Fancy discovering Vietnam, but the classic tour never quite feels right for you?
Perhaps you like the route, but not the accommodation. Perhaps you’d like to stay longer in one place? Perhaps you already know TUI BLUE from previous holidays and don’t want to miss out on that exact feeling during a tour: arriving, feeling at home, switching off.
Then a self-planned Vietnam tour with TUI BLUE is rather a good idea.
You take the freedom of an individual journey and combine it with hotels that consciously function as retreats. Because Vietnam is beautiful, but also intense. Honking scooters, bustling markets, hot days, new smells, long transfers, countless impressions.
That’s precisely why accommodation makes such a big difference on a tour.
This route takes you from Northern Vietnam all the way to Phu Quoc island. You can put it together yourself or take it as a template to the travel agent and say: “I like this route. But I’d like these specific TUI BLUE hotels as accommodation.”
That way you get the best of both worlds: more influence over your journey and still a good feeling about your hotel choices.
Table of contents
The Route at a Glance
| Stop | Recommended Nights | Why This Place? |
|---|---|---|
| Tam Coc | 3 | Gentle start after the long-haul flight |
| Da Nang | 3 to 4 | City, beach, Hoi An and Central Vietnam |
| Tuy Hoa | 2 | Peaceful stopover with wellness focus |
| Nha Trang | 3 | Beach, city life and excursions |
| Phu Quoc | 4 to 5 | Relaxed finale in private villas |
Total Duration: 14 to 17 days
The route works best between February and April. That’s when the weather for Northern Vietnam, Central Vietnam and Phu Quoc aligns particularly well.
Stop 1: Tam Coc Instead of Hanoi
Many Vietnam journeys begin with a few days in Hanoi.
That’s understandable, as many international flights land there. But after a long-haul flight, Hanoi isn’t necessarily the most relaxing introduction.
The city is fascinating. But it’s also loud, crowded and fast-paced.
Motorbikes stream through the streets in dense flows. Street food stalls steam on every corner. People, sounds, smells, heat. Everything hits you at once.
If you’d like to ease in gently, Tam Coc is the better idea.
From February 2027, the new TUI BLUE Tam Coc opens here. The region around Ninh Binh counts among Vietnam’s most beautiful landscapes: emerald rice paddies, rivers, caves and limestone karsts rising steeply from the plains. The area is often described as the “dry Halong Bay”.
Why I’d Start Here
After the flight, you don’t need to function immediately.
You can sleep, have breakfast, head to the pool, perhaps visit the spa. And you’re still right in the heart of Vietnam, just in a quieter version.
Tam Coc is the perfect first stop if you don’t want to launch straight into a big city.
Highlights Around Tam Coc
- Boat trip through the Tam Coc landscape
- Hang Mua Viewpoint
- Bich Dong Pagoda
- Cycling tours through rice paddies
- Trang An Landscape Complex
- Ninh Binh as a base for excursions
Why the Hotel as First Retreat Matters
The first hotel stop often determines how relaxed a tour begins.
After a long-haul flight, you don’t need sightseeing pressure. You need a place where you can ease into Vietnam gradually.
Pool, spa and nature on your doorstep make Tam Coc an ideal starting point. You experience one of the country’s most beautiful landscapes straight away whilst still being able to sleep off the jet lag in peace.
My Tip
Plan 3 nights in Tam Coc.
If you’d like to see Hanoi, you don’t have to skip the city. Better to add it at the end of your journey or before your return flight for 1 to 2 nights. Then you’ll experience Hanoi more alert and relaxed.
Stop 2: Da Nang and Hoi An
After Tam Coc, head back towards Hanoi and continue by domestic flight to Da Nang. Now Central Vietnam begins.
Da Nang provides a good contrast to the peaceful start in the north. The city sits by the sea, has a broad riverside promenade along the Han River and is perfect for excursions to the surrounding area.
For accommodation, I’d choose TUI BLUE Han River.
The hotel sits on the Han River and suits this stage perfectly: urban, modern, central and yet with retreats you genuinely need on a tour.
Why I’d Choose This Hotel
Da Nang isn’t a place where you’ll just stay in the hotel. You’ll want to get out. To the Dragon Bridge. To My Khe Beach. To the Marble Mountains. To Hoi An. Perhaps also to the Ba Na Hills or over the Hai Van Pass.
