Let's explore the long-standing historical and cultural values in Hanoi. Admire the majesty of the limestone mountains of Ha Long Bay until you are swept up in the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. Or down to the river and garden in the Mekong Delta. More interesting is a glimpse into the history of Cu Chi Tunnels. Find out the best Vietnam 1 week itinerary from North to South for a beautiful experience. In addition, you can explore our suggestions about Vietnam 14 day itinerary, Vietnam 10 day itinerary, 3 week trip to Vietnam and another Vietnam itinerary

You can explore more tours from FTrip:

• Vietnam Family Holiday Packages 2023 (17 days)
• Vietnam And Cambodia Tour Package (14 days)
• Sai Gon To Mekong Delta Tour Package (4 days)

A perfect Vietnam 1 week itinerary North to South for first-time visitors

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Say hello to Hanoi	Hanoi
Day 2	Explore Ha Noi Capital	Hanoi
Day 3	Halong Bay Overnight Cruisey	Hanoi
Day 4	Ho Chi Minh City Tour	Ho Chi Minh City
Day 5	Cu Chi Tunnels	Ho Chi Minh City
Day 6	Visit Mekong Delta	Ho Chi Minh City
Day 7	Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

Plan your trip to Vietnam

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Day 1: Trip to Vietnam - Say hello to Ha Noi

• 7:00 – 8:00: When traveling by plane to Noi Bai airport. It takes guests an hour to check in before they can depart the airport. The driver will pick you up at Noi Bai International Airport and bring you to your hotel in Hanoi. It will take longer for you to move about in the car. However, the city now has a highway. The distance to the center of the city is shorter. Learn more: Hanoi tours (Daily tour)
• 9:00: You can take some time to relax after your flight once you get to the hotel. Or before that, you can choose to arrange a tour guide and meet him/her at the airport. If you want to take a tour around Hanoi first.
• 11:30: Return to the hotel and take a rest

Read more: HA GIANG LOOP TOUR BY MOTORBIKE 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS

After relaxing time in the afternoon. You can refer to some unique performances about Vietnamese traditions. There are two options available to you in the evening:

• 18:00 - 19:30: Tu Phu - Four Palaces Show

Version: Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (45 minutes)

First session at 18:00 and the second session at 19:30

Address: Cong Nhan Theater, 42 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Combining modern sound, lighting, and unique images for visitors to get lost in the spiritual realm. Immerse yourself in adoring verses praising the gods and the fairy world. Recreate the original Vietnamese "Hau Dong" ritual to introduce international friends to visit Hanoi. Consisting of 3 chapters: "Adoration of the Second", "The Emperor Muoi" and "The Little Girl of Thuong Ngan". UNESCO recognizes this Mother Goddess worship as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

• 20:00: Thang Long Water Puppet

Performance: Every Saturday night (50 minutes)

Address: Thang Long Theater, 57b Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Located next to Hanoi Old Quarter, opposite the ancient Sword Lake. Thang Long Theater is located in the heart of Hanoi. This is a unique ethnic art form only found in Vietnam. Enjoy the magical sounds of traditional musical instruments with the bold folk identity of the North. These places cater to tourists, organizations, or children on request. The theater currently has a direct ticketing system via phone and email.

Read more: TOP 20 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM 2023

Day 2: Explore Ha Noi Capital

You will have a day to discover Hanoi's historical and cultural values. Let's learn about the country and people of Vietnam together through impressive destinations. Learn more: Hanoi tours (Daily tour)

• 6:00 am: Start on the second day by departing to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum. Every morning there is a flag-raising ceremony at this time. Watching the sunrise, the early rays of sunlight shining through the red flag with yellow stars are gorgeous and proud.

But Monday and Friday will not be open, you can walk around to take pictures outside.

Read more: BEST TIME TO VISIT VIETNAM & WEATHER EACH MONTH

• 8:00 am: After visiting the Presidential Mausoleum or accidentally hit on the closing day, visitors can go around the back to visit One Pillar Pagoda.
• 9:45 am: Continue the tour with Tran Quoc Pagoda. This is an old temple in Hanoi. Because it is only about 2km from Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, you can choose to go to Uncle Ho's Mausoleum or Temple first.
• 11:00 am: When leaving the pagoda, go to the Temple of Literature about 4 km away. If you go alone, you should pay attention to the one-way street at Quoc Tu Giam street.
• 12:00 am: After visiting the Temple of Literature, have lunch with Bun Cha Hanoi - a famous traditional dish. The fragrant charred grilled meat will make you forget the way home. Next is the shop on Nguyen Khuyen street, Pho 24 on Van Mieu street. In addition, you can choose the restaurant you like if you don't mind going far.

