Private · 15 Days / 14 Nights · Customizable

True Vietnam: Ethnic Culture, Natural Landscapes & Real Life

Discover Vietnam in 15 days with unique itinerary from north to south. Explore vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and rich culture on this unforgettable journey!

From $1420 / person (private tour, price per person drops as your group grows)

Duration15 days / 14 nights
RouteHanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long Bay – Hoi An – Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Cai Be – Can Tho
Travel styleAuthentic, Mountain & Minority, Culture and Heritage
HalongOvernight cruise
GuidePrivate, English
BookingSecure online payment

Discover Vietnam in 15 days with unique itinerary from north to south. Explore vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and rich culture on this unforgettable journey! Fully private and customizable, with your own guide and driver, honest online pricing, and cabin & pickup confirmed within 1 hour.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Click any day to expand. “Stay” shows the accommodation on this route. Prefer to upgrade a hotel or cruise cabin? We’ll tailor it — and the price — in your free quote.

Day 1 — Hanoi

Welcome to Hanoi, enjoy a walking tour in the old quarter. Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport , you'll be greeted by our guide and driver at the pickup lobby. You'll then enjoy a 45-minute drive to the heart of Hanoi , passing over the Red River, where you can catch a glimpse of the city's unique architecture and its famously bustling traffic.

Stay: Conifer Grand Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Room) *or similar hotel

35km – 0.75h

Day 2 — Hanoi

Visit Van Mieu, the Museum of Ethnology, the French Quarter, and Hanoi's Old Quarter.. 9:00 AM: Continue exploring Hanoi with a visit to Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city's symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "s tone steles " which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.

Stay: Conifer Grand Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Room) *or similar hotel

Day 3 — Hanoi – Mai Chau

Visit a Muong village, enjoy scenic views from Thung Khe Pass, explore Thai culture in Mai Hich, and spend the night in a local homestay.. 8:00 Am: Meet tour guide and driver then depart to Mai Chau . On the way, visit a Muong village. Continue to Thung Khe pass where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and White Thai ethnic villages.

145km – 4h

Day 4 — Mai Chau – Pu Luong

Enjoy an excursion through Muong homeland from Eo Ken to Ban Hang, with a visit to Pu Luong Nature Reserve and Chieng Lau.. Depart from Mai Hich and travel directly to Eo Ken , located 30 km away and home to the Muong ethnic group . Walk downhill through a stunning landscape overlooking the Pu Luong Nature Reserve , terraced rice fields, and surrounding mountains. Visit a local Muong family in Eo Ken Village and discover their authentic daily life. Continue walking through the beautiful countryside until meeting your driver again in Hang Village , then transfer to Pu Luong . Walking distance : approx. 4-5 km

Stay: Asia Tropical Resort & Spa ★★★ (Tropical Paradise Premier) *or similar hotel

40km – 1h

Day 5 — Pu Luong – Ninh Binh

Trek through rice terraces and explore Thai culture in Chom Uoi and Lan Ngoai villages.. 8:00 Am: Start your day by hiking down into the beautiful valley from your accommodation, passing through spectacular rice fields and follow small paths to slowly reach Chom Uoi and Chom Lan villages. Your camera will help you capture these unforgettable moments. During the hike, you will witness the changing landscapes of rice terraces intermingled with villages, fields, ponds, streams and mountains. Walking distance : approx. 5 km

Stay: Nep House (Double Room) *or similar hotel

140km – 4h

Day 6 — Ninh Binh – Hanoi

Bike to Thung La Temple, enjoy a boat trip in Van Long Nature Reserve, and try embroidery.. 8:00 Am: For an active immersion, you can choose to embark on a 10 km bike ride (one way) or a 20 km ride (round trip) along the dyke, offering stunning views of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains. Take optional stops along the way for picturesque photos and interactions with locals. Continue your exploration by visiting Thung La Temple , which dates back to the 11th century. Don't miss the opportunity to experience traditional musical instruments that are integral to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Note : Travellers who prefer not to ride a bicycle can either ride as a passenger on a scooter or reach the temple by car.

