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Jagged limestone karst islands rising from the blue water of Ha Long Bay

Vietnam Full Route

7 days · Full Route · Hanoi + Ha Long Bay + Hoi An + Da NangPacked pace

Trip cost

From VND 9,570,000–15,360,000 · budget tier, 2 people, 7 days

  • Hotel (per night)

    Budget guesthouse in Hanoi's Old Quarter (1 night), a budget guesthouse in Hoi An Ancient Town (3 nights), and a budget hotel near My Khe Beach in Da Nang (1 night), plus a 3-star budget cabin on the Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

    VND 450,000–900,000/night (land) (₹1,500–3,100) · cruise cabin VND 2,750,000–3,750,000/person for the one night (₹9,200–13,000)

  • Food (per person, per day)

    Street food for every meal across Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang

    VND 90,000–160,000/person/day (₹300–540)

  • Local transport

    Grab bike and walking within each city. Excludes the Hanoi→Da Nang domestic flight (VietJet/Vietnam Airlines economy, VND 625,000–1,750,000/person one-way), booked separately

    VND 40,000–80,000/person/day (₹130–270)

VND 9,570,000–15,360,000 total for 2 people, 7 days (₹32,000–52,000)

Approximate, in local currency. Check current exchange rates.

₹ conversion is indicative · rates as of 26 Jul 2026

Where you're basedHanoi Old Quarter → Ha Long Bay overnight cruise cabin → Hoi An Ancient Town → Da Nang, near My Khe Beach

Night 1: Hanoi Old Quarter. Day 1 is entirely on foot around the Old Quarter.

Night 2: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise cabin. The one night away from land, before flying onward the next day.

Nights 3–5: Hoi An Ancient Town. Day 3's evening through Day 5's Ba Na Hills day trip are all based in Hoi An, walkable to the Ancient Town.

Night 6: Da Nang, near My Khe Beach. Day 6's Marble Mountains, My Khe Beach, and Dragon Bridge are all in Da Nang, and the cost tiers price a Da Nang hotel for this last night before departing from Da Nang airport.

Arrival — Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem LakeTiming, transfer & tips

No fixed time — the trip starts in Hanoi regardless of which international gateway you land at.

Allow 45–60 minutes from Noi Bai Airport to central Hanoi by Grab or taxi.

Day 1 below starts at 9:00am for the Old Quarter walk — a same-day landing means treating arrival as its own slower settle-in day instead.

Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake~9 hrs · 4 stops · A full first day split between an Old Quarter walk and lake loop, then a long evening food crawl.
  1. Motorbikes and pedestrians moving along a narrow Hanoi Old Quarter street

    Photo by Elliot Andrews on Unsplash

    9:00am (2 hrs)
    Must visit

    Hanoi Old Quarter walk

    Wander the 36 trade-named streets. Chaotic, motorbike-heavy, and the best way to get a first feel for Hanoi.

    Why this rating

    36 streets of chaos, motorbikes, and street food packed into a few square kilometers. Walk it at dusk when the food stalls light up, it's a genuine rite of passage for a first Vietnam trip.

    Walk 10 minutes south to Hoan Kiem Lake.

  2. The red Huc Bridge crossing Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

    Photo by Quan Pham on Unsplash

    11:15am (1 hr)

    Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

    Cross the red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, then walk a loop of the lake.

    Rest at hotel through the afternoon heat.

  3. 1:00pm–5:00pm

    Lunch & afternoon rest

    A com binh dan lunch near your hotel, then a break before the evening.

  4. 6:00pm (2.5 hrs)

    Old Quarter street food crawl

    Banh mi at Banh Mi 25, pho on Bat Dan street, then a bia hoi corner on Ta Hien street.

Day 2: Hanoi Culture & Transfer to Ha Long Bay~10.5 hrs · 6 stops · A calm temple morning gives way to a long transfer and straight onto the cruise for sunset.
  1. The red-and-brown pagoda-style gate of the Temple of Literature, Hanoi

    Photo by Raissa Lara Lütolf (-Fasel) on Unsplash

    8:30am (1 hr)
    Must visit

    Temple of Literature

    Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070. Walk the five courtyards past the stone stelae.

    Why this rating

    Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070. Genuinely serene courtyards a few minutes' walk from the Old Quarter's noise, and worth the contrast on the same day.

    Grab or taxi 15 minutes to the Museum of Ethnology.

  2. A traditional wooden stilt house on the grounds of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi

    Photo by Falco Negenman on Unsplash

    10:00am (1.5 hrs)
    Can visit

    Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

    Exhibits on Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, plus an outdoor garden of full-size traditional houses you can walk through.

    Why this rating

    A genuinely good rainy-day culture stop covering Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, with full-size stilt houses and a tomb replica in the outdoor grounds. Skip it if the itinerary is already tight.

    Lunch nearby, then transfer to Ha Long Bay.

  3. 12:00pm (1 hr)

    Lunch near the museum

    A casual com binh dan restaurant in the Cau Giay area before the transfer.

