Exploring Vietnam: 7-Day City Experience

  1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
    2.5 hours flight from Bangkok | 30 minutes (7.5 km) from Ho Chi Minh City Airport

    Visit Ben Thanh Market for a taste of local cuisine and shopping. Explore Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city's history and architecture.

  2. Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
    20 minutes (4 km) from Day 1's last location

    Experience the daily life and culture of Vietnam by visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda and Nguyen Hue Walking Street to see the city come alive. End your day with a relaxing dinner cruise on the Saigon River.

  3. Day 3: Hue
    1 hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City | 45 minutes (15 km) from Phu Bai International Airport

    Visit the Imperial City to witness the history and culture of Vietnamese emperors. Next, cruise along the Perfume River to see Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.

  4. Day 4: Hoi An
    2 hours (110 km) from Hue

    Explore the charming ancient city of Hoi An by walking through the old streets and visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An Museum, and the Sino-Portuguese architecture of the Heritage Houses. Shop at the colorful and diverse Central Market.

  5. Day 5: Hanoi
    1 hour flight from Da Nang | 45 minutes (30 km) from Noi Bai International Airport

    Visit the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Hoa Lo Prison to learn about Vietnamese history and architecture. Catch a glimpse of the tranquil life of the locals at West Lake.

  6. Day 6: Hanoi
    20 minutes (4.5 km) from Day 5's last location

    Take a walking tour of the Old Quarter to experience the daily life of the locals. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and St. Joseph's Cathedral before exploring the Vietnamese Women's Museum and ending the day with a unique water puppet show.

  7. Day 7: Ninh Binh
    2 hours (90 km) from Hanoi

    Take a boat ride through the Trang An Landscape Complex to see natural beauty harmonized with culture and history. Explore the fascinating karst formations, ancient temples, pagodas, and camera-worthy landscapes of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Ben Thanh Market (1-2 hours, $)
  • Notre-Dame Cathedral (20-30 minutes, $)
  • Central Post Office (20-30 minutes, $)
  • War Remnants Museum (2-3 hours, $)
  • Jade Emperor Pagoda (1-2 hours, $)
  • Nguyen Hue Walking Street (1-2 hours, $)
  • Saigon River Dinner Cruise (2-3 hours, $$$)
  • Imperial City (3-4 hours, $)
  • Perfume River Cruise (3-4 hours, $)
  • Thien Mu Pagoda (45-60 minutes, $)
  • Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc (1-2 hours, $)
  • Hoi An Walking Tour (2-3 hours, $)
  • Central Market (1-2 hours, $)
  • Temple of Literature (1-2 hours, $)
  • One Pillar Pagoda (20-30 minutes, $)
  • Hoa Lo Prison (1-2 hours, $)
  • West Lake (2-3 hours, $)
  • Old Quarter Walking Tour (2-3 hours, $)
  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (45-60 minutes, $)
  • St. Joseph's Cathedral (20-30 minutes, $)
  • Vietnamese Women's Museum (1-2 hours, $)
  • Water Puppet Show (1 hour, $)
  • Trang An Landscape Complex (3-4 hours, $)
  • Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (2-3 hours, $)
  • Total Estimated Costs ($$)

Useful Tips

Note that opening and closing times may vary depending on the season and day of the week, so it is important to double-check before leaving. For a more relaxed itinerary, consider skipping the Saigon River dinner cruise and/or the water puppet show. For more exploration, try adding a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City or a visit to the Halong Bay near Hanoi.

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