• 1:30 pm: First, visit Phu Tay Ho - the temple of Princess Lieu Hanh. The temple was built in the middle of West Lake around the 17th century. Come and offer incense to pray for a year of luck and harmony.

Come to West Lake, which is known as the most romantic place in Hanoi. Around the two sides of the lake are gardens, restaurants, and amusement parks dating back to the Soviet era. Sitting on the sidewalk to buy some sweet pumpkin dishes. See the gentle water and breathe in the fresh air. Stress and fatigue will fly away with the water flowing in the cool afternoon breeze.

• 04:00 pm: Watching the sunset by the West Lake, the sky fell in the afternoon with unexpected passion. You can choose to sit at cafes with lake views. Enjoying a cup of Egg Coffee can live virtually and watch the beautiful sunset.
• 06:00 pm: If you are not worried about your trip to Ha Long Bay tomorrow. Come quickly to the Ta Hien neighborhood to mingle with Bustling life at night. The streets are brightly lit. Enjoy dishes such as Pho Cuon (rice roll with beef and vegetables) or Banh Tom (fried shrimp cake). Sip a glass of beer, listen to some gossip, and forget the way home.

Read more:

• 26 BEST THINGS TO DO IN HANOI (VIETNAM) THAT YOU CANNOT MISS [2023]
• 8 BEST EGG COFFEE HANOI: 2023 VIETNAMESE CAFE YOU MUST TRY!
• VIETNAM FOODS: 20 DISHES YOU MUST TRY WHEN YOU COME TO VIETNAM

Day 3: Relax on Halong Bay Overnight Cruisey

• 6:30 am: Wake up and breathe the early morning air in Hanoi. Enjoying a bowl of heirloom beef noodle soup, famous worldwide, will "seduce" you at first sight. Having breakfast while watching the people here rushing to work.

To move to the next place is Ha Long Bay. You can rent a car or van or sign up for an all-inclusive cruise service. Below is a reference schedule when traveling to the Bay by one of the cruise services. You can choose an overnight cruise for the best experience. There are packages of 3 days 2 nights, 2 days 1 night, and even 1 night to maximize your short visit time.

• 9:00 am: There will be a shuttle bus for guests who have booked a pick-up service at hotels in Hanoi's Old Quarter. At the same time, depart for Ha Long Bay.
• 11:30 am: Arrive at Tuan Chau Port, check in and transfer to the cruise ship
• 12:00 am: Listen to the cruise staff introduce and give safety instructions while enjoying a drink. Start your lunch with delicious fresh food while admiring the beauty of the famous Cai Trap canal. You will have a short rest before the afternoon cruise begins.
• 02:00 pm: Visit Bright Dark Cave, famous for its wild and poetic seascape at Lan Ha Bay. At this time, you can go kayaking, discover the fishing village,…

• 03:00 pm: You can choose to participate in exciting activities on board. Such as sunbathing and relaxing with massage services (contact cruise management). Besides, there is a sundeck, sauna, and an immersing jacuzzi/swimming pool.
• 04:30 pm: Return to the yacht to enjoy the sunset party on the Bay. You can also join a cooking class with the chef after the party.
• 06:45 pm: Have a romantic dinner at the restaurant on the train. Most meals on board are delicious with local fresh seafood and western-styled dishes.
• 07:30 am: After dinner, you can choose to rest. In contrast, visitors can participate in night squid fishing at the ship's stern. At the same time, there are other nightlife activities such as watching movies, singing karaoke, bars, and taking pictures,...

Learn more: HALONG BAY VIETNAM HOLIDAY PACKAGES FROM HANOI 2023 (DAILY TOUR)

Day 4: Join Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Favorite city in Vietnam

• 7:30 am: Welcome the new day with a Tai Chi or Yoga class to exercise. Note that this class will not be open in the summer.
• 8:00 am: Enjoy a light self-service breakfast at the restaurant. Includes a pantry with coffee and tea. Then explore and admire the beauty of stalactites in Trung Trang cave.
• 9:00 am: You will return to the cruise, arrange luggage and proceed with check-out procedures.
• 11:00 am: You will have a light lunch at the restaurant on the cruise amid the beautiful sea view while the yacht returns to the harbor.
• 02:00 am - 03:00 am: The bus will pick you up at Tuan Chau port and return to Hanoi. Complete your journey to get on your way to Noi Bai airport
• 05:45 pm: Take a flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Return to the hotel to check in and rest.
• 6:00 pm: Enjoy dinner with famous dishes in Saigon. For example, Com Tam, Hu Tieu, Banh Xeo, etc.
• 06:00 pm: In return, you can visit some places on your free day. Start exploring the bustling place known as the city that never sleeps.

