Vietnam rewards the curious traveler with layered history, poetic scenery, and some of the world’s most craveable street food. In a single week, you can wander Hanoi’s temple-dotted streets, glide past rice paddies in Ninh Binh, drift among Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers, and dive into the nonstop hum of Ho Chi Minh City.

Once the seat of ancient kingdoms and a crossroads of cultures, Vietnam carries influences from China, France, and Southeast Asia—visible in pagodas and Gothic cathedrals, bánh mì and boulevards. Northern and southern flavors contrast beautifully: smoky bun cha and egg coffee in Hanoi; broken rice, craft coffee, and late-night noodles in Saigon.

Practical notes: Most travelers use a 90-day e-visa; some nationalities are visa-exempt—check current rules before booking. The dry season (roughly Nov–Apr) is best for the north; the south is warm year-round with a May–Oct rainy season. Cash (VND) is king for markets and small shops; card is common at hotels and larger restaurants.

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s soulful capital—lake-ringed, scooter-buzzed, and stitched with narrow lanes where artisans have worked for centuries. The Old Quarter brims with tube houses and market life; nearby, grand colonial buildings sit beside Confucian courtyards and leafy boulevards.

• Top sights: Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Temple of Literature, Long Bien Bridge, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, the Old Quarter guild streets.
• Why visit: atmospheric alleys, phenomenal northern cuisine (bun cha, bun rieu, cha ca), heritage coffee culture, and easy day trips.
• Local flavor: sip egg coffee where the trend began, sample bánh cuốn rolled to order, or grill pork skewers at a streetside stall.

Where to stay (Hanoi)

• Classic luxury: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (historic grande dame with a bomb shelter tour).
• Boutique favorite: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (Old Quarter hideaway; spa and excellent concierge).
• Modern tower views: Lotte Hotel Hanoi (sky bar and panoramic pool).
• Apart-hotel convenience: Somerset Grand Hanoi (kitchenettes, good for families).
• Browse more: VRBO Hanoi | Hotels.com Hanoi

Getting to Hanoi: Fly into HAN via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From the airport, a taxi/ride-hail to the Old Quarter takes ~35–50 minutes (approx. $12–$20).

Day 1: Arrival, Old Quarter wander, and first tastes

Afternoon: Arrive in Hanoi and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs around Hoan Kiem Lake, then cross the scarlet Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple for classic postcard views.

Evening: Dive into dinner at Bun Cha Ta (chargrilled pork with herb-laced noodles) or Cha Ca Thang Long (turmeric-dill catfish cooked tableside). Finish with egg coffee at Café Giang—silky, meringue-like—and a stroll past night market stalls on Hang Dao.

Day 2: Temples, history, and a vintage Jeep food-and-culture tour

Morning: Visit the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university, founded 1076) before crowds. Swing by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area (the mausoleum is typically closed Mondays and Fridays, and for annual maintenance; the grounds and stilt house remain worthwhile).

Afternoon: Explore the Vietnamese Women’s Museum (costume and culture) or the Fine Arts Museum. Pause for lunch at Banh Cuon Thanh Van (steamed rice rolls) or Pho Gia Truyen on Bat Dan for a classic northern broth.

Evening (tour): See hidden corners by military Jeep with street eats and back-alley history. Book: Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep. Expect 4–4.5 hours of tastings, neighborhoods beyond the center, and a sunset spin across Long Bien Bridge.

Day 3: Ninh Binh day trip — ancient capital, caves, and karst valleys

Swap the city for limestone peaks and rice paddies. This full-day excursion includes Hoa Lu (10th-century capital), a sampan ride in Tam Coc, and the stair climb to Mua Cave viewpoint. Book: Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike. Door-to-door minibus pick-up, lunch, and bikes are typically included; total 10–11 hours, ~$45–$70.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay luxury day cruise

Sail among UNESCO-listed karsts, explore a cave, and linger on the sundeck with a seafood buffet. Book: BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet, Wine & Jacuzzi. Expect an early Hanoi pick-up, 2.5–3 hours to the pier, 5–6 hours on the water, then return by evening (typical total 12–13 hours; ~$65–$120).

