9-Day Vietnam Itinerary 2026: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City 

Planning your first trip to Vietnam? This 9-day Vietnam itinerary covers the country from north to south in one smooth route. You will see Hanoi’s Old Quarter, glide through rice fields on a Tam Coc boat ride, sleep on a Ha Long Bay cruise, walk the Golden Bridge in Da Nang, and finish in Ho Chi Minh City with the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. 

Quick answer: The best vietnam itinerary for 9 days is Hanoi and Ninh Binh (2 nights), a Ha Long Bay overnight cruise (1 night), Da Nang and Hoi An (3 nights), and Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights). Two short domestic flights link the regions: Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Go-Go Trips: Amazing Vietnam in 9 Days. 9 days / 8 nights, with Indian meals, 4★ hotels, cruise, domestic flights and guides included. 

9-Day Vietnam Itinerary  

Day	Where	Main plan	Night stay
1	Hanoi	Arrive, Hanoi city tour, cyclo ride in the Old Quarter	Hanoi (4★)
2	Ninh Binh	Hoa Lu ancient capital, Tam Coc boat ride	Hanoi (4★)
3	Ha Long Bay	Drive to the bay, board overnight cruise	Cruise
4	Ha Long Bay to Da Nang	Morning on the bay, flight to Da Nang, Dragon Bridge	Da Nang (4★)
5	Da Nang	Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge	Da Nang (4★)
6	Da Nang and Hoi An	Marble Mountain, Coconut Village, Hoi An	Da Nang (4★)
7 to 8	Ho Chi Minh City	Fly south, city tour, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta	Ho Chi Minh City (4★)
9	Ho Chi Minh City	Departure	—

Times between places in this Vietnam travel itinerary: 

• Hanoi to Ninh Binh: about 90 km, 1.5 to 2 hours by road. 

• Hanoi to Ha Long Bay: about 170 km, 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road. 

• Hanoi to Da Nang: about 1 hour 20 minutes by air. 

• Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City: about 1 hour 25 minutes by air. 

• Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta (My Tho or Ben Tre): about 2 hours each way. 

How Many Days for Vietnam? Is 9 Days Enough? 

Nine days is enough for a first trip that covers Vietnam’s three regions: north, centre and south. You see the big highlights, including Ninh Binh, without rushing. If you also want Sapa, Hue or a beach island like Phu Quoc, plan 12 to 14 days. 

• 5 to 7 days: pick one or two regions, such as Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Da Nang. 

• 8 to 10 days: north, centre and south with two domestic flights. This is the plan below. 

• 12 to 14 days: add Hue, Sapa or Phu Quoc. 

Read more: Top 10 places to visit in Vietnam for Indians in the USA 

Days 1 to 4: Hanoi Sightseeing, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay Cruise 

Start in the north. Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is calmer than Ho Chi Minh City, so it is an easy first stop after a long flight. The order of the first three days may shift with flight times; your tour manager confirms the final plan. 

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi 

An airport transfer takes you from Noi Bai Airport to your hotel, about 45 to 60 minutes away. Then the Hanoi city tour begins. A Hanoi city tour usually covers these top things to do in Hanoi and places to visit in Hanoi (your final itinerary lists the exact stops): 

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex: the mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and the stilt house. 

• Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first national university, with quiet courtyards. 

• Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple: a short, easy walk in the heart of the city. 

• Cyclo ride in the Old Quarter: sit back in a pedal rickshaw and roll through narrow streets, each once known for one trade. It is the most relaxed way to see the Old Quarter. 

Optional, at your own cost: the water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, about 200 m from Hoan Kiem Lake. Shows run Monday to Saturday at 4:10 pm, 5:20 pm, 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm. Tickets cost 100,000 to 200,000 VND ($4 to $8). 

Mausoleum timing: It is closed from September 4 to November 2, 2026, and reopens November 3. It also shuts every Monday, Friday and afternoon. Entry is free, but shoulders and knees must be covered. 

