Vietnam has been a crossroads of kingdoms, trade winds, and ideas for over two millennia. From dynastic temples in Hanoi to ancient Cham ruins near Hoi An, the country’s story is written in citadels, Confucian courtyards, and rivers that still steer daily life. Today’s Vietnam is dynamic and youthful—yet still anchored by a deep respect for craft and cuisine.

Few places reward curiosity like Vietnam. Slurp smoky phở at a street-side stool before ducking into a hidden café for creamy egg coffee, then drift among Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts—natural cathedrals rising from jade water. In Hoi An, silk lanterns bloom at dusk as tailors take measurements and market barges glide past timber-framed merchant houses.

Practical notes: Many nationalities can apply online for Vietnam’s e-visa (check your eligibility and latest rules before traveling). Cards are increasingly accepted, but cash (VND) is still king in markets and small shops. Weather varies by region—this itinerary splits time between the north (Hanoi) and central coast (Hoi An) for a balanced 7-day trip.

Hanoi

Hanoi hums with layered history and street-food steam. The Old Quarter’s guild streets still hint at their medieval trades; Hoàn Kiếm Lake offers a quiet loop where city life exhales. Don’t miss the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university (1070), and a classic water puppet show that brings agrarian myths to life.

• Top sights: Hoàn Kiếm Lake & Ngọc Sơn Temple, Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lò Prison, Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, West Lake.
• Eat & drink: Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn (brothy northern phở), Bún Chả Hương Liên (“Obama bún chả”), Bánh Mì 25, Chả Cá Thăng Long (dill-perfumed turmeric fish), Cà Phê Giảng (original egg coffee), Pasteur Street Brewing (craft beer).
• Fun fact: Hanoi’s “Train Street” runs tight between homes; trains pass within inches—a vivid reminder of space-savvy urban life. Visit from permitted cafés with staff guidance.

How to get there: Fly into Hanoi (HAN). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Old Quarter is ~45–60 minutes by taxi; expect ~$15–20.

Where to stay (Hanoi): Browse stays on VRBO Hanoi or Hotels.com Hanoi. Excellent picks: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (colonial grande dame), Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (beloved boutique), Lotte Hotel Hanoi (skyline views), or apartment-style Somerset Grand Hanoi.

Day 1: Arrival, Lake Stroll, and Water Puppets

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a loop of Hoàn Kiếm Lake; peek into Ngọc Sơn Temple via the red Thê Húc Bridge. Coffee fix at Cà Phê Giảng—try the warm egg coffee, a silky Hanoi original dating to the 1940s.

Evening: See a traditional water puppet performance near the lake—lilting music, lacquered puppets, rice-field tales. Dinner at Bún Chả Hương Liên for charcoal-grilled pork and herb baskets. Nightcap at The Summit Bar (Pan Pacific) for a glittering view over West Lake or a pale ale at Pasteur Street Brewing.

Day 2: Old Quarter Deep Dive and Temple of Literature

Morning: Queue early at Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn; order “tái chín” (rare and brisket) to taste Hanoi’s signature clarity. Wander Old Quarter guild streets—Hàng Bạc (silversmiths), Hàng Mã (festive paper), Đồng Xuân Market’s produce aisles.

Afternoon: Temple of Literature’s courtyards and stelae of doctors tell a Confucian story of scholarship. Continue to Hoa Lò Prison for a sobering look at colonial history and wartime narratives. Pick-me-up at Cộng Cà Phê (coconut coffee, retro décor).

Evening: Experience “Train Street” from a permitted café such as The Railway Hanoi; staff cue guests before trains rumble past—keep cameras inside the café boundary. Dinner at Chả Cá Thăng Long (tableside sizzling fish with dill, peanuts, and rice noodles). For a lively finish, Ta Hiện “beer street” or craftier pours at Standing Bar by Trúc Bạch Lake.

Day 3: Ha Long Bay Day Trip

Full day: Depart 7:30 a.m. for the expressway drive (~2.5 hours) to Hạ Long. Board a day cruise to glide among limestone towers; typical itineraries include kayaking at a calm lagoon, a limestone cave visit, and a seafood lunch on board. If you prefer an upscale boat, consider booking with Paradise Elegance Cruise (also runs short programs in peak season). Return to Hanoi around 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Evening (back in Hanoi): Late dinner at Quán Ăn Ngon (one-stop sampler of regional dishes) or Home Hanoi for refined northern flavors in a restored villa.

