Classic Vietnam South-to-North

A highlight-hitting tour of Vietnam made extraordinary with Bourdain-like connections through food and storytelling 

Stretching a thousand miles along the South China Sea, Vietnam borrows quintessential elements from each of its Southeast Asia neighbors: idyllic beaches, limestone islands, raucous cities, bucolic villages, steaming street food, Buddhist spirituality, temple ruins, and floating markets. Layered upon it all, a uniquely complex modern history, a heavy Sino influence, and a cultural diversity that makes for a rich and meaningful travel experience.  

A tale of two countries, at times, Vietnam is anchored by Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south and the capital of Hanoi, in the north. To truly understand the Vietnamese psyche, it’s important that you visit both.  We didn’t invent the Classic Vietnam South to North route—traveling the country from end to end—which is exactly why we’ve obsessed about how to make this trip an extraordinary journey.  

First, we intentionally start you in the south. Traveling north, the arc of the itinerary builds in both the grandeur of experience and accommodation. We’ve included must-visit metropolises (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi), UNESCO-designated icons (darling Hoi An and ethereal Ha Long Bay), and the ancient imperial capital of Hue—a place that’s often skipped. Most importantly, in each destination we’ve centered one-on-one connections with unique personalities. These aren’t tour guides; they are ordinary people with gifts, both remarkable and joyously humble, who feel compelled to share a piece of their daily life with those who are lucky enough to be invited into their homes. Oftentimes, over a pot of steaming tea or a shared meal of lip-smacking family recipes. A journey that delves beyond show-and-tell, ticketed tours, it's our hope that the heartfelt connections you experience on Classic Vietnam South to North endure long after you’ve returned home.  

