21 days
Hanoi → Pu Luong → Ninh Binh → Dong Hoi → Hue → Da Nang → Quy Nhon → Kon Tum → Ho Chi Minh City
A morning path winds between Pu Luong’s rice terraces. Farther south, a train follows the central coastline, Cham towers rise above Quy Nhon, and the wooden church and communal houses of Kon Tum introduce another side of Vietnam. This three-week journey connects those quieter regions with the country’s city and imperial stories, travelling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
The appeal is variety with time to settle in: two nights in most bases, three by the sea in Quy Nhon, and guided discoveries separated by easier travel days. The three public-train journeys are part of the experience. This route suits curious travellers comfortable with longer connections, countryside paths and locally run stays.
Which side of Vietnam would you like to discover? Send Vietpower Travel your dates, party size, walking comfort and preferred stays. Plan your three-week Vietnam journey on WhatsApp or request a tailored itinerary.
There are 20 accommodation nights and no sleeper-train overnight. Your private drivers handle airport, station and intercity road transfers; regional English-speaking guides join the stated sightseeing days. Public trains and local boats bring shared travel experiences, while the road programme remains private for your party.
This is a tailored sample, with an indicative starting price of US$2,000 per person for two adults sharing the stated three-star/local-stay configuration. The Pleiku–Ho Chi Minh City flight and all other flights are separate. Named accommodation, rail class and the agreed total are confirmed for your dates.
Since 2009, Vietpower Travel has helped thousands of travellers from around the world explore Vietnam and Indochina. We understand that planning a holiday far from home means placing your trust in the people arranging it.
Vietpower Travel holds International Tour Operator Licence 01-711/2015/TCDL-GPLHQT under Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, giving you the reassurance of an established, licensed local travel company.
We take the time to understand your interests, travel style and budget, drawing on our local knowledge to recommend suitable hotels, restaurants, cruises and experiences. Our long-standing relationships with local partners help us arrange dependable services at fair prices.
Staying in close contact with these partners keeps our recommendations current as services change and new experiences become available. Throughout your holiday, our team coordinates your itinerary and provides support when you need it.
Before you book, your quotation clearly explains what is included, any shared arrangements and items priced separately, so you know what to expect.
Read our travellers’ reviews on Tripadvisor, then tell us what matters most to you. Let us help you plan a holiday that feels right for you, with the reassurance of an experienced local team.
Chat with us on WhatsApp · Email our travel team
Prefer more of the familiar north-to-south stops? Compare our 28-day Vietnam slow-travel journey, or browse Vietnam tours for a different balance.
It suits travellers drawn to countryside walks, caves, public trains, coastal towns and highland culture. Pu Luong, Quy Nhon and Kon Tum give the route its character, with Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City providing context. Several full travel days make it best for guests who enjoy the journey between places.
The indicative price is per person for two adults sharing twin/double rooms, with 20 hotel nights, listed private land services, three reserved rail journeys, core visits and meals shown. All flights, optional activities, upgrades and peak-date supplements are separate. Vietpower Travel confirms the final total for your dates and choices in writing.
No. All 20 nights are in accommodation. Day 7 uses a shared soft-sleeper berth as a place to sit or rest during a daytime journey to Dong Hoi; Days 11 and 13 use reserved shared seats. Private station transfers accompany these public trains.
Day 7 is a long rail travel day. Days 3, 5, 11, 13, 16 and 18 also move between bases, with sightseeing concentrated on the other days. Two-night stays in most bases and three Quy Nhon nights reduce repeated packing; the displayed itinerary leaves arrival afternoons easy.
The stated road transfers and guided sightseeing are private for your party. Trains and local boat services are shared unless your quotation specifies otherwise. Regional guides join the guided days; there is no single escort travelling with you throughout. Day 15 is independent, without an on-call guide or vehicle.
Pu Luong includes rural paths; Paradise Cave and heritage sites involve steps and uneven surfaces. Walk lengths can be adjusted to the group. Vinh Moc has narrow underground passages, with an above-ground visit possible. Share mobility needs before planning so we can agree a suitable route.
No. Dark Cave adventure activities and a Ky Co speedboat outing are separately quoted options, subject to operator requirements and local conditions. Paradise Cave and the Quy Nhon land-based heritage and coastal day form the sample programme.
