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9-Day Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong, Hue, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh — Classic North-to-South Loop

Viewed by 148 travelers

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on October 10, 2025

9:00am

Airport transfer & hotel check-in

Arrive at Noi Bai, transfer to Old Quarter hotel and drop bags; rest/upfront check-in helps you start refreshed for walking the city.
USD15, 1h30m

11:30am

Lunch: Bun Cha Huong Lien

Famous for Hanoi-style bun cha (grilled pork with noodles); iconic local flavors — open late morning to evening.
USD6, 1h0m

1:00pm

Walk Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Relaxing lakeside walk and short visit to the island temple — great intro to Hanoi's pace and photo ops.
USD1, 1h0m

3:00pm

Old Quarter walking tour (self-guided)

Wander narrow streets, artisan shops and street food stalls to get a feel for Hanoi’s vibrant commercial heart.
USD0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance telling folk stories — shows commonly at 6:30pm and 8:00pm (check schedule).
USD5, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner: Cha Ca Thang Long

Specialty Hanoi turmeric fish served at the table — a unique local dish and an atmospheric place to end day one.
USD12, 1h15m
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi highlights

Hanoi, Vietnam on October 11, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast: Cafe Giang (egg coffee)

Try Hanoi's famous egg coffee and simple breakfast rolls at this historic café — open early to late.
USD3, 0h45m

9:30am

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Presidential Palace

Pay respects and see the mausoleum complex; mausoleum typically open 8:00-11:00am (closed Mon & Fri) so check day of visit.
USD0, 1h0m

11:00am

Temple of Literature

Vietnam’s first university, a peaceful Confucian complex with gardens and courtyards — open roughly 8:00am-5:00pm.
USD6, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch: Bun Bo Nam Bo

Popular local spot for a simple, flavorful northern take on beef noodle salad — quick and authentic.
USD5, 0h45m

2:00pm

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

One of Vietnam’s best museums offering comprehensive exhibits on ethnic groups and cultural artifacts — open approx 8:30am-5:30pm (closed Mon).
USD4, 2h0m

5:30pm

Street food crawl in Old Quarter

Sample pho, banh mi, and local sweets as the markets and stalls come alive in the evening.
USD8, 1h30m

8:00pm

Dinner: Quan An Ngon

Broad selection of Vietnamese regional dishes in a tourist-friendly setting — good place to try multiple small plates.
USD12, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 3: Halong cruise

Halong Bay, Vietnam on October 12, 2025

7:00am

Transfer to Halong Bay (coach pickup)

Morning bus picks up from Hanoi hotels; drive is ~3.5–4 hours along the coast to Ha Long — scenic and practical.
USD20, 3h30m

12:30pm

Board overnight Halong Bay cruise

Check into your junk/cruise; lunch served as you begin cruising among limestone karsts — activities include cave visits and kayaking.
USD140, 1h0m

2:00pm

Sung Sot Cave & kayaking

Explore one of Halong’s largest caves and paddle in calm lagoons — cave open typically 8:00am-5:00pm; kayaking depends on cruise itinerary.
USD0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Sunset & dinner on board

Relax on deck at sunset and enjoy a multi-course Vietnamese/seafood dinner prepared by the cruise crew.
USD0, 2h0m

9:00pm

Optional squid fishing or night chill

Many cruises offer squid fishing, an evening movie, or simply stargazing on deck — relax after a full day.
USD0, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Halong Bay

Day 4: Return & fly south

Hanoi → Hue, Vietnam on October 13, 2025

7:00am

Morning Tai Chi & breakfast on cruise

Short morning exercise or sunrise on deck followed by breakfast before disembarking — check cruise schedule for exact timing.
USD0, 1h0m

9:30am

Disembark & transfer back to Hanoi (coach)

Coach returns to Hanoi, arriving mid/late morning or early afternoon depending on traffic; aim to reach the airport for afternoon flights.
USD20, 3h30m

4:00pm

Flight Hanoi → Hue (domestic)

Short domestic flight (~1h15) to Hue; book early to get convenient times — flights run frequently throughout the day.
USD60, 1h15m

6:00pm

Check-in & stroll along the Perfume River

Evening walk by the river to see Hue's relaxed riverside life and pagodas lit at night — good first impressions of central Vietnam.
USD0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner: Bun Bo Hue at Hanh Restaurant

Try the spicy, aromatic local beef-noodle soup that Hue is famous for — open into the evening.
USD5, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hanoi → Hue

Day 5: Hue to Hoi An

Hue → Hoi An, Vietnam on October 14, 2025

8:00am

Imperial Citadel (Dai Noi)

