10-Day Budget Itinerary from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - July 2025

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 3, 2025

9:00 AM

Arrival in Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital city, famous for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture.
Free, N/A

10:30 AM

Breakfast at Pho Bat Dan

Start with a bowl of authentic Hanoi pho at this popular affordable spot open from 6am to 10pm.
VND40000, 1 hour

11:30 AM

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake

Stroll around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, a central city landmark.
Free, 1 hour

1:00 PM

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Taste famous Bun Cha, a traditional Hanoi BBQ pork dish, available until 3pm daily.
VND70000, 1 hour

3:00 PM

Explore Hanoi Old Quarter

Wander through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter filled with shops, street food, and colonial buildings.
Free, 2 hours

6:00 PM

Dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long

Enjoy the signature Hanoi fish dish, cha ca, served with noodles and herbs in a local eatery open till 9pm.
VND90000, 1.5 hours
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Day 2: Culture and History

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 4, 2025

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Cafe Pho Co

Have a coffee and light breakfast in this atmospheric cafe overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, open from 7am.
VND50000, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

See the mausoleum (closed Mondays and Fridays), Presidential Palace, and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house from 8am to 11am.
Free, 2 hours

12:00 PM

Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Dine at a social enterprise restaurant offering delicious Vietnamese meals while supporting youth training, open 11am-9pm.
VND90000, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Temple of Literature

Visit Vietnam's first university and beautiful traditional temple open 8am-5pm.
VND30000, 1.5 hours

4:00 PM

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Learn about Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups in this insightful museum open 8am-5:30pm.
VND60000, 2 hours

7:00 PM

Dinner at Quan An Ngon

Savor a variety of classic Vietnamese dishes served in a beautiful colonial villa, open until 10pm.
VND80000, 1.5 hours
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Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay, Vietnam on July 5, 2025

6:30 AM

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Start early with breakfast at your hotel before departure.
VND50000, 30 mins

7:00 AM

Depart for Halong Bay

Travel by bus (approximately 4 hours) to UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay, known for stunning limestone karsts.
VND250000, 4 hours

11:15 AM

Halong Bay Day Cruise

Take a budget-friendly day cruise to explore caves, islands, and enjoy a seafood lunch on board; available 11am-4:30pm.
VND550000, 5 hours

4:30 PM

Return to Hanoi

Take the bus back to Hanoi after a day of incredible sightseeing.
VND250000, 4 hours

8:30 PM

Dinner at Pho Thin

End your day with Hanoi’s famous pho at this local spot open till 9pm.
VND50000, 1 hour
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Day 4: Travel to Hoi An

Hoi An, Vietnam on July 6, 2025

7:00 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before preparing to travel south.
VND50000, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Fly Hanoi to Da Nang

Take a budget airline to Da Nang (closest airport to Hoi An); flights last about 1 hour 20 minutes.
VND100000, 1.5 hours

11:30 AM

Transfer to Hoi An

Take a taxi or shuttle (45 minutes) to charming Hoi An Ancient Town.
VND30000, 45 mins

12:30 PM

Lunch at Morning Glory

Try classic Hoi An dishes like cao lau in a popular budget-friendly restaurant open 10am-9pm.
VND80000, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Wander cobbled streets, visit temples, and shop for local crafts with a paid entrance ticket.
VND120000, 3 hours

7:00 PM

Dinner at Hoi An Night Market

Sample affordable street foods and enjoy bustling nightlife in this vibrant market.
VND70000, 2 hours
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Day 5: Hoi An & Surroundings

Hoi An, Vietnam on July 7, 2025

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Q Bar

Start your day with fresh coffee and breakfast at this popular cafe in town.
VND60000, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Trip to My Son Sanctuary

Explore the ancient Hindu Champa ruins; the site opens at 7am and closes at 5:30pm.
VND150000, 3 hours

12:30 PM

Lunch at Bale Well

Enjoy local specialties like grilled pork wraps at this affordable spot open till 3pm.
VND60000, 1 hour

2:00 PM

Relax at An Bang Beach

Spend your afternoon on the beach relaxing and swimming; open all day and free entry.
Free, 3 hours

