Since you're arriving today and it's already early morning local time, ease into Hanoi with a relaxed stroll and breakfast at Bánh Mì 25 on the edge of the Old Quarter, followed by a strong Vietnamese coffee at Cộng Cà Phê to shake off jet lag. Wander through the winding lanes toward Hoàn Kiếm Lake, taking in morning tai chi at the water's edge, then browse traditional crafts and silk at the nearby Hanoi Weekend Night Market stalls (which often have daytime vendors nearby) before a light pho at Phở Thìn to fuel the day's explorations.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the Old Quarter's vibrant streets, starting with a bowl of bun cha at Bún Chả Hương Liên, then duck into the atmospheric Vietnam National Tuong Theatre for a short traditional water puppet or tuong performance if timings allow. Later, browse contemporary Vietnamese art at Manzi Art Space and sip a refreshing jasmine iced tea on the terrace of The Note Coffee, finishing with a slow walk toward St. Joseph's Cathedral as the light softens.
As dusk falls, wander to Ta Hien Street for a lively backyard-beer vibe and taste local bia hơi with friendly street-side snacks, then follow the crowd toward Hang Dao Street to hunt for handcrafted souvenirs in boutique stalls. Finish the night with a mellow, late-evening bowl of cháo vịt at Cháo Vịt Hàng Bồ or a rooftop cocktail at The Summit Lounge & Bar overlooking the Old Quarter, soaking in lantern-lit alleys and planning a culturally rich day two.
Begin your day with a tranquil visit to Temple of Literature, where morning light filters through courtyard gardens and you can learn about Vietnam's Confucian heritage, then stroll to the nearby Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to see evocative displays of hill-tribe costumes and village reconstructions. Pause for a mid-morning street-food crawl around the Ba Dinh area-try crispy bánh cuốn at a local stall near Ngọc Hà Street and refresh with a glass of fresh sugarcane juice before heading toward Hoa Lo Prison for a thoughtful historical visit that continues the city's narrative from yesterday's Old Quarter discoveries.
After a morning of museums and history, wander the leafy streets toward Trúc Bạch Lake for a peaceful boat rental or lakeside coffee at La Terrasse du Metropole (a short taxi away), then head to the bustling Long Bien Market to watch vendors and sample seasonal fruits and grilled skewers for an authentic local market experience. Finish the afternoon with a guided tasting walk through the lively Ta Hien extension toward Ngõ Huyện, stopping at a family-run stall for fragrant bún riêu and to watch Hanoi life unfold from a low plastic stool.
As twilight deepens, stroll through the atmospheric alleyways to the historic Old Opera House for an intimate performance of Vietnamese music or a contemporary show, then head to Ta Hien Extension near Ngõ Huyện for lively street-food stalls serving grilled quail and steaming bowls of bún thang at low plastic tables. Finish the night with a leisurely cyclo ride past the lit facades to Long Biên Bridge for panoramic city views and a late-night cup of egg coffee at a nearby specialist like Giang Café, savoring the city's sounds as you reflect on a day of culture and flavors.
Board your morning cruise from Tuan Chau Harbor and settle on the sun-dappled deck while the boat threads between towering karsts; enjoy a welcome Vietnamese iced tea and a short safety briefing before arrival at Soi Sim Island for a cliffside stroll and panoramic photos. Afterward, launch into calm emerald waters for guided kayaking around hidden grottoes near Luon Cave, with time to swim off a secluded beach and sample freshly prepared seafood snacks back on board as the bay reveals more limestone secrets.
After a seaside lunch on deck, glide toward the dramatic grottoes of Dau Go Cave for an easy guided exploration of its vaulted chambers, then continue to Titov Island where you can climb a short trail for sweeping bay panoramas or relax on its sandy crescent beach and swim in clear waters. Later, join a small-group sunset cruise around the quieter karst inlets, stopping at a floating fishing village near Cua Van to meet local fishermen and sample their simple squid-and-seafood tapas as the golden light softens the limestone silhouettes.
As twilight deepens, relax on the sundeck with a chilled drink while the boat drifts toward the sheltered inlet of Vung Vieng Harbour, watching fishing boats return and the karsts darken; enjoy a live acoustic performance by the crew or a short onboard cooking demo of Vietnamese spring rolls. Later, disembark briefly at the floating platform near Bai Tho Islet for star-gazing and night-fishing demonstrations with local fishermen before a lantern-lit seafood dinner served in the dining salon, letting the bay's nocturnal calm complete a day of exploration.
After an early flight into Da Nang, collect your luggage and take the short scenic drive to Hoi An, then begin with a riverside breakfast at Baker & Taste Hoi An to try local banh mi and ca phe sua da before wandering into the old town. Explore the atmospheric lanes on foot, visiting Japanese Covered Bridge and the nearby Tan Ky House for a glimpse of merchant-era interiors, then join a guided food walk that includes sampling cao lầu at Bánh Cao Lầu Ba Lê and watching a local lantern-maker at Reaching Out Teahouse craft traditional silk lanterns.
After checking into your hotel, wander the riverfront toward Hoi An Central Market to sample fresh cao lầu variations and sip sugarcane juice while watching local vendors; from there, take a short cyclo ride to Phuc Kien Assembly Hall to admire its intricate dragon-detailed roofline and serene courtyard. Finish the afternoon with a tailoring consultation at Yaly Couture (bring measurements or photos) or join a hands-on lantern-making workshop at Lifestart Foundation to craft a souvenir under the guidance of local artisans, keeping the gentle, historic pace set by your morning discoveries.
