9,10-Day Central To North Vietnam (Hanoi) Tours

Why Choose This 9–10 Day Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours Journey?

Seeking a trip that harmonizes cultural richness with natural beauty? Our Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours provide the ultimate mix of city, country, coast, and culture. For 9 to 10 days, you’ll delve into Hue’s imperial heritage, stroll through Hoi An’s charming candle-lined alleys, absorb the energy of Hanoi, cruise through majestic Halong Bay, and discover Trang An’s natural treasures. Each destination is carefully selected and perfectly linked – so your attention remains on exploration, not arrangements.

With a team of over 15 years of experience, Impress Travel offers not only sightseeing, but much, much more. Our skilled, local guides transform each day into a story, and our Hanoi Tours are commended for their authenticity and individualized attention. Join our recommended Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours and see Vietnam as it was designed to be discovered.

Detailed Itinerary for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours

Day 1: Arrival In Hue – The Imperial Beginning

Morning

• Warm welcome on arrival at Phu Bai International Airport by your Impress Travel guide
• Private transfer to your hotel in the Hue city center.
• Arrival day, time to unwind after your journey. Your Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours officially commences!

Afternoon

• Start your cultural odyssey from the UNESCO-listed Imperial City of Hue.
• Pass through the grand Ngo Mon Gate, visit the intricate Thai Hoa Palace, and view the symbolic Nine Dynastic Urns of the past, one for each of the former Nguyen emperor-rulers.
• Discover how Vietnam’s ancient capital is a reflection of its royal heritage through your specialist guide.

Evening

• Take a relaxing sunset cruise along the Perfume River, through riverside villages, accompanied by traditional melodies.
• See the famous Thien Mu Pagoda standing elegantly over the river.
• Optional group dinner featuring Hue royal dishes (suggestion: bun bo Hue, banh khoai).
• Overnight in Hue.

Day 2: Hue – Hai Van Pass – Da Nang – Hoi An

Morning

• Checkout after breakfast, then head out for Hoi An through one of Vietnam’s most dramatic coastal roads the stunning Hai Van Pass.
• Halt for panoramic views and World War II insights at bunkers.
• You can visit Linh Ung Pagoda located on Son Tra Peninsula, where there is Vietnam’s tallest Lady Buddha statue as well as panoramic ocean views.

Afternoon

• Arrive and check in at your hotel in Hoi An.
• Relax for a while and have a typical lunch at a riverside restaurant.
• In the late afternoon, start a guided walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Explore highlights like the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Tan Ky Ancient House, as well as the Hoi An Central Market.

Evening

• Enjoy the enchanting sheen of lights reflecting from the river.
• Optional: Take a cooking class or have cao lau, white rose dumplings, or grilled pork skewers.
• Free time for night market exploration. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Day 3: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary – Culture & Crafts

Morning

• Leave for My Son Sanctuary, the ancient Cham civilization sacred valley, nestled deep within hills of dense jungle.
• Discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site as your guide introduces you to the spiritual significance, Hinduism, and engineering secrets of these brick temple spires.
• Back to Hoi An late morning.

Afternoon
Choose from enriching cultural experiences:

• Cooking Class: Explore the nearby market with your chef, followed by cooking up authentic dishes amidst a serene countryside ambiance.
• Lantern Workshop: Discover the secrets of Hoi An’s radiant symbols and make your silk lantern.
• Cycling Tour to Tra Que Village: Ride through the rice paddies, see farms up close, and even have a go at planting the old way.

Evening

• Free time for unwinding or re-visiting the riverside lit by lanterns.
• Optional guided dinner or street food tour.
• Do not miss the opportunity to send up a floating lantern and make a wish.
• Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 4: Flight To Hanoi – The Capital Beckons

Morning

• Breakfast and hotel checkout
• Transfer to Da Nang International Airport for your flight to Hanoi welcome to the start of the Northern part of your Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours!

Afternoon

• Upon arrival, greet your Impress Travel guide at Hanoi airport and transfer to your hotel within the Old Quarter.
• Time for rest or a typical pho or bun cha lunch near the hotel.

