Budget-Friendly 8-Day Vietnam Itinerary: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City with Vegetarian and Chicken-Friendly Dining

Day 1: Arrive & Explore Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 10, 2025

8:00am

Arrival and Transport to Hotel

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and take a budget-friendly shuttle bus (xe bus 86) or Grab taxi to your accommodation in the Old Quarter area, which is central and budget-friendly.

VND35000 (bus) or approx. VND250000 (Grab taxi), 1h

9:30am

Breakfast at Loving Hut Vegan Restaurant

Enjoy a vegetarian breakfast with delicious Vietnamese vegan dishes in a clean, budget-friendly environment. They open early and offer fresh, flavorful food perfect for a light start.

VND70000, 1h

10:30am

Walking Tour of Old Quarter

Take a self-guided walk through bustling streets of the Old Quarter, visiting Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Enjoy the vibrant street life and local shops.

Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Minh Chay Vegetarian Restaurant

Taste creatively prepared vegetarian dishes inspired by traditional Vietnamese cuisine in a cozy setting. Open from 10am to 3pm for lunch.

VND90000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit the Temple of Literature

Explore this historic site dedicated to Confucius, Vietnam's first university. Open 8am to 5pm, entrance fee is affordable and the site is peaceful.

VND30000, 1h30m

3:45pm

Relax at Hotel and Freshen Up

Return to your budget hotel or guesthouse to rest and prepare for the evening.

Included in accommodation, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Chay Garden

Enjoy vegetarian and chicken-friendly Vietnamese dishes served in a charming garden setting. Open until 9pm, great for a peaceful dinner.

VND100000, 1h30m

8:00pm

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Experience traditional Vietnamese culture through a captivating water puppet show located near Hoan Kiem Lake. Shows run roughly every hour until 9pm.

VND100000, 1h

View Hotel Availability

Day 2: Hanoi Museums & Markets

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 11, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at KOTO Van Mieu

Enjoy a vegetarian-friendly breakfast at KOTO, a social enterprise restaurant offering excellent quality food with vegan and chicken dishes.

VND80000, 1h

9:00am

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Visit the iconic mausoleum (closes Mondays and Fridays) and nearby Botanical Gardens. Free entry but close your shoulders and knees respectfully.

Free, 2h

11:30am

Explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Browse exhibits showcasing Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups. Open 8am to 5:30pm, a bit outside the city center but reachable by taxi or Grab.

VND40000, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Mad Botanist

Taste innovative vegetarian and chicken dishes with fusion and vegan options in a friendly ambiance. Open daily.

VND100000, 1h

2:30pm

Stroll Through Dong Xuan Market

Experience a vibrant local market selling everything from souvenirs to local food ingredients, great for picking affordable snacks or souvenirs.

Free to browse, 1h

4:00pm

Return to hotel - rest

Head back to accommodation by Grab or walking to rest before dinner.

Approx VND50000, 30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Chay Vegetarian Restaurant on Hang Bai

Enjoy budget-friendly vegetarian dishes alongside a few chicken options in a casual setting, open until 9pm.

VND90000, 1h30m

View Hotel Availability

Day 3: Halong Bay Overnight

Hanoi to Halong Bay, Vietnam on May 12, 2025

7:30am

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Have a simple breakfast before heading out for your Halong Bay tour; many hotels offer vegetarian options.

Included in accommodation, 30m

8:00am

Shuttle Bus to Halong Bay

Join a budget-friendly shuttle bus arranged by tour operators for an approximately 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay from Hanoi.

VND250000, 3h30m

11:30am

Board Halong Bay Overnight Cruise

Check-in to a budget overnight cruise offering vegetarian and chicken meals while exploring stunning limestone karsts and islands. Activities typically include kayaking, cave visits, and swimming.

Approx USD100 per person (including meals and accommodation), 2 days

12:00pm

Lunch on Cruise

Enjoy a delicious lunch on board with vegetarian and chicken options, often featuring fresh seafood and local vegetables.

Included in cruise price, 1h

1:00pm

Cruise Activities: Kayaking and Cave Visits

Afternoon guided kayak trip around the limestone formations and visit Sung Sot Cave. Active but manageable and scenic.

Included, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner on Cruise

Dinner served on board with multiple vegetarian and chicken choices. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere on the water.

