Time: 12 days, 11 nights
CODE: YESDVH12D
Starting From: 699$ per pax

VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS 12 DAYS 11 NIGHTS

This Vietnam Highlights tour takes you on a curated journey through Vietnam’s most treasured destinations. Stroll through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter, marvel at Hue’s majestic Imperial City, and relax on a cruise through Halong Bay. Every moment reveals a piece of Vietnam’s rich tapestry of culture and history.

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TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Food Tour (Private Tour)

Your Vietnam Highlights adventure begins with a warm welcome at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where your guide and driver will take you to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

At night, experience Ho Chi Minh City cuisine on a private food tour. Enjoy a variety of Vietnamese street food at local eateries, and immerse yourself in the city’s nightlife.

DAY 2: Ben Thanh Market - War Remnants Museum - Cu Chi Tunnels

Start your day with the bustling energy of Ben Thanh Market, where the aromas of fresh produce and local spices fill the air. A visit to the War Remnants Museum offers a somber yet insightful look into Vietnam’s history, bringing stories of resilience to life.

In the afternoon, journey to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, where you’ll be awed by the intricate underground network used during the war. Crawling through the narrow passages, you’ll feel a deep connection to the resourcefulness and courage of Vietnam’s past.

DAY 3: Morning Flight to from HCM city to Da Nang - Pick up in Da Nang Airport and transfer to Hoi An - visit Hoi An Ancient Town - Night Market

Begin your day with a morning flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to Hoi An.

Explore the charming Hoi An Ancient Town, known for its well-preserved architecture and vibrant cultural heritage. As the sun sets, the Night Market glows with vibrant colors and the enticing smells of sizzling street food. It’s an enchanting evening of exploration and discovery.

DAY 4: Countryside Village Biking - My Son Sanctuary

In the morning, spend your free time exploring Hoi An’s countryside by bike, visiting villages like Cam Thanh and experiencing local crafts. You can also head to the Old Town for shopping or a tailoring experience.

For those seeking history, an optional trip to My Son Sanctuary reveals ancient Cham ruins nestled in verdant jungle, a quiet reminder of Vietnam’s rich cultural layers.

DAY 5: Hoi An - Hai Van Pass - Imperial City

Today, let’s explore the breathtaking Hai Van Pass, a scenic 21-kilometer mountain route known for its stunning ocean views and historical significance.

When we arrive in Hue city, visit the Imperial City of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to discover its rich cultural heritage and majestic architecture. This is the place where ornate gates, temples, and pavilions tell the story of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty.

DAY 6: Morning Flight from Hue to Hanoi - Hanoi Half Day Tour in the afternoon

Today, we will fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, continue your Vietnam Highlights tour in Hanoi. Begin your half-day tour with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a place of reverence for Vietnam’s leader. Hop onto a cyclo for a leisurely ride through the bustling Old Quarter, where narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from silk to street snacks.

Conclude your afternoon at the picturesque Ngoc Son Temple, offering a serene blend of history and culture amidst Hanoi’s bustling atmosphere.

DAY 7: Hanoi - Ha Long - Activities on Cruise

On Day 1 of your Halong-Lan Ha Bay adventure, arrive at Bhaya Cruise Center and board The Au Co. Enjoy lunch as the cruise passes stunning islets.

Explore Viet Hai village by bike or electric cart, learn about Bhaya’s community projects, and try making Banh Cuon or sipping mojitea. Swim in an emerald lagoon, savor dinner onboard, and join a Vietnamese rice-wine tasting session.

End the day with Happy Hour or squid fishing.

DAY 8: Activities on Cruise - Return to Hanoi

Start your day in Halong Bay with an invigorating Tai Chi session at sunrise over the UNESCO Heritage Site. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before kayaking through the stunning Trinh Nu area, surrounded by emerald waters and rugged mountains.

After returning to the boat, prepare for checkout, settle bills, and disembark at Tuan Chau Harbor.

DAY 9: Hanoi - Sapa - Walk around Sapa Town - Cat Cat village

In this day, start your Vietnam Highlights journey with a morning bus from Hanoi to Sapa, arriving around midday. Explore Sapa Town’s scenic artificial lake, Gothic-style Notre Dame Cathedral, and vibrant night market.

Take a leisurely walk to Cat Cat Village, home to the H’mong ethnic group. Here, terraced rice fields cascade down the hillsides, and the soothing sound of the Tien Sa Waterfall fills the air. Learn about the villagers’ traditional way of life and admire their beautiful handcrafted textiles.

DAY 10: Full Day Trekking: Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van

Embark on a full-day trekking adventure from Sapa through the stunning Muong Hoa Valley. Explore Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van villages, home to Black H’mong and Giay ethnic groups.

Walk through golden rice terraces and bamboo groves, immersing yourself in the peaceful rhythm of rural life and gaining a deeper appreciation for these remote communities.

