
Vietnam Highlights: Tonkin to the Mekong — 13 Days
This classic and perfectly paced 13-day itinerary gathers the quintessential highlights of Vietnam from north to south, blending architectural wonders, exceptional landscapes, and genuine human encounters.
From the lively capital of Hanoi, discover the mineral majesty of Tam Coc in terrestrial Halong Bay before embarking on an intimate cruise across the emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay.
The journey then brings you to the treasures of Central Vietnam, from the Imperial City of Hue to the lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An, before concluding among the lush tropical canals, orchards, and river life of the Mekong Delta and the cosmopolitan buzz of Saigon.
✦ You will love:
- Guided exploration of Hanoi and gourmet stroll through the historic 36 guild streets of the Old Quarter.
- Traditional rowing boat navigation in Tam Coc and ascent to the cliffside pagodas of Bich Dong.
- Peaceful night aboard a traditional junk in magical Lan Ha Bay.
- Visit to the Imperial City of Hue and gentle cruise along the Perfume River.
- Tropical immersion by bicycle and rowing boat among orchards and canals in Cai Be in the Mekong Delta.

Highlights
- •Personalized welcome and check-in in downtown Hanoi
- •First gourmet dinner featuring authentic Tonkinese flavors
Your French-speaking guide welcomes you upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport and provides your private transfer to your hotel in central Hanoi.
Late in the afternoon, enjoy a bucolic stroll along the tree-lined shores of Hoan Kiem Lake to observe local evening life at dusk. Your private guide shares flavorful anecdotes and legends that shape the soul of this thousand-year-old capital.
Throughout this exceptional day, you enjoy authentic human encounters and contemplative pauses in preserved nature, revealing all the poetry and generosity of the Vietnamese soul.
Highlights
- •Independent wandering through the maze of 36 artisan guild streets
- •Spontaneous street food tastings and lakeside coffee breaks
A full day dedicated to discovering the capital independently at your own rhythm. Explore the prestigious Museum of Ethnology, browse lacquerware galleries in the Old Quarter, or relax with an egg coffee overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.
Late in the afternoon, enjoy a bucolic stroll along the tree-lined shores of Hoan Kiem Lake to observe local evening life at dusk. Your private guide shares flavorful anecdotes and legends that shape the soul of this thousand-year-old capital.
Throughout this exceptional day, you enjoy authentic human encounters and contemplative pauses in preserved nature, revealing all the poetry and generosity of the Vietnamese soul.
Highlights
- •Enchanting boat navigation between Tam Coc sugarloaf peaks
- •Bicycle discovery of the mystical cliffside Bich Dong Pagoda
Depart for Ninh Binh province to visit the historic shrines of kings Dinh and Le at Hoa Lu. In Tam Coc, board a traditional rowing boat gliding through limestone caves among aquatic rice paddies, followed by cycling to Bich Dong Pagoda.
Along the water, the silence is broken only by the steady lap of oars and the songs of birds nesting in rocky cavities. The harmony between karst peaks and canals bordered by rice fields lends these landscapes incomparable majesty.
Throughout this exceptional day, you enjoy authentic human encounters and contemplative pauses in preserved nature, revealing all the poetry and generosity of the Vietnamese soul.
Highlights
- •Navigation among the grandiose karst towers of Lan Ha
- •Kayak excursion up close to limestone cliffs and sea caves
Drive to the Gulf of Tonkin coast to board a traditional wooden junk sailing the calm, emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay. Savor a fresh seafood lunch and paddle kayaks through secluded marine grottos.
Navigating through secret channels between marble cliffs, discover pristine coves and deserted sandy beaches. An intimate, exclusive experience revealing all the wild purity of the bay.
Throughout this exceptional day, you enjoy authentic human encounters and contemplative pauses in preserved nature, revealing all the poetry and generosity of the Vietnamese soul.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Highlights
- •Luminous morning on the bay and geological visit on Cat Ba Island
- •Authentic and picturesque trans-Vietnam overnight train experience
Invigorating dawn Tai Chi session on the upper deck, followed by a visit to Trung Trang Cave inside Cat Ba National Park. Disembark and return by road to Hanoi, where you board the evening sleeper train bound for Hue.
Navigating through secret channels between marble cliffs, discover pristine coves and deserted sandy beaches. An intimate, exclusive experience revealing all the wild purity of the bay.
Throughout this exceptional day, you enjoy authentic human encounters and contemplative pauses in preserved nature, revealing all the poetry and generosity of the Vietnamese soul.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Highlights
- •Majestic visit to the palaces and courtyards of the Imperial City
- •Bucolic Perfume River cruise to the garden village of Thuy Bieu
Upon stepping off the train in Hue, refresh at a local inn for breakfast before touring the palatial enclosures and throne halls of the Imperial City. Board a boat on the Perfume River toward Thuy Bieu village for lunch and an herbal foot soak.
This exceptional day combines the discovery of grandiose panoramas with warm, authentic human encounters, composing an unforgettable tailor-made journey close to the soul of the country.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Highlights
- •Spectacular panorama between mountains and ocean at Hai Van Pass
- •Enchanting first encounter with Hoi An's golden timber architecture
Leave the former imperial capital along the coastal Mandarin Road crossing the scenic Hai Van Pass with vistas over Da Nang Bay. Arrive in Hoi An to discover its preserved ancient streets.
When night falls, the town turns into a fairy-tale scene lit by hundreds of lanterns floating on the Thu Bon River. You take time to savor an exceptional tea in an old merchant house made of precious wood.
Throughout this exceptional day, you enjoy authentic human encounters and contemplative pauses in preserved nature, revealing all the poetry and generosity of the Vietnamese soul.
Highlights
- •Day at your own pace balancing beach swimming and heritage walks
- •Fairy-tale nighttime atmosphere under thousands of colorful silk lanterns
Enjoy this day according to your desires: custom tailoring in town, relaxing on the white sands of An Bang Beach, or cycling through surrounding rural hamlets.
When night falls, the town turns into a fairy-tale scene lit by hundreds of lanterns floating on the Thu Bon River. You take time to savor an exceptional tea in an old merchant house made of precious wood.
Throughout this exceptional day, you enjoy authentic human encounters and contemplative pauses in preserved nature, revealing all the poetry and generosity of the Vietnamese soul.
Highlights
- •Quick domestic flight linking the historical Center to the grand South
- •First contact with Saigon's contagious urban vitality
Transfer to Danang Airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Tour colonial landmarks: the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior, and lively Ben Thanh Market.
This exceptional day combines the discovery of grandiose panoramas with warm, authentic human encounters, composing an unforgettable tailor-made journey close to the soul of the country.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Highlights
- •Crossing the lush river landscapes of the Mekong Delta
- •Rejuvenating cycling ride through orchards and hamlets in Cai Be
Morning departure for the Mekong Delta. At Cai Be, board a wooden boat to reach your riverside lodge nestled amid tropical fruit orchards, exploring village paths by bicycle in the afternoon.
This exceptional day combines the discovery of grandiose panoramas with warm, authentic human encounters, composing an unforgettable tailor-made journey close to the soul of the country.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Highlights
- •Lively visits to artisanal cottage workshops along the delta
- •Heritage discovery of a centuries-old home bordered by tropical gardens
Morning boat outing to observe local river trade, followed by visits to cottage workshops producing coconut candies and puffed rice. Visit an ancient mandarin residence before returning to Saigon.
This exceptional day combines the discovery of grandiose panoramas with warm, authentic human encounters, composing an unforgettable tailor-made journey close to the soul of the country.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Highlights
- •Independent exploration of French colonial and modern landmarks
- •Final handicraft and silk shopping at historic Ben Thanh Market
A day at leisure to explore Saigon's diverse facets: the historic Binh Tay market in Cho Lon, art galleries, or trendy rooftop cafes.
This exceptional day combines the discovery of grandiose panoramas with warm, authentic human encounters, composing an unforgettable tailor-made journey close to the soul of the country.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Highlights
- •Peaceful final moments in Vietnam's economic metropolis
- •Comfortable, punctual transfer to the airport
Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy free hours for last-minute strolls or a relaxing massage before your private airport transfer.
This exceptional day combines the discovery of grandiose panoramas with warm, authentic human encounters, composing an unforgettable tailor-made journey close to the soul of the country.
Your French-speaking guide pays close attention to every stage of your itinerary, sharing insider secrets and the richness of local customs to ensure a harmonious, seamless, and unforgettable stay.
Travel Log
Colors and Pathways of Vietnam
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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Step 2:
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Step 3:
Refine it together
Even with an established program, you can make adjustments. Your travel designer will always be on hand to offer relevant advice.
Step 4:
Travel with peace of mind
Your advisor accompanies you from preparation until the end of your trip on site. They will remain fully available to assist you whenever needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most common questions
Find answers to common questions about this tour here.
The Vietnamese overnight train is a picturesque, convivial experience. You are accommodated in closed, air-conditioned 4-berth compartments with clean bedding, allowing you to rest comfortably while crossing the countryside.
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Request a quote by filling out this form and sharing your wishes. We will tailor this tour to your measurements.
You will love:
- Guided exploration of Hanoi and gourmet stroll through the historic 36 guild streets of the Old Quarter.
- Traditional rowing boat navigation in Tam Coc and ascent to the cliffside pagodas of Bich Dong.
- Peaceful night aboard a traditional junk in magical Lan Ha Bay.
- Visit to the Imperial City of Hue and gentle cruise along the Perfume River.
- Tropical immersion by bicycle and rowing boat among orchards and canals in Cai Be in the Mekong Delta.
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