to Hoi An, the most atmospheric town in Vietnam.

Stay overnight in Hoi An.

Hai Van Pass, the most wonderful pass in Vietnam.

Day 7: Hoi An

Today you will enjoy a full-day tour in Hoi An, the most atmospheric town in Vietnam. Strolling through the old town, you can get a close look at traditional Chinese, Japanese, and local Vietnamese architectures, experience the colorful local markets, and visit ancient temples.

You will visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky House, former merchants’ homes, and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Also, you can visit the colorful local markets to experience the local’s life.

Stay overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An is the most atmospheric town in Vietnam.

Day 8: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, you will get to take a morning flight from Da Nang airport to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon.

Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at the airport and send you to your hotel to check in and leave your luggage.

Then, you will head to Dong Khoi Area to explore the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City. You will walk to the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, and wander up to the War Remnants Museum to gain a glimpse of the war.

Your last sight for today is the Ben Thanh Market, where you can deeply feel the lifestyle of the old Saigon.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Notre Dame Cathedral is the top famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Side Trip to the Mekong Delta

Today, you will take a full-day trip to the Mekong Delta. After breakfast, you will first take a drive to My Tho, the gateway of the Mekong Delta to visit a distinctive Vinh Trang Temple.

Then, you will head to My Tho and transfer into a motor boat for a cruise along the Mekong River. You will enjoy the landscape of the Mekong Delta and visit a local family on a small island to see how the local’s life is and taste the fresh fruits, honey tea, and honey wine with the family.

After your Mekong Delta tour, you will get back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vinh Trang is a Buddhist temple near My Tho.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Departure

Say goodbye to Vietnam!

You are free to arrange your time before taking the scheduled transfer to the airport.

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Service Included

Private English-speaking tour guide

Local transfers mentioned in the itinerary

All entrance ticket fees for sightseeings listed in the itinerary

Meals as specified in the itinerary

Hotel accommodation

Governmental taxes

Service Excluded

International flight to and out of Vietnam

Vietnam visa

Lunches and dinners as not listed in the itinerary

Tips and gratitude to the guide and driver

Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, etc.

Vietnam Travel Restriction

Since March 15, Vietnam has been fully open for inbound tourism. Self-isolation is no longer required for traveling to Vietnam. All you need is a valid Vietnam tourist visa and travel/medical insurance that includes COVID-19 cover.

Passport holders from the following 25 countries do not need to apply for a visa to travel to Vietnam.

Vietnam Visa-free Countries in Asia
Brunei & Myanmar - 14 days.
Japan & South Korea (ROK) - 15 days.
The Philippines - 21 days.
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, & Thailand - 30 days.

Vietnam Visa-free Countries in Europe
Belarus, Denmark, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, & The United Kingdom - 15 days.

Notice:
Please contact our local travel consultant for the latest information on visa and vaccination policies before travel.