The first itinerary best suit individuals and couples who want to stay away from the crowded cities and leave all of the burdens behind. The 8-day retreat will refresh and rejuvenate our minds. The latter is the best choice for families and travelers with a wide range of sightseeing and nature exploration. The plan is designed to give you the relaxing experience of lying on the beach and touring around all corners of the vibrant cities. Or else, if you are still confused, the third itinerary is the best option as it is the combination of the other two’s highlights.

Itinerary 1: Luxury Wellness Retreat Escape In Vietnam 8 days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival 

You will be warmly welcomed by your tour guide at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport then transferred to your hotel for check-in.  Hanoi is the 1000-year-old capital of Vietnam. The city is the harmonization of traditional and modern values. The lively city will offer you a fun and unforgettable experience. You will be free in the afternoon to explore Hanoi before having dinner in a local restaurant and spend your night in Hanoi.

Source: Lux Travel DMC

Day 2: City tour

The next day’s destination is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. As one of the most visited sites in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of the famous leader of Vietnam – Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho’s body is preserved in a glass case in the main hall. Once you get inside the Mausoleum, you have to turn off your mobile phone and stay quiet to show respect. 

From Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you can reach One Pillar Pagoda which is famous for its unique structure. The pagoda is built on a single stone pillar in the middle of a pond, whose shape represents a blooming lotus. 

Just 1 kilometer away from One Pillar Pagoda is Quan Thanh Temple – one of the four sacred temples of the ancient Thang Long. The temple is a historical relic of Hanoi as it preserves a variety of wooden sculptures, statues, and carved couplets written in kanji. Until now, the Quan Thanh Temple is still a spiritual highlight of Hanoi.

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After enjoying your lunch at a local restaurant, you will take a 1-hour cyclo tour around the famed Old Quarter. It features humble ancient houses with a mixture of French colonial and Asian architectures. For a better understanding of Hanoi Old Quarter, you can visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple with a charming view or stop by the Dong Xuan market for local goods. 

Next, you will be transferred to a Massage Center for a refreshing 90 mins Traditional Body massage. 

In the evening, you will get a glimpse of Vietnam’s traditional art through a water puppet show. You will be back at your hotel as the show ends and stay overnight in Hanoi. 

Day 3: Halong Bay – Staying overnight on Emperor Cruise with ENDLESS services (*)

The journey starts at 8:00 am as your driver will meet you at your hotel in Hanoi to travel to Halong Bay. There will be a 30-min break within the trip. You will get to the Emperor Cruises dock in the afternoon. Our team will greet you in our lounge before boarding. You will be facilitated with boarding by our Experiences Manager from Bai Tu Long Bay. During the journey, you can see a lot of beautiful islets in which the “Indochine” movie was filmed.

You will have your lunch at our Royal Restaurant on the main deck. Do not miss out on the chance to enjoy the Vietnam specialties while observing the beautiful and amazing view of the Bay. 

Next, you will visit Vung Vieng fishing village which is well-known for its pearl-growing tradition. From the experience, you can take an insight into the local life and the feeding pearl process. 

To continue, you will move to Vung Vieng floating village where you can visit the village and oyster pearl farming plots on bamboo boats under the guidance of the local. 

You will be back to the boat by speedboat to proceed to Cong Do (sleeping area). Here you can immerse yourself in the relaxing atmosphere of sunset on the beach and the stunning view of surrounding islets. Kayaking is recommended. Our service also includes wine-tasting, joining our chef’s cooking performance and participating in making Vietnamese traditional food.  

Your dinner will be served with a 5-course menu while adoring the beauty of the Bay by night. 

You can also join a variety of night activities such as Movie Night, board games, massage, and spa or go squid fishing before stay overnight on board Emperor Cruises. 

(*) Special Note:

• Unlimited Service of Emperor Cruises
• Local guide services to every corner
• 24-hour room service without additional charges
• Mini-bar refilled daily with various drinks
• Champaign/ wine in the room
• Fruits, snacks, nuts
• Dining menu in the room
• Unlimited drinks
• Unlimited use of Massage, Sauna, and Gym

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – flight to Da Nang – Hoi An

When the daylight comes, the warm sunshine will embrace your body while you are having cookies and tea before breakfast. It is great to start your new day with a Vovinam session on the deck. 

You will visit the most favorite destinations of Bai Tu Long Bay – Hon Co Island and Co Cave afterwards. From above, Bai Tu Long Bay offers a spectacular view featuring the glittering white-sand beach and the crystal water of Hon Co Island. The island remains untouched as not many visitors know about the place. It is perfect for relaxing and sunbathing on the beach. Alternatively, you can go kayaking or go swimming in the clean water before leading yourself in the thrilling yet adventurous cave exploration.

