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10-Day South-to-Central Vietnam Loop: Ho Chi Minh → Phu Quoc → Da Nang (Beach, Mekong, Mountains & Hoi An)

Viewed by 244 travelers

Day 1: Arrival, City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on August 15, 2025

8:30am

Hotel check-in & freshen up

Arrive at your District 1 hotel, drop luggage and request early check-in or luggage hold so you can start exploring without delay.
VND0, 0h30m

9:00am

Breakfast — Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa

Try one of Saigon’s iconic bánh mì shops for a quick, flavourful start; many bánh mì vendors operate from early morning (open ~7:00am).
VND80000, 0h30m

10:00am

War Remnants Museum

A powerful, detailed museum on Vietnam’s 20th-century conflicts—plan 1–2 hours; museum hours typically 7:30am–17:00pm.
VND40000, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Pho or local noodle shop

Enjoy a steaming bowl of pho at a popular local stall (many open all day), offering a classic Saigon lunch experience.
VND80000, 0h45m

2:00pm

Ben Thanh Market & walking tour

Browse stalls for textiles, coffee and souvenirs; market hours roughly 6:00am–19:00pm—great for photos and tasting street snacks.
VND0, 1h30m

4:00pm

Break / Coffee at a rooftop café

Rest at a café or rooftop to see the city rhythm—many cafés open until evening and provide a view of Saigon’s bustling streets.
VND150000, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Cục Gạch Quán or Quan An Ngon

Dine at a well-known restaurant offering classic Vietnamese dishes in an atmospheric setting (open ~17:00–22:00).
VND250000, 1h30m

9:30pm

Optional — Bui Vien nightlife

If you want lively nightlife, stroll Bui Vien walking street for bars and live music; venues stay open late into the night.
VND100000, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Mekong Delta

Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta, Vietnam on August 16, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast — Quick café & bánh mì

Grab a coffee and a bánh mì near the hotel before your early pickup for the Mekong Delta tour; cafés generally open ~6:00am.
VND60000, 0h30m

7:00am

Full-day Mekong Delta tour (My Tho or Cai Be)

Boat cruises the canals, visits orchards, workshops and floating markets—typical tour hours 7:00am–17:00pm and include boat rides and local guides.
VND600000, 9h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Riverside homestay or floating restaurant

Sample regional dishes like river prawns and tropical fruits provided as part of the tour; lunch timing follows the tour schedule.
VND150000, 1h0m

5:30pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh & rest

Arrive back in the city and relax at your hotel—use the evening to recover or stroll the riverfront promenade.
VND0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Pizza 4P's or street-food crawl

Enjoy dinner at a popular restaurant like Pizza 4P’s or join a guided street-food walk to taste Saigon’s evening eats.
VND300000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta

Day 3: Cu Chi & Views

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on August 17, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Local café

Early coffee and a light breakfast near your hotel to prepare for the Cu Chi tunnels half-day trip; cafés open from ~7:00am.
VND60000, 0h30m

8:00am

Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour

Explore the historic network of tunnels used in guerrilla warfare; visitor hours generally 8:00am–17:00pm—tours include transport and guide.
VND350000, 4h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Com tam or bun thit nuong

Return to District 1 for a late lunch of broken rice (cơm tấm) or grilled noodle bowls—eateries stay open all day.
VND100000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Bitexco Skydeck & sunset

See sweeping city views from the Skydeck (open 9:30am–21:00pm)—late afternoon is ideal for golden-hour photos and city lights.
VND200000, 1h0m

5:30pm

Coffee or sundowners at a rooftop bar

Relax with a drink while watching Saigon’s evening skyline; rooftop venues open late into the night.
VND150000, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Bún thịt nướng or Cục Gạch Quán

Savour grilled pork noodles or home-style Vietnamese cuisine at a recommended restaurant open until ~22:00pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 4: Fly to Phu Quoc

Ho Chi Minh City → Phu Quoc, Vietnam on August 18, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast — Hotel or nearby café

