Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long & Hoi An

Overview

Northern and central Vietnam in six nights, using one domestic flight to avoid a very long overland leg. The Ha Long Bay night on a junk boat is the centrepiece — kayaking, caves and a quiet anchorage — and Hoi An at the end is where most people wish they had booked another night.

• Overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay with kayaking
• Hanoi old quarter and the Hoan Kiem lake area
• Golden Bridge and cable car at Ba Na Hills
• Hoi An ancient town after dark
• Domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang included

Gallery

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   Arrive Hanoi

   Airport pickup and transfer to a hotel in the old quarter. Evening free to walk to Hoan Kiem lake and eat at a street kitchen — the best introduction the city offers.

   
   • Airport pickup
   • Hotel check-in
   • Hoan Kiem lake walk
   • Old quarter street food

2. Day 2

   Hanoi city and the Train Street area

   A guided half day covering the Ho Chi Minh complex, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the Old Quarter's narrow trading lanes. Afternoon free for coffee and the water puppet theatre.

   
   • Ho Chi Minh complex
   • One Pillar Pagoda
   • Temple of Literature
   • Water puppet show

3. Day 3

   Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

   Drive to Ha Long and board your cruise at midday. The afternoon is spent sailing between limestone karsts, kayaking in a sheltered bay and visiting a cave, with dinner and a night on board at anchor.

   
   • Drive to Ha Long
   • Board the cruise
   • Kayaking
   • Cave visit
   • Dinner and overnight on board

4. Day 4

   Ha Long to Da Nang and Hoi An

   Sunrise tai chi on deck, brunch as the boat returns to harbour, then the drive to Hanoi airport for the flight to Da Nang. Transfer to Hoi An in the evening.

   
   • Sunrise on deck
   • Brunch on board
   • Flight to Da Nang
   • Transfer to Hoi An

5. Day 5

   Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge

   Up the mountain by cable car to the Golden Bridge held by two stone hands, the French village and the gardens. Back in Hoi An for the lantern-lit old town in the evening.

   
   • Ba Na Hills cable car
   • Golden Bridge
   • French Village
   • Hoi An old town by night

6. Day 6

   Hoi An at your own pace

   A guided walk through the ancient town — the Japanese covered bridge, assembly halls and merchant houses — then free time for tailors, cafés and a boat on the Thu Bon river at dusk.

   
   • Hoi An walking tour
   • Japanese covered bridge
   • Tailor visit
   • Evening river boat and lanterns

7. Day 7

   Departure

   Breakfast, checkout and a transfer to Da Nang airport.

   • Breakfast
   • Checkout
   • Airport transfer

Choose your stay

Where you'll stay

Old Quarter Boutique Hanoi

3★

Old Quarter, Hanoi · Standard room · Breakfast included

Small, friendly hotel in the middle of the old quarter, walking distance to Hoan Kiem lake.

Ha Long Heritage Cruise

4★

Ha Long Bay · Cabin with balcony · All meals included

A wooden junk-style cruise boat with private balconies, a sun deck and an onboard restaurant.

Hoi An Garden Villa

4★

Hoi An · Pool-view room · Breakfast included

Low-rise villa rooms around a pool, ten minutes on foot from the ancient town.

Da Nang Beach Resort

5★

My Khe Beach, Da Nang · Ocean-view room · Breakfast and dinner included

Beachfront luxury between Da Nang and Hoi An, with a spa and three restaurants.

Experiences included & optional

Ha Long Bay kayaking

Paddle into sheltered lagoons between the karsts.

Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills

The stone-hands bridge and cable car up the mountain.

Hoi An lantern boat

A short river ride with a paper lantern at dusk.

Vietnamese cooking class

Market shopping followed by a hands-on class in Hoi An.

Mekong Delta day trip

Sampan boats and floating markets, if you extend to the south.

Good to know