Overview: 10 Days Vietnam Express Northbound
On a small-group journey that avoids visitors, go behind the scenes of Vietnam’s hotspots.
From the fast-paced metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City to the romantic capital of Hanoi, tour the country from South to North like a local and see the gorgeous landscapes, history-soaked landmarks, and all the amazing cuisine in between: Paddle across the Mekong Delta’s waterways in a sampan, explore distant villages by tuk-tuk, and cruise through the waters of Halong Bay on a traditional boat, explore the car-free streets of Hoi An on foot and the imperial monuments of Hue from the back of a motorbike – and with the help of your professional local guide, you’ll learn secrets about this South-East Asian jewel that you won’t find in a guidebook.
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- BOOK DIRECTLY 24/7 TO ENJOY discount by Call/WhatsApp +84988402008 Or Email: info@asiavespatours.com
- Price: 135 USD per person / day
- Group size: Minimum 2 people
Included activities
- Mekong Delta – Mekong Delta Day Trip & Village Tuk-Tuk Tour
- Mekong Delta – Lunch
- Hoi An – Old Town walking tour
- Hue – Imperial City Full Day Tour
- Hue – Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Hue – Highlights & back streets by motorbike (lunch included)
- Hue – Motorbike Tour Lunch
- Hanoi – Temple of Literature
- Hanoi – One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house
- Hanoi – Old Quarter Walking Tour
- Halong Bay – Overnight Boat Cruise
- Hanoi – KOTO dinner
- Halong Bay – The Green Life Visit
Highlights: 10 Days Vietnam Express Northbound
- See the most of what Vietnam has to offer in just 10 days as you travel from coast to coast with a small group of up to 15 new friends.
- Visit some of the must-see attractions with your group, such as a walking tour in Hoi An and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, as well as plenty of free time to explore on your own.
- Spend an extraordinary night on a boat in Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural beauties, and visit a center dedicated to transforming the bay’s rubbish into beautiful, handcrafted goods.
- A seafood meal on Halong Bay, lunch at a Buddhist nunnery, coconut sweets in the Mekong Delta, and a final dinner at KOTO restaurant — and did we mention the street food?
- Have expert assistance available at all times from an experienced local leader to help you make the most of your time in Vietnam.
Detailed Itinerary: 10 Days Vietnam Express Northbound
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Congratulations! Hello and welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins at 6 p.m. with a welcoming meeting. Given that this tour does not spend much time in Ho Chi Minh City, why not arrive a day or two early to take in the sights? We will gladly book some additional accommodations for you (subject to availability). Ho Chi Minh City offers a vibrant atmosphere with a French flavor. Visit the local open-air market on Pham Ngu Lao Street, the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, or go on an Urban Adventure with a professional local guide. After the conference, enjoy an optional group meal to get to know your fellow travelers and the flavors of Vietnamese food.
Day 2: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
Today, you’ll take a private minibus south (about 3 hours) and spend the day touring the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, take a private boat and cruise through the intricate waterways, taking in the quiet surroundings and admiring the stunning sights as you float through this lush landscape known as “the rice bowl of Vietnam.” Visit the coconut gardens, stopping at a local home to eat tropical fruits and coconut jams before kayaking in sampans (small rowing boats). Tour the villages by tuk-tuk, learning about rural life and how the residents make a living. Lunch at a restaurant in the delta’s core, enjoying regional specialties including the famous elephant ear fish.Then it’s back to the boat to sail the key rivers of the delta to Ben Tre boat pier. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by bus after the cruise.
Today, you’ll take a private minibus south (about 3 hours) and spend the day touring the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, take a private boat and cruise through the intricate waterways, taking in the quiet surroundings and admiring the stunning sights as you float through this lush landscape known as “the rice bowl of Vietnam.” Visit the coconut gardens, stopping at a local home to eat tropical fruits and coconut jams before kayaking in sampans (small rowing boats). Tour the villages by tuk-tuk, learning about rural life and how the residents make a living. Lunch at a restaurant in the delta’s core, enjoying regional specialties including the famous elephant ear fish.Then it’s back to the boat to sail the key rivers of the delta to Ben Tre boat pier. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by bus after the cruise.