    Board the pre-arranged transfer to Ha Long Bay.

  4. 1:00pm (3-3.5 hrs)

    Private transfer: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay

    Roughly 170-190km. 2.5-3 hours via expressway, up to 3.5 on the older coastal road.

    Board the cruise at Ha Long/Tuan Chau harbour.

  5. Tour boats floating among the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay

    Photo by Marina Lobato on Unsplash

    4:30pm (2.5 hrs)
    Must visitBook ahead

    Board overnight cruise & sunset on deck

    Check in, welcome briefing, then sunset on deck among the karsts. Book the cabin well ahead of travel.

    Why this rating

    Limestone karsts rising straight out of the water and a night spent among them. Go overnight, not on a day trip. The day-trip version spends most of its time in transit and barely touches the bay itself.

  6. 7:00pm

    Dinner onboard

    A set seafood dinner is standard. Flag dietary needs with the operator in advance.

Day 3: Ha Long Bay Morning, Then Fly to Da Nang & Transfer to Hoi An~10 hrs · 6 stops · The most transit-heavy day of the trip — a kayaking morning, then a multi-leg journey by road and air ending in Hoi An.
  1. Kayakers paddling through a limestone cave in Ha Long Bay

    Photo by Duc Nguyen on Unsplash

    8:00am (2 hrs)
    Must visitBook ahead

    Kayaking & cave stop

    Kayak between the karsts to a floating fishing village, then a guided stop inside a limestone cave.

    Why this rating

    Limestone karsts rising straight out of the water and a night spent among them. Go overnight, not on a day trip. The day-trip version spends most of its time in transit and barely touches the bay itself.

    Brunch onboard, then disembark.

  2. 10:30am (1 hr)

    Brunch & disembark

    Check out and transfer off the boat.

    Private transfer direct to the airport, skipping the city.

  3. 11:30am (3 hrs)

    Transfer: Ha Long Bay → Hanoi Noi Bai Airport

    Confirm with the cruise operator that the return transfer routes straight to the airport instead of back into central Hanoi.

  4. 3:00pm (1 hr 20 min)

    Domestic flight: Hanoi → Da Nang

    The fast way to cover the north-to-central jump. Book this leg in advance, especially in peak months.

    Private transfer or Grab from Da Nang airport to Hoi An.

  5. 4:45pm (45 min)

    Transfer: Da Nang Airport → Hoi An

    Roughly 30km by Grab or private transfer.

  6. 6:00pm onward

    Check-in & evening in Hoi An

    A relaxed first evening. A riverside stroll and dinner near the Ancient Town.

Day 4: Hoi An Ancient Town & Lantern Evening~11 hrs · 5 stops · The longest structured day so far — a full old-town morning, an afternoon rest, then a long lantern-lit evening.
  1. A yellow heritage building with blue shutters on the waterfront in Hoi An Ancient Town

    Photo by Claudio Poggio on Unsplash

    9:00am (2.5 hrs)
    Must visit

    Hoi An Ancient Town walk

    The Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses, and Chinese assembly halls make up the core of the UNESCO-listed old town. If tempted by a tailored suit, get a shop recommendation from a trusted source first. Rush-tailor shops that swap fabric after a deposit are a well-known trap here.

    Why this rating

    The best-preserved trading-port townscape in Southeast Asia by day, and genuinely magical after dark when the lanterns come on. Time it around the monthly full-moon lantern festival if the dates line up.

    Lunch in the old town.

  2. 12:00pm (1 hr)

    Lunch: cao lau

    Hoi An's signature noodle dish, made with water from a specific local well. Order at any family-run noodle shop in the old town.

    Rest at hotel through the afternoon.

  3. 2:00pm–5:00pm

    Afternoon rest

    A break before the Ancient Town lights up for the evening.

  4. Colourful lanterns lit up over a Hoi An street at night

    Photo by Thanh Soledas on Unsplash

    5:30pm (2.5 hrs)
    Must visit

    Lantern evening & river lantern release

    The Ancient Town switches to lantern light at dusk. Walk the riverfront and float a paper lantern on the river.

    Why this rating

    The best-preserved trading-port townscape in Southeast Asia by day, and genuinely magical after dark when the lanterns come on. Time it around the monthly full-moon lantern festival if the dates line up.

  5. 8:00pm

    Riverside dinner

    Any of the riverfront restaurants along Bach Dang street.

Day 5: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Day TripAn early-start day trip out to Ba Na Hills and back, timed around the crowds, with a quiet evening back in Hoi An.
  1. 7:30am (1 hr)

    Transfer: Hoi An → Ba Na Hills base station

    By private car or Grab. Roughly 40km. Leave early to reach the cable car before the peak-season crowds build.

    Ride the cable car up.

  2. 8:30am (30 min)
    Book ahead

    Cable car up to Ba Na Hills

    Book cable car tickets online in advance. During peak season (March-September) they can sell out, and the on-site queue runs long.

