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8-Day North-to-South Vietnam Itinerary: Hanoi to Phu Quoc (Including Halong Bay, Hoi An & Mekong)

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Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Hanoi, Vietnam on August 10, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Hotel or Giang Coffee (egg coffee)

Start with a hotel buffet or try Giang Cafe's famous egg coffee and a light bun or banh mi to energise for the day.
VND0, 45m

9:00am

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Stroll the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple (usually open ~8:00am–5:00pm) for a gentle intro to Hanoi's heart and locals' morning rituals.
VND30000, 1h0m

10:30am

Old Quarter walking & street-shopping

Wander the Old Quarter's lanes, try street snacks and shop for lacquerware, coffee and textiles; this self-guided walk is free and lively.
VND0, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Bun Cha (Bun Cha Huong Lien recommended)

Classic Hanoi bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli) at a well-known local spot — hearty, iconic and great value.
VND150000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)

Visit Vietnam's first national university and serene courtyards; the site is typically open ~8:00am–5:00pm and offers great history and photos.
VND30000, 1h0m

7:00pm

Water Puppet Show — Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance (evening shows commonly at 7:00pm/8:30pm) — a cultural must-see.
VND100000, 50m

8:30pm

Dinner — Quan An Ngon or street-food crawl

Enjoy regional dishes in a comfortable setting at Quan An Ngon or sample evening street bites (pho, bun rieu, skewers) in the Old Quarter.
VND200000, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 2: Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay, Vietnam on August 11, 2025

7:00am

Transfer to Halong Bay

Leave Hanoi early by shuttle or private car to Ha Long; typical transfer time is ~3–4 hours depending on traffic, so plan for a morning departure.
VND400000, 3h30m

11:30am

Cruise check-in & lunch onboard

Board a midday overnight cruise; lunch is served as you sail into the limestone karsts — cruises generally depart around noon.
VND2000000, 30m

1:30pm

Kayaking or bamboo boat

Explore lagoons and limestone caves by kayak or local boat from the cruise tender; activity usually included and perfect for close-up scenery.
VND0, 1h30m

4:00pm

Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave

Guided visit to the famous cave (caves in Halong usually accessible ~8:00am–5:00pm) with dramatic stalactites and viewpoints.
VND0, 45m

7:00pm

Dinner & evening activities on board

Seafood dinner on deck and optional squid fishing or a sunset drink — relaxed night under the stars while anchored.
VND0, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Halong Bay

Day 3: Transfer to Hoi An

Hoi An via Da Nang, Vietnam on August 12, 2025

6:30am

Sunrise / Tai Chi on sundeck

Optional gentle tai chi session on the cruise sundeck to watch sunrise over the karsts — short, peaceful and included on many cruises.
VND0, 30m

8:00am

Brunch, disembark and transfer back to Hanoi airport

Brunch on board and disembark by ~8–9am; allow ~3.5–4 hours to return to Noi Bai Airport for a mid-afternoon flight to Da Nang.
VND400000, 4h0m

2:30pm

Flight — Hanoi to Da Nang

Quick domestic flight (~1h15m) to Da Nang; book an early afternoon flight to reach Hoi An with daylight left.
VND800000, 1h20m

4:30pm

Transfer to Hoi An & hotel check-in

Drive from Da Nang airport to Hoi An (approx 30–45 minutes) and settle into your hotel near the Ancient Town.
VND300000, 45m

6:30pm

Dinner — Morning Glory or local riverside restaurant

Dine on Hoi An specialties like cao lau and white rose dumplings at a popular local restaurant near the river.
VND200000, 1h0m

8:00pm

Evening lantern walk in Ancient Town

Stroll the lit-up streets and riverside, release a paper lantern if you wish; the town is particularly magical from ~6:00pm–10:00pm.
VND0, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hoi An via Da Nang

Day 4: Hoi An & My Son

Hoi An & My Son, Vietnam on August 13, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — local cafe or hotel

Try Hoi An coffee and a bánh mì or local rice cake before a morning departure to My Son Sanctuary.
VND100000, 45m

9:00am

Half-day My Son Sanctuary tour

Visit the UNESCO Cham ruins at My Son (usually open ~7:00am–5:00pm) to learn ancient history and see evocative temples in a valley setting.
VND500000, 5h0m

