8-Day Itinerary for Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City

1. Day 1: Hanoi
   Estimated Time from Airport: 45 minutes (17.3 km)

   Explore the Temple of Literature, a Confucian temple with beautiful gardens. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to see his embalmed body. Finish the day with a traditional Water Puppet Show.

2. Day 2: Hanoi to Da Nang
   Flight Hanoi to Da Nang: 1 hour 15 minutes
   Estimated Time from Da Nang Airport to Hotel: 30 minutes (6.8 km)

   Head to Ba Na Hills for stunning views and a unique French village experience. Take the Golden Bridge for a breathtaking view.

3. Day 3: Da Nang
   Estimated Time from Hotel to Marble Mountains: 20 minutes (8.8 km)

   Explore the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. Climb up the Thuy Son peak for panoramic views of the coast and visit the Cham Museum to learn about the Cham culture.

4. Day 4: Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
   Flight Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City: 1 hour 20 minutes
   Estimated Time from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to Hotel: 25 minutes (10.5 km)

   Take a city tour and visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the war from a Vietnamese perspective. Admire the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both built during French colonial times.

5. Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City
   Estimated Time from Hotel to Ben Thanh Market: 15 minutes (1.7 km)

   Shop at the Ben Thanh Market, a bustling hub for souvenirs and street food. Visit the Reunification Palace, the former home of the South Vietnamese President.

6. Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City
   Estimated Time from Hotel to Cu Chi Tunnels: 1 hour 40 minutes (70 km)

   Take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war.

7. Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City
   Estimated Time from Hotel to Mekong Delta: 1 hour 50 minutes (50 km)

   Take a full-day tour to the Mekong Delta, explore the floating markets, and visit the local villages.

8. Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
   Estimated Time from Hotel to Airport: 20 minutes (7.2 km)

   Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your flight back home.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Temple of Literature (1-2 hours, free)
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (1-2 hours, free)
• Water Puppet Show (1 hour, 100,000-200,000 VND)
• Ba Na Hills (4-6 hours, 800,000-1,500,000 VND)
• Marble Mountains (2-3 hours, 40,000-100,000 VND)
• War Remnants Museum (2-3 hours, 40,000-50,000 VND)
• Notre Dame Cathedral (30 minutes, free)
• Central Post Office (30 minutes, free)
• Ben Thanh Market (1-2 hours, free)
• Reunification Palace (1-2 hours, 40,000-60,000 VND)
• Cu Chi Tunnels (4-5 hours, 130,000-220,000 VND)
• Mekong Delta (10-12 hours, 400,000-1,200,000 VND)
Total Estimated Costs: 2,000,000-3,500,000 VND

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a trip to Halong Bay or Sapa from Hanoi. If you have less time, skip the Mekong Delta tour or choose a half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour. Remember to negotiate prices at the markets and be cautious when crossing the street in Ho Chi Minh City.