Aerial view of forested limestone islands rising from the green water of Ha Long Bay

8 Days

Vietnam Discovery

Hanoi • Ha Long Bay cruise • Hoi An • Ba Na Hills • Ho Chi Minh City.

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The holiday

What to expect

Vietnam from north to south in eight days. Begin in Hanoi's busy Old Quarter, spend a night aboard a cruise among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, fly to the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An and the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, and finish in the energy of Ho Chi Minh City.

It suits curious travellers, couples and families who enjoy a mix of scenery, history and street life. Internal flights keep the long distances manageable, and we can add a beach stay in Da Nang, the Mekong Delta, or Sapa in the northern hills. Vegetarian travellers do well here thanks to the Buddhist vegetarian (chay) restaurants found in every city, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have Indian restaurants.

Vietnam

Itinerary

Day by day

A suggested plan. Days can be added, dropped or swapped around your dates and interests.

Day
1
Arrive in Hanoi
Land in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and the narrow streets of the Old Quarter.
Day
2
Hanoi city tour and water puppets
See the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and the One Pillar Pagoda, then the Temple of Literature. In the evening, watch a traditional water puppet show.
Day
3
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
Drive about two and a half hours to Ha Long and board your cruise. Sail among the limestone islands, explore a cave and go kayaking, with dinner and the night on board.
Day
4
Ha Long Bay to Hoi An
Wake to the bay at sunrise and cruise back to the pier after brunch. Return to Hanoi for the flight of about an hour and a quarter to Da Nang, then drive to Hoi An.
Day
5
Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
Ride the cable car up to Ba Na Hills and walk the Golden Bridge, held up by two giant stone hands. Return to Hoi An for an evening among the lanterns of the Old Town.
Day
6
Hoi An Ancient Town
A guided walk through the old merchant town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, past the Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls and tailor shops. In the evening, take a boat on the Thu Bon River and float a paper lantern.
Day
7
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, city tour
Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, about an hour and a half. In the afternoon, see the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh Market.
Day
8
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City
If your flight leaves late, we can arrange a morning trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels before your transfer to the airport.

What's included

6 nights in hotels and 1 night on a Ha Long Bay cruise, with daily breakfast
Meals on board the Ha Long Bay cruise, with vegetarian options on request
Airport transfers
Domestic flights from Hanoi to Da Nang and from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing as per the itinerary, with a water puppet show
Ba Na Hills cable car entry
Vietnam e-Visa assistance