Vietnam is a ribbon of mountains, river deltas, and 3,000 km of coastline. Empires rose and fell here, leaving Confucian temples in Hanoi, Cham remnants in the central coast, and a cuisine that balances herbs, heat, and umami with uncanny precision. Today’s Vietnam is spirited and welcoming—equally ready with a street-side bowl of phở or a world-class spa.

On this relaxing 7-day itinerary, you’ll taste Hanoi’s soulful street food, drift among Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts on an overnight cruise, and unwind on Da Nang’s powdery My Khe Beach. A lantern-lit evening in Hoi An and a photogenic side-trip to the Golden Bridge round out a restorative week.

Practical notes: June–August is beach season in Da Nang; October–January can bring showers around Hoi An. ATMs are common; card acceptance is growing, but small eateries prefer cash. For flights into/out of Vietnam and domestic hops, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Trains in Vietnam are scenic; see schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital since 1010, knits together lakeside pagodas, French-colonial boulevards, and the sensory pop of the Old Quarter. It’s a city made for unhurried wandering: egg coffee sipped on tiny stools, smoky charcoal grills, and serene courtyards hiding behind wooden doors.

• Top sights: Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple, the Temple of Literature, and the tree-lined French Quarter.
• Food favorites: phở bò at Phở Gia Truyền (Bát Đàn), bún chả at Bún Chả Hương Liên, and turmeric-dill fish at Chả Cá Thăng Long.
• Easy day out: an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise—your “cruise” request, fulfilled in style.

Getting in: Fly into Nội Bài International (HAN). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Stay in Hanoi: Browse stays on VRBO (Hanoi) or Hotels.com (Hanoi). Specific, well-located picks:

• Midrange boutique with an excellent spa: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (great value and on-site La Spa for restful treatments).
• Classic heritage: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (historic address with a tranquil pool; splurge option).
• Modern comfort and views: Lotte Hotel Hanoi or apartment-style Somerset Grand Hanoi.

Hanoi experiences (aligned to your interests):

• Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise (all-inclusive; transport, meals, kayaking options). Featured: All-Inclusive OVERNIGHT Halong Cruises - many options

  

• Fun, low-effort city overview: Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep

  

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (Afternoon Arrival)

Afternoon: Check in and reset with a slow stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Sip an “egg coffee” at Café Giang’s Nguyen Huu Huan location—silky and meringue-like, it’s a Hanoi original. If you want a quick culture hit, pop into the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngọc Sơn) via the scarlet bridge.

Evening: Dinner at Bún Chả Hương Liên (grilled pork with herbs, rice noodles, and dipping sauce—famous for a certain presidential visit) or Chả Cá Thăng Long (turmeric-dill catfish cooked at the table with peanuts and herbs). Cap the night with a 60-minute foot massage at La Spa (inside Hanoi La Siesta)—ideal for jet lag.

Day 2: Ha Long Bay Cruise (Overnight)

This is a full-day activity with overnight on board (no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening). Morning pickup from your Hanoi hotel (around 8–8:30 AM); transfer 2.5–3 hours to the pier. Board your cruiser around noon for welcome drinks and a seafood-forward lunch as you sail between limestone karsts.

Afternoon activities typically include kayaking among hidden coves, a visit to Surprise Cave or a pearl farm, or a quiet beach swim depending on your chosen itinerary. Enjoy sunset canapés on deck, then a relaxed dinner. Optional evening squid fishing or stargazing.

Notes: Midrange 2D1N cruises often run ~$135–220 per person inclusive of shuttle transfers and most meals. Book via this all-inclusive option for flexible boats and budgets.

Day 3: Cruise Finale, Back to Hanoi

Morning: Tai chi at sunrise, a light breakfast, then one more excursion (often Titop Island for views) before brunch. Disembark ~11:30 AM and shuttle back, arriving Hanoi mid-afternoon.

Afternoon: Spa time: Serene Spa or La Spa for a Vietnamese herbal body massage and steam. If you’d like a bite first, try phở gà at Phở Gà Nguyệt—lighter than beef phở and perfect post-cruise.

Evening: Dinner at Home Hanoi Restaurant (refined Northern dishes like green banana stew and young rice) or Quán Ăn Ngon (an easy way to sample regional classics in one place). Optional: If energy permits, the Hanoi Jeep Tour runs evening departures—fun, breezy, and low-effort after a big day.

Da Nang & Hoi An

Da Nang is Vietnam’s breezy beach city—wide sands, calm coffee culture, and an easy gateway to Hoi An (45–60 minutes south). My Khe Beach often feels tailor-made for a slow day: sunbeds, gentle waves, and fresh seafood dinners by night.

• Top sights: My Khe and Non Nuoc beaches, Marble Mountains’ pagodas and viewpoints, the Dragon Bridge light show on weekends.
• Easy excursion: Hoi An Ancient Town—UNESCO-listed, glowing with lanterns after dark; ideal for spa treatments and leisurely dining.
• Photo favorite: Ba Na Hills’ Golden Bridge held by colossal stone “hands.”

