Vietnam Overland Delights Tour:

Cultural Exploration & Coastal Charm

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi for a scenic drive to Bat Trang, a renowned traditional pottery village located just 15 km from the capital. Nestled alongside the Red River and surrounded by fertile farmland, Bat Trang is famous for its centuries-old ceramics craftsmanship.

Here, you’ll have the opportunity to observe local artisans shaping, painting, and glazing exquisite ceramic pieces—many of which are still baked in large traditional kilns for several days. It’s a wonderful insight into Vietnam’s vibrant craft heritage and a great chance to shop for unique handmade souvenirs.

Continue eastward to Hai Phong, the largest seaport city in northern Vietnam, located approximately 102 km from Hanoi. Enjoy a brief orientation tour featuring visits to:

• Du Hang Pagoda – a serene Buddhist site with beautiful architecture and tranquil gardens

• Hang Kenh Communal House – famous for its intricate wood carvings and traditional design

After lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant, the journey continues to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its majestic limestone karsts and emerald waters.

Check in to your hotel upon arrival in Halong City. The evening is free for you to relax or take a stroll along the bayfront.

Overnight in Halong City

Discover Halong Bay – A Highlight of Vietnam Tours and Vietnam Adventures

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site famously known in Vietnamese as "The Dragon Descending to the Sea." A true gem of any Vietnam tour, this breathtaking destination features over 1,000 limestone islets rising majestically from emerald waters, many sheltering mysterious grottoes and caves that add to the bay’s allure.

This immersive Vietnam adventure includes a relaxing 5-hour boat cruise through the tranquil waters of Halong Bay. As you glide past dramatic cliffs and island landscapes, savor a delicious, freshly prepared seafood lunch served on board. Let the natural beauty and serenity of the bay captivate your senses.

In the afternoon, return to Hanoi where your Vietnam travel experience continues. This scenic day trip is perfect for travelers seeking a blend of cultural wonder, natural beauty, and relaxing exploration.

Whether you're planning short getaways or extended Vietnam adventures, Halong Bay is a must-see highlight that brings the magic of Vietnam to life.

Full day city tour: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Monday, Friday and the entire months of October and November), Ho Chi Minh's Residence, One-Pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature built in the 11th century as Vietnam's first university. Afternoon visit Museum of Ethnology , Hoan Kiem lake with Ngoc Son temple and Old Quarters. Evening: Water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. 

Discover the Heart of Vietnam’s Capital

Start your day with a guided Hanoi city tour, exploring the rich history and cultural heritage of Vietnam’s vibrant capital.

Morning Highlights:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Note: Closed on Mondays, Fridays, and during October & November) – Pay tribute to the revered Vietnamese leader at his final resting place, a key stop on any Vietnam heritage tour.

• Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House & Presidential Palace Grounds – Walk through the simple wooden house where Uncle Ho lived and worked, set amidst peaceful gardens.

• One-Pillar Pagoda – Visit this iconic Buddhist structure, built in 1049 and rising from a single stone pillar in a lotus pond, symbolizing purity.

• Temple of Literature – Step into Vietnam’s first national university, founded in the 11th century. This Confucian sanctuary features courtyards, ancient stelae, and classic Vietnamese architecture.

Afternoon Highlights:

• Museum of Ethnology – A fascinating museum showcasing Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups through traditional artifacts, costumes, and reconstructed tribal homes. (Closed on Mondays)

• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple – Stroll around Hanoi’s legendary lake and visit the charming temple on the Jade Island, dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao.

• Old Quarter Walking Tour – Dive into the bustling narrow streets of Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter, where each street is named after the trade it once specialized in. A paradise for street photography and local snacks.

Evening Experience:

• 🎭 Water Puppet Show – Enjoy a performance of this uniquely Vietnamese traditional art form, with wooden puppets dancing on water to live folk music and storytelling. A must-see cultural experience in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Drive to Cuc Phuong national park 4-hour easy trekking to discover the rich flora of the park. Lunch en route at a local restaurant. Drive to Ninh Binh and transfer to hotel for check in. Dinner and overnight at your selected hotel in Ninh Binh

Drive to Hoa Lu, often called " Dry Halong Bay ". Limestone rocks rise from rice fields and winding streams. Enjoy the spectacular scenery during a leisurely boat ride in traditional local sampans to Tam Coc caves. Lunch at local restaurant.

