Classic Vietnam trip

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Maya
Trip plan crafted byMaya
VietnamVietnam flagTravel Expert

Starting from:

1360 USD

per Adult

Turn a classic journey into one of our most meaningful Vietnam trips, a personal exploration shaped by discovery and connection. A tailor-made itinerary brings together local hosts, handpicked experiences, and flexible pacing to open doors to authentic cuisine, welcoming homestays, and conversations with skilled artisans.

Leave behind cookie-cutter tours and design a journey that reflects your values and curiosity. Request a custom consultation today to begin planning sensory, cultural, and people-focused moments that transform travel into a lasting story.

Classic Vietnam trip highlights

  • Hanoi Old Quarter immersion: Wander narrow streets, meet artisans, and savor street food on a tailored walking tour.
  • Halong Bay private cruise: Sail limestone karsts on a private junk, kayak hidden lagoons, and enjoy a bespoke seafood dinner as the sun sets.
  • Hue and imperial heritage: Explore imperial citadels with a local guide and customize visits to royal tombs for deeper cultural insight.
  • Hoi An craft and countryside design: a hands-on lantern workshop, cycle rice paddies, and meet families who keep traditional crafts alive.
  • Mekong Delta local life: Tailor a boat expedition through canals, taste orchard fruits, and stay in a family homestay.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1Hanoi

• Arrival at Hanoi Airport

• Private transfer to the hotel

• Free time to unwind or short Old Quarter walk

• Street food tasting

• Orientation with a guide to tailor your trip

Hanoi
2Hanoi

• Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake

• Walk along Thanh Nien Road

• Explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda

• Temple of Literature and lotus gardens

• Cyclo ride through the Old Quarter

• Traditional water puppet show

Hanoi
3Hanoi / Ha Long Bay

• Scenic drive to Ha Long Bay

• Board an all-inclusive cruise

• Explore limestone islands and hidden grottoes

• Kayaking in secluded bays

• Fresh seafood, sunset views, and evening entertainment

Ha Long Bay (cruise)
4Ha Long Bay / Hue

• Sunrise cruise among limestone karsts

• Visit caves and floating villages

• Return to pier late morning

• Transfer back to Hanoi

• Short flight to Hue

• Private transfer to hotel and relaxation

Hue
5Hue

• Guided visit to Hue Imperial City

• Explore palaces and courtyards

• Visit traditional garden house based on geomancy

• Visit Tu Duc Tomb

• Optional stop at Huong Thuy incense village

• Visit Tu Hieu Pagoda

• Free time at hotel

Hue
6Hue / Hoi An

• Scenic drive over Hai Van Pass

• Stop at Lang Co Beach

• Arrival in Hoi An by late morning

• Explore Hoi An Old Town

• Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky House

• Lantern-making workshop with local artisans

Hoi An
7Hoi An

• Bike ride across Cam Kim Bridge

• Visit Kim Bong carpentry village

• Cycle to Duy Vinh Village and meet mat-weaving family

• Boat ride on Thu Bon River

• Homemade lunch with local hosts

• Afternoon at leisure

Hoi An
8Hoi An / Ho Chi Minh City

• Relaxed morning in Hoi An

• Optional beach walk or café visit

• Transfer to Da Nang Airport

• Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

• Private transfer to hotel

• Evening at leisure

Ho Chi Minh City
9Ho Chi Minh City

• Guided city tour

• Visit Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral

• Walk along Dong Khoi Street

• Explore Chinatown (Cholon)

• Visit Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Pagoda

• War Remnants Museum

• Free time

Ho Chi Minh City
10Ho Chi Minh City / Mekong Delta

• Day trip to Ben Tre Province

• Mekong river cruise

• Coconut candy and brick factory visits

• Xe loi ride through villages and rice paddies

• Lunch with local specialties

• Cycling and sampan ride

• Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City
11Ho Chi Minh City

• Relaxed final morning

• Optional café, market visit, or short cultural walk

• Private transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport

• Departure

Places you'll visit

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Day01

Welcome to Hanoi

Your classic Vietnam journey begins in Hanoi. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, your private driver and local guide greet you and transfer you comfortably to your hotel.

Take time to unwind or join a short walking tour of the Old Quarter, sample authentic street food, and begin shaping your Vietnam travel experience with your guide, tailoring each detail to your interests and preferred pace.

Hanoi, Vietnam
Day02

Explore Hanoi City

Begin the day with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, then stroll along Thanh Nien Road to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, including his stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda, for deeper historical insight.