DAY 11: Fansipan Cable Car Visit in the morning - Return to Hanoi in the afternoon

Begin your day with a visit to Fansipan, the “Roof of Indochina”, via the breathtaking cable car ride. Marvel at panoramic views of lush valleys and towering peaks. Return to Sapa for lunch before heading back to Hanoi in the afternoon, carrying memories of breathtaking heights.

DAY 12: Breakfast and transfer to the airport

After breakfast, your guide will see you off at Noi Bai International Airport. As your Vietnam Highlights journey in Vietnam comes to an end, you’ll leave with a heart full of stories, unforgettable landscapes, and a deeper connection to this extraordinary country.

The itinerary is subject to change or cancellation due to weather conditions.

  • Included: Ground transport, English-speaking guide, accommodation, activities & meals mentioned above.
  • Excluded: Airfares, visa fees, travel insurance, gratuities, personal expenses & all other services not clearly mentioned above.

WHY TRAVEL WITH YESD?

Authentic

We give local people employment, income and learning opportunities so they are directly involved in your tourism experience. Our guides and hosts will give you a special insight into culture and life in Vietnam.

Responsible

We aim to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and the local community while contributing positively to local economies. We don’t just talk responsible tourism, we act!

Tours that translate

10% of all profits from our tours go towards a community fund. This money allows us to make infrastructure improvements and provide other important resources to those in need.

READY TO EXPLORE VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS?

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    TripAdvisor Customer Reviews

    On YESD Tours

    nikki f ha giang tours review

    Ha Chiang loop for an old boy

    Well what can I say about my Ha Chiang loop trip I did with Yesd. They were excellent from start to finish. As a 54 year old man I did the loop solo with my driver Chinh as I wanted to avoid the happy water and karaoke aspect. Chinh understood this perfectly and took me on a fabulous trip. We took local routes when he could, avoiding some of main routes. He kept ahead of the ‘Mongolian army’ as he called the throngs of other loopers and often arrived at view points before they arrived …

    >> See Nikki’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

    Nikki F. / Trip Advisor
    estefany reviews on ha giang tours

    An authentic and sustainable experience

    It was a unique experience that allowed me to truly experience sustainable tourism. The activities took place in breathtaking landscapes and gave us the opportunity to learn firsthand about the traditions and lifestyle of the local communities. The team was very attentive and took care of every detail to ensure we enjoyed our stay to the fullest.
    Realmente lo recomiendo! es una manera hermosa de descubrir Ha Giang y, al mismo tiempo, contribuir a un turismo responsable.

    >> See Estefano’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

     
    Estefano / Trip Advisor
    dan b avatar tripadvisor

    A memory for life

    An amazing experience! Incredible guides! You almost feel privileged compared to other groups. The accommodation is top-notch; the house, the welcome, the meals—everything is perfect. The mountain trek is magical, the motorbike trek is insane (beware of sore bums by the end!), incredible views the whole time, and super enriching stories. It really puts things into perspective compared to our European comforts—it feels great! To conclude this review, thank you again to the entire YESD Travel team; they are truly wonderful people.

    >> See Dan’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

    Dan B / Trip Advisor
    tripadvisor review

    Amazing Trek + Ha Giang Loop Tour

    We recently did a trekking + Ha Giang loop tour with YESD and were blown away by their service level and professionalism. We like YESD’s mission of responsible tourism while supporting the local community and empowering locals with employment. A portion of the profits also directly go back to supporting the communities and local infrastructure.

    Our stay at Mr. Thien’s homestay was amazing! The place was homey and relaxing. Mr. Thien and the people working there were so friendly, warm and hospitable …

    >> See Mario’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

     
    Mario S / Trip Advisor
    Screenshot 2025 12 09 160734

    4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop

    Our trip to Ha Giang Loop with YESD was the highlight of our trip to Vietnam.
    We were 3 couples and took a private tour some of us on bikes and others in car.
    Booking with YESD was easy and Tuyet was so attentive with our needs and always replied promptly.
    We stayed 3 nights in home stays all great experiences with the most generous host families.
    All had our own rooms / bungalows with bathrooms.
    YESD are socially and environmentally conscious with travel …

    >> See megdunne’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

    Megdunne / Trip Advisor

    View 485+ reviews of YESD on TripAdvisor >>

    Check out all of our reviews on TripAdvisor. YESD Travel is a part of YESD Social Enterprise which was established to help the disadvantaged youth and communities in Vietnam. With a background of working for non-governmental organizations, they gained many experiences in community development projects. Explore more responsible tours in Ha Giang, Sapa, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Ha Noi, Cao Bang, Bac Can, and Nam Dinh.

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    GRATUITY NOTE

    Tipping is not customary in Vietnam though it is highly appreciated, mostly in our New Year and Tet holiday. In fact, if you do receive a service that completely exceeds your expectation, then a tip is welcome. Please consider our recommendations on when to tip in Vietnam.

    • Tour guide: Tipping Expected.
    • Tour driver: Tipping Expected.
    • Homestay/ Hotel: Tipping optional.
    • Taxi driver, restaurants: Tipping optional.