Vietnam 6-Day Itinerary (5 Nights)

Day 1: Arrival & Hanoi Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Settle in and enjoy a quick coffee at a local café.

Afternoon: Stroll through the bustling Old Quarter, sampling street food and browsing artisan shops. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and the historic Ngoc Son Temple on its island.

Evening: Dine on authentic Vietnamese cuisine at a riverside restaurant and watch a traditional Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre.

Day 2: Hanoi Cultural Highlights

Morning: Explore the serene Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, and learn about Confucian heritage.

Afternoon: Visit the poignant Hoa Lo Prison Museum followed by a walk around the French Colonial St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Evening: Experience Hanoi’s nightlife on Ta Hien Street, enjoying local brews and live music.

Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise

Morning: Depart early for the Hai Phong Port and board a classic wooden junk for a cruise of Halong Bay.

Afternoon: Sail through the limestone karsts, explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board.

Evening: Participate in a cooking class aboard the boat, then relax on the deck under the stars before returning to Hanoi.

Day 4: Flight to Hue & Imperial City

Morning: Fly to Hue and check into a boutique hotel near the Perfume River.

Afternoon: Tour the expansive Imperial City (Citadel), admiring the throne hall, royal chambers, and ornate gates.

Evening: Dine on Hue’s specialty bun bo Hue and take a leisurely walk along the riverfront.

Day 5: Hoi An Ancient Town

Morning: Transfer to Hoi An and check into a riverside guesthouse. Begin with a guided walk through the UNESCO‑listed Hoi An Ancient Town.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the historic Tan Ky Old House, and browse lantern shops.

Evening: Enjoy a lantern‑lit dinner on the river, then watch a traditional performance at the Hoi An Theater.

Day 6: My Son & Departure

Morning: Take a half‑day excursion to the My Son Sanctuary, exploring the ancient Cham temple complex.

Afternoon: Return to Hoi An for a quick lunch, then transfer to Da Nang International Airport for your departure flight.

Evening: Fly home with memories of Vietnam’s rich history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Tan Son Nhat International Airport Transfer – 1 hour – $25
• Old Quarter, Hanoi – 3 hours – $15
• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple – 1 hour – $5
• Water Puppet Show – 1 hour – $10
• Temple of Literature – 2 hours – $7
• Hoa Lo Prison Museum – 1.5 hours – $6
• Halong Bay Cruise (including lunch & cooking class) – 8 hours – $120
• Flight Hanoi → Hue – 1.5 hours – $80
• Imperial City (Citadel) – 3 hours – $10
• Hue Riverfront Dinner – 2 hours – $20
• Flight Hue → Da Nang (transfer to Hoi An) – 1 hour – $50
• Hoi An Ancient Town Guided Walk – 3 hours – $15
• Japanese Covered Bridge & Tan Ky House – 1.5 hours – $5
• Hoi An Lantern Dinner – 2 hours – $25
• My Son Sanctuary Tour – 4 hours – $30
• Da Nang Airport Transfer & Flight Home – 2 hours – $30

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a full day in the Mekong Delta to experience river life and floating markets, or extend your stay in Hoi An for a relaxing beach day at An Bang. To shorten the trip, you can skip the My Son excursion and fly directly from Hue to Da Nang, consolidating the last two days into a single day of travel and departure.