Day 2: Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu and the Tam Coc Boat Ride 

Ninh Binh is often called “Ha Long Bay on land”. It is about 90 km south of Hanoi, 1.5 to 2 hours by road. 

• Hoa Lu ancient capital: temples of Vietnam’s 10th-century kings, set among limestone hills. 

• Tam Coc boat ride: a rower takes you about 1.5 to 2 hours along a quiet river, past rice fields and through three low caves. Many rowers paddle with their feet. 

Carry a hat and sunscreen, as the boats have little or no shade. You return to Hanoi in the evening. 

Day 3: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise 

This is the most-loved day of any Vietnam trip itinerary. You leave Hanoi in the morning for the 170 km drive by expressway. 

On a Ha Long Bay overnight cruise (often spelled Halong Bay cruise), you check in around noon, have lunch on board, and sail between limestone islands. Most 2-day, 1-night cruises include all meals, kayaking or a bamboo boat ride, and a cave or island visit. 

Day cruise or overnight? A day trip means about 6 hours on the road for 4 hours on the water. The overnight Ha Long Bay cruise gives you sunset, sunrise and a calmer bay, which is why this Hanoi Ha Long Bay tour includes one night on board. 

Day 4: Ha Long Bay Morning, Fly to Da Nang, See the Dragon Bridge 

Wake up early for tai chi or a sunrise view, then brunch on board. After the cruise, you drive to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, about 2.5 to 3 hours away, and fly to Da Nang (about 1 hour 20 minutes). 

In the evening, see the Dragon Bridge. The 666 m bridge lights up every night, and on Saturday and Sunday it breathes fire and water at 9 pm for about 10 to 12 minutes. 

Days 5 and 6: Things to Do in Da Nang City and Hoi An 

Da Nang, Vietnam’s central beach city, is clean, easy to get around, and close to the top attractions in central Vietnam. 

Day 5: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge 

Ba Na Hills is about 25 km from Da Nang, a 45-minute drive. You reach the top by cable car. The main line runs about 5.8 km and takes 15 to 20 minutes. 

The star is the Golden Bridge (Cau Vang), opened in 2018. It is about 150 m long and looks held up by two giant stone hands. Many people search for it as “the bridge golden gate”, but its real name is Cau Vang, the Golden Bridge Vietnam is famous for. The hands are decorative and do not support the bridge. 

If you visit on your own, the 2026 Bana Hills ticket is 900,000 VND (about $35) for adults and 750,000 VND for children 1 m to 1.4 m tall; under 1 m is free. It covers the cable cars, the Golden Bridge, the French Village and the gardens. 

Tips: Carry a light jacket, as the top is 10 to 15 degrees Celsius cooler than the city. Keep your ticket, as you need it for the cable car down. 

Day 6: Marble Mountain, Coconut Village and Hoi An 

This day mixes the best attractions in Da Nang, Vietnam, with Hoi An Ancient Town. 

• Marble Mountain (morning): five marble hills with caves and pagodas, with a lift to the top. Allow 2 to 3 hours. 

• Coconut Village (afternoon): at Bay Mau coconut forest in Cam Thanh, about 5 km from Hoi An, you ride a round bamboo basket boat through water palms. If you go on your own, book through your hotel, because roadside touts often overcharge. 

• Hoi An Ancient Town (evening): about 30 km from Da Nang. Stay until dark, when the lanterns light up the old streets and the river. 

Days 7 to 9: Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta 

The last part of this best Vietnam travel itinerary is your Ho Chi Minh City itinerary. After a morning flight from Da Nang (about 1 hour 25 minutes), two full days cover the city, the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. Your tour manager sets the exact order around flight times. 

Ho Chi Minh City Tour and War Remnants Museum 

• War Remnants Museum: open daily 7:30 am to 6 pm. Allow 2 to 3 hours. Some photos are graphic, so parents of young children may want to skip some rooms. 