Hoi An

Hoi An is Vietnam’s most photogenic harbor town—lanterns glow over ochre shophouses, and tailor chalk marks the rhythm of the day. Once a bustling 16th-century port, its UNESCO-listed Ancient Town preserves Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese heritage in timber beams and tiled roofs.

• Top sights: Ancient Town tickets include the Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls, and merchant homes; nearby are rice paddies, An Bàng Beach, and Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary.
• Eat & drink: Bánh Mì Phượng (the Bourdain-famous baguette), Cao Lầu Thanh (heritage noodles), Bà Lễ Well (grill-it-yourself set menus), White Rose Restaurant (delicate shrimp dumplings), Reaching Out Tea House (quiet service), Hoi An Roastery.
• Fun fact: Cao lầu noodles are traditionally made with ash-filtered water and local well water—giving them their signature chew and color.

Getting there from Hanoi: Morning flight HAN → Đà Nẵng (DAD) ~1h20; fares often $35–80. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Private car from DAD to Hoi An takes ~45 minutes (~$17–25). Alternative: the scenic Reunification Express train (Hanoi → Đà Nẵng) is ~15–16 hours—browse options on Trip.com trains.

Where to stay (Hoi An): Explore VRBO Hoi An or Hotels.com Hoi An. Standouts: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An (ultra-relaxing villas), Anantara Hoi An Resort (riverside elegance), Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa (beachfront), or value favorite Hoi An Dream City Hotel. Social travelers: Tribee Bana Hostel.

Day 4: Fly South, First Taste of Hoi An

Morning: Fly Hanoi → Đà Nẵng; transfer to your Hoi An hotel. Drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Lunch at Bánh Mì Phượng—order #2 with pork, pâté, and herbs for that famous crunch. Explore Ancient Town: the Japanese Covered Bridge, Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, and a merchant house (Tấn Ký is a classic). Quiet tea service at Reaching Out Tea House is a lovely mid-day pause.

Evening: As lanterns glow, take a gentle boat ride on the Thu Bồn River. Dinner at Morning Glory Original (heritage recipes by Trinh Diem Vy) or Mango Mango (Chef Duc’s creative Vietnamese). Nightcap at Q Bar (craft cocktails in a heritage house).

Day 5: Markets, Cooking Class, and An Bàng Beach

Morning: Coffee and smoothie bowls at Rosie’s Café. Join Red Bridge Cooking School’s market-to-table class: shop Hoi An Market, then learn to cook local dishes like tamarind prawns and green papaya salad in a riverside kitchen.

Afternoon: Head to An Bàng Beach—rent loungers at Shore Club or sip iced coffee at Sound of Silence Café. Swim, nap, repeat.

Evening: Grilled feast at Bà Lễ Well (wrapped with herbs and rice paper—staff show you how). For dessert, coconut ice cream near the river. Drinks at The Deck (Anantara’s riverside spot) or a craft beer at 7 Bridges taproom in Đà Nẵng if you’re up for a quick rideshare.

Day 6: Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, Tailor Fittings, and Lantern Craft

Morning: Early departure to Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary (~1 hour). These 4th–13th century Cham temples sit in a misty valley; go before the sun heats up and tour the museum for context.

Afternoon: Back in town, lunch on cơm gà at Cơm Gà Bà Buội (fragrant chicken rice). Then visit a trusted tailor—Yaly Couture is known for consistency; choose fabrics and get a first fitting. Cool down with Mót’s herbal lemongrass tea in a paper cup crowned with a lotus leaf.

Evening: Join a lantern-making workshop to craft your own silk lantern—a meaningful souvenir. Dinner at Cao Lầu Thanh (chewy cao lầu noodles with roast pork and local greens). For a relaxed end, linger at Hoi An Roastery or stroll along the lantern-lit riverfront.

Day 7: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Sunrise photographs before the town fully awakens; grab a last bánh mì or a bowl of mì Quảng at a local spot. Final tailor pick-up and souvenir browsing—ceramics from Thanh Hà Pottery Village or handwoven textiles.

Afternoon: Transfer to Đà Nẵng Airport for your flight onward. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional tweaks: If you prefer fewer transfers, turn the Ha Long Bay day trip into an overnight cruise (return on Day 4 morning, fly south in the afternoon), or swap Mỹ Sơn for a countryside bicycle tour through rice paddies and Tra Quế herb village.

This 7-day Vietnam itinerary threads together Hanoi’s history, a Ha Long Bay cruise, and Hoi An’s lantern-lit evenings. Expect superb street food, warm hospitality, and just enough beach and countryside to balance the cities—leaving you hungry to return for the Mekong or the mountains next time.