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How many days in Vietnam? 9 days from Hanoi and Ha Long Bay to Hoi An and the Mekong
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Vietnam is 1,650 km long, so a first trip runs north to south with two domestic flights. In nine days: Hanoi and the rice-field rivers of Ninh Binh, a night on a boat among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, the lantern-lit old port of Hoi An with a day to the imperial city of Hue, and finally Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the canals of the Mekong Delta. Get the e-visa online before you go; it is valid for up to 90 days.
Short answer
Seven days covers Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Saigon. Nine adds Ninh Binh's scenery and Hue's citadel over the Hai Van Pass.
The 9-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Hanoi: Hoan Kiem and the Old Quarter
Morning. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake to the red The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple (about 50,000₫). Then visit the Temple of Literature (about 70,000₫), Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070.
Afternoon. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (morning only; closed Mondays and Fridays), or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Then explore the 36 streets of the Old Quarter, each once named for a trade.
Evening. Eat bun cha (grilled pork with noodles) for about 50,000-70,000₫, then sit on a plastic stool for bia hoi, fresh draught beer, at Ta Hien street.
On weekend evenings the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake close to traffic and fill with families and street performers.
Day 2: Day trip: Ninh Binh
Morning. Drive about 2 hours south to Ninh Binh. Take a rowing boat at Trang An (about 250,000₫, 2-3 hours), a UNESCO landscape of rivers, caves and karst peaks.
Afternoon. Climb the 500 steps of Hang Mua (about 100,000₫) for the view over the rice fields and the Tam Coc river, or cycle the back roads.
Evening. Return to Hanoi, or stay a night in a Tam Coc homestay.
The rice fields are greenest in May-June and yellow just before harvest; the boats are crowded on weekends.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
Morning. Take the shuttle bus (about 2.5 hours on the new expressway) to Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, which is less crowded. Board an overnight cruise boat (about 3,000,000-7,000,000₫ per person).
Afternoon. Kayak among the limestone islands, visit a cave such as Sung Sot or a floating fishing village.
Evening. Dinner on board, then squid fishing from the deck.
Typhoons and storms cancel cruises, especially from July to October.
Day 4: Fly to Da Nang, on to Hoi An
Morning. Morning tai chi on deck and brunch, then return to Hanoi or go direct to Noi Bai airport.
Afternoon. Fly to Da Nang (about 1h20), then drive 40 minutes to Hoi An.
Evening. Walk the Ancient Town after dark, when silk lanterns light the streets and you can float a candle on the Thu Bon River (about 20,000₫).
The Ancient Town ticket costs 120,000₫ for five heritage sites and is checked at entry points.
Day 5: Hoi An and My Son
Morning. Leave at dawn for the Cham temple ruins of My Son (about 150,000₫, 1 hour away), a UNESCO site from the 4th to 13th centuries.
Afternoon. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and old merchant houses like Tan Ky, then order a tailored suit or dress (about 1-2 days to make).
Evening. Eat cao lau (Hoi An's own noodles) and banh mi at Banh Mi Phuong (about 30,000₫).
Rent a bike and ride 15 minutes to An Bang beach.
Day 6: Hue via the Hai Van Pass
Morning. Hire a car or join an Easy Rider motorbike tour to drive the Hai Van Pass (about 3 hours to Hue), with views of the coast and Lang Co lagoon.
Afternoon. Visit the Imperial City (about 200,000₫), the Nguyen dynasty citadel, and the tomb of Tu Duc or Khai Dinh.
Evening. Dinner of bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), then a night train or flight back, or stay in Hue.
Hue's royal tombs are spread out; hire a driver for 3-4 hours.
Day 7: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Morning. Fly from Hue or Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (about 1h20).
Afternoon. Visit the War Remnants Museum (about 40,000₫), the Independence Palace and the French-built Central Post Office.
Evening. Eat at Ben Thanh Market or the food stalls in District 4, then a rooftop bar on Nguyen Hue walking street.
Use Grab to avoid taxi scams.
Day 8: Cu Chi Tunnels
Morning. Take a tour (about 1.5 hours) to the Cu Chi Tunnels (about 125,000₫), more than 200 km of tunnels used in the war.
Afternoon. Return to the city and explore the Cholon district, Saigon's Chinatown, with the incense coils of the Thien Hau Temple and the wholesale Binh Tay Market.
