9-Day Vietnam Discovery – Central & Northern Top Attractions

Flexible Itinerary & Custom Options

The itinerary below is a suggested 8-day travel plan across northern & central Vietnam. It can be adjusted anytime depending on your interests & travel style. We can arrange a full package including hotels, domestic flights, visa support, airport transfers & unique local experiences or provide only the day tours listed below.

Tell us how you like to travel, & we’ll tailor the trip to fit you.

Day 1 – Ha Noi Arrival & Half-Day City Tour (L)

Upon arrival in Ha Noi, your driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the city for the start of your journey.

Begin with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside view), his stilt house & the peaceful gardens surrounding it. Nearby, explore the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most unique spiritual landmarks.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university & an important symbol of education and Confucian culture.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the Old Quarter by cyclo or electric car, passing through its famous 36 historical streets filled with cafés, local shops & street vendors.

In the afternoon, transfer to your hotel for check-in & time to rest. Evening is free to explore Ha Noi at your own pace.

Day 2 – Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Trang An & Mua Cave (L)

After breakfast, depart from Ha Noi for a full-day private tour to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land.”

Start your visit at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, where you’ll learn about Vietnam’s earliest dynasties and explore the temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le.

Continue to Mua Cave, where stone steps lead up to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking rice fields, rivers & limestone mountains – one of the most photographed spots in Ninh Binh.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a peaceful Trang An boat tour, gliding through grottoes & scenic waterways surrounded by karst cliffs & lush landscapes.

Return to Ha Noi in the late afternoon and relax at your hotel. Evening is free to enjoy the city on your own.

Day 3 – Free Day in Ha Noi

This day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may stroll around the Old Quarter, relax in cafés, visit local markets or explore nearby attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake or West Lake.

This free day is ideal for trying Vietnamese coffee, shopping for souvenirs or simply resting before the next part of your journey.

Day 4 & 5 – Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise 

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your journey to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 4 – Boarding the Cruise (L, D)

Travel to Tuan Chau Harbor & board your cruise, where you’ll be welcomed with drinks before starting your voyage through limestone mountains & emerald waters. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail deeper into the bay.

In the afternoon, take part in kayaking or swimming in a quiet area of Lan Ha Bay. Later, return to the cruise for a cooking demonstration & sunset party on the sundeck.

Dinner will be served onboard, followed by an evening of optional activities such as squid fishing, watching a movie, enjoying the bar or relaxing in your cabin. Overnight on the cruise.

Day 5 – Tai Chi & Sung Sot Cave (Breakfast & Brunch)

Wake up early for a Tai Chi session on deck and watch the sunrise over the bay. After a light breakfast, visit Sung Sot Cave, known for its impressive stalactites & rock formations.

Return to the cruise to relax & enjoy the final views of the bay. Brunch will be served before disembarkation.

A private transfer will drive you back to Ha Noi, then you’ll take a flight to Da Nang, where your guide will pick you up & transfer you to your hotel for check-in and rest.

Day 6 – Marble Mountain, Coconut Forest & Hoi An Ancient Town (D)

After a restful morning in Da Nang, perhaps with time to enjoy My Khe Beach, your guide will pick you up in the afternoon to begin the tour.

Start at Marble Mountain, known for its caves, pagodas & natural viewpoints. Walk through quiet grottos, visit temples carved into the stone & see local stone-carving techniques at Non Nuoc Village nearby.

Continue to the Coconut Forest, where you’ll ride a traditional basket boat through calm waterways lined with palm trees. Learn basic fishing techniques, watch boat performances & enjoy a fun hands-on activity.

Before sunset, head to Hoi An Ancient Town, a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a walking tour through the old streets to see the Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient houses, small temples & traditional assembly halls.

As evening falls, Hoi An becomes especially charming with lanterns lighting up the town. You can explore the night market, try local snacks or take a boat ride along the river.

Enjoy dinner with local specialties before returning to Da Nang to rest for the night.

Day 7 – Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge (L)

After breakfast, depart for Ba Na Hills, one of central Vietnam’s most famous attractions. Take the cable car ride up the mountain and enjoy panoramic views of valleys & forest below.

Begin your visit at the iconic Golden Bridge, held by two giant stone hands above the clouds – one of the most photographed spots in Vietnam. Continue to Linh Ung Pagoda and the Le Jardin D’Amour flower gardens, known for their themed designs & peaceful atmosphere.

Explore the French Village, a European-style area with castles, squares & Gothic architecture. You’ll have time to walk around, relax at cafés or take photos throughout the village.

A buffet lunch will be served at the hilltop restaurant. Later, you can enjoy games at Fantasy Park, an indoor amusement zone with both gentle & adventurous rides.

In the afternoon, take the cable car back down & return to Da Nang. The evening is free to rest or explore the city by night – cafés, markets & riverside views are all nearby.

Day 8 – Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach & Hue Imperial City (L)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Da Nang and begin the scenic drive north toward Hue, passing over the famous Hai Van Pass – one of Vietnam’s most beautiful coastal roads. Stop briefly to admire the views of the mountains & ocean below.

Continue to Lang Co Beach, a quiet stretch of coast known for its calm lagoon & natural scenery – a relaxing stop before reaching Hue.

Once in Hue, explore the city’s cultural heritage with visits to major historical sites, including:

• Hue Imperial Citadel – former royal residence of the Nguyen Dynasty

• Khai Dinh Tomb – unique blend of Eastern & Western architectural styles

• Thien Mu Pagoda – a riverside pagoda overlooking the Perfume River

Hue is the most historically rich city in Vietnam, where old temples, tombs & palaces remain largely preserved, offering a deep insight into royal life in the past.

In the late afternoon, check in at your hotel in Hue. The evening is free for your own exploration of the city – cafés, walking streets & local food stalls are easy to access from the center.

Day 9 – Departure Day 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel & relax until check-out. Depending on your flight time, you may explore Hue on your own or simply rest before departure.

When ready, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.