Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay & central Vietnam

Today, you’ll fly from your selected airport to Vietnam’s charming capital, Hanoi. There will be connecting flight(s) along the way.

You’ll land at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, where you’ll go through immigration and collect your luggage. Your guide will be waiting outside the arrivals hall past the exit doors. The guide will be wearing a TourCompass uniform and holding a TourCompass sign, making it easy for you to spot them.

You’ll then be driven to your hotel, and after checking in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy your first impressions of Vietnam’s capital at your own pace.

We highly recommend exploring the charming and lively streets of the Old Quarter, where every alleyway offers new scents, sounds, and glimpses into everyday Vietnamese life. You could also take a relaxing stroll around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, a popular oasis in the heart of the city surrounded by shady trees and everyday local life.

Today, you can look forward to an exciting city tour that takes you to some of Hanoi’s most iconic attractions.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, and the day will begin with a Vietnamese coffee at a local café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake – the city’s green heart and a natural meeting place for locals of all ages.

From here, you cross the iconic Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, beautifully located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. The bridge’s name means “the place touched by the morning sun’s rays”. Here, you’ll hear the legend of the emperor, the magical sword, and the giant turtle, and learn how the lake got its name and special significance to the city.

You’ll then be driven to the Temple of Literature, a peaceful complex built in the 12th century by followers of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. With nearly a thousand years of history, the temple is a rare and well-preserved example of traditional Vietnamese architecture, complete with colonnades, ponds, and verdant courtyards, where young students still come to pray for luck before their exams.

Lunch today is served at the KOTO restaurant – a place that’s far more than just somewhere to eat. KOTO stands for “Know One, Teach One” and is a restaurant that trains and supports young Vietnamese people from disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them a professional education and a fresh start in life with the skills and confidence needed for long-term employment. At the same time, you’ll enjoy delicious Vietnamese dishes in calm surroundings. You can read more about the restaurant here.

The tour then continues by traditional cycle rickshaw – also known as a cyclo – winding through the old quarter’s maze of narrow streets and bustling trade. The old quarter is famous for its 36 streets, each originally named after the goods once sold there: bamboo, silk, paper, and tin. Many of these street names have survived to this day, and the atmosphere is still brimming with local charm, where Hanoians shop, chat, and serve steaming bowls of pho from street kitchens.

After an exciting cyclo ride, you’ll visit the historic Long Bien Bridge, an iconic landmark from the French colonial era built in the early 1900s. The distinctive iron bridge stretches across the Red River and was badly damaged during the Vietnam War, yet today it stands as a powerful symbol of Hanoi’s resilience and history. From the bridge, you’ll gain a vivid glimpse of everyday life in Hanoi, with locals commuting to and from work on scooters, cycling, or walking side by side. Looking down from the bridge, you’ll see the bustling Long Bien Market, alive with activity from the early morning, while the view over the river provides a calm contrast to the city’s vibrant pace. The bridge is a popular subject for photographers and travellers eager to capture the spirit of Hanoi.

The day’s sightseeing tour concludes with a performance at a water puppet theatre – a centuries-old Vietnamese tradition where puppets dance gracefully across the water’s surface, accompanied by live music and a classic narrative.

After an exciting day, you’ll be driven back to your hotel, where the evening is yours to spend as you wish.

Today, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Vietnam’s vibrant capital city – at your own pace. You might like to join one of our optional tours, or perhaps you’d rather set off and discover the city independently.

Begin your morning early with a visit to the famous Train Street, when there are fewer people around and the atmosphere is calm. Here, the train passes right next to the street’s small cafés, offering a unique glimpse of daily life before the city properly stirs to life.

Afterwards, make your way to the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. The narrow streets and French colonial buildings here conceal charming shops, colourful art galleries, and cosy cafés. Settle down with a Vietnamese coffee and watch everyday life unfold, as locals and visitors cross paths. Not far away stands the iconic St. Joseph’s Cathedral – with its Gothic façade and lively square, it’s a popular meeting place for both locals and travellers.

For lunch, head out in search of Hanoi’s famous street food. Try a steaming bowl of pho, enjoy the aroma of grilled bun cha, or grab a crispy banh mi to eat on the go.

From here, you can continue towards the area around the Long Bien Bridge and the nearby Long Bien Market, where the trade in fruit, vegetables, and flowers spills out into the streets, offering a vibrant glimpse into daily life in the city. The pace is lively and the atmosphere authentic, no matter the time of day.

