Ultimate 9-Day Journey from Dragon Bays Highlights

Ultimate 9-Day Journey from Dragon Bays Highlights

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Duration

9 Day 8 Night

Tour Type

Private

Group Size

Languages

English

About this tour

Discover the magic of Vietnam with this 9-day Vietnam heritage tour from Hanoi to Hoi An. This expertly crafted Vietnam itinerary blends deep cultural immersion with breathtaking landscapes, covering five iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Begin your journey exploring historic Hanoi, cruising emerald waters on a luxury Halong Bay cruise, and rowing through Ninh Binh. Travel south to uncover the imperial majesty of Hue, drive the scenic Hai Van Pass, and wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.

Perfect for travelers seeking an authentic Vietnam vacation package, this tour balances top attractions with leisure. Book your ultimate gateway today!

Highlights

UNESCO World Heritage sites: Explore five incredible heritage areas including Trang An, Halong Bay, the Complex of Hue Monuments, and Hoi An Ancient Town.
Luxury cruise experience: Spend a magical night on a 5-star modern cruise surrounded by thousands of limestone peaks.
Breathtaking coastal drives: Cross the legendary Hai Van Pass, widely celebrated as one of the most beautiful mountain ocean roads in the world.
Authentic cultural immersion: Glide on a traditional bamboo basket boat in a lush coconut forest and witness a live traditional water puppet performance.
Flexible pacing: Enjoy a completely unscripted free day in Hoi An to design your own perfect afternoon of beach relaxation, tailoring, or culinary exploration.

Included/Excluded

Accommodation: 7 nights in hotel (twin/double sharing) and 1 night on a luxury Halong Bay cruise cabin.
Transportation: Private air-conditioned vehicles for all airport transfers, land intercity connections, and sightseeing routes as detailed.
Domestic flight: One-way economy class flight ticket from Hanoi to Hue including standard checked baggage allowance.
Meals: Daily breakfasts at hotels, 1 cruise brunch, 5 lunches, and 1 dinner as indicated by meal codes (B, L, BR, D).
Guiding: Professional English-speaking local guides during scheduled sightseeing day tours.
Activities: All entrance fees for mentioned landmarks, traditional water puppet tickets, boat excursions in Trang An and basket boat rides in Hoi An.

International travel: Round-trip international flights to/from Vietnam and individual travel insurance.
Unscheduled meals: Lunches and dinners not specifically code-marked in the itinerary, plus all personal beverages.
Free day transit: Any personal transport, guide hire or activity costs incurred during the free day in Hoi An.
Discretionary tips: Tipping for drivers, local boat rowing teams and tour guides (recommended 3-5 USD/guest/day).

Itinerary

Flight arrival, your private driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you directly to your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter for check-in.
Optional: you can take a walking tour around Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple via the red Huc Bridge and try local egg coffee in the after if your arrival is in the morning time.
Evening show, you will attend the traditional Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theater.
Night exploration, you will have free time to dine at the night market or explore Ta Hien beer street at your own pace.

08:00 AM, your tour guide will pick you up to depart for the scenic province of Ninh Binh.
10:00 AM, you will explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to learn about the 10th-century Dinh and Lee dynasties.
12:00 PM, you will enjoy a buffet lunch featuring mountain goat meat and crispy rice crust.
01:30 PM, you will board a traditional sampan boat at the UNESCO World Heritage Trang An Landscape Complex to explore natural caves.
04:00 PM, you will challenge yourself by climbing 486 stone steps at Mua Cave for a panoramic view of the countryside.
06:00 PM, you will check into your Ninh Binh resort for an overnight stay.

08:00 AM, you will leave Ninh Binh via the highway toward Halong Bay.
11:30 AM, you will arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor to check in on a 4-to-5-star luxury cruise with a welcome drink.
01:00 PM, a seafood lunch will be served as the vessel glides past iconic limestone islets.
03:00 PM, you will visit the majestic Sung Sot or Thien Canh Son or Dark & Bright cave (depending on the cruise itinerary) and enjoy Kayaking or swimming .
06:00 PM, you can join a sunset party and a Vietnamese cooking class on the sundeck.
07:30 PM, a lavish dinner will be served, followed by night activities like squid fishing.

06:15 AM, you can start your day with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck to welcome the marine sunrise.
07:00 AM, a light breakfast is served while the cruise sails through other beautiful parts of the bay.
09:30 AM, you will check out of your cabin and enjoy an early brunch before the boat docks.
11:45 AM, your private car will pick you up from the harbor and drive to Noi Bai Airport.
06:00 PM, you will catch your flight to the UNESCO-listed Hue Imperial City and check into your hotel.

08:30 AM, your cultural tour begins at the Hue Imperial Citadel where you will explore the Ngo Mon Gate and the Forbidden Purple City.
10:30 AM, you will visit the historical Thien Mu Pagoda located right on the banks of the Perfume River.
12:00 PM, you will eat a lunch featuring Hue royal cuisine or traditional local cakes.
02:00 PM, you will explore the majestic Khai Dinh Tomb and the poetic Tu Duc Tomb.
07:00 PM, you can opt for a dragon boat trip with a live Royal Hue Folk Music performance on the river.

08:30 AM, you will depart Hue for your scenic drive south.
09:30 AM, you will stop to admire Lang Co Bay.
10:30 AM, your car will conquer the spectacular Hai Van Pass with a photo stop at the historic gate.
12:30 PM, you will arrive in Da Nang for lunch before continuing your short drive to Hoi An.
02:30 PM, you will check into your boutique hotel and begin a free afternoon.
05:00 PM, you can rent a bicycle and explore the paper-lantern-lit alleys at your own pace.

09:00 AM, your driver takes you to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest to experience a unique Basket boat ride and watch boat spins.
12:00 PM, you will eat lunch at a local eco-restaurant to taste regional dishes like Cao Lau and My Quang.
03:00 PM, your walking tour covers the highlights of Hoi An Ancient Town, including the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky Old House.
06:00 PM, you will watch the town light up with thousands of Lanterns and release a paper flower lantern onto the Hoai River.

08:00 AM, you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel and begin a completely open day without any set schedule.
10:00 AM, you can sleep in, relax by the resort pool, or walk down to An Bang Beach for a swim.
02:00 PM, you have the flexibility to get custom clothes made at a local tailor shop or join a local cooking class.
06:00 PM, you can explore the night market independently to sample street food like banh mi or find a riverside cafe.

08:00 AM, you can pack your bags and enjoy a final breakfast at your Hoi An hotel.
12:00 PM, you will check out of your hotel.
01:00 PM, your driver will pick you up directly from Hoi An and transfer you to Da Nang International Airport for your departure flight home.

Frequently asked questions

Terms and conditions:

- Booking deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total tour value is required to confirm hotel and flight blockings.
- Final balance: The remaining 70% balance must be paid in full at least 30 days before the scheduled arrival date.
- Cancellation timeline: Cancellations made between 30 to 15 days prior to arrival incur a 50% cancellation fee, while cancellations within 14 days of the tour are subject to a 100% charge.
- Itinerary adjustments: Timings and sight rotations are subject to slight changes based on actual flight schedules, regional weather conditions or local maritime regulations.