10-Day Vietnam Adventure from Kochi: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Arrival and Hanoi Exploration

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 20, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Kafeville

Start your day with a hearty Vietnamese coffee and bánh mì at this charming café near Old Quarter. Open from 7:00am.
VND100000, 1h

9:30am

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Walk around the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and explore Ngoc Son Temple, a peaceful spiritual site in the city center. Open from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
VND30000, 1h30m

11:30am

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Famous for its grilled pork with noodles, this spot gained fame after President Obama’s visit. Open 10:00am to 9:00pm.
VND120000, 1h

1:00pm

Explore the Old Quarter

Enjoy shopping and sightseeing in the bustling streets filled with local shops and street vendors.
Free, 2h

3:30pm

Visit the Temple of Literature

Vietnam’s first university dedicated to Confucius with beautiful traditional architecture. Open 8:00am to 5:00pm.
VND30000, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong

Try the famous Hanoi grilled fish specialty right in the Old Quarter. Open 11:00am to 9:00pm.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 2: Hanoi Cultural Sites

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 21, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Pho Bat Dan

Enjoy authentic northern-style pho for breakfast, open from 6:00am.
VND50000, 1h

9:00am

Tour the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Visit the mausoleum, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Mausoleum open 8:00am to 11:00am, closed on Monday and Friday.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Enjoy delicious Vietnamese cuisine at a social enterprise supporting disadvantaged youth. Open 11:00am to 3:00pm.
VND150000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Explore diverse ethnic cultures of Vietnam with engaging exhibits. Open 8:30am to 5:30pm, closed Monday.
VND40000, 2h

4:00pm

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese water puppetry, shows start at 5:00pm and 6:30pm.
VND120000, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Quan An Ngon

Try a wide variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes in a lovely garden setting. Open 10:00am to 10:00pm.
VND180000, 1h30m
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Day 3: Day Trip to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh, Vietnam on May 22, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Light breakfast before your day trip to Ninh Binh.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Depart for Ninh Binh

Drive approx. 2 hours to Ninh Binh, known as 'Halong Bay on land'.
Transport cost approx. VND1000000, 2h

10:00am

Visit Trang An Landscape Complex

Take a 2-hour scenic boat ride through caves and limestone karsts. Open 8:00am to 5:00pm.
VND200000, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Family Restaurant Near Trang An

Enjoy fresh local cuisine including goat meat specialties.
VND150000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda

Explore the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam with grand statues and architecture. Open 7:00am to 6:00pm.
VND100000, 1h30m

4:00pm

Return to Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi for overnight stay.
Included, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Home Vietnamese Restaurant

Finish with an intimate dining experience featuring authentic home-style Vietnamese dishes.
VND200000, 1h30m
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Day 4: Travel to Halong Bay

Halong Bay, Vietnam on May 23, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Prepare for your Halong Bay cruise with a filling breakfast.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Transfer to Halong Bay

Drive approx. 3.5 hours to Halong Bay, UNESCO World Heritage site.
VND1200000, 3h30m

1:00pm

Board Halong Bay Cruise

Start your overnight cruise, enjoy lunch and sightseeing in the bay.
USD150 per person approx., Overnight

Afternoon

Kayaking and Cave Visits

Explore hidden caves and kayak around the limestone islands.
Included in cruise, 2h

Evening

Dinner on board

Enjoy fresh seafood dinner as you relax on deck.
Included, 1h
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Day 5: Halong Bay to Hoi An

Halong Bay to Hoi An, Vietnam on May 24, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast on Cruise

Sunrise breakfast with stunning bay views.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Disembark and Return to Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi to catch flight to Da Nang.
Included transport + flight approx. INR6000 per person, 4h including flight

2:00pm

Transfer to Hoi An from Da Nang Airport

Short 45-minute drive to charming Hoi An.
VND400000, 45m

3:00pm

Check-in and Refresh

Settle into your hotel in Hoi An old town.
Included, 1h

5:00pm

Stroll Hoi An Ancient Town

Explore the lantern-lit streets, ancient houses, and colorful markets until 9:00pm.
VND120000 entrance fee, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Morning Glory

