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GRAND VIETNAM DISCOVERY – 21 DAYS / 20 NIGHTS

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  • 21days - 20 nights
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  • Default icon list text
Vietnam itinerary 21 days: Explore Vietnam from north to south with curated experiences, private transfers, and authentic culture, nature, and local life.

This 21-day journey takes you across the full length of Vietnam — from the northern mountains and ancient capitals to the central heritage towns and the southern river life of the Mekong Delta.
It’s a journey of contrasts and connections: tranquil countryside and bustling cities, timeless traditions and vibrant modern life. You’ll travel comfortably with private transfers, domestic flights, expert guides, and thoughtfully curated experiences that reveal the authentic rhythm of Vietnam.

HIGHLIGHT
  • Explore the rich heritage and hidden corners of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
  • Cruise overnight through the emerald waters of Halong & Lan Ha Bay
  • Trek among lush terraces and remote ethnic villages in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
  • Discover limestone peaks and tranquil waterways of Ninh Binh’s Tam Coc
  • Walk through the royal architecture of Hue, Vietnam’s former Imperial Capital
  • Immerse yourself in the lantern-lit charm and countryside of Hoi An
  • Breathe the cool mountain air and visit waterfalls in Da Lat
  • Experience southern hospitality and life on the Mekong River
ITINERARY

Day 1Arrival in Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter.

The rest of the day is free to relax after your flight or take an easy walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals practice Tai Chi in the shade of ancient trees. As the sun sets, the streets come alive with colorful lights, food stalls, and the hum of scooters — your first taste of Hanoi’s charm.

Meals: None | Overnight in Hanoi

Vietnam Essentiel Travel - Vietnam Itinerary 21 Days - Hanoi

Day 2Hanoi city tour

After breakfast, start exploring Hanoi — a city where East meets West in fascinating harmony. Take a cyclo ride through the bustling Old Quarter and soak in its colonial architecture, tiny cafes, and vibrant street life.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex — including the Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and the humble house on stilts where Uncle Ho once lived. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, an elegant wooden temple rising from a lotus pond.

Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, a serene place dedicated to Confucius and scholars.

In the afternoon, explore Hoa Lo Prison, known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the war.

As evening falls, enjoy the famous Water Puppet Show, an art form born from rice paddies, performed over water accompanied by traditional live music.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight in Hanoi

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Hanoi cyclo

Day 3Hanoi Free Morning - Evening Walking street food tour

Spend a slow morning on your own — perhaps visiting art galleries, the Women’s Museum, or simply enjoying coffee by the lake.

In the late afternoon, your guide will lead you on a walking food tour through Hanoi’s hidden alleys and street-side eateries. Taste authentic favorites such as bun cha (grilled pork noodles), banh mi, pho cuon, and tropical fruit desserts with condensed milk.

It’s a delicious way to experience the culture through its flavors.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight in Hanoi

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Bun Cha Hanoi

 

Day 4Hanoi → Pu Luong

After breakfast, leave the city behind and drive through scenic countryside toward Pu Luong, a peaceful valley embraced by limestone mountains.

Upon arrival, begin an easy trek through villages, walking along rice terraces, bamboo forests, and gentle streams. The sound of flowing water and rustling leaves sets a tranquil rhythm as you pass stilt houses of the Thai ethnic people.

Arrive at your lodge surrounded by nature — a place to unwind and breathe in the pure mountain air.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Pu Luong

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Pu Luong

Day 5Pu Luong → Ninh Binh

Wake to birdsong and enjoy a leisurely morning walk to nearby hamlets. Observe local life — farmers tending fields, women weaving textiles, children cycling along narrow paths.

After lunch, depart for Ninh Binh, known for its spectacular karst formations and peaceful rivers. Arrive in the afternoon and check in to your hotel surrounded by green landscapes.

Evening free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Ninh Binh

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Pu Luong day 5

Day 6Tam Coc Boat & Mua Cave

This morning, take a sampan boat ride in Tam Coc, where local women row with their feet through limestone caves and emerald waterways framed by rice paddies. The landscape, often called “Halong Bay on land,” is breathtaking.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a cycling trip through peaceful villages and farmlands. End the day by climbing up Mua Cave viewpoint, where a panoramic view of Tam Coc unfolds beneath you — especially beautiful at sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight in Ninh Binh

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Tam Coc Boat Ride

Day 7 Ninh Binh → Lan Ha Bay (Halong Bay Cruise)

Depart early for Halong Bay, one of the natural wonders of the world. Board your overnight cruise in the quieter Lan Ha Bay area.

Enjoy a welcome drink and lunch as the boat sails through thousands of limestone islands rising from the sea.

In the afternoon, explore hidden lagoons by kayak or small bamboo boat, swim in turquoise water, or relax in the sun on deck.

As evening arrives, join a Vietnamese cooking class, sip cocktails at sunset, and enjoy a gourmet dinner onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight on Cruise

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Halong Bay

 

Day 8Lan Ha Bay → Hanoi → Flight to Hue

Start your day with a gentle Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After breakfast, visit a limestone cave or floating village before returning to port.

Drive back to Hanoi airport and take a short flight to Hue, Vietnam’s imperial city.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and relax after the journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight in Hue

 

Day 9Hue Heritage & Cooking Experience

Begin the day with a boat trip along the Perfume River to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s oldest temples. Continue to Thuy Bieu village, a peaceful community known for its garden houses.

