Arrive at Nội Bài International Airport and take a private transfer into the heart of the city, checking in at your hotel in the Old Quarter or leaving luggage if early; enjoy a gentle walk to Hoàn Kiếm Lake to stretch after your flight and watch locals practice tai chi on the lakeside. Pop into a nearby café such as Café Pho Co for a traditional egg coffee and a view of Turtle Tower, setting the tone for your Hanoi introduction.
After lunch, dive into the atmospheric maze of the Old Quarter — stroll along Hàng Ngang and Hàng Đào streets to browse silk shops, lacquerware and street-side tailors, then visit the Bach Ma Temple tucked between narrow shophouses to feel Hanoi's centuries-old spiritual rhythm. Pause for a bowl of bun cha at a popular local spot like Bun Cha Huong Lien (the Obama-famous restaurant) to sample Hanoi’s signature flavors up close.
As dusk falls, join a cyclo ride through lantern-lit alleys to experience the Old Quarter’s lively evening energy, then catch a short water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for a playful introduction to Vietnamese folklore. Finish the night with a riverside dinner at one of the restaurants along Ta Hien or a casual craft beer at a local microbrewery, soaking in street food aromas and the city’s vibrant nightlife while preparing for tomorrow’s deeper cultural exploration.
Build on your lakeside morning by heading to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex to see the preserved leader and stroll the nearby Presidential Palace gardens; pop into the simple Home of Uncle Ho (his stilt house) for a quiet, humanizing glimpse of his life. From there, cross to the Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first university — to admire lacquered altars, serene courtyards and students posing by the famous stelae, then stop at a nearby street stall for a steaming bowl of pho Cuon or a bánh cuốn snack to keep you moving.
After a light lunch, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to explore immersive displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, then return to the Old Quarter for a hands-on cooking class or guided street-food tour that focuses on Hanoi specialties like bun cha, cha ca and egg coffee. Between tastings, duck into the Fine Arts Museum or a local lacquerware workshop to watch artisans at work and pick up a meaningful souvenir.
As dusk falls, follow the locals to Ta Hien Street and the surrounding alleys for an energetic street-food crawl — sample grilled corn, squid, Vietnamese pancakes (banh xeo) and craft beer at a rooftop bar overlooking the Old Quarter. Finish the night with a second visit to Hoàn Kiếm Lake to see it lit up, perhaps pausing at a riverside café for egg coffee or a late-night dessert of che (sweet soup) before returning to your hotel and packing for tomorrow’s transfer to Ha Long Bay.
Leave Hanoi after an early breakfast and enjoy a scenic private transfer (or comfortable shuttle) to Hạ Long City, with a rest stop en route; arrive at Tuan Chau or Bai Chay harbour mid-morning and board your chosen cruise — many operators offer welcome drinks and a short safety briefing before casting off. As the boat slips into the bay, settle into your cabin and head up to the sundeck to watch the limestone karsts appear from the mist while sipping Vietnamese tea and snapping photos.
After a leisurely onboard lunch featuring fresh seafood and Vietnamese classics, join the cruise’s scheduled excursion to explore highlights such as Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave or Titov Island, where you can climb for panoramic views or relax on a small sandy beach; kayaking and swimming options are often available from the tender. Back on board, enjoy a cooking demonstration — learn to make spring rolls or a local salad — then relax in the lounge as the vessel continues through narrow channels and hidden lagoons.
As dusk paints the karsts in gold, join fellow passengers for a sunset cocktail on deck and watch fishing boats begin their lights-off routines; later, savor a multi-course dinner featuring the day’s catch and regional specialties served at the cruise’s dining salon. After dinner, try squid fishing off the stern, enjoy a quiet nightcap on your private balcony, or curl up in your cabin with the gentle rocking of the bay, knowing you’ll wake to another breathtaking Ha Long sunrise.
