Vietnam holiday in your eyes – 8 days from Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our friendly English-speaking guide and driver, then transferred to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, around 3:00 PM, enjoy a relaxing cyclo ride through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter, where you can observe daily life and the unique way locals navigate the city’s lively traffic.

Next, begin your street food and walking tour, one of the best ways to discover Hanoi’s culture. Start at Dong Xuan Market, where your guide will introduce Vietnam’s diverse culinary traditions and local ingredients.

You’ll then sample Banh Cuon (steamed rice rolls with minced pork and mushroom), watch it being freshly made, and enjoy it with traditional dipping sauce and herbs. Continue walking through narrow alleys, passing historical houses and street vendors.

Stop to taste grilled pork served with bread and vegetables—a Vietnamese street food favorite often compared to the world’s best hamburgers.

End your culinary journey with a refreshing dessert of mixed fruits with condensed milk and crushed ice, followed by a cup of egg coffee at a hidden café. If preferred, a cold local beer is also available. Finally, enjoy a scoop of Hanoi’s iconic ice cream, beloved by locals for generations.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Ranked among the world’s top travel destinations, Hanoi – Vietnam’s thousand-year-old capital – is known for its rich history, peaceful lakes, leafy boulevards, flower-laden bicycles, and world-famous cuisine.

08:00 – Your day begins with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology, offering a deep insight into the cultural diversity of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Explore religious ceremonies, symbolic rituals, and full-scale traditional house replicas displayed in the museum’s outdoor area.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university founded in 1070. Initially dedicated to Confucius, the temple now honors Vietnam’s scholars and academic achievements.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, head to the famous Train Street, best visited around 2:00 PM. Here, trains pass within mere feet of residential homes. This unique location offers fantastic photo opportunities and a glimpse into the lives of locals living just inches from the tracks. Sit back with a cup of coffee at Train Track Café and watch the train go by—a truly unforgettable Hanoi moment.

Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, starting with a view of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior only), where the revered leader rests. Located in historic Ba Dinh Square, this is where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence on September 2, 1945. Nearby, take a short walk to see the Presidential Palace and his modest stilt house.

Continue to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, known for its unique lotus-shaped architecture and spiritual significance—one of Hanoi’s most photographed landmarks.

18:00 – Transfer to Da Phuc Village (about 26 km from Hanoi) to enjoy “The Quintessence of Tonkin” show from 20:00 to 21:00. Before the performance, enjoy dinner at Cho Quê, a charming open-air restaurant designed like a traditional countryside market.

The show itself is a breathtaking open-air performance celebrating the culture, traditions, and spiritual legacy of northern Vietnam. Combining water puppetry, music, dance, and poetry, it’s a magical experience not to be missed.

Overnight in Hanoi.

09:00 – Depart from Hanoi for a 2.5-hour drive (150 km) to Halong Bay, traveling along modern highways connecting Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Halong. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is renowned for its breathtaking seascapes, emerald waters, towering limestone islands, and stunning caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites.

11:30–12:00 – Upon arrival at the port, board your luxury cruise and enjoy a welcome drink with fresh local seafood. As the cruise begins, relax on deck and take in the spectacular scenery—limestone cliffs rising from the sea and tranquil emerald waters all around.

During your journey, you’ll visit the Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), one of the most impressive caves in the bay, and stop at Ti Top Island, where you can relax on the white-sand beach or hike up for panoramic views.

The cruise will anchor overnight in a quiet area of the bay. Enjoy a peaceful evening immersed in the wild beauty of Halong Bay.

Overnight on board.

hey say a trip to Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the magic of Halong Bay and spending a night on a romantic cruise. Described as majestic, mysterious, and awe-inspiring, Halong Bay is a natural masterpiece—like a gallery of unfinished sculptures crafted by the hand of nature.

After breakfast on board, embark on a sampan or kayak to explore a hidden lagoon, where the bay’s limestone mountains slowly awaken in the soft morning light.

The cruise then continues to the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay, passing iconic formations such as Human Head Island, Turtle Island, and Duck Islet, and even the filming location of the classic movie Indochine.

Around noon, return to the harbor and transfer back to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi for your flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your private tour guide and driver and transferred to Hoi An.

Check-in and overnight in Hoi An.

This morning, enjoy a scenic bicycle ride to Tra Que Vegetable Village, where you’ll get hands-on experience in the daily life of Vietnamese farmers. Learn how to plant, water, and care for vegetables using traditional methods passed down through generations.

Afterward, take part in a Vietnamese cooking class, where you’ll prepare classic local dishes with fresh ingredients from the garden. Then, enjoy a homemade lunch with the dishes you’ve cooked.

In the afternoon, head out to the nearby waterways to experience a ride in a traditional basket boat, used by local fishermen. It’s a fun and unique cultural activity that offers great photo opportunities and laughter.

Return to your hotel and overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your private tour guide and driver, then begin your exploration of the city with a visit to the historic Independence Palace—a key symbol of the end of the Vietnam War.

After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network used by Vietnamese soldiers during the war. Discover the resilience and ingenuity of the local people as you learn about their life in the tunnels and their fight for independence.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping at the iconic Ben Thanh Market for a quick stroll and a taste of local life.

Check in to your hotel and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Leave behind the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and head south to My Tho, a peaceful town on the left bank of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, visit the historic Vinh Trang Pagoda, dating back to the late 19th century, known for its unique blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese architecture.

Next, board a traditional sampan and begin cruising along the Mekong, passing by the four mythical islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Stop at Unicorn Island, where you’ll stroll along shaded village paths, visit tropical fruit orchards, and enjoy folk music performed by local artists.

Continue by hand-rowed sampan through the narrow canals of Thoi Son Island, soaking in the peaceful scenery. Visit a local family business, a honeybee farm, and a coconut candy workshop, where you’ll have the chance to taste honey tea and fresh coconut treats.

Enjoy lunch at a local riverside restaurant, followed by a short break.

In the afternoon, take a cycling tour through Tan Thach Village, where you’ll meet local villagers and experience the daily life of the Mekong Delta. For those who prefer to relax, unwind in a hammock and enjoy the cool countryside breeze.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy your free time at leisure to relax or do some last-minute shopping and reflections on your memorable journey through Vietnam.

At the appropriate time, Vivutravel’s private guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

We sincerely thank you for choosing Vietnam and Vivutravel as your travel companion. We hope you had a wonderful trip and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Vietnam adventure.

Goodbye and see you again!