Co Cave (or Thien Canh Son Cave) is extremely picturesque with the pristine stalactites formed thousands of years ago. Walking along a small stone staircase, visitors will reach Thien Canh Son Cave. You will be surprised not only by the shimmering stalactites inside the cave but also by the surrounding scenery of Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay.

After returning to the cruise by speedboat, you will check your luggage and check out. The lunch will be prepared before you get back to the mainland. 

The driver will wait for you at the Emperor Cruise dock to take you back to Hanoi or the airport for the upcoming flight to Da Nang. Once you get to Da Nang airport, you will be taken to Hoi An to revel in the ancient and delightful charm of the city. You will have your free time to relax in Hoi An for the rest of the day.

Day 5 + 6 + 7: Hoi An Wellness retreat

For the next 3 days, Almanity Hoi An Resort Retreat will offer you a wide range of special wellness activities for relaxing and refreshing. Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort is a 4-star holistic spa-inclusive retreat located in 326 Ly Thuong Kiet, Tan An Ward.

The diverse life-enhancing wellness services include daily scheduled Yoga Class, unlimited Sauna and Steam for refreshment or feeling a deep sense of being at peace in My Chi Wellness and Spa for a 60-minute Spa Treatment everyday. You can also participate in the poolside Tai-Chi session and other activities in the resort. 

My Chi Wellness and Spa where you can leave all of your burdens behind and rejuvenate is the largest spa in Vietnam with in-house skilled therapists. 

Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang Departure

On the last day of the trip, you will have a full-day off before moving to the Da Nang International Airport for your departure flight. 

Hotel list

What to eat?

Hanoi

Bun cha | Source: Lux Travel DMC

Bun cha (Vermicelli noodle with barbecued griller pork)

Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup whose broth comes from beef bones or sometimes pig bones)

Banh Cuon (Steamed rice sheet rolled with ground pork and minced mushroom. Usually topped with cilantro and fried shallots)

Ha Long Bay

Cha Muc (squid cake)

Oyster

Bun Be Be (noodles with mantis shrimp)

Hoi An

Banh mi | Source: Lux Travel DMC

Banh Mi Phuong (Madam Phuong bread)

Com ga (chicken rice) 

Cao Lau (rice noodles with pork slices and vegetables)

Notes and Tips

The best time to visit Halong Bay is from October to December as the weather is not too hot and less rain but it will be crowded. 

If the weather is too cold, some water activities might not be available.

Notes: If you want to buy something, ask for the price in advance as in big cities like Hanoi, foreigners are often charged at a higher price.

Keep your money, phone, and other valuable properties careful because there are a lot of pickpockets. 

Itinerary 2: Vietnam Beach Vacation 8 days 

Day 1: HCM City Arrival – Visiting Cu Chi tunnels 

You will be picked up at Tan Son Nhat International Airport then transferred to your hotel. The schedule in the afternoon can be a private tour to the city or Cu Chi tunnels.

Christmas Eve on Bui Vien Street, Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels are a massive and sophisticated network underneath Cu Chi District in the late 1940s. The complex consists of trapdoors, living quarters, kitchen, hospitals, command centers, and bomb shelters. To fight against a well-equipped enemy troop, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong army went underground to avoid bombing and continue their guerilla tactics. After 1975, Cu Chi tunnels have been preserved as a part of the war memorial parks network. 

There are also above-ground attractions including caged monkeys, shooting range and souvenir stores.   

Day 2: HCM City – Nha Trang Arrival

In the morning, you will get to the airport for your upcoming flight to Nha Trang. You will arrive in the city before noon then have a private city tour to Long Son Pagoda, Bao Dai Villa, and Oceanographic Institute.

Long Son Pagoda is well-known for its giant Buddha statue situated on the crest of Trai Thuy mountain. The white Buddha statue is about 14 meters in height, which is the biggest of its kind in the country. The site has the unique Taoist architecture reflected by a range of sculptures of Taoist gods and mythical animals. The architecture of the pagoda is influenced by Eastern countries with mosaic features. The pagoda offers a spectacular view of the city harmonizing with bird chirping sounds and the ritual, breezy atmosphere. 

Source: Instagram @lskrstn

Bao Dao Villa is a former royal vacation home that used to serve the last emperor of Vietnam – Bao Dai. The seven-room residence is situated near the beach. Now, visitors can spend a night in Bao Dai’s actual bedroom which is now known as the King Room.

