Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

10-Day North and Central Vietnam Adventure: Hanoi, Catba Island, Ninh Binh, Hue, and Hoi An

Viewed by 69 travelers

Day Day 1: Arrival and Explore Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 22, 2025

8:00 am

Arrive in Hanoi

Fly from India to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and a brief rest.
USD 30, 1h30m

10:30 am

Visit the Old Quarter

Stroll through Hanoi's historic Old Quarter, exploring bustling markets and colonial architecture.
Free, 2h

1:00 pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Ta Hanoi

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese bun cha and spring rolls at this popular local eatery.
USD 5, 1h

3:00 pm

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Walk around the scenic lake and visit the historic temple on an island in the lake.
Free, 1h30m

5:00 pm

Relax and explore street food options

Sample Hanoi street food like banh mi and pho in the Old Quarter.
USD 3-5, 2h
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day Day 2: Catba Island Excursion

Hai Phong, Vietnam on July 23, 2025

7:00 am

Travel to Hai Phong

Take a fast train or bus from Hanoi to Hai Phong (approx 2-2.5 hours).
USD 8, 2.5h

9:30 am

Ferry to Catba Island

Board the ferry from Hai Phong to Catba Island, a scenic 1-hour ride.
USD 2, 1h

11:00 am

Explore Catba National Park

Hike or cyclo through lush jungles, visit the jungle caves and enjoy panoramic views.
Free (entry fee approx USD 2), 3h

2:30 pm

Lunch at Catba Riverside

Dine on fresh seafood and local specialties by the waterfront.
USD 7, 1h30m

4:00 pm

Relax or visit local markets

Stroll around Catba town, shop for souvenirs, or relax at the beach.
Free, 2h

6:30 pm

Return to Hai Phong and Hanoi

Ferry back to Hai Phong and then transfer back to Hanoi by bus/train.
USD 10, 3h
Find Hotels in Hai Phong

Day Day 3: Hanoi Culture & History

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 24, 2025

8:00 am

Breakfast at Bami Bat Dan

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese breakfast noodles and eggs.
USD 3, 1h

9:30 am

Visit the Temple of Literature

Explore Vietnam’s first university and historic Confucian site.
USD 1, 1h30m

11:00 am

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Pay respects at the resting place of Vietnam’s founding father. Open in the morning until 11:30 am.
Free, 1h

1:00 pm

Lunch at KOTO

Enjoy a socialenterprise restaurant serving Vietnamese dishes with a purpose.
USD 6, 1h

2:30 pm

Visit Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Learn about Vietnam’s wartime history at this historic prison.
USD 1.50, 1h30m

4:30 pm

Enjoy a Water Puppet Show

Experience traditional Vietnamese puppetry at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.
USD 5, 1h
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day Day 4: Ninh Binh Day Trip

Ninh Binh, Vietnam on July 25, 2025

7:00 am

Travel to Ninh Binh

Private car or bus trip (approx 2 hrs) from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
USD 30, 2h

9:30 am

Visit Tam Coc Baer Lake

Take a scenic boat ride through limestone caves and rice paddies.
USD 10, 2h

12:00 pm

Lunch at local eatery

Sample goat meat, a regional specialty, and other local dishes.
USD 5, 1h

1:30 pm

Explore Bich Dong Pagoda

Visit ancient cave temples and pagodas nestled in mountains.
USD 1, 1h30m

3:30 pm

Return to Hanoi

Travel back to Hanoi to rest or explore more at leisure.
USD 30, 2h
Find Hotels in Ninh Binh

Day Day 5: Travel to Hue

Hue, Vietnam on July 26, 2025

6:30 am

Fly to Hue

Morning flight from Hanoi to Hue (approx 1h 15m).
USD 50, 1h30m

9:00 am

Check-in and rest

Arrive in Hue, settle into your hotel, and rest a bit.
N/A, 1h

11:00 am

Visit the Imperial City

Tour the ancient citadel and royal palaces of the Nguyen dynasty.
USD 6, 2h30m

2:00 pm

Lunch at Huyen Anh Restaurant

Sample Hue specialties like bun bo Hue and banh khoai.
USD 5, 1h

3:30 pm

Thien Mu Pagoda

Visit the historic riverside Buddhist temple and iconic pagoda.
Free, 1h30m

5:30 pm

Relax by the Perfume River

Enjoy sunset views and riverside ambiance.
Free, 1h
Find Hotels in Hue

Day Day 6: Tu Duc Tomb & Local Markets

Hue, Vietnam on July 27, 2025

8:00 am

Visit Tu Duc Tomb

Explore the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc set in a tranquil garden environment.
USD 2, 2h

10:30 am

Dong Ba Market

Shop for souvenirs, spices, and local handicrafts in Hue’s main market.
Free, 1h30m

12:00 pm

Lunch at local street food stalls

Try local street snacks such as banh ram it and sticky rice desserts.
USD 3, 1h

1:30 pm

Relax or explore more

Optional relaxing time or additional sightseeing like the Forbidden Purple City.
N/A, 2h
Find Hotels in Hue

Day Day 7: Travel to Hoi An

Hoi An, Vietnam on July 28, 2025

7:00 am

Drive or take train to Hoi An

Travel from Hue to Hoi An (approx 3 hours by car or train).
USD 20, 3h

10:00 am

Check-in and relax

Arrive and settle into your accommodation, rest or explore nearby.
N/A, 1h

11:30 am

Explore the Ancient Town

Wander through UNESCO World Heritage sites with historic houses and lantern-lit streets.
Free, 2h

2:00 pm

Lunch at Ms. Lan’s Banh Mi

Enjoy authentic local banh mi sandwiches famous in Hoi An.
USD 4, 1h

3:30 pm

Visit Japanese Covered Bridge

Photograph and explore this iconic historic bridge and nearby markets.
Free, 1h
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day Day 8: Cooking Class & Riverside Relaxation

Hoi An, Vietnam on July 29, 2025

8:00 am

Cooking Class at RedBridge

Learn to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes in a hands-on class.
USD 20, 3h

11:30 am

Lunch with your creations

Enjoy your own cooked Vietnamese meal with fresh ingredients.
Included in class fee, 1h

1:00 pm

Relax at An Bang Beach

Enjoy leisure time on the pristine beach with cafes and soft sands.
Free, 3h
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day Day 9: Further Exploration & Shopping

Hoi An, Vietnam on July 30, 2025

8:00 am

Visit local tailor shops

Get clothes custom-made from Hoi An’s renowned tailoring options.
Varies, approx USD 50-100, 2h

11:00 am

Biking around Countryside

Rent a bicycle and explore nearby villages and rice paddies.
USD 2, 2h

1:30 pm

Lunch at Cargo Club

Dine at a popular spot with views over the river, enjoying fusion Vietnamese cuisines.
USD 6, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day Day 10: Departure from Danang or Hanoi

Vietnam on July 31, 2025

8:00 am

Travel to Danang or Hanoi airport

Depending on your flight, transfer accordingly to connect with your flight home.
USD 15-30, 1-2h
Find Hotels in Vietnam
0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version
Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed