Vietnam rewards slow travelers. Dynasties rose around the Red River Delta, merchants traded lanterns and silk on Hoi An’s waterfront, and Saigon grew into the country’s beating economic heart. Today, the nation hums with scooter symphonies, coffee culture, fresh herbs, and limestone karsts piercing jade-green seas.

Across 20 days, you’ll savor Hanoi’s Old Quarter and French Quarter, cruise Ha Long Bay, bike amid Ninh Binh’s rice fields, wander Hoi An’s ancient town, ride the cable car to Ba Na Hills’ Golden Bridge, explore imperial Hue, and finish with Saigon’s markets, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the Mekong Delta’s floating life. It’s history you can taste: phở at dawn, bánh mì at noon, and seafood grilled over coconut husks by night.

Practical notes: Vietnam’s e-visa is streamlined for many nationalities; carry some cash for markets, though cards are widely accepted. Trains are scenic; domestic flights are efficient. Street food is safe when busy and freshly cooked; ask for “ít cay” (less spicy) if needed. Coffee is strong, egg coffee is a northern original, and craft beer is having a moment.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a study in contrasts: incense curling in ancient pagodas, colonial villas on tree-lined boulevards, and lakeside promenades where tai chi greets sunrise. The Old Quarter’s 36 streets still hint at craft guilds, while the French Quarter anchors grand opera and quiet courtyards.

Food is a revelation here—herb-bright bún chả, smoky grilled pork, and velvety egg coffee. Evenings buzz on Tạ Hiện beer street, but refined cocktail dens and jazz bars abound around the cathedral and Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

Days 1–2: Old Quarter, French Quarter, Lakeside Hanoi

• Morning: Stroll Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple; watch the tangle of train tracks on “Train Street” with a guide for safety. Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university (1070).
• Midday: Classic Hanoi eats: phở at Pho Thìn Lò Đúc for a smoky wok-kissed broth or Phở Bát Đàn for tradition; bún chả at Bún Chả Hương Liên where a certain U.S. president slurped noodles.
• Afternoon: French Quarter ramble past the Hanoi Opera House and Sofitel Legend Metropole’s bomb shelter tour. Cap with egg coffee at Café Giảng (family that invented it) or specialty brews at Blackbird Coffee.
• Evening: Water puppet show near the lake; craft cocktails at Nê Cocktail Bar (famous for pho-infused tipples) or vintage vibes at Polite & Co.

Activity pick (city overview + tastings): Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep

Day 3: Ninh Binh (Hoa Lư – Tam Cốc – Múa Cave)

• Why go: Nicknamed “Ha Long Bay on land,” Ninh Binh mixes karsts, rice paddies, and ancient capitals. Ideal as a full-day escape.
• Highlights: Rowboat caves at Tam Cốc, the 500-step climb to Hang Múa’s dragon for sweeping views, and temples of Hoa Lư.
• Lunch: Goat meat specialties and crispy rice (cơm cháy) are local icons—ask your guide for their favorite family-run spot.

Activity pick: Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise

• It’s worth the night: Sailing past thousands of limestone towers is magical at sunset and dawn. Kayak, visit caves, take a spring-roll class on board.
• What to expect: Balcony cabins, seafood dinners, tai chi at sunrise, and time to swim (weather permitting).

Activity pick (2D1N cruise): Top 1 Ha Long–Lan Ha Bay Luxury 5 Star Cruises & Balcony Cabin

• If you prefer a day cruise: Consider a premium 1-day option with buffet and jacuzzi time.

Alternative day option: BEST SELLER – Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet, Wine & Jacuzzi

Days 6–7: Museums, Markets, and Hidden Corners

• Culture circuit: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.
• Food crawl: Try bún thang at Bún Thang Bà Đức, crunchy bánh cuốn at Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền, and sweet chè desserts near the cathedral.
• Coffee & cocktails: The Note Coffee for quirky cup art; sunset drinks at Standing Bar on Trúc Bạch Lake.

