Best of Vietnam Tour (12 days)

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam has come a long way since the wars that devastated the country in the last century. Today, it is one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic nations, where centuries-old traditions coexist with rapid economic development. This 12-day tour takes you from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, with visits to Ha Long Bay, the former imperial capital of Hue and the historic trading port of Hoi An. Along the way, you’ll gain an appreciation of Vietnam’s turbulent history, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary regional diversity.

Designed for travellers who value comfort, good food and meaningful experiences, this premium small-group tour combines well-chosen accommodations, knowledgeable local guides and a thoughtfully paced itinerary, with no forced shopping stops.

Important Features

• Small group size – average 15, maximum 20.
• Experienced tour leader & local guides.
• Overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay aboard a luxury ship.
• No forced shopping stops.
• High-quality local and Western meals.
• Unlimited supply of bottled water.
• Free Wi-Fi in every hotel.
• Water puppet show in Hanoi.
• Cooking class in Hoi An.

Best of Vietnam Tour Itinerary

Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner

Day 1/Thu: Departing Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi! Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. 

Extra charge for airport transfer applies to guests arriving ahead of tour schedule and the cost depends on the number of guests.

Day 3/Sat: Hanoi (B/L/D)
Hanoi is the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam, with a core urban metro population estimated at 5.7 million. The ancient city has had many names throughout history, all of Sino-Vietnamese origin. Hanoi received its current name from Emperor Minh Mang in 1831. Ha and Noi mean “river” and “inside” respectively, reflecting the city’s location between the Red River and To Lich River.

Hanoi was Vietnam’s most important political centre between 1010 and 1802, before Hue became the imperial capital under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945). The city served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954. Following the French withdrawal in 1954, Hanoi became the capital of North Vietnam and, in 1976, of the reunified Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Our city tour following an orientation at the hotel takes in the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Vietnam National Museum of History, the Old Quarter and a traditional water puppet show.

The Presidential Palace was built between 1900 and 1906 to house the French Governor-General of Indochina. When Vietnam achieved independence in 1954, Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969) declined to live in the grand structure for symbolic reasons. Instead, a traditional Vietnamese stilt house was built for him in the same complex. The stilt house served as his principal residence during his later years. The palace is used for government functions and beyond access of the public. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located nearby the palace.

The Vietnam National Museum of History occupies the former Louis Finot Museum, built during the French colonial period and associated with the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO). Founded in Hanoi in 1900, EFEO is a leading institution devoted to the study of Asian history, archaeology and culture. In 2011, the National Museum of Vietnamese History merged with the Vietnam Revolution Museum, expanding its collections and exhibitions. Today, the museum traces Vietnam’s history from prehistoric times through the modern era.

The Old Quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake has the original street layout and architecture of old Hanoi. At the beginning of the 20th century the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. A night market (near Dong Xuan Market) in the heart of the district opens for business on weekends offering a variety of clothing, souvenirs and food.

We attend a traditional water puppet show later in the day. The show is performed in a waist-deep pool with the water’s surface serving as the stage. The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The puppeteers standing behind a split-bamboo screen control the puppets using long bamboo rods and a string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. The themes are largely rural, drawing heavily on Vietnamese folklore. Stories of harvesting, fishing and festivals are highlighted, often with a humorous twist. Legends and national history are also told through short skits.

We wrap up the day with a delicious welcome dinner.

Day 4/Sun: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

Our morning drive to Ha Long Bay takes about two and a half hours. On arrival, we board our luxury cruise ship for an overnight journey through the bay, including visits to a sandy beach and a limestone cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, approximately 165 km from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Its extraordinary landscape features more than 1,600 limestone islands and islets rising from the sea. Formed over millions of years, these spectacular karst formations include towering cliffs, natural arches and caves shaped by erosion. The World Heritage Site was expanded in 2023 to include the neighbouring Cat Ba Archipelago.

Day 5/Mon: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B/L/D)
After a leisurely breakfast, we disembark and drive back to Hanoi. Following lunch, we visit the Temple of Literature, dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and founded in 1070.

Our late-afternoon or early-evening flight to Hue takes just over one hour. If the flight schedule prevents us from having dinner as planned, the meal will be served the following day instead.

Day 6/Tue: Hue (B/L)
Hue served as Vietnam’s imperial capital under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until 1945, when Emperor Bao Dai abdicated following the August Revolution. During the Vietnam War, Hue’s location near the border separating North and South Vietnam made it particularly vulnerable.

The city suffered extensive destruction during the Battle of Hue in the 1968 Tet Offensive, when North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces occupied much of the city before being driven out by American and South Vietnamese troops after weeks of fierce fighting. Communist forces also executed large numbers of civilians during their occupation.

Our sightseeing in Hue today takes in the massive citadel encompassing the Imperial City, Emperor Tu Duc’s Tomb, and Thien Mu Pagoda.

Day 7/Wed: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (B/D)
Have some free time after breakfast. The late-morning drive to Da Nang (92 km) along the winding coastal highway offers spectacular views. We will make a couple of photo stops before visiting the Museum of Cham Sculpture, a highlight of Da Nang.

Da Nang is a major port city in central Vietnam known for its sandy beaches and French colonial history. During the Vietnam War, what is now Da Nang International Airport was a major air base used by the South Vietnamese and United States Air Forces.

We continue our overland journey after the museum visit. The drive from Da Nang to Hoi An takes approximately 40–50 minutes (30 km).

Day 8/Thu: Hoi An (B/L)
The early history of Hoi An is closely associated with the Cham people, whose kingdoms once controlled much of present-day central Vietnam. By the 16th century, Hoi An had developed into an important international trading port, attracting merchants from China, Japan and Europe. The town flourished particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was among Southeast Asia’s busiest commercial centres.

Hoi An’s importance declined during the 18th and 19th centuries as a result of political upheaval, changes in trading patterns and the growing prominence of nearby Da Nang as a seaport. Its subsequent economic stagnation helped preserve much of its historic architecture.

Our morning visit to the food market in the town centre is followed by a cooking class. We then spend the rest of the day exploring Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our walking tour takes in the Japanese Covered Bridge, Sa Huynh Museum, Tran Family Chapel, Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall and a lantern-making workshop.

Day 9/Fri: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we drive back to Da Nang (30 km) for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (1½ hours).

Ho Chi Minh City, commonly abbreviated as HCMC, is Vietnam’s largest city. Formerly known as Saigon, it lies approximately 1,160 km (720 miles) south of Hanoi.

The city’s early history is closely associated with the Khmer settlement of Prey Nokor, which existed long before the arrival of large numbers of Vietnamese settlers. Beginning in the 17th century, Vietnamese migration and political expansion gradually transformed the area. The Cambodian kingdom, weakened by internal conflicts and wars with neighbouring powers, was unable to prevent the loss of much of the Mekong Delta. Over time, Prey Nokor developed into Saigon, while the Khmer population became a minority in the region.

Saigon served as the capital of French Cochinchina during the colonial period and later as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) from 1955 to 1975. The city was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City on July 2, 1976.

Our afternoon sightseeing begins with a stroll along Dong Khoi Street, formerly known as Rue Catinat, the commercial heart of colonial Saigon. Highlights include the former City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), the Opera House, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.

Day 10/Sat: Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
After breakfast, we embark on an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Stretching over 200 km, this extensive underground network was an important Viet Cong base during the Vietnam War. The tunnels served as hiding places during combat, communication and supply routes, field hospitals, storage facilities for food and weapons, and living quarters. They also played an important role in communist military operations around Saigon, including preparations for the 1968 Tet Offensive.

We return to the city following lunch and spend the rest of the day visiting the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace, formerly the presidential palace of South Vietnam. On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese Army tanks entered the palace grounds, marking the fall of Saigon and the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).

Day 11/Sun: Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Free day to explore on your own.

Day 12/Mon: Ho Chi Minh – Home City (B)
Your Vietnam tour ends today. Transfer to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight. Your airport transfer is included unless you choose to extend your stay. Arrive home the same day after re-crossing the International Date Line.

Dates & Prices

Prices are per person based double occupancy and exclude international airfare.

Vietnam Tour – Know Before You Go

Passport

Your passport must have at least two blank visa pages and remain valid for at least six months beyond the end of the tour.

Visa

Canadian, American, British and Australian passport holders may apply for a Vietnamese e-visa, valid for up to 90 days. British citizens are also eligible for visa-free entry for short tourist visits. Travellers holding other passports should check the requirements applicable to their nationality.

The official Vietnamese e-visa website is https://evisa.gov.vn. We recommend applying well in advance of departure and carefully checking all information before submission.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are routinely required for travellers arriving directly from Canada or the United States. We recommend consulting your healthcare provider about hepatitis A and other travel vaccinations appropriate for your circumstances.

Food & Drinking Water

Tap water in Vietnam is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour. When dining independently, choose reputable restaurants and exercise reasonable caution with street food and uncooked dishes.

Carry hand sanitizer and some toilet paper or tissues, as public washrooms may not always provide them.

Currency & Credit Cards

Vietnam’s currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). There is no need to obtain local currency before departure. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs, and major credit cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and shops.

Smaller businesses and street vendors generally prefer cash. Carry some small-denomination banknotes for personal purchases.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?

Vietnam’s climate varies considerably from north to south. October through April generally offers favourable conditions for travelling across the country, although northern Vietnam can be cool in winter and central Vietnam may experience heavy rainfall and flooding in the autumn.

Lightweight clothing is suitable for most destinations, but a jacket or sweater is advisable for Hanoi and Ha Long Bay during the cooler months.

What Should I Wear?

Comfortable walking shoes and lightweight, breathable clothing are recommended. Bring a light rain jacket or umbrella.

When visiting temples and other religious sites, dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and footwear may need to be removed before entering certain buildings.

Is Vietnam Safe for Tourists?

Vietnam is generally a safe destination for tourists. Petty theft and traffic hazards are among the more common concerns. Keep valuables secure, exercise caution when crossing busy streets and follow your guide’s advice.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption.

Please review Laurus Travel’s Terms & Conditions regarding cancellation penalties and any applicable deposit credits. We recommend arranging suitable insurance shortly after booking, as certain benefits may depend on when coverage is purchased.