From South to North: Historic Saigon to Hanoi — 12 Days
12 days / 11 nights

From South to North: Historic Saigon to Hanoi — 12 Days

From South to North: Historic Saigon to Hanoi — 12 Days

Offering a captivating northward journey through Vietnam in twelve days, this exclusive itinerary invites you on a gradual immersion from the vibrant energy of the southern metropolis to the millenary serenity of the northern capital. Your voyage begins along the tropical canals of the Mekong Delta in Ben Tre and the colonial heritage of Ho Chi Minh City, before reaching the historical treasures of Central Vietnam in Hoi An and Hue.

The journey reaches its crowning glory within the breathtaking natural sanctuaries of the North: the sculpted terraced rice fields and ethnic stilt villages of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, the limestone cathedrals of Ninh Binh, and a magical overnight cruise in Halong Bay. Enhanced by two scheduled domestic flights and hand-picked boutique accommodations, this grand crossing harmoniously blends sublime nature, heartwarming ethnic encounters, and landmark historic sites.

✦ You will love:

  • An original and rewarding 12-day South-to-North route linking Vietnam's three iconic historical regions.
  • Southern vibrancy: French colonial architecture in Saigon and intimate hand-rowed sampans in the Mekong Delta at Ben Tre.
  • Central heritage elegance: romantic lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, the panoramic Hai Van Pass, and Hue's Imperial Citadel.
  • Nature and ethnic immersion in Pu Luong: gentle hikes through stepped rice paddies, bamboo water wheels, and Thai hospitality.
  • The twin limestone wonders of the North: the inland waterways of Ninh Binh and an overnight cruise aboard a traditional wooden junk in Halong Bay.
Itinerary MapYou can add an itinerary map in Strapi

Highlights

  • •Personalized welcome at Tan Son Nhat Airport and private transfer
  • •Relaxing check-in and leisure time in a central boutique hotel
  • •First stroll through the vibrant urban atmosphere of historic Saigon

Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, your private French-speaking guide welcomes you and escorts you to your boutique hotel in the city center. Settle in and enjoy time to rest.

Later in the afternoon, take a relaxed introductory walk through the vibrant urban bustle of historic Saigon, strolling past the Opera House and along Dong Khoi Street.

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Meals at leisure.

Highlights

  • •Guided tour of iconic French colonial architectural landmarks
  • •Spiritual and commercial immersion in the historic Cho Lon quarter
  • •Lively walk through the colorful stalls of Ben Thanh Market

Spend the day discovering the architectural and cultural highlights of Saigon. Tour the French colonial quarter, admiring the Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Reunification Palace.

In the afternoon, explore the bustling Chinese district of Cho Lon, visiting the incense-filled Thien Hau Pagoda and browsing the vibrant stalls of historic Ben Thanh Market.

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Breakfast included.

Highlights

  • •Private boat cruise on the majestic branches of the Mekong in Ben Tre
  • •Encounters with local artisans and tasting fresh tropical fruits
  • •Intimate hand-rowed sampan ride under water coconut palm fronds

Travel south into the fertile water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta. Arrive in Ben Tre, the capital of coconut palms, and board a private wooden boat along wide river branches.

Meet local artisans crafting coconut candies, cycle along peaceful village trails, and glide silently through shaded arroyos on a hand-rowed wooden sampan. Return to Saigon in the late afternoon.

Travel distance: approx. 90 km each way (2 hours). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Breakfast and lunch included.

Highlights

  • •Domestic flight to Central Vietnam and warm local welcome
  • •Guided walking tour of Hoi An's UNESCO architectural heritage
  • •Magical evening under hundreds of colorful glowing silk lanterns

Morning transfer to Saigon Airport for your flight to Da Nang. Meet your private guide and transfer directly to the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Hoi An.

In the afternoon, enjoy a private walking tour of the pedestrian streets: the 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese clan halls, and ancestral timber merchant houses. Spend the evening amidst glowing silk lanterns along the canals.

Domestic flight: approx. 1h20. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An. Breakfast included.

Highlights

  • •Bucolic bicycle ride to the organic herb village of Tra Que
  • •Warm encounters with local farmers cultivating fragrant herbs
  • •Free afternoon to enjoy An Bang Beach or wander the ancient town

Enjoy a morning bicycle ride along shaded country pathways to the organic market gardening village of Tra Que. Meet village farmers, learn about aromatic herb cultivation, and participate in a fun gardening demonstration.

Spend the afternoon relaxing on the golden sands of An Bang Beach, lounging by the hotel pool, or exploring tailor ateliers in the ancient town.

Cycling excursion and afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An. Breakfast included.

