Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Allow about 1–2 hours for immigration and baggage at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, then roughly 30–60 minutes to reach District 1 by taxi or ride-hailing app; traffic can stretch that, especially around rush hour. Use the official taxi queue or book through an app, and check that the destination and fare are clear before setting off. If you’re carrying luggage, drop it at your hotel first and keep the evening easy.
Once you’ve had a breather, head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street for an unhurried 45-minute stroll. The broad central boulevard is a lovely first taste of the city: look toward the People’s Committee Building at the north end, then wander toward the river and pause for a drink at one of the nearby cafés if jet lag catches up.
Walk or take a short ride to Saigon Skydeck in Bitexco Financial Tower—allow about an hour, including the lift and time to enjoy the view. Check current opening hours and admission arrangements before you go, as entry details can change; buying a ticket in advance may save time at the desk. Finish at Bep Me In, a popular spot for Vietnamese home-style dishes in District 1. Budget about 250,000–450,000 VND per person and allow 1–1½ hours; it can get busy, so reserve or arrive early if possible.
Start at Independence Palace in District 1, allowing about 1½–2 hours to see the reception rooms, underground command center, and grounds. It generally opens daily from 8:00 a.m.; check for temporary closures for official events before setting out. Admission is roughly 40,000 VND. Arrive near opening if you’d like a quieter visit, and wear comfortable shoes—the grounds and interior involve plenty of walking.
Take a taxi or Grab to the War Remnants Museum in District 3 (usually around 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic). Give the exhibits at least 1½ hours; some are emotionally difficult, so take your time and pause between galleries if needed. The museum is generally open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with admission around 40,000 VND. For lunch afterward, pick a casual spot nearby rather than rushing straight into another long visit.
Head back to Ben Thanh Market by taxi or Grab, usually a 10–20-minute ride. Browse the stalls and stop for a fresh juice, iced coffee, or a small snack; the indoor market is typically open through the late afternoon, while some vendors close earlier, so don’t leave this stop too late. In the evening, continue by car to Cuc Gach Quan for a relaxed Vietnamese dinner in its leafy, restored-home setting. Budget about 300,000–600,000 VND per person; booking ahead is sensible, especially for a group.
Head to Thien Hau Temple in Cho Lon, District 5, ideally around opening time; it’s usually open daily from about 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., though hours can vary. Allow 45 minutes to admire the incense coils, tiled roof and lively courtyard. Entry is generally free, but a small donation is welcome. From central District 1, a taxi or ride-hailing car usually takes 25–45 minutes depending on traffic. Then continue by car to Binh Tay Market in District 6, roughly 10–20 minutes away. Arrive before midday, when the wholesale market is at its liveliest; allow an hour to browse the central courtyard and surrounding lanes. It’s primarily a working market, so ask before photographing vendors and keep an eye on your belongings.
Take an unhurried hour to explore Cho Lon on foot, following the shopfronts and older streets between the market and District 5. The area is busy and not especially suited to a rigid walking route, so pause for a cold drink and use a map or ride-hailing app if the heat or traffic makes a stretch feel tiring. Finish at Phở Lệ in District 5 for a southern-style bowl of pho; budget about 70,000–150,000 VND per person. It’s a popular, casual spot, so expect a bustling dining room and possible wait at peak lunch time. A taxi or ride-hailing car back to District 1 typically takes around 25–45 minutes, with traffic the main variable.
After your flight and hotel check-in, head to Da Nang Cathedral in Hai Chau for a 30–45-minute stop. The pink exterior is lovely in the soft late-afternoon light; entry to the church may depend on services or access arrangements, so enjoy the grounds and admire the architecture from outside if it’s closed. Dress respectfully if you go in, and keep some slack in the schedule in case the airport transfer or check-in takes longer than expected.
Walk about 10 minutes to Han Market and spend around an hour browsing produce, dried snacks, and souvenirs. It generally operates from early morning until early evening, so aim to arrive well before closing; bargain politely, and check packaged goods and prices before buying. Then take a short taxi or ride-hail to Bếp Cuốn Đà Nẵng for fresh rice-paper rolls and central Vietnamese dishes. Allow 1–1½ hours and budget roughly 150,000–300,000 VND per person. If your flight arrives too late for the market, don’t rush the stops—save browsing for another day and enjoy dinner at an unhurried pace.
