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14-Day Vietnam Highlights Itinerary: Hanoi to Phu Quoc — North-to-South Loop

Viewed by 158 travelers

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 1, 2025

10:00am

Arrive & Check-in

Arrive at Noi Bai Airport, transfer to an Old Quarter hotel and settle in — central base for walking tours and evening food.
USD0, 1h0m

11:30am

Old Quarter Walk

Wander narrow streets, local shops and street food stalls to get a first taste of Hanoi daily life and architecture.
USD0, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch: Bun Cha

Try Bun Cha at a local favorite (e.g., Bun Cha Huong Lien) — classic grilled pork with rice noodles and herbs; open generally 10:00am–10:00pm.
USD6, 1h0m

3:00pm

Temple of Literature

Visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Vietnam’s first university and a peaceful historical complex — open ~8:00am–5:00pm.
USD2, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner: Pho

Enjoy a bowl of pho at a renowned stall (e.g., Pho Gia Truyen) for a classic Hanoi dinner; many places open from early morning through evening.
USD3, 1h0m

8:00pm

Thang Long Water Puppet Show

Attend a traditional water puppet performance at Thang Long Theatre — a cultural must-see; shows typically at 8:00pm (check schedule).
USD5, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi Sights

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 2, 2025

8:00am

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Stroll the lakeside in the morning and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the islet — Ngoc Son open typically 8:00am–5:00pm.
USD1, 1h0m

9:30am

Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Learn about modern Vietnamese history in this evocative museum (open roughly 8:00am–5:00pm).
USD2, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch: Cha Ca

Taste Cha Ca (turmeric fish) at the famous Cha Ca La Vong restaurant — a Hanoi specialty typically served midday and evening.
USD8, 1h0m

2:30pm

Train Street & Local Shopping

Visit the Train Street area (if trains are scheduled), browse boutique shops and cafes in the Old Quarter for souvenirs.
USD0, 2h0m

6:00pm

Street Food Tour (Evening)

Evening street-food crawl — sample egg coffee, banh mi, grilled corn and more; many vendors operate late into the evening.
USD15, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 3: Ninh Binh Day

Ninh Binh, Vietnam on September 3, 2025

7:00am

Depart for Ninh Binh

Private car or shuttle (~2h) from Hanoi to Ninh Binh province, known as 'Halong Bay on land'.
USD20, 2h0m

9:30am

Trang An Boat Ride

Take a scenic 1–2 hour sampan boat through karst valleys and caves at Trang An — boat tours operate roughly 8:00am–4:00pm.
USD12, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch: Local specialties

Try local goat meat or com chay (scorched rice) at a village restaurant near Trang An.
USD6, 1h0m

2:00pm

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda complex (large Buddhist site) — open roughly 8:00am–5:00pm; explore the pagodas and panoramic views.
USD3, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi (~2h) to prepare for the next day's transfer to Ha Long Bay.
USD20, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Ninh Binh

Day 4: Ha Long Cruise

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam on September 4, 2025

7:30am

Transfer to Ha Long Bay

Early morning coach or private car from Hanoi to Ha Long (approx. 2.5–3.5 hours); plan to arrive by noon for cruise check-in.
USD25, 3h0m

12:00pm

Board Overnight Cruise

Check in for a 1-night cruise — includes cabin, lunch, cave visits and evening activities; many cruises depart around midday.
USD150, 4h0m

3:00pm

Cave Visit & Kayaking

Explore one of Ha Long’s caves (e.g., Sung Sot) and/or kayak through limestone islets — activities typically in the afternoon (cave hours ~8:00am–5:00pm).
USD0, 2h0m

5:30pm

Sunset & Onboard Dinner

Relax during sunset and enjoy dinner onboard; overnight on the cruise gives a magical bay experience.
USD0, 3h30m
Find Hotels in Ha Long Bay

Day 5: Return & Fly South

Hanoi -> Hue, Vietnam on September 5, 2025

7:00am

Morning Tai Chi & Kayaking

Optional sunrise tai chi on deck and short kayaking/row-boat before breakfast; morning activities usually 6:30am–8:30am.
USD0, 1h0m

