Best of Vietnam Tour 17 days

Itinerary

Day 1: Ha Noi – Traces of a Millennium of Culture 

Morning: Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the city center (Old Quarter) for hotel check-in. Take some time to unpack, relax, and settle into your new surroundings before the adventure begins.

Afternoon: Dive deep into Ha Noi’s rich cultural heritage. Visit the Temple of Literature (Viet Nam's first university) to admire its historic architecture and peaceful gardens. Then, take an electric car or cyclo ride through the bustling Old Quarter to witness daily life, explore vibrant street markets, and discover traditional local crafts.

Evening: Savor local culinary masterpieces like Bun cha (grilled pork with rice noodles) or Cha ca La Vong (turmeric fish with dill) for an authentic taste of Vietnamese flavors. Attend a traditional water puppet show to experience a unique and entertaining cultural performance, or enjoy a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian street to mingle with locals and enjoy the lively weekend atmosphere.

Day 2: Colors of Ha Noi – Transfer to Ha Long Bay 

Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. After that, explore Hanoi's rich culinary world – with lunch options, our suggestions include: bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli), garlic-fried duck served with vermicelli, and La Vong fish cakes.

Still wondering where to start on your Hanoi street food adventure? Try A21's Tour's Hanoi street food walking tour!

Afternoon: Conclude the afternoon by catching the sunset at West Lake and visiting Quan Thanh Temple. Discover Hanoi's vibrant nightlife by visiting Ta Hien beer street and enjoying draft beer – a specialty deeply rooted in Hanoi's culture.

Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Morning: After take a tasty breakfast, a luxury Limousine will take you to Ha Long Bay for a 2.5-hour highway drive.

Afternoon: Check in to your 4 to 5-star luxury cruise. Embark on a breathtaking voyage through this World Natural Wonder. Enjoy kayaking at Luon Cave and swim at Ti Top Island (or Ba Trai Dao beach if following the Lan Ha Bay route).

Day 3: Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh 

Morning: Start your day with a morning tai chi session on deck, followed by check-out. Enjoy a light brunch on board as the cruise sails back to the pier. Your private transfer will be waiting to take you directly to Ninh Binh (approx. 3-hour drive).

Afternoon: Arrive in Ninh Binh and check in to your hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon at your leisure to explore the serene landscapes or relax. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 4: Ninh Binh – World Heritage Discovery → Night Train to Phong Nha

Morning: Board a traditional hand-rowed sampan boat at Trang An Landscape Complex (a UNESCO World Heritage site) or Tam Coc, gliding through majestic water caves and towering limestone karsts. Afterward, indulge in a local lunch featuring Ninh Binh’s renowned goat meat specialties, such as lime-marinated goat, pan-seared goat, goat hotpot, or goat spring rolls (menu subject to seasonal availability).

Afternoon: Hike up Ngoa Long Mountain at Mua Cave to capture panoramic views of the lush rice paddies and the winding Ngo Dong River from above. Next, visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to learn about the historic Dinh and Early Le dynasties.

Evening: Transfer to the railway station for an overnight sleeper train ride to Dong Hoi (the gateway to Phong Nha).

Day 5: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – Dong Hoi Beach 

Morning: Arrive at Dong Hoi station in the early morning. Your guide and driver will pick you up for breakfast before heading into Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. Cruise down the Son River into the heart of the mountains to explore Phong Nha Cave, or discover the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites of Paradise Cave—often described as an "underground royal palace."

Afternoon: Check in to your hotel located near the Dong Hoi coastline. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach or exploring Dong Hoi city at your own pace.

Day 6: Quang Bình → Lang Co Bay

Morning: Following breakfast, your private vehicle will pick you up for a scenic 3 to 4-hour drive to Lang Co. En route, pause to visit the historic Vinh Moc Tunnels and the 17th Parallel (Hien Luong Bridge - Ben Hai River) to gain deeper insight into Vietnam's heroic wartime history.

