7 Nights in Vietnam: The Ultimate Guide from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Da Nang & Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam in 7 Nights: A Detailed Guide and Itinerary with Costs, Tips & Must-See Attractions

Vietnam was stop number five on our five-week Southeast Asia adventure, following Thailand, Singapore, Bali, and a quick return to Thailand for Bangkok. We spent 7 nights in Vietnam from March 22–29.

This leg of the journey was extra fun because another friend joined us, making us a group of three for the final two countries of the trip: Vietnam and Japan. Even better, our friend spoke Vietnamese, which made navigating, ordering food, and chatting with locals much easier.

In just one week, we managed to experience four completely different sides of Vietnam:

• 2 nights in Hanoi
• 2 nights cruising Ha Long Bay
• 3 nights in Da Nang
• A 12-hour layover adventure in Ho Chi Minh City before heading to Japan

From lively beer streets and hidden rooftop bars to limestone mountains, coconut boat tours, beaches, and one unforgettable cruise, Vietnam packed a lot into just seven nights.

Vietnam Travel Costs: Very Affordable

One thing that immediately stood out about Vietnam was how affordable it was.

Compared to some of our other stops during this five-week trip, Vietnam felt like incredible value for money. Transportation, food, accommodations, and activities were all budget-friendly without sacrificing the experience.

For accommodations:

• Our Airbnb stays totaled about $280 USD for 5 nights, split three ways.
• Our 2-night Ha Long Bay cruise cost $800 USD total, also split three ways.

Food was inexpensive, Grab rides were often just a few dollars, and even longer transportation days didn’t feel overly expensive.

One important tip: carry cash.

While credit cards are becoming more common in larger cities, many restaurants, markets, cafes, and smaller businesses still prefer cash. We found ourselves using cash for the most part.

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Best Time to Visit Vietnam

One thing many people don’t realize is that Vietnam’s weather varies dramatically depending on where you are. Since the country stretches more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from north to south, different regions have different seasons.

North Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay)

Best time to visit:

• September to November
• March to April

These months typically offer comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and clearer skies.

Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue)

Best time to visit:

• January to August

This region experiences its best beach weather during these months. Monsoon and typhoon season generally runs from September through December.

South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc)

Best time to visit:

• December to April

The rainy season usually falls between May and October.

Overall Best Time to Visit Vietnam

If you’re planning to visit multiple regions like we did, March and April are hard to beat.

After spending nearly three weeks sweating through the intense humidity of Thailand, Singapore, and Bali, Vietnam felt noticeably more comfortable. It was still warm, but the humidity was much lower and sightseeing was more enjoyable.

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Where to Stay in Vietnam

Where to Stay in Hanoi

Old Quarter

If it’s your first time in Hanoi, this is where I’d stay.

The Old Quarter is the heart of the city and puts you within walking distance of:

• Street food vendors
• Beer Street
• Markets
• Cafes
• Rooftop bars
• Historic attractions

French Quarter

A quieter, more upscale area with:

• Luxury hotels
• Boutique shopping
• Wider streets
• Colonial architecture

Truc Bach & West Lake

Ideal for travelers looking for:

• Modern accommodations
• Upscale restaurants
• A quieter atmosphere
• Family-friendly stays

We stayed in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and while the entrance to our Airbnb was admittedly a little questionable (think dark hallway and old staircase), the actual apartment was fine. For around $60 a night split between three people, it was an incredible deal and the location couldn’t have been better.

Where to Stay in Ha Long Bay

For Ha Long Bay, we booked a two-night cruise with Peony Cruises.

The package included:

• Roundtrip transportation from Hanoi for an additional charge ($35 per person)
• Private cabin with balcony
• 7 meals
• Activities
• Excursions
• Spa services such as massages are an additional charge
• Click here for more details on the Ha Long Bay Cruise 

The smaller boutique style of the ship felt more intimate and less crowded than some of the larger cruise options.

Where to Stay in Da Nang

We stayed near:

• My Khe Beach
• An Thuong Tourist Area

This is one of the best areas for visitors because it’s close to:

• Restaurants
• Coffee shops
• Beach clubs
• The beach itself

Our Airbnb was on the 39th floor overlooking My Khe Beach and offered incredible views for a surprisingly affordable price.

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How to Get Around Vietnam

Domestic Flights

• Since we were limited on time, we flew between major cities.
• Flights between:
  • Hanoi
  • Da Nang
  • Ho Chi Minh City
• were inexpensive and saved us valuable vacation time.

Airport Transfers

• Klook
  • You can pre-book airport transportation through Klook, and your driver will meet you with a sign at arrivals.
• Airbnb Hosts
  • Many hosts can arrange private transportation directly. Our Hanoi host arranged our airport pickup, making arrival completely stress-free.

