Tour overview

This 10-day trip covers Vietnam's highlights from north to south at a brisk pace. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, by minibus, boat, sleeper train and a domestic flight. You stay seven nights in hotels, a night on a boat in Halong Bay and a night on a sleeper train, with breakfast on most days.

From Hanoi you travel to Halong Bay for a night aboard a boat among the limestone islands, with a cave visit. A sleeper train takes you to Hue, where you tour the Imperial Citadel and the tomb of Tu Duc and ride through the back streets on a motorbike tour.

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Crossing the Hai Van Pass, you reach Hoi An for a walking tour and a free day, then fly to Ho Chi Minh City. A day trip to the Mekong Delta by boat, sampan and tuk-tuk ends the trip.

The physical rating is low. This trip suits travellers short on time who want the essential Vietnam.

Trip highlights

  • A night on Halong Bay (Day 2)
  • The sleeper train (Day 3)
  • Hue by motorbike (Day 5)
  • The Hai Van Pass (Day 6)
  • Hoi An (Days 6–7)
  • The Mekong Delta (Day 9)

Your route

10 stops from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

10-day route: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
  1. Hanoi Day 1
  2. Ha Long Bay Day 2
  3. Hanoi Day 3
  4. Hue Days 4–5
  5. Hai Van Pass Day 6
  6. Hoi An Days 6–7
  7. My Son Sanctuary Day 7
  8. Ho Chi Minh City Days 8–9
  9. Ben Tre Day 9
  10. Ho Chi Minh City Day 10

Why choose this tour

Vietnam's highlights in ten days. Departs almost every day.

Best suited to

  • Travellers short on time
  • First-time visitors to Vietnam
  • Solo travellers
  • Travellers on a budget
Limestone islands and boats in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Day-by-day itinerary

10 days from Hanoi, Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  1. Day 1 · Hanoi Hanoi

    A welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Halong Bay Halong Bay

    A night on the bay.

    Hotel
    Overnight boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Halong Bay, Hanoi Sleeper train

    The night train.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Hue Imperial Citadel Hue

    An imperial city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  5. Day 5 · Tu Duc Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda Hue

    By motorbike.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Hai Van Pass, Hoi An Hoi An

    Over the pass.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Hoi An Hoi An

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City

    Fly south.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Ben Tre, Mekong Delta Mekong Delta

    Boats and tuk-tuks.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  10. Day 10 · Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Meridian Gate of the Imperial City in Hue

Where you stay

  • Hanoi (1 night) Hotel
  • Halong Bay (1 night) Overnight boat
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Hue (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hoi An (2 nights) Hotel
  • Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 7 hotel nights, a boat and a sleeper train
  • Meals 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Minibus, boat, sleeper train and a domestic flight
  • Halong Bay cruise and cave entry
  • Hue Imperial Citadel and motorbike tour
  • Mekong Delta day trip
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not included 1 breakfast, 5 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A traditional boat on a palm-lined channel of the Mekong Delta

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfortable hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You don't want to ride pillion on a motorbike
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–3 and 5–10 · Lunch: Days 2, 5 and 9 · Dinner: Days 1–2
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Vietnam
A lantern shop in Hoi An, Vietnam

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £839 per person, twin share, tour only. 1076 upcoming departures.

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.

Do I have to ride on a motorbike?

The Hue tour is on the back of a motorbike with a local driver; check your insurance covers riding pillion.

What is the sleeper train like?

Shared four- to six-berth compartments with bedding provided.

How often does it depart?

Almost every day of the year.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available, except on the boat and train.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.

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

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