Dinner back in Hanoi: Try Cha Ca La Vong (heritage turmeric-dill fish), or modern Vietnamese at Home Hanoi, then a craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing’s Hanoi taproom or a cocktail at Polite & Co.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam’s high-octane south: glass towers and retro apartments, incense-swirled pagodas, and tree-lined boulevards from the French era. Food here is bold and herb-packed—com tam (broken rice), hu tieu noodles, and tropical-fruit smoothies at every turn.

• Top sights: War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
• Why visit: thriving café culture, inventive dining, and access to two icons in a day—the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
• Local flavor: rooftop sundowners, alleyway bánh mì, and late-night pho that tastes best after midnight.

Where to stay (Ho Chi Minh City)

• Design-led luxury: The Reverie Saigon (skyline views; lavish rooms).
• Serene boutique: Silverland Yen Hotel (tea hour, rooftop plunge pool).
• Family-friendly suites: Sherwood Residence (kitchens, pool, central District 3).
• Value luxe: Hotel Nikko Saigon (big rooms; easy taxi access).
• Stylish hostel: The Common Room Project (social, design-forward).
• Browse more: VRBO Ho Chi Minh City | Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City

Getting from Hanoi to Saigon: Morning flights are frequent (HAN → SGN ~2h10; $40–$120). Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains exist but take 29–33 hours; if you’re curious, compare schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Day 5: Fly south, colonial core, and rooftop views

Morning: Fly Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City. Taxi to District 1 (45–70 minutes depending on traffic).

Afternoon: Walk the historic cluster: Central Post Office (Gustave Eiffel design), Notre-Dame Basilica (facade restoration updates vary), and the Independence Palace lawns. Lunch at Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa (overflowing pate-cold-cut icon) or Pho Hoa Pasteur (old-school southern pho).

Evening: Sunset drink at the Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar overlooking the lights of Nguyen Hue. Dinner at Quan Bui (home-style southern dishes) or Secret Garden 131 Calmette (terrace, claypot caramelized fish). Nightcap at The Alley or Layla Eatery & Bar.

Day 6: Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta in one immersive day

Trace Vietnam’s wartime history underground and glide past coconut groves by boat—two classic experiences combined. Book: Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine. Expect small groups, hotel pick-up, tunnels interpretation, a Mekong motorboat and rowboat combo, lunch, and a late-afternoon return (10–11 hours; ~$65–$110).

Day 7: Markets, cafés, and departure

Morning: Browse Ben Thanh Market early for lacquerware, coffee beans, and spices, then slip into the 42 Nguyen Hue Café Apartment for a last espresso at The Workshop or Shin Coffee. If time allows, visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda—incense drifting through a maze of carvings.

Afternoon: Lunch on com tam (broken rice with grilled pork) at Com Tam Ba Ghien or a bowl of hu tieu at Hu Tieu Thanh Xuan. Transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (save for each city)

• Hanoi: Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama’s famous bun cha stop), Pho Thin Lo Duc (smoky wok-kissed broth), Cha Ca Thang Long (dill fish), Banh Cuon Thanh Van (pillowy rice rolls), Café Giang (original egg coffee), Blackbird Coffee (specialty roasts).
• Ho Chi Minh City: Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (hearty baguettes), Pho Hoa Pasteur (est. 1968), Quan Bui (home-style), The Lunch Lady (rotating noodle soups), The Workshop/Shin Coffee (3rd-wave), Pasteur Street Brewing (tropical craft beers).

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Local transport: Ride-hailing cars/scooters are inexpensive; taxis are plentiful. In Hanoi and Saigon, most central sights cluster walkably.
• Money: ATMs are common; small notes help at markets. Tipping is appreciated but not expected; round up at casual spots.
• Timing: Mausoleum hours vary by season; museums often close for lunch. For day trips, pack sunscreen, a light rain jacket, and cash for snacks.

Travel Booking Links (quick access)

• Flights: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com
• Vietnam Trains (optional long-distance): Trip.com Trains
• Hotels & Apartments: Hotels.com Hanoi | VRBO Hanoi | Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City | VRBO Ho Chi Minh City

Suggested Pace

Days 1–4 in Hanoi with two day trips (Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay), then Day 5 morning flight south for Days 5–7 in Ho Chi Minh City. This balances culture, countryside, and cuisine without rushing.

Closing Note

In a week, you’ll have traced Vietnam’s story from Confucian courtyards to wartime tunnels, tasted regional contrasts, and sailed through otherworldly seascapes. Keep this itinerary handy—you’ll be planning your return before you land.