    Walk to the Golden Bridge.

  3. The Golden Bridge walkway held up by two giant stone hands at Ba Na Hills

    Photo by Linda Gerbec on Unsplash

    9:00am (3 hrs)
    Can visit

    Golden Bridge, French Village & gardens

    The giant stone "hands" holding up the walkway are the iconic photo. Go straight there first before the crowds arrive, then explore the French Village and Le Jardin d'Amour gardens at a slower pace.

    Why this rating

    The "hands" bridge is the famous photo. Underneath it is a touristy cable-car theme park. Fun if it's a planned half-day, overpriced if it's your only Da Nang stop, and miserable if you arrive at midday with the tour-bus crowds. Go at opening.

    Lunch at the resort.

  4. 12:30pm (1 hr)

    Lunch at Ba Na Hills

    Buffet or à la carte options at the resort. By now the midday crowds have arrived, so treat this as a break rather than rushing back down.

  5. 2:00pm (1.5 hrs)

    Cable car down & transfer back to Hoi An

    Head down mid-afternoon before the evening rush. By this point in the day the crowds are at their worst, exactly what an early start avoids.

  6. Evening

    Free evening in Hoi An

    A quiet dinner back in town after a full day out.

Day 6: Marble Mountains & Da Nang City~12.5 hrs · 5 stops · The single longest day of the trip — Marble Mountains, a beach afternoon, and an evening bridge show, spread across Da Nang.

Dragon Bridge fire-and-water show only runs Saturday/Sunday

  1. Candles and Buddhist statues inside a cave shrine at the Marble Mountains, Da Nang

    Photo by Christian on Unsplash

    8:30am (2 hrs)
    Can visit

    Marble Mountains

    Five limestone hills named for the five elements, riddled with pagodas and cave shrines. Thuy Son (Water Mountain) is the main one open to visitors, with candlelit Buddhist grottoes and a lift or stairs to the summit viewpoint.

    Why this rating

    Limestone hills riddled with pagodas and cave shrines, including the candlelit Buddhist grottoes inside Thuy Son. Worth a stop if you're already in Da Nang, not a dedicated half-day trip on its own.

    Private transfer or Grab 20 minutes into central Da Nang.

  2. 11:00am (1 hr)

    Transfer & lunch in Da Nang city

    A seafood lunch near the riverfront before the afternoon at the beach.

    Walk or Grab to My Khe Beach.

  3. My Khe Beach with the Da Nang skyline in the background

    Photo by Jess Silaya on Unsplash

    1:30pm (2 hrs)

    My Khe Beach

    A wide, genuinely good stretch of sand with the city skyline behind it. A relaxed afternoon swim or beach walk before the evening.

    Grab 15 minutes to Dragon Bridge.

  4. The fire-breathing dragon sculpture of Dragon Bridge lit up at night in Da Nang

    Photo by Christian on Unsplash

    4:00pm (1 hr)

    Dragon Bridge by daylight

    Walk the Han riverfront near the dragon-shaped bridge before the evening crowds gather for the fire show.

    Dinner nearby, then return for the evening show.

  5. The fire-breathing dragon sculpture of Dragon Bridge lit up at night in Da Nang

    Photo by Christian on Unsplash

    9:00pm (30 min)
    Sat/Sun only

    Dragon Bridge fire-and-water show

    The dragon breathes fire and water only on Saturday and Sunday nights at 9pm. Plan this day for a weekend if you want to catch it, or just enjoy the bridge lit up on other nights.

Day 7: Free Morning & Departure~3 hrs · 2 stops · A short final morning before departure.
  1. 9:00am (2 hrs)

    Free morning: My Khe Beach or café hopping

    A relaxed final morning. An early swim at My Khe or a slow café morning near the riverfront.

    Return to hotel to collect luggage.

  2. 12:00pm onward

    Departure prep

    Allow 20-30 minutes to Da Nang International Airport by Grab or taxi.

Departure — Day 7: Free Morning & DepartureTiming, transfer & tips

Day 7 has no fixed departure time — the plan below wraps up by late morning in Da Nang.

Allow 20–30 minutes by Grab or taxi to Da Nang International Airport — shorter than the first-timer route's Hoi An departure, since this route's last night is already in Da Nang.

The trip ends in Da Nang, not Hanoi — book your return flight out of Da Nang (DAD), not Hanoi.

Book before you fly2 things to book ahead
  • Kayaking & cave stop (Day 3: Ha Long Bay Morning, Then Fly to Da Nang & Transfer to Hoi An) — well ahead — the most in-demand booking on the whole route, especially weekends
  • Cable car up to Ba Na Hills (Day 5: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Day Trip) — especially in peak season (March–September) — tickets can sell out and the on-site queue runs long

That's your trip.

7 days in Vietnam, Full Route · Hanoi + Ha Long Bay + Hoi An + Da Nang. Every stop above is hand-checked and ready to go.