Rich History of Vietnam in One Week: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hue

What to expect on this itinerary
Immerse yourself in the storied past of Vietnam with this historically focused 7-day Vietnam tour. Exclusively tour the country’s beloved destinations of Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hanoi in addition to retracing the country’s past. From hallowed heritage sites to cultural landmarks, experience the cultural splendor of a historically rich country.
Customizable Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s Spirited Energy
When you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, your guide will be waiting to greet and transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. You will have the opportunity to settle in and relax before having the remainder of the evening to spend at your leisure. You can bask in the day’s fleeting sun or stroll through the streets for a quick immersion into the culture of the city. Regardless of how you choose to spend your evening, you will experience the unique energy of the city.
What's Included:
Ho Chi Minh City – The Life of Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City – Geological Wonders
Hue – Wondrous Scenes on Hai Van Pass
Hue – An Ancient Empire
Hanoi – The Resting Place of Ho Chi Minh
Hanoi – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Visit acclaimed landmarks, such as the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and the Reunification Palace, to uncover Vietnam’s intriguing wartime past
- Traverse the sprawling web of tunnels, which are known as the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Cruise across the Mekong Delta on a traditional riverboat and immerse yourself in the riverside life and landmarks on the Mekong’s banks
- Wind your way across the Hai Van Pass to capture the dramatic landscapes that surround the charming city of Hue
- Retrace Vietnam’s imperial roots with a guided tour of the Dai Noi Citadel and its ruins
- Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter to catch a glimpse of the colonial architecture that lines the district and tuck into authentic Vietnamese fare
- Encounter the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to conclude your journey
Detailed Description
With this historically based 7-day Vietnam trip, you will delve deep into Vietnam’s turbulent past and the fascinating story of Ho Chi Minh. The city of Ho Chi Minh is commonly referred to as the southern capital of Vietnam and boasts an array of venerated landmarks. An exclusive tour of the city will lead you to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and the Reunification Palace, which are eminent locations that will allow you to uncover the finer details of the country’s past.
The following day, you will learn intriguing facts about the Vietnam War and meander the intricate web of tunnels known as the Cu Chi Tunnels. You will then cruise along the Mekong Delta in a traditional wooden sampan boat to a riverside village. Here, you will have endless opportunities to tuck into award-winning Vietnamese cuisine at celebrated restaurants and roadside markets.
Your tour through Vietnam will continue with an airplane transfer to Hue, which is a city that once stood as the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and where Ho Chi Minh spent his youth studying at a distinguished academy. You will traverse the landscape that surrounds Hue shortly during a guided expedition across the Hai Van Pass to a secluded beach. Here, you can have the day to unwind on sun-kissed shores. Afterward, you will visit Hue’s Ho Chi Minh Museum and the home of the respected hero.
The booming capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, will be the last stop on your expedition. You will transfer to the city for a guided tour at Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Afterward, you can continue to Hoan Kiem Lake to unwind with incredible views before concluding your trip at the stately Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Here, the body of the former president is housed and praised by hundreds of people every day. You can then enjoy one last morning under the warm embrace of the Vietnam sun before transferring to the airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$2,100 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 626 reviews
I was incredibly impressed with every aspect of our experience with Zicasso’s travel company. I was traveling with my 83-year-old mother, so I wanted to be sure we worked with a company we could trust. The initial steps of creating the itinerary were personalized and efficient. The communication before and during every day of the trip was clear and consistent.
Each guide and driver was prompt and friendly, and provided a level of care and flexibility that made every step of the journey so smooth. Guides were incredibly knowledgeable and well connected in their respective cities to create seamless experiences for us. When we asked for any change or addition during the trip, everyone responded quickly and met our every need.
It was truly a trip of a lifetime, all thanks to the brilliant team at the travel company. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an adventure in Asia and I look forward to engaging them for my next trip.
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Our trip to Vietnam was nothing short of exceptional, and it stands out as one of the most well-organized and enjoyable travel experiences we’ve ever had. From start to finish, every detail was thoughtfully arranged, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty, culture, and history of the country without any stress or logistical concerns.
The journey began in Hanoi, where we were immediately impressed by the seamless airport pick-up and smooth transfer to our hotel. The accommodation was ideally located—comfortable, clean, and perfectly situated for exploring the Old Quarter. Guided tours were expertly paced, balancing iconic highlights with quieter moments that let us absorb the rhythm of daily life. Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about Vietnam’s history and culture.
From Hanoi, we traveled to Ha Long Bay, and this portion of the trip was truly unforgettable. Transportation was punctual and comfortable, and boarding the cruise was effortless. The overnight cruise itself exceeded expectations: elegant cabins, excellent service, and breathtaking views of the limestone karsts rising from emerald waters. Activities such as kayaking and cave visits were well coordinated, never rushed, and thoughtfully timed to avoid crowds. Meals on board were outstanding and added to the overall sense of luxury and relaxation.
Next, we ventured to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land,” and it was a highlight of the itinerary. The scenic drive was smooth and our accommodations offered a peaceful retreat surrounded by dramatic landscapes. Boat rides through the rice paddies and towering cliffs were serene and magical. Again, the logistics were flawless—clear schedules, attentive guides, and effortless transitions between activities.
Our journey continued south to Hue and Hoi An, with flights and transfers handled seamlessly. In Hue, the historical sites were presented in a way that made Vietnam’s imperial past come alive. The hotel was elegant and restful, perfectly complementing the city’s reflective atmosphere. Hoi An, with its lantern-lit streets and charming architecture, was a dream. The accommodation here was particularly memorable—beautifully designed, centrally located, and paired with exceptional service. Tailoring experiences, cycling excursions, and free time were all balanced perfectly.
What truly set this trip apart was the level of organization. Every transfer, hotel check-in, tour, and meal arrangement was smooth and stress-free. We never once had to worry about timing, transportation, or communication. The attention to detail and professionalism of the tour arrangements allowed us to focus entirely on enjoying Vietnam’s incredible scenery, cuisine, and culture.
In summary, this Vietnam trip—from Hanoi and Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh, Hue, and Hoi An—was flawlessly executed. Exceptional planning, seamless transport, high-quality accommodations, and attentive guides made it an outstanding travel experience. We would wholeheartedly recommend this itinerary to anyone seeking a comprehensive, comfortable, and deeply rewarding journey through Vietnam.
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We were so pleased with the whole experience. Zicasso’s travel specialist listened to what we were looking for and presented several different options to achieve our goals. The end itinerary was perfect. The trip itself was amazing. The tour guides were fantastic, the hotels very nice, and the experiences were unforgettable.
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Our trip was exceptional in every way. The seamless transfers, great informative guides, beautiful hotels, and the way Zicasso's travel specialist pivoted our stay in Da Nang due to flooding in Hoi An to a beautiful spa. The wonderful sites we saw, the tuk-tuk food tour in Bangkok, and the extra things. It was all great!
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The services provided were super-helpful and the sites visited were great. The hotel bookings were perfect, too.
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We had a phenomenal experience in Vietnam. Zicasso’s travel agent answered all of my questions leading up to the trip (and I had so many!) and tweaked our trip multiple times to make it just right for our family. He arranged a fantastic trip and the local guides he set up were INCREDIBLE. They made an enormous positive impact on our trip.
We enjoyed all of the experiences and hotels, and Vietnam is a gorgeous and diverse country, with so much to see, do, and experience. I'm so glad we spent two weeks in Vietnam instead of trying to do a Vietnam-Thailand-Cambodia experience... I feel like we really got to experience the culture and see more of the country.
The travel company helped us find and set up experiences we wouldn't have found on our own!
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