6 romantic days in Vietnam: Hanoi, a bay cruise and Hoi An

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 → 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

• Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
• Market tour & Vietnamese cooking class · 4 h
• 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: Depart from Da Nang

Da Nang

• Marble Mountains caves & pagodas · 2 h

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

Open day 6 route in Google Maps