Vietnam Classic Highlights
Ten days from north to south — Hanoi's Old Quarter, an overnight cruise through the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An, the Imperial City of Hue, and the energy of Ho Chi Minh City — with every hotel, transfer and guide arranged for you.
The country's headline sights, in the right order
Vietnam runs over 1,600 km north to south, and its best-known sights are spread the length of it — which is exactly why most first-time visitors either miss something or spend their trip in transit. This ten-day itinerary threads together the six places Vietnam Tourism itself puts at the centre of any first visit, in a sequence that keeps travel time sensible and the pace comfortable.
You'll start in Hanoi's Old Quarter, sail and sleep aboard a boat among the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, cross to Da Nang for the coast and the Marble Mountains, wander Hoi An's UNESCO-listed lantern streets, walk the Imperial City in Hue, and close in Ho Chi Minh City — Vietnam's largest city and the gateway to the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels.
Hotels, breakfasts, intercity transfers and the sightseeing below are arranged for you from arrival to departure. Prefer to slow it down, run it fully private, or add a Mekong Delta extension at the end? This itinerary is the starting point — every leg of it can be reshaped around you.
What you'll actually see
An overnight cruise through Ha Long Bay
A UNESCO World Heritage seascape of nearly 2,000 limestone islets rising from the Gulf of Tonkin. You board a traditional-style junk, cruise past the karsts, kayak or swim where conditions allow, and sleep at anchor on the water — a genuinely different way to see Vietnam.
Hoi An's Ancient Town at lantern-light
A UNESCO World Heritage trading port frozen in the 15th to 19th centuries — timber shophouses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and every evening the whole old quarter lit by coloured silk lanterns. Widely considered Vietnam's most photogenic town, and for good reason.
The Imperial City of Hue
The fortified seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors from 1802 to 1945, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City. Walk through the Meridian Gate into the citadel's palaces, temples and courtyards, then take an optional boat along the Perfume River to the royal tombs.
Ho Chi Minh City, past and present
Vietnam's largest city and commercial capital — French colonial landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office sit blocks from glass towers and rooftop bars. From here, an optional day trip reaches the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta's floating markets.
Your 10-day itinerary
North to south, at a comfortable pace — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers, including two domestic flights, included.
You're met at Noi Bai International Airport and transferred to your hotel in or near the Old Quarter. Settle in, then ease into the city at your own pace — a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake at dusk, with the Old Quarter's food stalls, is the classic first evening in Hanoi.
A guided day through Vietnam's capital: the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Mausoleum, the 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature — Vietnam's first national university — and the Old Quarter's 36 guild streets, each still loosely named for the trade once sold there. Round it off with a bowl of pho, Hanoi's signature dish.
A scenic drive from Hanoi to Ha Long City, where you board your cruise boat by early afternoon. Sail out among the limestone islets, stop to kayak or swim, and visit a cave or grotto along the way, before a fresh seafood dinner and a night at anchor on the water.
Wake early for tai chi on deck and a final cruise through the karsts before brunch and disembarkation. You're transferred back to Hanoi for a short domestic flight to Da Nang, landing on Vietnam's central coast in the evening.
A morning around Da Nang: the Marble Mountains' cave pagodas, the city's long stretch of beach, and the illuminated Dragon Bridge, before continuing south to Hoi An. Check into your hotel with the afternoon free to explore.
A guided walk through the Ancient Town's timber shophouses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the riverside market, with time to browse Hoi An's famous tailors. As evening falls, the whole old quarter lights up in silk lanterns — this is the night to take a small boat along the Thu Bon River and set a paper lantern adrift.
A free morning in Hoi An — the beach, a cooking class, or last-minute tailoring — before the drive north to Hue over the Hai Van Pass, the mountain road that historically divided northern and southern Vietnam, with sweeping coastal views along the way.
A morning inside Hue's Imperial City — the citadel, palaces and temples of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors — with an optional Perfume River boat trip to the royal tombs. In the afternoon, fly south to Ho Chi Minh City and check into your hotel for two nights.
A city tour taking in the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, followed by an optional half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels — the underground network used during the Vietnam War, about 70 km from the city. The evening is free for the rooftop bars along the Saigon River.
Enjoy a final breakfast and, depending on your flight, some free time for last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market. You're then transferred to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward journey — or, if you'd like to extend, we can add a Mekong Delta excursion or a beach stay in Phu Quoc.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, flights and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, cruise timings, weather and local conditions. Optional activities noted above are available at an additional cost.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 9 nights, including one night aboard the Ha Long Bay cruise
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers, including two domestic flights
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
Vietnam's climate varies significantly from north to south, so no single season suits every stop on this route equally. Spring (March–April) and autumn (September–November) generally offer the most reliable weather across Hanoi, Da Nang and Hoi An — we'll advise on your specific dates when you enquire.
Currency
The Vietnamese Dong (VND). Cards are widely accepted in hotels and city restaurants; carry cash for markets, street food, cyclos and the Ha Long Bay cruise crew tip.
Two domestic flights
This route includes short domestic flights from Hanoi to Da Nang and from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, which keep a north-to-south itinerary this ambitious workable in ten days. Baggage allowances are set by the operating carrier and confirmed with your final itinerary.
Pace & packing
This is a full itinerary with several one-night transitions between cities. Pack light and be ready to live out of a bag for stretches — most hotels offer laundry, and the cruise boat and each city hotel handle luggage for you. Comfortable walking shoes, a rain layer and modest cover-ups for temples are the essentials.
Optional add-ons
Several stops in this itinerary — Perfume River tombs in Hue, Cu Chi Tunnels or a Mekong Delta day trip from Ho Chi Minh City — are noted as optional and cost extra. Tell us at enquiry stage which ones you'd like built into your quote.
Visas & documents
Entry requirements depend on your passport. Many nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free for short stays or apply for an e-visa in advance, but requirements change, so please check based on your own nationality before you travel — we're happy to point you to the right source.
Vietnam, north to south
Good to have answered
Is the US$1,199 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 10-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels (including one night aboard the Ha Long Bay cruise), daily breakfast, airport and intercity transfers including two domestic flights, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel and cabin choice, group size and whether you'd like it private, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Ten days across six places — is that too rushed?
This route is built around the two domestic flights, which are what make a north-to-south trip this size workable in ten days without back-to-back travel days. Each stop still gets at least one full day of sightseeing. If you'd rather slow it down, we can extend nights in Hoi An or Hue, or split this into two shorter trips — tell us your priorities and we'll rework the pacing.
Are the domestic flights included in the price?
Yes — the Hanoi–Da Nang and Hue–Ho Chi Minh City domestic flights are built into this itinerary and its price. International flights into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City are not included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add a Mekong Delta extension or a beach stay in Phu Quoc, upgrade the Ha Long Bay cruise cabin, or trade the Hue–Hoi An flight for the overland Hai Van Pass route both ways. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
What are the Cu Chi Tunnels and Perfume River tombs — are they included?
Both are noted as optional in the itinerary and cost extra — the Cu Chi Tunnels are a Vietnam War-era underground network outside Ho Chi Minh City, and the Perfume River tombs are the burial sites of Nguyen Dynasty emperors near Hue. Let us know at enquiry stage which ones you'd like built into your quote.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your nationality. Many travellers can enter Vietnam visa-free for short stays or apply for an e-visa online in advance, but requirements and durations change. Please verify based on your own passport before you travel — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Vietnam adventure
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.