• Independence Palace, Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market: the city’s best-known landmarks, all close together in District 1. 

• Evening: Nguyen Hue Walking Street, or dinner on Bui Vien Street. 

Cu Chi Tunnels 

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a huge underground network used during the Vietnam War. You can crawl a short, widened section and see hidden trapdoors and kitchens. There are two sites: Ben Dinh, about 1.5 hours from the city, busier, with tunnels widened for visitors; and Ben Duoc, about 2 hours away, quieter and closer to the original. 

A Cu Chi Tunnels Vietnam tour takes about half a day. Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed shoes. Some travellers spell it “Chu Chi tunnels tour” when searching, but the official name is Cu Chi. 

Mekong Delta Day Trip 

A Mekong Delta day tour usually goes to My Tho and Ben Tre, about 2 hours from the city each way. A typical day includes: 

• a boat ride on the Mekong River and a small sampan through palm-lined canals, 

• a visit to a coconut candy workshop in Ben Tre, 

• fresh tropical fruit at a family orchard. 

Travel to the Mekong Delta with a guide, not on your own. A one-day visit is hard to arrange on your own. 

Day 9: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City 

After breakfast, you transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight home. Want 3 days in Ho Chi Minh instead of two? Add one night. A Ho Chi Minh itinerary of 3 days leaves free time for shopping and a Saigon River cruise. 

Read more: How to sleep comfortably on long-haul flights 

Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi: Can You Do This Route in Reverse? 

Yes. Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi works just as well if you travel on your own, and the flight between the two cities is about 2 hours 10 minutes. Go-Go Trips group departures run north to south. 

Read more: 10 proven ways to find cheap flights 

What’s New for Vietnam Travel in 2026 

• Cu Chi Tunnels: the foreigner ticket is 135,000 VND from February 1, 2026. 

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: closed for maintenance until November 2, 2026; it reopens November 3. 

• Nonstop US flight: Vietnam Airlines flies nonstop from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City four times a week. 

Vietnam Visa for Indians Living in the USA 

Both US and Indian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam. Neither country is on Vietnam’s visa-free list. The good news: the e-visa is fully online. 

• Apply only on the official site: evisa.gov.vn. Other sites are agents that add extra fees. 

• Fee: $25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry. 

• Stay: up to 90 days. 

• Processing: about 3 working days. Apply at least 2 weeks before you fly to be safe. 

• Passport: keep at least 6 months of validity and blank pages. Print your e-visa and carry it. 

Best Time to Visit Vietnam for This Itinerary 

Vietnam’s weather changes by region, so no month is perfect everywhere. For this north-to-south route, March to April and October to November give the best balance. 

Region	Best months	Avoid or plan around
North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh)	March to May, September to November	Cold, misty days in Jan to Feb
Centre (Da Nang, Hoi An, Ba Na Hills)	February to April, August to October	Typhoon and flood risk Sept to Nov
South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Cu Chi)	December to April	Very hot April to May

Read more: 9 incredible places to visit in November 

How Much Does a 9-Day Vietnam Trip Cost? 

With Go-Go Trips, one package covers 4★ hotels, the cruise, meals, domestic flights, guides, entrance fees and tips, so only your international flight, visa and personal spending are extra. Call us for the current price for your departure date. 

If you plan it on your own, a mid-range trip costs about $850 to $1,500 per person, with two people sharing a room, before flights, visa and insurance. 

In October 2026, $1 was about 25,800 Vietnamese dong (VND). Key 2026 prices if you book on your own (all are included in the Go-Go Trips tour): 

Item	Price
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise (2 days, 1 night)	$120 to $300 per person
Ba Na Hills adult ticket	900,000 VND (about $35)
Tam Coc boat ride	150,000 VND (about $6)
Cu Chi Tunnels foreigner ticket	135,000 VND (about $5)

Read more: How to avoid extra fees when booking flights 

Indian Food in Vietnam: Where to Eat 

You will find Indian food in all three main cities, and vegetarian food is easy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

• Hanoi: Namaste Hanoi and Dalcheeni, both with vegetarian dishes. Indian restaurants are easy to find around the Old Quarter. 

