Essential Vietnam: 7 Days Across North & South
$780 $729 per person
Essential Vietnam
Embark on a captivating 7-day journey to discover the vibrant tapestry of Vietnam. Commence your adventure in the bustling capital of Hanoi, then marvel at the natural wonders of Ninh Binh and the majestic beauty of Halong Bay. Explore the dynamic cityscape of Ho Chi Minh, and immerse yourself in the rustic charm of the Mekong Delta. Experience the rich history, diverse culture, and breathtaking landscapes that define both the North and South regions of Vietnam.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Highly Recommended
Experience the “Elite & Private” difference with Authentic Adventure. Proudly rated 5-stars by our global community of travelers.
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Destination
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Departure
Start from Hanoi city or Ho Chi Minh city ( Vietnam ) -
Departure Time
Day 1: Arrival, Pick up at airport at customer's flight time arrival -
Return Time
End Travel: Ho Chi Minh city or Hanoi Capital -
Places List
HA NOI - BAI DINH PAGODA – TRANG AN – MUA CAVE - HA LONG BAY - HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI TUNNELS - MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON DINNER CRUISE
From Our Gallery
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🛺 DAY 1: HANOI CAPITAL – JEEP TOUR
Morning
Airport Arrival: Our team will warmly welcome you upon your arrival at the airport and provide comfortable transportation to your hotel.
14:00 – Hotel Check-in: Upon reaching the hotel, proceed with the check-in process. Take time to freshen up and relax after your journey.
Afternoon
Hanoi Jeep Tour: In the afternoon or evening, embark on an exciting Hanoi Jeep Tour to discover the vibrant cityscape of Hanoi.
Explore charming streets, historical landmarks, and cultural highlights while riding in our vintage jeeps. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through the bustling streets, immersing you in Hanoi’s rich culture and history.
Discover Hanoi in style with Hanoi Jeep Tours — much like Venice’s gondolas, Paris’s 2CVs, or Rome’s Fiats. In Hanoi, experience the legendary Vietnam People’s Army Jeep UAZ 469 from the Soviet era.
If you want to explore the real Hanoi in a unique and exciting way, Hanoi Jeep Tours is a must. This is not a typical air-conditioned car ride; you’ll experience the sights, smells, and tastes of Hanoi up close and personal.
This one-of-a-kind adventure takes you off the beaten path to see the authentic Hanoi, while still covering the capital’s highlights aboard the iconic military Jeep UAZ 469.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey as our driver and expert guide reveal Hanoi’s hidden gems — showcasing the good, the bad, and the fascinatingly unique sides of the city. You’ll also experience some of the best local food Hanoi has to offer.
Return to Hotel: After dinner or the conclusion of the tour, we will escort you back to your hotel for a comfortable and safe journey.
Overnight Stay: Relax and unwind in your hotel room, preparing for more exciting adventures on
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🛕 DAY 2: HA NOI – BAI DINH PAGODA – TRANG AN – MUA CAVE (B,L)
Morning
07:30 – 08:00: Get picked up from Ha Noi by our friendly guide, then depart for Ninh Binh Province.
09:15: Short break for 15–20 minutes to relax.
10:30: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda – the largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia, featuring 500 stone Arhat statues, a 36-ton bronze bell, and a 100-ton Buddha statue.
11:00: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with Vietnamese specialties such as goat meat, fish, chicken, and fried rice. Vegetarian options are available.
13:00: Visit Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014), famous for its spectacular limestone karst landscapes and tunnel cave system. This location was featured in the movie “Kong: Skull Island” (2016). Enjoy a 2.5-hour scenic boat trip.
15:30: Return to the limousine bus and continue to Mua Cave. Climb nearly 500 steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for a breathtaking panoramic view of Tam Coc.
17:30: Board the limousine bus and travel back to Ha Noi.
19:10 – 19:20: Arrive in Ha Noi, drop-off at your hotel in the Old Quarter. End of tour. Goodbye!
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🚢 DAY 3: HA NOI – HA LONG BAY (B,L,D)
Morning
06:15: Wake up early and join the Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Enjoy the fresh atmosphere and watch the sunrise over Lan Ha Bay.
07:00 – 07:45: Have breakfast while admiring the morning view of the bay with a cup of tea or coffee.
08:00: Enjoy stunning views of the bay and its dramatic limestone islets. Visit Tra Bau area for kayaking, exploring the landscape, or swimming.
09:00: Return to your cabin, relax, and carefully check all your luggage before departure.
09:30: Check out and enjoy a scenic cruise on the bay. Complete check-out procedures and enjoy brunch on board.
10:30: Enjoy brunch at the restaurant.
11:30 – 12:00: Disembark at Tuan Chau Harbor. Private car transfer to Hanoi.
17:00: Arrive back at your hotel in Hanoi.
Morning
07:45 – 08:15: Pick-up from your hotel.
08:15 – 11:30: Travel via the newest highway connecting Hanoi and Ha Long. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the receptionist at the cruise waiting lounge.
11:30 – 12:00: After a short rest, transfer to the main cruise by high-speed tender (approximately 25 minutes). Receive a warm welcome drink from the crew.
Attend a short briefing about the cruise and safety guidelines at the restaurant. Complete check-in procedures and settle into your private cabin.
