Best Vietnam Tour

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our friendly WaytoVietnam guide and driver will warmly greet you and arrange a comfortable private transfer to your hotel.  
After checking in, the rest of the day is free to relax and recover after your flight. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi is a city of graceful French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, serene lakes, and centuries-old pagodas. Today, explore the capital's heritage and get a closer look at everyday life in Hanoi.
Start your morning at the historic Ho Chi Minh Complex, visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, his Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda nearby. Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake before exploring the historic grounds of the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university.
In the afternoon, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, set on a small island in the lake. Afterwards, sit back and enjoy a relaxing one-hour cyclo ride through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, a simple way to see the sights, sounds, shops, and everyday activity of Hanoi.

In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railway Station to board the overnight train heading north to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train

Temple of Literature

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Hoan Kiem Lake

Arrive at Lao Cai Railway Station around 6:00 AM, where your WaytoVietnam driver and guide will meet you for the transfer to Sapa. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, with mountain views along the way.
After arriving in Sapa, enjoy breakfast and some time to rest after the overnight train journey. You can relax at the hotel or take a gentle walk around town before lunch.
In the afternoon, take a light walk to Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H'mong community. Follow the village paths through the mountain landscape, passing terraced rice fields, streams, and traditional houses along the way. Continue to Cat Cat Waterfall, where you can also see the remains of a small hydroelectric power station built by the French in 1925, nearly a century ago.
Along the way, meet local families and learn about everyday life and traditional crafts such as hemp weaving and indigo dyeing.

Overnight in Sapa.

Start the morning with a short drive from your hotel to Muong Hoa Valley.
Begin the trek to Lao Chai Village, home to the Black H'mong community. Walk through the valley, passing terraced rice fields, streams and traditional houses. Along the way, visit a H'mong family home to learn more about their daily life and traditional way of living in the mountains.
Continue your walk to Ta Van Village, home to the Dzay ethnic minority. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in the village, with time to enjoy a simple meal and rest before continuing the trek.
In the afternoon, follow the trail through bamboo forests toward Giang Ta Chai Village, home to the Red Dao community. Cross a wooden suspension bridge and pass a waterfall as you continue through the mountain landscape.
After the trek, walk to the main road where your private vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Sapa Town.

Overnight in Sapa.

In the early morning, depart Sapa for Bac Ha, approximately a 2.5-hour drive. Held every Sunday, Bac Ha Market is one of the largest and most colourful highland markets in northern Vietnam. It brings together people from different ethnic communities, including the Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, and Nung.
The market offers a lively glimpse into highland life, with colourful stalls selling traditional clothing, handmade crafts, local produce, and livestock such as cattle, pigs, horses, and poultry. You will also find Bac Ha corn wine, a well-known specialty of the region.
One of the market's best-known specialties is Thang Co, traditionally prepared with horse meat, bones, and offal. Large pots are served hot with local herbs and often enjoyed with corn wine.
Beyond trading, Bac Ha Market is also an important social gathering for people from the surrounding mountain communities. After selling their goods, many local men gather to eat, chat, and share cups of corn wine, creating a lively atmosphere that is very much part of the market experience.
After exploring the market, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Ban Pho Village, home to the Flower Hmong community and well known for its traditional Bac Ha corn wine. Visit a local home to learn about the traditional process of fermenting locally grown corn with natural yeast before distilling it into the strong spirit for which the area is known.
In the afternoon, rejoin your private vehicle for the transfer back to Lao Cai Railway Station. Have dinner on your own before boarding the 21:30 overnight train to Hanoi.

Overnight on the train in an air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin.

The overnight train arrives at Hanoi Railway Station early in the morning, around 5:00 AM. Meet your driver for a smooth transfer to a hotel to freshen up, enjoy a warm breakfast, and relax before continuing your journey to Halong Bay.

Around 9:00 AM, depart Hanoi by private vehicle for a comfortable 2.5 to 3-hour drive to the coast. Upon arrival at the harbor, board your boutique cruise vessel, check into your cabin, and enjoy a warm welcome drink as the ship sets sail.

Savor a fresh lunch onboard while cruising through the emerald waters, surrounded by dramatic limestone islands and islets. In the afternoon, explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave—one of the bay's most magnificent limestone caverns. Continue to Titop Island, where you can climb to the summit viewpoint for breathtaking 360-degree views over Halong Bay, or simply unwind on the sandy beach.

Return to the ship to relax on the sundeck, take part in sunset activities, or simply soak in the serene seascape. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner onboard before settling in for a peaceful night on the bay.

Overnight on Halong Bay cruise.

Start your morning with a Tai Chi/Yoga session on the sundeck, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the bay wake up.
Continue cruising through Halong Bay and join the morning activities arranged by the cruise, which may include visiting a cave or kayaking, depending on the cruise itinerary. Return to the boat to pack your luggage and enjoy a farewell brunch as the cruise heads back to the main harbor.
Disembark around midday and meet your private driver for the transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive in the city in the late afternoon and have some free time to relax, enjoy dinner at your own expense, or take a short walk around the Old Quarter.
In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railway Station to board the overnight train heading south to Hue.
Overnight on the train in an air-conditioned soft-sleeper cabin (4 people/cabin). A private 2-person cabin is available upon request.

