Hanoi – Ha Long – Da Nang – Ba Na Hills 5 Days 4 Nights

Absolutely! We designed this tour specifically with first-timers in mind. You’ll hit all the must-see highlights of Northern and Central Vietnam without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Our English-speaking guides are experienced in working with international travellers and will make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way. We’ve also built in the perfect balance between structured activities and free time, so you can explore at your own pace. Plus, all the logistics are handled – hotels, transportation, flights – so you can focus on enjoying the experience rather than stressing about the details.

Vietnam is beautiful year-round, but the sweet spots are October to April for the best weather across all regions. Ha Long Bay is stunning in the cooler months (November to February), while Da Nang and Hoi An are fantastic from February to May. That said, we run this tour throughout the year, and each season has its own charm. Book at least 2-3 months in advance if you’re traveling during peak season (December-January and July-August) to secure the best hotel availability and flight prices. The tour in the document runs during Lunar New Year (mid-January 2026), which is an extra special time to experience Vietnamese culture, though it’s also busier.

Great question! The tour includes two accommodation options. The 3-star package ($360/person) features comfortable, clean hotels like Anise in Hanoi and Sepon Blue in Da Nang – perfect for travellers who want a nice place to rest without breaking the bank. The 4-star package ($382/person) upgrades you to hotels like Babylon in Hanoi and Cicilia in Da Nang, offering more amenities, better locations, and extra comfort. Both options include buffet breakfast and are centrally located. All hotels are carefully selected based on guest reviews, cleanliness standards, and proximity to main attractions. If you want to upgrade to 5-star luxury, just let us know – we can customize the package!

Pack smart and you’ll be comfortable the whole trip! Bring lightweight, breathable clothing (Vietnam can be humid), but also pack a light jacket or sweater for the cable car ride at Ba Na Hills – it gets surprisingly cool at the top! Comfortable walking shoes are a must since you’ll be exploring cities, caves, and climbing some steps. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent. For Hoi An and temple visits, bring clothes that cover your shoulders and knees (or a scarf/shawl to cover up). A small backpack for day trips, your camera or phone with extra battery, and any personal medications complete the essentials. Oh, and bring an empty water bottle – we provide water daily, but having your own bottle is eco-friendly!

This tour is designed for most fitness levels, but you should be comfortable with moderate activity. You’ll be walking quite a bit (exploring cities, caves, ancient towns), climbing some steps (Sung Sot Cave has about 100 steps, Ba Na Hills has various stairs), and kayaking for 30-60 minutes in Ha Long Bay. None of it is extreme, but if you have mobility issues or health concerns, let us know in advance so we can make accommodations. The cable car at Ba Na Hills is accessible for everyone, and we build in rest times throughout each day. If you can handle a few hours of walking with breaks, you’ll be absolutely fine!

Your package includes daily buffet breakfast at all hotels, lunch on the Ha Long Bay cruise (Day 2), and lunch at Ba Na Hills (Day 4). This gives you the flexibility to explore local restaurants and street food for other meals – part of the fun of Vietnam! If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or are vegetarian/vegan, absolutely tell us when booking. We’ll notify all restaurants and hotels in advance. Vietnamese cuisine is actually very adaptable – there are plenty of vegetarian Buddhist restaurants, and most places can accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, or other requirements. Just communicate your needs clearly, and we’ll make sure you’re well-fed and safe!

It depends on your nationality! Indian citizens do require a visa to enter Vietnam. The good news is that Vietnam offers e-visas, which are easy to apply for online (usually processed within 3 business days and costs around $25 USD for a 30-day single-entry visa). You can apply at the official Vietnam immigration website. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. While we don’t arrange visas (it’s listed in exclusions), we’re happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions. Get your visa sorted at least 2-3 weeks before departure to avoid last-minute stress!

While not mandatory, we strongly recommend getting travel insurance – it’s not included in the package but gives you incredible peace of mind. Good travel insurance covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and unexpected delays. Vietnam is generally very safe, but accidents can happen anywhere, and medical care for foreigners can be expensive without insurance. Plans are usually affordable (around $50-100 for a 5-day trip) and worth every penny. Look for policies that cover adventure activities (since you’ll be kayaking and visiting mountains). Better safe than sorry!

Not at all! Your tour includes an English-speaking guide throughout the entire trip (except during the flight from Hanoi to Da Nang, but we’ll have guides meeting you at both airports). Our guides don’t just speak English – they’re passionate storytellers who love sharing their culture and country with visitors. In major tourist areas like Hanoi, Ha Long, and Da Nang, many locals speak basic English. Even in places where English is limited, hand gestures, smiles, and translation apps work wonders! Plus, having a guide means you’ll never feel lost or confused. They’re there to help with everything from ordering food to haggling at markets.

Great question! Since most major expenses are covered (hotels, transportation, some meals, activities), you’ll mainly need money for lunch/dinner (budget $10-20 per meal), drinks, souvenirs, tips, and optional activities like the lantern release in Hoi An (~$5) or egg coffee at Train Street (~$2). We recommend bringing about $300-500 USD per person for the entire trip if you plan to eat well, buy souvenirs, and do some extra activities. Vietnam is quite affordable! You can exchange money at the airport or withdraw Vietnamese Dong from ATMs (widely available). Credit cards are accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants, but carry cash for street food, markets, and small shops.

