Vietnam 8 Days

This itinerary visits the charming town of Hoi An, the vibrant coastal city of Da Nang, and experiencing the cultural richness of Hanoi. The journey also takes you to the breathtaking landscapes of Ninh Binh and Ky Son Village.

• Vietnam is a vibrant country where dramatic landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality come together
  —think emerald rice fields, limestone bays, bustling cities, and some of the world’s best street food. It’s an endlessly photogenic destination that rewards visitors with unforgettable scenery, culture, and flavors
  at every turn.

• Vietnam is a lively country of dramatic scenery, deep history, and friendly people—think green rice terraces, limestone bays, busy cities, and top-notch street food. It’s a endlessly photogenic place that offers unforgettable views, culture, and flavors.

Tips:

• ⚠️ Vietnam’s vibrant cities can be overwhelming and chaotic for first-time visitors. Hiring a daily tour guide removes the confusion,
  letting you navigate the traffic and culture stress-free while focusing on the experience. These agencies provide a private car or van with a guide, pick you up at your hotel, drive you door-to-door to avoid chaotic traffic, and handle all tickets and logistics.

• Vietnam: E-visa requirements

• Travel Guides: Fodor’s Vietnam and Lonely Planet Vietnam

• Vietnam currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND)

• Hotels and restaurants take credit cards, but cash is best for street food & local markets.

• ATMs are common.

• Travel Adapter: Type A and B, just like in the USA.

DAY 1

• Arrive at Danang airport and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.

• Along the way, stop at the Marble Mountain, a cluster of five limestone and marble hills representing the five elements in the Asian culture: Iron, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
  Explore the mysterious caves with a sacred Buddhist atmosphere, including the Tam Thai Pagoda and Linh Ung Pagoda.

• Continue to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Vietnam. This well-preserved old town is famous for its lantern-lit streets, colorful buildings, riverside views, and French-style architecture. Visitors love the busy night markets, tailor shops, and delicious street food. It is
  the perfect spot for photography, culture, and relaxation.

• Overnight:  Hoi An, (Night 1 of 3)

DAY 2

• Explore Hoi An: <Things to do>

• Visit the Bay Mau Coconut Forest– a famous eco-tourism destination. Explore the vast
  water-coconut palm jungle in unique rustic basket boats. 

• Afterward walk around ancient Hoi An. Highlights include the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation and the bustling Silk Street.

• Must-do: When evening falls and the lanterns light up the town, take a rowing boat on the Thu Bon River. Release a paper flower lantern onto the water to make a wish—a local tradition believed to bring good luck.

• Overnight: Hội An

DAY 3

• Depart for the ancient Cham ruins of My Son Sanctuary. Visit the former capital of Tra Kieu, the administration center of the Champa Kingdom. Discover the majestic red brick towers built between the 4th and 14th centuries.

• Afterward, take a relaxing boat trip in Hoi An, enjoying the cool breeze and river scenery.

• Overnight: Hội An

DAY 4

• Journey to Danang – Ba Na Hills – Son Tra

• Early morning transfer to Sun World Ba Na Hills for a full day of fun. Take the cable car up the mountain to see the famous Golden Bridge (held by giant stone hands), a symbol of Danang. Explore the Le Jardin flower gardens and the French Village architecture.

• In the late afternoon, return to Danang and drive to the Son Tra Peninsula. Visit the Linh Ung Pagoda (home to the giant Lady Buddha statue) to enjoy a calm atmosphere and panoramic ocean views.

• Overnight: Đà Nẵng

DAY 5

• Depart DaNang and fly to Hanoi, transfer to hotel.

• Explore the Ho Chi Minh complex visiting the Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum (outside), his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda.

• Afterward visit the Temple of Literature, which originally built as a temple to Confucius.

• Then, we enjoy a cyclo tour of the French-inspired "Old Quarter". 

• Walk through the Old Quarter, exploring markets, boutique shops, and modern art galleries.

• Train Street (Hai Ba Trung District near Old Quarter): A very narrow street where houses sit right next to train tracks. Exciting to watch trains pass very close.

• Overnight: Hanoi- Old Quarters, (Night 1 of 3)

DAY 6

• Travel south to Ninh Binh province.

• Take a relaxing boat ride at the <Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex.> This UNESCO site features stunning limestone karsts and river valleys. You will row through 3 to 6 natural water caves while enjoying the fresh air and clear water.

