Vietnam rewards the traveler who slows down. Empires rose and fell on the Perfume River; scholars shaped Confucian ideals in Hanoi’s courtyards; sailors once threaded lantern-lit ports in Hoi An. Today those echoes mingle with sizzling street-food woks and the hum of night markets.

Across a slim slice of the country you’ll explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter and serene temples, glide past limestone karsts in Ninh Binh, walk Hue’s Imperial Citadel, and ride the dramatic Hai Van Pass to Hoi An’s glowing riverside. Expect superb cuisine: smoky bún chả, royal Hue specialties, and crisp white rose dumplings.

Practical notes: Most travelers use Vietnam’s convenient e-visa (check current requirements). The currency is VND; tap-to-pay is growing but cash remains king in markets. Best weather for this route is roughly February–April and September–November. For flights and rail, see Trip.com links below.

Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital hums with history and cafe culture. Around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, French-era facades meet centuries-old temples; in the Old Quarter, narrow “tube houses” hide family kitchens perfecting recipes for generations.

• Top sights: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple, Long Bien Bridge, West Lake pagodas.
• Why visit: atmospheric streets, street food legends, and easy access to Ninh Binh’s karst landscapes.
• Coffee culture: try silky-sweet egg coffee at Café Giang; grab a quiet latte at Tranquil Books & Coffee.

Where to stay: Browse stays near Hoàn Kiếm or the French Quarter on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting in: Fly into Noi Bai (HAN). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Within Vietnam, trains are scenic for long hauls—check Trip.com Trains (Hanoi–Hue soft sleeper ~12.5–14 hours, ~$45–70).

Day 1: Arrival and the Old Quarter

Afternoon: Land in Hanoi and check in near Hoàn Kiếm for easy walking. Stretch your legs with a loop around the lake and a peek at Ngọc Sơn Temple. For a first bite, try Bánh Mì 25 (juicy grilled pork, crisp pickles) or Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn (lean beef broth that draws morning queues).

Evening: Wander the Old Quarter’s lanterned lanes. Dinner at Bún Chả Hương Liên (smoky pork patties with herbs—made famous by “Obama bún chả”) or Chả Cá Thăng Long (tumeric-dill catfish cooked tableside). Nightcap at Tranquil Books & Coffee or a craft beer at Pasteur Street Brewing (Hanoi Taproom).

Day 2: Ninh Binh Private Day Tour (Karsts, Caves, Rice Valleys)

Spend the day amid limestone peaks and emerald paddies with a private guide—quiet waterways, ancient capitals, and 500-step viewpoints.

Best Seller-Private Full-Day Tour to Ninh Binh Depart from Hanoi — All fees and private car included; customize stops like Hoa Lư (ancient capital), Tam Cốc sampan ride, and Múa Cave viewpoint for sweeping valley views.

Dinner after return: Book a table at Home Hanoi (refined northern dishes like caramelized pork and banana blossom salad), or go casual at Đồng Xuân Market stalls for bánh cuốn and grilled skewers. For dessert, try coconut ice cream at Kem Tràng Tiền.

Day 3: Mausoleums, Temples, and West Lake Sunset

Morning: Coffee first: a classic egg coffee at Café Giang. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (arrive early), then stroll to the stilt house and One Pillar Pagoda. Brunch on bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) at Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền Thanh Vân.

Afternoon: Explore the scholarly courtyards of the Temple of Literature. Continue to the Fine Arts Museum or wander Long Bien Bridge for river views. Treat yourself to a slice at Pizza 4P’s Tràng Tiền (house-made burrata) if you’re craving a change of pace.

Evening: Sunset around West Lake with a stop at Phủ Tây Hồ temple. Dinner at Đông Phương Các (Hanoi-style grilled fish and prawns) or Duong’s Restaurant (modern Vietnamese tasting menu). Consider a water puppet show near Hoàn Kiếm; then a nightcap at The Note Coffee, where the walls bloom with sticky-note messages.

Hue

Once Vietnam’s imperial capital, Hue balances scholarly calm with royal drama: mossy ramparts, lotus ponds, and ornate tombs along the Perfume River. The cuisine is meticulous—petite steamed cakes, crisp bánh khoái, and fiery bún bò Huế.

• Top sights: Imperial City (Citadel and Forbidden Purple City), Thien Mu Pagoda, Emperors’ tombs (Khải Định, Minh Mạng), Perfume River.
• Signature dishes: bún bò Huế, bánh bèo, bánh nậm, bánh bột lọc, bánh khoái.
• Vibe: scholarly, slow-paced, and deeply historic with bike-friendly boulevards.

Where to stay: Search central riverside stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting from Hanoi to Hue (Day 4 morning): Fly (HAN–HUI ~1h15m; ~$40–120) via Trip.com Flights or take the overnight Reunification Express (12.5–14 hours soft sleeper; check Trip.com Trains).

Day 4: Fly to Hue, River Walks and Royal Bites

Morning: Depart Hanoi for Hue. Transfer time from Phu Bai Airport to city center ~30–40 minutes by taxi.

