Vietnam Cultural Highlights – 8 Days / 7 Nights

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of unified Vietnam and one of the most charming cities in Southeast Asia, with its authenticity, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, manicured gardens, and well-preserved architecture. Meet your guide and driver, then transfer to your hotel. Free time for a stroll around the city.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI (B/-/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your local guide at 08:30 and start your city tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, known as Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1076. Its well-preserved architecture and tranquil gardens offer intriguing glimpses into Vietnam’s past. Continue to Ba Dinh Square to see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, National Assembly, and Presidential Palace from the outside. Then visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays), offering insight into the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.
In the late afternoon, stroll through the Old Quarter, named after the 36 artisan guilds, and around Hoan Kiem Lake to admire Hanoi’s bustling life. Enjoy a delicious street food experience around Hang Be Market — try “Nom bo kho” (green papaya salad with dried beef), “Banh Mi” (Vietnamese baguette), and sweet desserts like “Che” or “Hoa Qua Dam”.
After dinner, enjoy a glass of local Bia Hoi beer or a cup of egg coffee on Ta Hien Street. Return to your hotel around 21:00.
Dinner included.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – HA LONG (B/L/D)

After breakfast, depart at 08:30 through the Red River Delta to Tuan Chau Pier and board your selected cruise for an overnight stay on Lan Ha Bay.
Lunch served as the vessel cruises past limestone islets rising from emerald waters. Afternoon activities include kayaking, swimming, or relaxing on the sundeck while admiring this World Heritage Site.
Dinner with fresh seafood and overnight on the cruise.
Alternative: embark at Ha Long International Port for a Bai Tu Long Bay route with kayaking, cave exploring, and floating village visits.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Note: Itinerary subject to change depending on weather and cruise operations.

DAY 4: HA LONG – HANOI – FLIGHT TO DA NANG – HOI AN (B/Brunch/-)

Enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the bay, followed by a light breakfast. As the cruise sails back to port, enjoy brunch on board while admiring the limestone karsts.
Upon disembarkation, transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a short flight to Da Nang. On arrival, your driver will take you to Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 5: HOI AN (B/L/-)

At 08:00, ride on the back of a Vespa into the countryside of Hoi An. Cross Cam Kim Island and stop at an ancestral house, a boat-building yard, and cottage industries like mat weaving and rice cracker (banh dap) making. Meet local families to learn about rural life, and enjoy Vietnamese drip coffee along the way.
Continue to the Thu Bon River mouth for scenic coastal views before lunch at a local restaurant.
Lunch included.
Return to town and explore Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO): visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall, and merchant houses. End the day with tea at Reaching Out Tea House, a peaceful, inclusive space supporting people with disabilities.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 6: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-)

Breakfast and leisure time until transfer to Da Nang Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, meet your guide for an afternoon exploration of the city’s history and culture.
Visit the FITO Museum (Traditional Medicine Museum) or the War Remnants Museum. Stop at Do Phu Café — once a base for the Liberation Army — to see the secret weapon bunker used in the 1968 offensive, and enjoy a coffee in this nostalgic setting.
Continue to Van Phat Pagoda in Chinatown, famous for its thousands of Buddha statues, and end the day with the Saigon Central Post Office and a stroll along Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Streets.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 7: HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE (B/L/D)

Depart at 08:00 for Ben Tre province, known as the coconut kingdom of Vietnam. From Ham Luong Pier, take a boat trip to discover local workshops making bricks, coconut products, and sleeping mats.
Ride a motor cart (xe lôi) or bicycle through shady countryside paths lined with rice fields and vegetable gardens.
Lunch at a local restaurant featuring specialties like elephant-ear fish and river shrimp.
In the afternoon, row along narrow coconut-shaded canals to Hung Vuong Pier before heading to your countryside retreat. In the evening, join a cooking class to prepare “bánh xèo” and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dinner.
After dinner, relax with a lemongrass and ginger foot bath — a soothing local remedy.
Overnight in Ben Tre.

DAY 8: BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

After breakfast, take a cycling trip to Oc Island on quiet countryside paths lined with fruit trees. Stop at the local market and visit a fish farm to learn about catfish species “ca tra” and “ca ba sa”.
Return to Mekong Home for leisure until check-out (~12:00).
Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City for your departure flight.