One week in Vietnam: Hanoi and Saigon, with Cu Chi and the Mekong
7 days, 6 nights: Hanoi (3N), Ho Chi Minh City (3N) + Mekong Delta day trip. Best time to go: Best Nov–Apr: cool, dry north and dry-season south.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Hanoi
- Hanoi vintage jeep or Vespa city tour · 3 h
- Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.
Local tip: Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.
Day 2: Explore Hanoi
Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
- 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.
Local tip: Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
Day 3: Explore Hanoi
Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City · Hanoi 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Hanoi (3 nights): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights): District 1. Walk to museums, markets and the river.