If this is the first time that you’ve come to Vietnam, let’s try out the Vietnam 13-day tour with Go Travel. Below is the itinerary for 13 days of traveling in Vietnam.
Each region of Vietnam has its own distinct flavor that will take your breath away on your first taste. If you want to experience a wide and well-rounded taste of Vietnamese culture, our Vietnam 13-day vacation is ideal!
Vietnam 13-day tour highlights
- Try the most iconic foods in Vietnam’s most recognized places to feel like a native.
- Explore Hanoi and sample the various exquisite varieties of food that are popular here.
- In Hue, try a royal supper and visit several old sites.
- Take a gourmet tour in Vietnam 13-day tour by motorbike and experience the flavors of Hoi An.
- Immerse yourself in the strange but interesting Mekong Delta while enjoying the tranquility of life.
Day 1: Hanoi Capital Arrival
Let’s start your Vietnam 13-day tour with Go Travel right now!
Arrive in the lovely city of Hanoi Capital and be warmly greeted by our tour guide.
Note: Please be present at Pole No.10 (Outside the Terminal Gate at the airport) and contact us, so we can easily search for you.
02:00 pm: Hotels in Hanoi start to check-in service, so you can get there by that time or pay an additional fee for early check-in.
After registering for your room, you can have a half day to relax before starting the Vietnam 13-day tour.
Start Vietnam 13-day tour at Hanoi Capital
Meals: NA
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Food Tour around Hanoi Capital by Mortobike
Morning
08:00 am: Meet Go Travel’s guides at your hotel to start your food tour and Vietnam 13-day tour around Hanoi Capital on the rental motorbike.
- Enjoy the view of Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi’s oldest bridge, which was completed between 1899 and 1902. Following that, cross the iconic Chuong Duong Bridge, which has four lanes and a steel span.
- Pass through Nha Hat Lon (Hanoi Opera House), built by the French authorities in the early twentieth century. Enjoy the famous Trang Tien’s Ice Cream while our guide tells you about the unique edifice with great historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic significance.
- Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Ho Guom (Hoan Kiem Lake) in the heart of Hanoi’s ancient district. This activity will definitely “shine” your Vietnam 13-day tour.
- Nha Tho Lon (St. Joseph’s Cathedral) is a neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral erected around 120 years ago. When it opened in December 1886, it was one of the earliest structures erected by the French colonial authority in Indochina.
Lunch will be served at The Old Quarter restaurant. After you fill your energy with some delicious local Vietnamese food, we will start our journey in the afternoon.
Afternoon and Night
Relax with your lunch before continuing our afternoon tour, and get ready to experience some of our lovely city’s most popular attractions in Vietnam 13-day tour:
- Explore the Hoa Lo Prison, also known as Maison Central in French, while listening to the audio guide. Whatever its name, the horrific institution was home to a century of torture.
- Enjoy the freshwater West Lake, which has a 17-kilometer diameter and several historical sites, five-star hotels, fashionable restaurants, cafés, and nightlife spots worth discovering along the waterfront.
Even if you are not a coffee fan, you should taste Cafe Trung (Egg Coffee) at Cafe Giang once. Vietnamese folks have created a unique coffee blend.
- Pass through the Huu Tiep Lake B52 jet crash site, a notable triumph of Vietnam forces during the Vietnam War.
- Our next stop in Vietnam 13-day tour is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the ultimate resting place of Vietnam’s most iconic and popular leader, known as ‘Uncle Ho’ to his people.
Please keep in mind that the above schedule is subject to vary depending on the weather and traffic circumstances of the day.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Due to the renovation, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is not allowed to come close or touch and visitors only see it from the outside.
Day 3: Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise
Morning
8:00 am – 8:30 am: Our driver will meet you and transport you to Halong Bay, a World Heritage site with breathtaking beauty. The drive to this must-see location is short and straightforward, lasting around 2.5 hours.
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm: The boat’s pleasant crew will be waiting to meet you and assist you with checking in. Our manager will provide you with some regulations and instructions while keeping you on board for your safety.
While eating your lunch on board, take in the scenery and see the various gorgeous islands of diverse forms that are distinctive to Halong Bay.
Afternoon
After lunch, take a sleep to recharge for the afternoon’s activities, which may include cave exploring, kayaking, or swimming in the beautiful waters of Halong Bay.
05:00 pm – 05:30 pm: You may be eager to return to the boat, at which point the Sunset Party will begin the “buy one, get one free” program.
07:00 pm: Savor a delicious dinner
There are a variety of nighttime pursuits available on board for you in your Vietnam 13-day tour, such as squid fishing, board games, films, a night bar, etc. Don’t hesitate if you don’t like going to bed early.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on board
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi Street Food Tasting
Morning
6:00 am: To celebrate the start of a new day, attend the Tai Chi class on the sundeck. This type of activity is ideal for early risers looking to unwind physically and psychologically after a long day.
