Private · 12 Days / 11 Nights · Customizable

North to Central Vietnam: Culture, Heritage, and Landscapes

North – Central Vietnam Tour Package 12 days: exciting journey to most renowned sites in Hanoi, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Hoi An, My Son, Hue. Check it

From $1039 / person (private tour, price per person drops as your group grows)

Duration12 days / 11 nights
RouteHanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay – Hoi An – My Son – Hue
Travel styleAuthentic, Mountain & Minority, Culture and Heritage
HalongOvernight cruise
GuidePrivate, English
BookingSecure online payment

North – Central Vietnam Tour Package 12 days: exciting journey to most renowned sites in Hanoi, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Hoi An, My Son, Hue. Check it 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, walking tour. 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

Travelling to Muong hamlet & scenic views at Thung Khe, Authentic life of Thai in Mai Hich, Sam Khoe, Buoc villages. 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 – Ninh Binh

Excursion to Muong community in Eo Ken & Ban Hang villages, transfer to Ninh Binh. 8:00 AM: 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: Nep House (Double Room) *or similar hotel

140km – 4h

Day 5 — 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 6 — 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 7 — Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay – Hoi An

Exploring Trung Trang Cave, visiting Cat Ba National park, Transferring back to Hanoi for a flight to Danang – Hoi An. 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: Delicacy Hotel & Spa ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel

Day 8 — 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 9 — Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An

Exploring My Son Sanctuary, Champa culture, unique architecture. 8:00 AM: Pick up by tour guide and driver from your hotel. Spend a half-day exploring the sacred valley of the Champa Kingdom. Located 40km from Hoi An Town, My Son Sanctuary was once the most important intellectual and religious center of the ancient kingdom, and a revered burial place for Cham monarchs. Recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, this sanctuary preserves around 70 ruined brick and stone architectural works built between the 7th and 13th centuries. During the visit, the rich cultural, historical, and architectural values of each relic will be fully unveiled as you leisurely wander through the ancient complex . The experience is further enriched by attending a traditional Champa dance performance before leaving the sanctuary.

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

40km – 1h

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: Peony Cruise – 2D1N
  • Private English-speaking guide throughout
  • Private air-conditioned car & driver
  • Entrance fees & permits in the itinerary
  • Meals: Breakfast: 11, Lunch: 08, Dinner: 03
  • 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 $1,473 / person

Get exact price on WhatsApp →

Group size Sharing twin/double Private single
1 traveller (solo) $2,550
2 travellers $1,473 $1,840
3 travellers $1,307 $1,674
4 travellers $1,192 $1,559
5 travellers $1,117 $1,484
6 travellers $1,071 $1,438
7 travellers $1,039 $1,406
8 travellers $1,074 $1,441

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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