Grab App

• Grab is basically Southeast Asia’s version of Uber.
• We used it constantly.
• Typical rides ranged from:
  • $2–15 USD
• You can also use Grab Bike, where a scooter driver picks you up with a helmet and zips you through traffic. It’s one of the fastest and cheapest ways to get around.

Private Drivers

• For longer day trips, hiring a private driver is very convenient.
• For example:
  • Hanoi to Ninh Binh, which was a 2 hour drive each way, cost approximately $100 roundtrip
• The driver waited while we explored
• Having transportation sorted made the day much easier.

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Vietnam Highlights

If you’re short on time, these were our favorite experiences:

• Hanoi Beer Street
• Egg Coffee in Hanoi
• Tam Coc Boat Ride in Ninh Binh
• Ha Long Bay Cruise
• Dragon Bridge Fire Show in Da Nang
• Coconut Boat Tour in Hoi An
• Golden Bridge at Sun World in Ba Na Hills
• My Khe Beach in Da Nang
• The Gangs Beer Garden in Ho Chi Minh City

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7-Day Vietnam Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving in Hanoi

After flying in from spendnig the last 3 nights in Bangkok, we arrived in Hanoi and headed straight to our Airbnb in the Old Quarter. The entrance to our Airbnb seemed a little sketchy through dark hallways and stairs but once we got inside the Airbnb it was fine.

Once settled, we wandered through the bustling streets before making our way to the famous Beer Street.

Tiny plastic stools lined the sidewalks while locals and travelers packed the streets.

Because our friend spoke Vietnamese, we got to try dishes we probably wouldn’t have ordered ourselves. It was the perfect introduction to Vietnam’s food scene.

We spent the evening enjoying local beers, meeting fellow travelers, and soaking in the energy of Hanoi before calling it a night.

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Day 2: Ninh Binh Day Trip & Hanoi Rooftop Bars

The morning started with what would become my newest obsession: Vietnamese egg coffee.

We visited Gau Coffee & Bakery, and I immediately understood the hype. Rich Vietnamese coffee topped with a creamy whipped egg mixture tastes like coffee and dessert combined.

Afterward, our driver picked us up for the two-hour journey to Ninh Binh.

Often called the “Ha Long Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is filled with dramatic limestone mountains rising from rice fields and rivers.

Ninh Binh Activities:

Bich Dong Pagoda

• This 15th-century temple is built directly into the limestone cliffs. This is free to visit. 
• Highlights include:
  • Three separate temple levels
  • Cave passageways
  • Incredible valley views
• Remember to dress respectfully (you must cover your shoulders and knees) since it remains an active place of worship.

Tam Coc Boat Ride

• This ended up being one of my favorite activities in Vietnam.
• For about two hours, we floated through:
  • Limestone valleys
  • Rice fields
  • Three natural caves
• The boat ride cost around $10 per person
• Each boat is supposed to only take 2 passengers but they were nice and let all 3 of us ride in the same boat
• Tipping is expected at the end, typically around $4 per boat
• They made us a photo album of a handful of pictures they took of us while we were on the boat which we ended up buying for $9.
• The rowers famously paddle using their feet, which was impressive to watch.
• Even better, vendors floated by selling cold drinks, so naturally we bought beers and enjoyed the scenery.
• If we had more time, I also would have loved to visit Trang An, another famous boat route known for its dramatic scenery and longer more organized excursions.

Two Hour Drive Back to Hanoi

• Back in Hanoi, we grabbed Bun Cha for dinner in Old Quarter before spending the evening hopping between rooftop bars including Terraco Sky Bar and Moonlight Sky Bar.
• The nighttime views over Hanoi were incredible.

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Days 3-4: Ha Long Bay Cruise

We were up early for our cruise transfer that picked us up right outside our Airbnb in Hanoi.

The drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay took roughly 2.5 hours.

After arriving at the port and waiting with other travelers, we finally boarded our Peony Cruise.

Why We Loved Peony Cruise

Our room included:

• Private balcony
• Large windows
• Bathtub with bay views
• Our room was a little crammed since there was 3 of us

As we cruised through the emerald waters and towering limestone karsts, it quickly became obvious why Ha Long Bay is considered one of Vietnam’s most famous destinations.

Activities the cruise offered:

• Kayaking through caves
• Swimming opportunities
• Cooking demonstrations (such as spring rolls)
• Tai Chi sessions
• Squid fishing at night
• Happy hours (buy one get one)
• Jacuzzi on the cruise deck
• Cat Ba Island cave tour

One afternoon we kayaked through caves surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

Another day we visited Cat Ba Island and explored the Trung Trang Cave before returning to the ship.

One thing I loved about the two-night itinerary was that it felt far less rushed than many of the one-night cruises.

