Vietnam is a land of layered history and sensory thrills—imperial citadels and French villas, incense-wreathed pagodas, kinetic markets, and a cuisine engineered for balance and boldness. From Hanoi’s time-smoothed streets to Saigon’s neon tempo, each day can feel like a new chapter.

Centuries of kingdoms and colonial ambitions left architectural footprints: the Confucian Temple of Literature, Art Deco hotels, and boulevards lined with tamarind. Yet the heart of Vietnam beats loudest in the street—bowls of pho at dawn, egg coffee in smoky cafes, and the handshake of commerce at markets old and new.

Practical notes: US dollars and cards are increasingly accepted, but cash (VND) rules in markets and mom-and-pop shops. Google Maps and ride-hailing apps are lifesavers. Dress modestly for temples, watch your pockets in crowds, and cross streets with steady confidence—drivers will flow around you.

Hanoi

Golden-era architecture, lakeside legends, and markets thick with the perfume of grilled pork and fish sauce—Hanoi is Vietnam’s poetic introduction. The Old Quarter squeezes 36 ancient guild streets into a living museum, while tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake provides the city’s morning heartbeat.

• Top sights: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison, Train Street (observe safely from authorized cafes), and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
• Don’t miss: Egg coffee born from postwar ingenuity; bun cha lunches that turn strangers into friends; sunset strolls around West Lake.
• Food favorites: Bun Cha Huong Lien (the “Obama bun cha”), Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan (be patient—slurp grateful), Cha Ca Thang Long (turmeric-dill fish), Banh Mi 25, and cool cocktails at Nê Cocktail Bar (home of the Pho cocktail).

Where to stay (Hanoi): Browse stays on VRBO Hanoi or Hotels.com Hanoi. Curated picks: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (heritage elegance), Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (boutique in the Old Quarter), Somerset Grand Hanoi (apart-hotel comfort), Lotte Hotel Hanoi (views for days).

Getting there: Fly into HAN (Noi Bai). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. From airport to Old Quarter: 40–60 minutes by taxi or ride-hail.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi, Lake Legends, and a Flavorful First Night

Afternoon: Arrive at HAN and check into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a loop around Hoan Kiem Lake; step onto Ngoc Son Temple’s scarlet bridge for views that glow at golden hour.

Evening: See Hanoi’s storytelling tradition at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (book earlier in the day). Dinner nearby: try bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien or cha ca at Cha Ca Thang Long. Nightcap at Nê Cocktail Bar or Polite & Co for vintage vibes.

Day 2: Temples, War-Era Echoes, and Hanoi by Vintage Jeep

Morning: Start with pho at Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan (go early). Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (dress modestly), the stilt house, and One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature—Vietnam’s first university—with stone steles honoring scholars.

Afternoon: Coffee break at Cafe Giang for the original egg coffee. Wander the Old Quarter’s guild streets (silversmiths, bamboo, lacquer). If you’re curious about Train Street, observe from authorized cafes when open; follow staff guidance and stay well off the tracks.

Evening: See the city from open air on the Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep—a lively circuit of landmarks and local bites that doubles as an orientation.

Afterward, dinner at Quan An Ngon (regional Vietnamese “street eats” in a courtyard) or Pizza 4P’s (housemade cheese with Vietnamese twists). Stroll the weekend night market (Fri–Sun) along Hang Dao if your dates align.

Day 3: Full-Day Adventure to Ninh Binh (karsts, caves, and countryside)

Trade the city buzz for rice paddies, limestone peaks, and emerald waterways on this immersive day trip: Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike. Expect hotel pickup, the 10th-century capital of Hoa Lu, a sampan boat ride among karsts, countryside cycling, and the Mua Cave viewpoint (500 steps, sweeping panoramas). Lunch is typically a hearty local buffet.

Back in Hanoi, celebrate with bún riêu (crab noodle soup) at a local stall or cocktails overlooking the lake at Summit Lounge (Lotte) if you’re staying nearby.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon thrums with entrepreneurial energy—glass towers and French-era avenues, street food kingdoms and design-forward cafes. History is immediate here: the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, and alleys where modern Vietnam hums late into the night.

• Top sights: Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral (restoration ongoing; admire the exterior), Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market, and Thien Hau Temple in Cholon.
• Eat like a local: Banh xeo at 46A Dinh Cong Trang, caramelized claypot dishes at Cuc Gach Quan, com tam (broken rice) at Ba Ghien, and craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing.
• Nightlife notes: Rooftops (Chill Skybar) for skyline views; speakeasies like The Alley or Summer Experiment for serious cocktails.

Where to stay (Ho Chi Minh City): Search VRBO Ho Chi Minh City or Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City. Editor’s picks: The Reverie Saigon (opulent design), Silverland Yen Hotel (spa, rooftop onsen-style pool), Sherwood Residence (great for families), Hotel Nikko Saigon (quiet comfort near District 1), or budget-friendly The Common Room Project (community vibe).

Getting there from Hanoi (Day 4 morning): Fly HAN → SGN (about 2 hours). Expect ~1 hour total for airport transfers each side. Typical one-way fares run ~$50–$120 if booked ahead. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Fly South, District 1 Icons, and a Motorbike Food Safari

Morning: Morning flight to Saigon; check in and refresh.

Afternoon: Walk the Reunification Palace (the rooftop helicopter pad feels like a time capsule) and the Central Post Office’s ironwork hall by Gustave Eiffel’s atelier. Coffee at The Workshop (3rd-floor roastery) or Shin Saigon; then browse emerging Vietnamese designers around Dong Khoi.

Evening: Eat the city by two wheels on Ho Chi Minh Street Food & Sightseeing By Motorbike (Safe & Fun)—think banh xeo, grilled skewers, rice-paper pizzas, and neighborhood stories only locals know.

Prefer a sit-down dinner? Book Cuc Gach Quan for home-style dishes or Secret Garden 131 Calmette for rooftop ambiance. Nightcap at Summer Experiment for inventive, tropical-leaning cocktails.

Day 5: Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta (full-day small-group)

Trace wartime ingenuity underground and then drift into river life on the same curated day. The Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine pairs early access to the tunnels (to beat crowds) with a motorboat ride, canal sampan, and a rustic Mekong lunch. Expect hotel pickup, a knowledgeable guide, and a comfortable ride between sites.

Back in town, relax with a massage or hit Pasteur Street Brewing for a jasmine IPA before a late bowl of hu tieu at the market.

Day 6: Markets, Temples, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Grab breakfast banh mi at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (split one if the queue is long) and stroll Ben Thanh Market for spices and silk (haggle kindly). If time allows, taxi to Cholon for Thien Hau Temple’s incense coils and carved altars.

Afternoon: Last sips along Nguyen Hue Walking Street—check out the “Cafe Apartment” building’s balconies—then depart for SGN for your afternoon flight. If you’re extending, consider a beach add-on to Phu Quoc or a heritage detour to Hue and Hoi An.

Dining cheat sheet (sprinkle through your days)

• Hanoi breakfasts: Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan; Banh Cuon Gia Truyen Thanh Van (steamed rice rolls with pork and wood ear).
• Hanoi lunches: Bun Cha Huong Lien; Cha Ca Thang Long (tabletop sizzling fish with herbs and peanuts).
• Hanoi cafes: Cafe Giang (egg coffee); The Note Coffee (postcard-sweet vibe by the lake).
• Saigon lunches: Com tam Ba Ghien (broken rice with grilled pork and pickles); Propaganda Bistro (modern plates riffing on classics).
• Saigon dinners: Banh Xeo 46A (crispy turmeric crepes); Secret Garden 131 Calmette; Cuc Gach Quan (comforting family recipes).
• Drinks: Chill Skybar for skyline views; Pasteur Street Brewing for craft; The Alley or Firkin for classic cocktails.

Getting around and practical tips

• Transfers: Airport taxis are plentiful; agree on meter or use ride-hailing. Old Quarter alleys are best on foot.
• Etiquette: Shoulders and knees covered for temples; shoes off when entering family homes and some shops.
• Money: ATMs are widespread. Keep small bills for street food. Tipping isn’t mandatory but appreciated (round up or 10% for great service).
• Connectivity: eSIMs and airport SIM stalls are convenient and inexpensive.

Optional add-on experiences (if you swap a day)

If you’d rather cruise than cycle, you can substitute Day 3 with a premium day trip on the bay: BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet, Wine & Jacuzzi.

How to book transport: Compare domestic and international fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. For rail elsewhere in your Vietnam journey (e.g., Hue–Da Nang), check Trip.com trains.

Summary: In six days you’ll taste Hanoi’s layered history and lakeside calm, breathe the rice-scented air of Ninh Binh, and ride Saigon’s current from wartime relics to late-night street eats. It’s a compact itinerary with big flavors, deeper context, and enough flexibility to make the trip your own.