Wake early to catch the soft light on the karsts with a guided tai chi session on the sundeck, then join the crew for a morning excursion—kayak through a quiet lagoon or visit Luon Cave by rowboat for serene paddling among limestone cliffs. Return to the boat for a hearty brunch of fresh seafood and Vietnamese dishes before disembarking at Tuan Chau or Bai Chay harbour for the transfer back to Hanoi.
After a comfortable road transfer to Nội Bài Airport (allowing time for a brief rest or luggage drop at a Hanoi airport lounge), board your mid-afternoon flight to Da Nang; on arrival, take a short private transfer to Hoi An and check in at your riverside hotel. If time allows, stroll along the Thu Bồn River and peek into the Japanese Covered Bridge and the lantern-lit lanes of the Old Town to reorient yourself before evening activities.
As dusk falls over Hoi An, join the riverside crowd for dinner at a local favourite such as Morning Glory or Mango Mango to sample cao lầu and other central-Vietnam specialties, then release a paper lantern on the river for a memorable, romantic local ritual. Finish the night with a slow walk through the lantern-bedecked streets and a stop at a café for a ca phe sua da or a light dessert before returning to your hotel, ready for a full day exploring Hoi An tomorrow.
Start your day with a relaxed riverside breakfast at Reaching Out Tea House or at your hotel, then wander into the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town before the midday crowds arrive — visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the ornate Fujian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien), and the Tan Ky Old House to soak up centuries of merchant-era architecture. Pop into a local tailor such as Yaly Couture for a measuring appointment if you want a custom garment, and sample banh mi Phuong or a bowl of cao lầu at a nearby stall for a true Hoi An morning treat.
After lunch, rent a bicycle and pedal through the rice paddies to Tra Que Vegetable Village to join a short farming workshop where you can learn traditional planting and herb-tending techniques followed by a hands-on cooking class featuring minty herb rolls and cao lầu; alternatively, take a relaxing boat trip on the Thu Bồn River to see riverside life and visit a local pottery studio in Thanh Ha village to try your hand at the wheel. Return to town in the late afternoon to browse lantern shops, silk boutiques and the Hoi An Central Market for souvenirs and snacks like white rose dumplings.
As twilight falls, enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant such as Morning Glory or Mango Mango to taste regional specialties while watching the lanterns drift on the water, then join the locals in releasing a paper lantern from the banks for a memorable ritual. Finish the night with a leisurely stroll through the lantern-lit lanes, stopping for ca phe sua da at a café or a scoop of local coconut ice cream, and soak in Hoi An’s intimate, timeless atmosphere before returning to your hotel.
After an early transfer to Da Nang Airport, board your short flight to Tan Son Nhat and arrive in Saigon by mid-morning; take a private transfer to your hotel in District 1 to drop bags and freshen up before heading out. Start with a guided walk around the French colonial core—visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the nearby Saigon Central Post Office, then pause for a strong ca phe sua da at a classic café like L’Usine to absorb the city’s layered history.
After lunch, dive deeper into Saigon’s vibrant pulse with a visit to the War Remnants Museum for a thoughtful, contextual overview, then stroll down Dong Khoi Street toward the Reunification Palace to see its preserved war-era rooms and rooftop helipad. If time permits, take a short cyclo ride or motorbike taxi to Ben Thanh Market to sample street snacks—try banh xeo or fresh sugarcane juice—and browse stalls for lacquerware and textiles.
As twilight falls, ascend to a rooftop bar such as Chill Skybar or Shri for sweeping skyline views while enjoying a cocktail and the sunset glow over the Saigon River. For dinner, choose a lively street-food crawl in District 1 or a modern Vietnamese meal at Secret Garden, then finish the night with a stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street to watch locals and performers, feeling the energetic contrast to the tranquil towns you visited earlier in the trip.
Choose between history and river life: head out early to the Cu Chi Tunnels (approx. 1.5-2 hours by car) for a guided tour of the underground network, climb down into restored tunnel sections, try a reproduced booby trap demonstration and visit the on-site museum and shooting range for a visceral sense of wartime ingenuity. Alternatively, join a half-day Mekong Delta trip to My Tho or Ben Tre — cruise narrow canals by sampan, visit a coconut workshop and riverside orchards, and sample honey tea and fresh tropical fruit while learning about delta livelihoods.
