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7-Day Vietnam Adventure: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay & Hoi An (29 Sep–5 Oct 2025) - Culture, Adventure & Beach Relaxation

Viewed by 62 travelers

Day 1: Arrive & Explore

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 29, 2025

10:00am

Arrival & Transfer to Hotel

Collect luggage and transfer to your Old Quarter hotel; use a metered taxi or pre-booked airport pick-up for ease and group luggage handling.
USD20, 1h0m

11:30am

Walk the Old Quarter & Street Food

Stroll the narrow lanes to get a first taste of Hanoi street life and try snacks — perfect for a relaxed introduction to the city.
USD0, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Bun Cha at Bun Cha Ta

Classic Hanoi dish (grilled pork and herbs with rice noodles) in one of the city’s reliable shops — filling and authentic.
USD6, 1h0m

14:00pm

Temple of Literature

A calm, well-preserved Confucian complex and Vietnam’s first university; good for photos and history. Open roughly 08:00–17:00, confirm seasonal hours.
USD1.50, 1h0m

15:30pm

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

A central scenic spot to relax and see local life; cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple (usually open 08:00–17:00).
USD1.50, 45m

18:00pm

Dinner — Cha Ca Thang Long (Hanoi specialty)

Try Hanoi’s famous turmeric fish cooked at the table — an iconic local experience and great for a group.
USD12, 1h15m

20:00pm

Thang Long Water Puppet Show

Traditional Vietnamese water puppetry with live music; shows typically run in the evening (book 18:00–20:30 slots in advance).
USD8, 50m

21:30pm

Ta Hien Street — Nightlife & Street Beer

Experience the lively beer-street scene — cheap draft beer and social atmosphere ideal for a friends’ night out.
USD3, 1h30m

Day 2: Ninh Binh Adventure

Ninh Binh, Vietnam (day trip from Hanoi) on September 30, 2025

07:00am

Depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh

Private van or car transfer (approx. 2h–2h30m) to the Tam Coc/Trang An area — leave early to beat crowds and heat.
USD18, 2h15m

09:45am

Boat ride at Trang An / Tam Coc

Rowed sampan through limestone karsts and rivers (Trang An boat tours run 07:00–17:00). Gorgeous scenery and a peaceful way to explore the valley.
USD12, 1h30m

11:30am

Lunch — Local riverside restaurant

Enjoy rural Vietnamese dishes (fresh herbs, goat or fish specialities) near Tam Coc; good chance to try local specialties.
USD8, 45m

13:00pm

Mua Cave viewpoint (Hang Múa)

Climb ~500 steps to a panoramic viewpoint over rice paddies and the river; site open roughly 07:30–17:30 and delivers a fantastic photo reward.
USD2, 1h0m

14:30pm

Bike through the countryside

Pedal quiet lanes through paddy fields and small villages for an up-close rural Vietnam experience; casual cycling suitable for groups.
USD3, 1h0m

17:00pm

Return to Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi and relax at your hotel before heading out for dinner.
USD18, 2h15m

20:00pm

Dinner — Quan An Ngon (Old Quarter)

Large menu of Vietnamese favorites in a comfortable setting; great for groups to sample many dishes.
USD10, 1h15m

Day 3: Ha Long Cruise

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam (overnight cruise) on October 1, 2025

07:00am

Transfer Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

Coach or private transfer to Ha Long (approx. 3.5–4 hours); leave early so you board the cruise around midday.
USD25, 4h0m

12:00pm

Board Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise

Check-in and lunch aboard a mid-range cruise; typical embarkation window is around 12:00–13:30. The cruise navigates through iconic karsts and islands.
USD160, 30m

13:30pm

Cruise — Cave visit & Kayaking

Afternoon activities often include a guided cave visit and optional kayaking through hidden lagoons (activities scheduled by the cruise; kayaks usually included or small supplement).
USD0, 2h30m

17:30pm

Sunset & Onboard Cooking Demo

Relax on deck for sunset photos and enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration — a social highlight for groups.
USD0, 1h0m

19:30pm

Dinner & Evening Activities on Board

Seafood dinner followed by optional squid fishing, board games or lounge time; overnight on the cruise ship in a private cabin.
USD0, 2h0m

Day 4: Back to Flight South

Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Hoi An, Vietnam on October 2, 2025

07:30am

Morning cruise activities & brunch

Tai chi on deck, morning visit to a cave or floating village, then brunch as the cruise returns to the harbor; most cruises disembark around 10:30–11:30.
USD0, 2h0m

11:30am

Disembark & Transfer to Hanoi Airport

Coach transfer back to Hanoi (allow 3.5–4 hours) or join a scheduled transfer to Noi Bai if you booked an afternoon flight; timing is tight so aim for flights departing after 17:00.
USD25, 4h0m