If you’re curious about Hanoi’s history, you can also visit the ancient Imperial Citadel, which stands as a fascinating reminder of the city’s past. In the same area, you’ll also find the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks and a key site in Vietnam’s modern history.

When night falls, Hanoi truly comes alive. The streets glow with the flames of street kitchens, and the air fills with the aromas of grilled meat, fresh coriander, and fragrant broth wafting through the narrow lanes. Take a leisurely stroll through the Old Quarter and soak up the atmosphere, or settle at a rooftop bar to enjoy a view of the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Early in the morning, you’ll leave Hanoi and drive towards the northern coast, where Lan Ha Bay stretches south of Ha Long Bay. The drive takes around three hours, taking you through a varied landscape of urban areas, villages, and lush green rice fields. Along the way, there’s a short stop so you can stretch your legs and pick up some refreshments before continuing towards the coast to board your charming mini cruise.

Lan Ha Bay lies just south of Ha Long Bay, extending around Cat Ba Island. It forms part of the same geological region and offers the same striking limestone formations, lush islands, and clear, green-tinted waters. However, Lan Ha Bay is less visited, marked by fewer boats, small floating fishing villages, and a landscape that feels far more untouched.

You’ll arrive at Tuan Chau Marina for check-in, after which a tender boat will take you to your mini cruise ship. On board, you’ll be greeted with a refreshing welcome drink while the crew gives a short introduction to your mini cruise and the safety procedures. You’ll then check into your cabin before enjoying a delicious lunch. As you dine, the ship will gently sail through the emerald-green waters of Lan Ha Bay, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and small islands rising sharply from the sea.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Dark and Bright Cave, located where Lan Ha Bay meets Ha Long Bay. Dark Cave is narrow and deep, lying partly beneath the water, meaning it can only be viewed from the outside. Bright Cave, on the other hand, is broader – about three metres high, four metres wide and 100 metres long. You’ll sail through the cave on a small bamboo boat, emerging into a calm, sunlit lagoon framed by limestone cliffs and lush vegetation.

Later, you’ll return to your ship, where a relaxed atmosphere awaits on deck, offering the perfect opportunity to enjoy the sunset over the bay. You can also join a cosy cooking demonstration and learn how to make Vietnamese spring rolls.

Before evening falls, the captain anchors the ship in a quiet spot within the bay for the night.

In the evening, a delicious dinner is served on board. Afterwards, the rest of the evening is yours to spend as you wish – unwind at the bar with a cocktail or try your hand at squid fishing. As the day draws to a close, retreat to your cabin and drift off to sleep to the gentle sound of water lapping against the side of the ship.

Begin the day by experiencing the bay bathed in the soft light of the morning mist. If you’re an early riser, you can take part in an optional tai chi session on the sundeck and awaken your senses to the peace, the views, and the refreshing sea breeze before breakfast is served in the ship’s restaurant.

The morning brings more adventures in the Tra Bau area, where you can go kayaking and swimming. This area is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and was used as one of the filming locations for the movie Kong: Skull Island.

Back on board, it’s time to check out and enjoy lunch as the ship slowly sails back towards the harbour.

You’ll disembark at Tuan Chau Marina, where your guide and driver will be ready to take you to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. From here, you’ll fly to Hué in central Vietnam – a flight of around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Upon arrival in Hué, you’ll meet your guide waiting for you outside the arrivals hall after the exit doors. The guide will be wearing a TourCompass uniform and holding a TourCompass sign to help you recognise them easily. From here, you’ll be driven to your hotel in the heart of the city.

After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.

Hué offers a variety of charming options for the evening. Take a stroll along the Perfume River, where the promenade is beautifully lit and you can watch small boats gliding past in the dark. You’ll also find small cafés and street food stalls here, where you can sample local favourites such as Bun bo Hué – a spicy noodle soup that’s a regional speciality.

There are also plenty of great restaurants and bars in the city centre. For instance, you could visit one of the cosy rooftop terraces, which offer wonderful views across Hué.