Afternoon: Settle in and stroll the Perfume River promenade to Thương Bạc Park. Light lunch: Quan Hanh (assorted bánh bèo, bánh nậm) or Nina’s Café (home-style Hue dishes).

Evening: Cross Truong Tien Bridge for night lights. Dinner at Les Jardins de La Carambole (French-Vietnamese classics in a colonial villa) or Hanh Restaurant (bánh khoái with peanut dipping sauce). For a casual drink, stop by the backpacker strip for a fresh beer or a coconut coffee.

Day 5: Hue City Full-Day Tour (Citadel, Pagodas, Tombs)

Immerse yourself in Hue’s imperial grandeur with a guided day covering the highlights and local life—ideal for history buffs.

Hue City Full-Day Small Group Guided Tour — See the Citadel and Forbidden City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and key tombs; learn dynastic stories and architecture with a knowledgeable local.

Dinner after tour: Warm up with a bowl of bún bò Huế at Bún Bò Huế O Phượng or Bún Bò Ba Tuyết. For a refined end to the day, try the tasting menu at Ancient Hue Garden Houses if you’re in the mood for a splurge.

Day 6: Hue to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass

Today’s route is a highlight of any Vietnam trip: ocean views, cloud-wreathed mountains, and white-sand bays. Choose a motorbike adventure or a comfortable car with scenic stops.

Hai Van Pass Motorbike Private Tour with Mister T Easy Rider — Ride pillion with an experienced driver from Hue to Hoi An, detouring to Lap An Lagoon and Lang Co Beach; luggage travels separately.

Prefer four wheels? Consider this car-based alternative with extra landmarks:

Hue to Hoi An via Golden Bridge & Marble Mountain (or Vice Versa) — A private transfer that includes the famous Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills and Da Nang’s Marble Mountains.

Arrival dinner in Hoi An: Try Morning Glory Original (Ms. Vy’s beloved classics), Cao Lầu Bà Lệ (the namesake noodle with smoky pork), or Com Ga Ba Buoi (succulent chicken rice). A gentle evening stroll along the lantern-lit river is a must.

Hoi An

Once a bustling port, Hoi An’s tiled-roof shophouses and assembly halls glow at dusk. Tailors still measure by morning and deliver by night; tea houses whisper in the afternoon; the Thu Bon River glitters under a lantern canopy after dark.

• Top sights: Japanese Covered Bridge, historic assembly halls, Ancient Town shophouses, Cua Dai and An Bang beaches, Tra Que herb village.
• Signature bites: cao lầu, white rose dumplings, chicken rice, black sesame sweet soup, herbal “Mót” drink.
• Best at sunset: riverside walk, boat ride, and browsing artisans’ workshops.

Where to stay: For a serene base near the Ancient Town or An Bang Beach, compare options on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Departure (Day 7 afternoon/evening): Fly out of nearby Da Nang (DAD), ~45 minutes from Hoi An by car. Compare options on Trip.com Flights.

Day 7: Ancient Town Walks, Tailors, and Beach Time

Morning: Breakfast at Hoi An Roastery or Phin Coffee, then wander the Japanese Covered Bridge and historic assembly halls when the streets are calmer. If you’re keen on tailoring, visit a reputable shop early for measurement and fabric selection.

Afternoon: Lunch on white rose dumplings at the White Rose Restaurant, then cycle to Tra Que herb village for a peaceful ride among farm plots. Alternatively, unwind on An Bang Beach with a fresh coconut and grilled squid from simple seaside shacks.

Evening: Sip the herbal Mót Hội An drink (lemongrass, lime, chrysanthemum) as lanterns flicker on. Dinner at Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen (packed with herbs and chili), or sit down at Morning Glory Original to sample cao lầu and crispy wontons. Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your afternoon/evening flight.

Food & Coffee Shortlist by City (Save for Later)

• Hanoi: Café Giang (egg coffee), Bánh Mì 25, Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn, Bún Chả Hương Liên, Chả Cá Thăng Long, Duong’s Restaurant, Tranquil Books & Coffee, Pasteur Street Brewing.
• Hue: Hanh Restaurant, Les Jardins de La Carambole, Nina’s Café, Bún Bò Huế O Phượng, Bún Bò Ba Tuyết.
• Hoi An: Morning Glory Original, Cao Lầu Bà Lệ, Com Ga Ba Buoi, White Rose Restaurant, Hoi An Roastery, Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen, Mót Hội An.

Summary & Practical Transport

In one week you’ll taste Hanoi’s street food, boat through Ninh Binh’s karsts, walk Hue’s imperial halls, and drift beneath Hoi An’s lanterns—linked by a world-class coastal drive. For flights and trains, compare on Trip.com Flights and Trip.com Trains, and browse stays via VRBO or Hotels.com.

Pack light, keep an appetite, and leave space for a tailored jacket from Hoi An—this route balances history, flavor, and scenery without rushing.