18-Night Vietnam Travel Itinerary: Saigon to Hanoi via Nha Trang, Hoi An, Ninh Binh, & Ha Long Bay

Day 1: Arrival in Saigon

Morning: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), check into hotel and freshen up.

Afternoon: Explore the War Remnants Museum and stroll down Dong Khoi Street.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Bui Vien Street.

Find Hotels

Day 2: Saigon City Tour

Morning: Visit the historic Cu Chi Tunnels just outside the city.

Afternoon: Discover Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the Central Post Office.

Evening: Take a night walk along the Saigon River waterfront.

Find Hotels

Day 3: Travel to Nha Trang

Morning: Take a morning flight or train to Nha Trang.

Afternoon: Visit Po Nagar Cham Towers and relax on Nha Trang Beach.

Evening: Dine at a seafood restaurant by the beach.

Find Hotels

Day 4: Island Tour in Nha Trang

Morning: Boat tour to Hon Mun Island for snorkeling and marine life exploration.

Afternoon: Visit Thap Ba Hot Springs for a mud bath and spa.

Evening: Explore the night market and sample local street food.

Find Hotels

Day 5: Travel to Hoi An

Morning: Fly or take train to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An.

Afternoon: Walk around the Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evening: Enjoy lantern-lit streets and riverside dining at Hoai River Waterfront.

Find Hotels

Day 6: Hoi An Cultural Day

Morning: Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky Old House.

Afternoon: Take a cooking class to learn traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Evening: Relax with a Hoi An massage or coffee at a local café.

Find Hotels

Day 7: My Son Sanctuary

Morning: Half-day trip to the My Son Hindu Champa ruins.

Afternoon: Return to Hoi An, relax at Cua Dai Beach.

Evening: Dinner at a riverside restaurant in ancient town.

Find Hotels

Day 8: Day Trip to Cham Islands

Morning: Take a boat to Cham Islands for snorkeling and nature walks.

Afternoon: Beach time and local seafood lunch on the islands.

Evening: Return to Hoi An for rest.

Find Hotels

Day 9: Travel to Ninh Binh

Morning: Early flight or train from Da Nang to Hanoi, then transfer to Ninh Binh.

Afternoon: Boat ride through the stunning karst landscape at Trang An Grottoes.

Evening: Dinner in local guesthouse or small town restaurant.

Find Hotels

Day 10: Ninh Binh Countryside Exploration

Morning: Visit Bich Dong Pagoda and explore nearby caves.

Afternoon: Bike ride through rice paddies towards Tam Coc.

Evening: Relax at accommodation and enjoy traditional Vietnamese home cooking.

Find Hotels

Day 11: Hiking & Temple Visits

Morning: Hike up Mua Cave viewpoint for panoramic views of Tam Coc.

Afternoon: Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and its temples.

Evening: Enjoy a quiet evening by the river.

Find Hotels

Day 12: Travel to Ha Long Bay

Morning: Transfer from Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay.

Afternoon: Board a cruise ship to start your Ha Long Bay adventure.

Evening: Enjoy onboard dinner and evening activities on the cruise.

Find Hotels

Day 13: Ha Long Bay Cruise

Morning: Kayaking and cave visits, including Sung Sot Cave.

Afternoon: Swimming and relaxing on the deck surrounded by limestone islands.

Evening: Cooking demonstration and squid fishing on board.

Find Hotels

Day 14: Return to Hanoi

Morning: Disembark cruise and travel to Hanoi.

Afternoon: Check-in and visit the Old Quarter for shopping and cafes.

Evening: Watch a traditional Water Puppet Show.

Find Hotels

Day 15: Hanoi City Tour

Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda.

Afternoon: Explore the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Evening: Dinner in the French Quarter.

Find Hotels

Day 16: Day Trip to Bat Trang Pottery Village

Morning: Visit Bat Trang Village to learn traditional pottery techniques.

Afternoon: Hands-on pottery workshop and shopping for souvenirs.

Evening: Return to Hanoi for a relaxed evening.

Find Hotels

Day 17: Leisure Day in Hanoi

Morning: Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple.

Afternoon: Free time for shopping or café hopping in the Old Quarter.

Evening: Farewell dinner featuring Northern Vietnamese cuisine.

Find Hotels

Day 18: Departure

Morning: Last minute shopping or sightseeing depending on flight time.

Afternoon: Transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for departure.

Evening: Flight out or overnight stay if late flight.

Find Hotels

Time and Cost Estimates

• War Remnants Museum, Saigon – 2 hours, approx. $2 entry.
• Cu Chi Tunnels – 4 hours, approx. $15 tour fee.
• Po Nagar Cham Towers, Nha Trang – 1.5 hours, approx. $2 entry.
• Hon Mun Island Snorkeling – half day, approx. $25.
• Hoi An Ancient Town – full day, approx. $6 entry.
• My Son Sanctuary – 4 hours, approx. $7 entry + transport.
• Trang An Boat Tour, Ninh Binh – 3 hours, approx. $10.
• Ha Long Bay Cruise (2 days/1 night) – approx. $120 including meals.
• Water Puppet Show, Hanoi – 1.5 hours, approx. $5.
• Bat Trang Pottery Workshop – half day, approx. $15.
• Transportation (flights/trains/buses) – estimated $200 total.
• Accommodation – estimated average $30 per night, total approx. $540.

Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $942 (excluding international flights and personal expenses)

Tips

• To extend your trip, consider adding extra days in Ha Long Bay for a longer cruise or island exploration, or spend more time in Hoi An to relax on nearby beaches.
• To reduce the trip’s length, combine travel days and shorten stays in Nha Trang and Ninh Binh by one day each, focusing on key highlights only.
• Book internal flights early for best prices, especially for the Saigon to Nha Trang and Da Nang to Hanoi legs.
• Consider local guided tours for deeper cultural experiences and easier navigation.