12 slow days in Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long, three nights in Ninh Binh and Saigon

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Hanoi

• Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
• Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.

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

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Hanoi

Hanoi

• Temple of Literature · 1.5 h
• Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda · 2 h. Mornings only, shoulders/knees covered; closed some Mondays and Fridays.

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

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Hanoi

Hanoi

• Egg coffee & café crawl · 1.5 h
• West Lake sunset & Tran Quoc Pagoda · 2 h
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology · 2 h

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: 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 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh

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

• Trang An boat ride through caves · 2.5 h. Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
• Tam Coc rowing boat · 2 h. Late May–June the rice is golden.

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

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

• Hoa Lu ancient capital temples · 1.5 h
• Bai Dinh Pagoda complex · 2 h
• Cycling through rice fields · 2 h

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

• Mua Cave viewpoint climb · 1.5 h. ~500 steps; go for sunset.

Local tip: ~500 steps; go for sunset.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Ninh Binh → Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City · Ninh Binh to Ho Chi Minh City, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• War Remnants Museum · 2 h. Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.

Local tip: Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.

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.

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

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Mekong Delta day trip (My Tho / Ben Tre)

Ho Chi Minh City

• Mekong Delta day trip (My Tho / Ben Tre) · 9 h. Sampan canals, coconut candy and fruit orchards in one day from HCMC.

Local tip: Sampan canals, coconut candy and fruit orchards in one day from HCMC.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

• Independence Palace & Central Post Office · 2 h
• Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.
• Bui Vien walking street nightlife · 2 h

Local tip: Bargain; prices start high.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

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