Quick breakfast before airport transfer; allow 60–90 minutes before domestic flights at Tan Son Nhat Airport.
VND0, 0h30m

8:30am

Flight Ho Chi Minh → Phu Quoc (1h10m)

Short domestic flight to Phu Quoc; book a morning flight to maximize time on the island.
VND900000, 1h10m

10:30am

Hotel check-in & Long Beach orientation

Check in and head to Long Beach (Bãi Trường) for swimming and sun—beach access is open all day and ideal midday.
VND0, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch — Beachside seafood

Enjoy fresh grilled seafood at a beachfront restaurant; most open midday to evening and offer catch-of-the-day specials.
VND200000, 1h0m

3:30pm

Explore Duong Dong & fish sauce shops

Visit local shops selling Phu Quoc fish sauce and island specialties; many shops open daily from morning through early evening.
VND0, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner — Phu Quoc Night Market

Sample grilled seafood, pancakes and street snacks at the night market (typically open ~16:00–23:30) for a lively island dinner.
VND150000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City → Phu Quoc

Day 5: Snorkel & Islands

Phu Quoc, Vietnam on August 19, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Hotel buffet or local café

Fill up with a hearty breakfast—many hotels and cafés serve from 7:00am—before heading out for water activities.
VND0, 0h30m

8:30am

Island-hopping & snorkeling (An Thới archipelago)

Half-day boat trip visiting coral reefs and quiet islets for snorkeling and swimming; tours typically depart 8:00–9:00am and return mid-afternoon.
VND600000, 5h0m

1:30pm

Lunch — On-boat or beach restaurant

Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch served during the tour or at a small island eatery—timing depends on operator (usually midday).
VND0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Relax at your beach or hotel

Return to your hotel for a spa, pool time or a quiet beach walk—perfect downtime after a full water-day.
VND300000, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Ham Ninh fishing village

Drive to Ham Ninh for authentic fisherman-style grilled seafood and sunset views; many stalls open through the evening.
VND250000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Phu Quoc

Day 6: Island Relax

Phu Quoc, Vietnam on August 20, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Leisurely hotel breakfast

Have a relaxed breakfast and plan a flexible day—hotel services and cafés operate from early morning.
VND0, 0h45m

9:00am

Vinpearl Safari or VinWonders (optional)

Choose Vinpearl Safari for wildlife (open ~9:00am–17:00pm) or VinWonders for a theme-park day (open ~9:00am–18:00pm); both need half to full day.
VND800000, 5h0m

2:00pm

Lunch — Local crab or seafood restaurant

Enjoy a late island lunch; many restaurants focus on crab, lobster and local catches—open through the afternoon.
VND200000, 1h0m

4:00pm

Sao Beach afternoon (or Ong Lang Beach)

Head to Sao Beach for powdery white sand and clear water—public access is open all day and it’s quieter in late afternoon.
VND0, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Night market revisit or riverside restaurant

Return to the night market for any missed snacks or choose a quieter riverside seafood place to end your island stay.
VND150000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Phu Quoc

Day 7: Travel to Da Nang

Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh → Da Nang, Vietnam on August 21, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast — Quick hotel breakfast

Early breakfast and check-out; Phu Quoc flights are best booked in the morning to connect smoothly onward.
VND0, 0h30m

8:30am

Flight Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh (1h10m)

Fly back to Tan Son Nhat; many Phu Quoc flights route via Ho Chi Minh—coordinate connections if flying same day to Da Nang.
VND900000, 1h10m

11:00am

Transit & short lunch in Ho Chi Minh

If you have a connection gap, grab a quick meal near the airport or in a city lounge (airport eateries open early).
VND120000, 1h0m

1:00pm

Flight Ho Chi Minh → Da Nang (1h20m)

Domestic flight up to Da Nang; arriving mid-afternoon gives time for a short city orientation and beach time.
VND900000, 1h20m