Enjoy a light breakfast buffet with a choice of delectable starters, snacks, and beverages.
As they paddle you through the cave on a bamboo raft, the local ferrymen will inform you about the ecology of the region. If you take a detour via the fishing town, you might be able to see a variety of aquatic species.
Note: The cave and fishing village are depending on the cruise you stay on.
Kayaking Through Scenic Limestone Terrains
10:00 am: Return to the ship to double-check your belongings before taking sail. If you’ve already checked out, a buffet brunch on the way to Halong Bay is an excellent way to unwind.
11:00 am – 11:30 am: It’s time to leave. Thank the crew for their hard work and say goodbye before boarding the tender and heading to Tuan Chau Pier.
Afternoon
05:00 pm: When you return to Hanoi, you spend some time wandering the old alleyways of the Old Quarter. Our Vietnam 13-day tour will begin with some popular Hanoi dishes.
- For those seeking something a bit more refined, soup-based dishes such as Pho Bo (Vietnamese beef noodles), Bun Thang (rice vermicelli noodles with chicken and eggs), and Bun Bo Hue are excellent choices.
- Banh Cuon, often known as “Steamed Rice Rolls,” and Banh Mi (Vietnamese bread), are both delicious options.
- Try Nom Bo Kho (Dried Beef Salad) and Nem Chua Ran (Fried Fermented Pork Roll), among other street foods.
Taste Hanoi Local Street Food
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 5: Flight to Hue – Nguyen Dynasty Royal Cuisine Experience
Morning and Afternoon
With a hotel breakfast, you may get some rest before your excursion. When it’s time for your flight from Hanoi to Hue, our driver will meet you there and drive you there.
You will be met at the airport by your tour guide and transported to your City Centre lodging.
Night
06:00 pm: The guide will arrive at your hotel by cyclo.
Your culinary trip will begin on Vo Thi Sau Street at the “Hang Me” restaurant, where you will be able to try specialties (Banh Beo, Banh Nam, Banh Bot Loc, Banh Ram It, Banh Uot…).
The cyclo will next transport you to “Hen Island” to enjoy clam delicacies including clam rice and clam noodles (“Hen” = baby clam).
We take you to a sweet soup restaurant on Le Loi Street to load up on Hue’s distinctive sweet soup, then to Dinh Tien Hoang Street for “Banh Khoai” and “Nem Lui”.
You’ll stop along the route to visit the Imperial Citadel, the Nguyen Dynasty emperors’ house, and the Truong Tien Bridge at night.
Finally, the cyclo drives you through the streets at night to see the picturesque panorama. As mementos, you may buy sesame candy, conical hats, sour prawns, long robes (ao dai), and Minh Mang wines.
10:00 pm: Cyclo returns you to your accommodation.
Take a Flight to Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 6: Hue City Tour Full Day
Morning
08:00 am – 08:30 am: Let’s get ready for pick-up in the hotel lobby
- Come to Thien Mu Pagoda, a famous Buddhist attraction located on the Perfume River’s bank, with its old design and hidden mystery.
- Continue your quest by seeing the Imperial Citadel. You may admire the entrance gate, the Flag Tower, and The King’s Palace from here.
- Finally, a quick stop at Dong Ba Market will round up your morning excursion. Walk through booths to learn about the everyday activities of local vendors. Before eating lunch at a local eatery, pick up some unusual mementos.
Afternoon
- Visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, the smallest of the Nguyen Emperors’ tombs yet recognized for its excellent blend of Oriental and Western styles.
- Visit Emperor Minh Mang’s most spectacular Tomb, which is known for its scenery and oriental architecture. The tomb is beautiful, with historic traditional architecture that is steeped with Confucian character.
- Before returning to the hotel, visit a conical hat hamlet to witness how craftsmen produce this gorgeous product and to engage with residents.
05:00 pm: Our tour ends in your hotel lobby.
Learn About Nguyen Emperors At Khai Dinh Tomb
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 7: Transfer: Hue – Hoi An
Transfer to your accommodation in Hoi An via shuttle bus or private automobile. During the trip, you can stop at several locations for sightseeing and photoshoots (entry fees are not included).
- Take a leisurely stroll along the winding pathways of the Thu Bon River to appreciate the timeless beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town.
- A visit to the Japanese Covered Bridge will allow you to learn about the life of Japanese people who immigrated to the United States during the 17th century.
- Visit the Fujian Assembly Hall, which served as a place of worship for the people who migrated to Hoi An in the 17th century from the Chinese province of Fujian.
