8 Days in Vietnam: Phú Quốc Beaches, Đà Nẵng Wonders, and Historic Hà Nội

A balanced 8-day Vietnam itinerary blending island sunsets in Phú Quốc, the Golden Bridge and riverfront nights in Đà Nẵng, and culture-rich days in Hà Nội with optional Hạ Long Bay cruising.

Close-up of a speckled granite surface showcasing natural texture and pattern. — Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels

Vietnam rewards the curious traveler: emerald islands in the south, coastal mountains in the center, and a millennium-old capital in the north. This 8-day itinerary links Phú Quốc’s beaches, Đà Nẵng’s Golden Bridge and riverfront, and Hà Nội’s Old Quarter—plus an optional Hạ Long Bay day cruise.

Expect a delicious rhythm: sunrise swims, steaming bowls of mì Quảng or phở, breezy cable cars, and evenings of lantern-lit alleys and liveable nightlife. You’ll sample seafood at fishermen’s wharves, sip iconic egg coffee, and ride skyward to Ba Na Hills for cloud-brushed views.

Practical notes: Vietnam offers a simple e-visa for many nationalities; carry cash (VND) alongside cards. Phú Quốc’s dry season runs roughly Nov–April; central Vietnam can see autumn rains; the north is cool Dec–Feb. Domestic flights are frequent and affordable; book an open-jaw ticket (arrive Phú Quốc, depart Hà Nội) to save time.

Phú Quốc

The “pearl island” floats in the Gulf of Thailand with long, swimmable beaches, palm-lined lanes, and day trips to the An Thới archipelago. Beyond the sand, visit pepper farms, fish sauce houses (a protected local craft), and modern attractions like Grand World and Sunset Town’s Kiss Bridge.

Top sights: Long Beach sunsets, An Thới snorkel sites, Ham Ninh fishing village, Suối Tranh waterfall (in rains), Sunset Town & Kiss Bridge, VinWonders/Grand World & Vinpearl Safari.
Eat & drink: Bún quậy Kiến Xây (stirred noodle soup), crab and sea urchin at Ham Ninh, Buddy Ice Cream & Info Café, Chuồn Chuồn Bistro & Sky Bar for panoramic cocktails.
Fun fact: Phú Quốc’s fish sauce is so distinctive it has a protected geographical indication—and tours smell like the ocean itself.

Where to stay: Browse mid-range resorts and villas near Long Beach or Ong Lang.

Getting in: Fly to Phú Quốc (PQC). Search multi-city fares (into PQC, out of HAN) on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From the airport, taxis/ride-hail reach Long Beach in ~10–15 minutes.

Day 1 — Arrive in Phú Quốc

Afternoon: Land at PQC and check in near Long Beach. Shake off jet lag with a swim and fresh coconut on the sand.

Evening: Seafood feast at Ham Ninh fishing village—try steamed flower crab, grilled scallops with scallion oil, and sea urchin with quail egg. Cap with sunset drinks at Rory’s Beach Bar or hilltop views from Chuồn Chuồn.

Day 2 — An Thới Archipelago: Snorkel & Islands

Join a full-day boat to the southern islets (Hòn Móng Tay, Hòn Gầm Ghì) for shallow reefs, snorkeling, and a simple onboard lunch. Many tours add the scenic cable car to Sun World Hòn Thơm and slides at Aquatopia Water Park. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, and small bills for beach vendors.

Day 3 — Farms, Grand World, and Sunset Town

Morning: Visit a pepper farm for tastings (green peppercorns are the local pride) and stop by a traditional fish sauce house like Khải Hoàn to see towering fermentation barrels.

Afternoon: Head to Grand World (photo-friendly Bamboo Legend and Teddy Bear Museum) or Vinpearl Safari if traveling with kids. Coffee break at Buddy Ice Cream & Info Café.

Evening: Explore Sunset Town on the island’s southwest tip. Time your walk across Kiss Bridge for a fiery sky; grab dinner at a local cơm niêu spot or beach barbecue along Long Beach.

Đà Nẵng

Central Vietnam’s easygoing hub pairs broad My Khe Beach with a skyline of bridges—dragon, swing, and cable-stayed—plus quick access to Marble Mountains, Sơn Trà Peninsula, and Hoi An. It’s spotless, friendly, and famed for mì Quảng noodles.

Top sights: Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains pagodas and caves, Linh Ứng Pagoda (Lady Buddha), Han River cruise, and weekend Dragon Bridge fire show (9:00 pm Sat–Sun).
Eat & drink: Mì Quảng Bà Mua (turmeric noodles), Bánh xèo Bà Dưỡng (crispy pancakes), bún chả cá (fish cake noodles), seafood at Bê Man; coffee at 43 Factory Coffee Roaster or Wonderlust.
Tip: Central rains can visit Sept–Nov; mornings are clearer for viewpoints like Sơn Trà.

Where to stay: Beachside for sunrise swims; riverside for nightlife.

Getting there from Phú Quốc: Morning flights Phú Quốc (PQC) → Đà Nẵng (DAD) often connect via Ho Chi Minh City. Total travel ~3.5–5 hours; occasional nonstops ~1h40. Expect ~$45–$95 one-way (carry-on only) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 4 — Fly to Đà Nẵng, Beach & Bridges

Morning: Fly PQC → DAD; drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: My Khe Beach time—rent loungers, swim, and snack on young coconuts. Coffee fix at 43 Factory Coffee Roaster for single-origin pours.

