Vietnam rewards the curious: ancient citadels and lively wet markets, limestone bays that look painted by hand, and cities that hum with a million scooters and the scent of charcoal-grilled pork. Once a hub of kingdoms and trade routes, today it’s a modern nation with deep traditions, a layered history, and a cuisine that whispers of herbs, smoke, and sea.

In one week, you’ll trace a graceful north–south line: Hanoi’s temples and alleyways, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, then Ho Chi Minh City’s energy, street eats, and wartime history. You’ll taste pho at dawn, kayak beneath karsts at sunset, and glide past rice fields in the Mekong.

Practical notes: most visitors can apply for the 90-day e-visa online; carry some cash for markets though cards are widely accepted in 2025. Grab ride-hailing is reliable; dress modestly for temples; and bring light layers—northern nights can be cool while the south stays tropical.

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s historical soul: lakeside pagodas, French-colonial boulevards, and the frenetic, delightful Old Quarter. Mornings begin with steaming bowls of phở and end with egg coffee—a wartime ingenuity turned icon.

• Top highlights: Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple, the Temple of Literature, train street (check hours), and the Old Quarter’s guild streets like Hàng Bạc (silver) and Hàng Gai (silk).
• Why visit: great base for day trips to Ninh Binh’s “dry Ha Long Bay” and departures to Ha Long Bay itself.
• Where to eat and drink:
  • Breakfast: Phở Gia Truyền (Bát Đàn) for punchy northern-style broth; Xoi Yến for sticky rice with mung bean and fried shallots.
  • Coffee: Cà Phê Giảng (egg coffee original); The Note Coffee for lake views and quirky Post-it walls.
  • Lunch: Bún Chả Hương Liên (Obama set—bún chả with nem), or Bún Thang Bà Đức for Hanoi’s delicate chicken-and-egg noodle soup.
  • Dinner: Nhà Hàng Ngon for regional classics in a heritage villa; Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine for lake views and refined northern dishes.
  • Drinks: Pasteur Street Brewing Co. – Hoàn Kiếm Taproom for craft beer; Tạ Hiện Street for bia hơi (fresh beer) people-watching.
• Stay in the Old Quarter or French Quarter for easy walks to sights:
  • Hotels: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa, Somerset Grand Hanoi, Lotte Hotel Hanoi
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Hanoi, VRBO – Hanoi
• Getting in: compare flights to Hanoi (HAN) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Old Quarter is ~45–60 minutes from HAN; Grab car ~$12–18.

Ha Long Bay

Nearly 2,000 limestone karsts rise from emerald water—a seascape UNESCO protects and poets celebrate. Staying overnight lets you kay ak through grottoes at golden hour and wake to misty silhouettes.

• Why visit: classic Vietnam scenery with caves, floating villages, and top-deck sunsets.
• Stay: many travelers sleep aboard a boat; if you prefer land, consider Paradise Elegance Cruise (overnight), Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, or Ha Long DC Hotel.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Ha Long Bay, VRBO – Ha Long Bay

Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon, as locals still fondly call it, is Vietnam’s economic heartbeat—sleek skyscrapers beside incense-wreathed pagodas, market alleys leading to cocktail rooftops. The food scene is electric, from bánh mì counters to new-wave coffee roasters.

• Top highlights: War Remnants Museum, the (currently renovating) Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Saigon Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market.
• Where to eat and drink:
  • Breakfast: The Workshop for serious pour-overs and airy loft vibes; Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa or Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa for decadent cold-cut bánh mì.
  • Lunch: Phở Hòa Pasteur, or Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền (broken rice with grilled pork chop and fish sauce) if you crave southern comfort.
  • Dinner: Quán Ăn Ngon for regional hits; The Deck Saigon for riverside fine dining away from the bustle; Bánh Xèo 46A for crackling turmeric crêpes.
  • Drinks: Pasteur Street Brewing (original taproom on Pasteur Street); rooftop at Chill Skybar for skyline views.
• Stay central in District 1 for walkability:
  • Hotels: The Reverie Saigon, Silverland Yen Hotel, Sherwood Residence, The Common Room Project, Hotel Nikko Saigon
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Ho Chi Minh City, VRBO – Ho Chi Minh City
• Getting there from Hanoi: 2–2.5 hour flights from HAN to SGN; fares ~$45–120 one-way. Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. SGN to District 1 is ~30–60 minutes; Grab ~$8–15.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi, Lake Strolls, and First Bites

Morning: In transit to Hanoi. Check flight options and fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Land at HAN and transfer (~45–60 min; Grab ~$12–18) to your hotel in the Old Quarter or French Quarter. Check in at Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa or splurge on heritage at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Stretch your legs around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and visit Ngọc Sơn Temple via the red Huc Bridge.

Evening: Sip an egg coffee at Cà Phê Giảng, then dinner at Bún Chả Hương Liên (charcoal-grilled pork and herb-strewn noodles) or Nhà Hàng Ngon for a tour of regional flavors. Cap the night with a water puppet show near the lake or a bia hơi on Tạ Hiện Street.