Stay: Conifer Grand Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Room) *or similar hotel

100km – 2h

Day 7 — Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Bay

Travel to Halong City, embark, and cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay.. If transport is included, our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the heart of Hanoi. From there, we'll begin our journey to Halong City, enjoying a scenic drive through the picturesque Red River Delta. The trip takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with a convenient stop along the way for restrooms if needed.

Cruise: Garden Bay Peak Cruise – 2D1N

140km – 2.5h

Day 8 — Bai Tu Long Bay – Hoi An

Cruise Halong Bay, disembark, return to Hanoi, fly to Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An.. 06:30 : Start the day with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the deck. 07:00 : Enjoy a light breakfast while the boat cruises toward the Vung Vieng area (approx. 45 minutes). 07:45 : Explore Thien Canh Son Cave , located atop a mountain (It is recommended to bring a camera and wear sports shoes for hiking) . 09:00 : Return to the main boat for some relaxation and packing. 09:30 : Check out. Please take all personal belongings out of the cabin, heavy luggage can be left outside the cabin door (staff will transfer it directly to the port). 09:45 : Savor the last view of Halong Bay over brunch as the boat heads back to shore. 11:00 : Disembark and relax at the café lounge.

Stay: Delicacy Hotel & Spa ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel

Day 9 — Hoi An

Discover Hoi An's countryside by bike and explore the city on foot.. 8:00 AM: We begin our discovery of Hoi An with Cam Pho – one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built in the shape of Chinese character means the country for worshipping and trading business and cultural exchange between locality and Chinese, Japanese traders.

Stay: Delicacy Hotel & Spa ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel

Day 10 — Hoi An – Hue

Travel to Hue, visit the Cham Sculpture Museum, Hai Van Pass, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Hue Citadel.. 8:00 AM: travel to Hue by passing Da Nang along the sea road. Once you arrive in Da Nang, stop to visit the Cham Museum which preserves the most important Cham culture collections in the world. Then, walk to My Khe beach where you can enjoy the view of giant Goodness of Mercy statues in the Linh Ung Pagoda. Take photos of fishermen by the beach then continue driving along the coastline to Hue ancient capital. Make a stop at top of the Hai Van pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean.

Stay: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel

125km – 3h

Day 11 — Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River, visit Tien Non, Thanh Tien, Sinh villages, and Khai Dinh Tomb. Then fly to Ho Chi Minh City.. 8:00 AM: Firstly, transfer to the Huong River (or Perfume River) to embark a Royal boat trip to the villages in the East of the city. This is an opportunity to discover the local life on the both sides of this poetic river. Upon arrival in Tien Non village, disembark for a bike ride in the countryside through three villages: Tien Non, Thanh Tien and Sinh village. During the trip, you will be immersed into the daily rhythm of life in the villages. In Tien Non village , meet the villagers working on the fields and vegetable gardens. Then, visit a family worship house in the village. Next, reach Thanh Tien village , an artificial paper flower village dating back 400 years . Besides the rural works, they make paper flowers for the New Year festival to offer their ancestors the best wishes. Visit Mr. Hieu's family , one of the well-known artisans in the village to learn how to make paper flowers under his instruction. Keep going to Sinh village , a cradle of 400 year folklore prints in Hue. Meet Mr. Phuoc who will explain the techniques of traditional prints. You will find beautiful souvenirs on this trip.

Stay: Sanouva Hotel ★★★ (Premium Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel

Day 12 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Discover Saigon's top highlights: Independence Palace, Binh Tay Market, Chinatown, Quan Am Pagoda, and the FITO Museum.. 9:00 AM: We begin our discovery of Ho Chi Minh City with the Independence Palace , once used as the home – office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.

