North & Central Vietnam Authentic Discovery
North Central Vietnam Vacation Package: fullest 12-day itinerary from Hanoi to Sapa, Lan Ha Bay, Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang. Check the best price instantly
From $998 / person (private tour, price per person drops as your group grows)
North Central Vietnam Vacation Package: fullest 12-day itinerary from Hanoi to Sapa, Lan Ha Bay, Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang. Check the best price 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 – Lao Cai
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.
Day 3 — Lao Cai – Sapa
Trekking through the World's most amazing rice terrace in Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, meeting H'mong & Dzay people. Arrive in Lao Cai train station in the early morning. Private guide and car will escort you an hour trip up-hill to Sapa . Enjoy the beauty of nature and rice terraces after every turns and meet H'mong, Red Dao people along the way. Have a breakfast at local restaurant before exploring the town.
Stay: Sapa Elegance Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Room) *or similar hotel
35km – 1h
Day 4 — Sapa – Hanoi
Discovering the Red Dao culture in Ma Tra & Ta Phin village, transferring back to Hanoi. After breakfast you on the trek from from Ma Tra hamlet to Ta Phin village , this walk leads through a beautiful valley of rice terraces. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to meet local people from the Black Hmong and Red Dao ethnic groups. Originally from Southern China, they settled in Vietnam in the 11th century and continue to live in remote highland areas, helping preserve their traditions, language, and ancestral way of life. There may also be an opportunity to visit a Hmong family and a local school in Ma Tra village. After around three hours of trekking, you will reach Ta Phin village, home to the Red Dao community. During the walk, enjoy interacting with local people and learning more about their daily life and culture.
Stay: Conifer Grand Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Room) *or similar hotel
320km – 6h
Day 5 — Hanoi – Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay
Cruising from Halong to Lan Ha bay, swimming & kayaking, cooking class. 9:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter) . Enjoy two and a half hour drive from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay on the national highway No5B. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta . Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue driving to the harbor around noon, get warmly welcome at cruise reception.
Cruise: Peony Cruise – 2D1N
140km – 2.5h
Day 6 — Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay – Hanoi
Exploring Trung Trang Cave, visiting Cat Ba National park, Transferring back to Hanoi. 6:00 AM : Begin the day full of energy with a Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun as it rises beyond the horizon. 6:45 AM – 7:15 AM : Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time may be adjusted to follow the real itinerary). 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM : Join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang cave – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of stalactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem. 9:30 AM : Return to the main boat from the cave, and you will check out of your cabin. Luggage is to be placed outside of the cabin. Early Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle any bar bills at the restaurant's desk (if any). 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM : Disembark from the Peony Cruises and transfer back to Tuan Chau port. 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM : You should be ready at Tuan Chau port.
Stay: Conifer Grand Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Room) *or similar hotel
140km – 2.5h
Day 7 — Dong Hoi City – Phong Nha
Taking a flight to Dong Hoi, discover the beauty of Phong Nha & Paradise Caves. Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi and take you to Noi Bai Airport . The drive takes approximately 45 minutes.
Stay: Phong Nha Lake House ★★★ (Superior Pool view) *or similar hotel
70km – 2h
Day 8 — Phong Nha – Quang Tri – Hue
Visiting Vinh Moc tunnel, Hien Luong Bridge and then travelling to Hue. After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Hue the ancient capital of Vietnam. On the way make a visit to the famous Vinh Moc Tunnel . Local people dug in 2 years (1965 – 1967) to create the system of 1.7 km long and 10 to 23 m deep tunnel which was used as bomb shelter during the Vietnam War. The site is evidence for the heroism of the Vietnamese people.
Stay: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel
230km – 6h
Day 9 — Hue
Enjoying boat trip, visiting Minh Mang's tomb, excursion to Thuy Bieu village, Thien Mu pagoda and Hue citadel. 8:00 AM: Transfer from hotel to visit tomb of Emperor Minh Mang , an architectural masterpiece that harmoniously highlights the nature and imperial religious works. The tomb was planned during Minh Mang's reign (1820-1840) but built by his successor, Thieu Tri with the effort of ten thousand workers and artisans.
Stay: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel
Day 10 — Hue – Hoi An
Travelling to Hoi An, Hai Van pass, Cham sculpture museum, Eco Garden Tour. 7:30 AM: Pick up from your hotel, drive to Hoi An via Mandarin Road and Sea Cloud pass ( Hai Van Pass) . Stop on top of the pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean and Da Nang city. 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 on 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 Hoi An ancient town.
Stay: Delicacy Hotel & Spa ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel
125km – 3h
Day 11 — Hoi An
A full day to visit Hoi An city tour. 9:00 AM: Pick up from hotel for Hoian excursion. Hoi An used to be one of the most typical South-East Asian trading ports dating from the 15th to the 19th century and the Old Town is still well-preserved. The exchanged cultures is displayed on many historic buildings, religion, daily business and enriched by the authentic lifestyle of local inhabitants.
Stay: Delicacy Hotel & Spa ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel
Day 12 — Hoi An – Da Nang
From Hoi An – Danang, flying to other destinations. Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Da Nang City and take you to Da Nang Airport.
What’s Included
Included
- Accommodation as listed, with daily breakfast
- Halong Bay cruise: Peony Cruise – 2D1N
- Private English-speaking guide throughout
- Private air-conditioned car & driver
- Entrance fees & permits in the itinerary
- Meals: Breakfast: 13, Lunch: 06, Dinner: 01
- 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) | — | $2,463 |
| 2 travellers | $1,443 | $1,800 |
| 3 travellers | $1,253 | $1,610 |
| 4 travellers | $1,141 | $1,499 |
| 5 travellers | $1,074 | $1,432 |
| 6 travellers | $1,030 | $1,387 |
| 7 travellers | $998 | $1,355 |
| 8 travellers | $1,042 | $1,399 |
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.
— or get an instant reply on WhatsApp —