Go early to Marble Mountains in Ngu Hanh Son, before the limestone paths and cave steps get hot and busy. Allow 2–3 hours for the caves, pagodas and viewpoints; the main site generally opens around 7 a.m., but check locally for current hours. Entry is roughly 40,000 VND, with an optional elevator charge of about 15,000 VND each way—you’ll still need to manage steps on the site. Wear shoes with grip, and bring water: some cave passages are steep and can be slippery. A Grab or taxi from central Da Nang usually takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Continue north to My Khe Beach for a swim or an unhurried stretch of sand; the drive is usually about 15–25 minutes. Spend 1½–2 hours here, and bring a change of clothes and a small bag for valuables. Public beach access is free, while loungers and showers may cost extra; agree on the price before settling in. If the sun is strong, take a shaded break rather than trying to stay in the water the whole time.
From the beach, head to Linh Ung Pagoda on the Son Tra Peninsula—allow around 30–45 minutes for the drive, longer if traffic is slow. Give yourself 1–1½ hours to see the hilltop complex and its large Lady Buddha statue, with wide coastal views from the grounds. Entry is generally free; dress modestly, keep voices low around worshippers, and check posted signs for any restricted areas. A car or Grab is the easiest way up, and arranging a return pickup can save waiting time.
Finish at Bé Mặn Seafood in My An, a short ride back toward the coast. Budget about 250,000–600,000 VND per person, depending on your seafood choices; check the displayed weight and price before ordering, especially for shellfish sold by weight. It’s a lively, casual dinner spot, so go a little before peak dinner time if you’d rather avoid a wait.
Arrive in Hoi An Ancient Town with enough time to explore before the midday heat. Wander the lanes around Tran Phu Street and Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, where old merchant houses, assembly halls and mustard-yellow façades give the town its character; allow about two hours, at an unhurried pace. The Ancient Town requires a visitor ticket for entry to its heritage sites, and ticket arrangements or prices can change, so check at an official booth when you arrive. Step inside the Japanese Covered Bridge during your walk; allow 20–30 minutes, and check locally for any access restrictions or restoration work.
Take a shaded break at Reaching Out Tea House, a calm spot in the Ancient Town known for Vietnamese teas and its thoughtful, quiet service. Set aside about an hour and budget roughly 50,000–150,000 VND per person. It’s a welcome pause after the morning’s walking; if it’s busy, ask about a table rather than rushing on.
For dinner, head to Morning Glory Signature in the Ancient Town and try central Vietnamese dishes such as cao lầu or white rose dumplings. Allow 1–1½ hours and budget about 250,000–500,000 VND per person. Reserve ahead if you have your heart set on a particular dinner time, especially during busy periods, then enjoy a slow stroll through the lantern-lit lanes before returning to your accommodation.
Start at Thanh Ha Pottery Village, about 10–15 minutes west of central Hoi An by taxi or ride-hailing app (or around 25 minutes by bicycle). Give yourself 1½–2 hours to watch potters at work and try the wheel; workshops may charge extra for hands-on activities, and village-entry tickets are typically around 35,000 VND. Go in the morning, when it’s cooler and the workshops are lively. Then take a car or cycle north to Tra Que Vegetable Village—allow roughly 20–30 minutes by car—and spend 1–1½ hours wandering the herb beds and learning about local farming. A village-entry fee may apply, so carry some small cash.
Have a leisurely lunch near Tra Que—many small garden restaurants serve fresh herbs with local dishes—then head to An Bang Beach, about 15–20 minutes away by car. Settle in for 2–3 hours; beachfront cafés and restaurants usually have loungers, sometimes with a minimum-spend requirement. Keep sun protection and water handy, and check sea conditions before swimming. In late afternoon, ride back toward town (roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic) for a final stop at Faifo Coffee. Its rooftop is a lovely place to linger over a drink and look out across the tiled roofs; allow 45–60 minutes and budget 50,000–120,000 VND per person.
No packing list attached yet.