Private journeys and custom trips across Vietnam
6 daysDa NangHoi AnHanoiHa Long BayNinh Binh
Central Vietnam and the north in six days: Hoi An's old town and Ba Na Hills, then a flight to Hanoi for an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay and a full day in Ninh Binh.
Your journey at a glance
Overview
Six days is not long for a country this shape, so this programme flies rather than drives between regions. You land in Da Nang, spend the first afternoon in Hoi An Ancient Town, then give a full day to Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge before the late flight north.
The middle of the trip is Ha Long Bay: on board by midday, lunch as the boat sails past Dog Rock and Thumb Rock, Titop Island in the afternoon, kayaking at Luon Cave, a sunset party and a cooking class, then Sung Sot Cave and tai chi on the sundeck the next morning.
Back on land there is a half day in Hanoi, from Tran Quoc Pagoda to Hoan Kiem Lake and a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, and a last full day in Ninh Binh at Hoa Lu, Tam Coc and the climb at Mua Cave.
Highlights
Day by day
6 days, 5 nights, in the order we usually run them. Timings, hotels and activities are adjusted to your dates and interests when we plan it with you.
Customise this journeyDay 1, Da Nang and Hoi An
Met at Da Nang airport and taken to Hoi An for lunch and check-in. From 15:00, the old town on foot: Tan Ky Old House, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Fukian Assembly Hall from 1690 and the market along the Thu Bon. Dinner in the old town.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2, Da Nang to Hanoi
A full morning at Ba Na Hills for the French Village and the Golden Bridge, lunch at 11:30, then the French Square and Fantasy Park. At 15:00 you transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi, where your guide meets you and takes you to the hotel. Dinner at 19:00.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3, Ha Long Bay
Leave Hanoi at 08:30 and board at Tuan Chau marina around midday. Lunch as the boat sails past Dog Rock, Duck Rock and Thumb Rock. Titop Island at 14:00 for the climb to the viewpoint and the beach, then kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave. A sunset party and a rice cake cooking class, then dinner outdoors.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4, Ha Long Bay and Hanoi
Tai chi at 06:15 and a light breakfast, then Sung Sot Cave on Bo Hon Island, the largest cave in the bay, about 200 steps up under the forest canopy. Back on board for a herbal foot bath and an early lunch, disembark at 11:30. In Hanoi: Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, and a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5, Ninh Binh
Out at 08:00 to Hoa Lu, the tenth century capital, for the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh. Lunch locally, then a sampan down the river at Tam Coc through the Lam, Vang, Dai and Thanh Truot caves. At 15:30, the climb at Mua Cave to the top of Ngoa Long mountain for the view over the rice valleys. Back in Hanoi for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6, Hanoi
Breakfast and free time, then your driver takes you to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Where you'll stay
Stays are chosen for character and location, and confirmed with you before anything is booked.
1 night
Hotel room on a twin-share basis, two people per room. Property names are confirmed with your final itinerary.
1 night
Hotel room on a twin-share basis, two people per room. Property names are confirmed with your final itinerary.
1 night
Cabin on an overnight cruise boat, twin share, with all meals on board.
2 nights
Hotel room on a twin-share basis, two people per room. Property names are confirmed with your final itinerary.
The route
Map is schematic and not to scale for travel times.
Good to know
Yes. The Da Nang to Hanoi flight in the programme is included. International flights to and from Vietnam are not.
Sung Sot Cave involves about 200 steps. If you would rather not, you can stay on board and wait on the sundeck while the group visits.
Yes. The sequence of sights can shift with weather, traffic or opening hours, but the full list of included sights stays the same.
A list of everyone travelling with full names, passport photos and gender, so hotels and any domestic flights can be booked.
8 daysHoi AnDa NangCham Island +1
Eight days along the central coast, from lantern making and the old town in Hoi An to Cham Island, the Imperial City of Hue and a dinner cruise on the Perfume River.
6 daysHo Chi Minh CityMekong DeltaDa Nang +2
South to centre in six days: the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta, then a flight to Da Nang for Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, the Imperial City of Hue and the villages around Hoi An.
5 daysHanoiHa Long BayLan Ha Bay +1
Five days in the north: a water puppet show, an overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay, Hanoi's lakes and Old Quarter by cyclo, and a day in the incense, conical hat and pottery villages.
Destinations on this journey: Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh
Tell us your dates and we'll shape the Da Nang, Hoi An & Hanoi around you.