Read more: SAIGON FOOD TOUR ON A VESPA (VEGAN/ VEGETARIAN FOOD TOUR AVAILABLE)

Bitexco Tower & Skydeck: 68-story building with a height of 269m – The symbol of Saigon. Skydeck observatory on the 49th floor, where you can admire the whole city 360 degrees, equipped with high-quality binoculars to see every corner of magnificent Saigon. There is also a helipad on the 52nd floor and 6 floors of a commercial center.

Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:30, may close later on weekends

Address: No.19-25 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Notre Dame Cathedral: Notre Dame Cathedral: Symbol of Catholicism in Vietnam. It is also one of the unique architectural works of Ho Chi Minh City. Including the main cathedral, two bell towers on both sides, and the statue of Our Lady of Peace located in the center of the flower garden in front of the church gate. Although many years have passed, it still retains the ancient and impressive architecture as the original.

Address: Paris Commune Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ben Thanh Market: The largest market in Vietnam is located in the city center. It is a place of trade and also shows the city's characteristics and the daily life of the people here. Although it has existed for more than 100 years, it still has the magnificent beauty of the past and the dynamic pace of life today.

Opening hours: 4:00 - 19:00, after 7:00 p.m. the Night market lights up extremely crowded and bustling

Address: Le Loi Street, District 1, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Read more: SIEM REAP THINGS TO DO

Day 5: Explore Vietnam's impressive Cu Chi Tunnels

• 6:00 am: About 70 km from Ho Chi Minh city center. The distance is not too far, you can choose to go by bus, motorbike or car. Travel time by car is about 2.5 hours to Cu Chi Tunnels
• 8:30 am: Experience exploring the "underground labyrinth" - one of the famous military works in Vietnam. The Cu Chi Tunnels are part of a much more extensive underground network across the country. Viet Cong soldiers used these tunnel networks in the past and played an essential role in the resistance against US forces. Regarding their structure, in addition to the central axis, other branches lead to shelters, hiding places, and underground tunnels.

You can go down to see how people lived during the war. The inside is gloomy, stuffy, and cramped.

Opening hours: 7:00 - 17:00, all days of the week

Address: Provincial Road 15, Phu Hiep Hamlet, Phu My Hung Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.

• 10:30 am: After exploring the tunnel. You will taste lunch with typical dishes of the Cu Chi army. That is boiled tapioca, cassava dipped with sesame salt cooked at Hoang Cam kitchen right inside the tunnel. There are also Cu Chi beef dishes, durian sugar cane juice, and pork rolls soup,...

• 02:00 pm: Return to Ho Chi Minh City and visit some historical and ancient sites such as:

Independence Palace: The residence and working place of the President of the Republic of Vietnam at that time. The work is ranked as one of the first ten extraordinary national monuments of Vietnam. Currently, the Independence Palace is open to people and visitors and has also welcomed many heads of state as well as high-ranking officials from other countries to visit and admire.

Opening hours: Morning from 7:30 to 11:30; Afternoon from 13:00 to 17:00.

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Central Post Office: This is an architectural work erected in Western style combined with oriental decorative touches. Until now, this post office building still retains its inherent beauty. It also brings a little more nostalgia about the time, coloring a busy and modern Saigon corner.

Opening hours: 8:00 - 17:00

Address: No. 2, Paris Commune Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• 05:00 pm: You can stop for a cup of coffee and see the local life here. Here visitors are always welcomed in the warmest way. End the tour to return to your hotel, rest, and prepare for the next day.

Day 6: Visit Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is where the Mekong River meets and empties into the sea through many tributaries. This area covers 12 provinces of Vietnam and is home to more than 1,000 different species of animals. Contrary to the noisy and bustling life of big cities, coming to this land you will have a peaceful feeling like in the countryside.

