Land at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport; clear immigration and grab a private transfer or taxi to your hotel in the Old Quarter (45–60 min depending on traffic). This gets you into the heart of Hanoi straight away.
Start with an iconic bowl at Pho Gia Truyen (Old Quarter, open from early morning). Authentic, fast, and a great introduction to Vietnamese breakfast flavours.
Wander the 36 streets, shop for souvenirs, and sample snacks (banh mi, iced coffee). Streets are lively all day; ideal for light wandering after your flight.
Check into a central hotel with a pool. Recommended: La Siesta Trendy Hotel & Spa (Old Quarter, rooftop pool) or Pan Pacific / InterContinental Westlake if you prefer a larger pool and quieter lakeside location.
Board a scenic 1-day cruise exploring limestone karsts, caves, and a floating village; many operators include kayaking and swimming. Day cruises typically run ~8:30–17:00. Check your operator's exact schedule and bring swimwear.
Have breakfast and prepare for transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a morning flight to Da Nang. Leave hotel 2.5–3 hours before flight to allow for transfer and check-in.
Private transfer or taxi to Hoi An (30–45 min). Check in at a beachfront resort with pools — recommended: Palm Garden Resort & Spa (Cua Dai), Four Seasons The Nam Hai (luxury, beachfront), or boutique beachfront options near An Bang with good pools.
Head to Old Town at sunset for its magical lantern-lit streets (lanterns glow best from ~18:00–21:30). Great for evening photos and riverside ambiance.
Choose a half-day cooking class (market visit + cooking) or a lantern-making workshop to make your own lantern — both are signature Hoi An activities and usually run 3–4 hours (cooking classes often include market visit).
Enjoy a relaxed seafood dinner at an An Bang beach restaurant or go back to Old Town for riverside dining. Enjoy live music or lantern-lit boats on the Thu Bon River.
Check into a centrally located hotel with a rooftop pool in District 1. Recommended: Hotel Des Arts Saigon (MGallery) or Fusion Suites for a rooftop pool and easy access to sights.
Early pickup from your hotel for a full-day Mekong Delta cruise: boat rides, canals, local village visits, fruit orchards, and sampling local products. Most tours run roughly 7:00–16:00; bring sun protection.
Choose an evening Saigon River dinner cruise (typical 2-hour cruises) or enjoy dinner at a local riverside restaurant; both provide a memorable last night in the south.
Take a morning flight from Tan Son Nhat to Noi Bai (book flight to arrive in Hanoi around midday). Domestic flight ~2 hours; many flights daily—choose mid-morning to maximize your Hanoi time but allow buffer for traffic and check-in.
Visit the Temple of Literature (open 8:00–17:00) and do last-minute shopping in the Old Quarter; these are close together and efficient for a final afternoon.
Depart for Noi Bai Airport allowing ~2–2.5 hours for travel + check-in for your international flight (flight time 7:40pm). Aim to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure.