Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Ha Long Bay: 7-Day Itinerary
Friday, December 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Morning: Arrive in Hanoi and check-in at your hotel. Start your day with a visit to the historic Hoan Kiem Lake, surrounded by beautiful temples and pagodas.
Afternoon: Explore the bustling Old Quarter, known for its narrow streets and traditional architecture. Don't miss the chance to sample the local street food.
Evening: Attend a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, showcasing traditional Vietnamese art and culture.
Hoan Kiem Lake: Free entry, estimated time spent: 1-2 hours
Old Quarter: Free entry, estimated time spent: 2-3 hours
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: Estimated cost: $5-10, estimated time spent: 1 hour
Restaurants
For breakfast in Hanoi, head to Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, known for its delicious and authentic pho. Average cost for a meal is about 70,000 VND per person.
For lunch, try Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous restaurant where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain enjoyed grilled pork with vermicelli noodles. Average cost for a meal is about 100,000 VND per person.
For dinner, indulge in delicious seafood at Quán Ăn Ngon. This restaurant offers a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes and seafood specialties. Average cost for a meal is about 200,000 VND per person.
Saturday, December 2: Ho Chi Minh City
Morning: Take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Visit the historic Reunification Palace, a symbol of Vietnam's independence.
Afternoon: Explore the War Remnants Museum, showcasing artifacts and exhibitions related to the Vietnam War.
Evening: Take a leisurely walk along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, known for its vibrant atmosphere and street performances.
Reunification Palace: Estimated cost: $2-4, estimated time spent: 2-3 hours
War Remnants Museum: Estimated cost: $1-3, estimated time spent: 2-3 hours
Jollibee: Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Jollibee, a popular fast food chain known for their delicious fried chicken and breakfast meals. Average cost for a meal is about 50,000 VND per person.
Nha Hang Ngon: For lunch, head to Nha Hang Ngon and indulge in a variety of Vietnamese street food dishes in a charming courtyard setting. Average cost for a meal is about 150,000 VND per person.
Secret Garden Restaurant: Experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine for dinner at Secret Garden Restaurant, located in a hidden courtyard. Average cost for a meal is about 300,000 VND per person.
Sunday, December 3: Hoi An
Morning: Fly to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An. Start your day by exploring the charming Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afternoon: Take a boat trip along the Thu Bon River, enjoying the picturesque scenery and visiting nearby islands.
Evening: Experience the colorful lantern festival in Hoi An, where the streets are adorned with beautiful lanterns and traditional performances take place.
Ancient Town: Estimated cost: $6-10, estimated time spent: 3-4 hours
Thu Bon River boat trip: Estimated cost: $5-10, estimated time spent: 2-3 hours
Lantern festival: Free entry, estimated time spent: Evening
Restaurants
For breakfast, try the Morning Glory restaurant in Hoi An. They offer a wide range of traditional Vietnamese breakfast dishes, such as banh mi and pho. Average cost for a meal is about 70,000 VND per person.
For lunch, head to Cargo Club, a popular restaurant in Hoi An. They serve delicious international cuisine, including sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes. Average cost for a meal is about 150,000 VND per person.
For dinner, indulge in the seafood extravaganza at Hai Boi Seafood Restaurant in Hoi An. They offer a variety of fresh seafood dishes, from grilled prawns to steamed fish. Average cost for a meal is about 300,000 VND per person.
Monday, December 4: Hoi An
Morning: Discover the rural charm of Hoi An by cycling through nearby villages and rice fields.
Afternoon: Learn the art of lantern-making at a local workshop and create your own unique lantern as a souvenir.
Evening: Enjoy a delicious seafood dinner at one of the riverside restaurants in Hoi An.
Cycling tour: Estimated cost: $10-15, estimated time spent: 2-3 hours
Lantern-making workshop: Estimated cost: $5-10, estimated time spent: 1-2 hours
Seafood dinner: Estimated cost: $10-20, estimated time spent: Evening
Restaurants
For breakfast, head over to "Café 43" which serves a variety of Vietnamese and Western breakfast options. Enjoy a hearty meal for around $5 per person.
For lunch, try the famous "Morning Glory Restaurant" known for its traditional Vietnamese dishes. A meal here would cost around $10 per person.
For dinner, "Ancient Faifo" is a great choice with its romantic atmosphere and delectable Vietnamese and international cuisine. Expect to spend around $20 per person for a meal.
Tuesday, December 5: Ha Long Bay
Morning: Fly to Hai Phong and transfer to Ha Long Bay. Embark on a cruise to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of the bay.
Afternoon: Visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most stunning caves in Ha Long Bay.
Evening: Enjoy a seafood feast on the cruise while watching the sunset over the bay.
Ha Long Bay cruise: Estimated cost: $50-100, estimated time spent: Full day
Sung Sot Cave: Estimated cost: $5-10, estimated time spent: 1-2 hours
Seafood feast on cruise: Estimated cost: Included in cruise package, estimated time spent: Evening
Restaurants
For breakfast, head to Cakes and Ale, a quaint bakery known for its delicious pastries and freshly brewed coffee. Average cost for a meal is about $5 per person.
For lunch, try Ngon Villa, a popular restaurant offering a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes. Average cost for a meal is about $10 per person.
For dinner, indulge in the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine at Quan An Ngon. This restaurant is renowned for its extensive menu and lively atmosphere. Average cost for a meal is about $15 per person.
Wednesday, December 6: Ha Long Bay
Morning: Continue your cruise in Ha Long Bay and enjoy activities such as kayaking, swimming, and exploring floating villages.
Afternoon: Visit Ti Top Island and hike to the top for panoramic views of Ha Long Bay.
Evening: Experience a traditional Vietnamese cooking class on the cruise and learn to make delicious local dishes.
Ha Long Bay cruise activities: Included in cruise package, estimated time spent: Full day
Ti Top Island: Free entry, estimated time spent: 1-2 hours
Cooking class: Included in cruise package, estimated time spent: Evening
Restaurants
For breakfast, head to Namaste Hanoi where you can enjoy a delicious Indian breakfast spread. Average cost for a meal is about 200,000 VND per person.
For lunch, try Bale Well Hoi An which offers tasty Vietnamese street food. Average cost for a meal is about 80,000 VND per person.
For dinner, indulge in fresh seafood at Quan Ngon Ho Chi Minh City. Average cost for a meal is about 300,000 VND per person.
Thursday, December 7: Departure
Morning: Disembark from the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi. Explore the vibrant streets of the city for some last-minute shopping.
Afternoon: Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, and admire its beautiful architecture and peaceful gardens.
Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant.
Temple of Literature: Estimated cost: $1-2, estimated time spent: 1-2 hours
Farewell dinner: Estimated cost: $20-30, estimated time spent: Evening
Restaurants
For breakfast, head to Banh Mi 25, a popular spot known for its delicious banh mi sandwiches. Average cost for a meal is about 50,000 VND per person.
For lunch, try Bun Cha Huong Lien, where you can enjoy the famous Hanoi dish, bun cha. Average cost for a meal is about 80,000 VND per person.
For dinner, visit Quan An Ngon, a restaurant that offers a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes in a traditional setting. Average cost for a meal is about 200,000 VND per person.
Hidden Gems and Local Favorites
For an off-the-beaten-path experience, take a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda near Hanoi. Explore the mystical caves and pagodas nestled in the limestone cliffs while enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Another local favorite is the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, which offer a fascinating insight into the underground network used during the Vietnam War. Take a guided tour to learn about the history and crawl through the tunnels yourself.
For accommodation and flight prices, you can check here.