Stay: Sanouva Hotel ★★★ (Premium Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel

Day 13 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Cai Be – Can Tho

Explore the Mekong River by boat and bike, and visit Phu Chau Pagoda.. Meet our tour guide and driver for your transfer to Cai Be . Visit Cao Dai temple on route. On arrival, experience the rhythm of life on the legendary Mekong River by visiting the canals lined with orchards. Visiting craft workshops of rice popcorn, coconut caramel and rice cake…Go biking or walking on the village paths to discover the ancient and beautiful Phu Chau pagoda where the serenity reigns and meet the local people. Enjoy lunch in an open air restaurant where you can taste a famous local specialty, the elephant ear fish. Finally, enjoy tasting delicious fruits while rowing a small rowboat in the canals, shaded by the fruit trees. Continue your boat trip to Vinh Long and meet the driver at the pier for a transfer to Can Tho. Arrive in Can Tho in the late afternoon. Check in your hotel and relax. Enjoy free time on your own to discover the city located on the Mekong River side.

Stay: Holiday 2 Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Room ) *or similar hotel

175km – 4h

Day 14 — Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Cai Rang floating market, fruit garden visit, and Binh Thuy ancient house.. Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the pier for a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating market , the largest and most lively market in the Mekong Delta. There are so many colors and smells in the bubbling atmosphere where hundreds of sampans are filled with goods such as rice, fruits, and craft products. Everything is shown to sell from the early morning. Leave the market and continue the boat trip through the canals and visit a fruit garden . Head back to An Binh Market which is full of fish, fruits and vegetables. Stop at Binh Thuy ancient house which contains the orchid garden where "The Lover" was filmed.

Stay: Sanouva Hotel ★★★ (Premium Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel

175km – 4h

Day 15 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Departure from Ho Chi Minh city. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport.

10km – 0.5h

What’s Included

Included

  • Accommodation as listed, with daily breakfast
  • Halong Bay cruise: Garden Bay Peak Cruise – 2D1N
  • Private English-speaking guide throughout
  • Private air-conditioned car & driver
  • Entrance fees & permits in the itinerary
  • Meals: Breakfast: 14, Lunch: 09, Dinner: 04
  • 02 bottles of water per person per day on tour
  • 24/7 WhatsApp · cabin & pickup confirmed within 1 hour

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Vietnam e-visa (~$25)
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Drinks, tips & personal expenses
  • Optional activities not listed
  • Meals not specified

Pricing

Private tour, price per person — it drops as your group grows (your own guide & car are shared). Pick your group and room type for an indicative from-price; your exact price for specific dates (seasonal, only ~7% either way) is confirmed within 1 hour on WhatsApp.

From $2,048 / person

Get exact price on WhatsApp →

Group size Sharing twin/double Private single
1 traveller (solo) $3,571
2 travellers $2,048 $2,568
3 travellers $1,801 $2,321
4 travellers $1,637 $2,157
5 travellers $1,531 $2,051
6 travellers $1,466 $1,986
7 travellers $1,420 $1,940
8 travellers $1,468 $1,987

Indicative from-prices (season varies ~7%). Single traveller = private single room. Child (2–11, sharing): reduced rate · Infant (<2): free — confirmed in your quote.

Good to Know

Is 15 days enough to enjoy this route?

Yes — this 15-day private itinerary is paced so you see Hanoi and more without rushing. We can shorten or extend any part to fit your dates.

Best time to travel?

March–April and October–November are the most reliable nationwide. Northern Vietnam is cool and dry December–February. We’ll advise the best dates for your route.

Can I customize it?

Fully — change hotels, upgrade your cruise cabin, add or remove stops. It’s a private tour built around you.

How do I pay?

After we agree your itinerary we send a secure online payment link. Cabin & pickup confirmed within 1 hour, honest local pricing.

Get your free, no-obligation quote

Tell us your dates and what you’d like — Ava replies within 1 hour with a tailored itinerary and honest pricing. No payment now; you only pay online once you’re happy.





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