Authentic Vietnam - 10 days
Hanoi, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam 
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Duration: 10 days
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Destinations: Vietnam
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Start: Hanoi, Vietnam
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Finish: Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
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Tour type: Private tour
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Meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Experience the best of Vietnam on this 10-day journey from north to south, blending culture, history, and authentic local life. Start in Hanoi with a street food adventure and explore ancient temples before cruising overnight through the emerald waters of Halong Bay. Discover the royal legacy of Hue, the charm of Hoi An, and the spiritual beauty of My Son Sanctuary. Continue south to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City and the peaceful Mekong Delta, where you’ll witness daily life along the river. This immersive trip reveals the true essence of Vietnam — timeless, welcoming, and unforgettable.
Tour Highlights
- Discover Hanoi’s cultural landmarks, Old Quarter, and unique street food scene.
- Climb Mua Cave and enjoy a sampan boat trip through Trang An’s limestone landscapes.
- Cruise overnight in the stunning Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Explore Hue’s Imperial Citadel, royal tombs, and Perfume River by boat.
- Travel the scenic Hai Van Pass and visit Marble Mountain before arriving in Hoi An.
- Wander Hoi An Ancient Town and visit the ancient My Son Sanctuary.
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial landmarks and vibrant local markets.
- Cruise the Mekong Delta’s canals, taste tropical fruits, and meet local artisans.
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Travel style:
Cultural & Classic
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Your guide:
English speaking
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Meals:
9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
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Tour type:
Private tour
You will visit
Authentic Vietnam 10 days - Route Map
Authentic Vietnam 10 days Itinerary
B(breakfast), L(lunch), D(dinner)
Warm welcome at Noi Bai airport – Hanoi. Brief itinerary and transfer to city centre. After a short break, you will visit Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university established during the construction of the capital. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walking tour around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Your guide will lead you on a culinary adventure, giving you the chance to sample a wide variety of local street foods — the kind of dishes you’ve seen but might not have known how to try!
Start your Hanoi Street “Eats” Tour at Bia Hoi Corner, where you can try bia hoi, a light draft beer that originated from Eastern Europe and has become a Hanoi staple. Continue your food journey with some of Hanoi’s best-loved specialties such as:
- Phở bò, Bún thang, or Bún bò Huế (Vietnamese noodle soups)
- Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) or Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette)
- Local snacks such as Nộm bò khô (dried beef salad) or Nem chua rán (fried fermented pork rolls)
- Finish the evening with a signature Cà phê trứng (egg coffee), a rich and creamy Hanoi original.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Dinner
Private car & guide
Depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh, a land of dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green fields. Begin with a climb of nearly 500 steps to the top of Mua Cave Mountain for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Tam Coc’s patchwork rice fields and winding rivers. Along the way, spot charming stone sculptures showcasing traditional Vietnamese artistry.
Cycle leisurely through picturesque countryside to Tam Coc before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Then, head to the UNESCO-listed Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Board a small sampan to weave through an enchanting network of caves, waterways, and lush valleys. Keep your camera ready for stunning shots of wildlife, temples, and serene natural scenery. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Private car & guide
At 08:30, your driver will pick you up for the scenic drive to Halong Bay, arriving around midday to board your cruise for an overnight stay. Halong Bay is celebrated as one of the world’s natural wonders, with thousands of towering limestone pillars sculpted by sea and wind. After lunch on board, explore several of the bay’s impressive caves and visit a floating fishing village. Later, the captain will anchor in a secluded spot where you can swim, relax on the sundeck, or try kayaking (subject to weather conditions). In the evening, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner on board.
Accommodation: Cruise on Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Private car & guide on cruise
Enjoy an early morning swim (in season) and a leisurely breakfast as the cruise navigates more of Halong Bay’s spectacular scenery. The cruise will arrive at the harbor by noon. The car will pick you up and transfer back to Hanoi. You have free time until 18.30. The driver will pick you up and transfer to station for night train to Hue. Overnight on train.
The detailed cruise itinerary will be provided once guests select the preferred cruise category.
Accommodation: overnight on train
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Private car & guide on cruise
Arrive at Hue Railway Station at around 9:20 am, where your tour guide and driver will warmly welcome you before starting your city exploration.
As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue is surrounded by the majestic tombs of past emperors, most of which are beautifully located along the banks of the Perfume River. In the morning, enjoy a peaceful boat trip along this scenic river, stopping to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the oldest and most iconic religious sites in Central Vietnam – and the Ming Mang Emperor’s Mausoleum, renowned for its harmonious blend of architecture and nature.
In the afternoon, continue to explore the Imperial Citadel, which includes the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Emperor’s private residence. Built in the early 19th century, this grand complex was modeled after Beijing’s Forbidden City and served as the political and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty. Conclude your day with a visit to the Dong Ba Market, where you can experience the local daily life and shop for traditional products, handicrafts, and specialties of Hue.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & guide
Leave Hue for Da Nang, stopping first at the beautiful Lang Co Beach, nestled between turquoise waters and forested mountains. Cross the legendary Hai Van Pass, famous for its breathtaking coastal views.
