Vietnam Highlights: From Saigon to Hanoi & Halong Bay Overnight
Saigon hits you with energy the moment you arrive scooters flying past, street vendors calling out, the smell of something sizzling on the corner. You’ll spend a couple of nights here, enough time to wander Binh Tay Market, weave through Chinatown, and step inside places like the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. If you can spare a day, escape the city maybe to the bright Cao Dai Temple and the narrow Cu Chi Tunnels, or down to the Mekong Delta where the river just keeps going.
Then it’s north to Hanoi. Different pace, different mood. You might start at Ho Chi Minh’s home and mausoleum, then the Temple of Literature, and eventually just get lost in the Old Quarter – it’s the best way to see it. And if you want to finish your trip with something jaw-dropping? Take the detour to Halong Bay. Standing on a boat between those limestone cliffs will stick in your memory for a long time.
What’s included
- Carefully selected accommodation with breakfast
- Other meals listed in the itinerary
- Expert English-speaking local guide
- Tours as mentioned and air-conditioned transfers
- Sightseeing and permit fees during guided times
- Boat cruises and rides while on tour
- Flights to tour destinations (Economy Class)
- Service charges and government VAT tax
What’s not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Evisa to Vietnam
- Gratuities for tour guides and drivers
- Beverages and other personal expenses
Itinerary ideas
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1
Welcome to Vietnam’s capital city! Upon your arrival at TSN Airport, our guide will meet you (just outside the baggage claim) and transport you to your hotel in Saigon.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon -
2
Vietnam’s largest, and most exciting city Ho Chi Minh City, is home to historic sites, busy streets, and vibrant markets. This full-day tour helps you discover its important sights and rich cultural districts.
You will visit Reunification Palace of Vietnam historic lore (the site of the wars end). You will then enjoy the French architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. After which you head to Cholon, the busy Chinatown, visit the rich cultural history of the Thien Hau Pagoda with its elaborate carvings and incense coils followed by a trip to the lively Binh Tay Market.
After lunch featuring Vietnamese specialties, you will visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the country’s wartime past. The tour concludes at Ben Thanh Market, a hive of local life and a great place to shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, and try out street food.
This one-day tour shows clients a vibrant snapshot of Ho Chi Minh City, its layered past and active present.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon -
3
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take a short car ride to the historic Cu Chi Tunnel Complex. This extensive maze of underground passages served as crucial hideouts for the Viet Cong during raids and bombings in the American War.
For those who can brave the descent and don’t mind some very tight spaces you’ll have the chance to climb into and explore the tunnels, gaining a real sense of what life was like for Vietnamese soldiers during wartime.
After visiting Cu Chi, we’ll return to Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch -
4
Take a private transfer from District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City to the charming river town of My Tho. With your private guide, begin your day with a visit to the elaborately decorated Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda, a stunning blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese architectural styles.
Afterwards, board a boat to cruise among the Mekong’s famous islets — Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Disembark on Unicorn Island for a leisurely walk, sampling delicious tropical fruits while enjoying performances from local folk singers. Continue to a small honey‑bee farm along Bến Tre’s Thới Sơn canal, where you can taste fresh honey tea and watch coconut candy being made.
Enjoy a delicious riverside lunch featuring authentic Delta cuisine before relaxing in a private hammock beneath swaying palm trees. After your riverside break, take a private transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoying the same peaceful scenery on your return journey.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
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5
Today, you will fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide & driver will transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi -
6
Board the Sea Stars cruise and settle in with a welcome drink as the crew introduces the journey through both Bai Tu Long Bay and Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a buffet lunch while the ship glides past dramatic limestone islands and other breathtaking sights of this UNESCO World Heritage wonder.
Your first stop is Tung Sau Pearl Farm, where you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and can try kayaking on the calm bay waters. Next, visit Titop Island to swim in the turquoise sea, relax on the white sand beach, or hike to the summit for panoramic views.
As the ship anchors for the night near Titop, sip a sunset cocktail during Happy Hour or join a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class. In the evening, savor a delicious dinner, then linger under the night sky with options like squid fishing, karaoke, spa treatments, or simply enjoying a quiet drink on deck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Halong Bay Cruise -
7
Start your morning with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck or work out in the gym on the first floor. Afterward, enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast as the ship sails toward one of Ha Long Bay’s true wonders — Surprise Cave. Explore its vast chambers filled with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years.
Returning to the ship, check out and settle in for a relaxed brunch while cruising back toward Ha Long International Cruise Port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
Meals: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi -
8
Leisure time until your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Accommodation options
What our clients say about us
John
20 December 2024 ★★★★★The guide was extremely knowledgeable about the Battle, had heaps of actual photos. Was very passionate about it, and extremely grateful for the help given by Australia to the local communities at the time.
Jeremy
19 December 2024 ★★★★★Stephen arranged a private tour to non-tourist locations that i wished to see. It included guides, drivers, air transportation, airport pickup and dropoff and hotel accommodations. The service was excellent and everything went extremely smooth. I was completely satisfied with the service he provided and I highly recommend him.
Steven
21 November 2024 ★★★★★Alex was an incredible tour guide for the Cu Chi tunnels trip myself and my friends took. He brought the good vibes and had excellent English. He taught us so much about the history of Saigon / Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnam War. 100% recommend this tour.
Naad
26 December 2024 ★★★★★Our group of 6 couples traveled from North to South Vietnam through many cities in 18- days tour. Stephen, from My Way Travel, provided quality service in the planning and organizing our trip, and he was very patient with our changes. The hotels were great; especially in Hoi An, Hanoi and Saigon, as we were within walking distance of the restaurants, shops, and markets. Our personal tour guides in every city were respectful, knowledgeable, and ensured our safety. They guided us through many beautiful places from caves in Halong Bay in the North, to the historical city of Hoi An in central Vietnam, to the picturesque Mekong Delta in the South. Furthermore, every guide recommended fantastic places for regional food specialties. This was a great and memorable experience! We highly recommend their service and will definitely contact Stephen for our next tour.
Alex Boshoff
19 April 2024 ★★★★★Our Thailand Vietnam Bike Tour was very well managed. The teams took great care of us, they support van was always available when needed. The food was excellent. We loved all the restaurent. The accommodations were great, offering a variety of options from resorts to boutique hotels to city hotels, all of which were comfortable. Biking on and off-road was enjoyable. The people in both countries are warm, welcoming & kind. The experience in the Mekong Delta was fantasic. We definitely recommend this trip.
Erik
19 December 2024 ★★★★★Absolutely amazing service that made our trip amazing. We traveled in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. At all destinations we had amazing tour guides and plans for full days of fun and traveling. Every tour guide was nice, informative, and made our time in each destination amazing. Using Steven is a must if you plan to go to asia
Scott
26 December 2024 ★★★★★The host of our hotel in Saigon (Stephen from the My Way hotel) booked us a tailor-made stay in the Mekong Delta. We didn't worry about anything and the stay met our expectations. The first day we visited the Mekong Delta by boat (Ben Tre and Can Tho) with many tastings. We spent the night in a 4 star hotel with swimming pool in Can Tho. The next day we visited the floating market on the Mekong (coffee on a shopping boat and breakfast at the hotel). In the afternoon we were taken by taxi to a port near Soc Trang which allowed us to take the boat early the next day to go to the island of Con Dao. It is a magnificent island where we were able to hike and enjoy the beautiful views. A great stay, thank you Stephen
