10-Day Ultimate Vietnam Adventure: Exploring Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Hanoi Exploration

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 7, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pho Thin

Start the day with authentic northern Vietnamese pho at Pho Thin, open from 6am, known for its flavorful broth and bustling atmosphere.
VND50,000, 1h

9:30am

Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Enjoy a peaceful walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, a scenic cultural landmark open 7am-9pm.
VND30,000, 1h30m

11:00am

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Explore Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups through rich exhibits, open daily 8am-5:30pm.
VND40,000, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Taste the famous bun cha grilled pork with noodles, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, open 10am-10pm.
VND60,000, 1h

3:00pm

Old Quarter Walking Tour

Wander Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter streets filled with shops and colonial architecture.
Free, 2h

6:00pm

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Experience traditional Vietnamese water puppetry; shows at 5pm and 8pm daily. Book in advance.
VND100,000, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong

Enjoy the iconic Hanoi grilled fish dish in a historic setting, open 10am-10pm.
VND150,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 2: More Hanoi Culture

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 8, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Cafe Giang

Try the legendary egg coffee at Cafe Giang, a Hanoi specialty, open 7am-10pm.
VND30,000, 30m

8:30am

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Visit the resting place of Ho Chi Minh and surrounding buildings; open 8am-11am (closed Mondays and Fridays).
Free, 1h30m

10:30am

Temple of Literature

Explore Vietnam’s first university and a beautiful Confucian site, open 8am-5pm.
VND30,000, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Enjoy Vietnamese fusion dishes while supporting a social enterprise helping disadvantaged youth, open 10am-9pm.
VND120,000, 1h

2:00pm

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

Delve into centuries of Vietnamese art and culture; open 8am-5pm, closed Monday.
VND40,000, 1h30m

4:00pm

Coffee Break at The Note Coffee

Relax at this quirky cafe covered in colorful sticky notes, open 7am-9pm.
VND40,000, 45m

6:00pm

Dinner at Quan An Ngon

Savor a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes in a lively atmosphere, open 10am-10pm.
VND150,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 3: Day Trip to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam on May 9, 2025

7:00am

Travel to Ninh Binh

Depart early via car or bus (approximately 2-hour drive) to Ninh Binh, known for stunning limestone karsts and countryside.
VND300,000, 2h

9:30am

Boat Ride at Tam Coc

Enjoy a peaceful rowboat ride through river caves and scenic rice paddies, open 7am-5pm.
VND200,000, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Chez Loan Restaurant

Dine on local specialties such as goat meat and rice crust in a cozy setting, open 10am-9pm.
VND120,000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Bich Dong Pagoda

Explore this beautiful pagoda complex set into limestone mountains, open 7am-6pm.
VND100,000, 1h

3:00pm

Explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Discover the ruins of Vietnam’s 10th-century capital, open 7am-5pm.
VND150,000, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Hanoi

Travel back to Hanoi, resting for the evening.
Included, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Home Vietnamese Restaurant

Relax with classic Vietnamese dishes in a calm home-style restaurant, open 10am-10pm.
VND120,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 4: Cruise Halong Bay

Halong Bay, Vietnam on May 10, 2025

7:00am

Travel to Halong Bay

Depart early from Hanoi by shuttle or car to Halong Bay (approx. 3.5 hours).
VND400,000, 3h30m

11:00am

Board Halong Bay Cruise

Embark on a scenic cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s stunning limestone islands, includes lunch on board, cruises generally 11am-5pm.
USD80, 6h

5:30pm

Check-in to Halong Bay Hotel or Overnight Cruise

Relax after the cruise in a nearby hotel or continue onboard an overnight cruise.
Varies, Evening

7:00pm

Dinner on Cruise or Local Restaurant

Enjoy fresh seafood dinner either on the ship or at a local Halong Bay restaurant, open until 9pm.
Included or VND300,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 5: Halong Bay to Hue

Hue, Vietnam on May 11, 2025

8:00am

Morning Kayaking and Cave Visit

Enjoy morning kayaking around limestone karsts and explore caves, cruises typically 7am-9am for these activities.
Included in cruise, 2h

10:00am

Return to Hanoi and Fly to Hue

Travel back from Halong Bay to Hanoi, then take a mid-day flight to Hue (1.5-hour flight).
USD50 for flight, 5h

3:30pm

Check-in and Rest at Hue Hotel

Settle into your accommodation and rest before evening activities.
Varies, Afternoon

6:00pm

Dinner at Hanh Restaurant

Enjoy traditional Hue royal cuisine in a well-reviewed local restaurant, open until 9pm.
VND150,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Historic Hue