Activity pick (custom city highlights): Hanoi City Tour: Private Half-Day Customized with Train Street

Where to stay in Hanoi (options for every budget):

• Grande dame: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (colonial glam, storied bomb shelter tour).
• Boutique favorite: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (Old Quarter haven with excellent spa).
• Modern view rooms: Lotte Hotel Hanoi (skyline vistas, rooftop bar).
• Apart-hotel convenience: Somerset Grand Hanoi.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Hanoi | Hotels.com Hanoi

Travel to next base (morning of Day 8): Fly Hanoi (HAN) to Da Nang (DAD), ~1h20, ~$40–120 most dates. Search and book: Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights.

Scenic alternative: Overnight train (Hanoi–Da Nang) on the Reunification Express, 15–17 hours in a soft-sleeper (~$40–65). Bookable on Trip.com trains. Then transfer ~45–60 minutes by car to Hoi An.

Hoi An

Hoi An glows at dusk when a thousand lanterns flicker along the Thu Bồn River. Tailors still stitch silk to size, fishermen cast circular nets, and the Japanese Covered Bridge stands as a symbol of centuries of trade.

The food leans coastal—cao lầu noodles, white rose dumplings, and grilled seafood at An Bàng Beach. Days drift between cafes, bike rides through rice paddies, and hands-on cooking classes.

Days 8–10: Ancient Town, Tailors, and An Bàng Beach

• Orientation walk: The Japanese Covered Bridge, Assembly Halls, and riverside warehouses reborn as boutiques. Pause for tea at Reaching Out Tea House (silent service by hearing-impaired staff).
• Eat well: Bánh mì at Bánh Mì Phượng or Madam Khánh; cao lầu at Morning Glory Original; white rose dumplings at a small family workshop.
• Cafes: The Espresso Station (creative cold brews) and Phin Coffee for Vietnamese pour-overs.
• Beach time: An Bàng’s chill bars and seafood grills; try lemongrass clams and grilled squid with green chili.

Day 11: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge (Da Nang)

• Why go: The world’s longest single-section cable car floats above jungle-cloaked hills. The Golden Bridge’s stone hands are surreal in morning mist.
• Tip: Go early to beat crowds; bring a light layer for higher elevations.

Activity pick: Full Day Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills Small Group Tour

• Da Nang bites (before/after): Mì Quảng at Mì Quảng Bà Mua; sizzling bánh xèo at Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng; specialty coffee at 43 Factory Coffee Roaster.

Days 12–13: Rural Hoi An and Night Lanterns

• Cycle: Loop to Trà Quế vegetable village and Cẩm Thanh’s coconut groves; ride basket boats and learn to cast a net.
• Hands-on: Join a cooking class that starts at the market—learn to make cao lầu and spring rolls.
• Evening: Lantern-lit boat ride on the river; catch the Hoi An Memories outdoor spectacle if you enjoy shows.

Where to stay in/near Hoi An:

• Seaside splurge: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An.
• Riverside elegance: Anantara Hoi An Resort.
• Beach value: Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa.
• Budget-friendly: Hoi An Dream City Hotel or sociable Tribee Bana Hostel.
• Compare more stays: VRBO Hoi An | Hotels.com Hoi An

Travel to next base (morning of Day 14): Fly Da Nang (DAD) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), ~1h30, ~$45–130. Book via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. The train (17–19 hours) is scenic but time-consuming; check Trip.com trains.

Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon is kinetic: boulevards from the French era, glass towers, markets selling herbs by the kilo, and alleys where charcoal grills perfume the night. It’s also a superb base for war history and Mekong waterways.

Cafes and street stalls define the rhythm—coffee over ice, a quick bowl of hủ tiếu, then a rooftop sunset. Neighborhoods each bring a flavor: District 1’s icons, Thảo Điền’s brunch and boutiques, and Chợ Lớn’s temples and dim sum.