Day 2: Hanoi by Jeep, Temples, and Night Markets

Morning: Start with phở at Phở Gia Truyền (arrive early; they sell out). Then hop aboard a vintage military Jeep for a guided whirl through Hanoi’s backstreets, markets, and snack stops:

Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep

Afternoon: Visit the Temple of Literature (1070) to see Vietnam’s first university courtyards. Tour Hỏa Lò Prison to understand French colonial history and the American War period. Coffee stop at The Note Coffee overlooking the lake.

Evening: Dinner at Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine for lake views or at Bún Thang Bà Đức for a lighter, elegant bowl. Browse the weekend Night Market (Fri–Sun) for textiles and snacks, then sample craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing – Hoàn Kiếm.

Day 3: Day Trip to Ninh Binh’s Karsts and Ancient Capitals

Today is a full-day excursion to rural Ninh Binh—often called “dry Ha Long Bay”—with boat rides among lotus-fringed limestone cliffs, a bike through villages, and the Múa Caves viewpoint. Hotel pickup keeps it easy.

Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

Alternative small-group options with upgraded transport are also available if you prefer fewer people or a different route: Ninh Binh Heritage Full Day Tour with Buffet Lunch and Limousine. Back in Hanoi by evening, dine at Nhà Hàng Ngon or try chả cá (turmeric-dill catfish) at a traditional grill house.

Day 4: Depart Hanoi for an Overnight Ha Long Bay Cruise

Set out via expressway to the harbor (~2–2.5 hours). Board your ship for a 2D1N itinerary with kayaking, cave visits, and sunset on the sundeck—meals included.

Featured: All-Inclusive OVERNIGHT Halong Cruises – many options

Expect stops at karst viewpoints and time to paddle among hidden lagoons. Dinner on board followed by squid fishing or stargazing. If you prefer a long day trip instead of overnight, consider this bestseller from Hanoi: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour: Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch.

Day 5: Disembark, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Night Food Safari

Morning: Tai chi on deck, a light breakfast, then cruise back to port and transfer to Hanoi Airport. Plan a mid-day flight to SGN (2–2.5 hours; typical fares ~$45–120). Compare times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Check in at Silverland Yen Hotel (compact, stylish, central) or indulge at The Reverie Saigon. Coffee at The Workshop (excellent espresso and single-origin pour-overs) and a short walk to the Central Post Office.

Evening: Zip through alleys on the city’s favorite culinary experience—a small-group scooter feast with 7–12 dishes from real-deal stalls you’d never find alone:

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

Expect smoky bánh tráng nướng, crab soup, grilled scallops, and sweet chè desserts, plus a breezy riverside ride for skyline photos.

Day 6: Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta

Go deep on history and delta life in one premium small-group day that saves time without skimming substance. Crawl through sections of the wartime tunnel network, then cruise canals past coconut groves to taste honey tea and tropical fruit.

Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta – VIP Tour

Prefer to split them across days or go private? Alternatives include a focused half-day at the tunnels: Cu Chi Tunnels Tour – Morning or Afternoon or a limo-style private version: Cu Chi Tunnels – VIP Private Tour. Back in town, freshen up and, if you still have energy, consider a river dinner:

Saigon River Dinner Cruise (3 hours)

Day 7: Saigon Landmarks and Departure

Morning: Hit the must-sees on a concise, guided city overview: the French-era Post Office, the exterior of Notre-Dame Basilica (restoration ongoing), Reunification Palace, and more.

Small-group Saigon City Tour: 4-Hour Must-see Iconic Landmarks

Afternoon: Lunch at Phở Hòa Pasteur or Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền if you didn’t get there yet, then head to SGN for your flight. If you value speed at the airport, consider:

Premium Fast Track Service at Ho Chi Minh City Airport

Evening: Fly onward; check fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional and Transport Notes

• Hanoi–Ha Long transfers are typically 2–2.5 hours each way by expressway. Your cruise or tour usually includes hotel pickup.
• Independent rail options (e.g., Hanoi–Ninh Binh, ~2 hours) can be browsed on Trip.com Trains, though hotel pickups on tours are often easier.
• Weather planning: Pack a light rain jacket; northern drizzle can surprise even in “dry” months, while the south is humid and warm year-round.

Where to Stay – Quick Picks

• Hanoi: Heritage classic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi; boutique favorite Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa; suites-with-kitchens at Somerset Grand Hanoi.
• Ha Long Bay: Afloat with Paradise Elegance Cruise; or bay-view island stay at Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long.
• Ho Chi Minh City: Sky-high glam at The Reverie Saigon; serene and central Silverland Yen Hotel; apartment-style Sherwood Residence.

In seven days you’ll savor Hanoi’s timeless streets, sail among Ha Long Bay’s dreamscape, and feel the pulse of Saigon—plus taste everything from street-side skewers to river-cruise dinners. This itinerary balances travel time and variety so each day brings a new facet of Vietnam’s history, nature, and cuisine.