Enjoy authentic central Vietnamese cuisine in a beautiful setting. Open till 10:00pm.
VND200000, 1h
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Day 6: Hoi An Culture & Cooking

Hoi An, Vietnam on May 25, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at The Espresso Station

Good coffee and western breakfast before your day starts. Open 7:00am to 10:00pm.
VND70000, 1h

9:00am

Visit My Son Sanctuary

UNESCO site of Champa ruins about 1 hour away, explore Hindu temple complexes. Open 6:00am to 5:30pm.
VND150000, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch at Ba Le Well

Traditional Hoi An dishes in a street market setting, open 10:00am to 6:00pm.
VND100000, 1h

2:00pm

Hoi An Cooking Class

Learn to cook Vietnamese classics with chefs. Classes usually 3-4 hours, starting mid-afternoon.
USD40, 4h

7:00pm

Leisure evening stroll at the river

Enjoy the night market and lantern-lit river banks, perfect for photos and souvenirs.
Free, 1h
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Day 7: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 26, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Prepare for travel with a filling breakfast.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Transfer to Da Nang Airport

Drive 45 minutes to Da Nang Airport for your flight south.
VND400000, 45m

11:00am

Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Flight time approx 1h20m. Arrive and transfer to hotel.
INR5000 approx., 1h20m

1:00pm

Lunch at Pho Hoa

Famous pho restaurant in Saigon with rich broth and fresh herbs. Open 6:00am to 9:00pm.
VND70000, 1h

2:30pm

Visit War Remnants Museum

Informative and moving exhibits on Vietnam War history. Open 7:30am to 6:00pm.
VND40000, 2h

5:00pm

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office

Iconic French colonial architecture located in downtown Saigon, open till 7:00pm.
Free, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan

Delight in traditional southern Vietnamese dishes in a cozy home-like atmosphere. Opens till 10:00pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
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Day 8: Cu Chi Tunnels & Saigon Shopping

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 27, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at hotel

Fuel up for an active day trip.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels

Explore the underground network used during the Vietnam War. Open 7:30am to 5:00pm.
VND110000, 4h

12:30pm

Lunch at nearby local restaurant

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese lunch near Cu Chi.
VND120000, 1h

2:30pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City and Visit Ben Thanh Market

Shop local handicrafts, textiles, and street food at the market, open till 7:00pm.
Free entry, 2h

5:00pm

Relax with a coffee at The Workshop

Trendy coffee shop with excellent brews; open till 10:00pm.
VND80000, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Pizza 4P’s

Usual Asian fusion style pizza, popular with international travelers. Open till 11:00pm.
VND250000, 1h30m
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Day 9: Mekong Delta Day Trip

Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta, Vietnam on May 28, 2025

6:30am

Early Breakfast at hotel

Start early for a full day Mekong Delta tour.
Included, 1h

7:30am

Depart for Mekong Delta

Travel approx. 2 hours by road to explore the lush Mekong Delta region.
Tour cost approx. VND800000, 2h

9:30am

Boat Ride through Canals

Experience local livelihoods, floating markets, and tropical scenery by boat. Open daily.
Included in tour, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at local village

Enjoy typical Mekong cuisine with fresh fish and tropical fruits.
Included, 1h

1:30pm

Visit coconut candy workshop and fruit orchards

Learn about local specialties and try some sweet treats.
Included, 1h

3:00pm

Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Drive back to the city and relax.
Included, 2h

7:00pm

Farewell Dinner at Secret Garden

Enjoy rooftop dining with stunning city views and elegant Vietnamese dishes.
VND300000, 2h
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Day 10: Departure

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 29, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Early breakfast before your departure.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Leave for airport to catch your return flight to Kochi.
VND400000, 30m
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