The classic 7-day Vietnam trip runs north to centre: two days in Hanoi, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, then a domestic flight south to Da Nang for the Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills, finishing in the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An. It packs the country's two best regions into one week without long bus rides, using a single internal flight to skip the distance.
Vietnam is outstanding value — budget around USD 50–100 per person per day mid-range, and far less if you eat street food (a bowl of pho costs about USD 2). Below is the day-by-day route I run, with the Ha Long cruise timing, the Da Nang–Hoi An logistics, and a note on where to slot a Ho Chi Minh City extension if you have extra days.
Vietnam 7-Day Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Hanoi | Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, street food tour |
| Day 2 | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, water puppets |
| Day 3 | Ha Long Bay | Overnight cruise, kayaking, cave visit |
| Day 4 | Ha Long → Da Nang | Return to Hanoi, fly to Da Nang |
| Day 5 | Da Nang | Ba Na Hills, Golden Bridge, Marble Mountains |
| Day 6 | Hoi An | Ancient Town, lanterns, tailors, An Bang beach |
| Day 7 | Departure | Fly out of Da Nang (or HCMC extension) |
Days 1–2: Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam's 1,000-year-old capital — chaotic, atmospheric, and best explored on foot through the Old Quarter's 36 trade streets. Start at Hoan Kiem Lake and the red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, then lose yourself in the lanes around it. The unmissable Hanoi experience is the street food: pho, bun cha (Obama's lunch spot, Bun Cha Huong Lien, still serves the "Obama combo" for about USD 4), banh mi, and egg coffee at a hidden cafe. A guided evening street-food walk runs USD 20–35 and is worth it on day one.
On day two, cover the historic core: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first university, entry VND 70,000 / USD 3), and the sobering Hoa Lo Prison. End with the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (VND 100,000–200,000), a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form. Hanoi's Train Street — where a working railway runs inches from cafe tables — is worth a look if it's open (access is periodically restricted for safety).
Day 3: Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site of nearly 2,000 limestone karsts rising from emerald water, is the highlight of any northern Vietnam trip — and an overnight cruise beats a day trip every time. You'll be picked up from Hanoi around 8am (a 2.5-hour drive, or 1.5 hours via the new expressway), board around midday, and spend the afternoon cruising, kayaking, and visiting a cave like Sung Sot.
Cruise quality varies enormously. Budget day-trip-style boats run USD 60–90; a good mid-range overnight cruise costs USD 130–220 per person all-in (cabin, meals, activities); luxury cruises go USD 300+. Many travellers prefer the quieter, less crowded Lan Ha Bay next door. Sunset over the karsts from the sundeck, a fresh seafood dinner, and squid fishing off the back of the boat make this the most memorable night of the trip.
Travel agents: Ha Long overnight cruises, Ba Na Hills tickets and Hanoi tours are all bookable as confirmed inventory at net rates. Register free on DMC Quote to price the cruise tiers side by side.
Day 4: Back to Hanoi, Fly to Da Nang
The cruise wraps with brunch and you'll be back in Hanoi by mid-afternoon. From there, take the short domestic flight to Da Nang — about 80 minutes, with carriers like Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Bamboo running frequently. Book this flight in advance; one-way fares are USD 35–70 if booked early and double last-minute. This single flight saves you a brutal 15-hour overland journey.
Land in Da Nang in the evening — a clean, modern beach city on the central coast. Grab dinner along the Han River, lit up at night, and rest before the big sightseeing day.
Day 5: Da Nang — Golden Bridge & Ba Na Hills
The headline sight is the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills — the 150-metre walkway held aloft by two giant stone hands, floating in the clouds 1,400m up. Reach it via one of the world's longest cable car systems. A Ba Na Hills ticket runs about VND 900,000 (USD 37) including the cable car and access to the French Village, gardens and Fantasy Park. Go early before the cloud and crowds roll in; allow most of a day.
On the way back, stop at the Marble Mountains — five limestone hills riddled with caves and Buddhist shrines (entry VND 40,000 plus a lift fee). If you'd rather skip Ba Na Hills, Da Nang's My Khe Beach and the Son Tra Peninsula with the giant Lady Buddha statue make a relaxed alternative day.
Day 6: Hoi An — Lanterns, Tailors & Old Town
Hoi An is a 45-minute drive south of Da Nang and the single most charming town in Vietnam. The Ancient Town (UNESCO listed) is a preserved 15th–19th century trading port of mustard-yellow shophouses, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, and Chinese assembly halls. A town ticket (VND 120,000 / USD 5) covers entry to five heritage sites.
Hoi An is famous for two things. First, tailors — you can have a custom suit or dress made in 24 hours from USD 50–150; order on arrival so it's ready before you leave. Second, the lanterns: at dusk the town glows with thousands of silk lanterns, and you can float a paper lantern on the Thu Bon River from a small boat (VND 50,000). For beach time, An Bang Beach is a 10-minute taxi away. This is the perfect mellow finale to the week.
Day 7: Departure (or Ho Chi Minh City Extension)
Fly home from Da Nang International Airport, 45 minutes from Hoi An. If you have two or three extra days, add Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south — a 75-minute flight from Da Nang. There you can see the War Remnants Museum, the Cu Chi Tunnels day trip, and take a Mekong Delta excursion. It's a completely different, faster-paced energy from the north and rounds out the country nicely.
