7-Day Itinerary in Vietnam (October 2023)

1. Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter
   45 mins (14.9 km) from Noi Bai International Airport

   Explore the bustling streets of Hanoi Old Quarter in the morning and visit the Hoan Kiem Lake. In the afternoon, take a cyclo tour to experience the sights and sounds of the city. In the evening, watch a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

2. Day 2: Ha Long Bay
   2.5 hours (165 km) from Hanoi Old Quarter

   Embark on a full day cruise to explore the stunning limestone formations and caves of Ha Long Bay. Enjoy seafood lunch and kayaking activities before returning to Hanoi in the evening.

3. Day 3: Hoi An Ancient Town
   1 hour (30 km) from Da Nang International Airport

   Take a morning flight to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town. Explore the charming streets lined with yellow-painted buildings and visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. In the afternoon, take a cooking class to learn about Vietnamese cuisine. In the evening, release lanterns on the Thu Bon River.

4. Day 4: My Son Sanctuary
   1 hour (45 km) from Hoi An Ancient Town

   Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son Sanctuary in the morning to marvel at the ruins of the ancient Champa civilization. In the afternoon, return to Hoi An and enjoy a relaxing bike ride to the nearby Cua Dai Beach.

5. Day 5: Hue Imperial City
   3 hours (135 km) from Hoi An Ancient Town

   Take a scenic drive to Hue and visit the Imperial City in the morning. Marvel at the intricate architecture and learn about the Nguyen dynasty. In the afternoon, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and take a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River.

6. Day 6: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
   6 hours (350 km) from Hue Imperial City

   Embark on a full day adventure to explore the stunning natural beauty of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Visit Paradise Cave and Dark Cave before returning to Hue in the evening.

7. Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City
   2 hours (120 km) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport

   Take a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City and visit the historic Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon, explore the vibrant Ben Thanh Market and indulge in Vietnamese street food. In the evening, enjoy a sunset cocktail at the Saigon Skydeck.

Recommendations

Don't miss the chance to try out some of the delicious street food in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Consider taking a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City to learn about the Vietnam War history. For adventure seekers, take a motorbike tour in the countryside to explore the local way of life.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Hoan Kiem Lake (2 hours, free)
• Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (1 hour, VND 100,000)
• Ha Long Bay Cruise (8 hours, VND 1,500,000)
• Hoi An Ancient Town (4 hours, VND 120,000)
• Cooking class in Hoi An (3 hours, VND 600,000)
• My Son Sanctuary (3 hours, VND 150,000)
• Hue Imperial City (5 hours, VND 150,000)
• Dragon boat ride in Hue (1 hour, VND 300,000)
• Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (10 hours, VND 1,500,000)
• Reunification Palace (2 hours, VND 40,000)
• War Remnants Museum (2 hours, VND 40,000)
• Ben Thanh Market (2 hours, free)
• Saigon Skydeck (1 hour, VND 200,000)
• Total Estimated Costs: VND 4,200,000

Check hotel and flight prices on https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo