Route preview
In one week, this itinerary packs in the best of the north and centre without rushing: two nights in Hanoi for street food and history, an unforgettable cruise on Halong Bay, then three nights in Hội An for culture, beach time and lanterns.
The domestic flight from Hanoi to Đà Nẵng (1 h) saves you 16 h on the road. Realistic budget: €450–800 on the ground excluding international flights, counting 3-star hotels, a mid-range cruise and food tours.
This route includes
- City-centre hotels (Hanoi, Hội An)
- Halong 2-day/1-night cruise with meals
- Domestic flight Hanoi → Đà Nẵng
- Food tour and cooking class (recommended)
Trip highlights
- Hanoi street food at sunrise
- A night aboard a junk boat on Halong Bay
- Kayaking between the karst islands
- UNESCO-listed Hội An old town at dusk
- Cycling to An Bàng beach
Practical info
Getting around: Grab in Hanoi and Hội An. The Halong cruise transfer is usually included. Vietnam Airlines or VietJet flight HAN → DAD (~€40–70).
eSIM: activate your data plan before landing so Grab and maps work straight away.
Day-by-day programme
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J1
Hanoi — arrival & Old Quarter
Hanoi · Overnight : Old Quarter · Grab from Noi Bai airport → city centre (45 min, ~€15)
Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital is best explored on foot through the Old Quarter of the 36 streets: each street was once named after the goods crafted there. The atmosphere is chaotic, noisy and endearing — scooters, fruit stalls and the smells of street kitchens.
- Check in to your Old Quarter hotel, coffee break
- Stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Thê Húc bridge and Ngoc Son temple
- Explore the old guild streets (Ma May, Hang Bac…)
- Dinner of phở or bún chả at a local street counter Book — Old Quarter food tour from €30
Recommended hotel Hanoi La Siesta Premium — from €45/nightTip : Change a little dong at the airport; withdraw the rest from ATMs in the centre.
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J2
Hanoi — temples, museums & street food
Hanoi · Overnight : Old Quarter
A day of culture: the Temple of Literature (1070) was Vietnam's first university, and the Museum of Ethnology offers an essential introduction to the country's 54 ethnic groups — useful before Sapa if you extend your trip.
- Morning food tour (phở, bánh cuốn, egg coffee) Book — Hanoi morning food tour from €35
- Temple of Literature & the doctors' stelae
- Museum of Ethnology (2–3 h)
- Train Street (Lê Đường) or a water puppet show Book — Water puppet show from €8
Tip : Eat your morning phở before 9am for the most authentic experience.
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J3
Halong Bay — boarding the cruise
Halong · Overnight : Junk boat / cruise · Minibus Hanoi → harbour (3–4 h, often included)
UNESCO-listed Halong Bay counts nearly 2,000 karst islets rising out of an emerald sea. The 2-day/1-night cruise is the ideal format: kayaking, caves and sunset on the top deck.
- Morning transfer, lunch on board
- Cruise between the islands, cave visit (Sung Sot or similar) Book — Halong 2D/1N cruise from €89
- Kayaking in the lagoons (weather permitting)
- Seafood dinner on the junk boat
Tip : Pack motion-sickness tablets if you're sensitive; the bay is calm in the dry season.
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J4
Halong → flight to Hội An
Transit · Overnight : Hội An · Flight HAN → DAD 1 h + taxi to Hội An (45 min)
Sunrise over the bay and tai chi on deck (often included). Back at the harbour around midday, transfer to Hanoi airport and flight to Đà Nẵng. Settle in to Hội An — the old town is calmer than Hanoi and perfect for wandering.
- Tai chi or brunch on the junk boat
- Disembark and head to the airport
- Domestic flight Hanoi → Đà Nẵng
- Transfer to Hội An, first stroll among the lanterns
Recommended hotel La Siesta Hoi An Resort — from €65/night -
J5
Hội An — UNESCO old town
Hội An · Overnight : Hội An
A 15th-century trading port, Hội An has kept its wooden houses, the Japanese bridge and its artisan workshops. The entrance ticket covers several monuments; in the evening, the town glows with colourful lanterns.
- Japanese bridge, Phuc Kien temple, Tan Ky house
- Cooking class (market visit + workshop) Book — Hội An cooking class from €40
- Lanterns along the Thu Bồn riverbanks at dusk
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J6
Hội An — beach, cycling & downtime
Hội An · Overnight : Hội An
An easier day: An Bàng or Cửa Đại beach is a 15-minute bike ride away. Treat yourself to a made-to-measure tailor (24–48 h turnaround) or a spa before you leave.
- Cycle to An Bàng beach
- Seafood lunch by the sea
- Tailor, spa or a Mỹ Sơn excursion (half-day option)
- Night market and one last stroll
Tip : Mỹ Sơn is well worth it if you're into Cham history (4–5 h excursion).
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J7
Departure from Đà Nẵng
Đà Nẵng · Taxi Hội An → Đà Nẵng airport (45 min)
One last Vietnamese coffee, souvenir shopping (lanterns, coffee, silk) and your flight home from Đà Nẵng — a modern airport with good connections to Asia and Europe.
- Breakfast with a cà phê sữa đá
- Airport transfer — allow 3 h before an international flight
Bookings by region
Affiliate links — hotels and activities to book for this route.
Hanoi
Hanoi La Siesta Premium
Old Quarter, spa and rooftop bar.
Morning street food tour
Phở, bún chả and egg coffee with a local guide.
Water puppet show
Traditional northern Vietnamese performance.
Halong
Premium 2D/1N cruise
Small junk boat, sea-view cabin, kayaking included.
Hội An
La Siesta Hoi An Resort
Pool and shuttle to the old town.
Vietnamese cooking class
Market visit + hands-on workshop — a local speciality.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough to see the south (Saigon)?
No — this itinerary focuses on the north and centre. For the south, go for the 10- or 15-day itinerary instead.
Should I book the Halong cruise in advance?
Yes, in high season (November–February). Book 2–3 weeks ahead to secure a well-rated junk boat.
What budget do I need for 7 days in Vietnam?
Plan on €450–800 on the ground excluding international flights: 3-star hotels, a mid-range Halong cruise, food tours and the domestic flight Hanoi → Đà Nẵng.
When is the best time for this one-week itinerary?
October to April, when the north and centre are dry and pleasant. Avoid July–September: typhoon season can cancel Halong cruises.
Is this itinerary doable with children?
Yes — the domestic flight keeps travel times short, many Halong cruises welcome families, and Hội An is flat and perfect for easy cycling. Pick a cruise with family cabins.
Flight or train between Hanoi and Đà Nẵng?
On a 7-day trip, take the 1-hour flight (€40–70). The scenic Reunification Express train takes around 16 hours — better suited to longer itineraries.
Other Vietnam itineraries
More or less time? Pick the route that matches your trip.
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