Recommended plan: 10 days / 9 nights
For a family of four, the most enjoyable route is Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An/Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Allowing 10 days avoids excessive rushing. Prices below are approximate and vary by season, hotel category, and booking date.
Suggested itinerary
Days 1–2: Hanoi — 2 nights
- Arrive in Hanoi.
- Stay around the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, and the Water Puppet Theatre.
- Optional: cyclo ride and local market visit.
Day 3: Ninh Binh day trip
- Travel by limousine van, approximately 2 hours each way.
- Visit Trang An or Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, and Mua Cave viewpoint.
- Return to Hanoi for the night.
Day 4: Halong Bay cruise — 1 night
- Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay.
- Take a 2-day/1-night cruise with kayaking, caves, sunset activities, and meals onboard.
- Confirm Jain meals at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
Day 5: Halong Bay to Da Nang/Hoi An — 2 nights
- Disembark after brunch.
- Transfer to Hanoi Airport and fly to Da Nang, approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.
- Stay in Hoi An or Da Nang; Hoi An is more atmospheric, while Da Nang offers easier airport access.
Day 6: Hoi An
- Explore the Ancient Town, Japanese Covered Bridge, riverside area, and lantern streets.
- Optional: coconut basket-boat ride or tailor visit.
Day 7: Ba Na Hills or Marble Mountains
- Choose Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge for a full-day excursion, or Marble Mountains plus a relaxed beach day.
- Stay in Hoi An or Da Nang.
Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City — 2 nights
- Fly Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Visit Ben Thanh Market, Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior, Independence Palace, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
Day 9: Mekong Delta day trip
- Visit the Mekong Delta, usually My Tho or Ben Tre.
- Choose a private tour if Jain food and comfort are priorities.
- Return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Departure
- Airport transfer and return flight.
Jain and vegetarian food planning
Pure Jain food is not consistently available at every Vietnamese restaurant, so advance planning is essential. Request:
- No onion, garlic, potato, carrot, radish, mushroom, or root vegetables.
- No egg, fish sauce, oyster sauce, meat, seafood, or animal stock.
- Separate cooking utensils and no cross-contamination where possible.
- Plain rice, steamed vegetables, tofu, fruit, and suitable noodles as backups.
Carry a printed Vietnamese request card and confirm meals with every hotel, cruise, airline, and tour operator. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have the widest vegetarian choices; Halong Bay cruises and day tours require the most advance coordination. Carry packaged Jain food, snacks, thepla, khakhra, instant meals, and an electric kettle if permitted.
Suitable hotel areas and approximate rates
For four people, book two connecting rooms or a family suite. Approximate total per night for two rooms:
| Location |
Comfortable 4-star option |
Estimated cost/night |
| Hanoi |
Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem hotel |
USD 100–160 |
| Halong Bay |
4-star cruise cabin package |
USD 300–500 total |
| Hoi An/Da Nang |
Beach or Ancient Town hotel |
USD 100–180 |
| Ho Chi Minh City |
District 1 hotel |
USD 110–180 |
Examples of hotel brands to compare include La Siesta, Hanoi Pearl, Novotel, Silkotel, Allegro Hoi An, Royal Riverside, TMS Hotel Da Nang, Liberty Central, and Silverland. Check current reviews, family-room availability, elevator access, breakfast ingredients, and cancellation rules before booking.
Transport details
- International flights: Your home city to Hanoi; return from Ho Chi Minh City. An open-jaw ticket is usually better than returning to Hanoi.
- Domestic flights: Hanoi–Da Nang and Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City. Book VietJet, Vietnam Airlines, or Bamboo Airways after checking baggage and schedule reliability.
- Road transfers: Use pre-booked private cars or reputable limousine vans.
- Local travel: Grab taxis, hotel cars, or private drivers. Avoid negotiating with unlicensed airport taxis.
- Luggage: Domestic airlines often have strict checked-baggage limits; purchase baggage in advance.
Estimated budget for four people
| Expense |
Estimated total |
| International flights |
USD 2,400–4,000 |
| Domestic flights |
USD 400–800 |
| Hotels, 8 nights |
USD 900–1,400 |
| Halong Bay cruise |
USD 300–500 |
| Meals, including Jain arrangements |
USD 700–1,100 |
| Tours and entrance fees |
USD 600–1,000 |
| Private transfers and local transport |
USD 450–750 |
| Visa, insurance, SIM cards, and miscellaneous |
USD 250–450 |
| Estimated total |
USD 6,000–10,000 |
A realistic comfortable budget is approximately USD 6,800–8,500 for four, excluding shopping and depending heavily on international airfare. A 9-day version can reduce the cost by about USD 400–800 by removing either Ninh Binh or Ba Na Hills.
Important practical tips
- Check Vietnam visa requirements based on each traveler’s passport; apply through the official e-visa portal when required.
- Travel is generally easiest from February–April or October–December, though weather varies by region.
- Book Halong Bay, domestic flights, and Jain meals early.
- Use travel insurance covering medical treatment, delays, and baggage.
- Keep some Vietnamese cash for small vendors and entrance fees.
- For maximum food security, choose hotels with kitchen access or arrange a private cook/restaurant in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
For an exact quotation, the departure city, travel month, passport nationality, preferred hotel standard, and whether flights should be economy or premium economy are needed.