🇻🇳 FIRST TIME IN VIETNAM: GRAND CLASSIC EXPLORATION (13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS)

Description of the programme

• DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL – WELCOME CYCLO RIDE & OLD QUARTER (D)

  Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your private driver and English-speaking guide greet you with a warm welcome and transfer you in a comfortable AC vehicle to your city-center hotel.

  Afternoon Experience: Step into Hanoian colonial charm with a traditional 1-hour Cyclo (Rickshaw) tour through the historic 36 Old Guild Streets. Take a peaceful walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, cross the crimson Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, and savor an authentic Welcome Dinner.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

  

   

• DAY 2: HANOI CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS & HERITAGE SANCTUARIES (B, L)

  08:30: Full-day discovery of Hanoi's thousand-year-old capital history.Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Mausoleum, Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda), the 6th-century Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, and the Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first national university built in 1070).

  Savor a traditional lunch featuring Hanoian culinary specialties (Bun Cha or Pho).

  Afternoon: Explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology highlighting 54 ethnic minority cultures.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

  

   

  

   

• DAY 3: HANOI – NINH BINH HERITAGE: HOA LU & TRANG AN SAMPAN CRUISE (B, L)

  07:00: Depart Hanoi for a scenic drive through the Red River Delta to Ninh Binh province, known as "Halong Bay on Land."Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's 10th-century ancient capital beneath majestic limestone peaks.

  Afternoon: Board a private hand-rowed sampan boat at Trang An Scenic Complex (UNESCO World Heritage). Float along emerald rivers winding through mountain caves and ancient water temples.

  Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

  

   

• DAY 4: HANOI – HALONG BAY 3, 4, 5★ LUXURY OVERNIGHT CRUISE (B, L, D)
  • 08:15: Board your VIP Limousine for a high-speed expressway transfer to Halong Bay.
  • 11:45: Welcome lounge check-in and embarkation onto your Cruise Vessel. Savor a fresh seafood buffet lunch while sailing past iconic limestone islets.
  • 15:00: Explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat through emerald lagoons at Luon Cave.
  • 17:30: Sundeck Sunset Party with live cooking demonstration, followed by a multi-course gala seafood dinner and night squid fishing.
  • Overnight onboard in private luxury balcony suite.

  

   

  

   

• DAY 5: HALONG BAY TAI CHI – FLIGHT TO IMPERIAL HUE (B, Brunch)
  • 06:30: Sunrise Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, followed by a visit to Titov Island for panoramic 360-degree bay views or swimming.
  • 09:30: Farewell Brunch onboard while cruising back to port.
  • 11:30: Disembark at marina. Private transfer to Hanoi Airport for a short domestic flight to the UNESCO Imperial Capital of Hue.
  • Overnight in Hue.

  

   

• DAY 6: IMPERIAL HUE CITADEL & PERFUME RIVER DRAGON BOAT (B, L)
  • 08:30: Embark on a private dragon boat cruise along the tranquil Perfume River to visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda.
  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Imperial Citadel & Purple Forbidden City—the royal residence of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors (1802–1945).
  • Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring Hue's famous royal cuisine.
  • Afternoon: Visit the serene Tu Duc Tomb nestled amidst pine forests and lotus ponds.
  • Overnight in Hue.

  

   

• DAY 7: HUE ROYAL TOMB – HAI VAN PASS – HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (B, L)
  • Morning: Visit the majestic Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, admiring its intricate mosaic glass and ceramic architecture.
  • Drive south toward Hoi An via the spectacular Hai Van Pass ("Ocean Cloud Pass") with panoramic views of Lang Co Beach and Da Nang coastline.
  • Arrive in the romantic UNESCO Ancient Town of Hoi An. Check-in and enjoy an evening stroll past thousands of lit silk lanterns.
  • Overnight in Hoi An.

  

  

• DAY 8: HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN & CAM THANH COCONUT BASKET BOAT (B, L)
  • 08:30: Walking tour through Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Tan Ky Ancient House.
  • Afternoon: Transfer to Cam Thanh Eco-Coconut Village. Board a unique round bamboo basket boat (Thung Chai) through water coconut palm waterways, watch local spinning performances, and try traditional crab fishing.
  • Overnight in Hoi An.

  

   

• DAY 9: HOI AN AT LEISURE – OPTIONAL BA NA HILLS & GOLDEN BRIDGE (B)
  • Full day at leisure in Hoi An. Relax at white sandy An Bang Beach, tailor custom silk garments, or ride bicycles through scenic rural rice paddies.
  • (Optional Excursion: Day trip to Ba Na Hills to walk on the famous Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands).
  • Overnight in Da Nang

  

   

• DAY 10: DA NANG FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) (B, L)
  • Morning: Transfer to Da Nang Airport for a short domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
  • Afternoon City Highlights: Visit the historic Reunification Palace, French colonial Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the moving War Remnants Museum.
  • Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  

   

• DAY 11: LEGENDARY CU CHI TUNNELS & SAIGON STREET LIFE (B, L)
  • 08:00: Morning drive to the famous subterranean Cu Chi Tunnels network. Learn about wartime underground living spaces, command bunkers, and secret trap doors.
  • Return to Saigon for lunch. Afternoon free to explore Ben Thanh Market or sip local Vietnamese iced coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da).
  • Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  

   

• DAY 12: MEKONG DELTA FLOATING WATERWAYS: MY THO & BEN TRE (B, L)
  • 08:00: Full-day excursion to My Tho & Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta.
  • Board a private motorboat along the Tien River, cruise through coconut palm canals on hand-rowed sampans, visit local honeybee farms and coconut candy workshops, and sample tropical orchard fruits accompanied by traditional southern folk music (Don Ca Tai Tu). Return to Saigon.
  • Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  

   

• DAY 13: SAIGON SHOPPING – DEPARTURE (B)
  • Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or city exploration.
  • Private driver transfers you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight home.
  • End of an extraordinary 13-Day First Time in Vietnam Grand Classic Journey with Link Asia Travel! See you again in the next trip!