Quick answer
In eight days, fly into Hanoi for two nights with a Ninh Binh day trip, spend a night on a Ha Long Bay cruise, fly to Da Nang for three nights covering Ba Na Hills and Hoi An, then finish with a night in Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels. Mid-range land costs, including two domestic flights, start around ₹52,000 per person.
The route
- Delhi
- Hanoi
- Ninh Binh
- Ha Long Bay
- Da Nang and Hoi An
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Delhi
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive in Hanoi
Morning: Land at Noi Bai Airport and transfer to the Old Quarter, about 45 minutes.
Afternoon: Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake to Ngoc Son Temple, then through the Old Quarter's trade streets.
Evening: Water puppet show near the lake, then dinner. Try egg coffee if you eat eggs.
Stay: Hanoi Old Quarter
Change a little money at the airport, then use bank ATMs in town for better rates.
- 2
Day 2
Ninh Binh day trip
Morning: Drive about two hours south to Trang An for a rowing-boat trip through caves and rice fields.
Afternoon: Lunch, then about 500 steps up Mua Cave for the view over the karst peaks.
Evening: Back in Hanoi by 7 pm. Dinner in the Old Quarter or the French Quarter.
Stay: Hanoi Old Quarter
Trang An boats have no shade. Carry a hat, sunscreen and water.
- 3
Day 3
Ha Long Bay cruise
Morning: Transfer to Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, about 2.5–3 hours on the expressway.
Afternoon: Board the cruise for lunch among the limestone islands, then kayaking and a cave visit.
Evening: Sunset on deck and dinner on board. Most cruises can prepare vegetarian meals with notice.
Stay: Overnight cruise
Tell the cruise about vegetarian or Jain needs when booking, not on board.
- 4
Day 4
Fly to Da Nang, evening in Hoi An
Morning: Tai chi on deck, a final cave or floating-village visit and brunch before the boat docks around 11 am.
Afternoon: Transfer to Hanoi's Noi Bai airport or the closer Van Don airport and fly to Da Nang, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Evening: Drive 45 minutes to Hoi An and walk the lantern-lit old town.
Stay: Hoi An
- 5
Day 5
Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
Morning: Early start for the Ba Na Hills cable car, reaching the Golden Bridge before the crowds.
Afternoon: French Village, gardens and the Fantasy Park, with a buffet lunch at the top.
Evening: On Saturdays and Sundays, Da Nang's Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water at 9 pm. Otherwise, dinner in Hoi An.
Stay: Hoi An
It can be 8–10°C cooler at the top. Carry a light jacket.
- 6
Day 6
My Son and Hoi An
Morning: Sunrise visit to the My Son Cham temples, about an hour away, or tailor fittings in Hoi An.
Afternoon: Basket-boat ride in the Cam Thanh coconut forest, then An Bang beach.
Evening: A boat ride on the Thu Bon river to float a paper lantern, and dinner in the old town.
Stay: Hoi An
- 7
Day 7
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Morning: Flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Afternoon: War Remnants Museum, the Independence Palace and the Central Post Office.
Evening: Nguyen Hue walking street and a rooftop view over District 1.
Stay: Ho Chi Minh City (District 1)
- 8
Day 8
Cu Chi Tunnels and fly home
Morning: Half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, about 1.5 hours each way.
Afternoon: Ben Thanh Market for coffee, spices and souvenirs.
Evening: Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight home.
With a late-night flight, swap Cu Chi for a full-day Mekong Delta trip.
How does this route work?
It runs north to south as an open-jaw trip: fly from India into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City. IndiGo flies non-stop from Delhi to both cities, Mumbai now has non-stop Hanoi flights, and VietJet connects several Indian metros. Two short domestic flights, Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, save the long overland journeys.
How can you adjust it?
- Fewer days? Drop Ho Chi Minh City and fly home from Da Nang or Hanoi.
- More time? Add two nights in Sapa after Hanoi, Hue via the Hai Van Pass, or three nights on Phu Quoc at the end.
- Travelling with seniors? Skip Mua Cave's steps and the Cu Chi tunnels, and stay in Da Nang for easier transfers.
What does it cost?
The ₹52,000 per person land cost assumes twin sharing in 4★ hotels with breakfast, a mid-range overnight Ha Long cruise with meals, two domestic flights with checked bags, private transfers and the tours named above with entry tickets. International flights, the e-visa and most meals are extra. Our Vietnam trip cost page adds flights from Indian cities.
Indian passport holders need an e-visa: about USD 25 (₹2,200) for single entry, processed in about three to five working days. Apply only at the official portal; see our Vietnam visa guide.
Check the best time to visit Vietnam, since the three regions have different seasons, and read our Vietnam food guide for vegetarian ordering tips. For hotel areas in the capital, see where to stay in Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
Is 8 days enough for Vietnam?
Should I start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Can vegetarians manage on a Ha Long Bay cruise?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
