Overview
This 8-day Vietnam classic tour is the most efficient way to see the country’s headline sights in a single week. Fly into Ho Chi Minh City, travel north through the Mekong Delta, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ba Na Hills, then finish with Hanoi, Ninh Binh and a night on Halong Bay.
Choose a private tour with your own guide and car, or a small-group version at a lower price. Both include hand-picked hotels, the Halong Bay cruise and transfers, so you only need to book your flights.
- Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
- Departure: Daily from Ho Chi Minh City, year-round
- Language: English-speaking guides
- Note: Domestic flights Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang and Da Nang – Hanoi are not included and can be booked by us
Tour description
South: Saigon and the Mekong: Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum and a full day of boats, orchards and coconut candy in the Mekong Delta.
Centre: Hoi An and the Golden Bridge: Marble Mountains, basket boats in the coconut forest, Hoi An by lantern light and a day at Ba Na Hills.
North: Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay: Cyclo and water puppets in Hanoi, Trang An by boat and an overnight cruise among Halong Bay’s limestone islands.
Private or small-group: Travel with your own guide and car, or join small-group tours for the best value.
Important notes
- Pickup service: Airport transfers on arrival, departure and for both domestic flights are included.
- Domestic flights: Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang and Da Nang – Hanoi are not included. We can book them for you at the best available fare.
- Departure flight: Book your flight home from Hanoi for after 7:00 PM on Day 8, as the cruise returns to Hanoi in the mid-afternoon.
- Accommodation: 3-star or 4-star hotels (double sharing) and one night on a Halong Bay cruise.
- What to bring: Light, breathable clothing, a rain jacket, sunscreen, a light jacket for Ba Na Hills and modest clothing for temples.
- Best time: February to April suits the whole route. The south is wettest from May to October, the centre from September to December, and the north is cool from December to February.
- Visa: Australian passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa before travel (single-entry from US$25). Apply online through the official Vietnam immigration portal and allow at least a week.
- Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is essential and not included. Make sure it covers every activity on your itinerary.
- Payment: A 30% non-refundable deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. Bookings made within 30 days of arrival are paid in full.
- Cancellation: Cancellations more than 30 days before departure lose the deposit; 20–30 days before, 50% of the tour cost; less than 20 days before, 100% of the tour cost.
- Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers are not included and are at your discretion.
Itinerary
Mekong Delta Day Trip: My Tho & Ben Tre
"Life on the Mekong."
Leave the city behind for My Tho on the Mekong River. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, which dates back to the late 19th century, then board a boat to cruise past the four islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise. On Unicorn Island, walk the village lanes through orchards, taste tropical fruit and listen to southern folk music performed by local musicians. Glide along the narrow Thoi Son canal in a hand-rowed sampan, visit a bee farm for honey tea and see how coconut candy is made in Ben Tre. After lunch at a local restaurant, cycle through Tan Thach village to see daily life in the delta, or relax in a hammock in the shade. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: 3-star Acnos Hotel or 4-star Alagon Saigon Hotel (or similar) in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Local Experience: The sampan ride through the coconut-lined canals is a highlight. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
Leave the city behind for My Tho on the Mekong River. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, which dates back to the late 19th century, then board a boat to cruise past the four islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise. On Unicorn Island, walk the village lanes through orchards, taste tropical fruit and listen to southern folk music performed by local musicians. Glide along the narrow Thoi Son canal in a hand-rowed sampan, visit a bee farm for honey tea and see how coconut candy is made in Ben Tre. After lunch at a local restaurant, cycle through Tan Thach village to see daily life in the delta, or relax in a hammock in the shade. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: 3-star Acnos Hotel or 4-star Alagon Saigon Hotel (or similar) in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Local Experience: The sampan ride through the coconut-lined canals is a highlight. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
Fly to Da Nang - Marble Mountains, Coconut Forest & Hoi An by Night
"Marble, coconuts and lanterns."
Check out and fly to Da Nang. Our guide and driver meet you on arrival, and after a local lunch you visit Linh Ung Pagoda, Da Nang's most important Buddhist site. On the way to Hoi An, explore the Marble Mountains, five limestone hills named after the five elements, with caves, pagodas and the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc at their foot. Continue to the Bay Mau coconut forest for a ride in a round bamboo basket boat, where you can try casting a fishing net and watch the boatmen's spinning “swing” performance. In the evening, enjoy dinner of local specialities and stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town, past the Japanese Covered Bridge and along the lantern-lit Hoai River, before returning to your hotel in Da Nang.
Accommodation: 3-star Eden Ocean Hotel or 4-star Nalod Da Nang Hotel (or similar) in Da Nang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Flight Note: The Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang flight is not included in the tour price. We can book it for you.
