CONTACT USDiscover the Best of China and Vietnam’s Culture, History, and Natural Wonders
This itinerary is specially designed for those who would like to take a leisurely and in-depth trip to Asia for a 3-week vacation.
As two of most influential countries in Asia, China and Vietnam share some common cultural traits, but they also have their own unique characteristics.
From the historical wonders of the Great Wall in Beijing to the bustling floating markets in the Mekong Delta, this tour offers a comprehensive experience of these two fascinating countries.
With our carefully-designed itinerary and expert guides, this adventure tour could be your journey of a lifetime!
- Days:21±
- Best For:couples, friends, families with adult children
- Departure date:up to you
- Sample price:from US$5,099 each (2 per room)*
- Flights:SE Asia’s included (international on request)
- Cancellations:100% refunded! (till 21 days before)
*The cost for a customized private SE Asia tour from US$200/person/day
Tour Highlights
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Highlights Travel (HT Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Highlights Travel (Only With HT) included in this tour:
Discover the soul of the Forbidden City: Get off the ordinary sightseeing route and unveil the lives of China’s royal family in their hidden halls.
Walk along the most beautiful section of the Great Wall
Unearth the secrets of the Terracotta Army and make your own terracotta warriors.
Explore the most-easily-accessible spectacular rice terraces in China, which is more accessible than Vietnam’s.
Time Travel on the Bund and Feel the Speed of Shanghai’s Development.
Capture the world’s most picturesque karst landscape and seascape: hills in Guilin, China and outcrops in Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Taste the savory flavors of China and Vietnam: Beijing roast duck, handmade dumplings, fresh Vietnam spring rolls…
Experience different countryside life in the south of China and the Mekong Delta.
Paddle a traditional Vietnamese basket boat along the coconut-palm-flanked waterways to learn about the local fisherman’s lifestyle.
Enjoy two free day by the beach in Da Nang for a relaxing break during the long trip.
China and Vietnam Tour Map (Suggested Route)
Suggested Itinerary for Inspiration
Your preferences design the real journey. We’re ready to create a wonderful China and Vietnam tour for you.
Day1
Beijing Arrival, China
Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will greet you at the airport and then drive you to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore at your leisure.
Day2
Beijing City Highlights Tour with a Hutong Visit
- Start your day from the historic Tian’anmen Square.
- Explore the emperors’ Forbidden City: get off the ordinary sightseeing route and listen to interesting stories of eight famous personalities that are not told by typical tour guides.
- Walk into the Hutongs and discover the traditional Beijing lifestyle.
- Enjoy an authentic Beijing roast duck dinner in a time-honored-brand restaurant.
Learn Chinese Calligraphy with a Hutong Resident
Day3
The Great Wall of China and Temple of Heaven
- Explore the most-beautifully-restored section of the Great Wall —Mutianyu with round-way cable-car rides up and down.
- Visit the iconic Temple of Heaven where emperors prayed for good harvests for centuries. Appreciate the relaxed lifestyle of local seniors there.
The Temple of Heaven
Day4
The Summer Palace, Beijing to Xi’an by High-Speed Train
- Drive to the most famous imperial garden in China — the Summer Palace. It is where emperors used to retreat to flee the summer heat. Take a boat ride on tranquil Kunming Lake in the heart of the vast garden.
- After lunch at a local restaurant, take a high-speed train to Xi’an (about 6 hours).
- Guide-accompanied railway station transfers in both Beijing and Xi’an are included.
The Summer Palace
Day5
Secrets of the Terracotta Army
- Discover the incredible Terracotta Army, which has guarded First Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210 BC. Your guide will help you find your favorite terracotta warrior using a unique process designed by Highlights Travel.
- Visit a typical Shaanxi cave house and to learn how to make your own terracotta warrior there. Get to know traditional techniques used 2,000 years ago and try your hand at molding, carving, and painting.
- Walk on Xi’an’s City Wall. Hear the echoes of history and get an emperor’s-eye view of the city.
Walk on Xi’an’s City Wall
Day6
Xi’an City Tour, Fly to Guilin
- Visit one of the best museums in China — Shaanxi History Museum — which gives a perfect overview of Chinese history and is not to be missed.
- See Chinese-style architecture combined with dozens of historic Buddhist statues and murals at Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is another landmark of Xi’an.
- Learn how to make Chinese dumplings in a local’s house and enjoy a home-cooked lunch.
- Transfer to Xi’an’s airport and fly to Guilin. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will greet you in the airport and transfer directly to your hotel.
Learn how to make Chinese dumplings in a local’s house
Day7
The Terraced Mountains of Longsheng
- Travel on a smooth highway for 2 hours to the famous Longji Terraced Rice Fields. You can either walk up or take an electric buggy to get to the viewpoints.
- Appreciate awesome views over the rolling mountains tiered with lush rice paddies.
- Cook a local favorite — ‘bamboo tube rice’ — in a minority family house.
- Return to Guilin by late afternoon.
The Longji Terraced Rice Fields
Day8
Li River Cruise with Scenic Spectacles at Every Turn
- Enjoy a 4-star Li River cruise (the highest level of cruise, offering better facilities and a buffet lunch) on your journey from Guilin to Yangshuo. The Li River is listed as one of the world’s 15 best rivers for travelers by CNN.
- Arrive at your riverside resort in Yangshuo in afternoon. Sit back in relaxed setting with a nice cup of coffee — that’s what a vacation should be like!
