Your Travel Itinerary for Vietnam
This is the ideal itinerary to discover the diverse beauty of Vietnam at a moderate pace.
Vietnam Explorer:
A Two-Week Cultural & Scenic Adventure
Embark on a remarkable 14-day adventure through Vietnam, exploring its most breathtaking landscapes, ancient heritage, and vibrant local cultures. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the remote hill tribes of Sapa, from the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to the imperial grandeur of Hue, this immersive journey unveils Vietnam’s hidden gems and iconic treasures.
Wander through the charming streets of Hoi An, uncover the secrets of My Son’s ancient temples, and experience the dynamic energy of Ho Chi Minh City. Venture deep into the Mekong Delta, where floating markets and lush waterways offer a glimpse into traditional rural life.
Designed for curious travelers seeking an in-depth exploration of Vietnam’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality, Vietnam Explorer takes you beyond the ordinary.
Whether cruising through limestone karsts, trekking in terraced valleys, or savoring local delicacies, this tour offers an unforgettable blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and relaxation. Join us for an extraordinary journey through the heart and soul of Vietnam.
JOURNEY DETAILS
| DURATION: | 14 Days – 12 Nights |
| CITIES: | Hanoi > Sapa > Ha Long Bay > Hanoi > Hue > Da Nang > Hoi An > Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) > Vin Long > Can Tho > Ho Chi Minh City |
| SINGLE: | Yes |
| GROUP: | Yes |
| CUSTOMIZABLE: | Yes |
| MEALS INCLUDED: | Breakfast: 14, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 2 |
| CHILD FRIENDLY: | Yes |
| WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY: | No |
ITINERARY OUTLINE
Day 1
Included: Dinner
Welcome to Vietnam!
Arrival in Hanoi, transfer to hotel
Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel for check-in and a tour briefing.
In the evening, Latitude Journeys will host a welcome dinner at a charming Vietnamese restaurant.
Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Day 2
Included: Breakfast
Hanoi Full Day City Tour – Night Train to Sapa
Meet your local guide at the hotel and begin a full-day city tour of Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi—a city of tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, serene lakes, and traditional temples.
Start with visits to the city’s most significant historical and cultural sites: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, and the National Assembly area, with an introduction to Vietnam’s constitution.
Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature to gain insights into Buddhism and Confucianism, Vietnam’s two major religions. Conclude the morning with a tour of the Fine Arts Museum, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Return to central Hanoi for a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and a rickshaw tour through the vibrant Old Quarter, famous for its 36 guild streets.
The evening highlight is a performance at the renowned Water Puppet Theater, a traditional Vietnamese art form.
Afterwards, transfer to Hanoi Station to board the night train to Sapa.
Day 3
Included: Breakfast
Sapa
Early morning arrival at Lao Cai, then transfer upland to the town of Sapa and hotel check-in.
The rest of the day is devoted to exploring this exotic region of the Northern Hill Country, visiting the unusual markets, and getting acquainted with the different ethnic hill tribes such as the H’mong, Red Dao, Tay and others.
We then will take a short walk out of town for a great vista of Vietnam’s highest mountain range, Fansipan, filled with terraced rice paddies and deep valleys.
Enjoy the incredible mountain vista at sunset.
Overnight stay in Sapa.
Day 4
Included: Breakfast
Sapa II
Spend an entire day immersed in the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region’s hill tribes.
Explore different villages in the Muong Hoa Valley, meeting the H’mong, Red Dao, and Tay communities.
Enjoy home visits and capture the scenic landscapes and vibrant local life—a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Choose to explore by foot, climb hills, trek, or opt for a relaxed jeep ride through the valley.
Overnight stay in Sapa.
Day 5
Included: Breakfast
Sapa III – Night Train to Hanoi
If visiting Sapa from Monday to Saturday, we’ll take a jeep tour to Silver Waterfall and Heaven’s Gate Pass—the highest pass in Vietnam, reaching over 2,000 meters.
There, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding valley and stunning landscapes.
If it’s a Sunday, we’ll drive three hours to Bac Ha instead, where you’ll experience the vibrant Bac Ha Hill Tribe Market.
This bustling weekly market is a gathering place for hill tribe communities, who come dressed in their finest, most colorful clothing to trade, shop, and socialize. It’s a remarkable cultural experience and a fantastic opportunity for photography.
In the late afternoon, we’ll board the night train for our return journey to Hanoi.
Day 6
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hanoi – Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
Pick up at the Hanoi train station, in the morning and begin our journey to Ha Long Bay, passing through the Red River Delta with its picturesque rice farms and charming villages.
Along the way, we’ll make stops to see buffaloes plowing the fields and local farmers tending their rice paddies, offering a close-up view of rural life.