9:00am

Brunch & Disembark

Brunch onboard and return to the harbour around mid-morning to transfer back to Hanoi.
USD0, 2h0m

2:00pm

Transfer to Hanoi Airport

Drive back to Hanoi (~3h) and catch an evening flight to Hue; allow extra time for traffic and check-in.
USD25, 3h0m

6:30pm

Flight to Hue

Take a domestic flight Hanoi -> Hue (about 1h10m).
USD50, 1h10m

8:00pm

Dinner: Bun Bo Hue

Sample the regional specialty Bun Bo Hue in the evening near the Perfume River.
USD4, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hanoi -> Hue

Day 6: Hue History

Hue, Vietnam on September 6, 2025

8:00am

Imperial Citadel (Hue Citadel)

Explore the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City complex — main site open typically 8:00am–5:00pm and rich in Nguyen dynasty history.
USD6, 2h0m

11:30am

Thien Mu Pagoda & Perfume River Boat

Short boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, an iconic riverside pagoda open all day.
USD4, 1h30m

2:00pm

Tombs of the Emperors (Tu Duc/Khải Định)

Visit two emperor tombs — ornate architecture and landscaped grounds; sites generally open around 8:00am–5:00pm.
USD6, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner: Royal-Style Cuisine

Try a restaurant offering Hue royal cuisine or local specialties; many places open for dinner from 5:30pm onward.
USD12, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Hue

Day 7: Hue to Hoi An

Hue -> Da Nang -> Hoi An, Vietnam on September 7, 2025

8:00am

Drive via Hai Van Pass

Depart Hue by car/motorbike via the scenic Hai Van Pass to Da Nang (stunning coastal views) — allow ~2–3 hours with stops.
USD30, 3h0m

11:00am

Marble Mountains (Da Nang)

Stop at Marble Mountains to explore caves, pagodas and panoramic views; site typically open 7:30am–5:00pm.
USD2, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch in Da Nang: Mi Quang

Try Mi Quang, a central Vietnamese noodle specialty, at a local eatery.
USD4, 1h0m

3:00pm

Arrive Hoi An & Old Town Walk

Check into your Hoi An hotel then wander the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its lantern-lit streets and historic houses (open all day; best at night).
USD0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner: Cao Lau

Enjoy Cao Lau, Hoi An’s signature noodle dish, in a riverside restaurant as lanterns come alive after dusk.
USD4, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hue -> Da Nang -> Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An Culture

Hoi An, Vietnam on September 8, 2025

8:00am

My Son Sanctuary Half-Day

Morning guided tour to My Son Cham ruins (UNESCO) — open ~6:00am–5:00pm; a compelling archaeological site with history of the Champa kingdom.
USD20, 4h0m

1:30pm

Cooking Class (Afternoon)

Hands-on Vietnamese cooking class including market visit and meal; classes typically run 3–4 hours and start in early afternoon.
USD35, 3h0m

5:30pm

An Bang Beach Sunset

Relax on An Bang Beach or cycle from town to the coast for sunset and seafood at beachfront restaurants (beach open all day).
USD0, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day 9: Central Coast

Da Nang -> Nha Trang -> Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on September 9, 2025

7:00am

Transfer to Da Nang Airport & Fly to Nha Trang

Morning flight Da Nang -> Nha Trang (~1h) to enjoy central Vietnam’s beach hub.
USD60, 1h0m

10:30am

Vinpearl Cable Car & Island

Take the long cable car to Vinpearl island for water park, beach and aquarium (park open ~8:30am–9:00pm).
USD30, 3h0m

3:00pm

Po Nagar Cham Towers

Visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers (open about 7:00am–6:00pm) to see Cham-era temple architecture perched above the river.
USD2, 1h0m

6:00pm

Seafood Dinner

Enjoy fresh Nha Trang seafood along Tran Phu Beach — popular evening dining spot.
USD12, 1h30m

9:00pm

Evening Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Fly Nha Trang -> Ho Chi Minh City (~1h15m) to continue southward; arrive and overnight in District 1.
USD50, 1h15m
Find Hotels in Da Nang -> Nha Trang -> Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Saigon Highlights