That’s precisely why you need a hotel you’re happy to return to in the evening.
TUI BLUE Han River offers several strong arguments for this: a large outdoor pool with integrated pool bar, spa facilities with sauna and treatment rooms, plus a rooftop location with views over the city and river.
Hotel Highlights
- Rooftop restaurant and bar with city and river views
- Outdoor pool with pool bar
- Spa with sauna and massages
- Central location on the Han River
- Close to the Dragon Bridge
- Great base for Hoi An, Marble Mountains and My Khe Beach
Highlights Around Da Nang
- Dragon Bridge, especially in the evening
- Han River Promenade
- Marble Mountains
- My Khe Beach
- Hoi An Old Town
- Son Tra Peninsula
- Golden Bridge in the Ba Na Hills
- Hai Van Pass
If you’d like to plan your days in the city in more detail, you’ll find plenty of ideas in the BLUE Blog article Da Nang Attractions: Top 12 Highlights & Insider Tips.
Why Da Nang Belongs in This Route
Da Nang makes the journey more varied.
After the nature of Tam Coc, modern Vietnam comes into play here: high-rises, beach, cafés, street food, bridges, lights along the river. At the same time, you’re close to Hoi An, one of the country’s most beautiful old towns.
That’s exactly the mix that makes a Vietnam tour exciting.
My Tip
Plan 3 nights if you want to combine Da Nang and Hoi An at a relaxed pace.
Take 4 nights if you’d additionally like to include Ba Na Hills, Son Tra Peninsula or the Hai Van Pass.
Stop 3: Tuy Hoa, the Mid-Journey Pause
Many Vietnam tours bypass Tuy Hoa. Rather a shame, actually. Because this place brings calm to the route.
Tuy Hoa sits between Da Nang and Nha Trang and feels noticeably more laid-back than the better-known coastal spots. Less hustle, less programme, more breathing space.
For accommodation, TUI BLUE Tuy Hoa fits particularly well here.
Why I’d Choose This Hotel
For me, Tuy Hoa is the recovery stage of the tour. Not every stop needs to be a full sightseeing block. After Tam Coc and Da Nang, a place where you shift down a gear feels good.
TUI BLUE Tuy Hoa makes this stopover worthwhile. It offers a 360-degree sky lounge, a wellness area with sauna, steam room and whirlpool, a Jjim Jil Bang inspired by Korean bathhouses, and a year-round pool.
After several days of travel, that’s not a nice extra. That’s exactly what you need.
Hotel Highlights
- 360-degree sky lounge with views over Tuy Hoa
- Wellness area with sauna, steam room and whirlpool
- Jjim Jil Bang modelled on a Korean bathhouse
- Year-round pool
- Rooftop bar
- Spacious rooms and suites
- Tennis court and pickleball court with equipment to borrow
- Close to Nhan Tower, Tuy Hoa Beach and Nghinh Phong Square
Highlights Around Tuy Hoa
- Tuy Hoa Beach
- Nhan Tower
- Nghinh Phong Square
- Coastal landscapes of Phu Yen Province
- Local seafood cuisine
- Quieter beaches off the well-trodden Vietnam routes
If you don’t know the place yet, read the blog article Tuy Hoa: Hidden Gem in Vietnam.
Why This Stop Makes Sense
A good tour needs pauses. Tuy Hoa isn’t the place where you tick off five programme points per day. It’s the place where you sleep in, have a proper breakfast, perhaps pop to the beach briefly and later head to the sky lounge. That’s precisely what keeps the journey pleasant.
My Tip
Plan 2 nights in Tuy Hoa.
It needn’t be more. This stop shouldn’t lengthen the journey, but make it more relaxed.
Stop 4: Nha Trang Between Beach, City and Views
After Tuy Hoa, the journey can become livelier again.
Nha Trang is known for long beaches, markets, restaurants, temples and excursions to islands off the coast. The city has more energy than Tuy Hoa, but that’s precisely why the sequence works so well. First calm. Then choice again.
For accommodation, I’d choose TUI BLUE Nha Trang.
