North and Central Vietnam Itinerary: 8 Days for An Amazing Adventure

Vietnam is one of the most worth visiting countries. It has countless scenic spots and historic sites stretching from North to South, friendly people, diverse culture, and unique cuisine. Therefore, wherever you travel in this country, you will be warmly welcomed and have a memorable experience.

Today, BestPrice Travel would like to introduce to you the north and central Vietnam itinerary, which will allow you to discover the best sights of North and Central Vietnam. You'll admire amazing scenery, UNESCO World Heritage sites, fantastic food, unique cultural traditions, etc.

So, without further ado, let's get into the details!

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

After landing at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, our guide and driver will pick you up and take you to the city center for check-in. You can join sooner, as long as you contact us first and accept to pay a small fee. After checking in, you can rest for a while before being free to explore this city.

Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the country's largest cities. This more than 1,000 years of the historic city is not only famous for its many historical sites and beautiful landscapes but also attracts tourists thanks to its rich and unique cuisine.

Hanoi Old Quarter

In addition to the stunning architecture, much of which dates back to colonial times, you'll also find various fascinating museums that allow you to explore this city's history. You can also visit the traditional monuments like pagodas, and temples, which will allow you to get beautiful photos.

Hanoi is also very famous for its tasty food. You'll probably want to linger to chew on a delicious sandwich like Banh Mi or enjoy a hot bowl of Pho when you get here. In addition to famous street food, it still retains the traditional beauty of the city, such as the old town, where you can spend the day exploring or stroll around the lovely lakes and parks of the city.

What To Do

• Hanoi Street Food Tour

Hanoi is a famous city with a long history and rich cuisine. Therefore, your north and central Vietnam itinerary will not be perfect if you miss the unique dishes here.

We created this tour to give you a chance to discover the exquisite cuisine in Hanoi. This tour is also a great way to learn about the local culture. You will enjoy the national dishes of Vietnam, such as Banh Cuon (Steamed rice rolls),  Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle), “Banh Mi” (Vietnamese Baguette), and Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee).

Hanoi Street Food (Credit: onewanderatatime)

• Hanoi Cooking Class Half Day

It is also a tour for foodies. However, instead of tasting the food on sale, this tour will allow you to make traditional Vietnamese dishes yourself and enjoy them right after you're done.

You will participate in a Vietnamese cooking class with friendly, enthusiastic staff who can speak English fluently. You'll get the whole cooking experience, including buying fresh ingredients at the local market before cooking authentic Vietnamese dishes.

At the end of the class, you will receive detailed recipe cards and a certificate to bring home.

Hanoi Cooking Class (Credit: excursionvietnam)

• See Water Puppet Shows

According to many reliable documents, this type of performing art was born in the Ly Dynasty and is about 1,000 years old. By enjoying Water Puppet Shows, you will have access to exciting fairy tales and historical stories about this country. 

As its name suggests, the water puppet show is a puppet show but on water. You will have the opportunity to see the amusing but most confusing show of puppets jerking their way across shallow pools of water controlled by the master puppeteers hidden behind stages and curtains.

• Watch My Village Show

By enjoying the unique My Village (Lang Toi) Show while you’re in Hanoi, you will witness a visual spectacle that describes the beauty of the Northern Vietnamese villagers' lifestyle.

The show lasts about an hour and allows you to witness the daily activities of the locals, which are shown through rhythmic dance and daring acrobatics. In addition, you will learn about the farmers, building activities, the village games, and more.

My Village Show

Day 2: Hanoi Half Day City Tour

Day 2 of your north and central Vietnam itinerary will be a Hanoi city tour, which can depart in the morning or afternoon, subject to availability. The routes on tour are subject to change depending on your preferences. Let's save these attractions on your bucket list: Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, West Lake, and Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.

Temple Of Literature

What To Do

• Your Hanoi half-day city tour will begin with visiting the Temple of Literature. The Temple of Literature is located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and was founded in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong nearly 1,000 years ago. This place is the temple of the Chinese philosopher Confucius and the first Vietnam University.
• After leaving the Temple of Literature, you will move to One Pillar Pagoda. Hanoi possesses many unique architectural works, and One Pillar Pagoda is one of them. This ancient temple carries within itself the cultural and historical beauty of Vietnam. Guarantee that you will be amazed by this impressive architecture.
• The next destination is the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh. This place is the resting place of the greatest president of Vietnam and where many important events in Vietnamese history were witnessed.
• Next, you will stop at West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi and known as the city's "green lung."
• The final destination of your Hanoi half-day city tour is Tran Quoc Buddha Temple. This place is not only an ideal religious destination for Buddhist followers but also a must-visit attraction for tourists. Coming to this place, you will receive the religious, historical, and architectural values that make it one of Hanoi's most attractive tourist attractions.

After visiting the temple, you will have a meal at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. After that, you can use the rest of the day to freely relax and explore the city.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay Overnight Cruise

Halong Bay is one of the scenic spots in northern Vietnam, located near the Chinese border. The Bay covers an area of approximately 1,500sq km and includes 1,600 limestone islands and islets.