Evening

• Watch a mesmerizing Water Puppet Show, a charming folk art of Northern Vietnam based on rural culture and ancient legend.
• Optional group dinner including popular dishes of the region like cha ca La Vong or egg coffee.
• Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi City Highlights – Heritage & History

Morning

• Start your day in Ba Dinh Square, Vietnam’s political center.
• Tour the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda, all places of deep meaning and national pride.
• Tour Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house for a glimpse of Vietnam’s most revered leader’s humble lifestyle.

Afternoon

• Discover the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest national university, constructed in 1070 as a tribute to Confucius and scholars.
• Take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with each of its many streets named after the trade once carried out there – silk, silver, paper, herbs.
• Drink a rich, creamy coffee made from eggs at a hidden, locally-owned café.

Evening

• Optional: Observe a live Ca Tru or Quan Ho music performance.
• Enjoy dinner at a fine-dining restaurant or wander Dong Xuan Night Market for souvenirs and street eats.
• Overnight in Hanoi, as the Hanoi Tours part of your trip continues.

Day 6: Halong Bay Cruise Adventure

Morning

• Leave Hanoi after breakfast by private transfer for Halong Bay one of the most spectacular highlights of your Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours.
• Upon arrival, register at the pier and embark on your overnight luxury cruise. Your day will start with a refreshing welcome drink followed by a cruise briefing.

Afternoon

• Savor a delectable seafood lunch while gliding by towering islands made of limestone, green waters, and drifting fishing villages.
• See either the remarkable Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) or the enigmatic Thien Cung Cave, where the dramatic stalactites and stalagmites spell out ancient stories.
• Optional activities: paddling through secluded lagoons or swimming within a designated bay area.

Evening

• Watch the sun set over the bay while treating yourself to a sundown party on the sun deck with cocktails and finger food.
• Afterward, savor a freshly cooked Vietnamese meal onboard.
• Optional evening activities include squid fishing, stargazing, or simply soaking in the peaceful ambiance of Halong Bay.
• Overnight on a cruise.

Day 7: Halong Bay – Ninh Binh (Or Return To Hanoi)

Morning

• Begin your day with a Tai Chi session on the deck, with misty limestone peaks as your surrounding scenery.
• Breakfast is served as the boat sails back to port.
• Disembark and start the scenic drive south towards Ninh Binh – your next unforgettable destination for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours.

Afternoon

• Have lunch at one of the neighborhood restaurants that specializes in goat meat, a local delicacy.
• Tour the ancient site of Hoa Lu, Vietnam, the former capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, famous for its ancient King Dinh and King Le temples, set amidst limestone mountains.
• Arrive at your hotel, set up in a peaceful location with views of the karst cliffs and surrounding rice paddies.

Evening

• Free time for rest or participation in an optional guided country walk.
• Have dinner at a garden-style homestay or an eco-lodge dining facility.
• Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 8: Trang An Landscape – Hang Mua Panorama – Return To Hanoi

Morning

• After breakfast, board a typical sampan boat for a tour of the UNESCO-protected Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.
• Float through tunnels of limestone, green valleys, and secret temples, such as locations shown in the movie Kong: Skull Island.
• This is one peaceful, immersive highlight of our Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours.

Afternoon

• Take a trip to Hang Mua, famous for its 500-step climb up to a viewpoint with its spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding Tam Coc rice fields and river.
• Take unforgettable photos before returning to Hanoi.
• Check into your hotel for the last night of your trip.

Evening

• Spend a free night to discover Hanoi’s Old Quarter, or opt for a guided street food tasting tour.
• Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi Local Life & Departure

Morning

• Start your final day of the Hanoi Tours portion of your Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours with a cultural visit of your choice:
  • Bat Trang Pottery Village: Visit the village and engage with the locals, experience pottery-making under their guidance.
  • Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Discover Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups via engaging exhibits as well as traditional houses.

Afternoon

• Stop by the crowded Dong Xuan Market – an ideal destination for souvenirs, silk, spices, and local bites.
• Go back to your hotel, refresh, and pack.
• Take a transfer to Noi Bai International for your onward flight.
• Bid farewell with unforgettable memories from your trip with Impress Travel.