The starting configuration uses indicative three-star twin/double rooms. Pu Luong and Kon Tum have a smaller choice of properties, so the written offer names the selected lodge or local hotel and its facilities. Upgrades elsewhere, family rooms and single rooms can be quoted.
Conditions vary between northern valleys, the central coast and the highlands. Central-coast rain and storms can affect outdoor and sea activities, particularly around October to December. Send your likely month: we will discuss the regional trade-offs and adapt the pace and stays to your priorities.
A local guide arranges a visit with hosts around the Dak Bla area, introducing Bahnar community life and the communal rong house. Access follows the hosts’ agreement; a festival or performance is not promised. Ask permission before photographing people or entering homes.
Yes. Ask for a two-day overnight Lan Ha Bay addition after Ninh Binh, extending the sample to approximately 23 days. Vietpower Travel will quote the revised route, accommodation and price; the 21-day base shown here has no overnight bay cruise.
Send your arrival and departure details, dates, party size, children’s ages, room preferences and any dietary or mobility needs. We agree the named accommodation, rail classes, flight and baggage arrangements, included services and final booking terms in your personalised written offer.
Which side of Vietnam would you like to discover? Send Vietpower Travel your dates, party size, walking comfort and preferred stays. Plan your three-week Vietnam journey on WhatsApp or request a tailored itinerary.
Open the 21-day route in Google My Maps
Images: Eo Gió – Nhơn Lý — Hung Ho Ba (CC BY 2.0); Kontum wooden catholic church — Rdavout (Renaud d Avout d Auerstaedt / Helene Gauche), CC BY-SA 3.0; Kon Klor rong house — Taynguyenjk (CC BY-SA 4.0). Resized/cropped; adaptations remain under their respective licences.
Highlights
| By Day | Transfer | Destinations | Activities | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Hanoi | Your private driver meets you at Noi Bai Airport and takes you to your Hanoi hotel. | - | |
| Day 2 | Hanoi, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh complex, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake | Begin with the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh complex, following the day’s opening arrangements. | B, L | |
| Day 3 | Hanoi, Pu Luong | Leave Hanoi by private vehicle and travel into the limestone and terraced landscapes of Pu Luong, allowing roughly four to five hours plus breaks. | B | |
| Day 4 | Pu Luong | Follow rural paths through Pu Luong with a local guide, passing terraced fields and villages. | B, L | |
| Day 5 | Pu Luong, Ninh Binh | Travel privately from Pu Luong to Ninh Binh, allowing approximately three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours plus comfort stops. | B | |
| Day 6 | Ninh Binh, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tam Coc | Explore selected halls and courtyards of Bai Dinh with your guide, adapting the walking route to your comfort. | B, L | |
| Day 7 | Ninh Binh station, Dong Hoi station | Your private driver takes you to Ninh Binh station for the daytime journey south to Dong Hoi. | B | |
| Day 8 | Dong Hoi, Paradise Cave | Travel from Dong Hoi into the Phong Nha–Ke Bang area to visit Paradise Cave. | B, L | |
| Day 9 | Dong Hoi, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River, Hue | Leave Dong Hoi with your guide and stop at Vinh Moc Tunnels to learn how families lived underground during the war. | B, L | |
| Day 10 | Hue, Imperial City, Minh Mang Tomb, Dong Ba Market | Explore Hue’s Imperial City with your guide, choosing a manageable route through courtyards and selected buildings. | B, L | |
| Day 11 | Hue station, Lang Co, Hai Van, Da Nang station | Transfer privately to Hue station and board the planned daylight train to Da Nang with reserved shared seats. | B | |
| Day 12 | Da Nang, Cam Thanh, Hoi An | Travel from Da Nang to the coconut waterways near Hoi An for a locally operated basket-boat experience. | B | |
| Day 13 | Da Nang station, Dieu Tri station, Quy Nhon | Your private driver takes you to Da Nang station for the reserved daytime train to Dieu Tri, the gateway for Quy Nhon. | B | |
| Day 14 | Quy Nhon, Twin Towers, Banh It Towers, Eo Gio | Visit Quy Nhon’s Twin Towers and the hilltop Banh It towers with your guide, exploring the Cham heritage of this coast. | B, L | |
| Day 15 | Quy Nhon | Enjoy breakfast and a full independent day in Quy Nhon. | B | |
| Day 16 | Quy Nhon, An Khe, Pleiku, Kon Tum | Leave Quy Nhon by private vehicle and climb through the An Khe area towards the Central Highlands. | B | |
| Day 17 | Kon Tum, Wooden Church, Bishop residence, Dak Bla River, Kon Klor | Visit Kon Tum’s wooden church and the bishop’s residence with your local guide, following access arrangements. | B, L | |
| Day 18 | Kon Tum, Pleiku airport, Ho Chi Minh City | Your private driver takes you from Kon Tum to Pleiku Airport for the separately quoted flight to Ho Chi Minh City. | B | |
| Day 19 | Ho Chi Minh City, Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market | Explore Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum with your guide, adapting the museum focus to your interests and children’s ages. | B, L | |
| Day 20 | Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre | Travel to Ben Tre for a day of river scenery, coconut workshops and garden paths. | B, L | |
| Day 21 | Ho Chi Minh City | Enjoy breakfast and any remaining independent time before your private driver collects you for the airport. | B |
Your private driver meets you at Noi Bai Airport and takes you to your Hanoi hotel. Check in at the standard time, freshen up and enjoy an easy independent evening near your accommodation. An early room can be quoted if you would like to rest immediately after a long flight.
