Vietnam · Culture

17-Day Vietnam Cultural Tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh with Halong Bay

17 Days Round trip from Hà Nội Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Journey through Vietnam from North to South with authentic cultural experiences
  • 02 Stay with locals in various regions to experience daily life and traditions
  • 03 Explore iconic sites like Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta
  • 04 Enjoy scenic landscapes, including terraced rice fields and lush valleys
  • 05 Discover the history and culture through visits to temples, museums, and ancient towns

Embark on a 17-day journey through Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, discovering ancient temples, traditional villages, terraced rice fields, and scenic bays along the way. Explore cultural highlights such as Duong Lam, Nghĩa Lộ, Mù Cang Chải, Sapa, Hoa Lư, Hạ Long Bay, Huế, Hội An, and the Mekong Delta. This itinerary combines history, nature, river cruises, local encounters, and stays that immerse you in daily life across different regions of the country. It is an ideal adventure for travellers interested in culture, landscapes, and authentic Vietnamese experiences.

Embark on a 17-day journey through Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, discovering ancient temples, traditional villages, terraced rice fields, and scenic bays along the way.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 17 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Hue, Halong, Long Xuyen, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Danang, Hoi An, Sa Pa, Bến Tre, Hoa Lư, Mekong Delta, Sa Dec
Languages French

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Hanoi and Hotel Transfer

  • Arrival in Hanoi. Welcome and transfer to the hotel.
  • In your free time, relax or discover the city.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

2
Day 02

Discover Hanoi's Historic and Cultural Landmarks

  • Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, House on Stilts, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda.
  • Explore the Museum of Ethnography, Temple of Literature, Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Ngọc Sơn Temple, and Hanoi's Old Quarter.
  • In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

3
Day 03

Duong Lam Ancient Village and Journey to Nghĩa Lộ

  • Depart for the North-West region to visit Duong Lam Ancient Village, Mia Pagoda, Phùng Hưng Temple, and Mông Phụ Communal House.
  • Lunch at a family restaurant.
  • Visit the Green Tea Hills and a Mường village en route.

Arrive at Nghĩa Lộ for an overnight stay at a local's house.

4
Day 04

Nghĩa Lộ Valley and Mù Cang Chải Rice Terraces

  • Hike or cycle through Nghĩa Lộ Valley to meet the Thais.
  • Depart for Mù Cang Chải via Tú Lệ and explore the stunning rice terraces at La Pán Tẩn.
  • Visit the Green H'mong in Mù Cang Chải.

Overnight stay at a local Thais' house.

5
Day 05

Scenic Drive from Mù Cang Chải to Sapa

  • Departure for Sapa with stops at Nà Tăm village, home to the Lự and Lao people.
  • Arrive in Sapa via Hoàng Liên Sơn Pass and visit the market, colonial houses, and stone church.

Overnight stay in Sapa.

6
Day 06

Trek Through Mường Hoa Valley and Return to Hanoi

  • Trek in Mường Hoa Valley and visit Lao Chải and Tả Van hamlets, home to the Giáy and Black H'mong tribes.
  • Return to Hanoi by highway for a night in Hanoi.
7
Day 07

Hoa Lư Temples and Van Long Boat Ride

  • Departure for Hoa Lư to visit the 11th-century temples dedicated to Kings Đinh and Lê.
  • In the afternoon, enjoy boat rides on the Van Long River, passing through scenic rural villages.
  • Explore Thung Lá Temple by bike in a tranquil meditation valley.

Overnight stay in Van Long.

8
Day 08

Through the Red River Delta to Hạ Long Bay

  • Departure for Hạ Long Bay, passing through the endless rice fields of the Red River Delta.
  • Embark on a Hạ Long Bay cruise with a seafood meal on board.

Overnight aboard the junk.

9
Day 09

Morning Cruise and Flight from Hanoi to Huế

  • Enjoy an early morning cruise in Hạ Long Bay.
  • Return to Hanoi and transfer to the airport for a flight to Huế.
  • Arrival in Huế and check-in at the hotel.
10
Day 10

Perfume River Cruise and Imperial Huế

  • Explore Huế, starting with a cruise on the Perfume River, visiting Thanh Tiên village and the famous Thiên Mụ Pagoda.
  • Visit the Imperial City, Đông Ba Market, and experience the charm of this poetic city.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Huế.