Check out and fly to Da Nang. Our guide and driver meet you on arrival, and after a local lunch you visit Linh Ung Pagoda, Da Nang's most important Buddhist site. On the way to Hoi An, explore the Marble Mountains, five limestone hills named after the five elements, with caves, pagodas and the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc at their foot. Continue to the Bay Mau coconut forest for a ride in a round bamboo basket boat, where you can try casting a fishing net and watch the boatmen's spinning “swing” performance. In the evening, enjoy dinner of local specialities and stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town, past the Japanese Covered Bridge and along the lantern-lit Hoai River, before returning to your hotel in Da Nang.
Accommodation: 3-star Eden Ocean Hotel or 4-star Nalod Da Nang Hotel (or similar) in Da Nang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Flight Note: The Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang flight is not included in the tour price. We can book it for you.
Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Day Trip
"Above the clouds at Ba Na Hills."
Between 7:30 and 8:30 AM, your guide picks you up for the drive along the coast to Ba Na Hills. Ride the record-breaking cable car over forest, streams and the Toc Tien waterfall to the top. Walk across the famous Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands, explore the French-style village and Le Jardin d'Amour gardens, and visit Linh Ung Pagoda with its 27-metre Buddha statue. At 11:30 AM, take a second cable car to Nui Chua peak for lunch, then spend time at Fantasy Park, a large indoor games centre, before riding back down and returning to your hotel in Da Nang.
Accommodation: 3-star Eden Ocean Hotel or 4-star Nalod Da Nang Hotel (or similar) in Da Nang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (buffet at Ba Na Hills)
Dress Code: It is noticeably cooler at the top. Bring a light jacket and comfortable shoes.
Between 7:30 and 8:30 AM, your guide picks you up for the drive along the coast to Ba Na Hills. Ride the record-breaking cable car over forest, streams and the Toc Tien waterfall to the top. Walk across the famous Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands, explore the French-style village and Le Jardin d'Amour gardens, and visit Linh Ung Pagoda with its 27-metre Buddha statue. At 11:30 AM, take a second cable car to Nui Chua peak for lunch, then spend time at Fantasy Park, a large indoor games centre, before riding back down and returning to your hotel in Da Nang.
Accommodation: 3-star Eden Ocean Hotel or 4-star Nalod Da Nang Hotel (or similar) in Da Nang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (buffet at Ba Na Hills)
Dress Code: It is noticeably cooler at the top. Bring a light jacket and comfortable shoes.
Fly to Hanoi - City Tour, Cyclo & Water Puppet Show
"Hanoi in an afternoon."
Fly from Da Nang to Hanoi, where your guide and driver meet you at Noi Bai International Airport. Start at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and its grounds (viewed from outside), then visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, and Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. After lunch, take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and around the lake to the theatre for a traditional water puppet show. Later, see Hanoi's famous Train Street, where trains pass just metres from homes and cafés, and browse Dong Xuan Market if you have time.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star Aurora Central Hotel (or similar) in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Flight Note: The Da Nang – Hanoi flight is not included in the tour price. We can book it for you.
Train Street: Access to Train Street depends on local regulations on the day; your guide will advise.
Fly from Da Nang to Hanoi, where your guide and driver meet you at Noi Bai International Airport. Start at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and its grounds (viewed from outside), then visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, and Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. After lunch, take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and around the lake to the theatre for a traditional water puppet show. Later, see Hanoi's famous Train Street, where trains pass just metres from homes and cafés, and browse Dong Xuan Market if you have time.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star Aurora Central Hotel (or similar) in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Flight Note: The Da Nang – Hanoi flight is not included in the tour price. We can book it for you.
Train Street: Access to Train Street depends on local regulations on the day; your guide will advise.
Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu & Trang An
"Boating through Trang An."
Your guide and driver collect you for the drive to Ninh Binh, with a short rest stop on the way. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital from 968 to 1010, and learn about the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties. After a buffet lunch of local dishes (vegetarian options available), board a rowing boat at Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a 2-hour trip through limestone karsts and caves, scenery that featured in the film Kong: Skull Island. Then cycle for about 45 minutes through the villages before returning to your hotel in Hanoi.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star Aurora Central Hotel (or similar) in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (buffet)
Photo Tip: Sit near the front of the boat for the clearest views as you pass through the caves.
Your guide and driver collect you for the drive to Ninh Binh, with a short rest stop on the way. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital from 968 to 1010, and learn about the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties. After a buffet lunch of local dishes (vegetarian options available), board a rowing boat at Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a 2-hour trip through limestone karsts and caves, scenery that featured in the film Kong: Skull Island. Then cycle for about 45 minutes through the villages before returning to your hotel in Hanoi.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star Aurora Central Hotel (or similar) in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (buffet)
Photo Tip: Sit near the front of the boat for the clearest views as you pass through the caves.