Classic Vietnam South-to-North: 14 days / 13 nights

Classic Vietnam South-to-North Trip Highlights

Touch down in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a VIP visa fast track at the airport, then meet your driver for a transfer to Park Hyatt Saigon. The balance of your day is at leisure. Recover from your international flight or head out for a downtown wander.   
On day two, you’ll explore unseen Saigon. You’ll have a guide, but this won’t feel like a tour. Perk up with a Vietnamese iced coffee served at a “bird café,” a unique spot where seniors (mostly) gather daily to chat, laugh, smoke, and showcase their prized songbirds. Next, wander the bustling back alleys and vibrant streets of Cho Lon, Saigon’s historic Chinatown. It’s the perfect setting to sample a steaming noodle soup for breakfast. Explore a secret bunker and other hidden treasures before lunch. Later, you’ll call on The Cafe Apartment—a nine-story former apartment building that has been transformed into a collective of trendy boutiques and eateries.  
On your second full day in Saigon, dig into the complexities of Vietnam’s modern history. In 1986, Vietnam initiated an economic renovation (“Đổi Mới”), abandoning a socialist, planned economy in favor of a more market-oriented system. You’ll meet and spend time with Duong Dang, an artist, entrepreneur, and child of the Đổi Mới Generation. Come to understand how this evolution shifted the national psyche, imbuing an isolated nation with renewed optimism for the future. The afternoon is yours until nightfall. Against the veil of dusk, watch as Saigon comes alive. Backlit in neon, energetic streets are chockful of diners. The city’s cocktail scene is dynamic. but where to start? On a three-hour privately guided walking tour, we take you to hidden bars and unique venues. Think: a speakeasy run by a top mixologist. Each tells a unique story, enlivened by charismatic bartenders and exotic ingredients. Consider it less of a tour, and more of a storytelling sensory experience.  
 Depart Ho Chi Minh City on a 90-minute flight to Hoi An. Unwind in your private villa at the beachy Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An—the region’s most luxurious lodging. We strategically situated you here, close enough to Hoi An but away from the fray of Old Town’s crowds. 
Dedicate a full day to Hoi An, a darling, lantern-lit UNESCO destination. It’s no hidden gem, which is why we get you to Old Town early. Watch the morning shoppers sift through fresh produce in the Hoi An Central Market, weave through handsome streets lined by colorful facades, nip into local workshops, and cross the jaw-dropping Japanese Covered Bridge. Next, you're invited into the home of a local family who will teach you how to craft your own handmade lantern—a meaningful souvenir of your time in Hoi An. You’ll lunch in a romantic restaurant where we recommend cao lau, a signature noodle dish. The afternoon is at your leisure.  
A second day in Hoi An brings you to the “real Vietnam” in Go Noi Village. Mr. Phap—a farmer—and his family are your gracious hosts, serving tea and homemade bánh xèo (crispy rice pancakes). From here, cycle along pastoral roads amid rice paddies, nary a Westerner in sight. Return greetings from villagers and schoolchildren with a jubilant, “Sin chao!” Visit local artists to appreciate the skill required to produce intricate wood carvings, then return to Mr. Phap’s home for an authentic lunch spread 
Depart Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyễn dynasty—a journey unto itself. En route, you will stop at the Marble Mountains, a Buddhist pilgrimage site featuring peaks, caves, tunnels, and temples. In Danang, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture. You’ll also travel the breathtaking Hai Van Pass, a 12-mile scenic byway that once marked the divide between northern and southern Vietnam. In the afternoon, check into Azerai La Residence; the rest of the day is at your leisure.  
Many travelers skip Hue, but we think that’s a mistake. History lovers will swoon for the city’s imperial history that details the Nguyễn dynasty —the last to rule before Vietnam became a French protectorate. Alongside an expert guide, spend the morning exploring the historic citadel and listen to the lived experiences of Hue’s residents. Hear personal stories of childhood during the war, delve into family histories, and uncover Hue’s deep connection to the arts. Later, float the Perfume River, meet the bronze craftsmen of Phuong Duc, and take lunch in a scenic spot overlooking the river. This evening, we arrange a very special experience that’s sure to be a trip highlight. Arrive at the private garden home of a descendant of Vietnam’s last royal family for an intimate dinner. The setting has a museum quality, housing treasured objects (like emperor-signed diplomas) that speak to her family’s storied history. You’ll hear personal anecdotes and lore, and learn of her royal connection. Then, sit down for a dinner menu that serves dishes otherwise reserved for the royal court. After the meal, enjoy a private musical performance in the garden before closing out this regal evening.  
Fly from Hue to Hanoi, a one-hour direct flight. A driver transfers you to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, located in the capital’s leafy French Quarter. The rest of the day is at your leisure.  
Spend a day experiencing Hanoi like a local. Rise to greet the day with tai chi at Hoan Kiem Lake. Get a caffeine buzz while sipping a delicious egg coffee—unique to the north—and sample bánh mì, Vietnam’s beloved baguette sandwich. Next, venture into the fray of Hanoi’s Old Quarter for insight that touches on Indochine architecture and Vietnam War history—or rather, the “Resistance War Against America.” For lunch, slurp bún chả—your new favorite dish—then learn about Confucian traditions at the Temple of Literature. End your day with a visit to Hanoi’s railway tracks, a unique part of the city where homes sit just a few nerve-wracking feet from the tracks. Close out the day with a Bia Hoi (fresh brewed local draft beer) at a low table on the sidewalk—a quintessential Hanoi experience—toasting to another splendid day in Vietnam.  
Depart Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, arriving the practical and scenic way: a 45-minute seaplane flight. You’ll breeze above the postcard-pretty bay for a bird's-eye view of the limestone karsts and emerald waters that make this destination emblematic of Vietnam. Rather than experiencing Ha Long Bay on a traditional join-in junk boat, we upgrade your experience on a 35-room super yacht. Board Elite of the Seas and stay in an Elite Executive Premium Suite. Anything but cramped quarters, the cabin features a large private terrace and an ocean-view bathtub. Settle in, enjoy lunch, and perhaps go kayaking or take a drone photography lesson. Dinner is a sumptuous, eight-course fine dining affair.  
Spend the day cruising radiant Ha Long Bay. Elite of the Seas will venture to the lesser-visited pocket of Lan Ha Bay for a more exclusive experience. In the afternoon, visit Viet Hai floating village via bicycle or electric car. Pack your swimsuit if the sun is shining; the beach at Ba Trai Dao beckons. Back on deck, worship the sunset with poolside sundowners. Tuck into another extended, gourmet dinner. End your night with some stargazing or a spa treatment. 
Remain on Elite of the Seas for lunch, making a morning visit to Dark and Bright Cave via traditional rowing boat. In the afternoon, return to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi by speed boat and car. The evening is at your leisure.  
On your last day in Vietnam, a private driver will fetch you from the hotel three hours before your international departing flight (or the next leg of your Southeast Asia travel adventure). We’ve arranged a fast-track service for a smooth and hassle-free departure.  

Price

Starting at $10,200 per person sharing in 2025

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