13-Day Private Cultural Tour of Vietnam with Halong Bay Cruise

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13 days • Not CancellableMeet on locationInstant confirmationPrivate tourMin age 2+ • Operated by Metta Voyage
13-Day Private Cultural Tour of Vietnam with Halong Bay Cruise13-Day Private Cultural Tour of Vietnam with Halong Bay Cruise13-Day Private Cultural Tour of Vietnam with Halong Bay Cruise
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Why we love it?

The "Best of Vietnam" tour is a comprehensive 13-day journey that takes travelers from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, featuring a diverse range of experiences across the country. This tour is ideal for those seeking an in-depth exploration of Vietnam's rich culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities, with a focus on comfort and convenience through private transportation and 4-star accommodations. A highlight of the itinerary includes a 2-day, 1-night cruise in Halong Bay, where participants can engage in activities such as kayaking, a cooking class, and Tai Chi, immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage site. With expert English-speaking guides and a well-planned schedule, this tour offers a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, catering to both first-time visitors and those looking to deepen their understanding of Vietnam.

Inclusions

  • Private air-conditioned transportation throughout the trip
  • Expert English-speaking tour guide as per itinerary
  • 4-star accommodation in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast
  • Meals as stated in itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
  • Halong Bay 2-day 1-night cruise with 4 meals and onboard activities (kayaking, cooking class, Tai Chi)
  • Private Hanoi Egg Coffee & City Tour
  • Private Sapa Cat Cat Village Tour
  • Private Sapa Fansipan Peak Tour (cable car ticket included)
  • Private Ninh Binh - Trang An - Hang Mua day tour
  • Private Nha Trang City Tour
  • SIC Nha Trang Hopping Island Tour
  • Private Ho Chi Minh City Tour
  • Private Mekong Delta day tour
  • SIC Phu Quoc 3 Islands Tour by Speedboat
  • All entrance fees for sites as mentioned in itinerary
  • 24/7 hotline support during your trip

Exclusions

  • International and domestic flight tickets
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Vietnam visa approval letter (US$25/pax) and airport stamping fee (US$25/pax cash)
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, boat crew
  • Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, alcoholic drinks, etc.)
  • Peak season and Tet Lunar New Year surcharges
  • Compulsory Christmas/New Year's Eve gala dinners at some hotels and resorts

Itinerary

Day 1

Hanoi Arrival - Half-day City Tour with Egg Coffee

  • Welcome to Vietnam! Your private driver meets you at Noi Bai Airport with a signboard and transfers you to your 4-star hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Check-in from 14:00.

    Afternoon city tour: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first university). Stroll through the Old Quarter's maze of alleys and discover the famous Hanoi Egg Coffee at a hidden local cafe. 

Day 2

Hanoi to Sapa - Cat Cat Ethnic Village (B)
  • to Cat Cat Village

    Breakfast at hotel, then 6-hour scenic drive to Sapa through mountain roads. Check in at 4-star boutique hotel.

    Afternoon visit to Cat Cat Village, home of the Black H'mong ethnic people located at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Trek 2.5km (~2 hours) down into the valley to see the waterfall and Hydraulic Power Station; experience daily life of the locals.

Day 3

Sapa - Fansipan Peak & Love Waterfall (B)
  • spiritual pagodas

    Morning Muong Hoa mountain train then cable car (20 minutes) to Fansipan Peak at 3,143m — the Roof of Indochina. Trek ~600 steps to the summit (20-30 min), visit spiritual pagodas, and enjoy panoramic views of Muong Hoa valley.

    Return to Sapa town by cable car and train. Time for Love Waterfall visit before returning to hotel.

Day 4

Hanoi - Halong Bay Overnight Cruise (B/L/D)
  • 08:00 Pickup from Sapa/Hanoi hotel

    08:00 Pickup from Sapa/Hanoi hotel. 

    11:30 arrive Tuan Chau Harbor. 

    12:00 board 4-star cruise with welcome drink and safety briefing.

    13:00 Vietnamese seafood lunch while cruising Halong & Lan Ha Bay admiring limestone karsts. 

    15:00 kayaking at Ba Trai Dao lagoon or relax on sundeck. 

