After breakfast at a nearby café such as Café Dinh or The Note Coffee, ease into Hanoi with a guided walk around the Old Quarter to soak up colonial architecture, bustling market stalls on Hang Bac and Hang Gai, and sample banh mi from a popular street vendor. Continue to the serene Hoan Kiem Lake for a leisurely stroll and a visit to Ngoc Son Temple before returning to your hotel to check in and freshen up for the afternoon’s Train Street experience.
Midday, wander toward the French Quarter for a late lunch at the elegant La Terrasse du Metropole or the casual Maison L’Éclair for bánh xèo and fresh spring rolls, then head to the Hoa Lo Prison Museum for a poignant dose of history and context. As evening approaches, make your way to the famous Train Street near Long Bien—grab a seat at a rooftop café like Dưỡng Café to watch the train pass through at close range while sipping Vietnamese iced coffee and sampling street-side chè or grilled corn.
As twilight falls, head to Ta Hien Street and nearby Beer Corner to soak up Hanoi’s lively evening atmosphere with a cold bia hơi and people-watching among locals and fellow travelers. For a more relaxed option, stroll to the nearby St. Joseph’s Cathedral square to enjoy street performers and pick up sweet treats from a bánh gối or kem que vendor before returning to your hotel for a calm night’s rest ahead of tomorrow’s flight to Da Nang.
Catch a morning flight from Hanoi to Da Nang and drop bags at your hotel before heading to the lively Han Market to sample local seafood snacks and buy coffee beans or dried fruits. Then stroll along the Han River promenade toward the Dragon Bridge, pause for photos at the waterfront Sculpture Park, and visit the Cham Museum to glimpse ancient artefacts that set the scene for the region before an early lunch of Mi Quang at a beloved local eatery like Banh Xeo Ba Duong.
After a relaxed lunch, head to the tranquil Son Tra Peninsula for a scenic drive up to Linh Ung Pagoda to admire the towering Lady Buddha and sweeping coastal views, then continue to the nearby Bai But Beach for a short swim or sun-soaked stroll. Late afternoon, visit the vibrant Con Market to sample fresh tropical fruit and local sweets, then take a riverside walk toward the Thanh Binh Bridge area to catch golden-hour photos of the city before returning to your hotel to prepare for tonight’s bridge illuminations.
As night falls, take a riverside dinner cruise on the Han River for candlelit views of the city skyline and the illuminated bridges, with fresh seafood and grilled prawns served aboard. Afterwards, wander through the lively An Thuong nightlife strip for craft cocktails at 4P’s Rooftop or a relaxed Vietnamese tea at The Workshop Coffee, then finish with a stroll across the Thanh Khe pedestrian bridge area to admire the city lights before returning to your hotel.
Depart Da Nang early and ride the Ba Na Hills cable car to the mountaintop — stop first at the Le Jardin flower garden and soak in the misty views before exploring the quaint streets of the French Village, admiring its timbered façades and little boutiques. Pause for a light mid-morning brunch at La Lavande Bakery for fresh pastries and Vietnamese coffee, then walk toward the Golden Bridge viewpoint to watch the hand-held bridge emerge from the clouds and capture iconic photos before the midday crowds arrive.
After lunch at a hilltop café like Le Belvedere, wander to the Alpine Garden and take the short forest trail toward the Debay Wine Cellar for a cool, historic cellar tour and tasting of local fruit wines. Continue to the Fun Park area for a few playful rides or the Marvellous Light Tunnel photo spot before catching golden-hour views from the Nghinh Phong Pavilion and settling at a terrace bar to watch the mist roll over the mountains as the sun lowers.
As dusk settles, take the hill tram down toward the Núi Chúa viewpoint area and pause at a terrace restaurant like Bà Nà Bistro for a relaxed dinner of grilled local fish and Vietnamese hotpot while watching lights twinkle across the valley. After dinner, wander through the illuminated cobblestone streets of the French Village to catch live street performances and linger at a cozy patisserie such as Le Petit Café for a late espresso or crème caramel before returning to your hotel energized for tomorrow’s transfer to Phu Quoc.
Take an early domestic flight to Phu Quoc, drop your bags at a beachfront resort such as Salinda or Cassia Cottage, then head to Duong Dong Market to sample freshly grilled seafood and buy local fish sauce as souvenirs. Afterward stroll or cycle to Long Beach for a lazy morning swim and a coconut at a seaside shack, finishing with a short visit to the nearby Coi Nguon Museum to learn about the island’s fishing and pearl-farming heritage before an easy beachside lunch.
Spend a lazy afternoon exploring the southern coast—take a short taxi to Sao Beach for powdery sand and a dip in crystalline water, then wander the nearby coconut groves toward the quaint Ham Ninh fishing village to watch local fishermen and taste freshly barbecued squid at a waterside stall. Finish with a chilled sunset drink at Rory’s Beach Bar or a seaside café in An Thoi harbor, watching fishing boats glide in as the island’s pace gently slows into evening.
As night falls, head to the vibrant Duong Dong fishing pier for a seafood feast at Saigon Restaurant or Yen's Grill, enjoying freshly barbecued lobster and local pepper crab while watching the moonlight shimmer on the water. Afterwards, take a gentle stroll through the nearby Night Market to sample tropical fruit desserts and pearl jewellery, then finish with a cocktail at the beachfront Sunset Sanato Bar as gentle waves and soft live music ease you into a peaceful island night.
Start your day early with a scenic ride on the Hon Thom cable car to admire sunrise views over An Thoi archipelago, then explore Hon Thom Island’s quiet sunrise beach for a peaceful swim and light breakfast at a beachfront café like Mango Bay Coffee. Return mid-morning to the Vinpearl Safari area for a relaxed wildlife walk or opt for a snorkeling trip from An Thoi Harbor to Turtle Island, where clear shallows reveal colorful fish and coral before you head back to shore for a seaside lunch.
After a morning of island snorkeling, take the slower-paced afternoon to ride the Hòn Thơm cable car back toward An Thoi and disembark to explore the vibrant An Thoi market for fresh seafood skewers and tropical juice. Then head to Cua Can mangrove boardwalk for a calm boat ride and birdwatching, finishing with sunset cocktails at the stylish Rory’s Beach Bar or Eden Beach Club as the sky deepens and you reflect on the trip’s highlights.
Cap off the day with a sunset seafood dinner at Crab House Phu Quoc in An Thoi, where freshly grilled crab and pepper crab specialties pair perfectly with chilled local beer. Afterwards, wander the nearby An Thoi night promenade to sample coconut ice cream from a street vendor and catch a live music set at Sailing Club Phu Quoc Marina before returning to your resort for a relaxed night under the stars.