There was plenty of time to simply relax on deck and enjoy the scenery. If you don’t have time for 2 nights, one night is also enough to still get the full experience.

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Day 4: Hanoi to Da Nang

After departing the Peony Cruise, things got hectic.

We immediately transferred back to Hanoi and then rushed to get a taxi straight to the airport for our evening flight to Da Nang.

After checking into our Airbnb near My Khe Beach, we quickly headed to Dragon Bridge.

We barely made it. Traffic was so bad that we eventually jumped out of our taxi and started running toward the bridge.

Thankfully, we arrived just in time. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM, Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water while lighting up the skyline. The show lasts for about 15 minutes. Don’t stand too close to the head of the dragon if you don’t want to get soaked!

It was one of the coolest free attractions we saw in Vietnam.

Afterward, we explored the nearby Son Tra Night Market, which occurs every night from around 530pm to 1030pm, before heading back to the Airbnb.

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Day 5: Coconut Boats & Hoi An Ancient Town

This was a fun day trip to Hoi An from Da Nang which is about a 45 minute drive.

After breakfast at Esco Beach Bar Lounge in My Khe Beach, we headed toward Hoi An.

First stop: the famous coconut boats.

• Each of us had our own round bamboo basket boat while local guides paddled us through the coconut forest.
• What surprised me most was how fun and lively it was.
• Music blasted from speakers, boats spun in circles, people danced, and the entire experience felt like one giant floating party.
• We spent around 1.5 hours here

Afterward, we explored Hoi An Ancient Town.

• With colorful lanterns, yellow colonial buildings, riverside cafes, and narrow streets it was a very lively part of town.
• We walked around and then ate dinner at a restaurant with views of the canal.
• Unfortunately, this day also included one of the biggest travel fails of our trip. While flying our drone over the lantern-filled canal, the battery died. The drone crash-landed on a pedestrian bridge. By the time we ran over, it had disappeared. I was so bummed out, RIP drone.
• The worst part about this, we didn’t upload any of the footage yet so it was all lost.
• If you happened to have found a drone on March 27th,  you can keep the drone and just send me the SD card! lol (worth a shot)
• We then headed back to the Airbnb in Da Nang.

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Day 6: Golden Bridge & Ba Na Hills

Another egg coffee was mandatory before heading out for the day.

We spent the day exploring Sun World Ba Na Hills, one of Vietnam’s most famous attractions.

The main attraction is the famous Golden Bridge, held up by two giant stone hands. Unfortunately for us it was very foggy while we were there but the huge hand still looked cool in the mist.

Beyond the bridge, the complex includes:

• Cable cars
• Gardens
• Restaurants
• European-inspired architecture
• Entertainment areas
• Alpine coaster
• Rides

Even though it’s very touristy, it was worth visiting.

That evening we grabbed dinner at Pizza 4P’s before ending the night with drinks overlooking the city at Sky 21 Bar and Bistro back in My Khe Beach.

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Day 7: A 12-Hour Adventure in Ho Chi Minh City

Our flight landed around 11 AM, and our Tokyo flight wasn’t until 11pm. That gave us roughly 12 hours to explore so we decided to take advantage of this time.

After grabbing a cheap hotel room to store luggage and recharge for a bit, we headed out.

Lunch at Nha Hang Ngon

This charming restaurant was covered in flowers and offered a great introduction to southern Vietnamese cuisine.

The Café Apartment

One of Ho Chi Minh City’s most unique attractions.

A former apartment building has been transformed into multiple levels of:

• Cafes
• Boutiques
• Co-working spaces

  

The Gangs Beer Garden

This ended up being the perfect way to end Vietnam.

Around 8 PM, the venue transformed from casual beer garden into a full-on party.

People were dancing on tables, singing, cheering beers, and having an absolute blast.

Since our friend knew locals in Ho Chi Minh City, we ended up with a large group and had one of the most fun nights of the trip.

The only problem? We almost missed our flight. By 9:45 PM, we finally realized we needed to leave for our 11:20 PM international departure.

Somehow, despite the chaos, we made it.

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7 Nights in Vietnam Overall

While I could have easily spent several weeks exploring Vietnam, I was surprised by how much we experienced in just seven nights.

We explored:

• Historic Hanoi
• Scenic Ninh Binh
• Ha Long Bay
• Da Nang
• Hoi An
• Ba Na Hills
• Ho Chi Minh City

From sipping egg coffee in Hanoi and cruising through Ha Long Bay to riding coconut boats in Hoi An and dancing on tables in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam delivered some of the most memorable moments of our entire five-week Asia adventure.

If you’re planning a Southeast Asia trip and debating whether Vietnam is worth adding to your itinerary, my answer is absolutely yes. The scenery is stunning, the food is incredible, the people are welcoming, and it’s one of the best-value destinations we’ve ever visited.