9-Day Da Nang, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour | Lotus Charm

Estimated Time: 2:00 PM – 9:30 PM (flexible based on arrival)

Accommodation: 4-Star Da Nang Hotels: Maximilan / Stella Maris Beach / Golden Lotus or comparable – Sea View or City View Room

Meals: Dinner – Da Nang Street Food Tour (Mì Quảng, Bánh Mì, Grilled Meats, Fresh Sugarcane Juice) included

Welcome to Da Nang — the coastal gem of Central Vietnam where the mountains kiss the sea. Upon landing, our dedicated representative will greet you at the arrivals hall with a welcome sign and assist with any fast-track entry formalities. Your English-speaking guide and private driver will then escort you to your hotel to check in and freshen up.

Highlights

• Son Tra Peninsula: Drive up this lush promontory rising dramatically above the city. Home to the endangered Red-Shanked Douc Langur, it offers sweeping panoramas of Da Nang’s coastline, the Marble Mountains, and the Hai Van Pass.
• Linh Ung Pagoda & Lady Buddha: At the summit of Son Tra stands the 67-metre Lady Buddha of Da Nang — one of the tallest Buddha statues in Vietnam — surrounded by profound serenity and an endless ocean horizon.
• Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn): Explore five limestone peaks, each named after one of the five elements. Venture into caves sheltering Buddhist sanctuaries, climb to the Heaven Gate for panoramic views, and browse famous marble-carving workshops.
• Monkey Mountain Viewpoint: A commanding 360-degree perspective of Da Nang city, the Han River delta, the Hai Van mountain pass, and the South China Sea.
• Dragon Bridge Fire & Water Show: On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the iconic Dragon Bridge breathes real fire and jets water from its mouth. Even on weeknights, the illuminated dragon glowing over the Han River is unforgettable.

Estimated Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Accommodation: Hotel in Da Nang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today you will take an in-depth exploration of Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, combining historical sites, river scenery, and cultural crafts to experience the glory of the imperial court and the charm of local life.

Highlights

• Hue Imperial Citadel (The Forbidden Purple City): Walk through the Noon Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace, and the Imperial Harem buildings. Listen to the legendary stories of the 13 Emperors and Empresses of the Nguyen Dynasty.

• Lunch: Enjoy an authentic Hue-style set menu, savoring the delicate and refined flavors unique to Hue cuisine.

• Thien Mu Pagoda: Visit one of the most important pagodas on the Perfume River, known for its iconic pagoda tower reflected in the water. It is a spiritual symbol of Hue.

• Cyclo Tour of Hue’s Old Quarter: Ride a traditional cyclo through the streets and alleys of the ancient city, soaking in the local rhythm of life and rustic charm.

• Incense Village Visit & Photo Stop: Visit a traditional incense-making craft village, observe the production process, and take beautiful photos amidst the vibrant, colorful incense bundles.

• Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a specialty Vietnamese Imperial Cuisine restaurant, featuring traditional flavors in an elegant setting.

Estimated Time: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM

Accommodation: 4-Star Da Nang Hotels: Maximilan / Stella Maris Beach / Golden Lotus or comparable

Meals: Breakfast · International Buffet Lunch (French Village) · Dinner

Ascend above the clouds to Ba Na Hills — the legendary “Highland Paradise” of Central Vietnam, where nature, architecture, and imagination intertwine to create an experience unlike anything else on Earth.

 Highlights

• Ba Na Hills Cable Car: Soar above mist-covered tropical forest on one of the world’s longest single-wire cable car systems. Da Nang’s coastline unfurls in the distance as the valley disappears below.
• The Golden Bridge (Cầu Vàng): Cross the world-famous icon — 150 metres long, cradled by two enormous stone hands, suspended 1,400 metres above sea level. One of Southeast Asia’s most photographed landmarks.
• Le Jardin D’Amour (Love Garden): Wander through nine themed garden spaces — European sculpture, manicured flower beds, cascading fountains, and romantic walkways with sweeping views over the clouds.
• Debay Ancient Wine Cellar: Descend into a stone-hewn wine cellar built by French colonialists in 1923, maintaining a constant cool temperature even on the hottest Da Nang summer days.
• French Village: Board a vintage mountain train to the crown jewel of Ba Na Hills. Gothic cathedrals, cobblestone squares, clock towers, and charming café terraces create an immersive illusion of medieval Burgundy in the Vietnamese highlands.
• Fantasy Park: Southeast Asia’s largest indoor amusement park — thrilling rides, immersive attractions, and games for all ages.
• Cộng Cà Phê — Retro Coffee Experience: Before descending, enjoy the famous cà phê trứng (egg coffee) at the legendary Cộng Cà Phê café, set in a 1980s vintage-socialist atmosphere.