11
Day 11

From Huế to Đà Nẵng and Hội An

  • Visit the Tự Đức Mausoleum and the Incense Stick village.
  • Drive along the Mandarin Road, passing the scenic Cloud Pass, and explore the Cham Museum in Đà Nẵng.
  • Enjoy Mỹ Khê Beach and visit the Thắng Lợi silk factory.

Arrive in Hội An for an overnight stay.

12
Day 12

Tra Que Village Experience and Hội An Old Town

  • In the morning, cycle or take a motorbike to Trà Quế Vegetable Village and participate in gardening activities.
  • Enjoy a traditional lunch of Hội An specialties.
  • In the afternoon, explore Hội An's old town, including the museum of antiquities, Japanese Bridge, Chinese quarter, and ancient port.
  • Free time in the evening is spent shopping in the historic streets.
13
Day 13

Flight to Ho Chi Minh City and Orientation Tour

  • Transfer to Đà Nẵng for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Enjoy an orientation tour of the city, visiting landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Bến Thành Market, Chợ Lớn district, Thiên Hậu Temple, and Giác Lâm Pagoda.

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

14
Day 14

Ben Tre River Cruise and Village Life in the Mekong Delta

  • Departure for Bến Tre in the Mekong Delta region.
  • Take a boat trip on the Bến Tre River, visit brick kilns and coconut product factories, and explore local villages by bike.
  • Participate in farming activities and enjoy a traditional lunch at a local's house.

Overnight in Bến Tre.

15
Day 15

From Bến Tre to Long Xuyên via Sa Đéc

  • Visit the local market by bike.
  • Continue to Long Xuyên, visiting Sa Đéc, Kiến An Cung Pagoda, Huỳnh Thủy Lê House, and Sa Đéc Market.
  • Visit a Cao Đài temple and a crocodile farm before heading to your hotel in Long Xuyên.
16
Day 16

Long Xuyên Floating Market and Return to Ho Chi Minh City

  • Visit the Long Xuyên floating market in the morning.
  • Discover Cù Lao Ông Hổ by boat and on foot through the arroyos.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay.

17
Day 17

Free Time in Ho Chi Minh City and Departure

  • Free time for shopping or personal exploration of Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Transfer to the airport for your departure.
Hạ Long Bay, Mường Hoa Valley, Japanese Bridge

Where this trip takes you

Hạ Long Bay, Mường Hoa Valley, Japanese Bridge

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Hà Nội 12 cities · 17 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Accommodation as mentioned in the listing (double or twin room)
  • Meals in local restaurants clearly mentioned in the program
  • Air-conditioned transport vehicles for transfers and land travel
  • Excursion boats as described in the program
  • Flight tickets: Hanoi - Huế and Đà Nẵng - Saigon, in economy class with Vietnam Airlines
  • Entrance fees to sites
  • Local French-speaking guides

What's Not Included

  • International flights and airport taxes from your country to Vietnam and back
  • The entry visa to Vietnam
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Bank charges related to payments
  • Drinks, tips, personal expenses, and anything not clearly mentioned in the "Price includes" section

Know before you go

  • This travel idea can be modified and adapted according to your wishes (duration, pace, content, arrival date, etc.), the profile of the group (age, physical condition of the participants, etc.), and also the level of your budget.
  • The prices for this trip vary depending on the accommodation category chosen, the tourist period, and the number of participants (the more you are, the less you will pay).
  • As an indication, the price starts from 1350 euros per person (applied for groups of 20 people or more, in 3-star hotels).
  • To get a personalized quote, contact our travel advisors. Personalized response guaranteed within 48 hours.
  • The Hạ Long Bay cruise is in a private cabin, with a private or shared junk depending on the option chosen.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Cảng hàng không Quốc tế Nội Bài (HAN), Phú Cường, Sóc Sơn, Hà Nội, Việt Nam
Tour start
Hà Nội, Việt Nam
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 17 days finish where they began, in Hà Nội.

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Starting from

USD 1,350 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,350.00 — $2,320.00
Double Sharing $1,350.00 — $2,320.00

When

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