Vietnam compresses millennia of history into a slender S-shaped coastline: ancient dynasties, French colonial boulevards, and wartime scars, now threaded with cafés, street vendors, and neon-lit avenues. In one week, you can taste the north’s cool elegance, sail among Ha Long’s limestone karsts, and feel the south’s kinetic energy.

Hanoi pairs pagodas and literary temples with a culinary scene that invented egg coffee and perfected bun cha. Offshore, Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO icon—a labyrinth of emerald water and caves. Far to the south, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the country’s beating heart, where motorbikes hum past 19th-century landmarks and contemporary galleries.

Practical notes: Most travelers use Vietnam’s e-visa (apply at least a week ahead). Cash (VND) is king for small vendors; ATMs are widespread. Grab is the go-to ride-hailing app. Expect warm, humid weather year-round; summer is wetter in the north, while the south is tropical with brief downpours.

Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is a living archive: Confucian courtyards at the Temple of Literature, frangipani-scented lakes, and the atmospheric Old Quarter where streets are still named for ancient guilds. Mornings are for steaming bowls of pho; evenings bring bia hơi (fresh beer) and lakeside strolls.

• Top sights: Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple; Temple of Literature; Ho Chi Minh Complex; the French Quarter’s architecture; and the (restricted-access) Train Street—visit with a guide or from designated cafés only.
• What to eat: Pho at Pho Gia Truyen (beefy, clean broth), bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien, cha ca (turmeric-dill fish) at Cha Ca Thang Long, and egg coffee at Giang Café.
• Where to stay:
  • Classic: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (colonial glam, central).
  • Boutique favorite: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (Old Quarter service standout).
  • Modern high-rise: Lotte Hotel Hanoi (city views, sky bar).
  • Apart-hotel: Somerset Grand Hanoi (space for families).
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Hanoi | VRBO – Hanoi
• Getting here: Check deals on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Most long-haul arrivals land midday or afternoon.

Ha Long Bay

Jagged limestone islets puncture jade-green water—a seascape mythologized by dragons. The best way to experience it is to sleep aboard and wake to mist and soft tai chi on deck.

• What to expect: Kayaking into hidden lagoons, exploring Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, swimming at Titop Island, and sunset cooking classes on deck.
• Where to stay: You’ll overnight on your cruise, but if you need a pre/post night: Ha Long DC Hotel, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, or board Paradise Elegance Cruise. Browse more: Hotels.com – Ha Long Bay | VRBO – Ha Long Bay
• Travel time from Hanoi: 2.5–3 hours by expressway limousine bus (~$15–25) or private car (~$90–120).

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon is Vietnam amplified—heritage landmarks, design-forward cafés, and alleyway eats that keep locals up late. Expect high-octane energy and deeply layered history.

• Top sights: Independence (Reunification) Palace, War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, and the red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior views only during ongoing restoration).
• What to eat: Banh mi at Huynh Hoa (loaded pâté and cold cuts), pho at Pho Hoa Pasteur, broken rice (com tam) at Ba Ghien, craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing, and snails (oc) at Oc Dao.
• Where to stay:
  • Flagship: The Reverie Saigon (skyline views, grand style).
  • Great value: Silverland Yen Hotel (spa perks, central District 1).
  • Families: Sherwood Residence (apartments, pool).
  • Upscale comfort: Hotel Nikko Saigon (big rooms, top breakfast).
  • Social stay: The Common Room Project (boutique hostel, community vibe).
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Ho Chi Minh City | VRBO – Ho Chi Minh City
• Getting here from Hanoi: 2–2.5 hour flight (~$45–120) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. A romantic-but-long alternative is the Reunification Express train (31–35 hours, soft sleeper ~$40–80): check Trip.com trains.

Day 1 – Land in Hanoi, lakeside strolls, and a Jeep night out

Morning: In transit to Vietnam. If you arrive early, shake off jet lag with a slow walk around leafy Hoan Kiem Lake.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel. Sip an egg coffee at Giang Café—legend says it was invented here during a milk shortage in the 1940s using whisked egg yolk, sugar, and robusta.

Evening: Roll through the Old Quarter on an open-air army Jeep, sampling street eats and hidden viewpoints.

Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep — expect bun cha, banh mi, egg coffee, and backstreet history.

Day 2 – Hanoi’s temples, boulevards, and Old Quarter flavors

Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (go early; hours vary seasonally) and the stilt house that reveals his simple lifestyle. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university (1076), with stone steles honoring scholars.

