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An Enchanting 8-Day Journey Through Vietnam

Viewed by 132 travelers

Day 1: Explore Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Pho Gia Truyen

Kickstart your trip with a steaming bowl of traditional Pho at this local favorite.
After breakfast, walk to the nearby Hoan Kiem Lake for a morning stroll.
VND 50,000, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake

Enjoy the serene atmosphere and visit the iconic Ngoc Son Temple on the lake's island.
Continue walking around the lake.
VND 30,000, 1.5 hours

11:00 AM

Explore the Old Quarter

Wander through the vibrant streets filled with shops, cafes, and local street food.
Head northwest to the heart of the Old Quarter.
Free, 2 hours

1:00 PM

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Tantalize your taste buds with the famous Bun Cha, grilled pork with rice noodles.
Map out the route to this popular lunch spot.
VND 70,000, 1 hour

2:30 PM

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Pay respects to Ho Chi Minh and explore the surrounding gardens.
Take a short taxi ride to the mausoleum.
Free, 2 hours

4:30 PM

Explore the Temple of Literature

Discover Vietnam’s first university and its beautiful gardens and architecture.
Walk or take a taxi from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
VND 30,000, 1.5 hours

6:00 PM

Dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long

Enjoy the famous Cha Ca, grilled fish with turmeric and dill, a true Hanoi specialty.
Head back towards the Old Quarter for dinner.
VND 100,000, 1.5 hours

8:00 PM

Watch a Water Puppet Show

Experience this traditional art form at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
Short walk from the restaurant.
VND 100,000, 1 hour
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 2: Cultural Immersion

Hanoi, Vietnam

8:00 AM

Breakfast at The Hanoi Social Club

Savor a hearty breakfast with a mix of local and Western choices in a quirky atmosphere.
Take a short walk to the café.
VND 80,000, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Tour the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Gain insights into Vietnam's diverse cultures through engaging exhibits.
Take a taxi to the museum.
VND 40,000, 2 hours

12:00 PM

Lunch at Ngon Villa

Enjoy a buffet of authentic Vietnamese dishes in a relaxing setting.
Head back to the Old Quarter area for lunch.
VND 150,000, 1.5 hours

1:30 PM

Cyclo Tour of Hanoi

Hop on a traditional cyclo to explore the city's hidden gems.
Arrange a cyclo tour from your lunch location.
VND 200,000, 2 hours

3:30 PM

Visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Discover the gripping history of this former prison.
Short walk to the museum.
VND 30,000, 1 hour

5:00 PM

Relax at a Local Café

Unwind with a Vietnamese egg coffee at Café Giang, famous for its unique brew.
Walk to Café Giang nearby.
VND 40,000, 1 hour

7:00 PM

Dinner at Bun Bo Nam Bo

Taste the flavorful Beef Noodle Bowl, a must-try dish in Hanoi.
A short walk from the café.
VND 80,000, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 3: Halong Bay Adventure

Halong Bay, Vietnam

7:00 AM

Travel to Halong Bay

Catch a morning bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's natural wonders.
Book a seat on a shuttle for smooth travel.
VND 200,000, 3.5 hours

10:30 AM

Board a Cruise

Cruise the picturesque waters of Halong Bay, surrounded by thousands of limestone islands.
Prepare your cruise documents and board the boat.
USD 50, 30 minutes

11:00 AM

Lunch on Board

Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while admiring the stunning scenery.
Served onboard during the cruise.
Included with cruise, 1 hour

12:00 PM

Explore Sung Sot Cave

Take a guided tour to discover this breathtaking cave system.
Follow the guide and take a short rowboat ride.
Included with cruise, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Kayaking in Halong Bay

Paddle your kayak around the beautiful bay, exploring its hidden corners.
Provided by the cruise group.
Included with cruise, 2 hours

4:30 PM

Swim at Ti Top Island

Relax or swim at the beach while enjoying the fantastic views.
Transfer via boat to the island.
Included with cruise, 1.5 hours

6:00 PM

Dinner on Board

Feast on a sumptuous dinner while the sun sets over the bay.
Served onboard during the cruise.
Included with cruise, 1.5 hours

8:00 PM

Evening Activities

Enjoy the evening visuals with onboard games or karaoke.
Organized by the cruise team.
Free, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Halong Bay

Day 4: Historic Hue

Hue, Vietnam

7:00 AM

Morning Tai Chi on the Deck

Start your day with a refreshing Tai Chi session while enjoying the stunning views.
Onboard the cruise deck.
Free, 1 hour

8:00 AM

Breakfast on Board

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast as you sail back to the port.
Served onboard before disembarking.
Included with cruise, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Return to Port

Disembark and head back to Hanoi by bus.
Follow the cruise schedule.
VND 200,000, 3.5 hours

12:30 PM

Lunch at Loc Phat Restaurant

Enjoy local specialties such as Banh Khoai, savory pancakes.
Located near the bus station after arrival in Hue.
VND 70,000, 1 hour

1:30 PM

Visit the Imperial City

Explore the ancient citadel of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Take a short taxi ride to the citadel.
VND 150,000, 2 hours

3:30 PM

Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda

Admire the serene beauty of one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam.
Head to the pagoda via taxi.
Free, 1 hour

5:00 PM

Dinner at Ancient Hue

Savor a Nguyen dynasty-style meal in a charming setting.
Return to the city center for dinner.
VND 200,000, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Hue

Day 5: Charming Hoi An

Hoi An, Vietnam

7:00 AM

Breakfast at Hoi An Market

Dive into the local culture with a breakfast of Cao Lau noodles at a vendor in the market.
Visit the nearby market.
VND 40,000, 1 hour