Spend a lovely night in Hoi An before the Tra Que village discovery tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 8: Be a farmer in Tra Que Village
Morning
08:00 am: After breakfast, meet your local guide in the hotel lobby and travel to visit a small farm in Tra Que Village.
Help the farmers prepare the field by fertilizing with seaweed from a nearby lake, scraping the dirt, sowing, watering greens, selecting greens, and doing a variety of other gardening tasks.
Work on the farm for the rest of the morning, then take a break to make lunch with your host family. Spring rolls and local pancakes are among the various local specialties served at lunch.
Afternoon
Relax with a foot massage before saying farewell to your host family and riding back to Hoi An.
In the late afternoon, you may ride to the craftsman’s home, where he will give you a brief history, shape, and color of the lantern, as well as the methods involved in manufacturing them. You will have the opportunity to construct your own lantern and keep it as a keepsake.
A Day Being A Farmer With The Villagers In Tra Que Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 9: Food Tour Hoi An Ancient city
Afternoon
Start around sunset and will walk you through local cafes, food stalls, markets, and restaurants, giving you a filling food adventure for the memory books. Hoi An traditional dishes include:
- Vietnamese bread (Banh Mi): Bread followed in the footsteps of the French and was introduced to our country in the shape of a baguette, which was served with butter, jam, and cold meat in the nineteenth century. Baguettes were “modified” over time by Vietnamese people based on their own eating habits and tastes, becoming a popular food today.
- Cao Lau: The difference between Cao Lau and other noodle dishes is the texture. Cao Lau noodles are firmer and chewier. Additionally, the best way to enjoy Cao Lau’s taste is to eat from street vendors who only serve Cao Lau or a small handful of local dishes.
- Banh Beo: Banh Beo is a traditional Vietnamese cake that is a popular snack among the residents of Hoi An. To find it, you will need to navigate several narrow alleys and stop at a few local business buildings.
- Banh Khot: A round pancake made with rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk, quail egg, and vegetables. A street vendor near Hoai Square will be an ideal place to try Banh Khot.
Savor The Signature Vietnamese Sandwich In Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 10: Da Nang Flight to Ho Chi Minh
Enjoy your free time before transferring to the airport in Da Nang for the Ho Chi Minh City flight.
On arrival, transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check in and relax.
Optional:
You can experience Saigon’s bustling and exciting nightlife with our Saigon Night Life Tour by Motorbike. From congested streets to secret passageways, our motorcycle tour offers a unique and exhilarating experience that you will never forget.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Day 11: Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Morning
8:00 am: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, a collection of underground tunnels and constructions used by the Saigon Liberation Army during the Vietnam War.
Have a chance to crawl along the tunnels to see how life and war happened at that time and admire the creativity of the Vietnamese for creating such a place.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on your way back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Afternoon
- This afternoon, your first trip should be to the Reunification Palace, which served as the official residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
- The War Remnants Museum offers an insight into the past through numerous historical relics from both Vietnam and the United States.
- Check see the Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, both of which are well-known for being early specimens of typical French colonial architecture.
Finally, your trip will conclude in a local market where you may practice bargaining while shopping for souvenirs. Discover the local way of life and culture. Here you’ll discover some of the city’s friendliest, liveliest, and most sociable residents.
Return to your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy some free time.
Authentic Experience At Historical Cu Chi Tunnel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is closed for renovation purposes so you are not allowed to enter.
Day 12: Mekong Delta Full-Day Discovery
Morning
8:00 am: Get picked up at your hotel in Saigon and head to Ben Tre Province to discover the Mekong Delta.
Take a boat ride along the Ham Luong River, a Mekong tributary to enjoy your Vietnam 13-day tour.
Visit some of the local workplaces to gain a sense of how the local economy works, such as a coconut candy factory or some local manufacturing, depending on the time of year.
You will be escorted to a tranquil village where you will be able to take a brief walk and experience real life in a Delta town. To make your Vietnam 13-day tour more special, you will travel into the jungle on your “xe loi,” a type of motorized rickshaw, to view fruit orchards.
A delicious and gratifying supper will be served at a riverbank restaurant, with local specialties such as elephant-ear fish and river prawns, and will be complemented by a range of cool drinks and beers.
The elephant-ear fish is a trademark dish in the Mekong region that will take your breath away with its unusual look.
Afternoon
Board a sampan boat for a relaxing trip along narrow canals.
05:00 pm: Get back to your hotel in Saigon.
Unique Floating Market In Mekong Delta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Take advantage of your final relaxing morning in Ho Chi Minh City by eating breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant.
Free till our transportation arrives and takes you to the airport for your trip back home.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: NA