Travel from Hanoi to Da Nang: Morning flight ~1h20 (often $40–90 if booked ahead). Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Scenic alternative: an overnight train (15–17 hours) via Trip.com Trains.

Stay near the beach in Da Nang: Search VRBO (Da Nang) or Hotels.com (Da Nang). Consider:

• Classic seaside resort feel with a great pool-spa combo: Furama Resort Danang (often attractive mid-season rates).
• Budget-friendly social choice: Danang Backpackers Hostel or Funtastic Beach Hostel.
• Iconic peninsula splurge (for a special night): InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.

Prefer to base in Hoi An? Beachfront and riverfront picks: Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa (serene and great value), Hoi An Dream City Hotel (budget-friendly), or riverfront Anantara Hoi An Resort. Browse broader options on Hotels.com (Hoi An) or VRBO (Hoi An).

Da Nang experience you’ll love: Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Full-day Tour from Da Nang (hotel pickup, cable car rides, hilltop gardens, and that famous bridge).

Day 4: Fly to Da Nang, Beach Time

Morning: Fly Hanoi → Da Nang (~1h20). Check fares on Trip.com. Aim to land by late morning to maximize beach time.

Afternoon: Check in and head to My Khe Beach. Rent a lounger; swim or just read in the shade. For a light lunch, try mì quảng at Mì Quảng Bà Mua (turmeric noodles with herbs and peanuts) or bún chả cá (fish cake noodle soup) at Bà Lữ.

Evening: Unwind at Herbal Spa or Charm Spa Grand Da Nang—both known for friendly service and reasonable prices. Seafood dinner at Bé Mặn or Năm Đảnh (rustic, great value: grilled clams, steamed prawns, morning glory with garlic). Walk the riverside; if it’s a weekend, the Dragon Bridge “breathes” fire and water at night.

Day 5: Slow Morning + Lantern-Lit Hoi An

Morning: Coffee crawl: start at 43 Factory Coffee Roaster for single-origin pours, then a beach stroll. If you’d like a gentle outing, visit Marble Mountains (cool caves and pagodas; there’s an elevator if you’d rather skip most stairs).

Afternoon: Transfer to Hoi An (45–60 minutes by taxi; ~$15–25). Treat yourself to a spa session—Almanity Spa is excellent, while Na Spa has great packages. Wander the Ancient Town’s heritage houses (the Old House of Tan Ky is a favorite) and browse tailor shops at your leisure.

Evening: Early dinner at Morning Glory Original (cao lầu noodles and white rose dumplings) or Bale Well (DIY skewers with herbs and rice paper). Grab a banh mi “to go” from Banh Mi Phuong for later. Take a gentle boat ride on the Thu Bon River under lanterns, then head back or overnight in Hoi An if you choose one of the hotels above.

Day 6: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge (Full Day)

This is a full-day tour (no need to split). Get picked up in Da Nang around 7:30–9:30 AM. Ride one of the world’s longest cable cars up to Ba Na Hills; stroll the Golden Bridge, tended by giant stone “hands,” then enjoy the French Village facades, gardens, and viewpoints. The guided tour simplifies logistics, and you can keep the pace as relaxed as you like.

Book here: Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Full-day Tour from Da Nang. Expect ~$65–95 per person depending on inclusions.

Not into theme-park vibes? Swap today for a pure spa-and-beach day: sleep in, long lunch at Waterfront Danang, an afternoon mud bath at Galina Mud Bath & Spa, then sunset at My Khe with fresh coconuts.

Day 7: Last Beach Morning & Departure

Morning: Sunrise walk on the sand followed by a Da Nang breakfast: bánh xèo at Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng or a simple bánh mì from Ông Tý. Pick up souvenirs at Hàn Market (dried mango, coffee beans) or the smaller Con Market for snacks.

Afternoon: One last 45-minute foot massage. Transfer to Da Nang International Airport (DAD) for your flight. Check options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Alternative or Add-On in Hanoi

Want a playful, low-effort intro to the capital (great for Day 1 evening or Day 3 afternoon)? Try the open-air Jeep experience across hidden alleys and lake roads: Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep.

Budget & Practical Tips (Tailored to Budget ~42/100)

• Meals: great local dinners run $3–7 per person; seafood feasts may be $10–20. Spa treatments: $12–35 for foot/body massages in town; resort spas cost more.
• Ha Long cruise: aim for midrange (clean cabins, good food) in the $135–220 pp range for 2D1N with shuttle.
• Hanoi–Da Nang flights: book early for $40–90; trains cost similar for soft sleepers but take much longer (scenic, though).
• Taxis/ride-hailing are affordable; Hoi An transfers from Da Nang typically $15–25.

Where to book lodging quickly: VRBO (Hanoi), Hotels.com (Hanoi), VRBO (Da Nang), Hotels.com (Da Nang), Hotels.com (Hoi An).

Summary: Across seven unrushed days, you’ll savor Hanoi’s food culture, glide through Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise, and sink into easy beach days and spa sessions on Vietnam’s central coast. With short flights, affordable wellness, and plenty of seaside downtime, this plan keeps logistics simple and the vibe wonderfully relaxed.