Hue, Vietnam on May 12, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a Vietnamese breakfast buffet at your hotel, typically from 6:30am onwards.
Included with stay, 1h

8:30am

Imperial City (The Citadel)

Tour the stunning historic complex of palaces and temples, open 8am-5pm.
VND150,000, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at Ancient Hue

Try Hue’s unique dishes like Bun Bo Hue in a charming riverside eatery, open 10am-3pm.
VND120,000, 1h

1:30pm

Thien Mu Pagoda

Visit this iconic 7-storey pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, open daily 6am-6pm.
Free, 1h

3:00pm

Boat Ride on Perfume River

Relaxing boat trip exploring royal tombs and scenic river views, services operate until 5pm.
VND200,000, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Les Jardins de la Carambole

Fine dining with French-Vietnamese fusion in a colonial villa, open 6pm-10pm.
VND300,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 7: Travel to Hoi An

Hoi An, Vietnam on May 13, 2025

8:00am

Drive from Hue to Hoi An

Scenic 3-hour drive over the Hai Van Pass to the charming town of Hoi An.
VND700,000 private car, 3h

11:30am

Check-in and Lunch at Cargo Club

Settle in and enjoy a mix of Western and Vietnamese fare with river views, open 8am-10pm.
VND150,000, 1h

1:00pm

Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour

Stroll the UNESCO-listed town famed for lantern-lit streets, historic houses, and tailor shops, open all day.
VND120,000 entrance fee, 3h

5:00pm

Relax at An Bang Beach

Unwind on this lovely beach 4km from town, ideal for sunset from 4pm onward.
Free, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Morning Glory Restaurant

Savor traditional Central Vietnamese cuisine in one of Hoi An's most popular restaurants, open 9am-9pm.
VND150,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 8: Hoi An Culture and Cooking

Hoi An, Vietnam on May 14, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Bale Well

Enjoy local breakfast specialties including crispy pancakes and grilled pork, open 7:30am-3pm.
VND70,000, 1h

8:30am

Half-Day Cooking Class

Learn how to prepare authentic Vietnamese dishes with a morning market tour, classes run 8:30am-12pm.
USD40, 3h30m

12:30pm

Lunch with your cooked dishes

Enjoy the meal you prepared during the cooking class.
Included, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Tra Que Vegetable Village

See traditional farming techniques in this peaceful village, open until 5pm.
VND50,000, 2h

5:00pm

Shopping in Hoi An Night Market

Browse local handicrafts and lanterns illuminated in the evening streets, open 5pm-10pm.
Free, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Ms. Ly's Restaurant

Traditional family-run restaurant famous for Cao Lau noodles, open 9am-9pm.
VND100,000, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 9: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 15, 2025

8:00am

Flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from nearby Da Nang airport to Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 1.5-hour flight).
USD50, 2h including airport time

11:00am

Check-in and Brunch at The Vintage Emporium

Relax with brunch and coffee in a stylish colonial villa, open 9am-6pm.
VND150,000, 1h

12:30pm

War Remnants Museum

Learn about Vietnam’s history and the war impact, open 7:30am-6pm.
VND40,000, 2h

3:00pm

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica & Central Post Office

Admire French colonial architecture in the city center, open 8am-5pm.
Free, 1h

4:30pm

Coffee Break at L'Usine

Enjoy artisanal coffee and stylish setting, open 8am-10pm.
VND50,000, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Pho Hoa Pasteur

Taste legendary southern Vietnamese pho at this popular spot, open 6am-10pm.
VND70,000, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Highlights

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa

Start with one of the best banh mi sandwiches in the city, open 7am-9pm.
VND30,000, 30m

8:30am

Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

Half-day tour of historic underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War, tours run 8am-12pm.
USD25, 4h

1:00pm

Lunch at Secret Garden Rooftop

Dine on Vietnamese dishes in a charming rooftop garden setting, open 11am-9pm.
VND150,000, 1h

2:30pm

Ben Thanh Market Shopping

Explore vibrant market stalls selling souvenirs, clothing, and street food, open 6am-6pm.
Free entry, 2h

5:00pm

Saigon Skydeck

End your trip with panoramic sunset views from Bitexco Tower, open 9am-9pm.
VND200,000, 1h30m

7:00pm

Farewell Dinner at The Deck Saigon

Celebrate with upscale riverside dining featuring international and Vietnamese fusion cuisine, open 6pm-11pm.
USD40, 2h
View Hotel Availability