Meals: No meals included. Overnight: Hanoi.
Begin with the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh complex, following the day’s opening arrangements. Your guide connects the sites with stories of education and independence. Pause for a local lunch, then walk through the Old Quarter towards Hoan Kiem Lake, allowing time for a coffee or a shorter stroll if you prefer.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Hanoi.
Leave Hanoi by private vehicle and travel into the limestone and terraced landscapes of Pu Luong, allowing roughly four to five hours plus breaks. Settle into your selected local stay for two nights. The afternoon is easy: enjoy the setting and an independent evening before tomorrow’s guided walk.
Meals: B. Overnight: Pu Luong.
Follow rural paths through Pu Luong with a local guide, passing terraced fields and villages. The walk is chosen for the group’s fitness and the ground conditions, with pauses to take in the views and hear about farming life. Enjoy a local lunch, then return to your accommodation with time to rest.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Pu Luong.
Travel privately from Pu Luong to Ninh Binh, allowing approximately three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours plus comfort stops. Check into your hotel for two nights and enjoy an independent afternoon. Tomorrow brings a guided day among Buddhist architecture and limestone waterways.
Meals: B. Overnight: Ninh Binh.
Explore selected halls and courtyards of Bai Dinh with your guide, adapting the walking route to your comfort. After a local lunch, take a locally operated rowing boat through Tam Coc’s river and limestone scenery. Rice-field colours change with the season; the boat journey and rural setting are the focus before returning to your hotel.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Ninh Binh.
Your private driver takes you to Ninh Binh station for the daytime journey south to Dong Hoi. A reserved shared soft-sleeper berth provides a place to sit and rest as the countryside changes outside. This is a full travel day, with food and drinks available to purchase or prepare before boarding. Meet your arrival driver and continue to your Dong Hoi hotel for two nights; tonight is in a hotel, not on the train.
Meals: B. Overnight: Dong Hoi.
Travel from Dong Hoi into the Phong Nha–Ke Bang area to visit Paradise Cave. Follow the permitted walkways among its large chambers and formations, with time for the approach and steps. Enjoy lunch and return at a comfortable pace. A Dark Cave adventure can be quoted separately for guests who meet the operator’s requirements; it is not part of the base day.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Dong Hoi.
Leave Dong Hoi with your guide and stop at Vinh Moc Tunnels to learn how families lived underground during the war. Continue to Hien Luong Bridge and the Ben Hai River for the history of the former dividing line, with lunch en route. Guests who prefer to avoid the tunnel’s confined passages can visit the above-ground area. Continue to Hue, check in and enjoy an independent evening.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Hue.
Explore Hue’s Imperial City with your guide, choosing a manageable route through courtyards and selected buildings. Visit Minh Mang Tomb, where royal architecture sits within a landscaped setting, then pause for lunch. A later visit to Dong Ba Market brings everyday city life into the day before returning to your hotel.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Hue.
Transfer privately to Hue station and board the planned daylight train to Da Nang with reserved shared seats. Coastal sections around Lang Co and Hai Van offer changing sea and mountain views when the weather is clear. Your arrival driver brings you to your Da Nang hotel for two nights, leaving time to settle in and rest.