Days 14–15: Colonial Landmarks and District 1 Flavors

• Highlights: Notre Dame Cathedral (in restoration but striking), Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum.
• Lunch: Phở Hòa Pasteur (since 1968), cơm tấm at Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền, or crepe-sized bánh xèo at Bánh Xèo 46A.
• Coffee & sundowners: The Workshop (3rd-floor roastery) or Shin Coffee for meticulous brews; cap at Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar overlooking Lam Sơn Square.

Activity pick (fun orientation): Ho Chi Minh City Private Half-Day Tour by U.S Army Jeep

Days 16–17: Mekong Delta Overnight (Can Tho)

• Getting there: Morning departure by private car or bus, 3.5–4.5 hours each way. Ask your hotel to arrange a pre-dawn floating market boat the next day.
• Why overnight: Arrive in time for a sunset riverside walk, then at dawn glide through Cái Răng Floating Market as traders breakfast from their boats.
• What to taste: Hủ tiếu on a boat, grilled snakehead fish wrapped in rice paper, and coconut candy from family workshops.

Can Tho stays: Riverside serenity at Azerai Can Tho; colonial-chic Victoria Can Tho Resort; solid budget at Kim Lan Hotel.

Day 18: Ben Tre’s Palm-Shaded Canals (optional) → Return to Saigon

• Option: Stop in Bến Tre for coconut groves, rowing sampans under nipa palms, and village workshops.
• Ben Tre stays (if you linger): Ben Tre Riverside Resort or intimate Mango Home Riverside.
• Back in Saigon: Explore Chợ Lớn (Chinatown) temples and herb shops; finish with craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing or Belgo.

Day 19: Cu Chi Tunnels and Street Food Night

• Morning–afternoon: Crawl through history at the Cu Chi Tunnels, learn about guerrilla tactics, and see ingenious wartime devices.

Activity pick (full-day with VIP transport): Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine

• Evening: Hop on the back of a motorbike to eat like a local—steamed rice rolls, grilled scallops, bun bo hue, and dessert with tropical fruits.

Activity pick (night eats): Ho Chi Minh Street Food & Sightseeing By Motorbike (Safe & Fun)

Day 20: Free Day, Markets, and Farewell Dinner

• Last tastes: Morning coffee at L’Usine or The Workshop, snack through Bến Thành Market’s food court, and pick up lacquerware or coffee beans to bring home.
• Farewell: Dinner at Quán Ăn Ngon (regional classics under one roof) or refined home-style at Cục Gạch Quán.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Decadent address: The Reverie Saigon (Italian marble, skyline pool).
• Design-forward gem: Silverland Yen Hotel (tea-inspired wellness touches, central but tranquil).
• Apartment-style: Sherwood Residence.
• Great value luxury: Hotel Nikko Saigon.
• Social hostel: The Common Room Project.
• Explore more options: VRBO Ho Chi Minh City | Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City

Suggested 20-Day Flow (multi-day blocks)

• Days 1–2: Hanoi Old & French Quarters, Train Street, egg coffee, water puppets.
• Day 3: Ninh Binh day trip (Hoa Lư, Tam Cốc rowboat, Múa Cave view).
• Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay 2D1N cruise.
• Days 6–7: Hanoi museums, markets, cocktail bars.
• Days 8–10: Hoi An Ancient Town, tailors, An Bàng Beach.
• Day 11: Da Nang & Ba Na Hills’ Golden Bridge.
• Days 12–13: Rural cycling, lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An.
• Days 14–15: Ho Chi Minh City landmarks, museums, cafes.
• Days 16–17: Mekong Delta overnight in Can Tho (Cái Răng Floating Market).
• Day 18: Optional Ben Tre canals → return to Saigon.
• Day 19: Cu Chi Tunnels + street food motorbike tour.
• Day 20: Markets, last coffees, departure.

Extra tour ideas you can swap in: If you have less time for Ha Long overnight, consider a private day trip: Private Ha Long Bay Day Trip.

Across three hubs, this itinerary strings together Vietnam’s greatest hits with room to breathe—street food feasts, lantern-lit nights, and river sunrises. It’s a route that feels both epic and easy, with smart transport and handpicked stays to keep every day delightful.