• 8:30 am: First, let's start the boat trip downstream along the Tien River. Paddle through canals, and floating markets and pass by some local fish farms

• 9:15 am: The boat will stop at a farmer's house growing cocoa. Here, you can learn about the cocoa production process. Observe the stages of sowing cocoa beans, and how to harvest them. Until the stage of fermentation and drying of cocoa beans. Accompany other local workshops on this cultivar.
• 11:00 am: Enjoy lunch in Mekong Delta. Especially the specialty here: deep-fried whale ear fish
• 01:00 pm: Continue the journey and linger on a shady path. Here you will see orchards and coconut farms. Coming to Vietnam, visitors will be able to taste fruits that they may have never seen before.
• 02:00 pm: Finally, you can rest at a local temple. Enjoy and breathe the fresh air in this tranquil place.
• 04:00 pm: End the tour and return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 7: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

This is the last day of a 7-day Vietnam tour. So you can rest at the hotel or go shopping for souvenirs on this day.

If you still want to learn more about Ho Chi Minh City. Take some time to wander around some spots before checking out. The trip will be completed when you arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Map itinerary for a 7 day tour in Vietnam

READ MORE: VIETNAM IN DECEMBER 2023: WEATHER & TRAVEL TIPS FOR WINTER BREAK

Northern Vietnam 1 week itinerary

If you don't know where to go for a week of travel but want to visit somewhere in the North, you can do so right away. There will be many places to visit in the North for a week full of interesting experiences.

The following is a list of tourist destinations in the North that are worth visiting:

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Welcome to Ha Noi	Ha Noi
Day 2	Ha Noi - Ha Long	Ha Noi
Day 3	Ha Long - Cat Ba	Ha Long
Day 4	Cat Ba - Ha Noi - Lao Cai - Sapa	Lao Cai
Day 5	Seeing Sapa	SaPa
Day 6	Sapa - Dong Van	Sapa
Day 7	Dong Van - Ha Noi	Sapa

Day 1: Visit and discover Ha Noi

If you visit Ha Noi, you must visit the Old Quarter and walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. You can tour the historic district of Ha Noi by tram or cyclo.

Day 2: Ha Noi - Ha Long

You will be moved to Ha Long. When visiting Ha Long, you can see beautiful sights such as Sung Sot cave, Thien Cung cave, Titop island, Dau Go cave, and others. In the evening, you have the option of sleeping on a boat or in a hotel.

Day 3: Ha Long - Cat Ba

You will take a boat from Ha Long Bay to Cat Ba Island to visit Lan Ha bay. Then go kayaking or swimming in Cat Ba.

Day 4: Cat Ba - Ha Noi - Lao Cai - SaPa

You can travel from Cat Ba to Ha Noi, stopping in Hai Duong to rest and buy souvenirs. When we return to Ha Noi, we will take the train or car to Lao Cai. Then go to Sapa town to see Sapa.

Day 5: Seeing Sapa

Many places to visit and experience in Sapa include: Sapa stone church, Sapa market, Cat Cat village, Ham Rong mountain, Heaven's Gate, ancient stone beach, and so on. On Saturday night, there is also the Red Dao people's Love Market.

Day 6: Sapa - Dong Van

After seeing everything in Sapa, you'll travel to Dong Van to see the global geopark. There are several places to visit in Dong Van, including the Lung Cu flagpole, buckwheat flower field, and so on.

Day 7: Dong Van - Ha Noi

After visiting Dong Van and taking virtual photos, visitors will travel to Ha Noi to conclude their one-week tour of the North.

Recommended Tour: Northern Vietnam itinerary - 8 days

7 days in South Vietnam itinerary

If you've been to the North and Central, the South will provide plenty of new experiences. You have one week to explore the beauty, landscapes, culture, and cuisine from the Southeast to the Southwest.

The following are the southern tourist destinations on the 1 week itinerary:

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Visit the bustling Ho Chi Minh city	Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2	Ho Chi Minh city - Dai Nam	Binh Duong
Day 3	Ho Chi Minh City to Bac Lieu	Bac Lieu
Day 4	Can Tho	Can Tho
Day 5	Arrive in Ben Tre, the coconut kingdom	Ben Tre
Day 6	Ca Mau	Ca Mau
Day 7	Departure

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh city

Independence Palace, Zoo and Botanical Garden, Suoi Tien amusement park, Dam Sen park, Bitexco building,... are just a few of the attractions in large and crowded Ho Chi Minh City.

