9 Days Vietnam Highlights Tour & Halong Bay Cruise

9 days8 nights
Tour Type
Private
This tour can be taken as a private tour following our set tour itinerary. Select your own travel dates to suit your personal group of family or friends.
Custom
You can customize any of our small group or private tour itineraries. You can do that by completing a booking for a specific tour and letting us know what else you want included in your China tour to custom design it.
Destinations
Hanoi
Halong Bay
Hoi An
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City
Cai Be
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9 Days Vietnam Highlights Tour & Halong Bay Cruise

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  • Tour Name
    9 Days Vietnam Highlights Tour & Halong Bay Cruise
  • Tour Type
    Small Group
  • Travel Date
    2025-08-08
  • Accommodation
    Luxury
  • Adults
    5
  • Children aged 2 to 11 years
    5
  • Infants aged 0 to 23 months
    5
  • Rooms
    5
  • Extra beds
    5

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  • Highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Accommodation
  • Inclusions/Exclusions
  • Important Info

Highlights

Hanoi
Halong Bay
Hoi An
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City
Cai Be

Traverse the full length of Vietnam from north to south and experience the highlights of this beautiful country.

Capture memorable highlights of Vietnam on this guided 9-day journey of discovery, taking in a marvelous blend of natural scenic wonders, significant historical and religious sites and vibrant developing cities. Along the way you’ll mix it with the locals in markets and villages, bargain for mementos, savor the cuisine from street hawkers or restaurants and relax on a cruise in the movie-magical serene landscape of Halong Bay. Including 8 nights hotel and onboard accommodation, all in country transfers, knowledgeable local guides in every destination, daily breakfast and lunch, and numerous opportunities to add to your collection of beautiful travel memories, you’ll be surprised and delighted every step of the way.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Hanoi

Your guide will greet you at the airport outside the baggage-claim area and then take you to the pre-booked hotel. For the rest of the day you are free to relax or enjoy the city.

Meals included: None

Day 2 - Hanoi

This morning spend some leisure time on Ba Dinh Square, site of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Later, visit Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s Confucius center and first university.

In the afternoon, proceed to Hoa Lo Prison (called the Hanoi Hilton by American POWs), followed by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the best place to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups from the rich collections of objects, photos, video tapes and cassettes.

Pay a visit to a local craftsman’s house to learn how the water puppets are made and enjoy a unique water puppet show, a favorite experience for all visitors to Vietnam and a highlight of any Vietnam tour.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Please note the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays. Your guide may adjust the itinerary accordingly.

Day 3 - Hanoi - Halong Bay

Enjoy breakfast before heading out for a 2.5-hour drive to the World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Over 1,600 limestone karst islands dot the bay, traditional sampans and junks sail the glittering waters, grottos, thick forests, and hidden coves complete a movie-magical picture. Check-in for the cruise at mid-day, in time to be served lunch, before embarking on a memorable adventure. Along the way a variety of optional activities like kayaking, swimming, diving can add to the fun of this trip.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Halong Bay – Da Nang - Hoi An

Get an early start today if you want to join a Tai Chi lesson with other passengers on the deck, or just soak in the beautiful view of limestone islands, charming beaches and amazing grottos. The cruise will pass by the Bai Tu Long Bay later and continue until disembarkation after brunch at approximately 11:00am. Your guide and driver will meet you at the pier then drive to Haiphong airport (around 1.5 hours) for the afternoon flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you will be met by our local guide and escorted to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in, after which your time is free to relax or explore.

Meals included: Brunch

Day 5 - Hoi An

Today, on a light excursion around the tiny town of Hoi An, you will be able to explore picturesque cultural sites such as the ancient Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien) and Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quan Cong Temple), and the Old House of Tan Ky, home of a former Vietnamese merchant. A boat ride on the Hoai River in the afternoon leads to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, where making pottery is still practiced in the traditional way and you can watch the locals at work. Pay a visit to the Precious Heritage Museum and see photographic work by Rehahn, a French photographer who shares his adventures in Vietnam. Tra Que Vegetable Village is a charming vegetable village which produces fresh leaves, vegetables and fruit for the local community. You will enjoy a cooking demonstration for Hoi An culinary specialties there. The evening is yours to explore charming Hoi An, taking in a highly recommended visit to the Hoi An night market.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Hoi An, before fly to Ho Chi Minh City. En route, you’ll have a special stop at the historical Hai Van Pass to take in the stunning views to the ocean, before travelling on to Da Nang. Visit Non Nuoc Beach, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture and the famous Marble Mountains. Aftewards, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City in the evening, you are free to explore the city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast and a one and half hour drive, you will be presented with the challenging opportunity to explore the incredible underground Cu Chi Tunnel network, which was constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The below-ground network providing living and restorative capability formed an essential part of their strategy for success. Some tunnels have been enlarged to accommodate visitors.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City downtown to take a visit Ben Thanh Market where you can mix with the locals going about their daily lives while you check out the variety of goods on offer and sample some of the wares. A strong French colonial influence is evident at Notre Dame Cathedral and an amazing fusion of French and Vietnamese architecture within Saigon Central Post Office. Further remnants of French colonial architecture can be found strolling along Dong Khoi Street, now mixed with high rise and populated with designer shops, restaurants and entertainment. Afterwards, gain an overview of the spirit of the people and what they have overcome from the turbulent history of Vietnam on display at the War Remnants Museum, featuring artefacts and records of hostilities against French, Japanese and American incursions. Also of significance to the country’s history is the Independence Palace commemorating the declaration of independence and rejoining of the south with the north. Enjoy your free time after back to hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh City

