Vietnam Top to Tail: Authentic Voyage
Explore Vietnam From Top to Tail Package focuses on Culture deep learning, Nature fullest exploring, Interacting with local life, relaxing on stunning beaches.
From $1823 / person (private tour, price per person drops as your group grows)
Explore Vietnam From Top to Tail Package focuses on Culture deep learning, Nature fullest exploring, Interacting with local life, relaxing on stunning beaches. 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: Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe City View 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: Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel
Day 3 — Hanoi – Ha Giang
Travelling to Ha Giang, enjoying scenic drive, trek route: Me – Lup – Tha villages. 8:00 AM: Depart from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Giang via the highway to Phu Tho. Stop to visit the Dao village in Ham Yen , Tuyen Quang. First, discover the houses on stilts, a typical style of ethnic groups in this undulating region. Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon, beginning a trek to the Me – Lup – Tha villages . Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs. You will be welcomed by big smiles from the villagers testifying to their legendary hospitality. Visit a typical house and discover the local daily life. Arrive in Tha Village, a village on the palm hills with rice fields where you can rest in the serenity. Finally, check in your accommodation and free to stroll around to catch the rhythm of daily life in the mountain before sunset.
280km – 5h
Day 4 — Ha Giang
Exploring Tay Con Linh Mountain range. Visiting Tha – Na Thac – Khuoi My – Lung Vai – Ha Thanh Villages. 8:00 AM: Our adventure begins in Ha Thanh village , where we'll explore part of the Tay Con Linh Mountain range. This region is renowned for its rice terraces, palm forests, limestone mountains, and numerous hill tribe villages. The first part of our journey is mostly uphill and can be a bit challenging, but the effort is well worth it for the stunning natural landscapes along the way. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of lush valleys and mountain peaks. After a few hours, we'll arrive at Lung Vai village , home to the Dao ethnic group. Here, you'll have time to explore the village and enjoy lunch in a local home. After lunch, we'll take a short break to soak in the views of the rice terraces before following an asphalt road for about 3-4 km to reach Khuoi My village , inhabited by both Dao and Tay ethnic groups. Here, villagers live in simple wooden stilt houses with palm-thatched roofs. From Khuoi My, we'll take a narrow trail winding through rice terraces, tea plantations, and bamboo forests. The path mostly descends, offering splendid views of the terraces and glimpses of daily village life. Finally, we'll reach Thon Tha village , where our adventure concludes. Walking distance : approximately 16-18 km
Day 5 — Ha Giang – Dong Van
A great driving to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Twin Fairy mountain, home to Hmong & Bo Y ethnic people, H'mong King palace. 8:00 AM: Travel to Dong Van with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route. Before arrival at the Quan Ba pass , we will stop to visit a village of Bo Y people in the Quyet Tien Commune. Their origin is from China. The Bo Y is a small community of 2000 people who populate in the mountainous parts of the north. Stop at the Quan Ba pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien). Continue drive to the Limestone rock plateau zone , considered as mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book. On the way, you will discover " Nha Trinh Tuong" (a special type of house) by a walking to the Lung Hoa Village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky ground. Next, visit the Palace of the H'mong King (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years ago, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppies and their economy was based on the opium business with China. Arrive in Dong Van, check in accommodation and relax.
Stay: Hoa Cuong Hotel ★★★ (Double Room) *or similar hotel
150km – 5h
Day 6 — Dong Van
Visiting Lung Cu flag pole, particular scenic, Lo Lo village, trekking in Dong Van, along Nho Que river. Depart to Lung Cu , located 1470m above sea level. This is well known as a Northern Vietnam landmark. Lung Cu flag pole highlights our nation's sovereignty. Walking up 900 steps will give you the magnificent view of the mountains, valleys and villages in the vicinity then discover the Lo Lo Chai village where the Lo Lo ethnic group lives. Return to Dong Van town at noon and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, trek to the villages in Dong Van through Hau De – Ma Pia – Ma Pang Village along the Nho Que river that separates Vietnam and China. Travel back to Dong Van at the end of the day.
Stay: Hoa Cuong Hotel ★★★ (Double Room) *or similar hotel
Day 7 — Dong Van – Bao Lac
From Dong Van to Bao Lac, crossing Ma Pi Leng Pass, visiting Lo Lo & H'mong minority. After breakfast at the hotel, we'll set off from Dong Van toward Meo Vac, crossing the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass . Here, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking views of limestone mountains, the winding Nho Que River , and traditional H'mong village nestled along the slopes. From there, we'll continue to Bao Lac , a region renowned for the Black Lo Lo ethnic community . The area gained prominence through the French documentary, "The Journey into Unknown Land", filmed in Khuoi Khon village-just 9 km from Bao Lac town-by rugby player Frédéric Michalak. We'll enjoy lunch in Bao Lac town before heading to Coc Xa village in Na Van commune. This Lo Lo village retains a more authentic charm compared to Khuoi Khon, which has become a popular tourist spot since the documentary's release. Here, you'll stroll through rice fields and scenic trails, visit local homes, and have meaningful exchanges with the residents, giving you a deeper understanding of their way of life and traditions. Later, we'll return to town, where you'll stay overnight in a local hotel.
Stay: Duc Tai Hotel ★★ (Twin Room) *or similar hotel
130km – 3h
Day 8 — Bao Lac – Ba Be
Encounter San Chi at hidden hill village, exploring Hua Ma cave, stay overnight at Tay's homestay. Depart to Ba Be via Tinh Tuc, 30km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune, there is a beautiful village of San Chi ethnic. Of course, we will stop to visit and discover the beauty of the village. You are one of a small number of travelers who get to visit this area because of its hidden location behind the hill. The village has hundreds of houses on stilts nested on the side of mountains and views of the beautiful valley. To reach to the village, you will have to walk up a 2km steep incline. The higher you walk, the better view you get. Visit a family to understand the authentic life of this ethnic group. Continue to Ba Be, where you will be surprised by the magnificent nature where the mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces. Stop to film or take photos whenever possible. Upon arrival in Ba Be, check in your accommodation in Pac Ngoi Village and go cycling through several villages of Tay ethnic groups to Hua Ma Cave (5km from the village). This is an attractive place with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Finally, come back to your accommodation.
165km – 5h
Day 9 — Ba Be
Relaxing boat trip, explore Puong cave and Dau Dang waterfall. In the morning, transfer from the village to Buoc Lom Pier to take a boat trip along the Nang river and enjoy the beautiful scenery of forests along the river. The boat will pass through Puong cave , home to thousands of bats, toward Dau Dang waterfall . Lunch will be served at a local restaurant by the waterfall. In the afternoon, take the boat back to the lake, stopping at the Fairy pond located in the middle of the primitive forest. Here, you will gently cruise around the lake and it's possible to swim if the weather permits. Disembark at around 04:00 PM . Rest of the day on your own free and easy, enjoy sunset over mountain ranges.
Day 10 — Ba Be – Hanoi
Visiting Tan Trao historical relics & Tay community. Enjoy breakfast and pure air in morning at the national park, then travel to Tan Trao , a former Viet Minh resistance base during the first Indochina war. Visit the historic banyan tree , Na Lua shack house and Tan Trao communal house where President Ho Chi Minh and his team lived and worked before August, 1945 Revolution. Continue on the less touristic journey which is distinguished by the Tay ethnic villages whose houses stand on stilts, with a backdrop of tea plantation hills, palm plantations and rice valleys. Visit the villages to meet the locals along the way and obviously do not miss some stops to take the photos of the scenery whenever possible. Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time after the mountain getaway.
Stay: Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel
245km – 7h
Day 11 — 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 12 — Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay – Hue
Exploring Trung Trang Cave, visiting Cat Ba National park, Transferring back to Hanoi for a night train to Hue. 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.
Cruise: Peony Cruise – 2D1N
Day 13 — Hue
Full day for Hue city discovery, Perfume River boat trip, excursion to Tien Non, Thanh Tien, Sinh village, the most well-known Thien Mu pagoda and Hue Citadel. Arrive at Hue railway station in the morning, where our tour guide and driver will warmly welcome you. Then, set off to explore the mystical city of Hue.
Stay: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel ★★★ (Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel
25km – 1h
Day 14 — Hue – Hoi An
A short trip to Khai Dinh Tomb before travelling to Hoian, passing by Hai Van pass, Cham sculpture museum. Hoi An half day city. 7:30 AM: Pick up at hotel to visit Khai Dinh King's tomb , built in 11 years (1920 – 1931) on Chau Tru hill. Khai Dinh King's tomb is distinguished from other emperor's tombs by the mixture of oriental and western styles . A hundred-step climb will take you to the worship palace at the top. You will discover the amazing decoration with delightful porcelain fragments, a giant painting on the ceiling and a small royal objects museum next door. Finally, the descent offers a panoramic view to the tomb and surrounding area.
Stay: Delicacy Hotel & Spa ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel
125km – 3h
Day 15 — Hoi An
A great day to Kim Bong, Tra Nhieu, Cam Thanh village, boat trip & biking in country side, interact with local people.. Meet at your hotel. Begin cycling to Hoi An pier and embark on the ferry crossing the Thu Bon river to Kim Bong village . On the boat, you will immerse yourselves into the comfortable fresh air and enjoy the idyllic landscapes on both sides of the river. This village has long been known for its wood carving . At first, the artisans inherited the techniques from the northern Vietnamese. Later, from business exchange, they could successfully adopt the know-how of Chinese and Japanese sculptures and cultivate their own style. Bike around the village to understand their daily life and visit a carpenter's workshop to admire their talent. It is possible to buy some wood products as souvenirs.
