8-day family trip: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long and Saigon, with an Angkor option
8 days, 7 nights: Hanoi (2N), Ninh Binh (1N), Ha Long Bay (1N), 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
- Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology · 2 h
- Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.
Local tip: Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
Day 2: Explore Hanoi
Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
- 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
- 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: 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.
- Cycling through rice fields · 2 h
Local tip: Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: Ha Long Bay → Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City · Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.
Local tip: Bargain; prices start high.
Day 6: Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
- Cu Chi Tunnels half-day · 5 h. Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.
- War Remnants Museum · 2 h. Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.
Local tip: Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.
Day 7: 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 8: 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 (2 nights): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Ninh Binh (1 night): Tam Coc / Hoa Lu boutique lodges. Pools and karst views, close to both boat rides.
- Ha Long Bay (1 night): On-board cruise cabin (Lan Ha / Ha Long). Your cruise ticket includes the cabin night.
- Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights): District 1. Walk to museums, markets and the river.