8-day Vietnam sampler: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, Phu Quoc and Saigon
8 days, 7 nights: Hanoi (1N), Ninh Binh (1N), Hoi An (2N), Phu Quoc (2N), Ho Chi Minh City (1N). Best time to go: Best Feb–Apr, when all three regions are dry; Oct–Dec is wet on the central coast.
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: 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.
- Mua Cave viewpoint climb · 1.5 h. ~500 steps; go for sunset.
Local tip: Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
Day 3: Ninh Binh → Hoi An
Hoi An · Ninh Binh to Hoi An, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
Local tip: The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
Day 4: Explore Hoi An
Hoi An
- Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h
- Cam Thanh coconut basket boat · 2 h
- 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.
Local tip: Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
Day 5: Hoi An → Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc · Hoi An to Phu Quoc, Domestic flight ~1–2h
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: Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City · Phu Quoc 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 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 (1 night): 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.
- Hoi An (2 nights): Ancient Town edge. Walk to lanterns at night without the noise.
- Phu Quoc (2 nights): Long Beach resorts. West-coast sunsets, pools, 15 min to town.
- Ho Chi Minh City (1 night): District 1. Walk to museums, markets and the river.