8-Day Vietnam Discovery Tour: From Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh

A trip to Vietnam is a must at least once in your lifetime, offering an experience far more vivid and exciting than what you can read in books, see in movies, or hear from others. Vietnam today surpasses all expectations, with its modern and vibrant cities, breathtaking landscapes, and renowned natural and cultural World Heritage Sites. Thanks to our skilled travel consultants, planning your Vietnam tour packages will be quick and effortless.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), you will be warmly welcomed by our professional English-speaking guide and driver. As we head to your hotel for check-in, you’ll receive a brief introduction to the beautiful journey ahead. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

On this full-day excursion, you’ll depart Ho Chi Minh City at 08:00 for a scenic drive through the countryside to reach the Cu Chi Tunnels. Before exploring the tunnels, you’ll watch a brief introductory video about their construction. Spend the next hour navigating the intricate tunnel system. Along the way, you’ll also see various traps, the remnants of an American tank, and several bomb craters created by 500-pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers.

Afterward, you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City to begin your city tour with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, both prime examples of classical French colonial architecture. Next, visit the Reunification Palace, one of the city’s most significant landmarks. It was here, on April 30, 1975, that the American War officially ended when North Vietnamese tank number 843 broke through the gates of the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.

Previously known as the Museum of American War Crimes, the War Remnants Museum offers powerful exhibits that highlight the senselessness of war. In the museum’s courtyard, you’ll find war relics, including rusted jets, tanks, and cannons seized from the American military.

Next, visit the lively Ben Thanh Market, a favorite among tourists due to its central location. The market offers a wide variety of goods, from imitation Nike shoes to beautiful silk ao dais, the traditional Vietnamese dress for women.

The tour concludes around 18:00, at which point you’ll be transferred back to your hotel. Alternatively, you may choose to stay at Ben Thanh Market and make your own way back to the hotel.

Around 08:00, our guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby and drive you the first 90 km (about 2 hours) to Ben Tre, located in the heart of the mighty Mekong Delta, where boats, houses, and markets float along the many rivers and canals. You’ll cruise along the Ham Luong River, a branch of the Mekong, and make stops at local workshops such as a brickworks, a coconut processing facility, and a mat weaving house. The boat will then dock at a peaceful village where you can take a short walk to immerse yourself in authentic village life and enjoy a bike ride through the lush coconut plantations.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in this rural area before continuing your journey to Can Tho, the vibrant heart of the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel, enjoy some free time, and overnight in Can Tho.

In the early morning, we’ll take a boat cruise to visit the Cai Rang floating market, one of the standout experiences of any Vietnam tour. Enjoy the stunning scenery while observing the daily lives of the locals living along the Mekong canals. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a village, where you can visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodle shop, offering a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of people in the Mekong Delta.

Around noon, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, our team will greet you and take you to your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Check in at the hotel and enjoy some free time to relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Our Hanoi City Tour will start with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former residence, followed by a stop at the One Pillar Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. Next, we’ll explore the Temple of Literature. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking a scenic rickshaw ride through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter and along Hoan Kiem Lake. We will also visit Ngoc Son Temple before transferring you back to your hotel. This concludes the 11th day of the Vietnam Heritage Tour. Overnight in Hanoi.

We depart at 9:00 AM for a 2.5-hour drive (150 km) to Halong Bay, traveling along highways connecting Hanoi to Hai Phong and Hai Phong to Ha Long Bay. Our destination is Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning seascapes, thousands of islands and islets rising dramatically from the sea, and fascinating caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Upon arrival, you’ll board our luxury junk, where you’ll be greeted with wine and fresh local seafood. As we cruise deeper into the peaceful waters of Halong Bay, surrounded by towering cliffs and emerald green water, you’ll enjoy a relaxing atmosphere while savoring fine wine and the fresh air of the bay. Along the way, we’ll make stops to explore the magnificent Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top’s white sandy beach before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board the junk, surrounded by the serene beauty of Halong Bay.

It is often said that no Vietnam tour is complete without a visit to Halong Bay and an overnight stay on a romantic Halong Cruise. Halong Bay is described as majestic and mysterious, awe-inspiring and grand, and words alone cannot fully capture the beauty of this natural wonder— a priceless masterpiece sculpted by nature itself.

After breakfast, we’ll take a sampan or kayak to explore a hidden lagoon in Halong Bay, just as the surrounding mountains begin to wake. Following this, our cruise will take us further into the Bai Tu Long Bay, passing by the Human Head Island, Turtle Island, and Duck Islet, and eventually reaching the famous filming location of the movie Indochine. Around noon, we’ll return to the harbor, then head back to Hanoi for your overnight stay.

Enjoy your free time to wrap up your unforgettable Vietnam holiday. When you’re ready, our private guide and driver from Hanoi Travel Bug will transfer you to Noi Bai Airport for your departure flight. We sincerely thank you for choosing Hanoi Travel Bug for your Vietnam journey. We hope you’ve had a wonderful experience and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Vietnam adventure. Farewell and see you again soon!