Join a hands-on cooking class with local hosts, then enjoy the dishes you’ve prepared, followed by a relaxing herbal foot massage.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once housed the Nguyen emperors. Walk through ornate gates, palaces, and tranquil courtyards steeped in royal history.

Evening enjoy a special Royal Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight in Hue

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - An Bang Beach

Day 10 Hue → DMZ & Vinh Moc Tunnels

After breakfast, journey north to Quang Tri province to visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), an area rich in war history.

See the Hien Luong Bridge spanning the 17th Parallel, the Quang Tri Citadel, and the Vinh Moc Tunnels, an underground village built by locals during wartime.

It’s a day of deep reflection, offering powerful insight into Vietnam’s modern history and resilience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight in Hue

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Vĩnh Mốc Tunnels

Day 11Hue → Danang → Hoi An

Drive along the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal routes, with sweeping ocean views. Stop at Lang Co Lagoon, Marble Mountains, and the Cham Museum in Danang before reaching Hoi An.

In the evening, wander the lantern-lit streets, browse tailor shops, or dine by the river — the town glows with romance and history.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Hoi An

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Hai Van

Day 12Hoi An Walking Tour & Countryside Cycling

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO site filled with Chinese assembly halls, Japanese bridges, and preserved merchant homes.

After lunch with a local restaurant, hop on a bicycle to ride through the surrounding countryside — past coconut palms, water buffalo, and tranquil rice paddies.

Visit Tra Que Vegetable Village, where you can try your hand at organic gardening.
Enjoy foot massage at the end.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight in Hoi An

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Tra Que

Day 13Hoi An Free Day

A day to do as you wish: relax at An Bang Beach, shop for silk, or get tailor-made clothes within 24 hours. Optional experiences include a lantern-making class or a sunset river cruise.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Hoi An

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Royal Dinner Hue

Day 14Hoi An → Flight to Da Lat

Transfer to Danang airport and fly south to Da Lat, Vietnam’s romantic mountain retreat. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Da Lat offers pine forests, flower gardens, and cool fresh air.

Evening free to explore Da Lat’s French villas, night market, or lakeside cafes.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Da Lat

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Da Lat

Day 15Da Lat Easy Rider Adventure

Join a motorbike adventure (with driver) through the scenic countryside surrounding Da Lat. Visit flower farms, coffee plantations, silk workshops, and ethnic minority villages.

Marvel at Elephant Waterfall and Pongour Waterfall, two of Vietnam’s most beautiful cascades.

It’s an exhilarating day filled with breathtaking views and local encounters.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight in Da Lat

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Waterfall Da Lat

Day 16Da Lat Free Day

Enjoy a relaxing day to discover Da Lat at your own pace.

You might visit the Crazy House, Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, or the serene Tuyen Lam Lake. Or simply take in the mountain air with a coffee by the lake.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Da Lat

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Bao Dai

Day 17Da Lat → Ho Chi Minh City - Evening Vespa Food tour

After breakfast, fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the dynamic commercial hub of Vietnam.
Spend your afternoon exploring local cafes, shopping streets, or rooftop bars overlooking the skyline.

Overview
Experience the vibrant energy of Saigon after dark on a private Vespa tour. Ride through the city’s bustling streets, soak in the electric nightlife, and discover hidden corners that only locals know.

Highlights
Exciting Vespa ride through lively streets
Discover Saigon’s nightlife and local culture
Street food tasting at authentic local spots
Enjoy live music at trendy cafés and bars

Itinerary
Start your evening with a hotel pick-up and head into the heart of the city as it comes alive at night. Navigate through busy streets and hidden alleys, stopping along the way to enjoy local food and drinks. Take in panoramic city views from a scenic spot, then continue your journey through vibrant neighborhoods, ending the night with live music at a popular venue.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 18Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Highlights

This morning, drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network that tells the story of wartime ingenuity and survival.

Return to the city and explore major landmarks: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, and the bustling Cho Lon Chinatown.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 19Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta (Overnight Cruise)

Head to the Mekong Delta and board a comfortable river cruise.

Sail along quiet canals and visit riverside villages where locals make coconut candy and rice paper.
Enjoy sunset drinks on the top deck before a delicious dinner on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight on Cruise

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Mekong Delta

Day 20Mekong Delta → Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Wake up to the sound of river life. Take a sampan ride through small canals, visit local markets, and enjoy cycling through peaceful villages before disembarking.
Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for your final evening in Vietnam.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Esstiel Travel - Vietnam itinerary 21 days - Mekong Delta

Day 21Departure

Free time until your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Your Grand Vietnam Discovery journey ends with unforgettable memories of the country’s people, flavors, and beauty.
Meals: Breakfast

 

INCLUDE & EXCLUDE
TRIP INCLUDED
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Private transfers with air-conditioned vehicles
  • English-speaking guides throughout
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Domestic flights: Hanoi –Hue , Da Nang - Da Lat, Da Lat - Ho Chi Minh City
  • Boat cruises in Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and Mekong Delta
  • Meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, Br = Brunch)
TRIP EXCLUDED
  • International flights and visa fees
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Drinks during meals
  • Personal expenses (laundry, spa, phone calls, etc.)
  • Tips and gratuities
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