17:30pm

Fly Hanoi → Da Nang

Domestic flight (~1h20m). Book early seats and coordinate arrival time for a smooth transfer to Hoi An (Da Nang airport to Hoi An ~45 minutes).
USD55, 1h20m

19:15pm

Transfer Da Nang → Hoi An & Check-in

Private car or shuttle to your Hoi An hotel; settle in and head into Ancient Town for a relaxed evening stroll.
USD18, 45m

20:15pm

Dinner — Morning Glory (Hoi An Old Town)

Renowned restaurant serving Hoi An specialties like cao lầu and white rose dumplings; popular so reserve or expect a wait.
USD12, 1h15m

21:45pm

Evening — Lantern-lit Old Town & Night Market

Hoi An’s Old Town transforms at night with lanterns and river boats; enjoy the atmosphere and grab sunset-to-night photos (Old Town pedestrian evening hours usually enforced).
USD1, 1h0m

Day 5: Hoi An Culture & Beach

Hoi An, Vietnam on October 3, 2025

07:30am

Breakfast — Banh Mi Phuong or local cafe

Grab the famous Banh Mi Phuong (opens ~07:00) or a riverside coffee to fuel a busy day.
USD3, 30m

09:00am

Half-day Cooking Class with Market Tour

Market visit to choose ingredients followed by hands-on cooking; classes typically run 09:00–13:00 and are social and fun for groups.
USD40, 4h0m

13:30pm

Lunch — Eat what you cooked

Enjoy the dishes you prepared during the class — great value and a learning experience you’ll repeat at home.
USD0, 1h0m

15:00pm

Relax at An Bang Beach

Golden sand, beachfront cafes and chilled atmosphere — rent sunbeds or try windsurf/kite lessons during high season; the beach is open all day.
USD5, 2h30m

18:00pm

Dinner — Cargo Club or Mango Rooms

Choose refined riverside dining at Cargo Club or modern Vietnamese at Mango Rooms for a treat after the beach.
USD18, 1h30m

20:00pm

Sunset Lantern Boat on Thu Bon River

Small boat ride releasing paper lanterns on the river — romantic and atmospheric; operators run rides at sunset and into early evening.
USD8, 45m

Day 6: My Son & Marble

Hoi An / Da Nang, Vietnam on October 4, 2025

07:00am

Depart for My Son Sanctuary

Drive ~1 hour to My Son Hindu temple complex (UNESCO site); guided tours and open hours typically 06:30–17:30 — go early to avoid heat and crowds.
USD20, 1h0m

08:15am

Explore My Son with Guide

Learn Cham history among evocative brick temple ruins; a knowledgeable guide helps bring the site’s ancient stories to life.
USD8, 1h30m

10:00am

Return to Hoi An & Lunch

Back in town for a relaxed lunch — try local com ga (chicken rice) or cao lầu if you haven’t yet.
USD7, 1h15m

14:00pm

Optional: Marble Mountains (Da Nang)

Short drive to Marble Mountains (open ~07:00–17:30) for caves, pagodas and city/coast views; moderate stair climbs and great photo spots.
USD2, 1h30m

16:00pm

Free time — Tailor shops or Riverside Cafes

Get last-minute tailoring, souvenir shopping or relax at a riverside cafe before your final evening.
USD5, 1h30m

19:00pm

Farewell Dinner — Morning Glory or Mango Mango

Celebrate a great trip with an elevated dinner on the riverfront; reserve for a group table to ensure space.
USD20, 1h30m

21:00pm

Evening — Hoi An Night Market & Last Lantern Views

Wander the illuminated market stalls and take final photos of the lantern-lit streets.
USD3, 1h0m

Day 7: Relax & Depart

Hoi An → Da Nang, Vietnam on October 5, 2025

07:30am

Morning Beach or Yoga

Early beach walk or group yoga class at a beachfront studio — a calm way to finish the trip before travel.
USD6, 1h0m

08:30am

Breakfast — Faifo Coffee or local bakery

Quiet riverside breakfast and last-minute souvenir hunt in the Old Town; most cafes open from 07:00–09:00 onward.
USD6, 45m

10:00am

Pack & Hotel Check-out

Finish packing and check-out — confirm airport transfer time with your hotel to reach Da Nang in good time for flights.
USD0, 1h0m

12:00pm

Transfer Hoi An → Da Nang Airport

Allow ~45 minutes for the drive; aim to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights or 3 hours for international departures.
USD18, 45m

15:00pm

Suggested Departure Flight

Catch your onward or international flight from Da Nang. If flying internationally from Da Nang, ensure you factor in check-in and security times.
USD0, —
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