If you travel with your kids, the next site might be their favorite. Oceanographic Institute Nha Trang functions as a research center of marine life. It also preserves and displays thousands of marine species’ samples. The Ocean Museum is where showrooms of sea creatures and the marine ecosystems are located. You will immerse yourself in the colorful world of rare species of the galleries of the aquarium. The place provides you with useful knowledge of biological diversity and marine organism preservation. 

You also have the chance to visit Cham Tower which is a favorite sacred site of worshippers when coming to Nha Trang and Chong Promontory whose mountainous coastline view is extremely amazing. 

Lastly, you will stay overnight in Nha Trang. 

Day 3: Nha Trang

You will have a day off for relaxing at the resort and stay overnight in Nha Trang. 

Day 4: Nha Trang – Da Nang – Hoi An

Your flight will continue to Da Nang. Your driver will pick you up at the airport then take you to Hoi An. 

In the afternoon, you will take a walking tour wandering around the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An for a half-day. 

The first destination of the Hoi An trip is Chua Ong Pagoda located on Tran Phu Street, the center of the Ancient Quarter. The 17th-century pagoda is to honor Quan Cong – a talented and loyal Chinese general in feudal time. The place was influenced by Chinese architecture at that time. The statue of Quan Cong is situated in the main hall and at the back of the main sanctuary. Besides, there are also 2 other escort statues and 2 horse displays. The pagoda has witnessed many major changes of Hoi An and it now becomes an integral part of Hoi An’s spiritual life. 

Source: C. Keiner – Flickr

The Chinese Assembly Halls in Hoi An shares the same architecture with other Chinese assembly halls elsewhere with a big gate, a large altar room featuring a garden and the main hall. The sites are decorated with lacquered boards, statues, and mural, etc. Out of 5 Chinese assembly halls in Hoi An, Fujian Assembly is the most famous one. Other assembly halls are Trung Hoa, Chaozhou, Cantonese, and Hainan.

When talking about the city of the ancient vibe, the 200-year-old Tan Ky house cannot be missed out. The ancient Tan Ky house has been preserved through seven generations. The house is a combination of Chinese and Japanese influence. It also reflects various relics of trade and cultural exchanges among Vietnam and other countries in the late 17th century. The Old House Tan Ky consists of 4 small rooms furnished with wooden antiques. The interior is decorated with large wooden doors and Chinese poems written on nacre boards while the back of the house faces the river and served as a loading goods area of foreign businessmen at that time. 

The last attraction of the day is the Japanese Covered Bridge. The Hoi An’s emblem was constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese to connect with the Chinese quarters across the river. The bridge is solidly built in case of earthquakes. The Japanese Covered Bridge features the tile-covered roof, a curvy aisle, and 2 small corridors decorated with a pair of monkey and dog statues on both sides of the bridge. The Japanese Covered Bridge harmonizes the Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese features whose photogenic view will facilitate your perfect Instagram pictures. 

After a long and joyful day in Hoi An, you will rest here overnight and prepare for your flight to Hanoi tomorrow.

Day 5: Hoi An – Da Nang – Visiting Hanoi 

You will have a city tour from your hotel to the Museum of Ethnology in the afternoon which is 20 minutes away. 

The museum preserves the historical and cultural heritages of 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. The place also promotes socio-cultural diversity to the young by a wide range of outdoor activities, handicrafts, folk arts, water puppetry, and traditional music performances. There are some houses that imitate the traditional and distinctive architecture of ethnic minorities in the Northern and Central Vietnam. Furthermore, the place is a center for ethnographic research with its vast amount of information.

Source: Lux Travel DMC

From there, you will take a cyclo ride to the heart of Hanoi – the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. You have 1 hour to explore the energetic and vibrant local life. There are a lot of cafes and restaurants overlooking the crowded city and Hoan Kiem Lake. In addition, if you come here at the weekend, Hanoi walking street will welcome you with a wide range of fun activities including acoustic music performances, Kpop random dance and traditional games.

As scheduled, you will enjoy traditional water puppet performance which is a spiritual specialty of Vietnam in Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in the late afternoon. You will be captured by the fascinating legends and stories told by the theatre’s most skilled artists. You will stay overnight in Hanoi after the show ends.

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi

The journey continues to Halong Bay. 

Halong Bay is a natural wonder which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The scenery is something unreal and straight out of a movie. Halong Bay possesses a large number of smaller islands and caves. Some caves are closed to visitors to preserve their natural state. 

The most popular caves and grottoes in Halong Bay are Thien Cung, Dau Go, Sung Sot, and Trinh Nu which come in different shapes and formation.   

