
Essential Vietnam: Tonkin to the Mekong — 11 Days
Ideal for a condensed, refined first journey, this 11-day itinerary guides you across Vietnam's iconic highlights from North to South.
From the history-steeped alleys of Hanoi, embark on an exceptional cruise amidst the karst landscapes of Lan Ha Bay, before traveling to the historic center of the country on a traditional sleeper train or domestic flight.
Explore the imperial grandeur of Hue and the luminous romance of Hoi An, concluding gently along the lush arroyos and floating markets of the Mekong Delta.
✦ You will love:
- Guided cultural exploration and street food discovery through the historic alleys of Hanoi's Old Quarter.
- Exclusive 2-day / 1-night cruise aboard a traditional junk in magical Lan Ha Bay.
- Authentic overnight sleeper train journey connecting the capital to the imperial city of Hue.
- Bicycle ride to Tra Que organic vegetable village and round basket-boat excursion in Hoi An.
- Tropical immersion by boat and bicycle amidst the fruit orchards of the Mekong Delta.

Highlights
- •Personalized welcome and check-in in the Old Quarter
- •First culinary dinner with delicate traditional Hanoi flavors
Warm welcome at Noi Bai International Airport by your private French-speaking guide and driver, followed by transfer to your boutique hotel in the historic center of Hanoi. Settle in and enjoy free time to unwind.
In the evening, take a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a delicious welcome dinner savoring classic northern Vietnamese dishes.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Highlights
- •Cultural tour of the Temple of Literature and Museum of Ethnology
- •Guided street-food tasting walk through the alleys of Tonkin
A full day dedicated to in-depth exploration of the capital. The morning begins at the venerable Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Vietnam's first national university founded in 1070. We then visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake and the Ba Dinh historical quarter.
In the afternoon, discover the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, followed by a guided culinary street-food stroll through the vibrant lanes of the Old Quarter, sampling local specialties like egg coffee and banh cuon.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Highlights
- •Peaceful boat ride amidst towering limestone karst peaks
- •Serene kayak or sampan navigation beneath sheer cliffs
Depart southward to Ninh Binh province, celebrated as the terrestrial Halong Bay. Your first stop brings you to Hoa Lu, the 10th-century royal capital, where ancient temples dedicated to Kings Dinh and Le rise beneath towering karst peaks.
Continue with a peaceful sampan boat excursion through the UNESCO-listed waterways of Trang An or Tam Coc, gliding beneath caverns and towering karst cliffs. In the afternoon, enjoy a bicycle ride along village paths before settling into your hotel.
Drive: approx. 2 hours (95 km). Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.
Highlights
- •Morning serenity with Tai Chi facing limestone karsts
- •Scenic rail or overland journey across Vietnamese countryside
Leave Ninh Binh behind and journey toward Cat Ba Island in the Gulf of Tonkin. At midday, board a beautiful traditional wooden junk for an exceptional cruise through the tranquil emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay.
Sail past sculpted limestone pillars and floating fishing hamlets. In the afternoon, explore hidden lagoons by kayak and swim in secluded coves. Savor a fresh seafood dinner on deck under the stars.
Drive: approx. 2h30. Overnight on board the junk in private air-conditioned cabin.
Highlights
- •Bucolic cruise on the Perfume River to Thuy Bieu village
- •Majestic visit to the courtyards of the Imperial Citadel
At dawn, join an energizing Tai Chi session on the upper deck as the sun rises over the labyrinth of limestone karsts. After exploring Trung Trang cave or a floating village, enjoy brunch on board while cruising back to port.
Disembark at late morning and transfer back to Hanoi. In the evening, board the comfortable air-conditioned overnight sleeper train to Hue (or take an evening domestic flight depending on your preference).
Overnight aboard the sleeper train (air-conditioned 4-berth soft sleeper).
Highlights
- •Poetic harmony of lotus ponds at Emperor Tu Duc's mausoleum
- •Timeless charm of pedestrian streets lit by silk lanterns
Arrive in Hue in the morning and transfer to your hotel for breakfast and refreshing. The day is dedicated to the royal heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty: explore the vast Imperial Citadel and the evocative ruins of the Purple Forbidden City.
In the afternoon, cruise on a traditional dragon boat along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, followed by a visit to the poetic garden mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc nestled amidst pine woods and lotus lakes.
Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Highlights
- •Fun ride in a traditional round bamboo basket boat
- •Fresh aromas of herbs cultivated in Tra Que organic gardens
Drive southward along the coastal route across the legendary Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds). From the mountain crest at 500 meters, take in panoramic vistas of the coastline and Da Nang Bay.
Arrive in the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Hoi An. After checking in, set out on a guided walking tour of the preserved pedestrian quarters: the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese assembly halls, and old merchant houses. In the evening, the town transforms with thousands of glowing silk lanterns.
Drive: approx. 3h30 (140 km). Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Highlights
- •Quick domestic flight connecting Central coast to the southern metropolis
- •Architectural contrasts between French colonial history and modern skyline
Morning bicycle ride along countryside paths to the organic market-gardening village of Tra Que. Learn about chemical-free farming techniques and enjoy a relaxing herbal foot bath.
Continue to Cam Thanh water coconut village for an entertaining ride in a round bamboo basket boat through the palm-lined canals. Return to Hoi An for an afternoon at leisure to explore artisan silk tailors or relax by the beach.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Highlights
- •Entry into the lush, waterborne world of the Mekong Delta
- •Peaceful bicycle ride along orchard trails in Cai Be
Morning at leisure in Hoi An. Transfer to Da Nang airport for your short domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Welcomed upon arrival by your southern French-speaking guide and driver.
The afternoon introduces Saigon's colonial architecture: historic Dong Khoi Street, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Municipal Opera House, and the grand Central Post Office engineered by Gustave Eiffel. Conclude with a visit to bustling Ben Thanh Market.
Flight: 1h20. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Highlights
- •Vivid, colorful scenes on the floating market
- •Refined lunch in the historic ambiance of a century-old riverside home
Depart early morning for the lush Mekong Delta. In Ben Tre, known as the land of coconuts, board a wooden boat to navigate broad river channels. Disembark for a bicycle ride along village trails, discovering family workshops making coconut candies and woven mats.
Board small hand-rowed sampans to glide along quiet arroyos shaded by water coconut palms. In late afternoon, continue to Can Tho, the delta's capital, and check into your hotel.
Drive: approx. 3 hours (130 km). Overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
Highlights
- •Last-minute artisan shopping and gourmet treats in Saigon
- •Comfortable, punctual private transfer to the international airport
At dawn, board a motorboat to witness the vibrant spectacle of Cai Rang floating market, the largest wholesale river market in the delta. Dozens of boats piled high with tropical fruits trade amidst the morning mist.
After visiting a fruit orchard to taste fresh tropical produce, return by road to Saigon for last-minute souvenir shopping before your private transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight.
Drive: approx. 3h30. Airport transfer and end of our services.
Travel Log
From the Bay to the Delta
Selected moments to experience the landscapes, encounters, and rhythm of this itinerary.

Hang BUIco-fondatrice & créatrice de voyages
Originaire de Nam Dinh, berceau de traditions au cœur du delta du fleuve Rouge, j’ai grandi avec un amour viscéral pour le Vietnam : pour la poésie de ses paysages — des pitons karstiques du Nord aux méandres fertiles du Mékong —, mais surtout pour l’infinie bonté, le sourire et la résilience de son peuple.
- Partager un thé aux fleurs de lotus au lever du jour à Hanoï
- Naviguer en jonque traditionnelle dans les dédales secrets de Lan Hạ
- Contempler les rizières en terrasses sculptées de Hoàng Su Phì
- S'attarder au crépuscule sur les ponts illuminés de lanternes à Hội An
Du souffle majestueux des pitons calcaires du Tonkin à la douceur nonchalante des arroyos du Mékong, le Vietnam est une terre de contrastes poétiques. Mon bonheur est de vous ouvrir les portes de nos adresses confidentielles et de dessiner pour vous un itinéraire fluide, vivant et profondément humain.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most common questions
Find answers to common questions about this tour here.
Yes, absolutely. The harmonious balance between UNESCO heritage sites, peaceful cruises, and gentle rural walks makes it a delightful and diverse journey to share as a couple or among friends.
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You will love:
- Guided cultural exploration and street food discovery through the historic alleys of Hanoi's Old Quarter.
- Exclusive 2-day / 1-night cruise aboard a traditional junk in magical Lan Ha Bay.
- Authentic overnight sleeper train journey connecting the capital to the imperial city of Hue.
- Bicycle ride to Tra Que organic vegetable village and round basket-boat excursion in Hoi An.
- Tropical immersion by boat and bicycle amidst the fruit orchards of the Mekong Delta.
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