This journey leads you through the country’s most iconic highlights, from the timeless charm of Hanoi and the serene limestone landscapes of Lan Ha Bay to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and the imperial heritage of Hue, before immersing you in the vibrant rhythm of Ho Chi Minh City and the tranquil waterways of the Mekong Delta. Designed as a smooth, easy-paced program suitable for most travelers, it blends cultural discovery, gentle outdoor activities, scenic drives, light boat rides, and authentic local encounters - offering a complete and memorable first introduction to Vietnam.
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you’ll be greeted by our guide and driver at the pickup lobby. You’ll then enjoy a 45-minute drive to the heart of Hanoi, passing over the Red River, where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s unique architecture and its famously bustling traffic.
The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
8:30: Start the day with a visit to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.
Continue to the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours.
For lunch, savour one of Hanoi’s most iconic dishes — chả cá, a flavoursome grilled fish specialty served with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and tangy dipping sauce. A true taste of the capital’s culinary heritage.
In the afternoon, we will explore the French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of traveler.
To enjoy a delightful gourmet break, savour a cup of egg coffee — a creamy Vietnamese specialty that dates back to the French colonial era and quickly became a local favourite. While it’s easy to find coffee anywhere, this version made with whipped egg yolk is truly special. Settle into a tiny stool in a traditional tube house and enjoy this uniquely Hanoian experience.
To conclude the day, take a stroll in the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, originally established in the 15th century as a bustling trading hub, features 36 streets—each historically dedicated to a specific craft or product. Despite the city’s evolution, the Old Quarter remains a vibrant living museum. Its iconic tube houses, narrow alleyways, centuries-old temples, open-air markets, and mouthwatering street food come together in a captivating blend of history and everyday life. Exploring this charming neighborhood on foot is the best way to awaken all your senses.
Dinner is at your own expense (not included). Overnight in Hanoi.
8:00 - 8:30: The driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi, and from there, we’ll begin our journey to Halong City with a scenic drive through the Red River Delta. The trip takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, with an optional stop along the way for a short break.
11:30 – 12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor.
12:00 – 12:30: Board a tender to transfer to the main vessel. Welcome aboard Sena Cruise! Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink as our Cruise Manager gives a safety briefing and a short introduction to the cruise program. Afterward, check into your cabin and settle in.
13:15 – 13:45: Lunch is served while Sena Cruise begins its journey into the breathtaking Lan Ha Bay—an extension of Ha Long Bay, known for its tranquility and fewer visitors. Along the way, admire iconic formations such as Finger Islet and Candle Islet, as well as countless limestone karsts and islands.
15:00: Explore the serene Dark and Bright Cave, renowned for its untouched natural beauty and poetic landscape. Take stunning photos of this romantic area or enjoy a relaxing bamboo boat ride. You may also swim in the calm, emerald waters—a perfect way to experience the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay.
17:00: Return to the cruise. Join a sunset party on the deck—an ideal moment for photographers to capture the golden hour over the bay. Participate in a Vietnamese cooking class and learn how to make traditional spring rolls.
Our captain will anchor the boat in a peaceful area for the night.
19:00: Enjoy a delicious dinner in the onboard restaurant. Afterward, unwind with your choice of activities: Chat at the bar or enjoy a movie in the restaurant; Treat yourself to a spa session (*); Sip cocktails at the panoramic bar (*); Try your hand at squid fishing with our prepared rods and lighting.
Overnight onboard in Lan Ha Bay.
(*) Additional charges apply for some services—please book with the cruise team directly.
06:00: Start your day early with a sunrise photo opportunity and join our Tai Chi session on the sundeck to rejuvenate your body and mind.
07:00: The Sena Cruise sails through more majestic karst formations. Enjoy tea, coffee, and a light breakfast in the fresh morning air.
08:15: Experience kayaking and swimming in the peaceful waters of Tra Bau, one of the filming locations for Kong: Skull Island (2018). Discover hidden corners and soak up the serene atmosphere.
09:30: Return to the boat and check out of your cabin.
10:00: While enjoying a set-menu early light lunch, Sena Cruise gently sails back toward the harbor, passing by a panorama of limestone cliffs.
11:30 – 11:45: Arrive at the harbor, disembark, and farewell to the crew.
The cruise shuttle bus driver meets you at the Cruise Waiting Lounge and transfers you back to Hanoi. You are dropped off in the Old Quarter, where your private driver picks you up for the onward transfer to Noi Bai Airport.
Take a short flight to Da Nang City.
Upon your arrival at Da Nang airport, our local driver will greet you and transfer you to your accommodation in Hoi An, a journey of approximately 1 hour.