13:00: Enjoy lunch at the restaurant as the cruise departs to explore Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
Afternoon
15:45: Visit Ba Trai Dao area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay. Participate in activities such as kayaking, swimming, sightseeing, and exploring the area.
In unfavorable weather conditions, Ba Trai Dao will be replaced by Dark and Bright Cave. Enjoy kayaking, bamboo boat rides, sightseeing, or swimming while discovering the pristine beauty of Lan Ha Bay.
17:30 – 18:30: Return to the cruise and enjoy the pre-dinner sunset party with Happy Hour promotion (Buy 1 Get 1 Free on selected drinks) while watching the sunset over the bay.
At Night
18:00: Join a cooking demonstration where the chef guides you in preparing simple Vietnamese signature dishes.
19:30: Enjoy a special seafood dinner and traditional Vietnamese cuisine on board.
21:00: Evening entertainment including squid fishing, karaoke, and relaxation.
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✈️ DAY 4: HA LONG BAY – HA NOI – HO CHI MINH CITY (B,L)
Morning
06:15: Wake up early and join the Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Enjoy the fresh atmosphere and watch the sunrise over Lan Ha Bay.
07:00 – 07:45: Have breakfast while admiring the morning view of the bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.
08:00: Enjoy stunning views of the bay and its dramatic limestone islets.
Visit the famous Tra Bau area. This is free time for kayaking, exploring the landscape, or swimming.
09:00: Return to your cabin, relax, and carefully check all your luggage before departure.
09:30: Check out and enjoy a scenic cruise on the bay. Complete the check-out procedure and enjoy brunch on board.
10:30: Enjoy brunch at the restaurant.
11:30 – 12:00: Disembark at Tuan Chau Harbor. Meet your private driver and transfer back to Hanoi.
15:30 – 16:00: Arrive in Hanoi. The driver will take you directly to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, our staff will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for check
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🏙️DAY 5 : HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR - CU CHI TUNNELS (B,L)
Morning
Ho Chi Minh City Tour
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, embark on a fascinating journey through the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City.
Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunning example of neo-Romanesque architecture built by the French in the 19th century.
Next, stop at the historic Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, featuring beautiful interiors with detailed maps, elegant designs, and arched windows.
Continue to the Reunification Palace, the former presidential palace of South Vietnam and a powerful symbol of the country’s turbulent history.
Afternoon
Cu Chi Tunnels
After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, one of Vietnam’s most significant historical sites.
The tunnel system stretches over 200 km and once served as an underground city during the Vietnam War, including living quarters, storage areas, weapon workshops, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens.
Learn about how the tunnels were constructed and explore war remnants while gaining insight into the harsh conditions and ingenious survival strategies used by local fighters.
You will also have the opportunity to sample simple local food once eaten by soldiers and experience crawling through sections of the tunnels.
After the tour, return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for rest and relaxation.
The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels is approximately 75 km, taking around 1.5 hours by car.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
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🌴 DAY 6: HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON DINNER CRUISE (B,L,D)
Morning
Vinh Trang Temple & Mekong Delta Tour
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide will pick you up at 08:00 to begin the journey to My Tho, the capital city of Tien Giang Province.
Located on the Mekong River, approximately 75 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho is famous for its lush orchards and vast rice fields that supply grain for the entire country.
During the visit, explore one or two islands known for traditional handicrafts such as coconut candy production and bee farms.
Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the Mekong Delta region. Reach the pagoda by boat along the Mekong River and admire its beautiful gardens, intricate architecture, and impressive sculptures.
After completing the My Tho tour, return to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing overnight stay.
Evening
Dinner Cruise on Saigon River (Only included for Deluxe or Premium Package)
18:30 – 19:00: Meeting and introduction. Welcome aboard the cruise as the captain introduces Vietnamese culinary specialties, making this dinner cruise a must-do experience in Ho Chi Minh City.
19:15 – 21:15: Enjoy dinner and cruise on board. Relax on the upper deck while admiring panoramic city lights, or enjoy live traditional music and dance performances on the main deck.
The set dinner is served in European style with a 3-course menu featuring Vietnamese, International, or Fusion cuisine. A delicious dessert concludes this unforgettable evening on the Saigon River before returning to the dock.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
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🧳 DAY 7: HO CHI MINH – AIRPORT DEPARTURE (B)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for the airport for your international flight home or your next destination. We hope that you have had an amazing time in Vietnam with us and have created unforgettable memories.
Thank you for choosing Authentic Adventures Vietnam for your journey and we look forward to embarking on new adventures with you in the future. Please note that airport transfer is included in your itinerary. Our team will ensure that your departure from Ho Chi Minh City is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
✓ WHAT'S INCLUDED
- ✔Well-organized group tour programs
- ✔Comfortable, Group standard transportation
- ✔Selected 3-star hotels
- ✔Authentic local meals as per itinerary
- ✔Professional, friendly English-speaking guides
- ✔All entrance fees for sightseeing destinations
- ✔Full participation in various activities as per the itinerary.
✕ NOT INCLUDED
- ✘Tipping for guides and drivers (highly recommended)
- ✘Personal drinks (beer, smoothies, wine, etc.)
- ✘Personal expenses
- ✘Single-trip travel insurance