12 days of Vietnam's treasures: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Hoi An, Phu Quoc 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: 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.
• Hoa Lu ancient capital temples · 1.5 h

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

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: 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 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Ha Long Bay → Hoi An

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

• Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.

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: Hon Thom cable car & Kiss of the Sea show

Phu Quoc

• Hon Thom cable car & Kiss of the Sea show · 6 h. Combo with the round-trip cable car saves vs separate tickets.

Local tip: Combo with the round-trip cable car saves vs separate tickets.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: 4-island snorkelling boat trip

Phu Quoc

• 4-island snorkelling boat trip · 7 h

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: 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 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

• Cu Chi Tunnels half-day · 5 h. Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.
• Saigon River sunset dinner cruise · 2.5 h
• War Remnants Museum · 2 h. Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.

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

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: 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 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

• Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.

Local tip: Bargain; prices start high.

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

Open day 12 route in Google Maps