- Enjoy a relaxing evening in Yangshuo.
Day9
Explore Quaint Villages and Rivers, Fly to Shanghai
- Explore the Yangshuo countryside by bike with your guide. Narrow single-lane trails lead you to secluded villages and karst-crowned fields.
- Get on a bamboo recliner on a traditional bamboo raft with a private punter to glide along the dreamy Yulong River.
- Say goodbye to Yangshuo and transfer to Guilin to connect with your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you directly your hotel.
The bamboo rafts glide along the Yulong River
Day10
Explore the Charming City of Shanghai
- Visit Yu Garden, which is an exquisite classical garden, hidden and well-preserved among the high buildings.
- Walking along the Bund, you will learn about Shanghai’s rise to super-size.
- Wander through the backstreets to get a glimpse of Shanghainese lifestyles.
- Be like a local as you hop on a public ferry among the crowds to cross the Huangpu River and slowly travel from old Shanghai to new Shanghai — Pudong New Area.
- There, take the fastest elevator in the world and ascend the second-highest building in the world — Shanghai Tower.
The night view of the Bund
Day11
Fly from Shanghai to Hanoi with Private Airport Transfers
- As your China tour comes to its end, your private guide and driver will transfer you to Shanghai Airport for your onward flight.
- Upon arrival in Hanoi, your new Vietnam private guide and driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Day12
Hanoi City Tour with Old Quarter Cyclo Ride
- Explore Hanoi’s top attractions: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
- Hop on a cyclo (a local rickshaw) and catch a glimpse Hanoi’s city life, passing through the bustling and famed Old Quarter.
- Conclude your day by watching a long-loved local water puppet performance.
Take a Cyclo Ride in Old Quarter
Day13
Take an Overnight Halong Bay Cruise to Unspoiled Isles
- After breakfast, you will be transferred from Hanoi to Halong Bay.
- Board your junk cruise at noon. This smaller craft is both more intimate and more authentic than the usual group-tour boats.
- Swim in the emerald waters of Tra Bau cove in Lan Ha Bay.
- Roll up your sleeves and learn how to make Vietnamese spring rolls.
- Try your hand at squid fishing in the evening or maybe another local activity you have interest in.
- Taste exquisite drinks and savor delicious food on board while enjoying the spectacular views.
AH Hand-Picked Overnight Cruise
Day14
Halong Bay to Hoi An (fly from Hanoi to Da Nang)
- In the morning, after breakfast, kayak in the Ao Ech area to discover Ha Long’s hidden paradise — Lan Ha Bay.
- After brunch, transfer from Halong Bay back to Hanoi for your onward flight to Da Nang.
- Upon arrival in Da Nang, your new guide and driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to Hoi An.
Kayak in the Ao Ech Area
Day15
Hoi An Fisher-Folk Experience and Evening Foodie Tour
- At a fishing village near Hoi An, experience the fishermen’s lifestyle. Cruise down Cua Dai River and try your hand at casting Vietnamese fishing nets.
- Paddle a uniquely-Vietnamese ’round-basket-boat’ on tranquil coconut-tree-flanked waterways, just as the fisher-folk do traditionally.
- Learn more about Vietnamese culture through its food during an evening specialty-tasting tour.
- Ride through the ancient town and take a boat trip on the Hoai River for a dreamy night surrounded by colorful lanterns — hanging and floating.
Day16 – 17
Free Time by the Beach
- Have two rest day to spend at your leisure on Da Nang’s idyllic beaches.
Day18
Da Nang to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta
- In the morning, transfer to Da Nang’s airport and board your flight to Can Tho. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will transfer you to the hotel.
- If you are full of energy and want to do some activities, we are happy to arrange Can Tho countryside cycling for you.
Day19
Cai Rang Floating Market, Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
- Get up early to see the most-bustling floating market in the Mekong Delta.
- Have fun with a leisurely sampan ride through the picturesque canals of Cai Be.
- Transfer to Ho Chi Minh and stay overnight there.
The Cai Rang Floating Market
Day20
Ho Chi Minh City Tour with the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Discover Ho Chi Minh City’s turbulent history at its most historic landmarks: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Saigon Central Post Office, and Reunification Palace.
- Continue your tour at the informative War Remnants Museum to learn about ‘the American War’ from a Vietnamese perspective.
- Get an insight into the Saigonese lifestyle and its culture by tasting a cup of Vietnamese coffee with the locals at a popular street cafe.
- Head to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which reflect the hardships and resilience of the Vietnamese resistance fighters.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
Day21
Ho Chi Minh Departure
- Your 3-week Asia tour comes to its end on the southerly coast of Asia’s curvy-and-slender country. We trust you will now know China’s top four destinations and Vietnam’s ‘four slenders’! After breakfast, transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport for your departure flight.
Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours
Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.
 Han Chinese Clothing and Customs ExperienceFor Couples and Family |  Shanghai Chic by NightFor Couples |  Tailor-make a Vietnamese ao dai or another dress you likeFor birthday/anniversary celebration |  See the A O Show in Ho Chin Minh CityFor those who like art |
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we’ll find your ideal hotel.
 A riverbank resort in Yangshuo |  A modern design hotel in Xi’an |  Michelin recommended hotel in Shanghai |  Central located hotel in Beijing |  Hotel with nostalgic style in Hanoi |  Central located hotel in Ho Chi Minh |  A riverbank resort in Hoi An |