Visit Marble Mountain, a spiritual and cultural landmark filled with caves, pagodas, and shrines. Take the 108 steps (or elevator) to the top, where highlights include Xa Loi Tower, Tam Thai Pagoda, Tang Chon Cave, Hoa Nghiem Cave, and the mystical Huyen Khong Cave.
Continue to Hoian town for hotel check-in then enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town. Visit the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, ancient merchants’ houses, and the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge — all representing the town’s rich blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architectural styles.
After the tour, enjoy your free time to explore the charming streets of Hoi An, go shopping for souvenirs, or have tailor-made clothes crafted by the town’s skilled artisans.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & guide
This morning, drive to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 50 km southwest of Hoi An. Nestled in a lush green valley, My Son was once the capital and religious center of the ancient Champa Kingdom, which flourished in Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 16th century. The site features an impressive collection of red brick towers and Hindu sanctuaries built between the 7th and 13th centuries. Stroll through the ruins and learn about the spiritual and cultural life of the Cham people, who once dominated much of Southeast Asia for nearly a thousand years.
Return to Hoi An in the afternoon for free time.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & guide
After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Upon arrival, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to the city center for a half-day city tour.
Start your exploration with a visit to some of the city’s most notable landmarks, including the Reunification Palace, a symbol of Vietnam’s reunification; the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both outstanding examples of French colonial architecture. Continue to the War Remnants Museum, which offers a powerful insight into Vietnam’s wartime history, and end the tour at Ben Thanh Market, one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant markets, where you can experience the local lifestyle and shop for souvenirs or local specialties.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide in Ho Chi Minh city
Today, leave behind the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City and head towards the peaceful Mekong Delta. Arrive in My Tho – Ben Tre, a charming town along the Mekong River. Visit the historic Vinh Trang Pagoda, dating back to the late 19th century, before boarding a wooden sampan to cruise past the four famous islands – Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise.
Disembark at Unicorn Island for a leisurely walk through lush orchards. Taste tropical fruits, enjoy traditional folk music performed by locals, and visit a fruit plantation. Continue with a hand-rowed sampan ride along the narrow Thoi Son Canal, taking in the idyllic countryside views.
Stop at a family-run workshop to learn about honeybee farming, sip honey tea, and see how coconut candy is made. Savor a delicious lunch at a local riverside restaurant. In the afternoon, choose to cycle through Tan Thach Village to meet friendly locals and learn about daily life in the Delta, or relax in a hammock under swaying palm trees. Return to Ho Chi Minh in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Private car & guide
Enjoy your free time at leisure until your driver transfers you to the airport for your departure flight.
Thank you for traveling with us — we wish you a pleasant journey home and hope to welcome you back to Vietnam soon!
Meals: Breakfast
Private car
Your tour package includes
- Accommodation based on twin/double sharing room with daily breakfast
- Experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary
- Private transportation with AC
- Private boat in Trang An and Mekong delta
- Train ticket Hanoi – Hue (4 soft berth sharing cabin)
- Flight tickets Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh city (Operated by Vietnam Airlines with 23kg checked bag + 10kg hand bags)
- All sightseeing tickets
- Lunches and dinners as indicated in the itinerary
- Taxes and services charges
Exclusions
- International flight tickets and airport tax.
- Visa stamping fee.
- Early check in and late check out.
- Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
- Insurance.
Important travel information
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Tour Price
The tour rate is based on twin/double sharing rooms at 3* hotel category, quoted for a private group of 6 guests. The price will vary slightly depending on the number of people in your group. For an accurate tour price, please click the "INQUIRE NOW" button to discuss with our sales consultant.
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Deposit & Payment
After you have agreed on the tour itinerary and pricing, we will send you an email to confirm and provide information on our payment policy. You can choose your preferred payment method and make payment to us according to the following regulations:
- With tour bookings, you do not need to pay total in advance, we just need 30% for deposit. The balance will be settled before your trip or upon arrival.
- With flight, hotel or train ticket bookings, we require 100% total payment in advance.
The balance will be settled before or upon arrival by cash, credit card or bank transfer. We accept major credit cards such as Visa, Master, JCB and Amex. If you pay by credit card, please add 3% of bank commission.
After receiving your deposit, our team will process your booking and send you the confirmation by email within 1 - 2 working days.
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Food Requirement
If you have any specific food requirement (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.) please inform us in advance, we will provide notices to our restaurants, tour guides and partners so they would be able to serve you the best.
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Cancellation
We apply non refundable deposit of 10 USD for hotel, air ticket booking, 100 USD/per person for tour package upon service confirmation. Cancellations will be charged as following:
- 30 days before arrival: No cancellation charge.
- 29 - 14 days before arrival: 10% of the tour cost is forfeited.
- 13 - 7 days before arrival: 40% of the tour cost is forfeited.
- 6 days before arrival: 100 % of the tour cost is forfeited.
- No show: 100% of the tour cost is forfeited.
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Child Policy
- Infant under 2-years-old free of charge land tour and 25% of airfare.
- Child under 12-years-old sharing room with adult without extra bed charge 50% of adult land tour and 75% of airfare.
- Child under 12-years-old sharing room with adult with bed charge 80% of adult land tour and 75% of airfare.
- Upon 12-years-old - 100% charge of tour cost.
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