Afternoon: Arrive at the picturesque Lang Co Bay. Check in to your resort, relax, and hit the beach. Do not miss out on tasting local lagoon seafood delicacies, including fresh grilled oysters, mud crabs, and grilled prawns.

Day 7: Lang Co Bay → Da Nang

Morning: Enjoy a peaceful, slow-paced morning swimming and catching the sunrise over Lang Co Bay.

Trưa: Check out of the resort. Your driver will take you over the spectacular Hai Van Pass—dubbed "The Most Grandiose Gateway on Earth"—offering panoramic views of Central Vietnam's coastline as you head straight into Da Nang.

Afternoon: Check in to your Da Nang hotel. Spend a free afternoon discovering the energetic city and relaxing on My Khe Beach.

Evening: Relax at your leisure. If it is the weekend, you can watch the Dragon Bridge breath fire and water, or feast on fresh seafood along the vibrant Vo Nguyen Giáp coastal street.

Day 8: Da Nang → Hoi An 

Morning: Enjoy a relaxing morning at the resort or take an excursion to the Son Tra Peninsula to visit Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the iconic, colossal Lady Buddha statue.

Trưa: Have lunch, check out, and take a short drive to the enchanting town of Hoi An.

Afternoon: Check in to your hotel in Hoi An and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town freely.

Day 9: Hoi An – Immersive Heritage & Beach Day 

Morning: Take a guided walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, visiting landmark sites like the Fujian Assembly Hall, Phung Hung Ancient House, and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Afternoon: Head over to An Bang Beach to enjoy the sun, sand, and gentle sea breeze.

Evening: Experience the magic of Hoi An at night with a boat ride on the Hoai River to release floating paper lanterns. Dinner features local favorites like Hoi An chicken rice, Cao lau, or My Quang.

Day 10: Hoi An → Quy Nhon

Morning: Have breakfast and gear up for a scenic coastal road trip heading south to Quy Nhon (approx. 4 to 5-hour drive).

Afternoon: Arrive in Quy Nhon, check in to your hotel, and explore the city at your leisure. For dinner, treat yourself to local street food specialties like Banh xeo tom nhay (jumping shrimp pancakes) or Quy Nhon fish cake noodles.

Day 11: Quy Nhon – Ky Co, Eo Gio & Ghenh Rang 

Morning: Cross the Thi Nai Bridge (one of Vietnam's longest sea-crossing bridges) to the Phuong Mai Peninsula. Explore Eo Gio, a wild, rocky cliffside path known as one of the best sunset-viewing spots in Vietnam. Continue to Ky Co Beach, a pristine paradise with crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sands tucked under dramatic cliffs. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling at Coral Beach.

Afternoon: Visit Ghenh Rang - Tien Sa, pay respects at the tomb of the celebrated poet Han Mac Tu, and walk along Queen's Beach (famous for its giant, smooth egg-shaped stones).

Day 12: Quy Nhon

You have a free day to explore Quy Nhon yourself.  Explore the Twin Towers (Hung Thanh Towers), a Cham cultural landmark in the heart of the city, and visit Ong Nui Pagoda (Linh Phong) - home to the largest seated Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. If you are a fan of Vietnamese street food, don't forget to try specialties such as banh hoi with pork offal porridge, banh beo, and My Hanh shrimp and crab noodle soup.

Day 13: Quy Nhon →  Ho Chi Minh City 

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the resort before boarding your transfer to Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 3 to 4 hours via the highway).

Afternoon: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, check in to your central hotel, and spend the afternoon diving into the city’s vibrant energy at your own pace.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City – Iconic Landmarks

All Day: Relax at your leisure or join a highlights city tour to explore Saigon’s iconic architecture and history: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), and the deeply moving War Remnants Museum.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure 

Morning: Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel. This morning is yours to spend at leisure for last-minute souvenir shopping or café hopping before your departure flight. Afterward, embark on a smooth road transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, arriving in good time for your flight home.