3:30pm

Check-in & My Khe Beach

Arrive at your Da Nang hotel and head to My Khe Beach for a refreshing swim and sunset walk—beach open all day.
VND0, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Riverside seafood

Enjoy a relaxed seafood dinner by the Han River; many restaurants open until ~22:00pm and offer local specialties.
VND200000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh → Da Nang

Day 8: Ba Na Hills

Da Nang, Vietnam on August 22, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast — Hotel or local bánh mì

Early breakfast to prepare for a full-day excursion to Ba Na Hills; cafés and bakeries open from ~6:00am.
VND60000, 0h30m

7:30am

Ba Na Hills full-day trip (Golden Bridge, French Village)

Take cable cars up to Ba Na Hills to see the Golden Bridge, French village, gardens and mountain views—park hours typically 7:00am–17:30pm.
VND850000, 8h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Ba Na Hills food court

Convenient buffet or food-court options on-site while touring; reduces travel back and forth.
VND150000, 0h45m

5:00pm

Return to Da Nang & rest

Descend by cable car and return to your hotel to freshen up after the day’s sightseeing.
VND0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Local grilled specialties

Try central-Vietnam grilled dishes or seafood near the river; restaurants generally open until 22:00pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Da Nang

Day 9: Hoi An Day

Da Nang → Hoi An, Vietnam on August 23, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Cao lầu in Da Nang or en route

Try cao lầu, a Hoi An specialty available in Da Nang or after you arrive in Hoi An; vendors open from early morning.
VND60000, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive to Hoi An (30–45 mins)

Short scenic coastal drive to Hoi An Ancient Town—this sequence keeps the day relaxed and maximizes exploration time.
VND150000, 0h45m

9:00am

Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses and riverside alleys; most attractions and shops open from ~8:30am–22:00pm.
VND120000, 2h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Morning Glory or local eatery

Taste Hoi An specialties such as white rose dumplings and cao lầu at a reputable restaurant—lunch service typically 11:00am–14:00pm.
VND180000, 1h0m

2:30pm

Tailor visit or lantern boat ride

Get a garment measured by a trusted tailor (1–2 day turnaround) or enjoy a short boat ride on the Thu Bồn River; tailors open ~8:30am–20:30pm.
VND300000, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Da Nang & sunset

Head back to Da Nang and catch sunset at My Khe or a quiet beach stretch to wind down after the Hoi An day.
VND0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Riverfront seafood or Vietnamese fusion

Choose a relaxed riverside spot for dinner sampling local seafood or modern Vietnamese dishes—open until ~22:00pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Da Nang → Hoi An

Day 10: Culture & Depart

Da Nang, Vietnam on August 24, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Café & Vietnamese drip coffee

Enjoy a final local coffee and light breakfast to prepare for your departure; cafés open from ~7:00am.
VND60000, 0h30m

8:30am

Cham Sculpture Museum

Visit the world’s largest collection of Cham artifacts for insight into Central Vietnam’s history—museum hours typically 8:00am–17:30pm.
VND40000, 1h30m

10:30am

Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn)

Explore caves, pagodas and viewpoints; site generally open 7:00am–17:00pm and offers panoramic coastal views—ideal before departure.
VND40000, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Han Market specialties or local noodle shop

Have a final Vietnamese meal—banh xeo or bun ca—near Han Market; market stalls operate from early morning to late afternoon.
VND120000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Hotel check-out & transfer to Da Nang Airport

Allow ample time (60–90 minutes) for transfer and domestic/international flight check-in—arrive early for a smooth departure.
VND200000, 1h30m

4:00pm

Flight Da Nang → onward (Ho Chi Minh or international)

Catch your scheduled flight—domestic flights to Ho Chi Minh take ~1h20m; coordinate with international connections if applicable.
VND900000, 1h20m

7:00pm

If in transit — final dinner and departure prep

If you stayed on in Ho Chi Minh after connecting, enjoy a final dinner in District 1 and prepare for onward travel; otherwise ensure you are at the gate for your flight.
VND200000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Da Nang
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