VNCT

Association for the Culture and Tourism of Vietnam in Europe

Discover VNCT

Vietnam from north to southFirst trip to Vietnam

The great classic from north to south

The great classic from north to south in 15 days, via Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho: day-by-day programme, route map, best season, budget and travel agencies able to organise it.

  • 15 Days, starting from Hanoi
    to Ho Chi Minh City
  • 8 Destinations
    across the three regions
  • March – april Best time to go
    at every stop
  • 3 Getting around
    car, train, plane

Route across the three regions

Từ Hanoi tới Ho Chi Minh City, 8 điểm dừng.

Bản đồ Việt Nam 34 tỉnh thành, chia ba miền Bắc, Trung, Nam, gồm quần đảo Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa

  1. North

    Day 1 – 5

    HanoithenHa Long BaythenNinh Binh

    Car

  2. Centre

    Day 6 – 12

    Phong NhathenHuethenHoi An

    TrainCar

  3. South

    Day 13 – 15

    Ho Chi Minh CitythenCan Tho

    PlaneCar

Day-by-day programme

Suggested programme: VNCT member agencies can change the stops and add days to suit your pace.

  1. Day1

    Hanoi, an afternoon by the lake

    Landing at Noi Bai, settling into the Old Quarter. In the afternoon, a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake; in the evening, a water puppet show.

    Hanoi Why is Hanoi’s Old Quarter so unique?

  2. Day2

    The thirty-six streets and guilds

    The Temple of Literature in the morning, bún chả for lunch, then in the afternoon a walk through the Hang streets, which still carry on their age-old trades.

    Hanoi

  3. Day3 – 4

    A night in the heart of the limestone bay

    Drive to the bay, then a cruise to Lan Ha Bay: kayaking through the caves, a night on board, sunrise on deck.

    Ha Long Bay Sailing Lan Ha Bay: the wild alternative to the karst labyrinths of the Gulf of Tonkin

  4. Day5

    A river between limestone peaks

    By rowing boat in Trang An, through the caves that pierce the mountain; in the afternoon, cycling around Tam Coc. In the evening, night train to Quang Binh.

    Ninh Binh

  5. Day6 – 7

    In the heart of the Phong Nha mountains

    By boat up the Son River to Phong Nha Cave; the next day, Paradise Cave and a swim in a stream in the heart of the Ke Bang forest.

    Phong Nha

  6. Day8 – 9

    The citadel on the banks of the Perfume River

    The Imperial City, the tomb of Tu Duc, a boat trip on the Perfume River in the afternoon; half a day in the incense village of Thuy Xuan and the garden houses.

    Hue

  7. Day10

    Over the Hai Van Pass

    By private car over the Hai Van Pass, with stops at Lang Co and Da Nang; arrival in Hoi An just as the lanterns are being lit.

    Hoi An

  8. Day11 – 12

    Lanterns and countryside

    The old town still deserted in the early morning, cycling to Tra Que vegetable village, then in the afternoon a basket-boat ride in the Bay Mau coconut forest.

    Hoi An

  9. Day13

    Saigon from the river

    Flight to Saigon. In the afternoon, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh market; in the evening, the city lit up from a cruise boat on the river.

    Ho Chi Minh City River tourism in Ho Chi Minh City: water bus and dinner cruise

  10. Day14 – 15

    The floating market at dawn

    Down to the Mekong Delta via My Tho, a night in Can Tho, and in the early morning by boat to the Cai Rang floating market; in the afternoon, return to Saigon and transfer to the airport.

    Can Tho

Local agencies – DMC

Frequently asked questions

  • Can the number of days or the order of the stages be changed?

    Yes. This is a suggested itinerary: the agency can shorten it to 13 days (without Phong Nha), reverse it from south to north, or add a few days on the beach in Phu Quoc.

  • Can you travel in October–November?

    Yes, but it is the rainy season in the Centre: ask the agency to adjust the Hue – Hoi An stage or to do the route in reverse, from south to north.

  • How long does the Ninh Binh – Dong Hoi night train take?

    About 7 to 8 hours on board the Reunification Express, in a four-berth sleeper compartment: leaving Ninh Binh in the evening and arriving in Dong Hoi early in the morning.

  • What does the price of €2,400 per person include?

    3- to 4-star hotels, private car with driver, one night on a cruise, train tickets, domestic flights and a guide at every stage. International flights not included.

Share

Similar itineraries

All itineraries