8:30 AM

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Stroll through the beautifully preserved streets filled with colorful lanterns.
Begin at the town's entrance.
VND 120,000, 3 hours

11:30 AM

Cooking Class

Join a local cooking class and learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Pre-book a class and arrive early.
USD 30, 3 hours

2:30 PM

Nut Tea and Relax

Sip on nut tea and enjoy the atmosphere at a local café.
Find a nearby café.
VND 30,000, 1 hour

3:30 PM

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge

Take in the stunning architecture of this iconic bridge.
Walk from your café.
Free, 30 minutes

4:00 PM

Tailor Shop Visit

Get fitted for a custom garment at one of Hoi An's famous tailor shops.
Explore tailor shops in the ancient town.
Varies, 1 hour

6:00 PM

Dinner at Morning Glory

Indulge in dishes inspired by Hoi An’s rich culinary tradition.
Head back towards the river for dinner.
VND 120,000, 1.5 hours

8:00 PM

Evening Lantern Walk

Stroll through the glowing lantern-lit streets as night falls.
Self-guided walk through Ancient Town.
Free, 1 hour
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day 6: Relaxing Nha Trang

Nha Trang, Vietnam

8:00 AM

Travel to Nha Trang

Enjoy a morning flight to Nha Trang, the beach resort city.
Book a domestic flight from Da Nang to Nha Trang.
USD 60, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Check-in to Hotel

Drop off your luggage and freshen up before heading out.
Head to your pre-booked accommodation.
Varies, 1 hour

10:30 AM

Beach Time at Tran Phu Beach

Relax on the sandy beach and soak up the sun.
Walk to the beach from the hotel.
Free, 3 hours

1:30 PM

Lunch at Nha Trang Seafood

Relish fresh seafood dishes at a beachside restaurant.
Located along the beach.
VND 150,000, 1 hour

3:00 PM

Visit Long Son Pagoda

Explore this famous pagoda featuring a giant white Buddha statue.
Take a short taxi ride to the pagoda.
Free, 1.5 hours

4:30 PM

Thap Ba Hot Springs

Indulge in a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs.
Arrange transportation to the hot springs.
VND 300,000, 2 hours

7:00 PM

Dinner at Lanterns Vietnamese Restaurant

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese dishes in a cozy setting.
Return to the city area for dinner.
VND 120,000, 1.5 hours

9:00 PM

Night Market Visit

Shop for souvenirs and treat yourself to street food.
A short walk from the restaurant.
Free, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Nha Trang

Day 7: Dynamic Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

8:00 AM

Travel to Ho Chi Minh City

Catch a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City from Nha Trang.
Check flight schedules and arrive at the airport on time.
USD 60, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Explore Ben Thanh Market

Dive into local culture and shop for handicrafts and delicious snacks.
Take a taxi from the airport to the city.
Free, 1 hour

11:00 AM

Lunch at Pho 24

Taste the iconic Pho in a comfortable restaurant setting.
Walk from the market to the restaurant.
VND 80,000, 1 hour

12:30 PM

Visit War Remnants Museum

Gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's history through exhibits.
A short taxi ride from the restaurant.
VND 40,000, 1.5 hours

2:30 PM

Explore Independence Palace

Tour the historical building that played a key role in Vietnam's history.
Just a short walk from the museum.
VND 50,000, 1 hour

4:00 PM

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Admire this stunning French colonial architecture in the heart of the city.
Around the corner from Independence Palace.
Free, 30 minutes

4:30 PM

Coffee Break at The Workshop Coffee

Take a pause and enjoy specialty Vietnamese coffee.
1 block away from the cathedral.
VND 60,000, 1 hour

6:00 PM

Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan

Dine on delicious Vietnamese dishes in a rustic ambiance.
Short taxi ride or walk from the café.
VND 200,000, 2 hours

8:00 PM

Saigon River Dinner Cruise

End your day with a romantic dinner cruise along the Saigon River.
Book the cruise in advance for a guaranteed spot.
USD 30, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 8: Final Explorations

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

8:00 AM

Breakfast at bakery

Start the day with fresh Vietnamese bread or pastries at a local bakery.
Find a nearby bakery or make one stop at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa.
VND 40,000, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda

Marvel at the ornate architecture and tranquil atmosphere of this beautiful temple.
Take a taxi to the pagoda.
Free, 1.5 hours

10:30 AM

Shopping at Saigon Centre

Browse shops and immerse in the city’s modern atmosphere.
Visit via taxi.
Free to browse, 2 hours

12:30 PM

Lunch at Pizza 4P's

Try a delicious fusion of Vietnamese and Italian at this beloved pizza joint.
Short taxi ride from Saigon Centre.
VND 150,000, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Visit Cholon & Binh Tay Market

Explore Saigon’s Chinatown with its vibrant market atmosphere.
Take a short taxi ride to Cholon.
Free, 2 hours

4:00 PM

Afternoon Tea at Continental Hotel

Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea experience in an elegant setting.
Return to District 1 and visit the hotel.
USD 20, 1.5 hours

5:30 PM

Visit the Bitexco Financial Tower

Get panoramic views of the city from the observation deck.
Take a taxi to the tower.
USD 10, 1 hour

7:00 PM

Farewell Dinner at The Chopsticks

Enjoy a final dinner savoring modern Vietnamese cuisine in a chic ambiance.
Children's not far from Bitexco.
VND 200,000, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
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