    17:30 sunset party, happy hour, cooking class. 

    19:00 dinner followed by squid fishing and entertainment.

Day 5

Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/Br)
  • 06:00 Tai Chi and breakfast with bay views

    06:00 Tai Chi and breakfast with bay views. 

    07:00 bamboo boat to explore Dark & Bright Cave. 

    09:30 back to cabin for check-out. Brunch while cruising back to harbor.

    11:00 tender boat to Tuan Chau Island. Optional seaplane viewing. Return to Hanoi hotel around 16:30.

Day 6

Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Trang An - Hang Mua - Hanoi (B)
  • 07:00 Guide meets at hotel for 110km drive through verdant countryside

    07:00 Guide meets at hotel for 110km drive through verdant countryside. 

    10:30 visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel (Dinh and Le King Temples, 17th century).

    11:30 leisure cycling on rural roads alongside canals and limestone mountains. 

    13:30 sampan cruise through UNESCO Trang An Grottoes — Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Dai Cave, Thanh Truot Cave — and Cao Son, Suoi Tien, Vu Lam Temples.

    15:30 climb Hang Mua (Ngoa Long mountain) for spectacular rice valley views. 

    18:30 return to Hanoi hotel.

Day 7

Hanoi - Fly to Nha Trang - City Tour (B)

  • Breakfast then transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Cam Ranh (Nha Trang). Welcome guide and private driver transfer to beachfront 4-star hotel.

    Free time for Night Market shopping and strolling along Nha Trang's famous beach promenade.

Day 8

Nha Trang Hopping Island Tour (B/L)
  • SIC boat tour to 4 scenic islands

    SIC boat tour to 4 scenic islands: snorkeling, swimming, and seafood lunch on the boat with onboard music entertainment.

    Highlights: Mun Island (coral reef), Mot Island (beach), Tam Island (floating bar). Return to hotel late afternoon.

Day 9

Nha Trang - Fly to Phu Quoc Island (B)
  • Morning flight to Phu Quoc Island

    Morning flight to Phu Quoc Island. Private transfer to beachfront 4-star resort. Free afternoon to enjoy sunset beach, resort pool, or spa services.

Day 10

Phu Quoc 3 Islands Tour & Aquatopia (B/L)
  • 09:00 An Thoi Harbor

    09:00 An Thoi Harbor. Speedboat to 4 scenic islands: Namaste islet (optional seawalking with oxygen helmet, personal charge), Fingernail Island (beach), Gam Ghi Island (colorful coral snorkeling), May Rut Island (longest beach with coconut trees).

    Seafood lunch on island (8 dishes). Optional Aquatopia Water Park via cable car. 18:00 return to resort.

Day 11

Phu Quoc - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh Half-day City Tour (B)
  • Morning flight from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City

    Morning flight from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City. Afternoon city tour: Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral, historic Central Post Office, and War Remnants Museum.

Day 12

Full Day Mekong Delta (B/L)
  • Drive to My Tho

    Drive to My Tho. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda then board sampan to cruise around Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands.

    Unicorn Island: country lane walking, tropical fruits, folk song music, fruit plantation, honey-bee farm, honey tea and coconut candy workshop. Hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal.

    Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon cycling around Tan Thach village meeting local residents. Return to Saigon. Drop-off time may vary based on traffic and weather.

Day 13

Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (B)
  • Breakfast at hotel

    Breakfast at hotel. Free morning for last-minute shopping and souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh city. Get on a private transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight. End of services — we look forward to welcoming you back to Vietnam!

Please Note

  • Limited mobility accessible
  • Itinerary
  • This is a typical 13-day Vietnam itinerary. Daily schedules may be adjusted due to weather conditions, flight timings, or local events. Halong Bay kayaking is subject to sea conditions. Cruise operator may be substituted with equivalent category if originally scheduled boat is unavailable. Domestic flights between Hanoi-Nha Trang, Nha Trang-Phu Quoc, and Phu Quoc-HCMC are not included in the tour price and will be quoted separately.

Know Before You Go

  • Passport required
  • Public transportation nearby
  • Infants must sit on laps

Cancellation Policy

Non-refundable booking

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