South to North Vietnam Culture Tour 10 Days

Savor a good breakfast at your hotel and be ready in the lobby at about 8:00 am to start your city tour. Your guide will first take you to the War Remnants Museum. The museum is divided into themed sections that display documents, photographs, and artifacts about Vietnam’s resistance against the United States from 1954 to 1975. One section focuses on war crimes and the lasting effects of Agent Orange — a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Vietnamese people and the deep appreciation for peace. From here, continue to the Reunification Palace, where the significant historic event took place on 30th April 1975, when Tank 390 of the Vietnamese army smashed the main gate of the presidential palace, leading to the collapse of the Saigon government, officially unifying the country. Continue your trip to the Old Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral for a touch of the prominent architecture of these landmarks. You will have time for lunch on your own and take a rest.  As night falls, Saigon reveals another side of itself. From the back of a Vespa, you’ll slip through alleys glowing with food stalls, following the smell of fresh herbs and sizzling meat. Along the way, there are chances to taste beloved street dishes, raise a glass with a cocktail, and finish the night in a local bar filled with music and laughter. This is not the Saigon of postcards, but the Saigon that locals live and love every day.  

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City 

Meals: breakfast 

Your adventure begins before sunrise with a drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta. By early morning you arrive in Can Tho and step aboard a boat bound for Cai Rang, the largest floating market in the region. As you drift among trading boats piled high with produce, breakfast is served on the water—steaming noodles and strong local coffee that capture the flavor of the delta. You’ll also pause to visit a family workshop where rice noodles are made by hand and enjoy sweet pineapple, peeled and offered fresh on the boat. From here, the boat carries you to Son Islet, a small riverside community surrounded by lush gardens. Wander through orchards, visit fish farms, and try playful experiences such as a koi fish foot massage or crossing a traditional monkey bridge. Join local families to learn how to make cakes and puffed rice, then sit down to a shared lunch known as the “flying menu,” where each household prepares a different dish. In the afternoon, continue your journey to Chau Doc. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy dinner before having the evening free to explore the riverside town at your own pace.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, begin the morning with a visit to Thoai Ngoc Hau Mausoleum, honoring the mandarin who first reclaimed and developed Chau Doc’s fertile land. A short walk leads you to the Lady Xu Temple, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region, before pausing at Tay An Pagoda with its colorful mix of ancient architecture in Vietnam and Indian style.  From here, continue to Tra Su Cajuput Forest, a vast wetland sanctuary alive with birdlife and lush greenery. Glide by motorboat and paddleboat through flooded groves where cormorants, egrets, and kingfishers nest among the trees, the tranquil waterways offering a gentle contrast to the lively towns. You’ll also have the chance to stroll across Vietnam’s longest bamboo bridge, an experience that brings you even closer to the forest’s beauty. Around midday, continue to Sa Dec for lunch before exploring its flower village, where colorful blossoms line the canals. Depending on the season, you may also visit the Date Palm Garden, where century-old palms bear fruit only once a year. In the afternoon, step into Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, famously associated with French writer Marguerite Duras, who later received the prestigious Prix Goncourt for a novel inspired by this youthful romance. Afterwards, stop at Kien An Cung Pagoda, a temple built by the Fujianese community more than a century ago. As the day comes to a close, return to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in the evening with vivid impressions of the landscapes, traditions, and stories that define life in the Mekong Delta.  

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City 

Meals: breakfast 

Today you will leave Saigon and fly north to Hanoi. After breakfast, your driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to the airport. On arrival in Hanoi, our representative will be waiting to escort you to your hotel. Take the rest of the day to settle in and relax after the flight.  

Overnight in Ha Noi 

Meals: breakfast

After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Hanoi to discover the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can learn about the life and legacy of “Uncle Ho,” before continuing to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has stood at the heart of Vietnam’s history for more than a thousand years. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, a tranquil space dedicated to Confucius and the country’s long tradition of scholarship. In the afternoon, head to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist shrine in Hanoi, peacefully set on the banks of West Lake. As evening falls, enjoy a traditional water puppet performance—an art form unique to northern Vietnam that brings to life tales of rural folklore and village life. Return to your hotel with a deeper sense of the culture and heritage that shape this vibrant city.  

Overnight in Ha Noi 

Meals: breakfast 

Begin your morning with breakfast then leave the capital’s lively streets and journey toward Halong Bay, a UNESCO-listed wonder known for its crystal-clear waters and towering limestone islands.  On boarding, a fresh welcome drink will be served as you listen to a cruise briefing. Then unwind and settle into your cabin before savoring your lunch at the restaurant. After a short rest, you’ll visit an impressive cave and have time for swimming at a peaceful beach in the afternoon. Afterward, unwind on deck or join a relaxed cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare a simple Vietnamese specialty. Happy hour is a perfect chance to sip a cocktail and watch the sun set. The cruise will treat you to dinner in the restaurant, after which you can spend some time on the Sky bar or a bit of squid fishing.   

Overnight on cruise in Ha Long 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Wake up to the tranquil beauty of Halong Bay and join a dawn activity such as Tai Chi on the sundeck. After breakfast, the cruise continues through the spectacular karst scenery and may include a visit to a fishing village before you check out and enjoy brunch around 10:00 am. Once the boat docks at the harbor, you’ll be transferred back to Hanoi. The rest of the day is yours to relax at your own pace.  

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: breakfast, brunch

Day 9 invites you into the heart of Vietnamese cuisine with a truly hands-on cooking class. At 9:00 am, meet your host and accompany the chef to a lively local market, where you’ll select fresh ingredients while learning how they shape daily meals in Vietnam. Back in the kitchen, roll up your sleeves for a two-hour session of chopping, stirring, and seasoning as you prepare iconic dishes such as green mango salad, phở (Beef/chicken noodle soup), Hanoi-style spring rolls, chả cá (Hanoi traditional fried fish), bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake), or grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves. This interactive experience not only teaches you the techniques but also gives you a taste of local culinary traditions. To conclude, gather around the table to savor the delicious dishes you’ve created—your own homemade Vietnamese feast.  

Overnight in Hanoi 

Meals: breakfast, lunch (dishes in the cooking class)

Bidding farewell to Hanoi, your driver will transfer you to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight, ending 10 days travelling from the South toward North Vietnam.  Thank you for choosing Hello Vietnam and we look forward to welcoming you back!   

Meals: breakfast