Return to Saigon mid-afternoon with time to freshen up at your hotel before final city farewells: if you chose Cu Chi, stop by the War Remnants Museum annex or Ben Thanh Market for last-minute souvenirs and lacquerware; if you chose the Mekong, consider a late lunch at a riverside restaurant like Ngon Restaurant or Propaganda for modern Vietnamese dishes. Allow ample time to collect luggage and transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport — your private transfer or scheduled shuttle will guide you through Saigon traffic so you arrive relaxed and on time for your flight.
If your flight departs later in the evening, squeeze in a final Saigon moment with a rooftop aperitif at EON51 or Chill Skybar to toast your trip while watching the city lights, then enjoy a final plate of banh xeo or a bowl of hu tieu at a recommended street stall near District 1. Otherwise, bid farewell aboard your flight home, reflecting on a week of limestone karsts, lantern-lit lanes and Vietnam’s vivid contrasts as you plan your next visit.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Nội Bài International Airport → Private transfer to Old Quarter (Hanoi) | VND 500,000-1,000,000 (private car); VND 150,000-300,000 (airport taxi/grab) |
| Hoàn Kiếm Lake & Turtle Tower (walk, lakeside cafés) | Free to visit; coffee/snack VND 40,000-150,000 |
| Café Pho Co (egg coffee) | VND 60,000-120,000 per person |
| Old Quarter shopping (Hàng Ngang / Hàng Đào) & street-side tailors | Browsing free; small purchases VND 50,000-500,000; tailor measurements VND 0-200,000 deposit (garment price VND 300,000-3,000,000+ depending on fabric and style) |
| Bạch Mã Temple | Free (donations welcome) |
| Bún chả at Bun Cha Huong Lien | VND 60,000-200,000 per person |
| Cyclo ride in Old Quarter | VND 150,000-400,000 per cyclo (short tour) |
| Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre | VND 100,000-200,000 per ticket |
| Riverside dinner / craft beer (Ta Hien area) | Dinner VND 150,000-400,000 per person; craft beer VND 60,000-150,000 |
| Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (grounds) | Free admission (small fee for some exhibitions VND 20,000-40,000) |
| Ho Chi Minh Stilt House (On-site) | Free (donations welcome) |
| Temple of Literature | VND 30,000-50,000 per person |
| Street snack (pho cuon / bánh cuốn) | VND 30,000-70,000 per person |
| Vietnam Museum of Ethnology | VND 40,000-80,000 per person (additional VND 20,000-40,000 for audio guide/exhibits) |
| Cooking class or guided street-food tour (Hanoi) | VND 700,000-1,700,000 per person (group class/tour); private classes higher |
| Fine Arts Museum or lacquerware workshop | Museum VND 40,000-70,000; workshop visit often free, purchases extra |
| Ta Hien Street food crawl & rooftop bar | Street food VND 100,000-300,000 total; rooftop drinks VND 120,000-350,000 |
| Private transfer (Hanoi → Hạ Long City) | VND 800,000-2,000,000 per vehicle (one-way, private); shuttle bus VND 200,000-350,000 per person |
| Cruise boarding (Tuan Chau / Bai Chay harbours) | Included in cruise package; harbour fees sometimes included |
| Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise (mid-range) | VND 2,000,000-6,000,000 per person (mid-range); VND 6,000,000-15,000,000+ (luxury). This typically includes meals, activities, and accommodation. |
| Onboard lunch / seafood | Included in cruise price; if extra, VND 150,000-400,000 |
| Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave or Titov Island excursion | Often included in cruise; entry fees VND 40,000-100,000 if separate |
| Kayaking / Swimming (Ha Long) | Often included; equipment fee VND 100,000-300,000 if extra |
| Cooking demonstration on cruise | Included |