Included, 1h

8:00pm

Relax on Deck or Optional Night Activities

Enjoy stargazing or join a squid fishing activity if available, or simply relax.

Included, 1h

View Hotel Availability

Day 4: Return to Hanoi & Travel to Hue

Halong Bay to Hanoi to Hue, Vietnam on May 13, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast on Cruise

Early breakfast as you continue to explore Halong Bay in the morning before heading back.

Included, 1h

8:00am

Disembark and Return Shuttle to Hanoi

Return shuttle to Hanoi, anticipating traffic around the city on return.

Included in cruise, 3h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Pho Thin near Hanoi Train Station

Enjoy traditional beef pho, vegetarian broth options can be custom requested with chicken side dishes available nearby. Open all day till evening.

VND60000, 45m

2:00pm

Travel to Hue by Overnight Train

Take the SE1 train departing mid-afternoon for Hue, a 12-13 hour journey offering sleeper options for comfort. Train tickets can be booked in advance online or at the station in air-conditioned soft sleeper cabins.

VND600000 approx per sleeper berth, 12h

2:30pm

Board Train to Hue

Settle in for your overnight scenic train ride southwards.

Included, overnight

View Hotel Availability

Day 5: Hue Imperial City

Hue, Vietnam on May 14, 2025

2:00am

Arrive in Hue and Check-in

Arrive early morning, take a taxi or Grab to your budget accommodation in the city center and check-in or leave bags.

VND100000 approx, 30m

7:30am

Breakfast at A Dong Vegetarian Restaurant

Offers a good variety of Vietnamese vegetarian dishes with some chicken options, perfect after your overnight train.

VND70000, 1h

9:00am

Visit Imperial City (The Citadel)

Explore Hue’s UNESCO-listed walled city, the former imperial capital with royal palaces and beautiful architecture. Open daily 8am to 5pm.

VND150000, 2h

11:30am

Visit Thien Mu Pagoda

Take a motorbike taxi or Grab to the historic 7-story pagoda located by the Perfume River, best visited before afternoon heat. Open daily.

Free, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Bamboo Vegan Restaurant

Enjoy affordable vegetarian Vietnamese food in a relaxed atmosphere with chicken choices on the menu.

VND80000, 1h

2:00pm

Boat Ride on Perfume River

Relax on a scenic boat ride visiting historical sites including tombs of past emperors. Ticket and boat hire are affordable and the trip lasts about 2 hours.

VND120000, 2h

5:00pm

Rest at Hotel

Return to hotel to freshen up.

Included, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Ancient Hue

Try Hue style vegetarian and chicken dishes at this budget-friendly restaurant offering local ambiance.

VND90000, 1h30m

View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 15, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Fuel up with a light breakfast before traveling to the airport.

Included, 30m

8:00am

Taxi to Phu Bai Airport

Quick 30-minute taxi ride to Hue’s Phu Bai Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

VND200000, 30m

10:00am

Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Take a budget flight with Vietjet or Vietnam Airlines to Tan Son Nhat Airport, approximately 1.5 hour flight. Book tickets early for best prices.

VND800000 approx, 1h30m

11:30am

Grab Taxi to Hotel in District 1

Reach your affordable accommodation in the central District 1, convenient for sightseeing and dining.

VND250000 approx, 45m

12:30pm

Lunch at The Organik House

Enjoy fresh Vietnamese vegetarian and chicken-friendly dishes with organic ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere.

VND90000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit War Remnants Museum

Gain insight into Vietnam’s history through open-air and indoor exhibits. Open daily 7:30am to 6pm, low entry fee.

VND40000, 1h30m

4:00pm

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica & Central Post Office

Stroll between these iconic French colonial architectural gems located close to one another, free to visit.

Free, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Prem Bistro

Offers delicious vegetarian and chicken options at budget prices in a cozy setting with friendly staff.

VND100000, 1h30m

View Hotel Availability

Day 7: Cu Chi Tunnels & City Markets

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 16, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Brief vegetarian-friendly breakfast to start your day.

Included, 30m

8:00am

Tour to Cu Chi Tunnels

Join a budget-friendly half-day group tour, including transport and guided exploration of the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, a Vietnam War site about 1.5 hours from the city.

VND300000, 5h