This bay was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Halong Bay comes with a wide range of biodiversity. At the same time, the surrealistic scenery has served as the magical backdrop of various scenes in various famous blockbusters, such as "Kong and Skull Island."

Halong Bay Cruise

What To Do

• After breakfast at the hotel, our guide and driver will pick you up and take you to Ha Long Bay, one of the seven natural wonders of the world recognized by UNESCO.
• Upon arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed by the crew. Next, you'll check in on board and have a delicious seafood lunch served by expert chefs while the boat cruises around the bay.
• After lunch, you can take a short nap before participating in exciting activities, depending on the cruise's itinerary, such as kayaking, visiting caves, swimming in the ocean, etc.
• After participating in activities in the ocean, you will return to the board, relax, have dinner, and overnight on board.

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An

On the second day on Ha Long Bay, you should get up earlier than usual to admire the beautiful sunrise over the limestone karts. You can also join an early morning Tai Chi class, a traditional material art to help you train the balance and duration of your mind and body.

After having lunch while the board goes back to the mainland, our driver will take you back to Hanoi. Then you will catch a short flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our driver will drop you off at a hotel in Hoi An ancient town, and you will check in there.

Day 5: Hoi An - Prao

Hoi An is famous as one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam. It has an Old Town, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its 800 historic structures. Coming to Hoi An ancient town, you will feel like you are returning to Vietnam of the olden days. During the Vietnam War, the city is also one of the few that was not bombed, allowing it to retain its ancient charms.

You should visit attractions such as ancient houses, beautiful temples, and museums as you walk around this city. Like many other cities in Vietnam, this city also has a rich culinary scene, including cheap but delicious street food that will make you want to eat forever.

Bho Hoong Village

What To Do

• After breakfast at your Hoian hotel, our driver will pick you up and take you to the trailhead, which can take up to an hour.
• Be prepared to climb into the mountains and on to the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which was very popular during the Vietnam War period.
• In the afternoon, you will reach the center of the mountains, where the Co Tu ethnic people live. It was a remote hill tribe and lived in small communities of isolated villages. Therefore, their traditions and culture are not affected.
• Next, you will visit Bho Hoong, a traditional Co Tu village, and spend the night there. Coming to this place, you will be relaxed and enjoy the unique beauty of Central Vietnam.
• If you have enough time, you can take a walking tour through the village, riverside, and jungle. 
• Your dinner will take place in the village, where you can enjoy the traditional food served by the locals.

Day 6: Prao - A'luoi

Day 6 of your north and central Vietnam itinerary will begin with a journey along the Ho Chi Minh trail, winding roads, and climbing passes. Along the way, you can come across the Co Tu people, an ethnic minority group living in the hills in central Vietnam.

A'luoi Town

What To Do

• Travel along the Ho Chi Minh trail

The Ho Chi Minh Trail is a system of trails in the mountains and jungle. During the Vietnam War, the northern army and people used this trail system to transport food and ammunition to the southern field.

Thus, the Ho Chi Minh Trail played an important part in Vietnam's victory. The name of this trail was given by the US, one of the countries that tried to invade Vietnam but failed. During the war, the US military tried to find a way to destroy this trail system by dropping carpet bombs or using Agent Orange to destroy the entire forest.

In this place, many Vietnamese died on the way to transport supplies to the southern battlefield. Partly because of American bombs, partly because of dangerous diseases, such as malaria. However, somehow, the Vietnamese army and people still found a way to dodge all the attacks of the American army and beat them in this unequal war.

• Stop at A Shau Airbase (US Marines)

Your next destination is A Shau Airbase (US Marines). Here, you can better understand the hardships that the locals have to go through due to the devastating consequences of the war.

• Go to A’luoi town

Picnic lunches will be taking place along the way. After that, the group will continue along the Ho Chi Minh trail to approach A'Luoi town. Located 60 km west-southwest of Hue city, this laidback town boasts a scenic mountainous area of A Shau Valley.

Day 7: A'luoi - Hue

Hue is one of the most charming cities in Vietnam, located on the banks of the beautiful Perfume River. This city has a long and illustrious history as it was once the country's capital. Therefore, this city will be an ideal destination for history buffs. From quaint architecture to fascinating museums, you'll be immersed in this city's fascinating and inspiring history.

What To Do

• Admire the fantastic mountain views along the way
• Pass green hills and the streams seductive running in between magnificent hillsides
• Stop at Binh Dien Village to discover the daily life of locals on a coffee farm and rubber tree

Day 8: Hue Departure

Use the rest of your time in the city to relax and pack your bags as our driver takes you to the airport, and your north and central Vietnam itinerary should end well.

Northern and Central Vietnam are filled with cultural, stunning, and chaotic places to visit, making it worth a visit at least once. Through the north and central Vietnam itinerary that we provide, you will have an exciting trip that you will never forget. We even bet it will be the best Ultimate North and Central Vietnam 8 days of your life.

So without waiting longer, contact BestPrice Travel now to receive a visit to Vietnam, a country of hospitable locals, unique cuisine, and countless scenic spots.

Thanh Dat

(Image source: Internet)