Small-group tour · Vietnam
North to South Vietnam
Fourteen days from Hanoi's Old Quarter to the floating markets of the Mekong — through the mountains of Sapa, a night on Ha Long Bay and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An. Never more than eight travellers.
Why this journey
The whole length of the country in two weeks, without the rush: two internal flights replace the long drives, and a licensed English-speaking guide meets you in each region.
The mountains of Sapa
Two nights in the north: the Fansipan cable car to the "Roof of Indochina", H'mong villages, rice terraces and a hands-on batik workshop.
Ha Long Bay & Hoi An
A night cruising among the limestone karsts, then three nights in Hoi An: countryside by e-car, a lantern-making class and a street food tour.
Saigon & the Mekong
Ho Chi Minh City's landmarks, then by boat through the delta's canals and orchards to the floating markets of Cai Be and Cai Rang.
Day by day
You fly from the UK the day before Day 1. B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. The order of visits may change for weather, opening times or port authority rules.
- Day 1
Arrive Hanoi
Met at Noi Bai Airport by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight: Hanoi · Meals: none
- Day 2
Hanoi
The Ho Chi Minh complex and One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda, then the Old Quarter and Train Street. Evening water puppet show.
Overnight: Hanoi · Meals: B, D
- Day 3
Into the mountains: Hanoi to Sapa
A scenic drive of around five hours into the Hoang Lien Son range, Vietnam's highest, past terraced fields and minority villages. Late afternoon free in Sapa town.
Overnight: Sapa · Meals: B, D
- Day 4
Sapa & its valleys
The Fansipan cable car to 3,143 metres, the H'mong village of Cat Cat, the rice terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley, Silver Waterfall and Heaven's Gate pass. A hands-on batik and indigo workshop with local artisans.
Overnight: Sapa · Meals: B, D
- Day 5
Return to Hanoi
Drive back through the mountains to the Red River Delta, arriving in Hanoi in the early evening.
Overnight: Hanoi · Meals: B, D
- Day 6
Ha Long Bay cruise
Board an overnight cruise among the bay's limestone islets. Kayak or sampan through Luon Cave, climb Titop Island for the view, then a sunset gathering and spring-roll cooking demonstration on deck.
Overnight: On board, private cabin · Meals: B, L, D
- Day 7
Fly to Da Nang, on to Hoi An
Tai chi on deck and a bamboo boat through the caves, then back to Hanoi for the flight to Da Nang and a short drive to Hoi An.
Overnight: Hoi An · Meals: B, brunch, D
- Day 8
Hoi An countryside & old town
By electric car to the basket boats of Cam Thanh coconut village and the herb gardens of Tra Que, with a herbal foot massage. The Japanese Covered Bridge and merchant houses of the old town, a lantern-making class, and a walking street food tour for dinner.
Overnight: Hoi An · Meals: B, D
- Day 9
Ba Na Hills & the lantern river
Cable car to Ba Na Hills for the Golden Bridge held up by giant stone hands, Linh Ung Pagoda and the French-era gardens and wine cellar. Back in Hoi An, a lantern boat ride on the Hoai River.
Overnight: Hoi An · Meals: B, D
- Day 10
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
A free morning in Hoi An, then the flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City · Meals: B, D
- Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
The Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, the French colonial City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City · Meals: B, D
- Day 12
The Mekong Delta
By road to Cai Be and its floating market, then by boat through orchard-lined canals to family workshops making coconut candy and rice paper, and on to An Binh Islet near Vinh Long. Afternoon drive to Can Tho.
Overnight: Can Tho · Meals: B, D
- Day 13
Cai Rang floating market
An early boat to Cai Rang, the largest floating market in the delta, then back to Ho Chi Minh City for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City · Meals: B, D
- Day 14
Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Free time until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight home.
Meals: B
Where you stay
Hanoi · 3 nights
Champton Hanoi Hotel
Sapa · 2 nights
Square Sapa Hotel by Meliá
Ha Long Bay · 1 night
Amanda Premier Cruise
Hoi An · 3 nights
La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa
Ho Chi Minh City · 3 nights
Happy Life Grand Hotel
Can Tho · 1 night
TTC Premium Can Tho
Four-star hotels, or similar standard if a substitution is needed.
What's included
Included
- 12 nights in four-star hotels and 1 night on a Ha Long Bay cruise, in a private cabin
- Half board: breakfast and dinner daily from Day 2, plus lunch on the cruise
- Internal flights Hanoi–Da Nang and Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City, with taxes
- Private licensed English-speaking guide in each region
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- Fansipan and Ba Na Hills cable cars, and all boat trips in the itinerary
- Batik workshop, lantern-making class and Hoi An street food tour
- Entrance fees for all visits in the itinerary
- Bottled water daily
Not included
- International flights to and from Vietnam
- Vietnam e-visa, arranged online before travel
- Travel insurance (required for every traveller)
- Lunches (except on the cruise) and drinks
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Single room supplement: on request
Price & booking
£3,500 per person
Based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Land-only package: accommodation, internal flights, guides, transport, entrances and half board as listed.
- Departures
- 2027 dates on request
- Deposit
- 25% of the tour price (£875 per person)
- Balance due
- 12 weeks (84 days) before departure
- Single room
- on request
- Group size
- Maximum 8 travellers