Meals: B. Overnight: Da Nang.
Travel from Da Nang to the coconut waterways near Hoi An for a locally operated basket-boat experience. Take a break, then discover selected old houses and trading-port streets with your guide. Leave room for the changing late-afternoon atmosphere before your private transfer returns you to the same Da Nang hotel. Lunch and dinner are independent today.
Meals: B. Overnight: Da Nang.
Your private driver takes you to Da Nang station for the reserved daytime train to Dieu Tri, the gateway for Quy Nhon. Watch the central-coast landscapes unfold from your shared seated carriage. Keep this as a full travel day, arranging food before boarding or purchasing it along the journey. At Dieu Tri, meet your private arrival driver and continue to your Quy Nhon hotel for three nights.
Meals: B. Overnight: Quy Nhon.
Visit Quy Nhon’s Twin Towers and the hilltop Banh It towers with your guide, exploring the Cham heritage of this coast. Enjoy a local seafood lunch, with dietary alternatives arranged, then head towards the Phuong Mai peninsula for Eo Gio’s coastal setting and a fishing-village stop. Return to your hotel; a Ky Co speedboat outing is a separately quoted option, dependent on sea conditions.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Quy Nhon.
Enjoy breakfast and a full independent day in Quy Nhon. Relax at your hotel, take a nearby walk or choose a local restaurant at your own pace. No guide or vehicle is on call today. Vietpower Travel can quote an additional outing if you would like to add one before the highland stage.
Meals: B. Overnight: Quy Nhon.
Leave Quy Nhon by private vehicle and climb through the An Khe area towards the Central Highlands. Comfort stops and time to purchase lunch break the road journey, with a short T’Nung Lake stop near Pleiku when time and conditions allow. Continue to Kon Tum and settle into your named local hotel for two nights. Keep the evening easy; the guided cultural visits follow tomorrow.
Meals: B. Overnight: Kon Tum.
Visit Kon Tum’s wooden church and the bishop’s residence with your local guide, following access arrangements. Continue towards a Bahnar community near the Dak Bla River for an arranged host visit, learning about the communal rong house and seeing the Kon Klor bridge area. Enjoy a local lunch and time to pause. The visit follows the hosts’ agreement, with photographs and entry to homes by permission.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Kon Tum.
Your private driver takes you from Kon Tum to Pleiku Airport for the separately quoted flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Meet your arrival driver and continue to your hotel for three nights. This is a travel day, leaving the rest of the day independent so you can rest before exploring the city.
Meals: B. Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City.
Explore Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum with your guide, adapting the museum focus to your interests and children’s ages. Continue to the Central Post Office and view Notre-Dame Cathedral from the permitted public area. Enjoy lunch, then discover Ben Thanh Market and the surrounding city life. A Saigon Waterbus ride can be discussed as a separately quoted addition.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel to Ben Tre for a day of river scenery, coconut workshops and garden paths. Local boat services introduce life along the waterways, with a small-canal rowing segment when conditions permit. Enjoy a local lunch and visits arranged with local businesses before returning to the same Ho Chi Minh City hotel in the late afternoon.
Meals: B, L. Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City.
Enjoy breakfast and any remaining independent time before your private driver collects you for the airport. The pickup is arranged around your confirmed departure flight and check-in requirements. Extra nights or an onward journey can be included in your personalised quotation.
Meals: B. Overnight: No overnight.
20 hotel/lodge nights; indicative three-star twin/double rooms, named local stays
No overnight cruise in the 21-day base
.jpg)
Customize Your Trip
.accordion-body, though the transition does limit overflow.
.accordion-body, though the transition does limit overflow.
.accordion-body, though the transition does limit overflow.
This 21-day itinerary and starting price are a sample for a private party. Vietpower Travel agrees the dated route, named stays and final total in your written offer.
Which side of Vietnam would you like to discover? Send Vietpower Travel your dates, party size, walking comfort and preferred stays. Plan your three-week Vietnam journey on WhatsApp or request a tailored itinerary.
Private tours give you more flexibility in your movements
Convenience and saving time are huge reasons people choose private tours
Add more exciting or reduce the less attractive destinations.
Please kindly send us your ideas about the tours: destinations, attractions, your group, hotel class... we will get back to you with details & best offers quickly. Surely, you will feel satisfactory!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