Estimated Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Accommodation: 4-Star Hoi An Hotels: Hoi An Delicacy / Little Hoi An Boutique / Fivitel Hoi An / Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa or comparable

Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Today, we transfer south to the ancient town of Hoi An — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably the most photogenic city in all of Southeast Asia. But first, we make a pilgrimage to one of Vietnam’s most sacred and atmospheric archaeological sites.

Highlights

• My Son Sanctuary: Deep in a jungle valley, stand the red-brick towers of the Champa Kingdom — a Hindu civilization that ruled Central Vietnam for over a thousand years. Vietnam’s answer to Angkor Wat: smaller in scale, equally powerful in atmosphere.
• Coconut Forest Basket Boat (Thuyền Thúng): Board a circular woven bamboo basket boat in the Thu Bon River’s Cam Thanh Coconut Forest. Drift through narrow water channels past fishing nets and water hyacinth, and witness the traditional spinning boat dance.
• Hoi An Ancient Town: Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the ornate Fujian Assembly Hall, browse silk tailors and lacquerware shops, and lose yourself in streets where every building tells a story of Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese merchants.
• Traditional Lantern Release on the Thu Bon River: As the Ancient Town transforms into a galaxy of colored lanterns, join locals in releasing a paper lotus lantern onto the water. Make a wish. Watch it float downstream into the darkness.

Estimated Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Accommodation: 4-Star Hoi An Hotels (as above)

Meals: Breakfast · Seafood Lunch on Cham Island

Morning: Cham Island Sightseeing & Snorkeling Tour

Board a high-speed boat from Cua Dai Pier for the Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm) — a UNESCO-recognized Marine Protected Area and Biosphere Reserve lying 18 kilometres off the coast of Hoi An.

• Snorkeling in Protected Coral Reefs: Slip into warm, gin-clear water above one of Central Vietnam’s healthiest coral reef systems. Schools of tropical fish dart between staghorn coral; sea turtles occasionally drift past. Equipment and safety guide provided.
• Bãi Chồng Beach: Relax on the island’s most beautiful beach — a secluded crescent of white sand backed by jungle, where the water shimmers in impossible shades of jade and sapphire.
• Fresh Seafood Lunch: A traditional island-style feast featuring steamed crab, grilled squid, clam soup, and more at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free Time in Hoi An

Return to Hoi An by early afternoon and explore at your own pace: take a Vietnamese cooking class, attend a lantern-making workshop, rent a bicycle through the rice paddies, or simply wander and surrender to the pace of Hoi An life.

Estimated Time: Morning flight (flexible) – Evening

Accommodation: 4-Star HCMC Hotels: Liberty Central Saigon / Caravelle Saigon / Grand Hotel Saigon or comparable – City View Room

Meals: Breakfast · Dinner – Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour

After breakfast, our driver transfers you to Da Nang Airport for your domestic flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. At Tan Son Nhat International Airport, your Ho Chi Minh City guide will be waiting with a warm welcome.

Evening: Saigon Street Food Tour

Ho Chi Minh City pulls you headfirst into a swirling, steam-filled world of extraordinary food. Tonight, your guide leads you through the city’s most celebrated street food corners:

• Bến Thành Market & Surroundings: Bánh Tráng Trộn (rice paper salad), Bột Chiên (pan-fried rice cake), and fresh Nước Mía (sugarcane juice).
• Bún Thịt Nướng: Cold rice vermicelli with charcoal-grilled pork, pickled vegetables, and crushed peanuts.
• Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang: The Cambodian-influenced Saigon noodle soup, rich with pork broth, minced pork, shrimp, and quail eggs.
• Cà Phê Sữa Đá: Vietnam’s legendary iced milk coffee — strong, sweet, and utterly addictive — at a street-side plastic stool café.

Estimated Time: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Accommodation: 4-Star HCMC Hotels (as above)

Meals: Breakfast · Traditional Mekong Lunch · Dinner

Depart early for the Mekong Delta — one of the great river systems of Asia and the agricultural heartland of Vietnam. The journey takes approximately two hours through flat, fertile lowlands where rice paddies and orchards stretch to every horizon.