Visit Bich Dong pagoda and temple of the Dinh and Le Dynasties. Proceed to Phat Diem for visiting the stone church, a striking architectural complex in the style of a Vietnamese pagoda. Return to Ninh Binh for accommodation at simple hotel.

Dry Halong Bay”, Ancient Capitals & Spiritual Landmarks

This morning, depart for Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties. The region is often referred to as “Dry Halong Bay” for its dramatic limestone karsts rising majestically from lush rice paddies and winding rivers.

Enjoy a peaceful, scenic boat ride in traditional sampans through Tam Coc, often called “Three Caves.” As you glide along the Ngo Dong River, marvel at the stunning landscape of limestone cliffs, tranquil rice fields, and mysterious cave passages—one of the highlights of any Ninh Binh adventure tour.

After a delicious Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant, continue your cultural exploration:

• 🏯 Bich Dong Pagoda – A charming cluster of mountain pagodas nestled into a limestone cliff, offering panoramic views and a tranquil spiritual atmosphere.

• 🏛️ Temples of the Dinh and Le Dynasties – Visit these historic 10th-century temples in Hoa Lu, honoring Vietnam’s early monarchs and showcasing traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Full day drive to Dong Hoi through charming rural scenery, where offers a glimpse into the life in the southern Red River Delta. Lunch en route. Arrive in Dong Hoi, transfer to hotel for overnight.

Drive to beautiful Phong Nha caves accessible by boat on the clear water of the Son River . Lunch en route. Proceed south to visit Vinh Moc tunnels, dug to accommodate an underground village safe from American air raids in the north of the DMZ. Continue driving through the sites of the fierce battle fields of Vinh Linh, Doc Mieu and Dong Ha before arriving in Hue , the former Royal city of the 13 ruling Nguyen dynasties. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at your hotel.

Boat ride on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and Minh Mang tomb. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Imperial Citadel with its Forbidden city and Tu Duc tomb and local market. Overnight at your hotel. 

Depart by coach to Da Nang . The scenic 4-hour drive via Hai Van pass offers spectacular views of mountains, sea, idyllic beaches and villages. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Cham museum then continue to the Marble Mountains with its beautiful grottoes and temples, which can be reached by climbing steep steps (please wear appropriate shoes). We continue further south to the charming historic city of Hoi An, transfer to hotel for overnight.

Drive to My Son, the imperial city of the Champa empire of the 4th to 12th centuries, My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious ruins comprising more than 70 architectural remains. Return to Hoi An, known to early Western merchant, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow street; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. During a leisurely discovery tour on foot you will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and famous bridges. Overnight in Hoian hotels.

Drive to Da Nang and transfer to the airport for a short flight to Nha Trang. Visit the Institute of Oceanography and Po Nagar Cham tower, a sacred Hindu site dating back to the 2nd century AD. The town was built between the 7th and 12th centuries and is still used today as a place of pilgrimage for the Cham and Vietnamese Buddhists. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Nhatrang hotels.

Full day at leisure. Ovcernight at hotel.

Leisure time until transfer to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh city . Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and lunch. City tour: War museum, the Post office and Notre Dame Cathedral, former Presidential Palace, (from out side for picture only), China Town with Thien Hau pagoda and local market. Overnight at hotel. 

Drive to Cu Chi and visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels. There are more than 200km of underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. Proceed to Tay Ninh, center of the Cao Dai religion founded in 1926, a combination of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism. You will have the opportunity to watch the worshippers in their white long tunics during noon mass. Lunch at a local restaurant. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City . Overnight at hotel. 

Coach trip to My Tho and visit Vinh Trang pagoda. My Tho is famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. Enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong river and visit an orchard on an island. Lunch at a local restaurant. Drive to Can Tho and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Cantho hotels. 

Boat trip on the Mekong river to visit Cai Rang floating market, you also have opportunity to watch local villagers producing rice paper, pop-rice, and rice husking. Continue by car to Soc Trang to visit Bat Pagoda, Clay pagoda and Khmer museum. Lunch en route. Drive back to Can Tho. In the afternoon, drive to Chau Doc, with an en route visit by boat to the Bang Lang stork sanctuary in Thot Not. Overnight at your hotel.

Visit Sam Mountain, Lady Xu temple, Thoai Ngoc Hau temple, Tay An pagoda and boat trip to the Islamic Champa village. Lunch en route. Depart Chau Doc to Sa Dec, visit the flower village. Return Ho Chi Minh city and transfer to hotels. Overnight at your hotel.

Breakfast at hotel and at leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure.