Highlights of Vietnam in 12 Days: Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ba Na Hills & Phu Quoc Beaches

Welcome to Hanoi!

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our friendly local tour guide and driver will be waiting to welcome you. We will transfer you directly to your hotel for check-in (rooms are available from 14:00).

After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to relax, recover from your flight, or start exploring the vibrant streets of Hanoi at your own pace.

Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel

7.30 – 7.45: Our tour guide and driver will pick up at your hotel in Hanoi city to depart for Ninh Binh province (120 Kms). 

9:30-9:45: Visiting Hoa Lu – the historic capital of Vietnam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties.

After lunch, embark on a relaxing sampan boat ride to explore Trang An, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in 2014 for its exceptional values and continues to draw growing numbers of visitors every year. This boat excursion offers an exciting adventure through 9 to 11 unique tunnel caves of varying sizes, showcasing the area’s mysterious beauty. Throughout the journey, you will be captivated by a captivating blend of long, short, sunlit, and shadowy caves, making for a truly memorable experience.

Return to Hanoi at the end of the day. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel,

08:15 – 08:45: Hotel or private address pick-up with our shuttle bus. Short break half way.
11:45 – 12:00: Arriving Tuan Chau marina, transferred by tender of La Pandora cruises.

12:45 – 13:00: Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing, safety instruction.

13:00 – 13:15: A special lunch in Vietnamese cuisine of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing favorites are served while sailing through Islets of Con Vit.
16:00: The Cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay. Extraordinary limestone karsts landscapes surround the area. We progress to Ong Cam Area of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Ha Long Bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam, enjoy kayaking and/or enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Bay.
17:30: Back to La Pandora Cruise; drop anchor to stay overnight. Enjoy a cooking demonstration (teaching you how to make our speciality, Spring rolls) and the complimentary Sunset Party on the sundeck with local wine and fresh fruit.

19:00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. After dinner, retire to your cabin or join the fishing excursion, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar, wifi access or play exciting games. Overnight on board.

06:00: Enjoy sunrise and admire the never-ending miraculous scenery of the Bay.
06:30: Light breakfast, coffee and tea served.
07:15: Visit Dark & Bright Cave and islets by local rowing boats, which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage.
09:15: Back to our La Pandora Cruise, relax before checking out.
10:00: Lunch is served on board.
12:00: Disembark at the Tuan Chau marina by tender. Take our shuttle bus to return to Hanoi
15:00 – 15:30: Arrival back at your hotel.

Enjoy your free time until transferring to the airport for the flight to Danang.

Overnight at a hotel in Danang.

Breakfast at the hotel

Enjoy your free time until the afternoon tour

14:00: Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Da Nang center to begin your exploration of Central Vietnam’s two most charming destinations. First, head to Cam Thanh Coconut Forest for an exciting bamboo basket boat ride. Glide through the lush mangroves, witness thrilling basket boat performances, learn about local culture, and watch fishermen cast their nets. Next, continue to the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town. Stroll through its nostalgic streets to admire well-preserved historic landmarks, including the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient merchant houses, and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.

Enjoy some free time to shop for souvenirs or sip coffee at a cozy local cafe before savoring a dinner at a restaurant. Before heading back, participate in a magical local tradition: releasing a floating flower lantern onto the Hoai River to wish for luck, peace, and happiness. 1

9:30: Transfer back to your hotel in Danang for a relaxing evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Danang.

Breakfast at the hotel,

Enjoy your free day to discover the city by yourself, buy some souvenirs until check out and have a flight to Phu Quoc

Ovenright at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel

08:15 – 08:30: Pick up in Duong Dong or at John’s Tours office and transfer to An Thoi harbor.
Cruise to explore the top four islands in southern Phu Quoc.
Snorkeling at Xuong (or Buom) & Gam Ghi Islands: Swim among vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.

 Enjoy an island lunch, swim in clear waters, relax, and take photos.
(Experience the underwater Seawalker tour (at own expense)).
Then having fun with over 20 themed rides on Hon Thom Island.
Finally, you have time to enjoy a scenic 25-minute ride on the world’s longest 3-wire cable car with panoramic views of islands and Sunset Town.
Return and transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel

At this day, You have free time to relax and discover the island by yourself.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel,

Enjoy the last day in Phu Quoc. Then, our driver will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast at the hotel,

07:30 – 08:00: Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. We move to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels. Watch an insightful introductory video before exploring the underground maze of living quarters, field hospitals, and hidden trapdoors, then taste traditional wartime cassava with hot tea.

After enjoying a local lunch around 12:00 pm, journey south to My Tho to cruise the Tien River past the four iconic islets—Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Glide through palm-shaded canals on a hand-rowed sampan, take a brief village cycle, visit a coconut candy workshop, and savor tropical fruits with honey tea while listening to Southern Vietnamese folk music

18:30 – 19:00, back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast at the hotel,

Free at leisure until transferring to the  International Airport for your departure.