8 days from north to south: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long and Phu Quoc's beaches
8 days, 7 nights: Hanoi (2N), Ninh Binh (1N), Ha Long Bay (1N), Phu Quoc (3N). Best time to go: Best Nov–Apr: cool, dry north and dry-season south.
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.
Day 2: Explore Hanoi
Hanoi
- Temple of Literature · 1.5 h
- Egg coffee & café crawl · 1.5 h
- West Lake sunset & Tran Quoc Pagoda · 2 h
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
Local tip: Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
Day 3: Hanoi → Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh · Hanoi to Ninh Binh, Private van ~2h
- Tam Coc rowing boat · 2 h. Late May–June the rice is golden.
- Mua Cave viewpoint climb · 1.5 h. ~500 steps; go for sunset.
Local tip: Late May–June the rice is golden.
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 → Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc · Ha Long Bay to Phu Quoc, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Sao Beach · 3 h
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 4-island snorkelling boat trip
Phu Quoc
Day 8: Depart from Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc
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.
- Phu Quoc (3 nights): Long Beach resorts. West-coast sunsets, pools, 15 min to town.