Stay: Delicacy Hotel & Spa ★★★ (Deluxe City View Room) *or similar hotel
Day 16 — Hoi An – My Son – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Exploring My Son Sanctuary, Champa culture, unique architecture. Then fly to Ho Chi Minh City. 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: Sanouva Hotel ★★★ (Premium Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel
Day 17 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Discovering Saigon city with the best highlights: Independence palace, Binh Tay market, China town, Quan Am pagoda and Fito Museum of traditional medicine. 9:00 AM: Pick up from your hotel to 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 18 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Tay Ninh – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Special excursion to Cu Chi tunnels and then visiting Cao Dai temple.. 7:00 AM: Leave from your hotel to visit the most striking place in the history of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is a real underground city made up of a large network of tunnels covering an area of over 250km long where the Viet Cong conducted the war of resistance against American troops. All of the tunnels were dug over a period of twenty years using only pickaxes and shovels. The tour includes special entering some part of tunnels. Option: At the Cu Chi shooting range, guests can enhance their experience by trying real gun firing. This service allows visitors to test their aim with a variety of firearms under supervision. It's a thrilling option for those seeking a bit of adventure. This is an optional service not included in the tour price, and guests will need to pay on the spot.
Stay: Sanouva Hotel ★★★ (Premium Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel
100km – 2.5h
Day 19 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Ben Tre
From Saigon to Mekong discovery: Boat trip & biking in Ben Tre, visiting typical craft village, interact local people, garden tour, overnight in a homestay. 8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel for your transfer to Ben Tre , a beautiful region in the Mekong Delta River, famous for making coconut candy. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier, take a boat trip on the Ben Tre River to discover the daily local life. Continue your boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh Village . This will be an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits. Take a bike ride (or tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut ranges, rice fields and vegetable gardens. A lunch with elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk will help you to discover the local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on the small canal shaded by the wild palm trees. Disembark Ben Tre for a 1-hour transfer to Cai Lay . Upon your arrival, get warmly welcomed by the host of homestay. Take part in making Banh Xeo Nam Bo (a traditional dish in the region) with your host. Have dinner and stay overnight in Cai Lay.
Stay: Hai My's Homestay (Standard Room) *or similar hotel
150km – 3h
Day 20 — Ben Tre – Long Xuyen
Mekong discovery: Enjoying fruit garden tour, Kien An Cung pagoda, Huynh Thuy Le's house. Have breakfast at the homestay and enjoy a bike ride (1-1.5 hours) on the path from Dong Hoa to Tam Binh, passing the durian gardens, sapota gardens, and longan gardens . Encounter with the local people then visit the local village market. Return to the homestay for refreshments. (Extension: Go for a 1 hour walk along the trail with a local and cycle to Ngu Hiep Island where the alluvium of the Mekong River has formed a fertile garden. These are unusual excursions in a luxuriant and authentic place.) For those who do not wish to ride a bike, it is possible to ask our tour guide for a motorbike and ride pillion. Transfer to Long Xuyen via Sa Dec where we can visit Kien An Cung pagoda and Huynh Thuy Le's house from the novel by Marguerite Duras 'L'Amant – the Lover'. Discover the local market in Sa Dec which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish. Continue to Long Xuyen and visit Cao Dai temple and a crocodile farm on route. Stay overnight at a hotel in Long Xuyen.
Stay: Hoa Binh 1 Hotel ★★★ (Standard Room) *or similar hotel
90km – 2h
Day 21 — Long Xuyen – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Mekong discovery: Long Xuyen floating village, Cu Lao Ong Ho island. Back to Ho Chi Minh City. In the morning, transfer to the floating market and floating village in Long Xuyen which are animated and authentic on a small tributary of the Mekong River. Discover the daily activities of people living by the river. Enjoy a boat trip to Cu Lao Ong Ho where there is a small museum about our famous president Ton Duc Thang. Take a bike ride on the island and enjoy the beauty of the peaceful landscapes. Take the road back to Saigon and check in your hotel in late afternoon.
Stay: Sanouva Hotel ★★★ (Premium Deluxe Double Room) *or similar hotel
190km – 4h
Day 22 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Transferring to airport for flights to next destinations. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to Tan Son Nhat 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: 21, Lunch: 16, Dinner: 09
- 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) | — | $5,100 |
| 2 travellers | $2,877 | $3,444 |
| 3 travellers | $2,445 | $3,012 |
| 4 travellers | $2,176 | $2,743 |
| 5 travellers | $2,009 | $2,576 |
| 6 travellers | $1,902 | $2,469 |
| 7 travellers | $1,823 | $2,390 |
| 8 travellers | $1,904 | $2,471 |
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 22 days enough to enjoy this route?
Yes — this 22-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 —