8-Day Vietnam Highlights Tour: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Halong Bay & Ninh Binh
Tour Highlights
Southern Vietnam Experience
Explore Ho Chi Minh City, cruise the Mekong Delta waterways and visit local villages, fruit gardens and coconut workshops.
Cu Chi Tunnels History
Discover the famous underground tunnel network and learn about wartime life, hidden entrances and survival strategies.
Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
Sail through limestone islands, visit caves and islands, enjoy onboard meals and spend one memorable night on the bay.
Ninh Binh Landscapes
Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, take a boat ride in Trang An and climb Mua Cave for panoramic countryside views.
Overview
This 8-day Vietnam Highlights Tour is designed for travelers who want to experience the essential beauty of Vietnam in a shorter itinerary. The journey starts in Ho Chi Minh City with the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels, then continues by domestic flight to Hanoi for Northern Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.
With hotels, a Halong Bay overnight cruise, domestic flight, airport transfers, selected meals and guided tours included, this package offers a smooth and comfortable way to discover Vietnam from South to North. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want culture, history, nature and local life without a long travel schedule.
Quick Facts
Trip Map
Follow the route from Southern Vietnam to Northern Vietnam.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and transfer to your hotel in central Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the day is free for leisure.
Meals: No meals included
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Mekong Delta – My Tho & Ben Tre
Travel to My Tho and enjoy a scenic boat trip along the Tien River. Visit local islands, fruit gardens, a coconut candy workshop and experience a peaceful rowing sampan ride through small canals. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour
Visit the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive underground network used during wartime. Learn about tunnel life, hidden trapdoors, field kitchens and survival methods before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4: Flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter area and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
Travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay and board your overnight cruise. Enjoy lunch while cruising through limestone scenery, visit Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island, then relax on the sundeck during sunset. Dinner and evening activities are served onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight cruise in Halong Bay
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Start the morning with Tai Chi on the sundeck, then continue cruising through Halong Bay. Visit Luon Cave by kayak or bamboo boat, join a short cooking demonstration and enjoy brunch before returning to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 7: Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave
Depart for Ninh Binh to visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, once the political center of Vietnam. Continue to Trang An for a peaceful sampan boat ride through caves and limestone valleys. In the afternoon, climb Mua Cave viewpoint for one of the best panoramic views in Northern Vietnam.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and free time until your airport transfer for your departure flight. End of services.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Not included
Estimated Hotels & Domestic Flights
View estimated hotels and domestic transportation details
Estimated Hotels
- Ho Chi Minh City: 3-star / 4-star / 5-star hotel option or similar
- Hanoi: 3-star / 4-star / 5-star hotel option in Old Quarter area or similar
- Halong Bay: Overnight cruise cabin or similar
Estimated Domestic Flight
- Ho Chi Minh City → Hanoi: Domestic flight included, schedule to be confirmed before departure.
Note: Hotel names, cruise names, flight numbers and flight times are for reference only and may change depending on availability, seasonality and final booking confirmation.
Package Prices
| Hotel Class | Shared Room | Private Room Supplement | Single Traveler |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Star Hotel | From USD 610 | From USD 791 | From USD 925 |
| 4-Star Hotel | From USD 817 | From USD 1,172 | From USD 1,311 |
| 5-Star Hotel | From USD 1,220 | From USD 1,827 | From USD 1,945 |
Prices are per person and may vary by travel date, hotel availability, room type and seasonal surcharge.
What’s Included
- Domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
- Private airport pickup and drop-off transfers
- 6 nights hotel accommodation
- 1 night on Halong Bay cruise
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Mekong Delta full-day tour
- Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour
- Halong Bay 2 days 1 night cruise program
- Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave full-day tour
- Transportation, English-speaking guide and entrance fees on included group tours
What’s Not Included
- International flights to and from Vietnam
- Vietnam visa or e-visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, drinks, laundry and optional activities
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Early check-in and late check-out unless stated
- Holiday, peak-season or compulsory gala dinner surcharges if applicable
Important Notes
- The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather, traffic, cruise operation, flight schedule or local operating conditions.
- Hotel rooms and cruise cabins are subject to availability at the time of booking confirmation.
- Similar hotels or cruises may be arranged if the listed category is unavailable.
- Domestic flight schedule will be confirmed after booking.
- Children policy and flight ticket surcharge may apply depending on age and airline rules.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended for cave visits, boat trips and Mua Cave viewpoint.
Cancellation Policy
| Cancellation Time | Charge |
|---|---|
| 45+ days before departure | Free cancellation |
| 30–44 days before departure | 20% charge |
| 15–29 days before departure | 50% charge |
| 7–14 days before departure | 75% charge |
| Under 7 days / No-show | 100% charge |
Hotels, cruises, flights and holiday-period services may apply stricter cancellation terms. Any non-refundable supplier charges will be advised at the time of booking where applicable.
