5-Day Cultural and Scenic Exploration of Vietnam

Day 1: Historic City Tour

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 29, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pho Bat Dan

Start your day with traditional Vietnamese Pho, a flavorful noodle soup, served fresh in a local favorite spot that opens from 6:00am to 10:00pm.
VND60000, 1h

9:30am

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Enjoy a serene walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, a peaceful site representing Vietnamese heritage, open from 7:00am to 6:00pm.
VND30000, 1h30m

11:30am

Explore the Old Quarter

Wander through Hanoi Old Quarter’s bustling streets famous for traditional crafts, street food stalls, and colonial architecture, open all day.
Free, 2h

1:30pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Enjoy the famous Bun Cha dishes here, a special Hanoi grilled pork dish served with noodles, open from 10:00am to 10:00pm.
VND90000, 1h

3:00pm

Visit the Temple of Literature

Explore Vietnam’s first university founded in 1070, featuring well-preserved architecture and peaceful gardens, open from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
VND30000, 1h30m

5:00pm

Water Puppet Show

Watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, performances start at 5:00pm and 6:30pm.
VND100000, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long

Try the famous Hanoi specialty ‘Cha Ca’, a turmeric fish dish cooked at your table, open from 11:00am to 10:00pm.
VND200000, 1h
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Day 2: Bay Cruise Adventure

Halong Bay, Vietnam on May 30, 2025

7:00am

Depart Hanoi for Halong Bay

Take a 3.5-hour scenic drive east to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its emerald waters and limestone karsts.
VND300000 (bus fare), 3h30m

11:00am

Board Halong Bay Cruise

Begin a relaxing cruise around Halong Bay’s limestone islands; enjoy lunch on board with spectacular views, cruise operates daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
USD70, 5h

4:00pm

Kayaking and Cave Visit

Explore hidden caves and kayak through calm waters to experience the bay’s natural beauty up close during your overnight cruise.
Included in cruise, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner on Cruise

Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner prepared on board, allowing you to savour traditional Vietnamese flavors while surrounded by natural beauty.
Included in cruise, 1h
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Day 3: Historic Imperial City

Hue, Vietnam on May 31, 2025

7:00am

Travel to Hue

Depart from Halong Bay to Hanoi then catch a morning flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.
VND1500000 (flight), 4h

12:00pm

Lunch at Ancient Hue

Dine on traditional Hue cuisine including Bun Bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup, located near the city center and open 10:00am to 9:00pm.
VND100000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Imperial Citadel

Explore the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, home to palaces, temples, walls, and gates of the Nguyen dynasty, open 8:00am to 5:30pm.
VND150000, 2h30m

4:30pm

Thien Mu Pagoda

Visit this iconic seven-story pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River, open from 7:00am to 6:00pm.
Free, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Les Jardins de La Carambole

Enjoy French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine in a colonial villa setting, open 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
VND300000, 1h30m
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Day 4: Ancient Town Charm

Hoi An, Vietnam on June 1, 2025

8:00am

Travel from Hue to Hoi An

Take a scenic 3-hour drive from Hue to the charming ancient town of Hoi An.
VND200000 (private car), 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at Morning Glory

Taste central Vietnam specialties in a popular local restaurant known for its authentic dishes, open 10:00am to 10:00pm.
VND120000, 1h

1:30pm

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Walk the lantern-lit streets with historic architecture, old merchant houses, and Japanese Covered Bridge, open all day.
Entry ticket VND120000, 3h

5:00pm

Boat Ride on Thu Bon River

Enjoy a peaceful boat ride along Thu Bon River at sunset to appreciate the town’s scenic beauty and vibrant life.
VND150000, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Cargo Club

Dine riverside with a menu offering both Vietnamese and international dishes, open 7:00am to 10:00pm.
VND200000, 1h
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Day 5: Saigon City Life

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on June 2, 2025

7:00am

Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City

Take a quick 1.5-hour flight from Da Nang (near Hoi An) to the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
VND1000000, 1h30m

9:00am

Breakfast at L’usine

Enjoy a modern Vietnamese breakfast in a stylish café with a mix of western and local influences, open 8:00am to 10:00pm.
VND150000, 1h

10:30am

War Remnants Museum

Learn about Vietnam’s history with exhibits focused on the Vietnam War, open from 7:30am to 6:00pm.
VND40000, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Pho Hoa

Taste arguably the best Pho in Ho Chi Minh City at this popular establishment, open 6:00am to 9:00pm.
VND60000, 1h

2:30pm

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office

Explore iconic French colonial architecture landmarks located centrally in the city, open 7:00am to 5:00pm.
Free, 1h30m

4:00pm

Ben Thanh Market Shopping

Discover local crafts, souvenirs, and vibrant street food options at Ben Thanh Market, open 6:00am to 7:00pm.
Free entrance, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan

Relish traditional southern Vietnamese dishes in a rustic ambiance, open 11:00am to 10:00pm.
VND250000, 1h30m
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