Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, layers a thousand years of dynastic history with French-era boulevards and a famously delicious street food scene. Lantern-lit alleys wind through the Old Quarter, where craft guilds are still echoed in street names, while lakeside pagodas offer quiet moments amid the moped hum.

Beyond the city, karst-studded landscapes beckon: Ninh Binh’s emerald paddies and cave-riddled rivers, and the UNESCO-listed wonder of Ha Long Bay, best savored from the deck of an overnight cruise. Both are easy strikes from Hanoi, making this a compelling 7-day itinerary.

Practical notes: Most travelers use Vietnam’s convenient eVisa (apply in advance), and cash (VND) is king at markets. Expect warm hospitality, vibrant but respectful nightlife, and legendary coffee. Hanoi is walkable in pockets—use taxis or ride-hails for longer hops and cross streets slowly, with confidence.

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s cultural compass: Confucian scholars at the Temple of Literature, revolutionary history at Hoa Lo, and lakes that mirror a city in motion. It’s also a flavor capital—breakfast pho, bun cha lunches, and creamy egg coffee invented here in the 1940s.

Top sights include Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the French Quarter, West Lake’s Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the weekend night market. For food, follow your nose: skewers on Ta Hien, sizzling cha ca, and dessert che from sidewalk stalls.

Getting there: Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). Compare routes and deals on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to Old Quarter takes ~45–60 minutes by taxi.

Where to stay (Hanoi):

• Classic heritage: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (colonial grandeur, central, renowned service).
• Boutique favorite: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (Old Quarter, excellent spa and service).
• Modern luxe + views: Lotte Hotel Hanoi (Westside skyline vistas, rooftop bar).
• Spacious apartments: Somerset Grand Hanoi (good for families or longer stays).
• Browse more: VRBO Hanoi | Hotels.com Hanoi

Day 1: Arrival, Hoan Kiem, and First Bites

Afternoon: Land in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Start gently with a lake loop at Hoan Kiem; step onto the scarlet bridge to Ngoc Son Temple for city views and a primer on local lore.

Evening: Dinner at Bun Cha Huong Lien for caramelized pork patties over noodles (made famous by Obama and Bourdain). Sip Hanoi’s signature egg coffee at Café Giang—silky, custardy, and surprisingly light. If energy allows, wander Ta Hien “beer street” for a frosty bia hoi and street-side people-watching.

Day 2: Old Quarter Crafts to French Quarter Grandeur

Morning: Slurp breakfast at Pho Gia Truyen (lean, peppery broth), then trace the Old Quarter’s guild streets—Hang Bac (silversmiths), Hang Ma (paper offerings), and tiny alleys selling bamboo, spices, and lacquerware. Pause for a flat white at Blackbird Coffee or a cheeky note-covered latte at The Note Coffee.

Afternoon: Step into the French Quarter: yellow villas, tree-lined boulevards. Visit Hoa Lo Prison for sobering history, then the Vietnamese Women’s Museum (engaging exhibits with excellent curation). Lunch on cha ca (turmeric-dill fish) at Cha Ca Thang Long—tableside sizzle included.

Evening: See Hanoi by open-air Jeep—backstreets, markets, and local snacks with stories that connect the dots of daily life. Book here:
Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep

After, cocktails at Polite & Co (speakeasy vibe) or craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing’s taproom.

Day 3: Ninh Binh Day Trip (Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Mua Cave)

Full-day small-group escape to Vietnam’s “Halong Bay on land.” Expect an early pickup (around 7:30–8:00 AM) and a 2–2.5-hour drive south. You’ll visit Hoa Lu—the 10th-century capital—before a sampan boat glides through Tam Coc’s caves and rice fields. A short, steep stair climb at Mua Cave viewpoint rewards you with cinematic mountain-and-paddy panoramas. Return to Hanoi by early evening (around 7:00 PM). Book:
Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

Back in town, treat yourself to dinner at Home Hanoi (seasonal Vietnamese plates in a handsome villa) or go casual at Bun Bo Nam Bo for sautéed beef noodles with herbs and crunchy shallots.

Day 4: Pagodas, Scholars, and Night Market

Morning: Circle West Lake to Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple. Grab a coconut coffee at Cong Caphe overlooking Truc Bach, then continue to the Temple of Literature—Vietnam’s first university—where stelae honor centuries of scholars.