You will take to the water today, with a trip to the fertile, productive region of the Mekong River Delta to see and experience the rich, vibrant culture and picturesque landscape. Beginning with a drive to Cai Be, the day’s tour will take you on a boat ride to the colorful floating market. Meandering through the busy throng in your boat, you can see the local people trading from their vessels with travelers and other locals and perhaps buy some local produce or sample some of the dishes on offer. By afternoon, a traditional rowboat journey will take you deeper into the rich countryside, through narrow canals, to rest and experience peace among the natural surroundings. The cruise concludes mid-afternoon in the village of Vinh Long where your driver will meet you at the dock to take you back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Departure from Ho Chi Minh City

Your time is free until our guide and driver transfer you to airport for your return flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Hanoi
Halong Bay
Hoi An
Ho Chi Minh City

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
  • Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified
  • Meals: as specified in the itinerary
  • Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide
  • Transportation: Economy class flights between Haiphong/Da Nang/Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay Cruise
  • Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
  • Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
  • Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions:

  • International flights to Hanoi and from Ho Chi Minh City
  • Vietnam visa fees
  • Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature
  • Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.

Important Information

  • This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It's always available for your schedule!
  • Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Prices Based on Twin Occupancy
  • The prices shown above are not valid during Official Holidays (such as Christmas Holiday, New Year's Holiday, National Holiday or other festival occasions in each country etc.)
  • The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
  • Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Private tour.
  • Entering and exiting Vietnam from Siem Reap and Bangkok are also available.
  • Optional tours to Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and other destinations are also available.
  • Stays at entering and exiting cities (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) can be extended.

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Testimonials


Genoveva G
Genoveva G
Reviewed on June 24, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great tour with Linda in Beijing

June 2025 • Friends

This is our second tour with China tours, and it was fantastic. Linda was our guide in Beijing. She was great! She was very knowledgeable about history and culture and a very kind person. Our group was a mix of young and old, and she made our days in Beijing interesting for everyone. We highly recommend Linda and China tours!
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Tofta2010
Tofta2010
Reviewed on June 23, 2025
Tripadvisor score Very interesting and inspiring days!

June 2025 • Friends

Linda did an excellent job to explain and teaching us all about Chinese history and give us a good insight to all the places she showed us. We were a diverse group and even got our three children interred along the way. Thanks Linda!
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Gavin M
Gavin M
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score 100% fabulous experience

June 2025 • Family

The trip with China Tours was 100% fabulous. Everything about it was exactly as described. The tour guides were all wonderful, the hotels, and transfers (two bullet trains, two domestic flights) were amazing, everything went exactly as planned, and we had a great first trip to China. We did the 13 Days China Wonders & Pandas tour in June 2025. The balance was perfect between sightseeing with the guides and having free time to explore this amazing country at each destination. The high quality of the five guides along the way really made the trip. They were wonderful people without exception: professional, courteous, very knowledgeable, and friendly. The team at China Tours did truly great work in arranging everything, down to the last detail. Thank you very much for making this trip a really great experience!
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Susan B
Susan B
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score The only way to visit China!

June 2025 • Couples

This is a fantastic tour. The tour guides are amazing- so knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The experience of visiting the historic sites has been made far richer than it would’ve been on our own. We have left China with a greater understanding of Chinese history, culture and its people.
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Galia P
Galia P
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score Absolutely fantastic guide

June 2025 • Family

Nancy was absolutely amazing. Knowledgeable, professional, kind and always on time. We had amazing 3 days with her. Recommend!!
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Michael W
Michael W
Reviewed on June 6, 2025
Tripadvisor score A Magical Experience

May 2025 • Couples

From the moment we were met at Beijing airport , until our last day in Shanghai , the service and attention to detail by the guides and drivers, was second to none! We opted for the ten day tour, to take advantage of the Chinese government 240 hour visa free TRANSIT permit , which was easily granted on arrival! ( arrival STARTS at midnight after you arrive! ) The vehicles and hotels were of the absolute best quality , and the whole trip was a joy! As every attraction has to be booked in advance , I certainly would not contemplate trying to organise such a trip independently ; and don`t even attempt to DRIVE in China!! At each stop , the knowledgeable guides would organise everything , and then ten minutes before departure ,would telephone the drivers , who would be waiting for us. Every attraction was well ordered and a real pleasure to visit. The standards of comfort EVERYWHERE were excellent! Thoroughly recommend!
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alizasopharr
alizasopharr
Reviewed on May 27, 2025
Tripadvisor score Amazing trip, extraordinary people !

May 2025 • Friends

Linda (Sun) was an incredibly sweet and attentive guide, she helped make an already amazing trip extraordinary by going above and beyond to help us be as comfortable as possible. I would recommend her and China Tours to anyone hoping to visit, truly an unforgettable experience!
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Adventurer508882
Adventurer508882
Reviewed on May 26, 2025
Tripadvisor score Xi’an more than only the Terracotta Army

May 2025 • Couples

It was a dream come true. Excellent guide, Felix and very good driver with a spacious and clean car. A wonderful experience and a lovely hotel.
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