Memorable Vietnam itinerary 7 days: Inspiration to live

Vietnam is becoming one of the best travel destinations in Asia, not only for its stunning beauty and diverse cultures but also as a more budget-friendly option compared to other countries worldwide. According to a world-leading indie travel news source, Vietnam is recognized as the safest and one of the most attractive destinations in Asia in 2024. With this in mind, many tourists are choosing Vietnam as their travel destination, but some are unsure about the Vietnam itinerary 7 days being the ideal duration for their visit. This article will help clarify that for you.

1.Perfect tour: Vietnam itinerary for 7 days

Destination: Hanoi – Halong bay – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city – Delta Mekong

A classic Vietnam itinerary 7 days from India filled with culture, breathtaking scenery and delicious cuisine. This trip in a week will allow you to explore Hanoi capital, to relax in the enchanting Ha Long Bay, to walk around the ancient city of Hoi An, to admire the exuberant vitality of the Mekong Delta and to finish with a wonderful seaside break.

Brief Itinerary

>>> Link tour: A classic Vietnam itinerary 7 days

Detailed tour of Vietnam travel itinerary 7 days

Day 1: Hanoi arrival & visit

Welcome to Vietnam!

After arriving at Noi Bai Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel in the city center. Hotel check-in is available from 2 pm. In the afternoon, our tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and start the Hanoi city tour. You will then visit the Temple of Literature, constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which was also used as the first Royal National University of Vietnam. There are 82 stone steles, carried by tortoises, engraved with names, birthdates, and birthplaces of honored doctorates from 1442 to 1779.

In the afternoon, you visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative on this day is the History Museum). The museum offers a wide range of informative and well-documented displays of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. The outdoor display is an impressive collection of traditional houses of various minorities from the north to the central Highlands.

We will drive back to the Old Quarter for a 1.5-hour walking tour, specially designed for a deeper insight into Hanoian daily life. You will also visit the Ngoc Son temple which sits on a green islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the lakeside by a graceful scarlet bridge named The Huc (meaning the early sunlight welcoming place). After, you will stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi – Halong bay

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the harbour of Ha Long Bay, whose name means ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’, already recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Check-in in the furnished cabin with a splendid view of the bay, welcome drink and a crew’s briefing. An exquisite lunch is served with fresh seafood. Free time to relax before the afternoon’s interesting activities.

Start with an exploration of Luon Cave which is considered as one of the most ideal places in Halong for kayaking or rowing boats. After that, you can visit Titov Island, where you can go swimming or hiking to the top for another stunning, panoramic view of the Bay. Enjoy your special dinner in restaurants with the best view of Halong bay.

Free time to challenge yourself in the night squid fishing or enjoy the tranquility of the night on your cruise.

Day 3: Halong bay – Hanoi – flight to Danang – Hoi An

Wake up early to witness an enchanting sunrise. For those interested, a short Tai Chi lesson on the terrace will refresh your mind and body. In the morning, you can also enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while admiring the extraordinary landscape.

Your next excursion is a visit to the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you can take in the panoramic views across Halong Bay. You can also participate in a cooking class. The chef will show you the tricks of cooking our country’s typical dishes and then enjoy them with brunch.

Disembark from the cruise around noon and transfer to Noi Bai airport. Flight to Danang. Meet our driver at Danang airport and transfer to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An hotel.

Day 4: Hoi An – Tra Que village – Hoi An city tour

After a tasty breakfast, we will take a bicycle to ride from your hotel to Tra Que village. Thanks to the special condition of rich soil and water, the village has long been known for growing many kinds of vegetables: lettuce, salad, houttuynia, fragrant knotweed, basil, and coriander vegetables etc., with which the traditional specialities of Hoi An have gained part of their fame. We will have a yummy lunch and participate in daily activities with the local farmers.

In the afternoon, we will take a half-day walking tour of Hoi An ancient town. In this UNESCO-classified world heritage site, we will visit Chua Ong Pagoda (dedicated to “Quan Thanh De Quan” – an ancient Chinese general), the 200-years-old Tan Ky house (with Japanese and Chinese influenced architecture), and the Japanese Covered Bridge (built by the Japanese then living in Hoi An to connect their quarter to that of the Chinese). We will then stroll through the bustling Dong Ba Market, passing many fantastic eating spots where food lovers can sample various local specialities.

Day 5: Hoi An – Danang – flight to Ho Chi Minh city and visit

Breakfast is served at your hotel; our driver will pick you up and transfer to the airport. Flight to Saigon. On your arrival to Ho Chi Minh City (former name is Saigon), you will be welcomed by our tour guide and driver. After transferring to your hotel at the city center (check-in is available from 2pm) there will be time for  exploring the largest city of Vietnam. We will visit Notre Dame Cathedral, constructed between 1877 and 1880 by the French. We will take a few steps from the Cathedral to the Central Post Office to admire its interior with the arched roof and curved windows, reminiscent of early European railway stations. You will stay overnight at the hotel. The city tour will then continue along Dong Khoi Street heading to see the Opera House and the Provincial People Committee building, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene. We will visit the Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace.

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh city – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh city

After breakfast, we leave the hotel at 8 am and take the road to Ben Tre Province in the Mekong delta. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier (90km from Ho Chi Minh city), we will get on a boat and cruise along the Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the great Mekong in Vietnam. We will enjoy watching lively and bustling activities on the river like fishing and water transferring.

We will stop at a brick factory to see how bricks are made manually in a traditional way. We will have our next stop at a coconut processing workshop, located along the canal. We will hop on a tuk-tuk and ride along a village path and stop at a local family for a traditional lunch.

After that, we will walk to a mat-weaving workshop before embarking on a small rowing-boat to travel along the palm tree canal back to Hung Vuong pier.

On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, we will stop to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the most well-known in the Mekong Delta. There are more than 60 Buddha statues made from wood, copper, or clay in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and inlaid with gold. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh city departure

Breakfast will be served at your hotel. Depending on your departure time, you will have free time to relax or to buy souvenirs for your relatives or friends. Our driver will take you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport at least 3 hours before departure.

2.How many days in Vietnam is better? 10 days, 14 days?

2.1. Vietnam travel itinerary 10 days

Best Vietnam itinerary 10 days  : Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Lan Ha Bay – Saigon – Ben Tre 

A 10-day tour is not a long duration to explore the beauty off Vietnam, however, it’s enough to make an unforgettable memory in your life. A 10-day travel itinerary in Vietnam offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and urban exploration. 

Begin your journey in the vibrant capital city of Hanoi, where you can explore the city’s key attractions and experience interesting activities in Hanoi.

Next, take an overnight train or bus to Sapa, a mountainous region known for its terraced rice fields and ethnic minority villages. Spending two days experiencing the stunning landscapes and the local culture, tourists will have a great time to live in nature. Return to Hanoi and head to Ninh Binh, often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land,” where you can take a serene boat ride through Tam Coc or Trang An and explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

From Ninh Binh, travel to Lan Ha Bay or HaLong Bay where you possess extraordinary beauty. Enjoy an overnight cruise, kayaking, and swimming in the emerald waters surrounded by limestone karsts. After the cruise, return to Hanoi and fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

In Saigon, explore the War Remnants Museum, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Finally, take a day trip to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta, where you can experience the lush waterways, coconut groves, and local life in the delta. This itinerary provides a diverse experience of Vietnam’s culture, history, natural beauty.

>>>Read more about an amazing tour: Best Vietnam itinerary 10 days

2.2. A 14 day in Vietnam – Visit Vietnam 2 weeks

Best Vietnam itinerary 2 weeks: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Lan Ha bay – Hue – Hoi An – Saigon – Ben Tre – Can Tho

Vietnam has different cultures in each of the 3 regions. In order to have a full experience and get to know about the culture in Vietnam, visitors should spend 2 weeks staying in Vietnam. With a 2 week Vietnam itinerary, you will have time to explore destinations and places with interesting activities and relaxing with beaches, mountains or tranquil places in North, Central and South Vietnam. Visitors can explore more HaLong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and immerse Hoi An enchants with its ancient architecture and lantern-lit streets, admire the extraordinary of Ninh Binh-the “Halong Bay on land” and visit famous Golden Bridge in Da Nang, see beautiful sunset on the beach in Nha Trang

Vietnam has distinct cultures in each of its three regions. To experience and understand the culture in Vietnam, visitors should plan to spend at least two weeks in the country. With a 2-week Vietnam itinerary, you will have ample time to explore a variety of destinations and enjoy diverse activities, from relaxing on beaches to trekking mountains or visiting tranquil spots across North, Central, and South Vietnam.

In the North, you can explore HaLong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the extraordinary landscapes of Ninh Binh, often referred to as the “Halong Bay on land. Central Vietnam offers the charm of Hoi An and Hue, with its ancient architecture and lantern-lit streets. Moving to the South, you will have an interesting excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang – one of the most famous markets in Vietnam.

A 2-week stay allows you to immerse yourself in these diverse experiences, providing a comprehensive understanding of Vietnam’s rich cultural tapestry.

>>>Read more about an amazing tour: Best Vietnam itinerary 2 weeks

If you only have a week to explore the S-shaped country of Vietnam, Vietnam itinerary 7 days is an excellent choice. It allows you to discover the stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality of the Vietnamese people. This itinerary will help you make the most of your limited time, ensuring a memorable experience.

While conducting our business, we never forget our duties towards society, especially in the most isolated regions of Vietnam where travelers have set foot. By traveling with Asia Viva Travel, travelers not only give valuable support to tourism personnel in Vietnam but also contribute to a greater cause. We dedicate 10% of our profits to build new schools and provide free lunches throughout the school year to poor children in the most isolated mountainous regions of North Vietnam.

Travel with us – Asia Viva Travel – to build a better future for children and vulnerable residents in Vietnam.