9 days through all of Vietnam: Saigon, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Ha Long
9 days, 8 nights: Ho Chi Minh City (2N), Hoi An (2N), Da Nang (1N), Hue (1N), Hanoi (1N), Ha Long Bay (1N) + Mekong Delta day trip. 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 Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
- Independence Palace & Central Post Office · 2 h
- Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.
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 → Hoi An
Hoi An · Ho Chi Minh City 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 → Da Nang
Da Nang · Hoi An to Da Nang, Car ~45 min
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge by cable car · 7 h. Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.
Local tip: Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.
Day 6: Da Nang → Hue
Hue · Da Nang to Hue, Coastal train / Hai Van Pass ~2.5h
Day 7: Hue → Hanoi
Hanoi · Hue to Hanoi, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
Local tip: Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
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.
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.
Where to stay
- Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights): District 1. Walk to museums, markets and the river.
- Hoi An (2 nights): Ancient Town edge. Walk to lanterns at night without the noise.
- Da Nang (1 night): My Khe beachfront. Beach across the road; Ba Na and Hoi An within an hour.
- Hue (1 night): Perfume River south bank (Le Loi). Riverside, restaurants and easy taxis.
- Hanoi (1 night): 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.