A week in Vietnam with kids: Saigon, Hanoi, Ha Long and Ninh Binh
7 days, 6 nights: Ho Chi Minh City (2N), Hanoi (2N), Ha Long Bay (1N), Ninh Binh (1N) + Mekong Delta day trip. Best time to go: Best Nov–Apr: cool, dry north and dry-season south.
Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
- Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.
- Independence Palace & Central Post Office · 2 h
Local tip: Bargain; prices start high.
Day 2: 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 3: Ho Chi Minh City → Hanoi
Hanoi · Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
- Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
Local tip: Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
Day 4: Explore Hanoi
Hanoi
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology · 2 h
- Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
- Temple of Literature · 1.5 h
- 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.
Day 5: 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.
Day 6: 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.
- Cycling through rice fields · 2 h
Local tip: Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
Day 7: Depart from Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh
- Tam Coc rowing boat · 2 h. Late May–June the rice is golden.
Local tip: Late May–June the rice is golden.
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights): District 1. Walk to museums, markets and the river.
- Hanoi (2 nights): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Ha Long Bay (1 night): On-board cruise cabin (Lan Ha / Ha Long). Your cruise ticket includes the cabin night.
- Ninh Binh (1 night): Tam Coc / Hoa Lu boutique lodges. Pools and karst views, close to both boat rides.