Dinner is at your own expense (not included). Overnight in Hoi An.
8:30: Our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel in Hoi An for a short transfer to Cam Thanh village. Known for its tranquil waterways and centuries-old nipa palm mangroves, Cam Thanh offers a peaceful glimpse into the daily life of Hoi An’s fishing communities. Upon arrival, you board a traditional bamboo basket boat for a gentle ride through the nipa palm canals while trying your hand at local-style crab fishing - a simple yet enjoyable experience close to nature.
After the boat trip, we return to the Ancient Town and continue exploring the must-see highlights of Hoi An, including the Museum of Antiquities, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the well-preserved Quan Thang ancient house, and the lively local market.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in town.
You have a free afternoon to relax or explore the surrounding area at your own pace. Optional activities are available, including cooking classes, cycling tours, or a leisurely boat trip. Feel free to contact us for more details and availability!
Dinner is at your own expense (not included). Overnight in Hoi An.
8:30: Pick-up from your hotel, then travel to Hue by passing Da Nang along the sea road. Once you arrive in Da Nang, stop to visit the Cham Museum which preserves the most important Cham culture collections in the world. Then, walk to My Khe beach where you can enjoy the view of giant Goodness of Mercy statues in the Linh Ung Pagoda. Take photos of fishermen by the beach then continue driving along the coastline to Hue ancient capital. Make a stop at top of the Hai Van pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean.
Upon arrival, we begin exploring Hue with Hue Citadel, the only vestige symbol for what was once the imperial city of Vietnam. It is inspired by the fortification of Vauban. The city is composed of three parts: Kinh Thanh (the Capital city), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial city) and Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City). The most beautiful sites in Hue are concentrated in this area including the flag tower, the South gate, the palace of supreme Harmony, the Dynasty temple area and the settlement area.
To conclude the day, take a stroll at Dong Ba market. Wandering through its lively aisles, you discover vibrant produce stalls, fragrant spice counters, traditional conical hats, and local snacks freshly prepared on the spot. It’s the perfect place to meet friendly vendors, observe local trading culture, and get a glimpse into daily life in Hue.
We continue exploring Hue with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the city’s oldest spiritual landmarks, founded in 1601. Its iconic octagonal tower and sweeping views over the Perfume River make it an essential stop for understanding the soul of Hue.
Next, you discover the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, an architectural masterpiece that blends imperial design with serene natural scenery. Planned during his reign (1820–1840) and completed by Emperor Thieu Tri, the complex was built through the collective craftsmanship of thousands of workers and artisans.
You then head to Thuy Bieu village, a peaceful village along the Perfume River, famed for its fragrant pomelo orchards. Here, you may opt for a gentle bicycle ride through leafy lanes, stopping at ancestral temples, traditional garden houses over a century old, and small vegetable plots tended by local farmers.
The experience continues at Mrs. Loan’s charming garden house, where you join a hands-on cooking class to learn several Hue specialties, from delicate vegetable carving to Nem, fig salad, and savory stuffed pancakes.
Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring the dishes you’ve prepared.
After the meal, transfer to Hue Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, our local driver will greet you at the pickup area and transfer you to your hotel in the city.
8:30: We’ll start exploring Ho Chi Minh City with a visit to the Independence Palace, once used as the home - office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.
Continue with the top visited site in Ho Chi Minh city – the War Remnant museum. The exhibits offer you all-sided views of the Vietnam War that might bring a big surprise than you are probably used to hearing and seeing.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in town.
In the afternoon, we’ll discover the Quan Am Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in city and dedicated to Guan Yin, elements of Taoism, and the folk worship of the "Queen of Heaven".
To wrap up the day, take a stroll through Binh Tay Market, located in Saigon’s Chinatown area with hundreds of stalls, the biggest market in city actually contributes a hub for many of Saigon’s demands including clothing, souvenir and food items. There is also a food court where visitors can sample local delicacies and street food.
8:00: Tour guide and driver welcome you at your hotel for your transfer to Ben Tre, a beautiful region in the Mekong Delta River, famous for making coconut candy. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier, take a boat trip on Ben Tre River to discover the daily local life. Continue your boat trip on a canal to Nhon Thanh Village. This will be an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits.
Take a bike ride (or Tuk tuk) on a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut ranges, rice fields and vegetable gardens. A lunch of elephant ear fish is served in the village. A short walk will help you to discover the local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on the small canal shaded by the wild palm trees.
Transfer back to Saigon in the late afternoon.
Dinner is on your own expense (not included). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport.