| Tai chi session on sundeck | Included |
| Morning kayak / Luon Cave rowboat | Usually included; private rowing fee VND 100,000-250,000 |
| Transfer back to Hanoi (disembark + road transfer to airport) | Included in many cruise packages; private transfer VND 800,000-2,000,000 |
| Domestic flight: Hanoi → Da Nang | VND 600,000-2,000,000 per person (one-way, budget to standard fares) |
| Transfer Da Nang → Hoi An (private car) | VND 250,000-600,000 per vehicle |
| Hoi An riverside stroll & Japanese Covered Bridge | Free to view; entry to some old houses/bridges VND 20,000-120,000 per site (or combined ticket VND 120,000-200,000) |
| Riverside dinner (Morning Glory / Mango Mango) | VND 200,000-500,000 per person |
| Lantern release on Thu Bồn River | Paper lantern VND 20,000-100,000 (depending on length of ceremony/boat launch) |
| Hoi An Ancient Town walking (Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky House) | Individual site entries VND 20,000-50,000; combined ticket VND 120,000-200,000 |
| Tailor appointment (Yaly Couture example) | Measurement free; garments VND 300,000-4,000,000+ depending on fabric and complexity; express service additional |
| Bánh mì Phượng or cao lầu snack | VND 30,000-80,000 per person |
| Bicycle rental + Tra Que vegetable village workshop | Bicycle rental VND 50,000-120,000; half-day workshop + cooking VND 300,000-900,000 per person |
| Thanh Ha pottery studio visit | Transport + visit VND 150,000-400,000; pottery class VND 200,000-500,000 |
| Transfer Hoi An → Da Nang Airport (early morning) | VND 250,000-600,000 per vehicle |
| Domestic flight: Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) | VND 600,000-2,000,000 per person (one-way) |
| Private transfer to hotel District 1 (Saigon) | VND 200,000-500,000 |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon & Saigon Central Post Office | Free (donations/souvenirs extra) |
| Café (L’Usine) — ca phe sua da | VND 50,000-120,000 per person |
| War Remnants Museum | VND 40,000-60,000 per person |
| Reunification Palace | VND 40,000-80,000 per person |
| Ben Thanh Market (snacks & shopping) | Snacks VND 20,000-120,000; souvenirs vary widely |
| Rooftop bar (Chill Skybar / Shri) | Entry sometimes VND 100,000-200,000; drinks VND 150,000-400,000 |
| Cu Chi Tunnels (guided tour) | VND 300,000-800,000 per person (group tour); private transfer and guide higher; entry & extras VND 20,000-100,000 |
| Mekong Delta half-day (My Tho / Ben Tre) trip | VND 400,000-1,000,000 per person (group tour); private options higher |
| Late lunch / riverside restaurant (Saigon) | VND 150,000-400,000 per person |
| Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport (private/shuttle) | VND 200,000-600,000 per vehicle/shuttle |
| Rooftop aperitif if time permits (EON51 / Chill Skybar) | VND 200,000-500,000 per person |
| Estimated Total (per person) | VND 12,000,000-35,000,000 per person (estimate for 7 days, mid-range to comfortable) Cost breakdown assumptions: - Accommodation (6 nights): VND 3,000,000-12,000,000 (3-4 star hotels mid-range to higher) - Domestic flights (Hanoi→Da Nang, Da Nang→Ho Chi Minh): VND 1,200,000-4,000,000 total - Ha Long overnight cruise: VND 2,000,000-6,000,000 - Transfers, local transport & taxis: VND 1,500,000-4,000,000 - Food & drinks: VND 1,500,000-4,000,000 - Activities, tours & entrances (museums, cooking classes, Cu Chi/Mekong): VND 1,500,000-3,500,000 - Misc (shopping, tips, contingency): VND 300,000-1,500,000 Note: Choosing budget guesthouses, public buses/shuttles and cheaper street food can reduce the low end to ~VND 8,000,000-12,000,000. Choosing luxury hotels, private guides, and high-end cruises could push the total above VND 40,000,000+. |