Vietnam 9‑Day Adventure (Vegetarian Friendly)

Day 1: Arrival & Hanoi Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Nội Bài International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Settle in and enjoy a leisurely walk to get a feel for the bustling streets.

Afternoon: Stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and visit the iconic Ngọc Sơn Temple. Lunch at the popular vegetarian spot Loving Hut Hanoi offers fresh tofu dishes and noodle soups.

Evening: Experience a traditional water puppet show at Thăng Long Theatre. Dine at Uppercase Vegetarian, known for its creative plant‑based Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 2: Hanoi Cultural Highlights

Morning: Tour the historic Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, and admire its serene gardens.

Afternoon: Explore the bustling Dong Xuan Market and sample vegetarian street snacks. Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology for insights into the country’s diverse cultures.

Evening: Enjoy a sunset walk along West Lake. Dinner at Chay Garden, offering a wide range of vegan Vietnamese dishes.

Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise

Morning: Depart early for the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Board a comfortable cruise and begin sailing among towering limestone karsts.

Afternoon: Explore Sung Sot Cave and enjoy a vegetarian lunch on deck featuring spring rolls and tofu curries.

Evening: Participate in a cooking demonstration of vegetarian Vietnamese dishes. Relax on the deck as the bay glows under the night sky.

Day 4: Ninh Binh Day Trip

Morning: Travel to Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on land.” Take a boat ride through the tranquil waters of Trang Trại River to see the stunning limestone cliffs.

Afternoon: Visit the ancient capital Hoa Lu and explore its historic temples. Lunch at Van Chay Vegetarian Restaurant, renowned for its mushroom hotpot.

Evening: Return to Hanoi and unwind with a gentle walk around the historic French Quarter. Light dinner at your hotel’s vegetarian buffet.

Day 5: Flight to Hue & Imperial City

Morning: Fly to the former imperial capital Hue. Check into a riverside hotel and freshen up.

Afternoon: Tour the grand Imperial City (Đại Nội), exploring its palaces, temples, and the Forbidden Purple City.

Evening: Dine at Hanh Restaurant, a vegetarian favorite serving Hue‑style tofu and rice noodle dishes. Take an evening stroll along the Perfume River.

Day 6: Hue to Hoi An via Da Nang

Morning: Visit the serene Thien Mu Pagoda perched on a hill overlooking the river.

Afternoon: Stop at the coastal city of Da Nang to see the modern Dragon Bridge and relax on My Khe Beach. Lunch at Veggie House Da Nang, offering fresh salads and spring rolls.

Evening: Arrive in the lantern‑lit town of Hoi An. Dinner at Morning Glory Vegetarian, famous for its vegan bánh xèo and pho.

Day 7: Hoi An Exploration

Morning: Take a guided walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Hoi An Ancient Town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge and historic houses.

Afternoon: Cycle to the nearby Tra Que Herb Village and learn about local organic herbs. Enjoy a farm‑to‑table vegetarian lunch prepared with fresh produce.

Evening: Join a lantern‑making workshop and then savor dinner at Vegan Garden, offering a mix of Vietnamese and Western vegan dishes.

Day 8: Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Morning: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and settle into a boutique hotel in District 1.

Afternoon: Discover the bustling Ben Thanh Market and sample vegetarian snacks such as fried spring rolls and fresh fruit smoothies.

Evening: Visit the historic Notre‑Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Dinner at Hum Vegetarian, a sleek spot known for its contemporary vegan menu.

Day 9: Mekong Delta Day Tour

Morning: Depart for a full‑day excursion to the Mekong Delta. Board a traditional wooden boat to navigate the intricate canal network.

Afternoon: Explore the lively Cai Be Floating Market and enjoy a vegetarian lunch of tofu and fresh vegetables prepared on‑board.

Evening: Return to Saigon for a farewell dinner at Saigon Vegan, featuring creative plant‑based takes on classic Vietnamese dishes.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Hoàn Kiếm Lake – 1.5 hrs – $0
• Loving Hut Hanoi – 1 hr – $12
• Temple of Literature – 2 hrs – $5
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – 2 hrs – $7
• Uppercase Vegetarian – 1.5 hrs – $15
• Halong Bay Cruise (2‑night) – 2 days – $180
• Sung Sot Cave – 1 hr – $3
• Van Chay Vegetarian Restaurant – 1 hr – $13
• Imperial City (Hue) – 3 hrs – $10
• Thien Mu Pagoda – 1 hr – $2
• Veggie House Da Nang – 1 hr – $14
• Morning Glory Vegetarian (Hoi An) – 1.5 hrs – $16
• Tra Que Herb Village – 2 hrs – $8
• Vegan Garden (Hoi An) – 1.5 hrs – $15
• Ben Thanh Market – 2 hrs – $0
• Hum Vegetarian (Saigon) – 1.5 hrs – $18
• Cai Be Floating Market – 2 hrs – $10 (boat fee)
• Saigon Vegan – 1.5 hrs – $17
• Domestic Flights (Hanoi‑Hue, Hue‑Da Nang‑Hoi An, Hoi An‑Saigon) – 3 hrs total – $120
• Ground Transfers & Private Tours – 8 hrs total – $150
• Accommodation (8 nights, mid‑range hotels) – 8 nights – $480
• Total Estimated Cost: $1065

Tips

If you wish to extend the trip, consider adding a day in Da Nang to explore the Marble Mountains or a full day in the Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng National Park for spectacular cave adventures. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine the Hanoi‑Halong Bay segment into a single day cruise and skip the Ninh Binh day trip, focusing on the major cities and their vegetarian culinary scenes.