7-Day Classic Vietnam: Hanoi → Ha Long → Hội An → Saigon

Overview

This 7-day itinerary covers the essential Vietnam experience — Hanoi's ancient streets,
the emerald beauty of Ha Long Bay, the lantern-lit magic of Hội An, and Saigon's electric energy.

Day-by-Day

Day 1 — Hanoi: Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer into the city centre (about 45 minutes). Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon settling in before heading out as evening falls. Wander the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter, each historically named for the guild that once traded there, and finish at Hoan Kiem Lake for a walk around the water past the red Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple. Cap the night with a bowl of pho or a glass of bia hoi (fresh draft beer) at a street-side stall — the perfect introduction to Hanoi's after-dark energy.

Day 2 — Hanoi: Start early at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, where you can view the stilt house Ho Chi Minh lived in and the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam's most iconic religious structures. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university dating to 1070, dedicated to Confucius and the country's scholarly tradition. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology to learn about the customs and craftsmanship of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Round out the evening with a performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, a uniquely Vietnamese art form dating back nearly a thousand years.

Day 3 — Ha Long Bay: Depart Hanoi by road for the roughly 3.5-hour transfer to Ha Long Bay (or take the newer expressway option to cut travel time). Board your overnight cruise and enjoy lunch while sailing past the bay's thousands of limestone karsts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the afternoon kayaking through hidden lagoons and exploring limestone caves, then relax on the sun deck as the sun sets over the water. Dinner is served on board, followed by optional squid fishing or a quiet night under the stars.

Day 4 — Hội An: Wake up early for tai chi on the sun deck and a final cruise through a different part of the bay before brunch and disembarkation. Transfer back to Hanoi (or directly to the airport, depending on cruise operator) for a short flight to Da Nang. On arrival, transfer roughly 45 minutes south to Hội An and check into your hotel. Spend the evening strolling the lantern-lit Ancient Town, browsing tailor shops and riverside cafés along the Thu Bon River.

Day 5 — Hội An: Spend the morning exploring Hội An Ancient Town in daylight, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, historic merchant houses, and the central market. Join a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, shopping for ingredients before learning to prepare local specialties like cao lầu and white rose dumplings. In the afternoon, relax at An Bang Beach, a short bike ride from the old town. If your visit coincides with the full moon, don't miss the monthly Lantern Festival, when the town switches off electric lights in favour of candlelit lanterns floating down the river.

Day 6 — Ho Chi Minh City: Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), around 90 minutes. In the afternoon, visit the War Remnants Museum for a sobering look at the Vietnam War, followed by the Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral in the French Colonial Quarter. Browse Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs and street snacks — note it's better for atmosphere than bargains, with cheaper prices found on the surrounding streets. As night falls, head up to one of Saigon's rooftop bars for skyline views over the city's neon sprawl.

Day 7 — Depart: If your flight allows, spend the morning on an optional half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the vast underground network used by Viet Cong guerrillas during the war, now open for visitors to crawl through sections of the tunnel system. Alternatively, use the morning for last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market or a relaxed café breakfast in the Colonial Quarter. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in time for your onward flight, bringing your week-long journey from north to south Vietnam to a close.

Highlights

• Hanoi's Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex
• Overnight cruise through the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay
• Kayaking and cave exploration in Ha Long Bay
• Lantern-lit Hội An Ancient Town and a hands-on cooking class
• Relaxing at An Bang Beach
• Saigon's War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, and rooftop bars
• Optional half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels

What's Included

• Domestic flights (Hanoi–Da Nang, Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City)
• 6 nights accommodation (5 hotel + 1 overnight cruise cabin)
• Daily breakfast, all meals on the Ha Long Bay cruise
• Private transfers between cities and airports
• English-speaking guide for included activities
• Ha Long Bay cruise, kayaking, and cave entrance fees
• Vietnamese cooking class in Hội An

What's Not Included

• International flights to/from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa fees
• Lunches and dinners outside the Ha Long Bay cruise
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Personal expenses, souvenirs, and tips
• Optional Cu Chi Tunnels tour on Day 7 (unless pre-booked)

Practical Information

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Start City: Hanoi
End City: Ho Chi Minh City
Group Size: Private or small group (2–16 people)
Physical Rating: 2/5 — mostly sightseeing with light walking
Trip Style: Classic Highlights & Culture
Best For: first-time visitors, couples, families, culture and history lovers

Tips for Travellers

• Pack layers — Hanoi can be cool and damp (especially Nov–Mar) while Hội An and Saigon stay warm year-round.
• Domestic flights are short (60–90 minutes) but book connecting activities with buffer time in case of delays.
• Bring a reusable water bottle; tap water isn't safe to drink but most hotels offer free filtered water refills.
• Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the Old Quarters of Hanoi and Hội An, both best explored on foot.
• If travelling during a full moon, time your Hội An stay to coincide with the monthly Lantern Festival for a magical evening.
• Negotiate politely at markets like Ben Thanh — starting around 40–50% of the initial asking price is normal practice.

Budget Guide