Hanoi to Hue: Hidden Gems & Heritage Wonders
North – Central Vietnam Holiday package 12 days: off-the-beaten-track journey exploring the fascinating nature & local life. Check the best itinerary instantly
From $1087 / person (private tour, price per person drops as your group grows)
North – Central Vietnam Holiday package 12 days: off-the-beaten-track journey exploring the fascinating nature & local life. Check the best itinerary instantly 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
Exploring the center of culture & education Van Mieu, outstanding museum of ethnology, visiting French Quarter and discovering Old town. 9:00 AM: Get Pick up by tour guide 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
Visiting Muong village, scenic views at Thung Khe pass, exploring Thai culture in Mai Hich then overnight in 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 – 3.5h
Day 4 — Mai Chau – Pu Luong
Enjoying an excursion to Muong homeland from Eo Ken to Ban Hang village, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Chieng Lau discovery. 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
Trekking in the rice terraces, exploring the Thai culture in Chom Uoi, 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
Biking to Thung La temple and then a boat trip in Van Long Nature Reserve, embroidering experience. 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, cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay, Swimming, Kayaking Cong Do, Cap La. 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
160km – 3h
Day 8 — Bai Tu Long Bay – Hoi An
Visit Vung Vieng fishing village, stunning cruising and back to Hanoi for flight to Danang, 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
Discovering Hoi An rural by cycling and city walking tour. 8:00 AM: Pick up from hotel to Hoian town center. First, visit 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
Travelling to Hue, visiting Cham sculpture museum, Hai Van Pass, Thien Mu Pagoda and Hue citadel. 8:00 AM: Pick up from hotel then 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
An amazing day tour to explore Perfurme River by boat trip, excursion to Tien Non, Thanh Tien, Sinh village, Khai Dinh King's Tomb.. 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: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel
25km – 1h
Day 12 — Hue
From Hue, flying to other destinations. Our driver picks you up from your hotel lobby in Hue City and transfers you to Phu Bai Airport. The journey takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
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: 11, Lunch: 08, 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.
| Group size | Sharing twin/double | Private single |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller (solo) | — | $2,734 |
| 2 travellers | $1,551 | $1,964 |
| 3 travellers | $1,374 | $1,787 |
| 4 travellers | $1,250 | $1,663 |
| 5 travellers | $1,170 | $1,582 |
| 6 travellers | $1,120 | $1,533 |
| 7 travellers | $1,087 | $1,499 |
| 8 travellers | $1,119 | $1,531 |
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 12 days enough to enjoy this route?
Yes — this 12-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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