6:30 PM

Dinner at Mango Mango

Dine beside the river with fusion Vietnamese cuisine at reasonable prices, open till 10pm.
VND90000, 2 hours
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Day 6: Travel to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on July 8, 2025

7:00 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Have a quick breakfast before your departure.
VND50000, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City

Take a budget flight (about 1.5 hours) to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam’s largest city.
VND100000, 1.5 hours

11:30 AM

Check-in & Lunch at Pho Hoa

Check into budget accommodation and enjoy a famous bowl of pho at Pho Hoa open till 9pm.
VND60000, 1.5 hours

2:00 PM

Visit War Remnants Museum

Discover Vietnam War history through powerful exhibits; museum open 7:30am-6pm daily.
VND40000, 2 hours

5:00 PM

Explore Ben Thanh Market

Shop local handicrafts and street food at this bustling market open till 7pm weekdays.
Free, 2 hours

7:30 PM

Dinner at Com Nieu Sai Gon

Enjoy popular clay pot dishes at this cozy restaurant open till 10pm.
VND75000, 1.5 hours
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Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on July 9, 2025

8:00 AM

Breakfast at Binh Minh Coffee

Enjoy Vietnamese coffee and banh mi sandwiches at this affordable café open early daily.
VND40000, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

Admire this beautiful French colonial cathedral located downtown; free to enter.
Free, 1 hour

10:30 AM

Post Office and Saigon Central Plaza

Walk to the iconic post office and nearby Saigon Central Plaza for sightseeing and photos.
Free, 1.5 hours

12:30 PM

Lunch at Hu Tieu Nam Vang Ba De

Sample Hu Tieu, a popular pork noodle soup, open for lunch until 3pm.
VND50000, 1 hour

2:00 PM

Reunification Palace

Tour the historic former presidential palace open from 7:30am to 4:00pm daily.
VND40000, 2 hours

5:00 PM

Saigon Skydeck

Visit Bitexco Tower's observation deck for panoramic city views, open until 9pm.
VND200000, 1.5 hours

7:30 PM

Dinner at Nha Hang Ngon

End your day enjoying diverse Vietnamese street food dishes in a welcoming setting until 10pm.
VND80000, 1.5 hours
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Day 8: Mekong Delta Adventure

Mekong Delta, Vietnam on July 10, 2025

6:00 AM

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Fuel up early for a full-day Mekong Delta tour.
VND50000, 30 mins

7:00 AM

Full-Day Mekong Delta Tour

Join a budget group tour (7-8 hours) visiting floating markets, local villages, and enjoying boat rides.
VND800000, 8 hours

4:00 PM

Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Travel back to the city and rest after a day-packed excursion.
VND50000, 1 hour

6:00 PM

Dinner at Secret Garden

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese home-style food in a rooftop garden setting, open till 10pm.
VND85000, 2 hours
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Day 9: Last Day in Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on July 11, 2025

8:00 AM

Breakfast at L'Usine

Enjoy pastries and coffee in a stylish café open from 7am before your last sightseeing day.
VND80000, 1 hour

9:30 AM

Explore Jade Emperor Pagoda

Visit this atmospheric Taoist pagoda open daily from 8am to 5pm, known for its intricate statuary.
Free, 1 hour

11:00 AM

Visit Fine Arts Museum

Discover Vietnamese modern and traditional art housed in a beautiful colonial building, open 8am-5pm.
VND40000, 2 hours

1:00 PM

Lunch at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa

Taste one of Ho Chi Minh’s best banh mi sandwiches, open till 7pm, affordable and filling.
VND35000, 1 hour

2:30 PM

Shopping & Leisure

Spend your afternoon at Saigon Square or Vincom Center for souvenirs and local goods.
Free, 3 hours

6:00 PM

Dinner at The Lunch Lady street stall

Experience simple, authentic Vietnamese dishes as featured on TV, open till 8pm.
VND40000, 1.5 hours
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Day 10: Departure Day

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on July 12, 2025

7:00 AM

Breakfast at Hotel

Final breakfast before preparing for your flight home.
VND50000, 1 hour

9:00 AM

Airport Transfer

Travel to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight back to Delhi.
VND150000, 1 hour

12:00 PM

Flight to Delhi

Catch your budget-friendly return flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Delhi. Flight duration approx 5 hours.
INR5000, 5 hours
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