Classic Vietnam 9 Days/ 8 Nights

Description

The Soul of Vietnam – A Journey Through Culture, Countryside, and Coastal Beauty

Begin your adventure in Hanoi, where your guide welcomes you at the airport and ensures a smooth transfer to your hotel. Rest and prepare for a captivating journey through Vietnam’s most iconic destinations.

Your first full day explores the historic charm of Hanoi, starting in Ba Dinh Square, home to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum—a place of deep national pride where you’ll learn about “Uncle Ho’s” extraordinary legacy. Continue to the elegant Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, dedicated to Confucius and renowned for its peaceful courtyards and ancient architecture. End your day with something uniquely local: a hands-on egg coffee demonstration, followed by a tasting session in a charming Hanoi café.

The following morning, travel to the legendary Halong Bay and board your beautifully appointed Calypso cruise. Drift through towering limestone karsts and emerald waters as you journey toward Lan Ha Bay. Explore the mystical Light and Dark Water Cave by kayak or bamboo boat before returning to your vessel to watch a breathtaking sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy a lively cooking class, a delicious Vietnamese dinner, drinks on the deck—and even some nighttime squid fishing or karaoke for extra fun.

Wake to Tai Chi on the sundeck before heading to Cat Ba Island, where you’ll visit the historic Army Hospital Cave, a fascinating reminder of Vietnam’s wartime resilience. After disembarking, fly onward to Danang, followed by a short transfer to the lantern-lit charm of Hoi An.

Immerse yourself in authentic rural life on Day 5 with a warm and welcoming host family in Hoi An’s countryside. Join in their organic farming activities, cycle through postcard-perfect rice fields, and journey along quiet waterways on a peaceful boat ride. Enjoy a hands-on wood-carving workshop and feast on homemade banh xeo for lunch. Return to Hoi An’s enchanting old town for a guided tour of its ancient streets before visiting a special teahouse that supports people with disabilities—an inspiring and heartwarming stop.

Next, fly south to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where tradition and modernity meet. Spend your final full day uncovering the city’s many layers: visit the serene tomb of Le Van Duyet, absorb the lively atmosphere of Ba Chieu Market, and step into the spiritual calm of the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Stroll through Le Van Tam Park, a lush urban oasis, before exploring a hidden gem—an unassuming apartment complex that’s become a trendy hub of cafés, boutiques and creative energy.

Your last day in Ho Chi Minh City is free to explore at your own pace, with optional excursions available for those who wish to venture further.

This itinerary blends culture, community, landscapes and cuisine—perfect for travellers seeking an authentic, enriching and unforgettable journey through Vietnam.

Includes:

•    Accommodation 8 nights
•    Airport transfers
•    Meals: 8B 1L 1D
•    Domestic flights
•    English speaking guides
•    Hanoi highlights tour
•    Calypso 1-night cruise
•    Hoi An Countryside tour
•    Ho Chi Minh City full-day tour

Itinerary summary:

Day 1: Arrival
The guide greets visitors on arrival and accompanies them to the hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi
A full-day tour of Hanoi and its historical sights. Start off at Ba Dinh square, home to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, to learn about ‘Uncle Ho’s life. Then, head to the beautiful Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Hanoi, built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. Spend time in the grounds and admire the architecture. Finish the day with a demonstration of how to make ‘egg coffee’, a Hanoi delicacy, before trying the drink in a quaint coffee shop.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong
Transfer from Hanoi to Ha long to embark upon a Calypso cruise. Sail through the stunning karst mountains of Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay. Here, visit the Light and Dark Water cave before exploring by kayak or by bamboo boat. After returning to the boat, it’s time to enjoy the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Witness a cooking demonstration before tucking into a Vietnamese feast. Enjoy the rest of the night admiring the view from the top deck, having a drink and enjoying the karaoke, or trying your luck at some squid fishing.

Day 4: Halong – Hoi An
Wake up with some Tai Chi and a light breakfast before heading to Cat Ba island. Visit Army Hospital Cave on the island to learn about resistance during the Vietnam War, all the while admiring the scenic views of Cat Ba National Park. Take the cruise back to Hanoi harbour and depart from the airport to Danang before a short coach ride to Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An
Meet the host family in the Hoi An countryside. Together, do some organic farming activities related to gardening, cooking, and other tasks in the community. Also, go on a picturesque bicycle to explore the charming scenery of the surrounding rice fields, which will be discovered more on a boat tour. Enjoy a wood crafting workshop before banh xeo for lunch with the family. Then, back to the flower-lined streets of Hoi An town to take a tour of its historical sites and monuments before heading to a teahouse. The teahouse supports those with disabilities in the area.

Day 6: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City
Free time before transfer to Danang airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where the guide will be waiting.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City
Full-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Begin by visiting the ornate tomb of Le Van Duyet, set in a serene park, where there are many relics to admire. Then see the hustle and bustle of Ba Chieu market for a taste of local life, where families buy their food and wares. Transition back into tranquillity at Jade Emperor Pagoda before visiting Le Van Tam Park, once a cemetery and now a public green paradise. Finish the tour with a trip to an inconspicuous apartment building which surprisingly houses a whole world of activity inside – hipster cafes, boutique shops, and fashionable eateries await.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
Free day of exploration in Ho Chi Minh. Optional tours are available.

Day 9: Departure
Free time until airport transfer for departure flight.