Tour overview

This 9-day journey explores the crafts, mountains and traditions of northern Vietnam in refined hotels, ending in Hoi An. An expert guide travels with the group, which numbers between six and sixteen, by private minibus with an internal flight. You stay eight nights in hand-picked hotels, an ecolodge and a hot-spring resort, with breakfast daily, five lunches and six dinners, and gratuities included.

In Hanoi a welcome reception features a private musical performance, and you walk the Old Quarter and visit the Temple of Literature after hours. Travelling north, you visit a regenerative project at Thac Ba Lake and stay two nights at Topas Ecolodge, foraging botanicals with a craft distiller.

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Crossing the O Quy Ho Pass, you learn indigo dyeing and hand-spinning with Lu artisans and stay at a hot-spring resort in Tu Le, with a day of your choice of experiences. A wellness retreat in the Red River Delta precedes a flight south to Hoi An and a tour of the ancient town with a scholar.

The physical rating is low. This journey suits travellers who want an immersive, comfortable introduction to Vietnam's culture.

Trip highlights

  • A private musical welcome (Day 1)
  • The Temple of Literature after hours (Day 2)
  • Topas Ecolodge (Days 3–4)
  • Lu weaving and indigo (Day 5)
  • Tu Le hot springs (Days 5–6)
  • Hoi An with a scholar (Day 8)

Your route

9 stops from Hanoi to Hoi An

9-day route: Hanoi – Thac Ba Lake – Hoang Lien Son – Tu Le – Bac Ninh – Hoi An
  1. Hanoi Days 1–2
  2. Thac Ba Lake Day 3
  3. Topas Ecolodge Days 3–4
  4. Sa Pa Day 5
  5. Mu Cang Chai Day 5
  6. Tu Le Days 5–6
  7. Bac Ninh Day 7
  8. Da Nang Day 8
  9. Hoi An Days 8–9

Why choose this tour

Exclusive experiences with an expert guide. Gratuities included.

Best suited to

  • Travellers who value comfort
  • Culture and craft lovers
  • Couples and solo travellers
  • Food lovers
The entrance gate of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi

Day-by-day itinerary

9 days from Hanoi, Vietnam to Hoi An, Vietnam

  1. Day 1 · Hanoi Hanoi

    A musical welcome.

    Hotel
    La Siesta Lakeside
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Hanoi Old Quarter, Temple of Literature Hanoi

    After hours.

    Hotel
    La Siesta Lakeside
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Thac Ba Lake, Hoang Lien Son Highlands

    To the mountains.

    Hotel
    Topas Ecolodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Sapa, Hoang Lien Son Hoang Lien Son

    Foraging botanicals.

    Hotel
    Topas Ecolodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · O Quy Ho Pass, Lao Chai, Tu Le Tu Le

    Indigo and weaving.

    Hotel
    Le Champ Tu Le Resort Hot Spring & Spa
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Tu Le Tu Le

    A day of your choice.

    Hotel
    Le Champ Tu Le Resort Hot Spring & Spa
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Thanh Chuong Palace, Bac Ninh Red River Delta

    A wellness treatment.

    Hotel
    Senna Wellness Retreat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Da Nang, Hoi An Hoi An

    An ancient town.

    Hotel
    Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Hoi An Hoi An

    The journey ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Rice terraces around Sapa, Vietnam

Where you stay

  • Hanoi (2 nights) La Siesta Lakeside
  • Hoang Lien Son (2 nights) Topas Ecolodge
  • Tu Le (2 nights) Le Champ Tu Le Resort Hot Spring & Spa
  • Red River Delta (1 night) Senna Wellness Retreat
  • Hoi An (1 night) Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 8 nights in hand-picked hotels and an ecolodge
  • Meals 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Private minibus, internal flight and transfers
  • Temple of Literature after hours
  • Craft, weaving and wellness experiences
  • Gratuities for local staff
  • Expert guide throughout

Not included

  • Meals not included 2 lunches and 2 dinners
  • International flights
  • Drinks
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Lantern-lit boats on the river in Hoi An

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a budget trip
  • You want an active holiday
  • You want beach time
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–9 · Lunch: Days 3–7 · Dinner: Days 1–2, 4 and 6–8
Colourful ethnic textiles in northern Vietnam

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,372 per person, twin share, tour only. 18 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £3,922 (single supplement from £550).

Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

UK citizens can currently visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. Check the latest advice before travel.

Are gratuities included?

Yes, gratuities for local support staff are included.

What is the day of your choice?

You choose from experiences such as cookery, textiles, mountain walks or tea, booked before travel.

Are transfers included?

Yes, on arrival and departure.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

Between six and sixteen travellers, with an expert guide.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £3,372
See dates & prices