After breakfast, an exciting day awaits as you explore Hué’s most remarkable attractions. Today’s excursion takes you back to the grandeur of the imperial era, offering a fascinating insight into Vietnam’s royal history, art, and spiritual life.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, and the first stop is the old Imperial City, an impressive fortress built in the early 19th century when the Nguyen dynasty made Hué its capital. Surrounded by moats and mighty walls, the site once housed both the administrative quarters and the private chambers of the imperial family. Modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, large parts of the palace and its sacred halls still stand today, despite the devastation caused by both the Indochina and Vietnam wars. UNESCO has launched extensive restoration projects, breathing new life into this historic complex.

Next, you’ll visit a small local exhibition showcasing traditional Vietnamese paintings. Here, you’ll not only admire the colourful artworks but also have the chance to try your hand at painting and experience the calm focus that defines this artistic craft.

The day’s experiences continue with an atmospheric boat trip along the Perfume River, where you’ll glide quietly through the landscape towards the Thien Mu Pagoda. This is Hué’s oldest and most iconic religious landmark and has been an important centre for Buddhism in central Vietnam for more than 400 years. Its octagonal pagoda tower rises majestically towards the sky, creating a peaceful setting for the temple and the monastic community that still lives and practises here.

Your journey then continues to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, which stands out distinctly from the other imperial tombs in the area. The complex was built in the early 1900s and combines traditional Vietnamese design with European baroque and gothic influences. The result is a grand and intricately detailed architectural masterpiece that reflects the emperor’s fascination with Western art and culture. The tomb is beautifully situated at the foot of Chau Chu Mountain, around 9 km south of Hué.

You will then be driven back to your hotel, and the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Hué on your own.

The morning is yours to spend as you wish before your guide and driver collect you from your hotel. You’ll be driven to Hué railway station, where at 14:05, you’ll board the so-called “heritage” train, which follows the spectacular coastal route over the Hai Van Pass.

The train journey is an experience in itself and is considered one of Vietnam’s most scenic rail routes. The train is decorated in a classic style with comfortable seating and large panoramic windows that give you the best possible view of the landscape. The atmosphere is peaceful, with fewer passengers than on regular trains, and along the way, you can purchase light Vietnamese snacks as well as coffee, tea, or water.

As you travel, you’ll pass dramatic mountainsides overlooking the South China Sea, small fishing villages, and lush jungle, while the train winds its way through tunnels and tight curves. On clear days, the scenery opens up into wide panoramic views of the coastline, and the contrast between the mountains and the sea makes this one of the true highlights of your tour.

At around 17:40, you’ll arrive in Da Nang, where a driver will be waiting to take you to Hoi An – a journey of about one hour.

After checking in, you can enjoy your first evening in Hoi An. As night falls, the old town transforms into a living postcard. Colourful lanterns light up the streets and alleyways, reflecting in the Thu Bon River, while small boats drift gently across the water.

Take a leisurely stroll through the pedestrian streets, lined with cafés, street food stalls, and small restaurants. Perhaps you’ll be tempted by a riverside dinner while you take in the impressions of your tour. You might also choose to take a boat trip and release a small lantern onto the river – a glowing wish carried into the night. The atmosphere is calm and almost magical, and it’s hard not to be captivated on your very first evening.

The days are yours to spend as you please, and Hoi An has an endless array of experiences to offer – whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or cultural discoveries.

The old town, which is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list, is renowned for its well-preserved architecture and its fascinating history as an international trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries. At that time, the Thu Bon River was the hub of a thriving trade between Vietnam, Japan, China, and Europe, and the town’s unique architecture still bears traces of this meeting of cultures.

Here, you’ll be greeted by a colourful mix of Japanese wooden houses, Chinese assembly halls, French colonial buildings, and distinctive merchants’ homes. Wander through the atmospheric streets, visit the small temples, and step inside the old trading houses, where history still lingers in the walls.

Hoi An is also famous for its proud silk production and its many talented tailors. You might be tempted to have your measurements taken and have a bespoke garment made – a unique keepsake to take home from your tour.

If you’re in need of a break from the bustle of the town, you can rent a bicycle and head out to one of the nearby beaches, Cua Dai or An Bang, where soft sands and swaying palms create the perfect setting for a relaxing day by the sea and a refreshing swim in the warm waters.

If you’re curious about the area surrounding Hoi An, you can also choose from one of our exciting optional tours, which you can read more about below.

Today, it’s time to say farewell to wonderful Vietnam. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to Da Nang airport, where you’ll fly to your selected airport with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You’ll land at your selected airport with your luggage full of new experiences and memories.