Highlights — Mekong Four Islands Boat Tour

• Tien River Main Waterway Cruise: Board a traditional wooden sampan and cruise along the broad Tien River. Observe traditional floating fish farms, river fishermen casting nets, and local riverside life unchanged by the decades.
• Unicorn Island (Cù Lao Thới Sơn): Walk through orchards laden with longan, jackfruit, and pomelo; sample fresh tropical fruits with honey and salt; watch traditional beekeeping; and listen to live Đờn Ca Tài Tử — the UNESCO-recognized folk music of Southern Vietnam.
• Phoenix Island & Dragon Island: Wander through coconut groves, watch artisans produce coconut candy in traditional copper vats, and learn about the extraordinary uses of the coconut palm for delta communities.
• Rowing Sampan Through Narrow Canals: Transfer to a smaller rowing boat for an intimate journey through backwater canals — tunnels of overhanging palm fronds where time moves at the pace of the paddle.
• Traditional Mekong Lunch: Cá Tai Tượng (elephant-ear fish deep-fried whole), Lẩu Chua Cá (hot and sour fish soup), stir-fried morning glory, and steamed rice — served riverside.

Estimated Time: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM (if attending A-O Show)

Accommodation: 4-Star HCMC Hotels (as above)

Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels

Travel northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels — the most extraordinary feat of human ingenuity and endurance in the Vietnam War. An estimated 250 kilometres of underground tunnels were hand-dug by Viet Cong guerrillas, sheltering thousands of soldiers, civilians, and entire field hospitals from bombing campaigns above.

• Tunnel Exploration: Crawl through expanded sections of the original tunnels — low, narrow, and profoundly claustrophobic — for a visceral understanding of the conditions endured by those who lived and fought underground.
• Trap Demonstrations: Examine the ingenious and terrifying array of booby traps and camouflage techniques employed by tunnel defenders.
• Weapon Firing Range (Optional): Fire historic wartime weapons — AK-47, M16 — under strict supervision (additional cost applies).

Afternoon: Ho Chi Minh City Highlights Tour

• Reunification Palace: Walk the corridors and war rooms of the former South Vietnamese Presidential Palace — breached by North Vietnamese tanks on April 30, 1975.
• War Remnants Museum: One of the most powerful and sobering museums in Southeast Asia, documenting the Vietnam War through heartbreaking photographic records.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon: The red-brick French colonial cathedral, completed in 1880, standing at the heart of the city’s colonial district.
• Ben Thanh Market & Nguyen Hue Walking Street: Browse Vietnam’s most iconic market and stroll the broad, fountain-lined pedestrian boulevard at the city’s heart.

Evening: A-O Show (Optional)

The A-O Show at the Saigon Opera House is an unmissable experience. Performed by the Lune Production company, A-O uses Vietnamese bamboo, acrobatics, and traditional music to tell the story of Vietnamese life with breathtaking physical artistry. Book in advance — seats sell out quickly.

Estimated Time: Based on flight schedule

Accommodation: None

Meals: Breakfast

Your final morning in Vietnam is yours to savour. Sleep in, order one last cà phê sữa đá, browse last-minute souvenirs, or simply sit and watch Saigon wake up around you.

• Last-Minute Saigon Wandering: The Bến Thành Market area and Đồng Khởi shopping street are ideal for a final morning of relaxed exploration.
• Vietnamese Massage (Optional): Treat yourself to a traditional Vietnamese massage before departure — your guide can recommend trusted local spas near the hotel.
• Private Airport Transfer: Based on your flight schedule, your dedicated guide and driver will ensure a smooth, timely transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is this itinerary suitable for first-time visitors to Vietnam?

Absolutely. This 9-day route covers the finest highlights of Central and Southern Vietnam at a comfortable pace, with a mix of history, nature, culture, and cuisine that makes it ideal for first-time visitors. The itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to your interests.

Q2: Is an English-speaking guide available throughout the entire trip?

Yes. A professional English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout — a dedicated guide for Central Vietnam (Days 1–5) and a separate specialist guide for Ho Chi Minh City and the South (Days 6–9). All transportation uses private, air-conditioned vehicles.

Q3: Is the A-O Show on Day 8 included in the tour price?

The A-O Show is an optional add-on and is not included in the base price. Please request your preferred seats when booking — the show is extremely popular and we strongly recommend booking in advance.

Q4: Is snorkeling on Cham Island suitable for non-swimmers?

Yes. The snorkeling areas around Cham Island are in calm, shallow, protected water. Life jackets are provided and a safety guide accompanies all snorkeling activities. No prior experience is required.

Q5: Can the itinerary be customized?

Of course. Lotus Charm operates exclusively private tours and we can tailor every element to your preferences — extending stays, adding activities (cooking classes, photography sessions, spa treatments, romantic dinners), or modifying the pace. Contact our team to design your perfect journey.