Day 10: Optional Cultural Immersion Experience (Extension Day)

Option A: Duong Lam Ancient Village & Tay Phuong Pagoda
Morning

• Leave from Hanoi for the visit to Duong Lam, one of northern Vietnam’s very few remaining authentic ancient villages.
• Walk through twisting alleyways of laterite houses, see ancient communal halls, and discover rural traditions kept intact for centuries.

Afternoon

• Pass by the 8th-century Tay Phuong Pagoda, popular for its wooden Arhat images and mountain-top panoramas.
• Back to Hanoi late in the afternoon.
• Optional evening group farewell dinner.

Option B: Craft Villages & Street Food Tour

 Morning

• Tour a typical silk-weaving village or a wood-carving village outside of Hanoi. Observe artisans, view production processes, and shop for authentic handicrafts.

Afternoon

• Join a carefully curated Hanoi street food tour for a sampling of favorites such as bun cha, nem ran, pho cuon, culminating with an authentic egg coffee served in a landmark café.
• This immersive experience is the best culmination of your Hanoi Tours and the entire Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours.

What’s included and what’s not included

What’s Included in the Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours

When you’re traveling with Impress Travel, the details are taken care of so you can concentrate on discovery. Your Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours package includes:

• All stays are in well-selected 3-4 star accommodations (or higher, on request)
• Domestic flight from Da Nang to Hanoi
• Private, air-conditioned vehicles for all ground transportation
• One night on a luxury Halong Bay cruise (private or shared cabin)
• All entrance charges to attractions are included in the itinerary
• English-speaking local guides along the trip
• Meals as set out by the program (breakfasts every day, chosen lunches, and dinners)
• Bottled water during transfer and tours
• All of the activities outlined in the itinerary (i.e., boat trips within Trang An, Perfume River, etc.)
• 24/7 customer service from Impress Travel’s skilled staff
• Complete support and coordination for your tours in Hanoi and beyond

What’s Not Included

The following are not included in the Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours package:

• International flights from/to Vietnam
• The Vietnam visa fee (where applicable)
• Recommended travel insurance
• These include things like laundry, telephone, drinks, and tips
• Optional activities or meals not included in the itinerary
• Early check-in or late check-out (unless pre-arranged)

Practical Travel Tips for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours

Planning a trip on our Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours? Good choice! I’d like to share a couple of things that will make your trip even better and less stressful.

Best time to travel for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours

The best time for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours is October through April. The weather is cooler, drier, and ideal for city tours of Hue, Hoi An, Hanoi, and tours of Halong Bay. Golden sunlight, crisp air, and a photographer’s haven, autumn is October through November, whereas spring is February through April, with blooms of flowers and cultural festivities.

What to pack for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours

Pack lightweight clothing for hot southern destinations, but don’t overlook a light jacket for cool mornings in Hanoi or damp boat tours of Halong Bay. Good walking shoes are essential for city walks and temple tours. And of course, your camera is there to capture beauty everywhere you turn!

Local etiquette & dress code for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours

Wear shoulder- and knee-covering clothing when visiting temples or pagodas. Remove your shoes before entering sacred areas. A friendly greeting, such as a bow of the head, or a smile, can go a long way. The Vietnamese hospitality is sincere, and respect is greatly valued.

Health & safety for Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours

Do not drink the tap water; stick with water from bottles. Bring sunscreen and insect spray, especially in rural areas like Ninh Binh. Bring any medications from home you need, as well as essential first-aid supplies. Rest easy, as all the accommodations and vehicles employed by our Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours as well as our Hanoi Tours have high standards of safety as well as sanitation.

Conclusion

From Hue’s regal enchantment, through the agelessness of Halong Bay, the historic alleys of Hanoi, as well as Trang An’s spiritual calm, our Central to North Vietnam (hanoi) Tours provide not only sites of attraction, but experiences that linger. With the personal insight and attention to detail that mark our Hanoi Tours, your trip will be among culture, ease, and harmony. Let Impress Travel be your guide through the very heart of Vietnam, one day of unforgettable memories at a time.