Afternoon: Lunch on cha ca at Cha Ca Thang Long—turmeric-dill catfish sizzling at the table with herbs and peanuts. Wander the French Quarter’s tree-lined streets, then browse the Old Quarter’s guild lanes (silversmiths, paper, herbalists). If you’re curious about Hanoi’s Train Street, only visit with a guide or from compliant cafés during scheduled times for safety.

Evening: See the traditional water puppets near the lake (performances most nights). Dinner picks: Home Hanoi (refined northern dishes), Bun Cha Ta (grilled pork and herbs over rice noodles), or Xoi Yen for late-night sticky rice bowls. Nightcap at Tạ Hiện “Beer Corner” or a rooftop near the Opera House.

Day 3 – To Ha Long Bay: embark your overnight cruise

Depart Hanoi around 8:00 a.m. by expressway shuttle (2.5–3 hours). Board a 5-star vessel for a 2-day/1-night loop through Ha Long–Lan Ha’s limestone maze—kayaking, caves, a sunset cooking class, and morning tai chi are standard highlights. Meals are served onboard.

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

Day 4 – Disembark, fly south to Saigon

Morning: Early tai chi on deck, then explore a final grotto or lagoon before brunch. Disembark late morning and drive back to Hanoi (2.5–3 hours).

Afternoon: Fly Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (2–2.5 hours, often $45–120) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Grab a ride to District 1 (30–60 minutes depending on traffic).

Evening: Dinner at Quan Bui Original (home-style southern recipes), Secret Garden (terrace, family dishes), or Cuc Gach Quan (architect–designed rustic chic). For a view, head to Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar or Social Club.

Day 5 – Saigon icons, cafés, and a scooter food safari

Morning: Start at the Central Post Office (Gustave Eiffel’s firm contributed to the design) and view Notre Dame Cathedral’s façade during restoration. Continue to the Independence Palace—time capsule of 1975—then stroll the book street (Nguyen Van Binh).

Afternoon: Lunch at Pho Hoa Pasteur (since 1968) or Com Nieu Saigon (cracked-pot rice theatrics). Visit the War Remnants Museum for sobering exhibits (plan 60–90 minutes). Recharge with specialty coffee at The Workshop (third-wave brews) or Shin Coffee.

Evening: Hop on the back of a motorbike with local guides to eat where Saigonese actually dine—think sizzling banh xeo, grilled skewers, and hidden dessert spots.

Ho Chi Minh Street Food & Sightseeing By Motorbike (Safe & Fun)

Day 6 – Day trip: Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta

Full-day small-group excursion (no need to split by time): delve into the Cu Chi Tunnels—cunning underground networks used during the war—then continue to the Mekong Delta for boat rides, canal-side villages, and a southern lunch.

Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine

Dinner back in town: try Oc Dao (sea-snail heaven) or Bep Me In for approachable classics. Craft beer fans can sample flights at Pasteur Street Brewing.

Day 7 – Market morning and farewell

Morning: Coffee and pastries at L’Usine or specialty cups at Shin Coffee, then souvenir shopping at Ben Thanh Market (lacquerware, coffee beans, textiles). For a final bite, queue at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (rich pâté, crispy bread) or try banh mi op la (fried eggs) at a local corner shop.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. If you have time, a last stroll down Nguyen Hue Walking Street offers people-watching and colonial façades. Rideshare to SGN usually takes 30–50 minutes—build in extra time during rush hour.

Evening: In the air—chao Vietnam!

Practical Transfers at a Glance

• International flights to Hanoi (HAN): search Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Hanoi ↔ Ha Long Bay: 2.5–3 hours by limousine bus (~$15–25) or private car (~$90–120). Most cruises include roundtrip transfers.
• Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City: 2–2.5 hour flight (~$45–120) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Optional: overnight train (31–35 hours; see Trip.com trains).

Where You’ll Sleep – Quick Picks

• Hanoi: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi | Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa | Lotte Hotel Hanoi | Somerset Grand Hanoi
• Ha Long Bay: Paradise Elegance Cruise | Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long
• Ho Chi Minh City: The Reverie Saigon | Silverland Yen Hotel | Sherwood Residence | Hotel Nikko Saigon | The Common Room Project

Booked Activities – At a Glance

• Hanoi: Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun
• Ha Long Bay: 2D1N Luxury Cruise
• Ho Chi Minh City: Street Food by Motorbike
• Day Trip: Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta VIP

Summary: In seven days you’ll savor northern noodle shops, drift between Ha Long’s karsts, and dive into Saigon’s history and late-night eats. It’s a balanced Vietnam itinerary—culture, nature, food—paced to keep you energized and curious for a return visit.