11 days of temples and bays: Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long, with an Angkor option

Day 1: Arrive in Da Nang

Da Nang

• Dragon Bridge fire & water show · 1 h. Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.
• Linh Ung Pagoda & Lady Buddha, Son Tra · 1.5 h

Local tip: Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Da Nang

Da Nang

• Marble Mountains caves & pagodas · 2 h
• My Khe Beach · 3 h. Swim early; afternoon sun is harsh.
• Han & Con market food trail · 2 h

Local tip: Swim early; afternoon sun is harsh.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Da Nang → Hoi An

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

• Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
• Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h

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

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Hoi An

Hoi An

• Cam Thanh coconut basket boat · 2 h
• Tailor fitting (24–48h turnaround) · 1.5 h. Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
• Tra Que herb village by bicycle · 3 h
• Hoi An Memories show · 1.5 h

Local tip: Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Hoi An

Hoi An

• My Son Sanctuary sunrise · 5 h
• An Bang beach afternoon · 3 h

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Hoi An → Hanoi

Hanoi · Hoi An to Hanoi, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.

Local tip: Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Hanoi

Hanoi

• Temple of Literature · 1.5 h
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda · 2 h. Mornings only, shoulders/knees covered; closed some Mondays and Fridays.
• West Lake sunset & Tran Quoc Pagoda · 2 h
• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
• Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.

Local tip: Mornings only, shoulders/knees covered; closed some Mondays and Fridays.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Hanoi → Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh · Hanoi to Ninh Binh, Private van ~2h

• Trang An boat ride through caves · 2.5 h. Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
• Bai Dinh Pagoda complex · 2 h

Local tip: Start by 8am to beat tour buses.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay · Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay, Private transfer ~3h

• 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 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

• Ti Top Island viewpoint · 1.5 h
• Sun World Ha Long Queen cable car · 2 h

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Depart from Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

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