Affordable Vietnam Tour Package: 12-Day North to South Journey

Why Choose a 12-Day Affordable Vietnam Tour?

Twelve days. It’s just the right length for those who want more than a cursory look and yet insist on maintaining flexibility and remaining budget-conscious. Our Affordable Vietnam Tour Package is the perfect pace for your trip to Vietnam. It allows you time to savour the contrasts between vibrant Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), serene, beautiful Ha Long Bay, the cultural treasures of Hue and Hoi An, and the magic of Vietnamese food, without ever being rushed.

This 12-day itinerary is made for those who are looking to save money. It is in line with the visa-free period of stay granted to citizens of many of the countries enrolled in the program, allowing you to travel without worrying about applying for a temporary visa. Better still, you won’t waste time planning or comparing; everything is already organized for you, including accommodation, transport, meals, and experiences that you might not have found if planning by yourself.

With this Affordable Vietnam Tour Package, comfort, convenience, and the true essence of authentic travel are what you will get. For an authentic and local exchange with Vietnam’s cultural landscape, there’s no better option than with Impress Travel’s professional local team when visiting one of its most well-known destinations. If you’re still looking, please check a selection of our cheap tour deals Vietnam made for real travelers like you. 

Full Itinerary Breakdown for Your 12-Day Affordable Vietnam Tour Package

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi – Welcome to Vietnam

Morning:

• Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport.
• Pick up your guide at the arrival gate with a private welcome sign.
• Transfer to La Dolce Vita Hotel Hanoi by private car (~40 mins).
• During the transfer, your guide provides helpful travel tips and tour highlights.
• Check in at the hotel and receive your Welcome Kit (map, SIM card if pre-booked, and itinerary).

Afternoon:

• Free time to rest in your room after the flight.
• Optional independent walking: go to Hoan Kiem Lake, nearby cafés, or browse around local shops.
• Your guide is available for dinner suggestions or a short orientation if desired.

Evening:

• Free and flexible dinner. We recommend Bun Cha Dac Kim (1 min walk from the hotel).
• Relax at the hotel or take a leisurely evening stroll around the lantern-lit Old Quarter.
• Prepare for tomorrow’s day of discovery in Hanoi, your cultural center of your Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Day 2: Hanoi City Discovery – Old Meets New

Morning:

• After breakfast, your guide joins you in a lakeside walk on Hoan Kiem Lake and shares with you the legend of the magic sword and the golden turtle.
• Cross over the picturesque red bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple, which commemorates General Tran Hung Dao.
• Continue deeper into the French Quarter: past the Hanoi Opera House, Metropole Hotel, and State Bank. Get photos of this interesting mix of architecture.
• Take a short coffee break at Café de Paris or a local bakery before continuing.

Afternoon:

• Visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070. Visit its five courtyards, turtle steles, and Confucian monuments,  a peaceful haven in the city.
• Lunch at a highly-recommended restaurant in which pho bo (beef noodle soup) or bun thang (layered chicken noodle soup) is a specialty.
• Burn off lunch with a food tasting tour in the Old Quarter: sample banh cuon (steamed rolls), nem nuong (grilled pork skewers), and sugarcane juice.
• Discover how the street vendors operate and how recipes are passed down through generations.

Evening:

• Option 1: View a traditional water puppet show at Thang Long Theater (pre-booked seat).
• Option 2: Visit with your guide at Dong Xuan Night Market and discover local snacks, silk scarves, and handicrafts.
• Optional: Relax at Pasteur Street Brewing Co., a tap house for craft beer, or return to the hotel.
• Another exciting day of discovery and flavor, that’s what makes travelers enjoy the Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Day 3: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay – Into the Emerald Waters

Morning:

• Early breakfast, and then depart Hanoi by private transfer (2.5 to 3 hours) to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.
• Check in at the cruise lounge, receive a welcome drink, and participate in a safety briefing.
• Board a traditional wooden junk-style cruise and settle into your cabin.
• The ship passes by towering limestone islands, and your guide identifies stories behind names like “Fighting Rooster" and “Stone Dog."

Afternoon:

• Relish a seafood lunch prepared fresh aboard in the dining room with bay-overlooking views.
• Participate in an optional kayaking tour in a serene lagoon or take a ride on a bamboo boat paddled by locals.
• Stop at a floating fish village to visit residents and see how families live on water year-round.
• Back to the cruise for sunset cocktail hour on the top deck.

Evening:

• Participate in a Vietnamese cooking class with the chef, practice rolling nem rán with rice paper and fresh ingredients.
• Steamed crab, grilled shrimp, and vegetarian choices are served for dinner.
• Optional: try squid fishing from the rear of the boat or quietly sit reading with a book under the stars.
• The serenity of Ha Long is the crowning jewel in any Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay to Hue – Travel with Style

Morning:

• Begin the day with a Tai Chi session on the upper deck as the sun comes up over karst islands.
• Breakfast featuring fruit, pastry, and Vietnamese coffee.
• Tour Sung Sot Cave, Ha Long Bay’s largest cave, or hike up Titov Island for views and a dip in the water.
• Return to the boat for an early brunch as it makes its way back to port.

