Want to experience Vietnam’s biggest highlights from south to north in one well-paced journey? This 12-day, 11-night Vietnam Highlights tour takes you from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels, Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, Hue, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Fansipan, and your final airport transfer, combining food, history, heritage towns, bay cruising, mountain trekking, and local culture.
View Itinerary Book This TourThis Vietnam Highlights tour is designed for travelers who want a curated south-to-north route through Vietnam’s most treasured destinations. Begin in Ho Chi Minh City, continue to Hoi An and Hue, fly to Hanoi, cruise Ha Long Bay, then finish with Sapa trekking, Fansipan, and a final airport transfer.
Start with airport pickup, a private food tour, Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, and Cu Chi Tunnels.
Explore Hoi An’s preserved architecture, night market, countryside biking, local crafts, and optional My Son Sanctuary visit.
Travel over Hai Van Pass and visit Hue Imperial City, a UNESCO-listed landmark tied to Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty.
Fly to Hanoi for a half-day city tour with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, cyclo ride, Old Quarter streets, and Ngoc Son Temple.
Board The Au Co, visit Viet Hai Village, swim, kayak, enjoy onboard activities, and cruise through iconic bay scenery.
Explore Sapa Town, Cat Cat Village, Muong Hoa Valley, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Fansipan by cable car.
Follow the journey step by step, from Ho Chi Minh City arrival to Cu Chi Tunnels, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Fansipan, and your final airport transfer.
Your Vietnam Highlights adventure begins with a warm welcome at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, followed by transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
At night, experience Ho Chi Minh City cuisine on a private food tour, tasting Vietnamese street food at local eateries while enjoying the city’s nightlife.
Start your day with the bustling energy of Ben Thanh Market, where local produce, spices, food stalls, and everyday city life come together.
Visit the War Remnants Museum for a deeper look at Vietnam’s modern history and the stories of resilience connected to the country’s past.
In the afternoon, journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate underground network that reflects the resourcefulness and courage of wartime Vietnam.
Begin with a morning flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you are picked up and transferred to Hoi An.
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town, known for preserved architecture, cultural heritage, yellow-walled houses, lanterns, and riverside streets.
As the sun sets, the Night Market glows with colorful lanterns, food aromas, and a lively evening atmosphere.
Spend the morning exploring Hoi An’s countryside by bike, with possible village stops such as Cam Thanh and opportunities to experience local crafts.
You can also return to the Old Town for shopping, cafes, or a tailoring experience, depending on your travel style.
For travelers interested in history, an optional trip to My Son Sanctuary reveals ancient Cham ruins set among green jungle scenery.
Travel along the Hai Van Pass, a scenic mountain route known for ocean views, winding roads, and historical significance.
Arrive in Hue and visit the Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where ornate gates, temples, pavilions, and walls tell the story of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Fly from Hue to Hanoi and continue the Vietnam Highlights tour in the capital after arrival.
Begin the half-day Hanoi tour with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a place of reverence connected to Vietnam’s modern history.
Ride a cyclo through the Old Quarter’s lively streets, then conclude the afternoon at Ngoc Son Temple near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Arrive at Bhaya Cruise Center and board The Au Co. Enjoy lunch while the cruise passes beautiful islets in Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay.
Explore Viet Hai Village by bike or electric cart, learn about Bhaya’s community projects, and experience the village’s peaceful island setting.
Try making Banh Cuon or sipping mojitea, swim in an emerald lagoon, enjoy dinner onboard, and join a Vietnamese rice-wine tasting session.
End the day with Happy Hour, squid fishing, or quiet time on deck as the bay turns peaceful at night.
Start the day with a Tai Chi session at sunrise over the UNESCO-listed bay scenery.
Enjoy breakfast, then kayak through the Trinh Nu area, surrounded by emerald water and rugged limestone mountains.
Return to the boat, prepare for checkout, settle bills, disembark at Tuan Chau Harbor, and transfer back to Hanoi.
Start with a morning bus from Hanoi to Sapa, arriving around midday in Vietnam’s famous mountain town.
Explore Sapa Town’s artificial lake, Gothic-style Notre Dame Cathedral, and vibrant night market.
Take a leisurely walk to Cat Cat Village, home to H’mong communities, terraced rice fields, Tien Sa Waterfall, and traditional textiles.
Embark on a full-day trek from Sapa through Muong Hoa Valley, passing rice terraces, bamboo groves, and mountain scenery.
Explore Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages, home to Black H’mong communities and surrounded by peaceful rural landscapes.
Continue to Ta Van Village, home to Giay communities, and experience the quiet rhythm of remote village life.
Begin the day with a visit to Fansipan, the “Roof of Indochina,” reached by a scenic cable car ride above valleys and towering peaks.
Return to Sapa for lunch before heading back to Hanoi in the afternoon, carrying memories of Vietnam’s northern highlands.
After breakfast, take time to reflect on your Vietnam Highlights journey, from southern city life to central heritage towns, bay scenery, and northern mountains.
Your guide sees you off at Noi Bai International Airport, ending the 12-day Vietnam Highlights tour.
Review the main inclusions and exclusions before sending your request, so you can better understand what is covered in this 12-day Vietnam Highlights tour.
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Real stories from travelers who joined YESD for authentic, responsible, and locally connected travel experiences in Vietnam.
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 …
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.
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, incredible views the whole time, and super enriching stories. Thank you again to the entire YESD Travel team; they are truly wonderful people.
Practical answers to help you understand the route, travel style, city highlights, Hoi An and Hue heritage stops, Ha Long Bay cruise, Sapa trekking, Fansipan visit, inclusions, and whether this 12-day Vietnam itinerary is the right fit for your trip.
This tour lasts 12 days and 11 nights, starting in Ho Chi Minh City and ending with airport transfer from Hanoi.
The itinerary includes Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, Da Nang, Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary as an optional visit, Hue, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Cat Cat Village, Muong Hoa Valley, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Fansipan, and Hanoi airport transfer.
Yes. This route is designed as a broad Vietnam Highlights itinerary, combining major cities, historical sites, heritage towns, bay cruising, mountain trekking, and local culture in one trip.
Yes. The tour starts in Ho Chi Minh City with a private food tour, then includes Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, and Cu Chi Tunnels on Day 2.
Yes. The Central Vietnam section includes Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An Night Market, countryside biking, optional My Son Sanctuary, Hai Van Pass, and Hue Imperial City.
Yes. The itinerary includes a Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay cruise with Viet Hai Village, onboard activities, swimming, rice-wine tasting, Tai Chi, kayaking in the Trinh Nu area, and return to Hanoi.
Yes. The Sapa section includes Cat Cat Village and a full-day trek through Muong Hoa Valley, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van.
Yes. Day 11 includes a Fansipan cable car visit in the morning before returning to Hanoi in the afternoon.
Ground transport, English-speaking guide, accommodation, and activities and meals mentioned in the itinerary are included.
Yes. The itinerary may change or be cancelled due to weather conditions or operational factors such as flight, cruise, and local activity schedules.