21-day travel plan from saigon to hanoi

Day 1 – Saigon: Welcome

Morning: Arrive in Saigon. Settle into your accommodation and rest.

Afternoon: Explore the lively streets of Saigon and immerse yourself in the bustling city life.

Evening: Enjoy your first Vietnamese dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2 – Saigon: Historic Journey

Morning: Visit the Reunification Palace, a significant symbol of Vietnam’s history.

Afternoon: Continue to the War Remnants Museum, where you’ll delve into Vietnam’s turbulent past.

Evening: Stroll around Nguyen Hue pedestrian street and enjoy a lovely dinner at a sidewalk café.

Day 3 – Saigon: City Landmarks

Morning: Explore the iconic Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Afternoon: Visit the Museum of Vietnamese History for a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s past.

Evening: Enjoy a traditional water puppet show followed by a dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 – Saigon to Cu Chi Tunnels: Vietnam War Remnants

Morning: Travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a significant site from the Vietnam War.

Afternoon: Explore the tunnel complex, learning about its history and significance.

Evening: Return to Saigon and enjoy a meal at a street food market.

Day 5 – Saigon to Mekong Delta: Natural Exploration

Morning: Journey to the beautiful Mekong Delta, the “Rice Bowl of Vietnam”.

Afternoon: Take a river cruise, visiting local villages, and sampling tropical fruits.

Evening: Return to Saigon and dine at a restaurant specializing in Southern Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 6 – Saigon to Da Lat: City of Eternal Spring

Morning: Travel to Da Lat, a city known for its cool climate and French colonial architecture.

Afternoon: Visit the Bao Dai Summer Palace and enjoy the beautiful city view from the cable car.

Evening: Savor a local dinner at one of Da Lat’s charming restaurants.

Day 7 – Da Lat: City Exploration

Morning: Visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Tuyen Lam Lake, and the Dalat Flower Gardens.

Afternoon: Explore Datanla Waterfall and take a ride on the Alpine Coaster.

Evening: Taste local street food at the bustling Da Lat night market.

Day 8 – Da Lat to Nha Trang: Coastal City

Morning: Travel to Nha Trang, a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches.

Afternoon: Relax at the beach and take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water.

Evening: Dine at a beachfront seafood restaurant.

Day 9 – Nha Trang: Ocean Exploration

Morning: Visit the Nha Trang Oceanographic Museum to learn about Vietnam’s marine life.

Afternoon: Take a boat tour to the nearby islands for snorkeling and exploration.

Evening: Enjoy the vibrant nightlife at Nha Trang’s popular beach bars.

Day 10 – Nha Trang to Hoi An: Ancient Town

Morning: Travel to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Afternoon: Explore the Ancient Town, visiting key attractions like the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Evening: Experience Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets and dine at a local restaurant.

Day 11 – Hoi An: History and Culture

Morning: Visit the historic Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and the Tan Ky Ancient House.

Afternoon: Take a Vietnamese cooking class and learn to prepare local specialties.

Evening: Feast on the dishes you’ve made during your cooking class.

Day 12 – Hoi An: Local Crafts and Villages

Morning: Take a cycling tour to Tra Que Vegetable Village and learn about traditional farming methods.

Afternoon: Visit a local crafts workshop and try your hand at lantern-making.

Evening: Stroll around the Night Market and enjoy local street food.

Day 13 – Hoi An to Hue: Imperial City

Morning: Travel to Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass.

Afternoon: Visit the Citadel, a large complex housing the former Imperial Palace.

Evening: Take a peaceful boat ride on the Perfume River and dine at a riverside restaurant.

Day 14 – Hue: Royal Legacy

Morning: Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the royal tomb of Emperor Minh Mang.

Afternoon: Explore the royal tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.

Evening: Taste the unique cuisine of Hue at a local restaurant.

Day 15 – Hue to Hanoi: Capital City

Morning: Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

Afternoon: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace.

Evening: Wander around the Old Quarter and enjoy Hanoi’s famous street food.

Day 16 – Hanoi: Cultural Experiences

Morning: Visit the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Afternoon: Explore the Hoan Kiem Lake area and visit Ngoc Son Temple.

Evening: Watch a traditional water puppet show followed by a dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 17 – Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Scenic Beauty

Morning: Travel to Ninh Binh, known as the “Halong Bay on Land”.

Afternoon: Take a boat ride in Tam Coc to explore its breathtaking limestone karsts.

Evening: Return to Hanoi and dine at your leisure.

Day 18 – Hanoi: Local Life and Crafts

Morning: Visit the Quang Ba Flower Market and the Bat Trang Pottery Village.

Afternoon: Continue to the Van Phuc Silk Village and learn about traditional silk weaving.

Evening: Enjoy a free evening to explore more of Hanoi’s cuisine and nightlife.

Day 19 – Hanoi to Halong Bay: Natural Wonder

Morning: Journey to Halong Bay, known for its stunning limestone islands.

Afternoon: Board a cruise ship and explore the bay’s caves and islands.

Evening: Enjoy a seafood dinner onboard and partake in night squid fishing if desired.

Day 20 – Halong Bay to Hanoi: Farewell

Morning: Continue cruising Halong Bay, participate in a Tai Chi class on the deck.

Afternoon: Return to Hanoi and take some time for last-minute shopping in the Old Quarter.

Evening: Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner at a fine dining restaurant.

Day 21 – Departure from Hanoi

Morning: Enjoy your last moments in Hanoi.

Afternoon: Pack up, check out from the hotel and head to the airport.

Evening: Depart from Hanoi, bringing home unforgettable memories and experiences.