2:00pm

Tailor visit & riverside cafes

Return to Hoi An for tailors (open ~8:00am–8:00pm) — quick fittings or shopping and relaxed café time by the river.
VND0, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Cao Lau specialty

Enjoy regional specialties like cao lau at a recommended local eatery; simple, flavoursome and Hoi An-specific.
VND150000, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hoi An & My Son

Day 5: Fly to Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on August 14, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast & check-out

Light breakfast at your hotel; check out and transfer to Da Nang airport for the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
VND0, 45m

9:30am

Flight — Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City

Domestic flight (~1h20m); arrive in Saigon and transfer to your central hotel.
VND800000, 1h20m

12:00pm

Lunch — Banh Mi Huynh Hoa or Pho 2000

Sample a famous Saigon banh mi or pho at a recommended casual spot near the central district.
VND120000, 1h0m

2:00pm

War Remnants Museum & Reunification Palace

Visit the War Remnants Museum (usually open ~7:30am–5:00pm) and nearby Reunification Palace (open ~8:00am–5:00pm) for modern history insights.
VND150000, 2h30m

5:30pm

Ben Thanh Market & Nguyen Hue Walk

Explore Ben Thanh Market stalls and stroll Nguyen Hue walking street for an evening city atmosphere and coffee.
VND0, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner — Cuc Gach Quan or street-food

Enjoy a memorable dinner mixing Vietnamese home-style cooking or vibrant street-food options near your hotel.
VND250000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 6: Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta (from HCMC), Vietnam on August 15, 2025

7:00am

Depart for Mekong Delta (My Tho/Ben Tre areas)

Early departure by road (~2 hours) to the Mekong; many day-trip operators depart around 7:00am for full-day tours.
VND500000, 2h0m

9:30am

Boat cruise, canals & local villages

Cruise narrow canals, visit coconut candy workshops and small village stops; most tours operate ~8:00am–5:00pm and include a local lunch.
VND800000, 6h0m

4:00pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City & rest

Drive back to Saigon and relax before evening activities; travel time typically ~1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
VND0, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Saigon seafood or rooftop bar

Treat yourself to fresh seafood or a rooftop dining experience along the Saigon river or District 1 for city views.
VND300000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Mekong Delta (from HCMC)

Day 7: Fly to Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam on August 16, 2025

7:00am

Flight — Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc

Morning flight (~1 hour) to Phu Quoc to maximise island time; arrive and transfer to your beach hotel on Long Beach or nearby.
VND900000, 1h0m

9:30am

Check-in & beach breakfast

Check in and have a relaxed seaside breakfast; many hotels serve breakfast until ~10:00–11:00 making a calm start to island life.
VND0, 1h0m

11:00am

Long Beach or Sao Beach visit

Spend midday on popular beaches like Long Beach (Bai Truong) or Sao Beach for swimming and sun — public beaches are generally open all day.
VND0, 3h0m

2:00pm

Lunch — local seafood shack or Mango Bay

Try fresh local seafood or a beachside cafe; Phu Quoc is known for grilled fish, lobster and pepper-seasoned dishes.
VND250000, 1h30m

5:00pm

Phu Quoc Night Market (Dinh Cau Market)

Explore the busy night market (commonly open 5:00pm–11:00pm) for seafood, snacks and souvenirs right by the sea.
VND200000, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Phu Quoc Island

Day 8: Snorkel & Depart

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam on August 17, 2025

7:00am

Island-hopping & snorkeling (An Thoi archipelago)

Full- or half-day boat trip to the An Thoi coral isles for snorkeling and swimming; trips typically depart ~7:30am and run until mid-afternoon.
VND1200000, 5h0m

1:00pm

Lunch back on Phu Quoc

Return to the island for a relaxed lunch featuring fresh catch of the day and local specialties.
VND200000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Optional — Vinpearl Safari or VinWonders (family/park option)

If you prefer land activities, visit Vinpearl Safari or VinWonders (typically open ~9:00am–6:00pm) for wildlife or themed attractions.
VND700000, 2h30m

6:30pm

Early dinner / light meal near airport

Have a final island meal — light seafood or noodle dish depending on your flight schedule; allow time for check-in and transfer.
VND150000, 1h0m

8:30pm

Transfer to Phu Quoc Airport & departure

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight; domestic flights and many internationals depart in the evening — confirm times in advance.
VND0, 30m
Find Hotels in Phu Quoc Island
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