Afternoon: Lunch at Quan An Ngon (a curated collection of regional street foods in one atmospheric courtyard). Browse contemporary works at Manzi Art Space or the Fine Arts Museum. Coffee break at Loading T’ for cinnamon-inflected iced milk coffee.

Evening: If it’s Fri–Sun, stroll the pedestrianized Old Quarter night market for souvenirs (silk on Hang Gai, hand-embroidered linens, coffee beans). Consider the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for a lively folk performance accompanied by live musicians. For rooftop views, head to Summit Lounge atop the Lotte building.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay—3,000-odd limestone karsts draped in jungle—has inspired legends for centuries. The best way to feel its scale is by boat: glide past grottoes, kayak hidden lagoons, and watch sunset turn the cliffs to bronze.

Most travelers go out-and-back from Hanoi. New expressways cut travel to about 2.5 hours by van. Overnight cruises include cabins, meals, and activities; choose a ship with kayaks and a cave visit for the full experience.

Travel from Hanoi: Shared limousine vans cost ~$12–20 per person, private cars ~$90–120 one way (2.5–3 hours). Arrange transfers via your cruise or search routes on Trip.com. If extending in the area, Ha Long City has seaside promenades and cafés.

Where to stay (Ha Long Bay & area):

• On the bay: Paradise Elegance Cruise (balcony cabins, refined dining).
• Resort island escape: Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long (private beach vibes on Reu Island).
• City base pre/post cruise: Ha Long DC Hotel (good value, convenient).
• Browse more: VRBO Ha Long Bay | Hotels.com Ha Long Bay

Day 5: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay – Board Your Overnight Cruise

Depart Hanoi after breakfast for Ha Long. Check in at the pier around noon; set sail with lunch as the karsts rise like a dragon’s spine. Afternoon typically brings kayaking into calm coves and a short hike or beach time (e.g., Ti Top Island), followed by a spring-roll cooking class on deck. Sunset happy hour, then dinner under the stars; try squid fishing before bed.

Recommended and bookable cruise:
Halong Bay - Hera Grand Luxury Cruise - All Inclusive 2D1N & 3D2N

Day 6: Dawn Tai Chi, Cave Adventure, Return to Hanoi

Wake to mist and a gentle Tai Chi session. After a light breakfast, explore a limestone cave—cathedral-like chambers lined with calcite formations—then brunch while cruising back to port. Disembark late morning; arrive in Hanoi mid-afternoon.

Evening back in Hanoi: Unwind with a spa session (La Siesta Spa is reliably excellent). Dinner at Pizza 4P’s Ly Quoc Su for wood-fired pies with local cheeses or at Ngon Garden for Vietnamese specialties in a lush courtyard. Nightcap at The Alchemist (artisan cocktails).

Day 7: Souvenirs, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Final wander for silk on Hang Gai, hand-carved chopsticks, or lacquerware. Breakfast banh mi at Banh Mi 25 or a bowl at Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su.

Afternoon: Coffee send-off—try coconut egg coffee for a sweet twist—then transfer to Noi Bai for your flight. Check fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If extending by rail within Vietnam, browse timetables on Trip.com Trains.

Daily dining cheat sheet (favorites to mix and match)

• Breakfast: Pho Gia Truyen (beef pho), Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su (clean, aromatic broth), Banh Mi 25 (crusty baguettes with pâté and herbs).
• Coffee: Café Giang (original egg coffee), Cong Caphe (coconut coffee), Blackbird Coffee (specialty roasts), The Note Coffee (fun messages on every surface).
• Lunch: Bun Cha Huong Lien (pork + noodles), Bun Bo Nam Bo (stir-fried beef noodles), Cha Ca Thang Long (dill-turmeric fish).
• Dinner: Home Hanoi (seasonal Vietnamese), Quan An Ngon/Ngon Garden (one-stop regional classics), Pizza 4P’s (excellent house-made cheese), craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing.

Good to know: “Train Street” access is regulated—only visit with a café host who guides you safely, and never step on the tracks. Tipping is appreciated but modest; carry small bills. For Ha Long transfers, confirm pickup time and pier details with your cruise one day prior.

Optional swaps: If you prefer more bay time, choose a 3D2N cruise instead of the Ninh Binh day trip:
All-Inclusive 3 Day/2 Night Halong Luxury Cruise

In a week, you’ve tasted Hanoi’s past and present—temples, cafés, and street eats—then sailed a world wonder. This itinerary balances depth and pace, leaving you with the flavors of the Old Quarter and the stillness of karst-filled seas.