Essential Vietnam 8 Days

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, where you’ll be welcomed by your tour guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and leisure time to recover from your journey.
Overnight in Hanoi.

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is a city where ancient traditions meet French colonial elegance. Your full-day exploration begins with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square, where the nation’s independence was declared in 1945. Visit the One-Pillar Pagoda, a unique Buddhist structure symbolizing purity; then continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest temple, beautifully set on West Lake. Discover Vietnam’s scholarly past at the Temple of Literature, the country’s first university dating from the 11th century.

Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake before delving into the Old Quarter, a maze of 36 streets once organized by trades. Each lane still echoes its history — from silver to silk. Visit art galleries, boutiques, and coffee shops that blend old-world charm with contemporary creativity. In the evening, enjoy a traditional water puppet performance, a unique art form that originated in northern Vietnam.

After breakfast, travel east to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its limestone karsts rising from emerald waters. Board your classic junk boat and begin your cruise through this spectacular seascape. In the afternoon, explore Thien Canh Son Cave and relax on the sandy beach of Hon Co Island. Kayak or swim in the quiet bay before returning to the boat for a seafood dinner prepared from the freshest local catch.

Greet the morning with Tai Chi on deck or simply watch the sun rise over the limestone peaks. Continue cruising through the tranquil areas of the bay and visit a floating fishing village to observe traditional life on the water. After lunch, disembark and drive back towar Noi Bai airport for your evening flight to Da Nang, then continue by road to Hoi An Ancient Town.

Once a bustling international port, Hoi An is now a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site that reflects the blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Enjoy a leisurely walking tour to key landmarks such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and the lively Hoi An Market. Admire local art galleries and colorful tailor shops where you can have garments made to order. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace or relaxing at a riverside café.

Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the city’s key landmarks: the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel. Continue your walking exploration along Dong Khoi Street, passing the Opera House, Rex Hotel, and the former CIA headquarters, which played crucial roles during the Vietnam War.

This morning, travel northwest to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network stretching over 200 kilometers. Discover how local fighters lived, worked, and survived during wartime, visiting underground kitchens, command centers, and living quarters. Meet your local guide who will escort you to different levels of tunnels. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon and enjoy leisure time to explore cafes, markets, or rooftop bars.

Depart for the Mekong Delta, a lush region of rivers, orchards, and floating markets. Drive to Cai Be and board a private motorboat to visit the Cai Be Floating Market, where vendors trade goods directly from their boats. Continue to small villages to see handmade coconut candy and crispy rice production. Cruise through narrow canals to Vinh Long, and enjoy lunch with fresh Mekong specialties and folk music at a local garden restaurant on Binh Hoa Phuoc Island. Walk through the bonsai gardens before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for your departure flight.