9-day family dream trip: Saigon, Phu Quoc, Hanoi and Ha Long

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.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

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.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City → Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc · Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• Sao Beach · 3 h

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: 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.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: VinWonders Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc

• VinWonders Phu Quoc · 6 h

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Phu Quoc → Hanoi

Hanoi · Phu Quoc 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.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: 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.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: 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.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Depart from Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

• Ti Top Island viewpoint · 1.5 h

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps