Highlight of Vietnam 10 Days

After breakfast, begin your full-day exploration of the capital’s cultural treasures at the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Visit Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence on September 2, 1945. Nearby stands the elegant French-colonial Presidential Palace and the simple stilt house where “Uncle Ho” lived and worked. Continue to the unique One Pillar Pagoda, a small yet striking structure built atop a single stone pillar, often regarded as a symbol of Hanoi’s spiritual heritage. Next, step into the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, founded in the 11th century and dedicated to Confucian ideals. With its shaded courtyards, carved stone steles, and traditional architecture, the temple offers a serene glimpse into the country’s scholarly past. Enjoy lunch at your own arrangement. In the afternoon, visit one of Hanoi’s notable museums—choose between the Military History Museum, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, or the Museum of Ethnology. Later, head to the Thang Long Theater for a traditional water puppet performance, a uniquely Vietnamese art form that originated in the Red River Delta. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: breakfast 

Today, you’ll leave the city behind and head to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its breathtaking seascape of limestone karsts, emerald waters and thousands of scattered islands. After a comfortable drive, board your boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you settle in and get ready for your overnight cruise. Lunch is served as the boat begins to glide through the bay’s beautiful limestone islands—an ever-changing view that’s perfect for kicking back and soaking it all in. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a cave and have time for a swim if the weather’s right. Then, return to the boat for a relaxing break, or join a casual cooking session where you’ll try your hand at making a Vietnamese dish. Happy hour is a great chance to grab a drink and catch the sunset from the deck. Dinner is served onboard, followed by optional evening fun—maybe a drink at the bar, a bit of squid fishing, or simply enjoying the peaceful night on the water.  

Overnight on cruise in Halong Bay

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Awaken to the gentle sunrise over Halong Bay and breathe in the fresh sea air while taking in the stunning scenery. Enjoy a light breakfast before visiting a nearby fishing village to see local life on the water. Return to the cruise for check-out, with lunch served around 10:00 am. After disembarking, transfer back to Hanoi to catch your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to rest, or step out for a cyclo ride to explore the evening atmosphere of Hue.  

Overnight in Hue

Meals: breakfast, brunch 

This morning, immerse yourself in the cultural heart of Hue. Begin at the Imperial City, once the political and ceremonial center of the Nguyen emperors, where palaces, temples, and imposing gates reflect the grandeur of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty. Continue to the riverside Thien Mu Pagoda, a landmark of spiritual life in Hue with its iconic octagonal tower, then visit the elegant tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, admired for its symmetry and tranquil gardens.   After lunch, explore the royal mausoleums of later Nguyen rulers. Discover the ornate mosaics and European-inspired details of Khai Dinh’s Tomb, followed by the graceful pavilions and poetic setting of Tu Duc’s Tomb. Conclude the day with a scenic drive through Hai Van Pass, arriving in Hoi An by evening.  

Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: breakfast 

Enjoy breakfast before setting out on the one-hour drive to My Son Sanctuary, a sacred site of the Champa Kingdom dating back more than a thousand years. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, My Son is home to remarkable architectural remains. Its red-brick towers, decorated with intricate carvings, reflect the spiritual symbolism and refined artistry of the ancient Cham civilization. Later, return to Hoi An for lunch at your own expense. In the afternoon, travel to the tranquil Cam Thanh Coconut Village, an ecotourism haven where you’ll enjoy an authentic basket-boat ride through swaying water coconut groves. Back in town, embark on a guided walking tour: Cross the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, famously depicted on the 20,000 VND banknote; step inside the Phung Hung Ancient House, with its blend of Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese influences; and admire the ornate Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau. As night falls, lanterns light up the streets of Hoi An, casting a magical glow over the town.

Overnight in Hoi An 

Meals: breakfast 

Leaving Hoi An at around 7:30 AM, you’ll head to Da Nang, a vibrant coastal city that blends natural beauty with cultural heritage. Your first stop is the scenic Son Tra Peninsula (also known as Monkey Mountain), where you’ll visit the striking Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the towering Lady Buddha statue—standing 67 meters tall and gazing out over the East Sea. Next, explore the Cham Museum, which holds the world’s largest collection of Cham sculptures and artifacts, reflecting the spiritual and artistic heritage of the ancient Champa Kingdom. After that you’ll be transferred to Da Nang International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, the driver will greet you and take you to your hotel in the heart of Sai Gon for check in. Take a rest after the flight or you may want to walk around to first feel the rhythms of this dynamic space.   

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: breakfast 

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 70 kilometers northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City. Hidden beneath dense jungle, this astonishing underground network once served as shelter, command centers, supply routes, and even field hospitals during the resistance against American forces. As you explore a preserved section of the tunnels, you’ll gain a vivid sense of the harsh conditions and extraordinary resilience of those who lived and fought here. Whether crouching through narrow passageways or observing from above, it’s a powerful window into a remarkable chapter of Vietnam’s past. Return to the city for a break and enjoy lunch at your own pace.   In the afternoon, visit some of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic landmarks. Begin with the War Remnants Museum, which is divided into themed sections that display documents, photographs, and artifacts about Vietnam’s resistance against the United States from 1954 to 1975. Continue to Notre Dame Cathedral, a red-brick landmark from the late 1800s that reflects the city’s French colonial heritage. Just opposite, admire the Central Post Office, a striking public building with arched ceilings, decorative tiles, and vintage maps lining the walls. Conclude with a stroll through Ben Thanh Market, one of Saigon’s oldest and most vibrant bazaars, where colorful stalls are packed with textiles, handicrafts, fresh produce, and local delicacies.  

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: breakfast 

Departing from Ho Chi Minh City in the morning, you'll head to Tiền Giang Province to begin your exploration of the Mekong Delta. The first stop is Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda, a well-known Buddhist site built in the early 19th century, noted for its blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles. From the pier, board a boat for a short cruise on the Mekong River, passing by floating houses where fish are raised underneath. You’ll then arrive at Unicorn Island, where a short cart ride brings you to a shaded garden. Here, you can listen to traditional Southern folk music and taste a variety of fresh tropical fruits. Continue with a peaceful hand-rowed sampan trip along narrow canals lined with water coconut trees, giving you a closer view of local life along the waterways. In the afternoon, visit a small bee farm, where you can enjoy a cup of honey tea and learn a bit about local beekeeping practices. Before lunch, stop by a family-run coconut candy workshop, where the process of making this local treat is demonstrated, and samples are offered. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.  

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: breakfast 

Enjoy your last breakfast before a private transfer takes you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight, concluding a 10-day journey through highlights of Vietnam.   

Meals: breakfast