9 Days in Vietnam - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Northern & Central Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue & Hoi An

Travelers seeking an adventure surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside landscapes in northern and central Vietnam will feel right at home with this nine-day itinerary following a classic route. With a street food tour in Hanoi, an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, and a cooking class in Hoi An, this itinerary offers both culture and cuisine on an unforgettable getaway.

Arrive in the capital city of Hanoi and head straight to the Old Quarter for a tantalizing street food tour, with stops at Thanh Ha Market and Dong Xuan Market to try local dishes such as bun dau (tofu served in soup with rice noodles and fermented shrimp paste) and pho sot vang (noodle soup with pork and herbs). Then, transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, where you'll take an overnight cruise. On Day 4, fly to Hue to explore the Imperial Citadel, known as the city within a city. Take a bike ride through lush rice paddies and conclude the evening at Dong Ba Market to dine with locals.

Take the roads along the astonishing Hai Van Pass to Hoi An the following day and enjoy the sweeping countryside and mountainous views as you traverse the winding roads. Spend the next four nights in the beautiful city of Hoi An, a small but robust city with architectural influences from China, Japan, and Europe. See the Japanese Bridge, board a boat for a river cruise in Cam Thanh fishing village, and take an authentic cooking class to learn how to create signature Vietnamese dishes. Conclude your final day in Vietnam with a lantern workshop in the Ancient Town. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Explore Vietnam's History & Culture

Dive into Vietnam's enigmatic history and culture on this nine-day tour that covers the length of the country. Discover the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, the UNESCO-listed (and charming) Hoi An, and enjoy an authentic cooking class in the country's capital, Hanoi. 

Begin in former Ho Chi Minh City and explore stunning French colonial landmarks such as the Central Post Office and the city's very own Notre Dame Cathedral, then spend the afternoon at Binh Tay Market sampling the local cuisine. Depart Ho Chi Minh City and head south to the Mekong Delta. Cruise along the Ben Tre River and enjoy lunch at the Green Coconut Restaurant. Take a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a deeply harrowing but fascinating historic place. Fly to Hoi An, discover the city via bicycle, then ride a traditional Vietnamese bamboo basket boat through the mangroves in the Bay Mau palm forest. 

Immerse yourself in local farmer life in Tra Que, and sample gastronomy delights at Tra Que Herb Village. Day 5 offers a half-day tour of the My Son temples—one of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. Transfer to Hanoi and take a traditional cooking class. See the Ngoc Son Temple and the 11th-century Temple of Literature, then head to Thuan Chau Harbor for an overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay. Swim and sail around Man's Head Island and Tortoise Island before returning to Hanoi for your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Vietnam History & Heritage: Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang & Hue

Another itinerary centered around Vietnam's history and heritage; this one also includes a few days in Da Nang and Hue. You'll complete a nine-day round-trip from Ho Chi Minh City and visit Da Nang to surf and swim at the city's beaches and explore the Imperial City of Hue.

Kick off your Vietnamese adventure in Ho Chi Minh. The city offers an eclectic mix of French colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers, as well as bountiful temples and street food markets. Then transfer north of the city to spend the morning at the infamous 155-mile (250 km) tunnel network known as the Cu Chi Tunnels. Take an hourlong cruise on the Ben Tre River in the Mekong Delta, then transfer to Da Nang for three nights and enjoy time relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, or surfing on the stunning My Khe Beach. Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge are also worth exploring while you're in Da Nang.

Less than an hour's drive will take you south to Hoi An for the day, where you can enjoy sights such as the Thu Bon River, the Phuc Kien historic Chinese meeting hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. On Day 7, take a road trip along the Hai Van Pass two hours north of Da Nang to arrive in Hue. Here you can explore the Imperial City, go shopping at Dong Ba Market, and see the fascinating mausoleums of the remains of emperors from the Nguyen Dynasty, such as the Tomb of Khai Dinh and the Tomb of Minh Mang. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and depart Vietnam. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore Northern Vietnam

Focusing on Northern Vietnam, this nine-day adventure showcases the rich history and culture of cities like Hanoi and Ninh Binh, as well as taking you to the most beautiful areas in the region: the Pu Luong Nature Reserve—where you'll float down the Tam Coc river—and Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

This trip begins in the capital city of Hanoi, where you'll immediately explore the city's Old Quarter, as well as Turtle Tower and the Temple of the Jade Mountain at Hoan Kiem Lake. Hire a bicycle to ride through the neighboring villages of Hanoi, then spend the afternoon on a cultural walking tour to see sights such as the Cau Giay District, the Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology, and the Hoa Lo Prison. Journey to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, passing through the valley of Mai Chau and Pom Coong village along the way. In the nature reserve, commence a two-hour scenic hike through pastoral landscapes.

Outdoor enthusiasts can opt for a five-to-six-hour hike on day two in Pu Luong, while exercise-averse travelers can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a gentle stroll instead. Continue your Vietnamese expedition in the Ninh Binh Province and board a sampan (flat-bottomed boat) for a cruise down the river to the stunning UNESCO Site of Trang An. The following day, head to the north coast for the next two nights on a cruise through Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Kayak to Cap La floating village, swim in hidden lagoons and spend a night on Cong Do island. Transfer back to Hanoi for one final night before leaving Vietnam. Learn more

More Great Vietnam itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Vietnam? Take a look at these other Vietnam itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

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