Why I’d Choose This Hotel
Nha Trang can be bustling. That’s precisely why a hotel matters that gives you distance from the city without being far out.
TUI BLUE Nha Trang sits centrally and just a short walk from the beach. The strongest argument is the restaurant on the 30th floor with views over city and sea.
After a day between market, beach and temples, you sit up there and suddenly have distance from everything. The city below. The view above.
Add to that the BLUE Spa and pool area. Exactly these kinds of places make a tour more pleasant, because you’re not just out and about every day.
Hotel Highlights
- Restaurant on the 30th floor
- Panoramic views over city and sea
- BLUE Spa
- Pool area
- Studios and suites with plenty of space
- Some with balcony, sea view or mountain view
- Good location for beach, market and city strolls
Highlights Around Nha Trang
- Ponagar Tower
- Long Son Pagoda
- Dam Market
- Nha Trang Beach
- Hon Chong
- Hon Mun
- National Oceanographic Museum
- Nha Trang Cathedral
Which attractions are worth visiting can be found in the BLUE Blog article Nha Trang Attractions: What You Shouldn’t Miss.
Why Nha Trang Fits This Route
Nha Trang brings the classic coastal city feeling back into the journey.
You can swim, eat well, take excursions and walk through the city in the evening. At the same time, it’s the last lively mainland stop before the journey becomes quieter on Phu Quoc.
My Tip
Plan 3 nights in Nha Trang.
That gives you time for a beach day, an excursion and a relaxed evening with views over the city.
Stop 5: Phu Quoc as a Relaxed Finale
Phu Quoc belongs at the end of this route. Once you’ve experienced Tam Coc, Da Nang, Tuy Hoa and Nha Trang, Phu Quoc feels like a reward.
For the finale, I’d choose TUI BLUE Villa Retreat Phu Quoc.
Why I’d Choose This Hotel
After two weeks in Vietnam, you don’t need another city stop. You need peace.
TUI BLUE Villa Retreat Phu Quoc sits in the south of the island in tropical surroundings. Instead of classic hotel rooms, private villas await you. Add an outdoor pool, pool bar, spa, yoga sessions and plenty of space to switch off.
Particularly lovely: the villas offer garden, pool or sea views depending on category. Some features like open-air showers and generous living areas fit perfectly with this final section of the journey.
Here it’s no longer about seeing as much as possible. Here it’s about finally not having to do anything.
Hotel Highlights
- Private villas instead of classic hotel rooms
- Garden, pool or sea views depending on category
- Open-air showers in the villas
- Outdoor pool
- Pool bar
- Spa
- Yoga sessions
- Tropical gardens
- Peaceful location for the tour finale
Highlights on Phu Quoc
- Beach days on the coast
- Sunsets
- Ho Quoc Temple
- Night market
- Boat trips
- Island hopping
- Cable car to Hon Thom
- Relaxed seafood evenings
More ideas for the island can be found in the BLUE Blog article Phu Quoc Attractions: Your Guide.
Why Phu Quoc Is the Right Ending
A tour shouldn’t end exhausted. Phu Quoc gives you time to let the impressions of recent days sink in.
You don’t need to move on every morning. You don’t need to plan another transfer. You can sleep in, lounge by the pool, head to the sea and dine in the evening without having to understand another new city.
That’s precisely why I’d schedule the longest stage here.
My Tip
Plan 4 to 5 nights on Phu Quoc.
At this point in the journey, you’re allowed to slow down.
Variations of the TUI BLUE Vietnam Tour
14-Night Variation
| Place | Nights |
|---|---|
| Tam Coc | 3 |
| Da Nang | 3 |
| Tuy Hoa | 2 |
| Nha Trang | 3 |
| Phu Quoc | 3 |
This variation works if you want to see plenty but can’t travel for longer than two weeks.
16-Night Variation
| Place | Nights |
|---|---|
| Tam Coc | 3 |
| Da Nang | 4 |
| Tuy Hoa | 2 |
| Nha Trang | 3 |
| Phu Quoc | 4 |
This variation is more relaxed. Da Nang and Phu Quoc especially benefit from the extra time.