After driving for 3.5 hours, we will reach there. 

We will take you on your boat for a cruise to this beautiful place for 4 hours. Your lunch will be served with high-end local seafood by our staff. The navigation ends as we take you to the harbor and drive back to Hanoi. You will spend your night in the city.

Day 7: Hanoi full-day city tour

The destination of the day is Ho Chi Minh’s complex.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, located in Ba Dinh District, is the last resting place of Uncle Ho – the famous president and the hero of Vietnam. The solid structure is designed to bear natural disasters and attacks. The body of Uncle Ho is preserved in a glass case in the central hall of the building. The surrounding of  Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum features a variety of plants that come from different regions of Vietnam. 

Source: Lux Travel DMC

The complex also consists of Uncle Ho’s fish pond next to his stilt house. In contrast to his reputation, President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in a humble wooden house from 1954 to 1969. The 2-floor house lies in the middle of a beautiful garden. The first floor is for meeting and working while the second one is the bedroom and office of Ho Chi Minh. Another part of Ho Chi Minh’s complex is the Presidential Palace. The Presidential Palace is a French-architecture building colored in mustard yellow. The building has 3 stories and 30 rooms standing out in the middle of lush gardens. However, visitors are not allowed to reach the Presidential Palace since it still functions as a political gathering center. 

From there, we will arrive at the Temple of Literature which was the first university of Vietnam. It was built in 1070 to honor Confucius, scholars, and sages. From the main entrance, you will see Khue Van pavilion and Van lake. It is divided into 5 courtyards according to the 5 basic elements of the world. There are 82 out of 116 stelae set on the top of the turtle statues. They are ordered by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1484 to record the names, places of birth and achievements of gifted and outstanding scholars.

Nowadays, students from everywhere in Vietnam come here to pray for luck in study and life, which becomes a tradition of Vietnamese. 

You will be free in the afternoon then stay overnight in Hanoi to prepare your luggage for your departure tomorrow. 

Day 8: Departure

It is your last day in the city. You are free before turning to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight.

Hotels

What to eat?

HCM City

Banh bot chien (rice flour cakes are chopped into small pieces then fried with eggs and green onions)

Banh trang tron (rice paper salad with green mango, chili paste, and quail egg)

Com suon (rice with chopped grilled pork ribs)

Hanoi

Bun rieu (crab noodle with tomato broth)

Pho cuon (beef, cilantro, bean sprouts, and lecture wrapped together with a thin rice cake sheet)

Xoi (sticky rice came with many different flavors commonly mung bean paste, fried shallots, fried eggs or Vietnamese sausage, etc.)

Nha Trang

Banh can (round crispy rice cake topped with either quail eggs or seafood)

Banh xeo (yellow crepe-like cake with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and sliced onions inside)

Da Nang

Bun cha ca (noodle with fish cake)

Banh Beo (steamed cakes made of rice flour topped with pork crackle and shrimp powder)

Hoi An

Thit xien nuong (grilled pork wrapped around a stick)

Scallop (Grilled scallops topped with peanut and green onions) 

Mi Quang (noodle can be served with pork, chicken, shrimp, quailed egg, etc. topped with rice crackers and peanuts)

Notes and Tips

Best time to visit: The suggested time to visit these places is from October to December as the weather will be not too hot in Hanoi and HCM City while it will be less rain in Ha Long Bay. The period from March to May is fine since it will be not too hot and less crowded but you should be aware of the unpredictable rain. 

Notes: In Ho Chi Minh’s complex and the Temple of Literature, you have to strictly follow the clothes regulation. You should avoid short skirts, tank tops, and skin-showing clothes. 

Before getting inside the Mausoleum, remember to turn off your phone or put it in silent mode and be quiet to show respect. 

When coming to Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang, please secure your property as there are a lot of scammers and pickpockets around. 

Itinerary 3: Essential Highlights of Vietnam 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive HCM City

From Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will arrive at your hotel. 

In the afternoon, you will have a private tour to HCM City – the financial center of Vietnam. It welcomes many foreign visitors every year because of the cultural diversity, charismatic architecture and amazing local cuisine. 

Source: Lux Travel DMC

Visiting Ben Thanh market, a city’s landmark, you will be amazed by the heaven of colorful fabrics, clothes and various kinds of ready-to-eat local specialties. It is also a great option to buy handicrafts, accessories, and souvenirs. 

Located in District 3, the War Remnants Museum represent relics of the Vietnam War and the First Indochina War. It consists of exhibit rooms displaying military equipment, the “tiger cage” that detained political prisoners and a series of photos reflecting the crime of Agent Orange in the past.

