8-Day Vietnam Itinerary (Hanoi → Halong → Hoi An → HCMC → Mekong → Phu Quoc) — 08 Nov to 15 Nov 2025

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Hanoi, Vietnam on November 8, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Giang Cafe (egg coffee) or hotel

Try Hanoi's famous egg coffee at Giang Cafe or a hotel breakfast to recover from travel and prepare for a walking day.
VND80000, 45m

9:00am

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple (open ~08:00–17:00) to see local life and get photo-friendly views of the city centre.
VND30000, 1h0m

10:30am

Old Quarter walking tour & shopping

Explore the bustling 36 Streets of the Old Quarter, sample street snacks and browse for coffee, silk and souvenirs; streets are open all day.
VND0, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Bun Cha (Bún Chả Hương Liên recommended)

Taste classic Hanoi bun cha (grilled pork with noodles) at a well-known local spot for an authentic mid-day meal.
VND150000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu)

Visit Vietnam's first national university with serene courtyards and scholarly atmosphere (open ~08:00–17:00).
VND30000, 1h0m

7:00pm

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre — evening show

Watch a traditional water puppet performance (common showtimes 19:00 and 20:30) — compact, cultural and entertaining.
VND120000, 50m

8:30pm

Dinner — Quan An Ngon or Old Quarter street-food crawl

Dine at Quan An Ngon for a range of regional dishes in a comfortable setting or sample pho, skewers and desserts on a guided street-food crawl.
VND200000, 1h0m

Day 2: Halong Cruise

Halong Bay, Vietnam on November 9, 2025

7:00am

Transfer — Hanoi to Halong Bay

Depart early by private car or shuttle to Ha Long (road transfer ~3.5–4 hours). Aim to leave by 07:00 to board a midday cruise.
VND450000, 3h30m

11:30am

Cruise check-in & lunch onboard (overnight cruise)

Board a midday overnight cruise (examples: Bhaya Classic, Indochina Sails) and enjoy a seafood lunch while sailing into the limestone karsts; cruises typically depart around noon.
VND2200000, 1h0m

1:30pm

Kayaking or bamboo boat excursion

Explore quieter lagoons, hidden coves and floating villages by kayak or local boat launched from the cruise tender — often included and weather-dependent.
VND0, 1h30m

4:00pm

Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave or Titov Beach (if itinerary allows)

Visit a famous cave or make a short stop at Titov Beach for swimming and panoramic views; caves and beaches in Halong are generally open during daylight hours.
VND0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner & evening on board

Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner and optional evening activities—squid fishing, sunset drinks or relaxing on deck while anchored.
VND0, 2h0m

Day 3: Transfer to Hoi An

Hoi An (via Da Nang), Vietnam on November 10, 2025

6:30am

Sunrise / Tai Chi on sundeck

Optional tai chi session on deck to watch sunrise over the karsts — a calm start often offered by cruise operators.
VND0, 30m

8:00am

Brunch, disembark and transfer back to Hanoi airport

Brunch on board and disembark by ~08:00–09:00; expect a road transfer of ~3.5–4 hours back to Nội Bài Airport, so plan an early afternoon flight out.
VND450000, 4h30m

3:30pm

Flight — Hanoi (HAN) to Da Nang (DAD) — Vietnam Airlines VN167

Recommended mid-afternoon flight to Da Nang (example: Vietnam Airlines VN167 depart HAN 15:30 arrive DAD 16:45, duration ~1h15m). Book early to secure seats.
VND900000, 1h15m

5:30pm

Transfer Da Nang → Hoi An & hotel check-in

Drive from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An (approx 30–45 minutes) and check into a hotel near the Ancient Town; relax before evening activities.
VND300000, 45m

7:30pm

Dinner — Morning Glory Restaurant

Savour Hoi An specialties like cao lầu and white rose dumplings at a popular riverside restaurant.
VND200000, 1h0m

8:30pm

Evening lantern walk in Ancient Town

Stroll the lantern-lit streets and riverside; the Old Town is beautifully lit from ~18:00–22:00 and ideal for photos and a relaxed evening.
VND0, 1h0m

Day 4: Hoi An & My Son

Hoi An & My Son, Vietnam on November 11, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — local cafe or hotel

Enjoy Hoi An coffee and a light bánh mì or rice cake before heading out for the morning tour; most cafes open by 07:00–08:00.
VND100000, 45m

9:00am

Half-day My Son Sanctuary tour

Visit the UNESCO-listed My Son Cham ruins (open ~07:00–17:00) for evocative temple ruins and history; guided tours typically take 3–4 hours including travel.
VND500000, 5h0m

2:00pm

Tailor shops & riverside cafes in Hoi An

Return to Hoi An for tailor fittings (shops open ~08:00–20:00) or relax at a riverside café and sample local sweets like bánh xèo or chè.
VND0, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — local cao lầu restaurant

Try Hoi An’s signature dish cao lầu at a recommended local restaurant for a simple, flavoursome evening meal.
VND150000, 1h0m