Evening: Seafood at Bê Man (garlic cockles, tamarind crab). Then stroll the riverside and time the Dragon Bridge show (9:00 pm Sat–Sun). Optional Han River dinner cruise:

Da Nang: Poseidon Cruise with Dinner and Dragon Bridge Show

Day 5 — Ba Na Hills & the Golden Bridge (Full Day)

Ride one of the world’s longest cable cars to Ba Na Hills, stroll the insta-famous Golden Bridge held by stone “hands,” and explore hilltop gardens and pagodas. Door-to-door tours simplify tickets, timing, and lunch:

Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Full-day Tour from Da Nang

Back in town, refuel at Bánh xèo Bà Dưỡng (crispy pancake wraps with herbs). For a nightcap, try local draft at Waterfront or a Vietnamese-style milk coffee at Wonderlust Bakery & Coffee.

Hà Nội

Vietnam’s capital layers Confucian temples, French villas, and street stalls into an intoxicating whole. It’s the place to wander: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the Old Quarter’s guild streets, and leafy boulevards of the French Quarter.

Top sights: Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Train Street (access via cafés), Long Biên Bridge, and the Thăng Long Water Puppet Theater.
Eat & drink: Phở Thìn Lò Đúc (smoky stir-fried beef phở), bún chả Hương Liên (Obama combo), chả cá at Chả Cá Thăng Long, egg coffee at Cà Phê Giảng, modern brews at Blackbird Coffee.
Day trips: Hạ Long Bay cruises or limestone valleys of Ninh Bình (Tam Cốc, Tràng An, Múa Caves).

Where to stay: Old Quarter for walkability; French Quarter or Ba Đình for quieter nights.

Getting there from Đà Nẵng: DAD → HAN flights run hourly; ~1h20; ~$30–$80 one-way on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi and ride-hail from HAN to the Old Quarter take ~40 minutes.

Day 6 — Fly to Hà Nội, Old Quarter Essentials

Morning: Fly Đà Nẵng → Hà Nội and settle into your hotel.

Afternoon: Orientation walk: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Ngọc Sơn Temple, and the Old Quarter’s guild streets (silversmiths on Hàng Bạc, herbalists on Lãn Ông). Coffee stop for egg coffee at Cà Phê Giảng or modern espresso at Blackbird.

Evening: Classic water puppetry (fast-moving, charming, with live folk orchestra):

Skip the Line: Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Entrance Tickets

After the show, dine on chả cá (turmeric-dill fish with herbs and peanuts) at Chả Cá Thăng Long, or go for bún chả Hương Liên if you missed lunch.

Day 7 — Hạ Long Bay Day Cruise (Full Day)

Trade the city for limestone karsts on a comfortable day cruise with buffet lunch and time for kayaking, swimming, or cave visits. Hotel pickup makes it easy from the Old Quarter:

BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet, Wine & Jacuzzi

Return to Hà Nội by evening. Treat yourself to a gentle foot massage in the Old Quarter, then grab a night snack: sticky rice xôi or sizzling bánh cuốn rolled to order.

Day 8 — Temples, Trains, and Departure

Morning: Temple of Literature opens early—arrive near 8:00 am for quiet courtyards and stelae of scholars. Swing by the nearby Train Street area around non-peak train times; cafés manage access safely.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for lacquerware or ceramics on Hàng Gai and Hàng Trống. Airport transfer for your flight home.

Optional swaps & add-ons (if you extend or adjust):

Ninh Bình day trip (limestone valleys, boat rows through caves, hilltop viewpoints): Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi
Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi on Viator
Hà Nội culture-on-wheels: Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep
Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep on Viator

Daily food & coffee cheat sheet (budget ~49/100):

Breakfasts: Phú Quốc—bánh mì thịt or bún quậy Kiến Xây; Đà Nẵng—mì Quảng Bà Mua; Hà Nội—phở Thìn Lò Đúc or bánh cuốn Thanh Vân.
Coffee: Egg coffee at Cà Phê Giảng (Hà Nội), specialty at 43 Factory (Đà Nẵng), breezy oceanfront brews in Phú Quốc.
Dinners: Ham Ninh seafood (Phú Quốc), Bê Man (Đà Nẵng), chả cá or bún chả (Hà Nội). Expect $5–12 per person at local spots; seafood depends on market price.

Getting around & tickets: Use Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com for domestic hops. For trains within Vietnam’s north–south line, browse Trip.com trains (best for other Asia routes; flights are faster for this plan).

Budget pointers: Domestic flights ($30–95 each), tours ($35–90 day trips; Ba Na costs vary with inclusions), mid-range rooms ($35–120), and meals ($3–12 local; seafood more). Mix street eats with one or two “wow” experiences to stay near your 49/100 budget.

In eight days you’ll swim in southern seas, ride cloud-skimming cable cars, and wander a capital that hums with history and coffee. Vietnam’s variety is the star—this route lets you taste three distinct regions without rushing.

8 Days in Vietnam: Phú Quốc Beaches, Đà Nẵng Wonders, and Historic Hà Nội