Afternoon:

• Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi by private car, stopping halfway for a short break.
• Depending on your travel mode:
  • Flight option: Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Hue.
  • Train option: Drop-off at Hanoi Station for an overnight Reunification Express trip with a sleeper cabin pre-booked.
• Your guide takes charge of luggage, tickets, and transfers, a feature of our Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Evening:

• For train travelers: Relax in your 4-berth air-conditioned cabin with bedding. Sleep as the rural Vietnamese countryside slips away from you.
• For flight travelers: Arrive at Hue, greet your local driver, and transfer to the central hotel. Light dinner at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.
• Both journeys are handpicked for comfort, value, and authentic experience.

Day 5: Imperial Hue – Reliving Vietnam’s Royal Past

Morning:

• Begin the day with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel of Hue, a vast complex built in the early 19th century during the Nguyen Dynasty.
• Walk through Ngo Mon Gate, learn about Thai Hoa Palace, and learn about royal rituals at the Forbidden Purple City.
• Listen to stories about emperors, concubines, and dynastic rites as you enjoy the site’s broad design and lotus-lined moats.

Afternoon:

• Visit the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Hue, Thien Mu Pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River.
• Embark on a private river cruise in a replica dragon boat, viewing serene countryside and ancient temple spires.
• Lunch at a local eatery offering Hue’s royal dishes of old, e.g., banh beo, bun bo Hue, and che cung dinh
• Visit the colorful Dong Ba Market for fresh spices, street food, and local crafts (optional guided stroll or on your own).

Evening:

• Dine peacefully along the riverfront or accompany your guide on a Hue night tour of lantern-shaded streets in the old quarter.
• Optional: cultural performance of traditional music on royal court instruments (Nha nhac).
• Retire to your accommodation for a peaceful night in Hue, a city where heritage is at every turn.
• These interactive moments are intentionally woven into your Affordable Vietnam Tour Package to maximize cultural gain without exhausting your budget.

Day 6: Royal Tombs and Local Traditions

Morning:

• Visit the Royal Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a balanced wonder of Confucian architecture amidst pine forests.
• Visit Khai Dinh Tomb, a rich fusion of Vietnamese and European styles, full of fragile mosaics and dragon motifs.
• Gain deep insight into the spiritual philosophy behind these mausoleums with commentary from your local expert.

Afternoon:

• Stop for a Hue-style vegetarian lunch at a Buddhist family kitchen (available on request).
• Visit a nearby incense-making village where you’ll learn to roll bamboo sticks and dye colorful incense powder.
• Optionally, explore a conical hat workshop and try crafting your own to take home.

Evening:

• Your evening is yours to relax at the hotel or enjoy a picturesque riverside bistro.
• More? Your guide can organize an optional foot massage or tea tasting at a reputable local spa.
• Hue offers a peaceful haven in your Affordable Vietnam Tour Package, a moment to stay awhile and fully be with Vietnam’s past.

Day 7: Hoi An Ancient Town – Timeless Beauty by the River

Morning:

• After breakfast, drive from Hue to Hoi An via the stunning Hai Van Pass, with stops for photos at Lang Co Bay and ocean lookouts.
• Arrive late morning and check into a charming riverside hotel or heritage boutique accommodation.
• Your guide provides an overview of the town plan, culture, and advice on how not to get caught out by tourist scams.

Afternoon:

• Guided walking tour of Hoi An’s UNESCO-recognized Ancient Town:
  • Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge
  • Explore Tan Ky Old House,
  •  Stop by the Fujian Assembly Hall,
• See the lively local culture of Hoi An Market. Participate in a lantern-making workshop, where you design your silk lantern yourself to bring home, included in your Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Evening:

• Dinner at a local riverside restaurant where you will be served cao lau, white rose dumplings, and fresh seasonal delicacies.
• Take a twilight stroll along the Thu Bon River, beneath the gentle glow of colored lanterns.
• Let go of a candle-lit paper lantern and make a wish, a serene, dreamy moment that lingers in the heart.

Day 8: My Son Sanctuary – Echoes of a Lost Kingdom

Morning:

• Depart early for My Son Sanctuary, a 4th to 13th century Hindu temple complex hidden deep within jungle hills.
• Visit the ruins with your guide, walking among brick towers, Shiva statues, and ancient carvings, hearing about the Champa Kingdom and sacred rituals.
• Witness a brief cultural performance (if available), including Cham traditional dance and instruments.

Afternoon:

• Back in Hoi An, lunch is at a local restaurant (try mi Quang or banh vac).
•  Free time for your choice of activities:
  • Relax at An Bang Beach,
  •  Join a Vietnamese cooking class,
  • Or shop at a tailor and get your custom-made outfit (done within 24 hours).

Evening:

• Your final night dinner in Hoi An: eat street food with your tour guide or enjoy rooftop dining.
• Take stunning photos of Hoi An’s Old Town at night under lanterns, the best moment of your Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Day 9: Da Nang – Coastal City Meets Cultural Soul

Morning:

• Breakfast, then drive to Da Nang and explore the Marble Mountains: climb to see Buddhist shrines in natural caves, have aerial views of the bay, and hike down through the Stone Carving Village.
• Following this, stroll along My Khe Beach with time for a short beach stroll.