Explore the UNESCO citadel and royal palaces of the Nguyen Dynasty — typically open 8:00am-5:00pm; allow 1–2 hours.
USD6, 2h0m

10:30am

Thien Mu Pagoda & local market

Visit the historic riverside pagoda then a short stop at a nearby market for local snacks and photos.
USD1, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch: Ancient Hue Restaurant

Tasty set menu of royal-style Hue dishes — a good chance to taste specialties like nem lui or banh khoai.
USD10, 1h0m

2:00pm

Drive to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (scenic)

Private car or shuttle over the Hai Van Pass (scenic coastal mountain pass) with photo stops; journey ~3 hours to Hoi An.
USD30, 3h0m

6:00pm

Arrive Hoi An & evening walk

Check into Hoi An hotel, then wander the atmospheric lantern-lit Old Town — best viewed after sunset (lanterns lit around dusk).
USD0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner: Morning Glory (Hoi An specialties)

A well-known restaurant specializing in central-Vietnam cuisine — excellent introduction to regional flavors like cao lau.
USD12, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Hue → Hoi An

Day 6: Hoi An immersion

Hoi An, Vietnam on October 15, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at hotel or local cafe

Light breakfast before a market & cooking class; many classes pick up at hotels around 8:30–9:00am.
USD0, 0h30m

9:00am

Market visit and half-day cooking class (e.g., Red Bridge)

Visit the local market then learn to prepare Vietnamese dishes; most classes run 9:00am–1:30pm and include lunch of your creations.
USD45, 4h30m

2:30pm

Explore Hoi An Old Town & Japanese Covered Bridge

Stroll UNESCO Old Town with its merchant houses, pagodas and iconic bridge — area open all day, best late afternoon to evening.
USD2, 1h30m

4:30pm

Bike to An Bang Beach

Short bicycle ride (15–20 min) to sandy An Bang for a swim or a coffee by the sea; beach cafes open through late afternoon to evening.
USD2, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner: Mango Rooms or local seafood

Try a relaxed dinner blending Vietnamese and international touches in Hoi An’s lively evening scene.
USD15, 1h15m
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day 7: Fly to Saigon

Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on October 16, 2025

8:00am

Transfer to Da Nang Airport & flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Short transfer to Da Nang airport (~30–45 min) and a 1h20 domestic flight to Tan Son Nhat (Saigon); morning flights frequent.
USD60, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch: Pho Hoa Pasteur or Ben Thanh area

Classic Saigon pho or Vietnamese mixed plates near central districts; quick fuel before afternoon tours.
USD6, 1h0m

2:00pm

War Remnants Museum

Powerful museum detailing the war’s impact — open roughly 7:30am-6:00pm; allow 1–2 hours for exhibits.
USD2, 1h30m

4:30pm

Walk Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office

Iconic French colonial landmarks in downtown District 1, great quick photo stops and easy to visit late afternoon.
USD0, 0h45m

6:30pm

Dinner: Street food crawl on Bui Vien or dinner at Cuc Gach Quan

Choose lively backpacker street for casual eats or Cuc Gach Quan for refined home-style Vietnamese dining.
USD10, 1h15m
Find Hotels in Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City

Day 8: Mekong Delta day

Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on October 17, 2025

7:30am

Full-day Mekong Delta trip (Cai Be / Ben Tre)

Boat rides, sampan canals, fruit orchards and local workshops (coconut candy, mat weaving); most tours depart ~7:30–8:00am and return late afternoon.
USD35, 9h0m

1:00pm

Lunch included on Delta tour

Typical local lunch on the tour, often featuring river fish, rice and tropical fruits — convenient and part of the experience.
USD0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City & relax

Evening at leisure after a long day — grab coffee or relax at your hotel before dinner.
USD0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner: Banh Xeo or seafood at local restaurant

Try southern specialties like banh xeo (crispy pancake) or a seafood platter to finish your Mekong-inspired day.
USD12, 1h15m
Find Hotels in Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh City

Day 9: Saigon & depart

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on October 18, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast & pack

Leisurely morning to pack and check out; confirm airport transfer time with hotel (allow 2–3 hours before international flight).
USD0, 1h0m

9:30am

Ben Thanh Market shopping

Great place for last-minute souvenirs, clothing and coffee; stalls open early and busiest mid-morning to afternoon.
USD10, 1h30m

11:30am

Lunch: Quan An Ngon or local cafe

Enjoy a final Vietnamese meal near the city center before heading to the airport.
USD10, 1h0m

1:30pm

Visit Reunification Palace (optional short stop)

Quick history stop and photos if time allows; palace open approx 7:30am-4:00pm.
USD2, 1h0m

3:30pm

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport

Allow 2–3 hours for international departures; aim to arrive by this time for evening flights.
USD12, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
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