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7-Day Vietnam Highlights for Two Couples — Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City (Balanced Culture, Beaches & Food)

Viewed by 111 travelers

Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 20, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Pho/Bun Cha

Start with a classic Hanoi breakfast: pho or bun cha in the Old Quarter for a local flavour blast and easy people-watching in the lane-filled neighbourhood.
VND80000, 0h45m

8:30am

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

A peaceful morning walk around the lake and a short visit to Ngoc Son Temple (open 8:00am–5:00pm) to see local life and early tai chi groups.
VND30000, 1h00m

10:00am

Old Quarter walking tour

Self-guided or small-group walk through market streets and colonial lanes to sample street food, see artisanal shops and learn neighbourhood stories.
VND0, 2h00m

12:30pm

Lunch — Cha Ca or local specialties

Try Cha Ca (turmeric fish) or a set menu at a well-known local restaurant in the Old Quarter for an authentic northern Vietnamese meal.
VND250000, 1h00m

2:00pm

Temple of Literature

Visit Vietnam’s first university and beautiful courtyards (open 8:00am–5:00pm) to learn about Confucian heritage and Hanoi’s scholarly past.
VND30000, 1h00m

4:00pm

Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Short visit to the 'Hanoi Hilton' museum (open ~8:30am–5:00pm) for historical context on 20th-century Vietnam.
VND30000, 1h00m

7:00pm

Dinner — Home-style Vietnamese

Dinner at a recommended restaurant serving refined home-style Vietnamese dishes to sample a variety of small plates.
VND300000, 1h30m

8:00pm

Optional: Water Puppet Show

Catch the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre show (usually 8:00pm) — a fun cultural performance showcasing Vietnamese folk tales; book tickets in advance.
VND150000, 1h00m
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 2: Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay (overnight), Vietnam on September 21, 2025

7:00am

Transfer to Halong Bay

Private car or shuttle from Hanoi to Halong Bay — scenic motorway and countryside; expect about 3.5–4 hours depending on traffic.
VND500000, 4h00m

11:30am

Board Halong Bay cruise (check-in)

Check in at the harbour (most cruises 11:30am–12:30pm) and sail past limestone karsts; mid-range 1-night cruises include lunch, activities and cabin.
VND2500000, 0h30m

12:30pm

Lunch on board (included)

Fresh seafood and Vietnamese dishes served while cruising through the bay’s scenic seascape — usually included in cruise price.
VND0, 1h00m

3:00pm

Kayaking & Cave Visit

Afternoon exploration: kayak between karsts or visit a show cave (timings depend on cruise itinerary); great for photos and light adventure.
VND0, 2h00m

6:30pm

Sunset & Dinner on Deck

Enjoy sunset views with drinks and a multi-course dinner on board; many cruises include evening activities like squid fishing.
VND0, 2h00m

9:00pm

Overnight on cruise

Relax in your cabin or join onboard evening activities — sleeping on the water is a highlight and avoids road transfers at night.
VND0, 10h00m
Find Hotels in Halong Bay (overnight)

Day 3: To Hoi An

Halong Bay → Hanoi → Da Nang → Hoi An, Vietnam on September 22, 2025

7:00am

Tai Chi & Breakfast on Deck

Morning tai chi on the sundeck followed by breakfast; a gentle way to watch limestone islands appear in the morning light.
VND0, 1h00m

9:30am

Final sightseeing & disembark

Visit a final island or cave per cruise itinerary, then disembark at the harbour by about 11:30am to transfer back to Hanoi.
VND0, 1h30m

12:00pm

Coach transfer to Hanoi (arrival mid-late afternoon)

Return coach to Hanoi — plan 3.5–4.5 hours depending on traffic; most cruises include this transfer in the price.
VND0, 4h30m

5:00pm

Fly Hanoi → Da Nang

Evening domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang (approx 1h20m); book an evening flight to connect to Hoi An by road.
VND1200000, 1h20m

8:30pm

Transfer Da Nang → Hoi An + Dinner

Transfer (~45m) to Hoi An and have dinner at a recommended riverside restaurant serving central-Vietnam specialties (book ahead).
VND300000, 1h30m

10:30pm

Hotel check-in — Hoi An

Settle into your Hoi An hotel; choose a property in or near the Old Town for easy evening strolls.
VND0, 0h30m
Find Hotels in Halong Bay → Hanoi → Da Nang → Hoi An

Day 4: Hoi An Old Town

Hoi An, Vietnam on September 23, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Banh Mi or hotel

Grab a famous Hoi An banh mi for a quick, delicious start, or enjoy hotel breakfast before walking the Old Town.
VND60000, 0h30m

