🇻🇳 GREAT CROSSING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH OF VIETNAM (15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS)

Description of the programme

• DAY 1: WELCOME TO HANOI – OLD QUARTER CYCLO & HERITAGE DINNER (L or D)
  • Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, your private driver and expert English-speaking guide welcome you with warm smiles and transfer you in a comfortable AC vehicle to your boutique city-center hotel.
  • Afternoon Experience: Begin your Vietnamese adventure with an authentic 1-hour Cyclo (Rickshaw) tour through the vibrant 36 Old Guild Streets. Meander around historic Hoan Kiem Lake, cross the scarlet Huc Bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple, and sip authentic Hanoian egg coffee (Ca Phe Trung). Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Northern cuisine.
  • Overnight in Hanoi.

  

   

• DAY 2: HANOI THOUSAND-YEAR CULTURAL DISCOVERY (B, L)
  • 08:30: Embark on a comprehensive full-day discovery of Hanoi's thousand-year history.
  • Visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Complex (Mausoleum, Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda), the serene 6th-century Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, and the Temple of Literature—Vietnam’s first national university built in 1070.
  • Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring Hanoian Pho or Bun Cha.
  • Afternoon: Explore the fascinating Vietnam Museum of Ethnology showcasing 54 ethnic hill-tribe cultures. Finish the day with a traditional Water Puppet Show or tasting artisan egg coffee (Ca Phe Trung).
  • Overnight in Hanoi.

  

   

• DAY 3: HANOI – HOA BINH – MAI CHAU VALLEY (B, L, D)
  • 08:00: Depart Hanoi for a scenic mountain drive westward toward Mai Chau Valley in Hoa Binh province. Pass through dramatic karst landscapes and scenic mountain passes.
  • Arrive in Mai Chau, a breathtaking fertile valley surrounded by green mountains and inhabited by the White Thai ethnic minority. Check into your eco-lodge or traditional stilt-house accommodation.
  • Afternoon: Enjoy a guided bicycle ride through peaceful rural villages (Lac and Poom Coong). Observe traditional hand-loom weaving, meet friendly locals, and learn about indigenous agriculture.
  • Savor an authentic home-style dinner and enjoy a evening live performance of traditional Thai ethnic music and bamboo dances.
  • Overnight in Mai Chau.

  

   

• DAY 4: MAI CHAU – NINH BINH (LAND HALONG BAY) (B, L)
  • 08:30: After breakfast, bid farewell to Mai Chau and drive toward Ninh Binh province, celebrated worldwide as "Halong Bay on Land."
  • Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's 10th-century feudal capital beneath towering limestone peaks, exploring ancient shrines dedicated to King Dinh and King Le.
  • Afternoon: Board a private hand-rowed bamboo sampan boat at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex (UNESCO World Heritage). Drift along crystal-clear rivers winding through subterranean mountain caves and quiet water temples.
  • Check into your hotel or resort in Ninh Binh.
  • Overnight in Ninh Binh.

  

   

• DAY 5: NINH BINH – HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT JUNK CRUISE (B, L, D)
  • 07:45: Depart Ninh Binh for a comfortable drive through the Red River Delta to Halong Bay.
  • 11:45: Arrive at the harbor, check into the welcome lounge, and board your Luxury Halong Bay Cruise Vessel. Sip a refreshing welcome drink during the safety briefing.
  • Savor a gourmet fresh seafood buffet lunch as the ship sails into the heart of the bay past iconic limestone formations.
  • Afternoon: Explore magnificent Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, go kayaking or take a bamboo boat through secret sea lagoons at Luon Cave.
  • 17:30: Sundeck Sunset Party with live cooking demonstration. Savor a fine-dining seafood dinner under the stars and try night squid fishing.
  • Overnight onboard in private luxury balcony suite.

  

   

• DAY 6: HALONG BAY – HANOI – NIGHT TRAIN TO HUE (B, Brunch, D)
  • Wake up to the soothing sound of the ocean awakening for another wonderful day in beautiful Halong Bay.
  • 06:30: Rejuvenate your senses with a sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Continue your cruise in Halong Bay and walk among karst islets, stopping to swim or visit key caves depending on the tides.
  • Enjoy a delicious Farewell Gourmet Brunch onboard the boat.
  • 11:30: Disembark from the junk to take the road back to Hanoi. Enjoy dinner at a charming local restaurant and spend time relaxing in this vibrant city.
  • 20:30: Transfer to Hanoi Railway Station. Board an air-conditioned night train in a 4-berth soft-sleeper compartment to reach the charming imperial city of Hue. Spend a peaceful night on board, so that you are refreshed and energized for the rest of your journey.
  • Overnight on the train (4-berth soft sleeper).