Day 5: Fly to Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam on November 12, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast & check-out

Early breakfast and hotel check-out; transfer to Da Nang Airport for a mid-morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
VND0, 45m

9:30am

Flight — Da Nang (DAD) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) — VietJet Air VJ154

Recommended morning flight (example: VietJet Air VJ154 depart DAD 09:30 arrive SGN 10:50, duration ~1h20m) to maximise your Saigon afternoon.
VND800000, 1h20m

12:00pm

Lunch — Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa or local pho

Enjoy a famous Saigon bánh mì or pho near District 1 for a quick, satisfying meal before museum visits.
VND120000, 1h0m

2:00pm

War Remnants Museum & Reunification Palace

Visit the War Remnants Museum (open ~07:30–17:00) and Reunification Palace (open ~08:00–17:00) to understand Vietnam’s modern history — both in central District 1.
VND150000, 2h30m

5:30pm

Ben Thanh Market & Nguyen Hue walking street

Shop and soak up the evening energy at Ben Thanh Market and stroll the pedestrian Nguyen Hue for cafes, street performers and city views.
VND0, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner — Cuc Gach Quan or rooftop dining

Choose home-style Vietnamese dishes at Cuc Gach Quan or a rooftop restaurant for skyline views and a memorable dinner.
VND300000, 1h30m

Day 6: Mekong Delta Day

Mekong Delta (My Tho / Ben Tre), Vietnam on November 13, 2025

7:00am

Depart for Mekong Delta (day trip)

Early departure (~07:00) by road to the Mekong (My Tho or Ben Tre area). Road time is approx 1.5–2 hours; most day tours operate ~07:00–17:00.
VND500000, 2h0m

9:30am

Boat cruise, canal rides & local village visits

Cruise the delta’s canals, visit fruit orchards, coconut candy workshops and small riverside villages; most tours include a local lunch on the boat or at a riverside home.
VND800000, 6h0m

4:00pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City & rest

Drive back to Saigon and relax at your hotel ahead of dinner; traffic can vary so allow 1.5–2 hours for the return.
VND0, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Saigon seafood or rooftop bar

Enjoy fresh seafood or a cocktail with skyline views at one of Saigon’s popular rooftop bars or riverside restaurants.
VND300000, 1h30m

Day 7: Fly to Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam on November 14, 2025

6:30am

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport & check-in

Early transfer to SGN for a morning flight to Phu Quoc to maximise island time; aim to arrive at the airport 60–90 minutes before departure for domestic flights.
VND0, 1h30m

8:30am

Flight — Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Phu Quoc (PQC) — Vietnam Airlines VN261

Recommended morning flight (example: Vietnam Airlines VN261 depart SGN 08:30 arrive PQC 09:35, duration ~1h05m). Flight times vary—book early for best fares.
VND900000, 1h5m

10:30am

Hotel check-in & beach breakfast

Check in and enjoy a relaxed seaside breakfast; many hotels serve breakfast until ~10:00–11:00 but request an early check-in if possible.
VND0, 1h0m

11:30am

Long Beach (Bãi Trường) or Sao Beach (Bãi Sao)

Spend midday swimming and sunbathing on popular beaches—Long Beach is near the main strip while Sao Beach is further south and renowned for white sand.
VND0, 3h0m

2:30pm

Lunch — local seafood shack

Savour freshly grilled fish, lobster or pepper crab at a beachside restaurant or local seafood stall.
VND250000, 1h30m

5:00pm

Dinh Cau Night Market (Phu Quoc Night Market)

Explore the popular night market (usually open 17:00–23:00) for seafood stalls, snacks, souvenirs and a lively seaside atmosphere.
VND200000, 2h0m

Day 8: Snorkel & Depart

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam on November 15, 2025

7:00am

Island-hopping & snorkelling — An Thoi archipelago

Join a morning boat tour departing ~07:30 to the An Thoi islands for snorkelling, glass-bottom boat options and swimming; half-day and full-day tours available.
VND1200000, 5h0m

1:00pm

Lunch back on Phu Quoc

Return to the island for a relaxed lunch featuring the day’s fresh catch and local dishes—great time to try fish hotpot or grilled squid.
VND200000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Optional — Vinpearl Safari or VinWonders

If you prefer land activities, visit Vinpearl Safari (wildlife park) or VinWonders theme park (both typically open ~09:00–18:00) — allow 2–3 hours.
VND700000, 2h30m

6:30pm

Early dinner & pack

Enjoy a final island meal—light seafood or a noodle dish—then return to your hotel to collect luggage and prepare for check-in at the airport.
VND150000, 1h0m

8:30pm

Flight — Phu Quoc (PQC) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or onward — VietJet Air VJ732

Recommended evening connection example: VietJet Air VJ732 depart PQC 20:30 arrive SGN 21:35 (duration ~1h05m). Alternatively book an international connection from PQC if available—confirm schedules in advance.
VND700000, 1h5m
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