How many days do you need in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?
- Most travelers spend 5-6 days in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay combined
- Visiting Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 7 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Hue
How Many Days to Spend in Vietnam
Recommended Itineraries for Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
Recommended Itinerary for 5 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Explore | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Hanoi City & Street Food Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Bus to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 4 | Disembark Cruise, Bus to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 5 | Depart Hanoi |
This quick five-day tour of Vietnam's north lasts less than a week but covers the major highlights. It begins in Hanoi, where you'll see historic temples dating back thousands of years, plus discover the delicious flavors of Vietnam on a street-food tour. Then you'll head to the Gulf of Tonkin and Ha Long Bay, where you'll hop on a cruise boat for an overnight journey on emerald waters and amid towering limestone islands. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Explore | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Hanoi City Sightseeing & Street Food Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Ninh Binh | Hanoi |
| Day 4 | Bus to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 5 | Optional Activities in Ha Long Bay, Return to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 6 | Depart Hanoi |
Discover northern Vietnam's natural wonders and city sights on this six-day tour. Start by wandering the maze-like alleyways and markets of the buzzing capital, Hanoi, sampling steaming bowls of noodle soup on a street food tour. Head into the countryside next to explore Ninh Binh's palaces, pagodas, and magical grottoes before ending with an overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
9-Day Itinerary Including Ho Chi Minh City & Hoi An
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Explore | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Hanoi City Tour & Water Puppet Show | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class | Hanoi |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Cruise Lan Ha Bay | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 5 | Visit Dark & Light Cave, Transfer to Hoi An | Hoi An |
| Day 6 | Hoi An Countryside Tour & Food Walk | Hoi An |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Guided Tour | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Guided Tour | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 9 | Depart Ho Chi Minh City |
Travel the length of Vietnam on an epic nine-day highlights tour you won't soon forget. In the capital of Hanoi, you'll dive into the culture, cuisine, and history with walking tours and cooking classes. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll experience the ancient culture of Hoi An before continuing south to Ho Chi Minh City, which will be your base for one final adventure to the Mekong Delta. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An & Hue
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Explore | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Cycling Tour of Rural Villages, Cultural Tour of Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 4 | Ha Long Bay Kayaking, Fly to Hanoi & Transfer to Hue | Hue |
| Day 5 | Imperial City Tour, Boat & Bike Ride to Rural Villages | Hue |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Hoi An via Da Nang, Explore the Ancient Town | Hoi An |
| Day 7 | Visit Fishing Villages, Basket River Ride & Cycling | Hoi An |
| Day 8 | Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vespa Tour | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 9 | Boat Trip & Cycling Tour on the Mekong Delta | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 10 | Depart Ho Chi Minh City |
You can't see all of Vietnam in 10 days—but this itinerary gives it a good go! Starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll thread your way down the country, getting the most out of the trip on a diverse set of guided tours. Collect the memories of a lifetime, from an overnight cruise on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to discovering the ancient sites of Hoi An and Hue and floating down a river in giant baskets. Read more
How to travel between Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
If you're looking to make the 108-mile (174 km) journey from Hanoi to scenic Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone pillars and small, verdant islands—you have three efficient options. Read more
Map
