A 7-day Itinerary for Vietnam in August 2023

1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
   10 minutes (2.3 km) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport

   Visit the War Remnants Museum in the morning, which provides a sobering insight on the Vietnam War. Have lunch at Bánh cuốn Tây Hồ for a taste of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. In the evening, visit Bui Vien Walking Street for a vibrant nightlife experience.

2. Day 2: Hoi An
   1 hour 15 minutes (29.5 km) from Da Nang International Airport

   Start the day with a visit to the Japanese Covered Bridge, a historic symbol of Hoi An. Spend the afternoon exploring the Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Tailors in Hoi An for handcrafted clothes. End the day with a sunset boat ride on Thu Bon River.

3. Day 3: Hue
   3 hours (124 km) from Hoi An

   Explore the Imperial City in the morning, which houses palaces and temples built during the Nguyen Dynasty. Have lunch at Ancient Hue Restaurant for traditional Hue-style dishes. In the afternoon, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam. End the day with a sunset view at the Perfume River.

4. Day 4: Hanoi
   2 hours (660 km) from Hue

   Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex in the morning, which includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Have lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long for a Hanoi specialty dish. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university. In the evening, watch a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

5. Day 5: Ha Long Bay
   3 hours 30 minutes (170 km) from Hanoi

   Take a morning bus to Ha Long Bay and start a full-day cruise around the bay. Visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a seafood lunch on board and then kayak or swim in the bay. End the day with a sunset view of the limestone islands.

6. Day 6: Sapa
   5 hours (320 km) from Ha Long Bay

   Take a morning train to Lao Cai and continue by bus to Sapa. Spend the afternoon trekking to Cat Cat Village, a H'mong ethnic village with beautiful rice terraces. Have dinner at The Hill Station Signature Restaurant for a taste of French and Vietnamese fusion cuisine.

7. Day 7: Sapa and return to Hanoi
   5 hours (320 km) from Hanoi

   Spend the morning trekking to Ta Van Village, a Red Dao ethnic village with breathtaking scenery. Have lunch at Foodcraft for a western-style meal. In the afternoon, take a cable car to Fansipan Peak, the highest mountain in Indochina. Take the evening train back to Hanoi.

Recommendations

Consider taking a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels from Ho Chi Minh City. For an off-the-beaten-path experience, visit the Mekong Delta for a river tour and floating market. To maximize your fun, try a motorbike tour in Hanoi or Hue. Finally, don't forget to try Vietnamese coffee and street food!

Time and Cost Estimates

• War Remnants Museum (2 hours, 40,000 VND)
• Bánh cuốn Tây Hồ (1 hour, 100,000 VND)
• Bui Vien Walking Street (2 hours, free entry)
• Japanese Covered Bridge (1 hour, 120,000 VND)
• Tailors in Hoi An (2 hours, varies)
• Ancient Hue Restaurant (1 hour, 200,000 VND)
• Thien Mu Pagoda (1 hour, free entry)
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (2 hours, free entry)
• Cha Ca Thang Long (1 hour, 200,000 VND)
• Temple of Literature (1 hour, 30,000 VND)
• Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (1 hour, 100,000 VND)
• Ha Long Bay Cruise (10 hours, 1,500,000 VND)
• The Hill Station Signature Restaurant (1 hour, 300,000 VND)
• Cat Cat Village Trek (2 hours, 100,000 VND)
• Foodcraft (1 hour, 200,000 VND)
• Fansipan Peak Cable Car (2 hours, 700,000 VND)
• Total Estimated Costs: 3,490,000 VND