Day 3: Hoi An
Leave Ho Chi Minh City this morning and travel north to Danang (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). From here, take a 45-minute bus ride to Hoi An, with the Marble Mountains’ five beautiful peaks as a backdrop. When you arrive in Hoi An, your guide will take you on a walking tour of this fascinating town that has been influenced by Europe, China, and Vietnam over the years. From the 17th century onwards, the town was a significant trading port, and the outside influences can be seen in its architecture, which includes pagodas and assembly halls. Along with its attractiveness and peacefulness, it has a lively atmosphere for such a little town. The trip will take you down streets that are being renovated to look like they did more than a century ago. You’ll see a historic mansion (formerly home to a major trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall, and a museum as you walk past low tiled houses.
Leave Ho Chi Minh City this morning and travel north to Danang (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). From here, take a 45-minute bus ride to Hoi An, with the Marble Mountains’ five beautiful peaks as a backdrop. When you arrive in Hoi An, your guide will take you on a walking tour of this fascinating town that has been influenced by Europe, China, and Vietnam over the years. From the 17th century onwards, the town was a significant trading port, and the outside influences can be seen in its architecture, which includes pagodas and assembly halls. Along with its attractiveness and peacefulness, it has a lively atmosphere for such a little town. The trip will take you down streets that are being renovated to look like they did more than a century ago. You’ll see a historic mansion (formerly home to a major trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall, and a museum as you walk past low tiled houses.
Day 4: Hoi An
Spend the day exploring the World Heritage-listed Hoi An. You could like exploring the Central Market and the street vendors selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics, lanterns, and other items. Hoi An is also known for its excellent tailors, who can create stunning goods to order in a matter of hours. If you’re still feeling daring, rent a bicycle and tour the nearby countryside. This is one of the greatest ways to experience rural Vietnam. A day trip to My Son Cham, an intricate World Heritage-listed temple that exhibits the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation, a cruise down the Thu Bon River, and a trip to adjacent Cua Dai Beach are among optional options.
Spend the day exploring the World Heritage-listed Hoi An. You could like exploring the Central Market and the street vendors selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics, lanterns, and other items. Hoi An is also known for its excellent tailors, who can create stunning goods to order in a matter of hours. If you’re still feeling daring, rent a bicycle and tour the nearby countryside. This is one of the greatest ways to experience rural Vietnam. A day trip to My Son Cham, an intricate World Heritage-listed temple that exhibits the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation, a cruise down the Thu Bon River, and a trip to adjacent Cua Dai Beach are among optional options.
Day 5: Hue
Today, depart from Hoi An and go via the mountainous Hai Van Pass, a sometimes bumpy but wonderfully scenic stretch of highway with views of Lang Co Beach. Make a quick photo stop en route, then continue on to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital (approximately 5 hours including stops). Hue is a fascinating mix of bustling streets and serene landscapes that houses the treasures of Vietnam’s royal history. Join your guide for a tour of the Imperial Citadel, which houses the Imperial City as well as the Forbidden Purple City, a citadel within a citadel. During the Vietnam/American War, this icon was almost totally destroyed, and the rubble and holes left by bombs serve as a reminder of the devastation. In your spare time, you could travel to Dong Ba Market, which sells locally manufactured goods, fresh produce, and tantalizing street cuisine.
Today, depart from Hoi An and go via the mountainous Hai Van Pass, a sometimes bumpy but wonderfully scenic stretch of highway with views of Lang Co Beach. Make a quick photo stop en route, then continue on to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital (approximately 5 hours including stops). Hue is a fascinating mix of bustling streets and serene landscapes that houses the treasures of Vietnam’s royal history. Join your guide for a tour of the Imperial Citadel, which houses the Imperial City as well as the Forbidden Purple City, a citadel within a citadel. During the Vietnam/American War, this icon was almost totally destroyed, and the rubble and holes left by bombs serve as a reminder of the devastation. In your spare time, you could travel to Dong Ba Market, which sells locally manufactured goods, fresh produce, and tantalizing street cuisine.
Day 6: Hue – Overnight Train
Today’s excursion will take place on the back of a motorcycle. You’ll have your own driver who will take you through the Imperial Citadel and then to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s unofficial icon. This location dates back to 1601 and is still a functioning Buddhist monastery. You may also see the automobile abandoned by a monk who burned himself on fire to protest the South Vietnamese regime’s oppression of Buddhists. Ride to a convent or Buddhist monastery for a delightful vegetarian lunch, then drive to Emperor Tu Duc’s royal mausoleum, which is located among frangipani shrubs and pine trees. Board an overnight train to Hanoi in the evening (approximately 12 hours).
Day 7: Hanoi
Arrive early in the morning in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Vietnam’s capital is well-known for its lovely lakes, tree-lined boulevards, public parks, and charming Old Quarter. Hanoi, a growing metropolis in South East Asia, features an appealing mix of modern business buildings, historic Buddhist temples, and a maze of ancient lanes. Later in the day, go on a walking tour of the city to view Ho Chi Minh’s former stilt house and other landmarks including the Temple of Literature. In your spare time, you may explore the ancient Old Quarter’s “36 Streets,” the gorgeous Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Fine Arts Museum. This museum is critical in preserving and promoting Vietnam’s ethnic communities’ traditional heritage.
Arrive early in the morning in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Vietnam’s capital is well-known for its lovely lakes, tree-lined boulevards, public parks, and charming Old Quarter. Hanoi, a growing metropolis in South East Asia, features an appealing mix of modern business buildings, historic Buddhist temples, and a maze of ancient lanes. Later in the day, go on a walking tour of the city to view Ho Chi Minh’s former stilt house and other landmarks including the Temple of Literature. In your spare time, you may explore the ancient Old Quarter’s “36 Streets,” the gorgeous Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Fine Arts Museum. This museum is critical in preserving and promoting Vietnam’s ethnic communities’ traditional heritage.
Day 8: Halong Bay
Travel to the beautiful World Heritage site of Halong Bay by private minivan (approximately 4 hours). A isolated cove of emerald waters flecked with limestone islands and caverns, this is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful spots. You’ll take a trip to visit Surprise Cave and the surrounding rock formations, and in the warmer months, you might go kayaking or swimming from Ti Top Island. Staircases provide access to Surprise Cave. The paths inside the cave are a little rough and slippery. There will be a dining room and bar on board your ship where you may enjoy your meals, which will include fresh seafood for lunch and dinner. Spend the night on board the boat beneath a star-studded sky.
Travel to the beautiful World Heritage site of Halong Bay by private minivan (approximately 4 hours). A isolated cove of emerald waters flecked with limestone islands and caverns, this is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful spots. You’ll take a trip to visit Surprise Cave and the surrounding rock formations, and in the warmer months, you might go kayaking or swimming from Ti Top Island. Staircases provide access to Surprise Cave. The paths inside the cave are a little rough and slippery. There will be a dining room and bar on board your ship where you may enjoy your meals, which will include fresh seafood for lunch and dinner. Spend the night on board the boat beneath a star-studded sky.
Day 9: Hanoi
Wake morning on the waves of Halong Bay, and before you depart the magnificent sight, make one more stop. The Green Life Centre is dedicated to transforming Halong Bay’s rubbish into treasure by collecting abandoned objects and expertly transforming them into beautiful handicrafts. Meet the people behind this vital cause and discover how to turn trash into a useful and reusable bag. Return to Hanoi via bus after your visit (approximately 3.5 hours). Arrive in Hanoi late this afternoon and use your free time to tour the city or do some last-minute shopping. Otherwise, why not unwind at a cafe or stop for a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the Old Quarter’s microbars? Tonight, the group will gather for a goodbye meal at KOTO restaurant, an organization that assists disadvantaged youngsters with opportunities in the hospitality sector.
Day 10: Hanoi
Your journey across Vietnam comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day, but you might extend your adventure with a short tour like ‘Hanoi Motorbike Food by Night’ or you might go to the Hoa Lo Prison, sometimes known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton,’ which was used to house prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The Museum of Ethnology, with its unique interior and outdoor exhibitions, is also nearby. We’d be pleased to reserve some additional accommodation for you (subject to availability), just let us know when you make your reservation.
Your journey across Vietnam comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day, but you might extend your adventure with a short tour like ‘Hanoi Motorbike Food by Night’ or you might go to the Hoa Lo Prison, sometimes known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton,’ which was used to house prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The Museum of Ethnology, with its unique interior and outdoor exhibitions, is also nearby. We’d be pleased to reserve some additional accommodation for you (subject to availability), just let us know when you make your reservation.
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