13-Day Essence of Northern & Central Vietnam

13-Day Essence of Northern & Central Vietnam

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Duration

13 Day 12 Night

Tour Type

Private

Group Size

Languages

English

About this tour

This 13-day itinerary offers a deep dive into the cultural heritage, dramatic landscapes, and historic treasures of Vietnam. Designed for discerning travelers, this route seamlessly connects the chaotic charm of Hanoi, the limestone wonders of Ninh Binh and Halong Bay, the imperial grandeur of Hue, and the timeless lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.

Highlights

- UNESCO World Heritage sites: Explore five spectacular heritage locations including Halong Bay, Trang An Landscape Complex, Hue Imperial Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Sanctuary.
- Overnight luxury cruise: Sail through the jaw-dropping limestone karsts of Halong Bay on a boutique vessel, complete with kayaking and sunrise Tai Chi.
- Hanoi street food tour: Immerse yourself in the capital's culinary identity with a private food walk sampling Bun Cha, Banh Mi, and iconic Egg Coffee.
- Ninh Binh rural cycling: Pedal through peaceful northern villages, explore ancient cave temples, and climb Mua Cave for panoramic valley vistas.
- The epic Hai Van Pass: Experience one of the world's most beautiful coastal drives, snaking between mountain peaks and the East Vietnam Sea.
- Eco-farming & fishing: Try your hand at traditional agriculture in Tra Que village and paddle a unique bamboo basket boat through coconut waterways.
- Leisure in Hoi An: Enjoy a perfectly placed free day in Vietnam's most charming town to shop, tailor custom clothes, or relax on An Bang Beach.

Included/Excluded

Accommodation: 11 nights in 3/4/5-star hotels + 1 night luxury cruise

Transportation: Private AC vehicles, limousine transfers, airport pick-ups

Domestic flight: from Hanoi to Hue - economy class ticket(s)

Guiding: Licensed English-speaking local guides

Meals: All meals indicated by abbreviations next to day titles (B: Breakfast, BR: Brunch, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)

Entrance fees: All tickets to sights, boat trips and workshops as the itnerary.

International flights: Flights to/from Vietnam

Visas: Vietnam visa fees and processing

Personal expenses: Laundry, telephone calls, drinks

Gratuities: Tips for tour guides and drivers (reccommended 3-5 USD/pax/day)

Travel insurance: Highly recommended optional coverage

Bank fee: for international issued card payment

All others are not indicated clearly in the itinerary and "inclusion"

Itinerary

- Activity: Your private guide and driver will meet you at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Enjoy a leisure evening to adjust to the timezone and after a long flight.
- Accommodation: hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.

- Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, the historic One Pillar Pagoda, and the 11th-century Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university.
- Afternoon: Explore the Museum of Ethnology to understand Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Follow this with a traditional 45-minute cyclo ride through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter.
- Evening: Free time to get around or sampling iconic dishes like Bun Cha, Banh Mi, and finishing with a famous Egg Coffee.

- Morning: Depart Hanoi for a 2-hour drive to Ninh Binh, often called "Halong Bay on land". Explore Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties.
- Afternoon: Board a traditional sampan boat in Trang An (a UNESCO World Heritage site) for a 2-hour row through majestic limestone caves and hidden valleys.
- Evening: Check into your eco-resort and free time for dinner restaurants nearby.

- Morning: Cycle through local villages to the Bich Dong Pagoda, a cave temple built into the mountainside. Challenge yourself with a 500-step climb up Mua Cave for a panoramic view over the Ngo Dong River.
- Afternoon: Transfer back to Hanoi. Spend your final evening in the capital shopping or strolling around the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake.

Morning: Depart via luxury limousine transfer to Halong Bay, a UNESCO Natural Wonder.
Afternoon: Board your luxury boutique cruise ship. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch as the vessel sails past iconic limestone islets. Visit a hidden cave (such as Sung Sot or Thien Canh Son or Dark & Bright caves) and try kayaking in the emerald waters.
Evening: Attend a cooking demonstration on the sundeck, followed by a gourmet dinner. Spend the night onboard anchored in a quiet bay.

Morning: Start your day with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck at sunrise. Visit a local floating pearl farm or a secluded beach before a brunch buffet.
Afternoon: Disembark the cruise and transfer directly to Noi Bai Airport for a short domestic flight to Hue, the former imperial capital.
Evening: Check into your hotel in Hue and enjoy a relaxing dinner by the Perfume River.

Morning: Step back in time at the massive Imperial Citadel, home to the Nguyen Emperors. Explore the Forbidden Purple City, which still carries the scars of past conflicts.
Afternoon: Board a private dragon boat on the Perfume River to visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue by car to visit the grand, European-influenced Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh and the poetic Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.

Morning: Depart Hue for a scenic drive south. Stop at the pristine Lang Co Beach before ascending the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds), stopping at the summit for panoramic coastal photos.
Afternoon: Pass through Da Nang city and visit the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills housing hidden caves and shrines. Arrive in the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Hoi An by mid-afternoon.

Morning: Enjoy a guided walking tour through the pedestrian-only streets of Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Tan Ky Old House, and the vibrant local market.
Afternoon: Participate in a private Lantern-Making Workshop hosted by a local artisan, where you will craft your own traditional silk lantern to take home as a souvenir. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure.

Morning: Cycle to the nearby Tra Que Vegetable Village. Join local farmers in the fields to learn traditional planting and watering techniques.
Afternoon: Travel to the Cam Thanh Coconut Village. Board a unique Bamboo Basket Boat to navigate the narrow water coconut channels, learning how local fishermen cast their nets.
Evening: Spend a free evening watching the thousands of colorful lanterns illuminate the Thu Bon River.

Morning: Drive 1 hour to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the majestic ruins of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Walk among the red-brick tower temples built between the 4th and 13th centuries.
Afternoon: Return to Hoi An. The rest of the day is completely free for you to relax at An Bang Beach, visit world-class tailor shops, or enjoy a traditional Vietnamese spa treatment.

- Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your resort.
- Afternoon: The entire day is completely free for you to enjoy the magic of Hoi An at your own pace. You can relax at the resort pool, head down to An Bang Beach for a swim, or hire a bicycle to explore the surrounding peaceful rice paddies.
- Evening: Take a final evening stroll through the lantern-lit streets of the Ancient Town, do some last-minute shopping at the night market, or enjoy a riverside dinner independently.

- Activity: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Your private driver will pick you up from your Hoi An hotel and provide a smooth, 45-minute direct transfer to Da Nang International Airport (DAD) for your departure flight home or onward journey. Tour concludes.

Frequently asked questions

Booking & Payment Policy:

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking confirmation.
Final payment: The remaining 70% balance must be paid no later than 45 days prior to the departure date.
Last-minute bookings: For reservations made within 45 days of departure, full payment is required immediately upon confirmation.

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email. The cancellation fee is determined by the date the written notice is received relative to the departure date:

- 46+ days prior: Loss of the non-refundable 30% deposit.
- 31 to 45 days prior: 50% of the total tour price will be charged.
- 15 to 30 days prior: 75% of the total tour price will be charged.
- 0 to 14 days prior (or No-Show): 100% of the total tour price will be charged.
- Note: Separate, stricter cancellation penalties may apply to domestic flights and high-season cruise allocations during peak holidays (e.g., Lunar New Year).

Alterations & Force Majeure:

- Route adjustments: The operator reserves the right to alter the itinerary due to weather conditions, flight schedule changes, or safety concerns. Equivalent alternative arrangements will always be provided.
- Unused services: No refunds or exchanges will be given for any unused tour components, accommodations or meals.