9:00am

Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour

Explore the Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls and old merchant houses (many monuments open 8:00am–5:00pm); purchase a local heritage ticket for entry to several sites.
VND120000, 3h00m

12:30pm

Lunch — Riverside restaurant

Relax at a café or restaurant along the Thu Bon River with central-Vietnam specialties and fresh seafood.
VND250000, 1h00m

3:00pm

Tailor visit & Lantern-making workshop

Visit a reputable tailor (turnaround can be same-day to 2 days) and join a 1–2 hour lantern-making workshop — open afternoons and evenings.
VND300000, 2h00m

6:00pm

Dinner — Local favourites

Dine at a well-rated Hoi An restaurant offering a modern twist on Vietnamese classics; reserve for a riverside table at sunset.
VND350000, 1h30m

8:00pm

Evening — Lantern-lit boat on Thu Bon River

Float on a small boat releasing lanterns and enjoy the magical Night Market atmosphere; boat rides typically run until about 9:30pm.
VND150000, 0h45m
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day 5: My Son & Fly South

Hoi An → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on September 24, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Quick hotel breakfast or local coffee and pastries to prepare for a morning excursion to My Son Sanctuary.
VND80000, 0h30m

8:00am

My Son Sanctuary guided tour

Half-day visit to the Cham ruins of My Son (open 6:30am–5:30pm) to learn about Champa culture and see temple clusters set in jungle-cleared valleys.
VND650000, 3h00m

12:30pm

Lunch — Hoi An local restaurant

Return to Hoi An for a relaxed lunch featuring central-Vietnam cuisine — try cao lầu or local fish dishes.
VND150000, 1h00m

3:00pm

Transfer to Da Nang Airport

Drive 30–45 minutes to Da Nang airport to catch an evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City; allow buffer for traffic.
VND300000, 0h45m

5:00pm

Fly Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City

Evening domestic flight, approx 1h20m; flights are frequent — choose a direct carrier or low-cost airline as preferred.
VND1300000, 1h20m

7:30pm

Dinner — Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in District 1 and enjoy dinner at a highly-rated restaurant specialising in Southern Vietnamese or fusion dishes.
VND300000, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Hoi An → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City

Day 6: Cu Chi & Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on September 25, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Hearty breakfast to prepare for a morning departure to the Cu Chi Tunnels; many hotels open breakfast from 6:30–7:00am.
VND80000, 0h30m

7:30am

Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour

Guided tour (7:30am–1:00pm typical) to the extensive tunnel network used in the war; includes a guided walk, demonstration areas and optional crawl tunnels.
VND600000, 5h00m

1:00pm

Lunch — District 1 pho or local eatery

Return to the city for a relaxing lunch at a popular pho shop or street-side restaurant in District 1.
VND150000, 1h00m

2:30pm

Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)

Visit the restored presidential palace (open 7:30am–4:00pm) for insight into Vietnam’s modern political history and period architecture.
VND40000, 1h00m

4:00pm

War Remnants Museum

A sobering but informative museum about the Vietnam War, typically open 7:30am–5:00pm; plan 1–1.5 hours for exhibits.
VND40000, 1h00m

7:30pm

Dinner — Vietnamese favourites

Dinner at a well-regarded restaurant offering regional Vietnamese dishes; consider reservations for a larger group.
VND300000, 1h30m

9:30pm

Evening — Bui Vien or rooftop bar

Option to explore lively Bui Vien nightlife or relax at a rooftop bar with city views to toast the trip.
VND200000, 2h00m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 7: Mekong Delta & Depart

Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on September 26, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Early breakfast to prepare for a full-day Mekong Delta tour; many tours depart between 7:00–8:00am.
VND80000, 0h30m

7:30am

Mekong Delta day trip (Ben Tre or Cai Be)

Full-day guided tour including river boat rides, village visits, coconut workshops and a local lunch; tour durations typically 7–9 hours.
VND900000, 8h00m

12:30pm

Lunch — Included on tour

Traditional riverside lunch included with the tour, usually featuring fresh local produce and specialties.
VND0, 1h00m

4:30pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive back in the city mid-to-late afternoon; allow time to freshen up before onward flights or evening plans.
VND0, 0h30m

7:30pm

Dinner / Final night

Final celebratory dinner at a recommended modern Vietnamese restaurant or bistro; ideal for sharing highlights and photos.
VND300000, 1h30m

9:30pm

Transfer to airport / End of itinerary

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport based on your international flight time; allow 2–3 hours before international departures.
VND300000, 0h30m
Find Hotels in Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh City
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