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4-Day Itinerary for Vietnam in July 2023

  1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
    20 minutes (4.3 miles) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport

    Start your morning with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Learn about the country's history at the War Remnants Museum and then head to the Independence Palace, which served as the South Vietnamese presidential palace during the war. For lunch, try some local street food at Ben Thanh Market. In the afternoon, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office for some beautiful French colonial architecture. End your day with a dinner cruise along the Saigon River.

  2. Day 2: Hoi An
    1 hour 15 minutes (17 miles) flight from Ho Chi Minh City

    Start your morning with a bike tour of the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, and the Tan Ky Old House. For lunch, try some authentic Cao Lau noodles. Spend your afternoon exploring the My Son Sanctuary, a complex of abandoned Hindu temples. End your day with a sunset boat ride along the Thu Bon River.

  3. Day 3: Ha Long Bay
    3 hours 30 minutes (105 miles) drive from Hanoi

    Start your morning with a scenic drive to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. Take a boat tour of the bay and visit some of the beautiful limestone islands and caves. For lunch, enjoy some fresh seafood on board. Spend your afternoon kayaking and swimming in the clear waters of the bay. End your day with a seafood dinner on board your boat.

  4. Day 4: Hanoi
    3 hours 30 minutes (105 miles) drive from Ha Long Bay

    Start your morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university. For lunch, try some bun cha, a popular Vietnamese dish. Spend your afternoon at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the country's diverse ethnic groups. End your day with a water puppet show, a traditional form of Vietnamese entertainment.

Recommendations

Make sure to try some ca phe trung (Vietnamese egg coffee) and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) while in Vietnam. If you have more time, consider taking a side trip to Sapa to visit some of the ethnic minority villages. To maximize your fun, try to immerse yourself in the local culture by learning some Vietnamese phrases and visiting local markets. Don't hesitate to ask locals for recommendations as they are often the best sources of information. Enjoy your trip!

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Cu Chi Tunnels (2 hours, 110,000 VND)
  • War Remnants Museum (1.5 hours, 40,000 VND)
  • Independence Palace (1 hour, 40,000 VND)
  • Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office (1 hour, free)
  • Dinner Cruise (2.5 hours, 500,000 VND)
  • Bike Tour of Hoi An (4 hours, 300,000 VND)
  • My Son Sanctuary (2 hours, 150,000 VND)
  • Ha Long Bay Boat Tour (4 hours, 1,000,000 VND)
  • Kayaking and Swimming in Ha Long Bay (2 hours, free)
  • Water Puppet Show (1 hour, 100,000 VND)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 2,390,000 VND
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