Where to Stay in Vietnam (This Route)
| City | Area | Mid-range rate/night (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | Old Quarter / Hoan Kiem | 35–80 |
| Ha Long | On the cruise boat | (in cruise price) |
| Da Nang | My Khe beachfront | 40–90 |
| Hoi An | Near Ancient Town / An Bang | 35–85 |
7-Day Vietnam Budget Breakdown
| Category | Budget (USD) | Mid-range (USD) | Comfort (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels (5 nights, per person sharing) | 90 | 200 | 450 |
| Ha Long overnight cruise | 80 | 170 | 320 |
| Domestic flight (Hanoi–Da Nang) | 40 | 55 | 90 |
| Tours & entries (Ba Na, Hoi An, Hanoi) | 70 | 110 | 160 |
| Food (7 days) | 50 | 120 | 250 |
| Local transport | 30 | 50 | 110 |
| Total per person | ~360 | ~705 | ~1,380 |
Excludes international flights. Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the region for travellers.
Domestic Flights & Getting Around
This itinerary uses one domestic flight (Hanoi to Da Nang), which is the key to fitting north and centre into a week. Vietjet is the budget carrier (cheap base fares, pay for bags); Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways are full-service. Book a few weeks ahead for the best prices and arrive at the airport early — domestic terminals get busy. Within cities, Grab (both car and motorbike) is cheap and ubiquitous; a Grab bike across Hanoi costs USD 1–2. For Da Nang to Hoi An, a private car is USD 15–20.
Vietnam E-Visa & Best Time to Visit
Most travellers need an e-visa, which Vietnam issues to citizens of most countries via the official government portal. It costs USD 25 for single entry, is valid 90 days, and takes about 3 working days to process — apply at least a week before you fly and print the approval. Some nationalities get visa exemptions for short stays. Always check the official portal and our Southeast Asia visa guide 2026 for current rules.
Vietnam is long, so the weather varies by region. For this north-centre route, February to April and September to November are the sweet spots — mild and dry. The central coast (Da Nang, Hoi An) sees heavy rain and possible typhoons from October to December. See our best time to visit Vietnam guide for the regional breakdown.
Vietnamese Food: A Trip in Itself
Vietnam might be the best eating country in Southeast Asia, and it costs almost nothing. The national dish, pho — beef or chicken noodle soup with herbs — runs USD 1.50–3 at a street stall and is breakfast for most Vietnamese. In the north, hunt down bun cha (grilled pork with noodles) and cha ca (turmeric fish). In the centre, Hoi An has its own specialities: cao lau (smoky pork noodles made only with local well water), white rose dumplings, and banh mi from the legendary Banh Mi Phuong.
Don't leave without trying Vietnamese coffee — strong drip coffee with condensed milk, or Hanoi's signature egg coffee (ca phe trung), a creamy custard-topped cup that sounds odd and tastes incredible. A guided food tour in any city (USD 20–40) is the fastest way to find the good stalls without the guesswork.
Money, Connectivity & Practical Tips
Vietnam runs on the dong (VND), and the numbers are huge — USD 1 is roughly VND 25,000, so you'll be a millionaire fast. Carry cash for street food, markets and small towns; cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants. Pick up a local eSIM or SIM on arrival (USD 5–10 for ample data) — coverage is excellent even on the Ha Long boats. Tipping isn't expected but is appreciated for guides and drivers. Cross the road in Hanoi the local way: walk slowly and steadily, and the motorbikes will flow around you — don't stop or dart.
For Travel Agents: Packaging This Vietnam Itinerary
Vietnam multi-city trips are fiddly to quote — different cruise tiers, internal flights, intercity transfers. DMC Quote brings it into one place:
- Net hotel rates across Hanoi, Da Nang and Hoi An, plus a full range of Ha Long Bay cruises from standard to luxury, priced side by side.
- Instant e-vouchers for Ba Na Hills / Golden Bridge, Hoi An tours and Hanoi experiences.
- Private intercity transfers (Da Nang–Hoi An) and airport pickups at confirmed rates.
- The AI package builder to assemble the whole north-to-centre route and output a branded quote in minutes.
Free registration, approved within 24 hours. Browse the B2B travel portal or create your free agent account to see live rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 days enough for Vietnam?
Seven days comfortably covers the north and centre — Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang and Hoi An — using one domestic flight. To add the south (Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta), you'd want 10–12 days.
How much does a 7-day Vietnam trip cost?
Excluding international flights, budget around USD 360 per person for budget travel, USD 705 mid-range, and USD 1,380+ for comfort. Vietnam is one of the best-value destinations in Southeast Asia.
Is a Ha Long Bay overnight cruise worth it?
Yes — an overnight cruise lets you experience the karst scenery at sunset and sunrise, away from the day-trip crowds, with kayaking, caves and a seafood dinner. A good mid-range cruise runs USD 130–220 per person all-inclusive.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam in 2026?
Most travellers need an e-visa, available through Vietnam's official government portal for about USD 25 (single entry, 90-day validity, ~3 working days to process). Some nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays — check the official portal before you book.
How do I get from Hanoi to Da Nang and Hoi An?
Fly Hanoi to Da Nang (about 80 minutes, USD 35–70 one-way booked early). Hoi An is a 45-minute drive south of Da Nang; a private car costs USD 15–20.
When is the best time to visit northern and central Vietnam?
February to April and September to November are ideal for this route — mild and dry. Avoid October to December on the central coast, which can see heavy rain and typhoons.