In the afternoon, explore the Temple of Literature and its tranquil lotus gardens, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter to experience daily local life, and end the day with a magical traditional water puppet show.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoelium
Day03

Hanoi to Halong Bay

Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, where more than 1,900 limestone islands rise from emerald waters. This UNESCO World Heritage natural wonder offers dramatic scenery and a sense of discovery among quieter, less-visited islets.

Board an all-inclusive cruise to explore hidden grottoes, kayak through secluded bays, and savor freshly caught seafood prepared on board. Evenings unfold on deck with stargazing and relaxed entertainment amid the bay’s serene setting.

Halong Bay, Vietnam
Day04

Halong Bay to Hue

Rise at dawn in Ha Long Bay to watch the sunrise paint limestone karsts and turquoise waters. Your cruise glides past hidden caves and floating villages before returning to the pier by late morning. Often considered among the best places to visit in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay offers a final moment of calm before you return to Hanoi for a short flight to Hue.

On arrival, meet your friendly local guide and transfer to your hotel to relax and recharge.

Halong Bay, Vietnam
Day05

Imperial City and Hue's timeless gardens

Begin the day with a guided visit to Hue’s Imperial City, the historic heart of the Nguyen Dynasty. Wander through palaces and courtyards before visiting a traditional garden house designed according to ancient geomancy, set amid tranquil greenery and offering deeper insight into royal life.

In the afternoon, explore the Tu Duc Tomb to admire its refined traditional architecture. An optional stop at Huong Thuy incense village allows you to watch artisans hand-roll incense, before continuing to Tu Hieu Pagoda, peacefully set within a pine forest and home to the resting places of royal mandarins. Return to Hue City and enjoy free time at your hotel.

Hue, Vietnam
Day06

Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass

Travel from Hue to Da Nang along the scenic Hai Van Pass, enjoying sweeping coastal views and a stop at Lang Co Beach. Arrive in Hoi An by late morning. In the afternoon, explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An Old Town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge and the historic Tan Ky House.

Later, join a lantern-making workshop with local artisans, crafting your own bamboo and silk lantern as a meaningful keepsake.

Hoian, Vietnam
Day07

Bike ride to discover the handicraft traditions

Begin with a bike ride across Cam Kim Bridge to Kim Bong Village, renowned for its traditional carpentry. Visit family-run workshops and observe woodworking techniques passed down through generations. Continue cycling to Duy Vinh Village, where colorful sedge mats are woven by hand amid rice fields, and meet a local family to learn about their craft.

Later, enjoy a peaceful boat ride along the Thu Bon River and share a homemade lunch with your hosts, a meaningful highlight of this thoughtfully paced Vietnam itinerary. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and relax.

Hoian, Vietnam
Day08

Hoi An to Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Hoi An, whether lounging at your hotel, sipping Vietnamese coffee at a riverside café, or strolling along An Bang Beach to catch the sea breeze and sample local seafood. In the afternoon, transfer to Da Nang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet your private driver and local guide for a comfortable transfer to your hotel. The evening is at leisure to sample street food, explore lively neighborhoods, or arrange a tailor-made walking tour to experience the city’s vibrant rhythm.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Maya

Tips from Maya

Vietnam Travel Expert

quotes

Hair spa in Saigon, ladies, don’t miss this. After a long day navigating Saigon’s energy, treat yourself to a Vietnamese hair spa. It’s pure bliss. You'll be pampered with herbal shampoo, a gentle scalp massage, soothing music, and even a shoulder rub.

It's not just about hair, it's about slowing down and indulging in one of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets. Heavenly.

Day09

Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Begin the morning with a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the elegant Central Post Office, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, and strolling along Dong Khoi Street, known for its boutique shops and historic hotels.

Continue to Chinatown (Cholon) to explore Binh Tay Market, visit the atmospheric Thien Hau Pagoda, and conclude with a reflective stop at the War Remnants Museum. Enjoy free time afterward to wander at your own pace.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Day10

Day trip to the Mekong Delta

Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Cruise along a quiet Mekong tributary to visit coconut candy workshops and a traditional brick factory, then ride a local xe loi through rice paddies and village lanes for close encounters with rural life.

Enjoy lunch at a family-run restaurant featuring local specialties such as elephant ear fish and freshwater shrimp. In the afternoon, cycle through village paths to observe carpet weaving, drift by sampan along winding canals, and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Ben Tre, Vietnam
Day11

Departure

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Ho Chi Minh City, shaped around your interests. Unwind at your hotel, sip a local cà phê at a nearby café, browse a neighborhood market, or take a short cultural walk to absorb everyday life.

When it’s time to depart, a private transfer takes you to Tan Son Nhat Airport, bringing your classic Vietnam trip to a graceful close with personalized touches and authentic memories.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam