The Hanoi Old Quarter is known for its charming streets, colonial architecture, and street food. Visit the Temple of Literature and the Hoa Lo Prison Museum for a lesson in history. End the day with the water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
Take a day trip to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the limestone cliffs, caves, and emerald waters. Go kayaking or swimming, or simply relax on the boat as you take in the beauty of the bay.
Explore the charming Hoi An Old Town with its lantern-lit streets, Japanese Covered Bridge, and ancient houses. Take a cooking class at a local restaurant or spend the day at the nearby An Bang Beach.
Learn about the history of Vietnam's guerrilla warfare at the Cu Chi Tunnels. In the afternoon, visit the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a French colonial-era church and one of the city's iconic landmarks.
Take a day trip to the Mekong Delta and explore the floating markets, fruit orchards, and rice paddies. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a boat ride along the canals of the delta before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
If you have more time, consider taking a multi-day cruise in Ha Long Bay or exploring the imperial city of Hue. If you have less time, skip the day trip to Ha Long Bay or Mekong Delta.