  

   

• DAY 7: HUE IMPERIAL CITY DISCOVERY (B, L)
  • 08:30: Arrive at Hue Railway Station in the morning. Pick-up by your private driver and guide, transfer to the hotel for breakfast and refresh.
  • Board a private dragon boat for a peaceful cruise along the historic Perfume River to visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda.
  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Imperial Citadel & Purple Forbidden City—the royal palace complex of the 13 Nguyen Dynasty emperors who ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945.
  • Afternoon: Visit the majestic, lotus-surrounded Tu Duc Royal Tomb.
  • Overnight in Hue.

  

   

  

   

• DAY 8: HUE – HAI VAN PASS – DA NANG – HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (B, L)
  • Morning: Tour the intricate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, blending European Gothic art with Asian ceramic mosaics.
  • Drive south along the world-famous Hai Van Pass ("Ocean Cloud Pass"), taking in spectacular coastal views over Lang Co Bay and Da Nang beach.
  • Stop in Da Nang to visit the Marble Mountains or the Cham Sculpture Museum before continuing to the romantic UNESCO Ancient Town of Hoi An.
  • Afternoon: Walking tour through Hoi An Ancient Town visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Tan Ky Ancient House.
  • Overnight in Hoi An.

  

   

  

   

• DAY 9: DA NANG – FLIGHT TO NHA TRANG (B)
  • Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Private driver transfers you to Da Nang Airport for a short domestic flight south to the coastal resort city of Nha Trang.
  • Arrive in Nha Trang, met by your local driver and transferred to your seaside hotel or resort.
  • Afternoon free at leisure to sink your toes into white sandy beaches, swim in turquoise ocean waters, or relax at the resort pool.
  • Overnight in Nha Trang.

  

   

• Day 10: NHA TRANG ISLAND BOAT CRUISE & BEACH RELAXATION (B, L)
  • 08:30: Board a private boat for an exciting day excursion across Nha Trang Bay.
  • Cruise to offshore islands (Mun Island / Tam Island) renowned for crystal-clear marine sanctuaries. Go swimming, snorkeling among coral reefs, or simply sunbathe on quiet sandy beaches.
  • Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch onboard or at an island restaurant.
  • Afternoon: Return to mainland to visit the historic 8th-century Po Nagar Cham Towers overlooking the river harbor.
  • Overnight in Nha Trang.

  

   

  

   

• DAY 11: NHA TRANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) (B, L)
  • Morning free for a final beach swim or spa relaxation before transferring to Cam Ranh Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
  • Arrive in Saigon—the dynamic economic pulse of Vietnam.
  • 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 12: SAIGON – CAO DAI TEMPLE (TAY NINH) – CU CHI TUNNELS (B, L)
  • 07:30: Morning drive to Tay Ninh province to visit the ornate Great Cao Dai Temple. Witness the colorful midday mass of Caodaism—a unique syncretic religion blending Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism.
  • Savor lunch at a local restaurant.
  • Afternoon: Continue to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels network. Learn about wartime underground living spaces, military bunkers, and secret trap doors. Return to Saigon in the late afternoon.
  • Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  

   

• DAY 13: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA: MY THO & BEN TRE (B, L, D)
  • 08:00: Depart Saigon for a scenic drive into the fertile Mekong Delta.
  • Arrive in Ben Tre—the coconut capital of Vietnam. Board a private boat along the Ham Luong River, cruise past quiet coconut palm canals on hand-rowed sampans, visit honeybee orchards, and see traditional coconut candy workshops.
  • Take a fun ride on a local Xen Loi (motorized rickshaw) or bicycle through quiet village fruit orchards.
  • Check into your eco-lodge or riverside resort in Ben Tre/Mekong Delta. Savor a home-cooked Southern dinner.
  • Overnight in Ben Tre / Mekong Delta.

  

   

• DAY 14: BEN TRE RURAL EXPLORATION – SAIGON RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)
  • Morning: Take a peaceful morning stroll or bicycle ride through local country fruit markets and riverside hamlets.
  • Enjoy lunch before taking the comfortable drive back to Saigon.
  • Afternoon free to relax or shop for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market.
  • Evening Experience: Board a luxury Saigon River Dinner Cruise. Savor fine dining, live music, and twinkling skyline views as the city lights reflect on the water.
  • Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  

   

• DAY 15: SAIGON CITY VISIT – DEPARTURE (B)
  • Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or city strolls.
  • Private driver transfers you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight home.
  • End of an extraordinary 15-Day Great Crossing from North to South of Vietnam with Link Asia Travel!