• Independence Palace : 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Zoo and Botanical Garden: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ben Nghe, Dictrict 1, Ho Chi Minh city
• Suoi Tien amusement park: 120 Hanoi Highway, City, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City
• Dam Sen park: 262 Lac Long Quan, Ward 5, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh city - Dai Nam

Visitors travel to Binh Duong to see Dai Nam Park. Then you can go to Cu Chi Steel Land.

Dai Nam park: 1765a Highway 13, Hiep An Commune, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City to Bac Lieu

Visit a country known for its folk music. You can also go to the old home of the famous Bac Lieu Prince.

Day 4: Can Tho

Visit the country of "white rice with clear water" to see Ninh Kieu wharf and other attractions.

Day 5: Arrive in Ben Tre, the coconut kingdom

You will participate in activities related to coconut trees here. As an example, climbing coconuts, picking coconuts, making coconut candies, and so on.

Day 6 and 7: Ca Mau

Coming to Ca Mau cape will provide you with a plethora of new and exciting experiences. These are the national parks of U Minh Thuong and U Minh Ha. There are numerous other intriguing aspects to the "Southern Land" piece.

Central Vietnam 1 week itinerary

There are numerous scenic areas to visit in the Central region. You can see a lot of them in a week. The following are the tourist destinations in the Central region that are worth visiting:

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1,2, and 3	Quang Binh - Hue	Quang Binh
Day 4 - 5	Da Nang	Da Nang
Day 6	Hoi An	Hoi An
Day 7	Departure Da Nang

Day 1,2 and 3: Quang Binh - Hue

When you visit Quang Binh, you will discover a wonderful cave system. It will take you several days just to visit these caves. Phong Nha Ke Bang, Paradise cave Son Doong, and other caves are both beautiful and strange.

Phong Nha Ke Bang: Phong Nha Bố Trạch, Quảng Bình 511860, Việt Nam

When visiting Hue, you will be able to see all of the relics of the old Nguyen Dynasty citadel. The temples, mausoleums, and palaces will help you understand our country's history and culture from the past.

Day 4 - 5: Da Nang

If you visit Da Nang, you must go to "three spirits, four bridges," and you must go to Ba Na Hill to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.

Day 6: Hoi An

So far, Hoi An's ancient features have been preserved. The streets lined with mossy old houses are peaceful. Chua Cau remains as a historical witness. In the evening, lanterns hung everywhere illuminate Hoi An.

Day 7: Departure Da Nang

You can enjoy the last day of the day with free activities to explore food and famous places in Da Nang.

Recommend tour: Northern and middle parts of Vietnam itinerary

How much does it cost for Vietnam one week trip per person?

Day	Luxury budget	Medium budget	Small budget
Accommodation	$130 - $550/ night	$40 - $75/ night	$10 - $14/ night
Food	$90 - $160/ day	$25 - $40/ day	$15 - $20/ day
Transportation	$30 - $90/ day	$15 - $20/ day	$8 - $12/ day
Shopping	$60 - $100/ item	$15 - $20/ item	$4 - $8/ item
Attracions	$70 - $120/ day	$30 - $50/ day	$6 - $12/ day
Total (for a day)	Average $350	Average $150	Average $50
Total (for a week)	Average $2450 (including going on tour every day and souvenir items)	Average $1050 (including going on tour every day and souvenir items)	Average $350 (including going on tour every day and souvenir items)

Frequently asked questions about Vietnam 1 week itinerary

Is 1 week in Vietnam enough?

7 days (1 week) in Vietnam is enough to enjoy the classic atmosphere in Hanoi city or blend in with the bustling life in Ho Chi Minh city. Alternatively, you can spend the last 2 days exploring the magnificent Halong bay.

How many days in Vietnam is enough?

10 days is the best amount of time to visit Vietnam. During this time, you can fully experience the rich culture of this country in South Asia.

How to spend 8 days in Vietnam?

8 days itinerary in Vietnam: Day 1: HCM city - Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 3: Nha Trang - Day 4: Da Nang - Day 5: Hoi An - Day 6: Halong Bay - Day 7: Hanoi - Day 8: Departure.

How much does Vietnam 1 week trip cost?

Vietnam 1 week itinerary costs an average of $1,037 for a single traveler, $1,796 for a couple, and $924 for a family of four. Hotels in Vietnam range from $25 to $153 per night, with an average of $46, while most vacation rentals cost $50 to $410 per night for the entire home.

Join the best Vietnam 1 week itinerary from North to South. This is a tour, discovery, and life experience about the people and country of Vietnam. You will have a full week to fully enjoy this wonderful trip.