Upon arriving at Ha Long Bay, we’ll board our cruise and set sail through this breathtaking landscape. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its natural beauty and geological importance, Ha Long Bay features nearly 3,000 islands and remarkable rock formations.
We’ll cruise past iconic spots like Ga Choi Island, Dinh Huong Island, Dog Island, and Sail Island, while savoring fresh seafood served on board.
In the late afternoon, we’ll take to the water in kayaks, exploring the bay’s serene corners before concluding the day with a romantic dinner.
Overnight stay on the cruise.
Day 7
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Ha Long – Hanoi – Hue
Wake up to the sunrise and a fresh cup of morning coffee before setting out on a bamboo boat to explore Sung Sot Cave—one of the largest and most impressive caves in Ha Long Bay.
We’ll continue our journey on the cruise, passing by the bustling Hon Gai market, and savor a final seafood lunch on board before returning to Ha Long City.
Then transferring back to the Hanoi Airport for a short flight to Hue.
Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel, check-in and free to explore the city.
Overnight stay in Hue.
Day 8
Included: Breakfast
Hue – Full Day City Tour
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and escort you to the jetty on the Perfume River.
Board a small boat and glide upstream to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s oldest and most revered Buddhist sites, known for its connection to a monk’s self-immolation protest in the 1960s.
Following the pagoda visit, continue by car to the Imperial Citadel, the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty. This expansive complex of palaces and grounds provides a glimpse into the grandeur of Vietnam’s imperial history.
After lunch at a serene garden restaurant, visit the tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, each showcasing a unique blend of traditional and modern architectural influences, inspired by the Forbidden City.
Conclude the day with a stroll through Dong Ba Market, Hue’s largest, where you’ll discover the artistry behind Vietnam’s iconic conical hats. The tour concludes around 5:00 pm.
Overnight stay in Hue.
Day 9
Included: Breakfast
Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Danang via the scenic Hai Van Pass, offering breathtaking coastal views.
In Danang, we’ll visit the renowned Cham Museum for an introduction to the history and culture of the Champa civilization.
From there, we continue 30 km south to Hoi An. The day will be spent exploring Hoi An’s charming streets and centuries-old architecture, a unique blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese influences.
Highlights include the Chinese Assembly Hall, ancient temples, historic merchant homes, and the iconic Japanese Bridge.
Overnight stay in Hoi An
Day 10
Included: Breakfast
Hoi An – My Son Holy Land
Often referred to as the “My Son Holy See,” the My Son complex is a collection of intricate Cham temples that once served as a vital place of worship for the Champa Kingdom.
Located 40 km from Hoi An, this day tour offers a unique opportunity to explore and gain insight into the fascinating, long-lost culture of Champa.
In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to relax and enjoy the beaches of Hoi An.
Overnight stay in Hoi An.
Day 11
Included: Breakfast
Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City
We’ll take an early flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic metropolis.
Like many locals, we’ll start with a bowl of pho on Pasteur Street for lunch, then visit iconic landmarks, including the Unification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Saigon Central Post Office, and Cholon, Saigon’s vibrant Chinatown.
Dinner is on your own today, but we recommend Vietnam House, one of the city’s most renowned restaurants. This culinary gem offers a rich tapestry of Southern Vietnamese flavors, with dishes influenced by Cambodian, Thai, and Indian cuisines, as well as a diverse selection of tropical fruits and vegetables.
Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12
Included: Breakfast
Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho
Meet your guide at the hotel and depart early from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh Long.
Upon arrival in Cai Be, board a boat to explore the lively floating market, a hallmark of the Mekong Delta.
Continue by boat to Binh Hoa Phuoc Island, where you’ll visit tropical fruit orchards and enjoy lunch in the renowned bonsai garden of Mr. Sau Giao.
After lunch, continue by boat to Vinh Long Town before proceeding to Can Tho.
Overnight stay in Can Tho.
Day 13
Included: Breakfast
Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
Early this morning, we’ll take a boat ride to the remarkable Cai Rang floating market, one of the largest on the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta.
This bustling market offers a vibrant array of exotic fruits and vegetables that are traded both domestically and internationally.
The boat tour concludes at My Khanh, an authentic Delta village. After lunch, we’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City, crossing the Delta’s river system aboard one of the remaining Danish ferries.
Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 14
Included: Breakfast
Departure from Ho Chi Minh City
Take time to rest and relax before your departure from Ho Chi Minh City, or enjoy some final exploration on your own.
Transfer assistance for your departure will be provided.
BOOKING FORM
Ready for Departure?
LJ TRAVEL TIP
Transfer assistance for your departure will be provided.
