10-day family adventure: Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, Phu Quoc and Saigon

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Hanoi

• Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
• Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.
• Egg coffee & café crawl · 1.5 h

Local tip: Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay · Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Road via Hanoi

• Ha Long / Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise · Full day. Lan Ha routes are quieter; pick free cancellation in Aug–Oct typhoon season.
• Kayaking & Sung Sot cave · 2 h. Usually included on cruises — confirm before paying extra.

Local tip: Lan Ha routes are quieter; pick free cancellation in Aug–Oct typhoon season.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Ha Long Bay → Hoi An

Hoi An · Ha Long Bay to Hoi An, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h
• Cam Thanh coconut basket boat · 2 h

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Hoi An

Hoi An

• Market tour & Vietnamese cooking class · 4 h
• Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
• Tailor fitting (24–48h turnaround) · 1.5 h. Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
• Hoi An Memories show · 1.5 h

Local tip: The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Hoi An → Da Nang

Da Nang · Hoi An to Da Nang, Car ~45 min

• Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge by cable car · 7 h. Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.

Local tip: Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Da Nang → Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc · Da Nang to Phu Quoc, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• Sao Beach · 3 h

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: VinWonders Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc

• VinWonders Phu Quoc · 6 h

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City · Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• Independence Palace & Central Post Office · 2 h

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

• Cu Chi Tunnels half-day · 5 h. Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.
• Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.
• War Remnants Museum · 2 h. Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.
• Bui Vien walking street nightlife · 2 h

Local tip: Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.