Source: Lux Travel DMC

Similarly, the Reunification Palace is another historic highlight in the city which used to be the base of the Vietnam General Ngo Dinh Diem. It was the command center of South Vietnam which is now designated to recreate the tragic yet heroic wartime with the display of valuable artifacts.

You will spend your night in HCM City.

Day 2: Mekong Delta Excursion

On the next day, you will go to the Mekong Delta in the southernmost area of Vietnam which is known as the rice bowl of the country. You will head to My Tho by private boat through vegetable plantations and fruit orchards on the banks of the canals. Your lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the center of Mekong then concluded with tropical fruits. Before getting back to HCM City to stay overnight, you will visit a snake farm where they breed snakes for snake wines and other products. 

Day 3: HCM City – Da Nang – Hoi An Arrival

You will get to the airport for the next flight to Da Nang on Vietnam Airlines. Once you arrive here, the guide will take you on a city tour. 

Source: Luxurytravelvietnam

The first destination is the Cham Museum which is dictated to recreate the Cham people’s life and culture in 192 AD. The museum represents a series of Cham sculptures, terracotta and stone artworks from the 7th to 15th centuries. 

Marble Mountain (Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese) is a cluster of five limestone mountains with each was named after an element in China’s philosophy. The mountain is not only a Buddhist worshipping place but also a favorite site for hiking which provides a panoramic view of My Khe Beach.  

From there, you will reach the charming Hoi An with many ancient houses, bright and colorful lanterns as well as wonderful local cuisines. 

You will check-in for your hotel and spend your night here. 

Day 4: Hoi An 

Hoi An was a commercial center for foreign traders. Nowadays, Hoi An is a delightful riverside town with numerous cafes, tailor shops and famous attractions such as Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Tan Ky House, and Chua Ong Pagoda, etc.  

You will be free for the rest of the day before traveling to Hanoi tomorrow.

Day 5: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hanoi Arrival

The capital of Vietnam maintains the French colonial structures which blend well with the modern buildings. Before having a fancy dinner at a deluxe restaurant in the French Quarter, you will have time to take a cyclo ride tour around the Old Quarter. 

You can visit the peaceful and charming Hoan Kiem Lake which possesses a myth about the sacred turtle or take a short tour at Hoa Lo Prison before turning to the Temple of Literature to pray for luck in study and life. 

In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional water puppet show then stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi

Today, you will visit Ho Chi Minh’s complex which consists of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his stilt house, and the Presidential Palace to know more about the life and work of our beloved leader. 

Next, One Pillar Pagoda whose structure represents a blooming lotus in the middle of a pond cannot be missed out. 

Nearby the One Pillar Pagoda is the Old Quarter with 36 streets selling particular local goods and handicrafts.  

For a better understanding of Hanoi and the local life, you should also reach Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ngoc Son Temple, and the romantic West Lake. Furthermore, the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum is worth visiting for a valuable historical and cultural insight. 

You will spend your night in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi

From Hanoi, you will drive to Halong Bay for a 4-hour cruise on the beautiful bay. Along the journey, you will get to one of the limestone caves within the area. Later, you will have your high-end lunch with fresh seafood while admiring the spectacular view of the place. You will be back to the harbor, then go back to Hanoi for the night.

Day 8: Departure

As it is your last day in Hanoi, you will be free to go shopping before moving to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.

Hotels

What to eat?

Hanoi:

Bun Ca (Fish rice noodles)

Nem cua be (Crab spring rolls)

Banh mi (Bread)

Halong Bay:

Sam (horseshoe crab)

Sa sung (peanut worm)

Hue:

Che thap cam (Vietnamese sweet soup)

Nem lui (Hue Lemongrass skewer)

Com hen (rice with baby clams)

Hoi An:

Cao Lau (pork rice noodle)

Com ga Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice)

Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake)

HCM City:

Com tam (broken rice)

Goi cuon (Vietnamese spring rolls)

Hu Tieu (Rice noodle)

About Lux Travel DMC

Having been around for 15 years since 2004, we are the first luxury operator and DMC in the country. We design a tour plan based on customer’s needs, duration, and even culinary restrictions. If you are looking for either a private honeymoon holiday, a 4-day celebration for a group of 100 people or a food tour, we can do them all. 

We offer the most deluxe accommodations, services, and vehicles. It can be reflected by a 99% satisfaction rate and good reviews on TripAdvisor. 

To plan your trip, contact Lux Travel DMC now!

Click to know more about us on the Lux Travel DMC official website.