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on September 10, 2025

8:30am

War Remnants Museum

Powerful exhibits on the Vietnam War and its effects — typically open ~7:30am–6:00pm (confirm current hours; closed days vary).
USD2, 1h30m

10:30am

Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office

Visit the French-colonial cathedral and the adjacent atmospheric Central Post Office (both open during daytime, ~8:00am–5:00pm).
USD0, 45m

12:00pm

Lunch: Banh Mi

Try an iconic Saigon banh mi (e.g., Banh Mi Huynh Hoa) for a quick local lunch; shops often open from early morning to evening.
USD2, 45m

2:00pm

Reunification Palace

Tour the historic Reunification (Independence) Palace to learn about the 1975 events — open roughly 7:30am–4:00pm (check current hours).
USD2, 1h15m

6:30pm

Dinner & Bui Vien Street

Evening food and nightlife in the backpacker area around Bui Vien — wide range of dining and drinks options.
USD10, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11: Cu Chi & Travel

Ho Chi Minh City -> Can Tho, Vietnam on September 11, 2025

7:30am

Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day

Drive 1.5–2 hours to the Cu Chi Tunnels for a guided tour of the extensive tunnel network used during the war — site open ~7:00am–5:00pm.
USD22, 4h0m

12:30pm

Return & Lunch

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a quick lunch; transfer preparations for Mekong Delta travel.
USD8, 1h30m

3:00pm

Drive to Can Tho (Mekong)

Afternoon private transfer or bus to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta (~3.5–4 hours) for overnight near the river.
USD30, 4h0m

7:30pm

Dinner in Can Tho

Enjoy Mekong River cuisine — fresh fish, tropical fruits and southern specialties.
USD8, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City -> Can Tho

Day 12: Mekong Markets

Can Tho -> Ho Chi Minh City -> Phu Quoc, Vietnam on September 12, 2025

5:00am

Cai Rang Floating Market

Early-morning boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market — the busiest hours are ~5:00am–8:30am; lively market and photo opportunities.
USD15, 3h0m

9:30am

Local Village & Orchard Visit

Visit orchards, family-run workshops and canals to see rural Mekong Delta life; activities run through mid-morning to noon.
USD8, 2h0m

1:00pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City (~3.5–4 hours) and transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Phu Quoc.
USD30, 4h0m

6:30pm

Flight to Phu Quoc

Fly Ho Chi Minh City -> Phu Quoc (~1h10m) to begin island stay; evening at leisure on the island.
USD60, 1h10m
Find Hotels in Can Tho -> Ho Chi Minh City -> Phu Quoc

Day 13: Phu Quoc Beaches

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam on September 13, 2025

8:00am

Snorkeling/Boat Island Tour

Full-day boat tour visiting the southern or northern islets for snorkeling, swimming and beach time — tours commonly run 8:00am–3:00pm.
USD35, 7h0m

4:00pm

Vinpearl Safari or Pepper Farm

Visit Vinpearl Safari (open ~8:00am–5:00pm) or a local pepper/longan farm to learn about island agriculture and wildlife conservation.
USD20, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner on Long Beach

Enjoy fresh seafood at one of Long Beach’s beachfront restaurants and watch the sunset.
USD15, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Phu Quoc Island

Day 14: Depart

Phu Quoc -> Ho Chi Minh City Departure, Vietnam on September 14, 2025

8:00am

Morning Beach Relaxation

Final morning on the beach or a short swim before checkout — most beaches open all day.
USD0, 2h0m

12:00pm

Check-out & Transfer to Airport

Check out from your hotel and transfer to Phu Quoc Airport for an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City to connect to your international departure.
USD10, 1h0m

3:00pm

Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Domestic flight Phu Quoc -> Ho Chi Minh City (~1h10m) — ensure boarding time allows for your international connection.
USD60, 1h10m

6:00pm

Onward International Flight / Depart

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat and check in for your international flight; if departing from HCMC, allow 2–3 hours before international departure.
USD0, —
Find Hotels in Phu Quoc -> Ho Chi Minh City Departure
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