Hanoi to Halong Bay - Overnight Cruise
"A night among the limestone islands."
At 8:30 AM, our driver picks you up at your hotel in Hanoi for the drive to Halong Bay (about 3 hours, with a rest stop). Board your cruise for lunch as you sail between thousands of limestone islands. In the afternoon, hike to a nearby summit for a panoramic view, swim from a quiet beach or relax on the sundeck. Later, visit a floating fishing village, then board a bamboo rowing boat through a water tunnel into a hidden lagoon. Watch the sunset from the deck before dinner on board.
Accommodation: Balcony Suite on La Pandora Cruise (3-star option) or Dragon Bay Premium Cruise (4-star option), or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise Note: Activities vary slightly between cruise operators and are confirmed once your cabin is booked. Cruises may be rescheduled by the authorities in bad weather, most often from June to October.
At 8:30 AM, our driver picks you up at your hotel in Hanoi for the drive to Halong Bay (about 3 hours, with a rest stop). Board your cruise for lunch as you sail between thousands of limestone islands. In the afternoon, hike to a nearby summit for a panoramic view, swim from a quiet beach or relax on the sundeck. Later, visit a floating fishing village, then board a bamboo rowing boat through a water tunnel into a hidden lagoon. Watch the sunset from the deck before dinner on board.
Accommodation: Balcony Suite on La Pandora Cruise (3-star option) or Dragon Bay Premium Cruise (4-star option), or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise Note: Activities vary slightly between cruise operators and are confirmed once your cabin is booked. Cruises may be rescheduled by the authorities in bad weather, most often from June to October.
Halong Bay - Return to Hanoi - Departure
"Farewell from the bay."
Start the morning with exercise on the sundeck and a cup of coffee, then visit Sung Sot Cave, where stalactites hang from the high ceiling in countless shapes. Enjoy a late brunch as the boat cruises back to the harbour at around 11:30 AM. Our driver brings you back towards Hanoi, arriving at around 3:00–3:30 PM, and takes you to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight home. Tạm biệt, Vietnam!
Accommodation: Not required (departure day)
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Flight Tip: Book a departure flight after 7:00 PM.
Start the morning with exercise on the sundeck and a cup of coffee, then visit Sung Sot Cave, where stalactites hang from the high ceiling in countless shapes. Enjoy a late brunch as the boat cruises back to the harbour at around 11:30 AM. Our driver brings you back towards Hanoi, arriving at around 3:00–3:30 PM, and takes you to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight home. Tạm biệt, Vietnam!
Accommodation: Not required (departure day)
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Flight Tip: Book a departure flight after 7:00 PM.
Price & Bookings
2026 - 2027 (except National Holidays)
| Grade tour | Price per person in US$ | Single supplement | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2- 3 pax | 4 pax | 6 pax | ||
| PRIVATE TOUR - 3-STAR HOTEL - PRICE PER PAX IN USD | $1082 | $886 | $802 | $318 |
| PRIVATE TOUR - 4-STAR HOTEL - PRICE PER PAX IN USD | $1243 | $1048 | $964 | $460 |
| GROUP TOUR - 3-STAR HOTEL - PRICE PER PAX IN USD | $787 | $718 | $693 | $318 |
| GROUP TOUR - 4-STAR HOTEL - PRICE PER PAX IN USD | $948 | $879 | $855 | $460 |
(Seasonal prices apply and will be confirmed when booking! All rates are quoted in US$)
Inclusions
- Airport transfers on arrival, departure and for both domestic flights (private car or minivan)
- English-speaking guides on all tours
- 6 hotel nights in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi (3-star or 4-star, double sharing)
- 1 night on a Halong Bay cruise (double cabin sharing) with shuttle bus transfers
- Mekong Delta and Trang An boat trips
- Ba Na Hills cable car and buffet lunch
- Cyclo ride and water puppet show tickets in Hanoi
- All meals listed: 7 breakfasts, 8 lunches/brunches, 2 dinners (Day 1 lunch for private tours only)
- Entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
- Daily drinking water and towels
Exclusions
- International flights
- Domestic flights Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang and Da Nang – Hanoi
- Vietnam e-visa (from US$25 per person)
- Travel insurance
- Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
Why choose our 8 Day Vietnam Classic Tour
All the classics in one week: Saigon, the Mekong, Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay in 8 days.
Open-jaw and efficient: Start in Ho Chi Minh City and finish in Hanoi, with no backtracking.
Private or small-group: Choose your own guide and car, or save with small-group tours on the same route.
Support from a Vietnam-based team: TNK Travel has organised tours in Vietnam since 2001, with a local team on hand throughout your trip.
Short on time but want the best of Vietnam? Send us your dates and group size, and we will confirm availability, flights and your final price within 24 hours.
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