As lanterns begin to glow, enjoy a riverside aperitif at Mango Rooms Hoi An before joining a twilight boat cruise that drifts under the illuminated bridges and offers close-up views of floating lantern ceremonies on the Thu Bồn River. After the cruise, dine on refined central-Vietnamese dishes at Morning Glory Restaurant and finish with a nightcap at Q Bar Hoi An, where live acoustic music and gentle river breezes provide a relaxed end to a day of travel and discovery.
Start your morning at the bustling Hoi An Central Market B (the riverside produce hall) to watch vendors fillet fresh seafood and to sample local sticky rice cakes from a stall, then pick up banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong for a portable taste of Hoi An. Afterward, join a short cycling loop to Cam Kim Island to visit small-scale workshops where artisans weave nipa-that roofs and craft coconut-shell souvenirs, returning to town in time for a slow coffee at Reaching Out Tea House while you confirm shuttle or flight details for your onward journey.
After a morning on Cam Kim Island and the central market, spend the afternoon wandering the quieter backstreets to discover artisanal workshops: drop into Thanh Ha Pottery Village to try wheel-throwing clay under a local potter's guidance, then visit Tra Que Vegetable Village for a hands-on herb-gardening session and a short cooking demo focused on local greens. Finish with a leisurely riverside tea at Faifo Coffee while a tailor at Cẩm Tú Atelier measures garments for any last-minute alterations, keeping the day relaxed and practical before your departure preparations.
As dusk falls, join a riverside stroll to Hoi An Night Market (An Hoi) to browse silk lanterns, hand-painted postcards and specialty snacks before sampling grilled oyster pancakes at a nearby stall; the market's warm light pairs perfectly with a short stop at Cau Go Rooftop Bar for sunset cocktails with sweeping views of the Thu Bồn. Afterward, take a guided craft-lit walk to Quan Thang Alley to watch artisans hand-stitch lanterns and finish the night by releasing a floating lantern from An Hoi Islet for a personal send-off ritual, leaving time to collect luggage and check final travel details at your hotel.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bánh Mì 25 | $2 |
| Cộng Cà Phê | $2 |
| Hoàn Kiếm Lake | Free |
| Hanoi Weekend Night Market (daytime stalls) | Free |
| Phở Thìn | $3 |
| Bún Chả Hương Liên | $4 |
| Vietnam National Tuong Theatre (traditional performance) | $8 |
| Manzi Art Space | Free |
| The Note Coffee | $2 |
| St. Joseph's Cathedral (Hanoi) | Free |
| Ta Hien Street (bia hơi) | $2 |
| Hang Dao Street (souvenir shopping) | $5 |
| Cháo Vịt Hàng Bồ | $2 |
| The Summit Lounge & Bar | $8 |
| Temple of Literature | $1 |
| Vietnam Museum of Ethnology | $4 |
| Bánh cuốn (street stall near Ngọc Hà Street) | $1 |
| Sugarcane juice (street vendor) | $0.50 |
| Hoa Lo Prison | $2 |
| Trúc Bạch Lake (boat rental / lakeside coffee) | $4 |
| La Terrasse du Metropole | $6 |
| Long Bien Market | Free |
| Bún riêu (family-run stall) | $2 |
| Hanoi Opera House (performance) | $10 |
| Long Biên Bridge (walk / cyclo view) | Free |
| Giang Café (egg coffee) | $2 |
| Tuan Chau Harbor (Halong cruise boarding point) | Free |
| Halong Bay day cruise (including lunch, kayaking) | $55 |
| Soi Sim Island (visit during cruise) | Included in cruise |
| Kayaking in Halong Bay | $5 |
| Dau Go Cave (visit during cruise) | Included in cruise |
| Titov Island (visit during cruise) | Included in cruise |
| Cua Van fishing village (visit during cruise) | Included in cruise |
| Vung Vieng Harbour (evening stop) | Included in cruise |
| Bai Tho Islet (short disembark / star-gazing) | Included in cruise |
| Flight: Hanoi to Da Nang (economy, per person) | $45 |
| Baker & Taste Hoi An (breakfast) | $3 |
| Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) | $1 |
| Tan Ky House | $2 |
| Bánh Cao Lầu Ba Lê | $3 |
| Reaching Out Teahouse (lantern-maker viewing) | Free |
| Hoi An Central Market | Free |
| Phuc Kien Assembly Hall | $1 |
| Yaly Couture (tailoring consultation) | $5 |
| Lifestart Foundation (lantern workshop) | $10 |
| Mango Rooms Hoi An (aperitif) | $5 |
| Twilight boat cruise on Thu Bồn River | $8 |
| Morning Glory Restaurant (dinner) | $12 |
| Q Bar Hoi An | $6 |
| Hoi An Central Market B | Free |
| Banh Mi Phuong | $1 |
| Cam Kim Island (cycling loop) | $3 |
| Reaching Out Tea House (coffee) | $2 |
| Thanh Ha Pottery Village (wheel-throwing session) | $6 |
| Tra Que Vegetable Village (herb-gardening + demo) | $8 |
| Faifo Coffee (riverside tea) | $2 |
| Cẩm Tú Atelier (tailor alterations) | $8 |
| Hoi An Night Market (An Hoi) | Free |
| Grilled oyster pancakes (street stall) | $2 |
| Cau Go Rooftop Bar | $6 |
| Quan Thang Alley (artisan lantern stitching viewing) | Free |
| An Hoi Islet (floating lantern release) | $3 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $312.5 |