  • Home to 600 plant species and 200 animal species, many listed in Vietnam’s Red Book.
    The "Vietnam Red Book" lists Vietnam's rare and endangered native animal & plant species.

• Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries, to see the historic temples of King Dinh and King Le. The area combines rice fields with scenic limestone mountains and includes monuments.

• Finally, visit Hang Mua (Dancing Cave). Climb the 500 stone steps to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain for the most amazing panoramic view of the Tam Coc river valley below. If you're active and healthy, climb the steps for the view.

• Overnight Hanoi.

DAY 7

• Depart Hanoi early in the morning for a scenic drive (60 km west) to the peaceful Ky Son Village.

• Ky Son Village is a traditional farming village that feels like stepping back in time, featuring green rice paddies and ancient houses. Visit the Moon Garden Homestay, a unique eco-resort with restored architecture and a repurposed Catholic church.

  • Culinary Experience: participate in a Vietnamese Cooking Class, followed by a delicious lunch featuring the dishes you prepared.

  • Cycling: Explore the countryside by bike (safe with little traffic). Ride with a local guide to the famous Duong Lam Ancient Village and a chance to chat with local families about their daily lives and customs

• Transfer back to Hanoi hotel.

• Overnight: Hanoi

⚠️ DIVERSION; HALONG BAY

(Note to visitor: If you wish to visit the famous Halong Bay,
it is best to add 1 or 2 nights here instead of, or in addition to, Day 7

• Best time to visit: October & November. These months have the best visibility.

• Why: Humidity falls a lot, clearing the summer haze. The skies turn a sharp, deep blue that contrasts with the green limestone karsts.

  • The sun is milder than in midsummer, giving your camera better contrast range..

• Sunsets: These months offer the most dramatic sunsets with purples and oranges.

• Distance: Halong Bay is approximately 173 km (107 mi.) from Hanoi, a 3 hour drive.

• What to do in Halong Bay:

  Sail a traditional boat through tall limestone pillars to hidden coves and lagoons. One overnight lets you enjoy Halong’s charm and explore its coves, grottoes, and caves. When mist rolls in, the rugged, jungle-covered cliffs look even more magical.

• Two (2) Options available to consider:

  How Many Nights Do You Need?

  Most travelers choose the 2 Days / 1 Night option, here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

• 2 Days / 1 Night: Good for those with limited time. Includes kayaking, swimming, and a sunset party.

• 3 Days / 2 Nights: Recommended for a relaxed pace. Allows you to visit deeper, quieter areas of the bay like Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long.

  • Verdict: Highly recommended if you have the time. The second day is usually
    the highlight of the trip because it is quiet and far less crowded.

DAY. 8

• Depart Hanoi for home or another Asian destination

The above itinerary omits southern Vietnam - How the regions differ:

• Hanoi and the north (cultural capital) - are more traditional.

  • Vibe: Old, gritty, atmospheric — feels more traditionally Asian.

  • Street life: People gather on sidewalks on plastic stools, drink tea, and use narrow alleys.

  • Pace: Despite chaotic traffic, daily life is slower, more reserved, political, and poetic.

• Ho Chi Minh City and the south (economic hub) - are modern, busy, and commercial.

  • Vibe: Modern, youthful, Westernized — skyscrapers, rooftop bars, luxury malls beside French colonial buildings.

  • Pace: Fast, high-energy. Nightlife is livelier, businesses stay open later, and locals tend
    to be more outgoing.

Weather is the biggest technical difference that catches tourists off guard:

• Hanoi has a real winter (Dec–Feb) where it can get quite cold (10°C/50°F) and misty.

• Ho Chi Minh City: eternal summer, hot all year with two seasons — Dry and Rainy.
  —Rain season: (May–Oct) falls in short, heavy afternoon bursts.

🌤️ Climate

• Historical Weather Data.

• Hanoi has a warm, humid climate with wet summers and mild, dry winters. The rainy season runs from May to mid‑October.

• Best time to visit is November to February when it’s drier and less humid, but it’s also busier.

• Hanoi gets a lot of rain, about 1,832 mm a year. Rainfall varies by season: August is the wettest with about 338 mm over 17 rainy days, while December is the driest with about 37 mm over 5 rainy days.

• <Read about Hoi An weather>

Halong Bay 360

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