Variation with Hanoi
| Place | Nights |
|---|---|
| Tam Coc | 3 |
| Hanoi | 1 to 2 |
| Da Nang | 3 |
| Tuy Hoa | 2 |
| Nha Trang | 3 |
| Phu Quoc | 4 |
This variation works well if you don’t want to skip Hanoi but don’t want to experience the capital immediately after your long-haul flight.
How to Get from A to B
The route looks long at first glance. But it’s perfectly manageable if you connect the major distances with domestic flights and plan the shorter sections by transfer or train.
| Route | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Hanoi Airport to Tam Coc | Private transfer or organised transfer |
| Tam Coc to Hanoi Airport | Transfer |
| Hanoi to Da Nang | Domestic flight |
| Da Nang to Tuy Hoa | Train, transfer or domestic connection depending on availability |
| Tuy Hoa to Nha Trang | Transfer or train |
| Nha Trang to Phu Quoc | Domestic flight with connection depending on route |
| Phu Quoc back to UK | Return flight via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City |
If you don’t want to book the journey completely yourself, you can use this route as a template. Many travel agents and tour operators can check individual hotel preferences and adapt existing tours.
Who Is This Vietnam Tour Ideal For?
- This route suits you particularly well if you want to see Vietnam but aren’t looking for a classic group tour.
- It fits if you enjoy planning but don’t want to make fresh decisions every day.
- It also fits if you already know TUI BLUE and don’t want to take a new risk with every accommodation on a tour.
Especially Suitable For
- Couples visiting Vietnam for the first time
- TUI BLUE fans planning an individual tour
- Travellers for whom good hotels matter more than as many stops as possible
- Anyone who wants to experience Vietnam whilst still needing retreats
- Active travellers who want a few proper beach days at the end
My Conclusion: Plan Vietnam Yourself, But Don’t Start from Scratch
A Vietnam tour doesn’t have to be completely pre-packaged. And it doesn’t have to be completely self-organised either. This route is a middle way.
You can recreate it yourself. You can adapt individual stops. Or you give it to your travel agent or tour operator as a template and have them check how best to book it.
The goal remains the same: experience Vietnam from north to south whilst choosing accommodation you genuinely look forward to along the way.
Because after a day between boats, temples, markets, beaches and millions of new impressions, that’s precisely the greatest luxury. A place where you arrive.
Can I combine several TUI BLUE hotels in one Vietnam tour?
Yes. That’s exactly what this route is designed for. You can combine several TUI BLUE hotels along your Vietnam tour and discover different regions of the country without having to research each accommodation afresh.
How many days should I plan for a Vietnam tour?
For the route presented, we recommend 14 to 17 days. That gives you enough time for Northern Vietnam, Central Vietnam and Phu Quoc island without having to move on every day.
When is the best time to travel for this Vietnam route?
The route works particularly well between February and April. During this period, Northern Vietnam, Central Vietnam and Phu Quoc combine best together.
Can I also book the tour through a travel agent?
Yes. You can use this route as a template and tell a travel agent or tour operator your preferred TUI BLUE hotels. Many tours can be adapted individually.
Is this route suitable for Vietnam first-timers?
Yes. The route combines well-known highlights with relaxed stopovers and is particularly suitable for travellers visiting Vietnam for the first time.
Why does the route start in Tam Coc and not Hanoi?
Tam Coc offers a calmer introduction after the long-haul flight. Instead of diving straight into the hustle of the capital, you can first arrive amongst rice paddies and limestone karsts and shake off the jet lag.
How do I get between the individual stages of the tour?
The longer distances can be comfortably covered with domestic flights. Shorter sections can be combined with transfers, trains or private car services depending on the route.
Which place is best suited for a beach holiday?
Phu Quoc is the relaxed finale of the journey and ideal for several days by the sea. Da Nang and Nha Trang also offer beautiful beaches, but combine these more strongly with city life and excursion opportunities.
Which stop is the hidden gem of the route?
Tuy Hoa still counts as a hidden gem in Vietnam. The region offers quieter beaches, fewer visitors and a relaxed atmosphere between the better-known stops of Da Nang and Nha Trang.
Who is this Vietnam tour suitable for?
The route suits couples particularly well, TUI BLUE regulars and travellers who want to experience Vietnam individually without compromising on accommodation.