Afternoon:

• Explore Cham Sculpture Museum, whose collection of Cham art is the largest in the world.
• Lunch at a seafood restaurant by the Han River.
• Short excursion to Han Market for souvenirs or snacks like sesame cake or dried fruit.

Evening:

• Get the Dragon Bridge in late afternoon sun. On weekends, hang around to watch it spew out fire and water (8:30 PM).
• Back to the hotel or go further south (overnight in Hoi An or Da Nang, optional).
• This nicely balanced day covers nature, history, and enjoyment, all included in your Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – French Charm & Southern Flavor

Morning:

• Take a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
•  Upon arrival, visit colonial-era landmarks:
  • Notre-Dame Cathedral
  • Central Post Office
  • Reunification Palace with access to the underground war command room.

Afternoon:

• Lunch with com tam or banh xeo.
• Visit the energizing War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War from Vietnamese perspectives.
• Stroll through Ben Thanh Market to absorb Saigon’s street food, shopping, and haggling culture.

Evening:

• Option 1: Motorbike street food tour (upgrade option).
• Option 2: Eat with your guide in a local, intimate restaurant.
• Finish your night with a cocktail at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, lively and bustling with a local vibe.

Day 11: Cu Chi Tunnels – Underground Lessons in Resilience

Morning:

• Drive out to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels (approximately 1.5 hours).
• Screen a docu-film, followed by exploration of original tunnel networks used during the war: crawl through from the inside, see clandestine trapdoors, and try cooking in smoke-proof kitchens.
• Optional: Have your marksmanship abilities tested at the military shooting range (at your own cost).

Afternoon:

• Back in Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.
• Visit a local temple or relax in your hotel.
• Free time for souvenir shopping, spa treatment, or café-hopping at your guide’s recommendation. 

Evening:

• End the tour with a goodbye Saigon River dinner cruise (optional upgrade).
• Cheers to your travels from north to south Vietnam with new friends and stories to share.
• This culmination of the emotional value is poured into each Affordable Vietnam Tour Package.

Day 12: Farewell or Optional Mekong Delta Day Tour

Morning:

• Early morning pickup for departing passengers: your driver drives you to the airport.
• Optional: Join our Mekong Delta day trip to Ben Tre or Cai Be.
  • Ride through narrow waterways lined with coconut trees,
  • Visit coconut candy factories and rice paper mills,
  • Home-cooked lunch in a tropical garden with live traditional music.

Afternoon:

• Relax in a hammock with a glass of honey tea.
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon.
• Airport drop-off or extend your stay as desired.

Who Should Choose the Affordable Vietnam Tour Package

Traveler Type	Why It’s Perfect for You
Solo Travelers	Safe, guided journey with all logistics arranged. You travel independently, but never alone, ideal for those who want structure and social connection.
Couples	Enjoy romantic activities like lantern lighting in Hoi An and sunset cruises in Ha Long Bay. The itinerary includes quiet time and immersive shared experiences.
Budget-Conscious Planners	This 12-day Affordable Vietnam Tour Package offers top locations, smooth transport, and local cuisine,  all in one seamless route across the country.
Retirees	Comfortable pace, low-stress transfers, and cultural depth without physical strain. Each day is well-paced and enriching.
Students & Digital Nomads	Flexible, experience-rich, and affordable. Explore Vietnam while staying connected,  perfect for young, curious, or remote-working travelers.
First-Time Visitors	Expert guidance, safe choices, and authentic local experiences from north to south. No stress, no guesswork, everything’s handled.

Why Book with Impress Travel?

With more than 15 years of experience working in tourism in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, we are honored to be able to provide you with the best service for your trips when visiting Vietnam. When you select our Affordable Vietnam Tour Package, you’re traveling with a crew that knows the lay of the land and knows how to make your experience awesome and easy.

We only work with licensed local guides to provide you with the best of the best, from historic hotels to transport and everything in between. Your trip will be set up to be safe, fun, and unforgettable. We give travelers tailor-made flexibility, with the structure and support every traveler wants, whether they’re booking one of our trips as a single, couple, family, student, retiree, or anything else. With our honest pricing, there are no hidden fees or costs. What you see is what you get, full-service, well-curated, excellent value.

Impress Travel is also a great promoter of responsible and sustainable tourism, which partners with environmentally friendly and culturally responsible suppliers around Vietnam. Curious about what others say? See our instant reviews on Google Reviews, or other affordable, cheap tour deals Vietnam. 

Contact Impress Travel

• Head Office – Hanoi: 125 Hoang Ngan, 3rd Floor, Trung Hoa, Hanoi, Vietnam
• (+84) 912 379 189
• info@impresstravel.com
•  www.impresstravel.com

Conclusion

This Affordable Vietnam Tour Package is not a budget vacation and is instead a fun and famous vacation experience that has been refined for real cultural connections and scheduled for ultimate memories. Whether you’re heading to Israel for the first time or looking for somewhere new, our staff ensures that your trip will be smooth, impactful, and valuable.