Evening. Dinner of com tam (broken rice with grilled pork, about 50,000-80,000₫), then the night view from the Saigon Skydeck in the Bitexco tower.
Go early to avoid the heat and crowds in the tunnels.
Day 9: Mekong Delta, then fly home
Morning. Drive about 2 hours to the Mekong Delta at Ben Tre or Cai Be. Take a sampan through the narrow water-coconut canals and visit family workshops making coconut candy and rice paper.
Afternoon. Lunch of elephant-ear fish wrapped in rice paper, then return to Saigon (about 2 hours) and on to Tan Son Nhat airport, 20-40 minutes from District 1 depending on traffic.
Evening. Fly home, or with a late flight, take a last walk along the Saigon River at Bach Dang wharf.
For floating markets, stay a night in Can Tho and go out at 5:30 to Cai Rang.
Only have 7 days?
With 7 days, skip Ninh Binh and Hue. Do Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Saigon.
Got extra days?
Extra days go to Sapa and its rice terraces (about 5-6 hours from Hanoi), the caves of Phong Nha, or the beaches of Phu Quoc island.
Where to stay in Vietnam
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hanoi Old Quarter / Hoi An homestays | Cheap rooms in the centre of the action. | 400,000-800,000₫ |
| Mid-range | Hoan Kiem (Hanoi) / Hoi An Ancient Town | Walk to the sights and the best food. | 1,000,000-2,000,000₫ |
| Mid-range | District 1 (Saigon) | Central, near museums and nightlife. | 1,200,000-2,500,000₫ |
| Comfort | French colonial hotels / beach resorts | Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi, resorts near Hoi An. | 4,000,000-10,000,000₫ |
Getting around
Fly between Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon on Vietnam Airlines, VietJet or Vietravel Airlines, often for 1,000,000-2,000,000₫. Grab works in all cities. The Reunification Express train is slow but scenic between Hue and Da Nang. For Ha Long and Ninh Binh, use tour shuttles.
What to eat in Vietnam
Vietnamese food is fresh and regional. In Hanoi, eat pho for breakfast (about 50,000₫), bun cha and cha ca (turmeric fish). In Hoi An, cao lau and white rose dumplings. In Saigon, com tam, banh xeo (crispy pancakes) and fresh spring rolls. Drink ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) or egg coffee in Hanoi. Street food costs 30,000-70,000₫ a dish.
Best time to visit
February to April is good for the whole country. The north is cool in winter (December-February, 15-20°C) and hot and wet in summer. The centre (Hoi An, Hue) has heavy rains and floods from October to December. The south is hot all year, with a dry season from December to April.
Month-by-month weather for Vietnam →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | 250,000₫ | 700,000₫ | 2,000,000₫ |
| Food & drink | 250,000₫ | 500,000₫ | 1,200,000₫ |
| Sights & tickets | 100,000₫ | 300,000₫ | 800,000₫ |
| Local transport | 50,000₫ | 200,000₫ | 500,000₫ |
| Total per person, per day | about 650,000₫ | about 1,700,000₫ | about 4,500,000₫ |
Approximate 2026 prices in Vietnamese dong (about 26,000₫ to the US dollar); flights and the Ha Long Bay cruise are extra.
Before you go
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Many nationalities need an e-visa, available on the official Vietnam immigration portal for about US$25 single entry, valid for up to 90 days. Some countries, including many EU states and the UK, can stay visa-free for 45 days. Rules change often; apply only on the official site to avoid scams.
Is 9 days enough for Vietnam?
It is enough for the classic north to south route with two flights. You will see Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Saigon with extras. Two weeks allows you to add Sapa, Phong Nha or a beach. Do not try to travel by land the whole length in nine days.
Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay?
Lan Ha Bay, south of Ha Long and reached from Cat Ba Island, has the same limestone scenery with fewer boats and better kayaking. Ha Long Bay has the most famous caves and the largest choice of cruises. Many cruises visit both.
Is it safe to cross the street?
Yes, if you walk slowly and steadily, without stopping or running, so that riders can predict where you will be. Motorbikes will flow around you. Use pedestrian crossings and traffic lights where they exist, cross alongside locals when you can, and watch for bikes on the pavement, especially in Hanoi's Old Quarter and Saigon's District 1.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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