13 days from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City — vegan feasts, ancient cities, rescued wildlife and a cruise through Halong Bay.
Join us on a trip to some of Vietnam’s most beautiful spots — from vegan feasts and ancient cities to rescued wildlife and spa-worthy relaxation, it offers something for everybody.
We travel the length of the country: mornings by Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, a cruise between the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, the imperial grandeur of Hue, lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An, and the unstoppable energy of Ho Chi Minh City — with plant-based Vietnamese food leading the way at every stop.
Airport transfers included on day 1 and day 13 of the trip. Prices per person; international flights not included.
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After settling in, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s vegan restaurants — a serene, atmospheric spot serving beautifully plated Vietnamese plant-based dishes. It’s the perfect place to meet fellow travelers and ease into the rhythms of Vietnam.
If you arrived from far away, you will probably be up very early — perfect for a run or walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, and a great way to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle: people are out and about very early doing Tai Chi, aerobics and running.
Today’s guided tour brings you face-to-face with the cultural soul of Hanoi. You’ll visit the peaceful Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, stroll the Old Quarter’s historic alleys, and sip a coconut coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake. In the afternoon, return to your hotel for a leisurely break or indulgent spa treatment — or set off on your own to shop, sip, or wander at your own pace before we meet up again for dinner, which will be a vegan food tour with a local.
After breakfast, we journey to Ninh Binh (about a two-hour drive), a region of misty rice paddies, limestone cliffs, and hidden temples. While we will visit some of them, today’s highlight is a heartwarming visit to the Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh. Run by FOUR PAWS, this sanctuary provides a peaceful haven for bears rescued from bile farms.
If you wish to spend the day in Hanoi, you are of course welcome to do so as well.
This morning, set off from Hanoi for a slow, scenic escape into one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After arriving at the marina, step aboard our boat for a three-day voyage through the emerald waters and towering limestone karsts of Halong and Lan Ha Bay.
Your days will flow with just the right blend of relaxation and adventure — gorgeous landscapes, relaxing on the deck, and sunset cocktails are only the beginning. Cool off with a swim in secluded bays, try your hand at Vietnamese cooking, and sip cocktails under fiery skies during the onboard happy hour.
Please note that, unless our group grows big enough for a full charter, there might be activities such as squid fishing offered on board.
On day two, cruise deeper into Lan Ha Bay and explore Viet Hai Village by bicycle or electric car, where jungle-framed roads lead to a rustic village. Later, glide through hidden coves by kayak and dive into the pristine waters.
Begin your day with sunrise Tai Chi and a light breakfast, followed by a cruise through the bay’s dreamlike scenery before we head back to the coast.
After disembarking, you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch a short flight to Hue. Check in at your hotel and unwind with a delicious vegan dinner close by. Don’t miss a stroll through town at night.
Hue, located in central Vietnam along the peaceful Perfume River, is a city steeped in imperial history and poetic charm. Once the capital of the Nguyễn Dynasty, Hue is home to the impressive Imperial City (Đại Nội), a vast walled citadel filled with moats, ancient gates, and remnants of royal palaces — with highlights like the Thai Hoa Palace and the atmospheric Forbidden Purple City.
Beyond the citadel, we take a scenic dragon boat ride down the Perfume River, named for the fragrant blossoms that once drifted into its waters. Along the way, you’ll encounter iconic sites like Thien Mu Pagoda and the elaborately designed royal tombs of emperors such as Khai Dinh, Minh Mang, and Tu Duc — each set in lush landscapes that blend spiritual and architectural grandeur.
After breakfast, we embark on our drive to Hoi An — let’s hope we get a clear view as we cross Hai Van Pass with its gorgeous ocean views! Upon arrival in Hoi An and dropping our stuff at the hotel, set out to explore this charming town a bit before we meet again for dinner.
If you wish to do laundry, this is a great opportunity and is included in the tour cost.
Tonight, we get to try the local speciality, Cao Lầu — veganized, of course. Cao Lầu is the local noodle dish in which the rice noodles are made from rice soaked in lye water (similar to pretzels), which gives them a chewy, springy texture and grayish-brown or yellowish colour.
Wake to birdsong and enjoy a nourishing breakfast before setting out to today’s activities. This morning, we head to a nearby farm for a peaceful vegan cooking class — including a guided garden tour. We will enjoy our own homemade Vietnamese lunch!
In the afternoon, we explore Hoi An’s Ancient Town. With its preserved architecture, colorful markets, and artisan shops, it’s a place to wander and fall in love with Vietnam’s charm. Enjoy the afternoon and dinner on your own.
This morning, we hop on a flight to our final destination: HCMC — Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). This bustling city is the country’s largest (population about 14 million) and has a reputation of being Vietnam’s most vegan-friendly, so let’s find out!
And how can we do that better than on a vegan food tour of the city — the tour will replace dinner.
Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic — lots of traffic — HCMC is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC’s dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future.
This city has many well-known attractions including the War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, and Ben Thanh Market, and we will visit many of them on today’s city tour. After lunch, you are free to explore the city on your own.
Today, we head to the outskirts of HCMC for two very different visits. First, tunnel your way back in time at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Located on the northwestern fringes of greater Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi District is home to a network of over 250 kilometers of tunnels used by the Viet Cong to evade American and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Enter the tunnels at either one of two entrances — getting dirty is part of the package, so dress accordingly.
After lunch, we explore a bit of the Mekong Delta. This delta is known as “the rice bowl” of Vietnam, due to the seemingly endless fields of rice. In this water world, you will see houses and markets floating along the river — a fabulous destination for those who want to experience the humble beauty of the Mekong Delta, get closer to nature and meet the hospitable people of this region.
We return to HCMC for our final dinner together — and maybe rooftop drinks?!
Enjoy breakfast at your own pace at the hotel before your transfer to the airport (SGN is the airport code).
Whether you’re headed home or continuing your travels, you’ll leave Vietnam with a heart full of memories, a suitcase scented with lemongrass, and maybe a few new recipes to bring your journey to life again and again.
Unless our group grows big enough for a full charter of the Halong Bay ship, there might be activities such as squid fishing offered on board.
The Cu Chi Tunnels involve crawling through narrow spaces — getting dirty is part of the package, so dress accordingly.
All included meals are vegan, from the welcome dinner in Hanoi to the veganized Cao Lầu in Hoi An and the food tours in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Vegan Tours NY has been running tours in New York City since 2019 and expanded to international trips in 2023. Our trips have a strong food focus, with all included meals being vegan. Questions? Email eat@vegantoursny.com or call 917-744-4933.