Exploring Vietnam's Heritage from North to South in 10 Days

Touching down in Hanoi, the vibrant millennium-old capital nestled in the heart of northern Vietnam, you'll be warmly greeted by our English-speaking guide from Kampá Tour right at the airport. Once you've settled into your hotel in the buzzing city center, your day will unfold based on your arrival time.
Dive straight into the city's rich history and charm with your first set of visits:

• King Ly Thai To Square, discovery of the thousand-year-old history of the Vietnamese capital.

Ly Thai To is the founder of the Ly dynasty (1009-1225). It was he who transferred the capital from Hoa Lu to Hanoi in 1010

• Lake of the Restored Sword with the temple of Mount Jade, the Turtle Islet, in the heart of Hanoi.
• Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter with 36 corporation streets, where you can stroll through craft streets bearing the name of the goods that were produced and sold there. Don't forget to stop at Ma May Street and visit an old 'Tube' house, a characteristic feature of traditional Hanoi architecture.

This Old Quarter is located in the heart of Hanoi and is full of old houses, temples, bustling markets, artisan shops, and traditional restaurants. It is an emblematic place that testifies to the history and culture of the Vietnamese capital.

Discover the colonial heritage with French concessions: take a cycle rickshaw ride through the city to visit the Grand Théâtre, the Métropole hotel, the state bank, the Central Post Office… End your day with a relaxing night at the hotel.

This begins your unforgettable Vietnam 10 days from north to south with Kampá Tour.

Depart for Ha Long, the most beautiful bay in Vietnam and one of the most magical landscapes in Asia. Board a traditional junk upon arrival, welcome by the crew, and embark on a magnificent cruise on the bay. Visit Bai Tu Long, the northern part of Ha Long Bay:

• Admire picturesque islands and islets with various shapes (sail, dog, rooster, incense, etc.).

• Explore the splendid caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, housing stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years.

• Continue the cruise to Cap La, where you can enjoy a kayak ride and swim in the sublime waters of the bay (weather permitting).

• In the late afternoon, relax on the upper deck of the junk.

Lunch and dinner on board the junk.

Enjoy a free evening for personal rest and relaxation, including card games or night fishing. 

Spend the night on board.

Rise at dawn to savor a truly unique spectacle: the first rays of sunlight peering over the countless sugarloaf peaks of the bay, followed by a serene Tai Chi session on the terrace.

Tai Chi, the art of deep relaxation, involves performing a series of slow, flowing, and circular movements.

Embark on a boat or kayak excursion to explore the charming fishing village of Vung Vieng, where you may have the chance to meet local residents.

Enjoy lunch on the junk, then disembark and return to Hanoi.

In the evening, catch a flight to Hue, the historic imperial city located in the heart of the country.

Spend the night in Hue.

Departure for a city tour of Hue (Hue being the last imperial capital of Vietnam 1802-1945)

• The Imperial City served as the residence and workplace for the 13 Nguyen kings for 143 years.
• Explore the mausoleum of Minh Mang, the Emperor renowned for fathering 142 children with 43 concubines.
• Visit Phu Mong village with its garden houses, an integral part of Hue's imperial heritage.
• Discover the Thien Mu Pagoda, renowned as the most beautiful and frequently visited pagoda in Hue, or experience the serenity of Tu Hieu Pagoda, where the tombs of eunuchs from the Nguyen dynasty are located. Depending on the timing, you may have the opportunity to witness a monks' prayer session.
• Explore Dong Ba Market, the largest and oldest market in Hue, where you can purchase local specialties such as conical hats and tunic dresses. 

Night at the hotel.

Day excursion to discover the villages and pagodas around Hue.

Board a boat for a stroll upstream of the peaceful Perfume River. Stop at the Thien Mu Pagoda located on a green fir hill, then at the village of Thuy Bieu, which specializes in planting grapefruits known for their quality. Bike ride around the Thuy Bieu village, on paths shaded by thousands of grapefruit and fruit trees... the opportunity to immerse yourself in serene and green nature. Installation with a peasant family, meeting with the hosts. Participation in the preparation of lunch, tasting dishes cooked by yourself.

The Hương River is a river that crosses the city of Huế, in the central Vietnamese province of Thừa Thiên-Huế. In the autumn, flowers from orchards upriver from Huế fall into the water, giving the river a perfume-like aroma, hence the sobriquet.

In the afternoon, transfer by car to the Sinh Folk Painting Village, which is known for making worshiping paintings... Walk around the village, stop at Mr. Ky Huu Phuoc, the artist with 60 years of experience, discovery of the stages of making decorative paintings for tourists or to buy those paintings as souvenirs.

Continuation of the visit with the village of Thanh Tien, which specializes in the manufacture of paper flowers. This 400-year-old profession has been passed down from generation to generation until today. Here, all kinds of flowers (lotus, rose, tuberose, sunflower, etc.) are reproduced in paper, bamboo, and other local materials. It's really hard to tell the real thing from the fake. Visit a factory to understand the work of very skilled craftsmen.