Yes, there’s a recommended tipping guideline of $5 per person per day for guides and drivers, which totals around $50 per person for the full 5-day tour. This isn’t automatically included in your package price because tipping is traditionally based on service quality, but it’s customary in Vietnam and greatly appreciated by the hardworking guides and drivers who make your trip special. They work long days to ensure you have an amazing experience! You can tip daily or as a lump sum at the end – whatever feels comfortable. It’s a small amount that makes a big difference to the local team supporting your journey.

Absolutely! While this itinerary is carefully designed to maximize your 5 days in Vietnam, we totally understand that every traveller is unique. Want to spend an extra night in Hoi An? Prefer to skip something and add a cooking class? Interested in seeing the water puppet show in Hanoi? Just let us know! We can customize hotel choices, add extra activities, extend your stay, or adjust the pace. Some travellers want more adventure (motorbiking, trekking), while others prefer more relaxation (spa days, beach time). Our job is to create your perfect Vietnam experience. Customizations may adjust the price slightly, but we’ll always give you options that fit your budget and interests.

Yes! Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s safest countries for tourists. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The most common issues are petty theft (pickpocketing in crowded areas) and overcharging by taxi drivers or vendors – but even these are easy to avoid with common sense and by sticking with your guide’s recommendations. Vietnamese people are incredibly friendly and welcoming to visitors. That said, use normal travel precautions: don’t flash expensive jewelry, watch your belongings in crowded places, use official taxis or Grab (Vietnam’s Uber), and follow your guide’s advice. Traffic can be chaotic (those motorbikes!), so be extra careful crossing streets. Overall, you’ll feel very safe throughout this tour.

Don’t panic! These things happen, and we’ve got contingency plans. If your international flight is delayed and you miss Day 1 activities, we’ll adjust the itinerary to make sure you still see the highlights. For the included domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang on Day 3, there are multiple flights throughout the day, so if there’s a delay, we can typically rebook you on the next available flight. This is why travel insurance is so valuable – it can cover costs associated with delays. Just make sure to contact us immediately if any travel disruptions occur. We have 24/7 emergency support for our travellers, and our team will work quickly to get you back on track with minimal disruption to your adventure.

Definitely! Many of our travellers add extensions either before or after this tour. Popular add-ons include: Sapa (northern mountain region with stunning rice terraces and hill tribe villages), Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the south, or extra beach time in Da Nang or the nearby islands. Some travellers also extend their Hoi An stay – it’s such a charming town that one evening often isn’t enough! We can help you plan and book these extensions, arrange additional hotels, transportation, and guides. Just let us know your interests and how much extra time you have. Vietnam is a long, diverse country, and there’s so much more to explore beyond this 5-day tour!

This particular package is designed for 2 people (2 Pax), making it perfect for couples, friends, or family pairs. It’s an intimate experience where you get personalized attention from your guide. If you’re traveling solo or have a larger group (family reunion, friends trip), we can absolutely accommodate that! Solo travellers can join by paying a single supplement, and larger groups often get better per-person rates. The beauty of smaller group sizes is flexibility – you can adjust the pace, take more photos, ask more questions, and truly connect with your guide and the destinations. No being herded around with 40 other tourists!

The tour example runs January 15-19, 2026, which falls during Vietnam’s winter and also coincides with the Lunar New Year period. Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long) will be cooler – typically 15-20°C (59-68°F) – so you’ll want layers and a light jacket. Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An) is warmer, around 20-25°C (68-77°F), with pleasant weather perfect for sightseeing. This is actually one of the best times to visit! Ha Long Bay is less humid, and Da Nang has beautiful clear skies. The Lunar New Year adds a special cultural dimension with decorations, festivals, and celebrations. Just note that it’s peak tourist season, so popular spots will be busier – book early! Rain is possible but typically light and brief this time of year.

Vietnam’s official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). The exchange rate fluctuates, but roughly 1 USD = 24,000-25,000 VND (those big numbers can be confusing at first!). You can exchange money at the airport, banks, or authorized exchange offices. ATMs are everywhere in cities and accept international cards (Visa, Mastercard) – just notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks. Many tourist-oriented businesses accept USD, but you’ll get better value using Dong for local purchases. Credit cards work at hotels and upscale restaurants but carry cash for street food, markets, and small shops. Pro tip: Get a mix of denominations – large bills for hotels/restaurants, smaller bills for street vendors and tips.

Vietnamese culture is warm and welcoming, but a few courtesies go a long way! Dress modestly when visiting temples and pagodas (cover shoulders and knees). Remove shoes before entering homes, temples, and some shops – look for shoe racks outside as a clue. When eating, it’s polite to wait for the eldest person to start first. Bargaining is expected at markets but keep it friendly and fun. Don’t touch people’s heads (considered sacred) or point your feet at Buddha statues. Public displays of affection are uncommon. Learn a few Vietnamese phrases – “Xin chào” (hello) and “Cảm ơn” (thank you) will earn you huge smiles! Vietnamese people are forgiving of cultural mistakes, but showing respect for their traditions makes your experience richer and deeper.

Yes, families are welcome! The tour is suitable for children, though very young kids might find the full days tiring. Here’s the children’s pricing policy: Under 5 years old travel FREE (sharing bed and meals with parents), ages 5-10 pay 75% of the adult price, and over 10 years old pay the full adult price. Keep in mind that some activities like kayaking in Ha Long Bay require children to be a certain age/size for safety. The Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park is actually perfect for kids – they’ll love the rides and games! Just let us know the ages of your children when booking so we can ensure everything is age-appropriate and safe. We can also recommend family-friendly restaurants and adjust the pace if needed.