10 Days in Vietnam: Hanoi & Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba, Hoi An Ancient Town & Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Arrive via Noi Bai International Airport (HAN — Bus 86 Express 45,000 ₫) & Hanoi Railway Station, transfer to Hanoi & Ninh Binh Historic Center & Old Quarter, and settle in with an evening walk.

Tour Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple & The Old Quarter (36 Streets) — Walk the car-free weekend promenade around Turtle Tower and explore Hang Gai (silk), Hang Bac (silver), and Ma May Heritage House. and Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu, 1070 CE) & Imperial Citadel of Thang Long — Vietnam's first national university with 82 stone turtle stelae (70,000 ₫ admission). with pre-booked morning slots.

Day trip to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (Independence Palace (Reunification Palace) & War Remnants Museum — Step inside the preserved 1960s modernist presidential bunkers and cabinet rooms (65,000 ₫) and visit the War Remnants Museum two blocks away (40,000 ₫).) via Hanoi & Ninh Binh Central Station.

Morning Vietnam Railways connection to Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba; afternoon walk through Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Visit Overnight Cruise Through Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay — Wake up to mist drifting between karst pinnacles, kayak through Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sáng Tối), and practice sunrise Tai Chi on the sundeck (2.5 hours from Hanoi via the new Haiphong–Ha Long Expressway)., Cat Ba Island & Cat Ba National Park (Ngu Lam Peak Hike) — Stay on the largest island in the archipelago to hike through subtropical forest to 360° karst viewpoints., and sample Bún Chả (Grilled Pork.

Explore Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) & Titop Island Viewpoint (45–75 mins by regional transit) and enjoy dinner in Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba Waterfront & Cultural District.

Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town (Hoi An Ancient Town Central Station / Da Nang International Airport (DAD, 40 min from Hoi An) & Hue / Dong Hoi Stations) and check into Hoi An Ancient Town Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Full day discovering Hoi An UNESCO Ancient Town, Japanese Covered Bridge & Assembly Halls — Purchase the 120,000 ₫ ($4.80) Old Town Heritage Ticket covering 5 historic merchant houses (Tan Ky, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and the newly restored 1593 Japanese Covered Bridge). and Full-Moon Lantern Festival & Thu Bon River Sampan Ride — Every evening at dusk, the Ancient Town closes to motorbikes as candlelit paper lotus lanterns float down the river (150,000 ₫ for a 20-minute sampan boat)., with Herbs) for lunch.

Relaxed morning at Custom Tailoring & Leather Shoemaking (24–48 Hour Turnaround) — Have linen suits, silk dresses, or leather boots custom-measured and fitted at Yaly, A Dong Silk, or Bebe. followed by a farewell dinner in Hoi An Ancient Town Waterfront & Cultural District.

Connect to Da Nang International Airport (DAD, 40 min from Hoi An) & Hue / Dong Hoi Stations or express transit for your onward flight.