Highlights

  • •Panoramic crossing of the dramatic Hai Van Pass overlooking the sea
  • •In-depth guided tour of the prestigious Imperial Citadel of Hue
  • •Contemplating Thien Mu Pagoda along the tranquil Perfume River

Depart in the morning heading north across the celebrated Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds), offering dramatic panoramas over Da Nang Bay and the East Sea coast.

Arrive in Hue in the afternoon. Visit the monumental Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, followed by a visit to the iconic octagonal Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River.

Travel distance: approx. 130 km (3.5 hours). Overnight at hotel in Hue. Breakfast included.

Highlights

  • •Visit to the poetic landscaped tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • •Flight to the North and scenic drive into the mountains of Pu Luong
  • •Check-in at a charming boutique eco-lodge facing terraced rice valleys

In the morning, visit the poetic forest-fringed Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc, designed as a contemplative retreat among pine groves and lotus ponds. Transfer to Hue Airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Upon landing, your northern private vehicle drives you westward into the lush mountain sanctuary of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, checking into a charming eco-lodge overlooking terraced rice paddies.

Domestic flight and overland drive: approx. 4 hours. Overnight at ecolodge in Pu Luong. Breakfast and dinner included.

Highlights

  • •Panoramic hike through spectacular stepped terraced rice paddies
  • •Heartwarming encounters and home-cooked lunch with ethnic Thai villagers
  • •Ingenious giant bamboo water wheels operating along clear mountain streams

Spend the entire day hiking through the pristine valley of Pu Luong. Follow scenic trails winding through terraced rice fields, crossing bamboo bridges, and admiring traditional bamboo water wheels lifting water from mountain streams.

Enjoy lunch in a traditional wooden stilt house with an ethnic Thai family, discovering their customs and peaceful way of life before returning to your lodge for sunset.

Hike: approx. 3.5 hours. Overnight at ecolodge in Pu Luong. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Highlights

  • •Intimate rowing sampan cruise beneath towering limestone cliffs
  • •Bucolic bicycle ride through rice fields and karst formations
  • •Breathtaking 360-degree panorama from the summit of Mua Mountain

Descend from the mountains of Pu Luong toward the province of Ninh Binh, the Inland Halong Bay. Board a small traditional wooden sampan to glide through flooded cave grottos beneath soaring limestone peaks.

Enjoy an easy family bike ride through countryside trails and climb Mua Mountain's dragon crest for a sweeping 360-degree panorama over the karst valley.

Travel distance: approx. 120 km (2.5 hours). Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh. Breakfast and lunch included.

Highlights

  • •Boarding an authentic traditional wooden junk for a magical cruise
  • •Contemplative sailing among thousands of limestone karsts
  • •Exploration of Thien Canh Son Cave, sea kayaking, and seafood dinner

Depart in the morning across the delta plains toward the Gulf of Tonkin. At the pier, step aboard an elegant traditional wooden junk in Halong Bay, welcomed warmly by the crew.

Sail among thousands of dramatic limestone karsts while enjoying a gourmet seafood lunch. Explore Thien Canh Son Cave, paddle kayaks into quiet lagoons, and dine under the stars anchored in a tranquil cove.

Overnight aboard the junk in Halong Bay. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Highlights

  • •Sunrise Tai Chi session on the junk sundeck overlooking the bay
  • •Rowing boat visit to Vung Vieng floating fishing village
  • •Return drive to Hanoi and free evening in the heart of the Old Quarter

Greet dawn with a gentle Tai Chi session on the open deck as the sun illuminates the karst peaks. Visit the floating fishing village of Vung Vieng on local bamboo rowboats before enjoying brunch on board while cruising back to port.

Disembark at midday and drive back to Hanoi. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a free evening strolling through the vibrant 36 Guilds Old Quarter.

Travel distance: approx. 160 km (2.5 hours). Overnight at hotel in Hanoi. Breakfast and brunch included.

Highlights

  • •In-depth visit to the prestigious Temple of Literature in Hanoi
  • •Last-minute handicraft shopping in the bustling Old Quarter lanes
  • •Comfortable private transfer to Noi Bai International Airport

Spend your final morning visiting the venerable Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Vietnam's ancient royal university founded in 1070 with its Confucian courtyards and doctoral turtle steles.

Enjoy final souvenir shopping in the Old Quarter before your private driver transfers you comfortably to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast included. Private airport transfer.

Travel Log

Selected moments to experience the landscapes, encounters, and rhythm of this itinerary.

Hang BUI
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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.

Favorite picks:
  • 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.

Hikes in Pu Luong are easy to moderate, involving 3 to 4 hours of walking daily along well-marked paths across terraced rice fields and ethnic villages. They are accessible to regular walkers, and the pace is adjusted in consultation with your private French-speaking guide.

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Tour name: *From South to North: Historic Saigon to Hanoi — 12 Days
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