Arrive at Hue Railway Station around 8:00 AM, where your private WaytoVietnam guide and driver will warmly welcome you. Head to a local restaurant for a traditional Hue breakfast and time to refresh after the overnight train journey.

Begin your exploration with a peaceful dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the iconic seven-story landmark set gracefully on the riverbank. Step ashore to soak in the serene atmosphere before continuing to the grand Imperial Citadel, the former historic seat of the Nguyen Dynasty. Stroll through its majestic gates, palaces, and courtyards while discovering the rich stories of Vietnam’s imperial past.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring authentic central Vietnamese cuisine, then transfer to your hotel for check-in and a comfortable midday rest.

In the afternoon, venture into the quiet countryside to visit the remarkable Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Emperors, such as King Tu Duc or Khai Dinh Tomb. Here, the unique harmony of traditional architecture, tranquil gardens, and natural landscapes beautifully reflects the personality of each ruler.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for a relaxed evening.

Overnight in Hue.

Hue Imperial Citadel

Specialities and Restaurants in Hue

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Hue. You can explore a local market, take a stroll along the Perfume River, or simply relax at your hotel.
In the afternoon, meet your private WaytoVietnam driver and guide for the journey south toward Hoi An. Stop at Lang Co, a coastal area known for its lagoon and fishing communities, with time to take photos and enjoy the views.
Continue over the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass), the mountain road connecting Hue and Da Nang. Stop along the pass to take in views of the coastline and surrounding mountains.
Before reaching Hoi An, visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang, a group of limestone hills with Buddhist pagodas, shrines and caves.
Continue to Hoi An and arrive in the late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and some time to relax.

Overnight in Hoi An.

In the morning, depart Hoi An for My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site located 40 km southwest of the ancient town. Once the sacred religious and political center of the Champa Kingdom, this serene valley features red-brick temple towers built between the 4th and 13th centuries. Explore the sanctuary with your guide to discover its surviving temple towers, shrines, and stone carvings while learning about the history, architecture, and spiritual traditions of the ancient Cham civilization.

Return to Hoi An around midday for lunch at a carefully selected Vietnamese restaurant along the river, enjoying regional specialties in a relaxed atmosphere.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely walking tour through Hoi An Ancient Town, a beautifully preserved UNESCO trading port. Stroll along its atmospheric streets and visit historic merchant houses, vibrant Chinese assembly halls, and traditional temples. Continue to the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An's most celebrated landmarks. Throughout the walk, your guide will share fascinating stories of Hoi An's rich history and the unique fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences that shaped the town over the centuries.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure—stroll through the lantern-lit streets, explore local artisan shops, savor dinner at a riverside restaurant, or take an optional boat ride along the tranquil Thu Bon River.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy breakfast and a relaxed morning in Hoi An before checking out. Meet your driver for a smooth transfer to Da Nang International Airport for your short domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival, your WaytoVietnam guide and driver will warmly welcome you and head straight into the countryside toward the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 70 km northwest of the city. Explore this remarkable underground network with your guide to discover its hidden living quarters, field hospitals, and meeting rooms while gaining an authentic insight into the history and engineering behind the wartime complex. You will also have the opportunity to step inside a preserved section of the tunnel to experience life underground firsthand.
Afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch featuring authentic local flavors at a restaurant in Cu Chi before driving back to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

In the afternoon, discover the city's iconic landmarks. Visit the landmark Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), the former presidential residence and a key site in modern Vietnamese history. Continue to the Saigon Central Post Office to admire its grand French colonial architecture, and stop outside the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon for photos.
Transfer to your hotel in the late afternoon to check in. The evening is yours to relax or begin exploring the vibrant streets of Saigon at your leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the morning, depart Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic drive south into the Mekong Delta toward Ben Tre, a province well known for its coconut groves and riverside countryside. Upon arrival, board a private motorized boat and cruise along the Ben Tre River, passing coconut-lined banks and getting a glimpse of everyday life along the waterways.
Disembark to explore local cottage workshops, where you can see how coconut candy and traditional crafts are made. Continue by xe loi or bicycle through quiet village lanes and lush coconut groves. Then board a hand-rowed sampan and glide through narrow, palm-shaded canals, offering a closer look at life in the countryside.
Enjoy lunch featuring Southern Vietnamese specialties, including the crispy deep-fried Elephant Ear Fish, at a local restaurant surrounded by the peaceful countryside. Fried Elephant Ear Fish is a classic Mekong Delta dish and a particularly well-known specialty of the region.
In the afternoon, visit Dong Tam Snake Farm before beginning the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive back at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and spend your remaining time in Ho Chi Minh City at leisure. You may wish to do some last-minute souvenir shopping at Ben Thanh Market, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee at a sidewalk café, or simply relax at your hotel before your journey home. Ben Thanh Market and Vietnamese coffee are both well-known parts of the Ho Chi Minh City experience. Vietnam Tourism
At the appointed time, meet your private driver for a comfortable transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.

Thank you for traveling with WaytoVietnam Travel. We wish you a safe journey home and hope to welcome you back to Vietnam in the future.