8 Days in Vietnam - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Vietnam Culinary Adventure

Covering the length of the country, this culinary adventure is foodie-focused and perfect for aspiring chefs and travelers who want a hands-on experience of Vietnam. Go off the beaten path to seek out the best banh mi sandwiches in Hanoi, savor freshly caught seafood on Ha Long Bay, and learn to cook the perfect bowl of pho in Hoi An. Search for Ho Chi Minh City's best street food by scooter, then head into the Mekong Delta for floating markets and countryside cycling.

Kick off the adventure in Hanoi as you take to its streets on a food tour in the Old Quarter. Feast on local favorites like pho sot vang (noodle soup with pork and herbs) and a banh mi sandwich. Cruise through the karst islets of Ha Long Bay to Bai Tu Long Bay on Days 2 and 3; swim and kayak until you're hungry for the bay's freshest seafood. Visit Chau Long Market to learn about Vietnam's market culture and participate in a cooking class at Hanoi Cooking Center on Day 4. Afterward, enjoy the historic Hoi An's Old Quarter, filled with colorful lanterns and fragrant street food.

On Day 5, begin with a cooking class at Red Bridge Cooking School in Tra Que Organic Village. Wander among landmarks like the Japanese Covered Bridge and Phuoc Kien Pagoda before savoring street food like cao lau noodles. Visit Ho Chi Minh's off-the-beaten-path culinary hotspots, like the banh xeo stall, for delectable pancakes on Day 6. Take a day trip to the Mekong Delta on Day 7, starting at the Cai Be floating market. Cross the Mekong River to reach An Binh Island to make Vietnamese spring rolls in a local home before pedaling past fruit gardens and charming villages on a cycling tour. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Highlights of Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Ha Long Bay

This highlights itinerary focuses on the countryside in northern Vietnam. It's great for travelers who want to sample the city life of Hanoi but prefer to spend most of their time exploring nature and getting off the beaten path. You'll sail in a sampan beside the rice fields of Ninh Binh, cruise among the islets and mountains of the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, cycle in the Vietnamese countryside, and learn how to cook traditional dishes with local hosts. 

On Day 1 in Hanoi, explore the Old Quarter, eat noodle soup at Bun Cha Huong Lien, and enjoy the views over Tay Ho ("West Lake"). Head to Ninh Binh on Day 2, with its limestone peaks and lush green rice fields, before climbing Mua Cave. Or, visit the Hoa Lu district and its impressive Bai Dinh Pagoda—the largest temple complex in Vietnam. Enjoy a biking and sampan tour on Day 3, where you'll visit a local family in Ninh Hai village and admire caves and valleys on your trip down the river. The following day, head to Thanh Ha Market, Dong Xuan Market, and Hang Cot Street to sample Hanoi's best street food. 

On Days 5 and 6, you'll cruise tranquil waters and take in views of limestone karsts at Ha Long Bay. Stop at a secret cove to swim, kayak, and explore hidden beaches and grottoes before a master cooking class with the ship's chef. Take a trip to Ba Vi National Park on Day 7, starting with a tea plantation visit at Ri village. Next, visit local families at Moc village to learn about the lifestyle in the Vietnamese countryside. Learn more 

Itinerary #3: Explore Vietnam's Mekong Delta & Phu Quoc Island

Travelers who like cycling and boating will enjoy this Vietnam exploration, focusing on southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta region and Phu Quoc Island. Take in the history of Ho Chi Minh City, visit iconic floating markets, cycle through riverside villages, enjoy a sun-soaked beach break in Phu Quoc, and visit Vietnam's largest theme park. 

On Days 1 and 2, soak up Vietnamese street life in Ho Chi Minh City with pho (herby noodle soup) and learn about Vietnam's war history with a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Next, tour the War Remnants Museum, the grand Central Post Office, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Days 3 and 4 are for experiencing Cai Be's famous floating wholesale market, crowded with vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables from their boats, and a bike tour starting from Dong Phu Island. You'll pass traditional villages and exotic fruit orchards before cruising to Vinh Long and Can Tho. 

Day 5 is for bartering at Cai Rang Floating Market, with its tiny wooden boats piled high with flowers and colorful produce, while Days 6 and 7 are for discovering Phu Quoc island. Explore the islet of May Rut, An Tho Pier, and Namaste Coral Park, where you can snorkel or take an adventurous sea walk using a bubble helmet among 200 varieties of coral. Next, discover the ornate Dinh Cau, a 300-year-old temple, and the UNESCO-listed Vinpearl Safari Park. Walk along its tropical paths, spotting everything from primates to Asian elephants before visiting VinWonders, Vietnam's largest theme park. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Trekking in Rural Vietnam

This active itinerary of Vietnam's north is for travelers who enjoy venturing into rural areas, staying in homestays with locals, and multiday hikes through the mountains. While trekking terraced rice fields and farming villages, you'll stay in the homes of Red Dao, Giay, Black Hmong, Xa Pho, and Tày villagers, appreciating local hospitality along the way.