Return to Hue, the rest of the day is free for rest.

Night at the hotel.

Begin your drive for Hoi An, an ancient small town located 150 km south of Hue. Several stops are planned along the way:

• Take in the serene, less-visited stretches of coastline at Thuan An and Lang Co beaches, where extensive lagoons host various fish farms supporting the local community.
• Ascend the  Hai Van Pass, the highest pass in central Vietnam, situated strategically between Hue and Da Nang.

This pass acts as a natural climatic divide between the northern and southern regions of the country. From its summit, you can behold the breathtaking bays of Lang Co and Da Nang, stretching as far as the eye can see.

• Visit small-scale melaleuca oil factories
• And encounter picturesque roadside cemeteries known as 'Ghost Towns.' These cemeteries boast tombs resembling castles, adorned with diverse Asian architectural styles, creating a truly luxurious cityscape visible from a distance.

In the afternoon, arrive in Hoi An, complete the check-in process at the hotel, and settle in for an overnight stay.

We have a full day to enjoy the atmosphere of one of Vietnam’s most historical and romantic towns. Used to be a prominent port on the Central coast, Hoi An inherits the ancient architecture and a dreamy riverside setting that transports tourists back in time.

During this day, we will explore:

• Phuc Kien Temple: Although still referred to as an assembly hall, the buildings and grounds have been used as a temple to worship the goddess who protects fishermen and sailors by the descendants of Chinese families in Hoi An. It holds deep significance for the descendants of Chinese families in Hoi An.
• Phuc Thanh Pagoda: Dating back to 1454, this is the most ancient pagoda of its kind in Hoi An.
• Japanese Bridge: Built in 1593, this bridge connects the Chinese and Japanese areas in the town.
• Old Alleys and Ancient Houses: Witness the charm of centuries gone by in the narrow old alleys and visit ancient houses that stand as witnesses to the town's rich history.
• Silk and Lantern Shops: Explore shops where vibrant silk and lanterns can be found. You might be amazed by the speedy service for tailor-made clothes. It is a rare chance for you to buy clothes which are specially made in your size within just 24 hours.

In the afternoon, our exploration will continue with a visit to the Van Lang fish village and the Bay Mau coconut forest. Surrounded by canals, mangrove forests, and coconut palms, this area preserves its pure beauty. Either the route, crossing fields of rice or maize, lush gardens, friendly hamlets, handicraft factories, or boat-building workshops, offers picturesque photo stops and interesting visits.

Upon arrival at Van Lang village, hospitable boatmen will greet you warmly and guide you on an enchanting basket-boat excursion around the river amidst coconut trees. Admire the beautiful landscapes, relax, and even try your hand at shrimp catching techniques before coming back to the hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

In the morning, transfer to Da Nang International Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), the capital of the South. Upon arrival, be welcomed by our guide at the airport and then transfer to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we will go on a city tour passing by the landmarks of the city, which used to be called the 'Pearl of the Far East'. This includes the Cathedral of Notre Dame, built by the French in 1880 and the first basilica of Vietnam; the Central Post Office, an iconic symbol of Saigon with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and French architecture; Former Catinat Street (now Dong Khoi Street) with a score of restored French buildings; and the Headquarters of the People’s Committee of Chi Minh City (formerly Central Park), considered the most beautiful colonial building in the city.

If time permits, we will continue to visit the War Remnants Museum – showcasing Ho Chi Minh City’s history during the years of the American-Vietnamese War (1954-1975) – and the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, where you can discover traditional Vietnamese medicine dating back more than 3000 years.

The tour concludes with Cho Lon (Chinatown), featuring the Temple of the Celestial Lady and Ben Thanh Market, the representative image of Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Depart for the Mekong Delta, a unique region that combines both land and water, situated in the southernmost part of Vietnam.

The region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries.

• Upon arriving in Cai Be, start your Mekong boat journey. Explore the village and houses on stilts. Visit local workshops to see the production of coconut candy, pop rice, rice wine, and snake wine. Enjoy complimentary samples of these local delicacies and witness the daily life of Mekong locals.
• Experience a rowing sampan ride with locals and explore the small canals on Tan Phong Islet.
• After lunch, take a boat ride along the Mekong River to Vinh Long and make a stop to see traditional brick kilns and pottery making

Conclude the boat tour in Cai Be (Vinh Long) and proceed by car to Can Tho City.

Night in Can Tho.

On the last day of your 10-day adventure from North to South in Vietnam, provided by Kampá Tour, you will wake up early and journey to Can Tho, the capital of the delta. Upon arrival, embark on a boat adventure to explore the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market. Here, you'll witness a captivating scene as boats brim with fruits, vegetables, and a variety of goods, showcasing the unique "river trading" of the Mekong region.

Disembark to visit the An Binh land market located opposite Cai Rang, offering an interesting comparison between the floating market and the land market. Transfer to Phong Dien, where you'll visit an orchard and then take a bike ride through small hamlets along the So Dua River. In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City.

You will then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.