• Ho Chi Minh City: Tandoor Indian Restaurant in District 1 for North Indian curries and naan, and Baba’s Kitchen on Bui Vien Street for veg and non-veg classics. 

• Da Nang: fewer choices. Ganesh, a chain with branches in several Vietnamese cities, is a common pick. Check that a branch is open near your hotel. 

• Cruise and day tours: ask for vegetarian or Jain meals at booking time. 

On the Go-Go Trips tour, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included as per the itinerary, with Indian, Vietnamese and international meals. Tell us about vegetarian or Jain needs when you book. 

4 Star Hotels and Private Transfers 

For families and seniors, 4 star hotels in central areas save time every day. The Go-Go Trips tour uses 4★ hotels with buffet breakfast for all 7 hotel nights. 

On the tour, airport transfers and road sightseeing are in a private AC coach, so there are no taxis to book. Ask us for the hotel names for your departure date. If you add free days on your own, the Grab app works well for short city rides. 

Read more: Luxury travel on a budget: 5-star experiences for less 

Smart Tips Before You Go 

• Cash: carry some VND for markets, snacks and small shops. Cards work in hotels and malls. 

• Dress: cover shoulders and knees for the Mausoleum and pagodas. 

• Bargain: at Han Market and Ben Thanh Market, start at about half the asking price. 

• Book ahead: cruises, flights and Ba Na Hills fill up during Tet (Lunar New Year), April 30 and September 2. 

• Pack light layers: Ba Na Hills is cool, Ho Chi Minh City is hot, and rain can come any time. 

Read more: How to pack a suitcase for long trips without overpacking 

Go-Go Trips Vietnam Tour: Dates and Inclusions 

Our Amazing Vietnam in 9 Days tour follows the exact route above: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. It is 9 days and 8 nights, with Indian meals included. 

What is included: 

• 7 nights in 4★ hotels with buffet breakfast 

• 1 night on a Ha Long Bay cruise 

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner as per itinerary: Indian, Vietnamese and international meals 

• Private AC coach and all transfers 

• Domestic flights: Hanoi to Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City 

• English-speaking local guides 

• Experienced tour manager or local representative 

• Tips and service charges 

• All sightseeing and entrance fees: cyclo tour in Hanoi, Tam Coc boat ride, Ha Long Bay cruise, Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge, Marble Mountain, Coconut Village and Hoi An, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta and War Remnants Museum 

Not included: visa, international flights and personal expenses. Anything not listed above is not included. Terms and conditions apply. 

Call +1 (229) 329-1796 or send an enquiry to our travel experts. You can also browse our other tour packages. 

Read more: 12 romantic and thrilling tours every couple should experience 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best Vietnam travel itinerary for first-timers? 

The best first-time route is north to south: Hanoi and Ninh Binh, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, Da Nang with Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City with the Mekong Delta. It covers all three regions in 9 days with two short domestic flights, so you see the main highlights without long bus rides. 

How much does a 9-day Vietnam tour cost? 

If you plan it yourself, a mid-range 9-day trip costs about $850 to $1,500 per person, with two sharing, before flights, visa and insurance. A Go-Go Trips package includes hotels, meals, the cruise, domestic flights, guides and entrance fees; call +1 (229) 329-1796 for the current price. 

What is included in the Go-Go Trips 9-day Vietnam tour? 

It includes 7 nights in 4★ hotels, 1 night on a Ha Long Bay cruise, meals with Indian options, domestic flights, a private AC coach, guides, entrance fees and tips. Visa, international flights and personal expenses are not included. 

Do Indians living in the USA need a visa for Vietnam? 

Yes. Both Indian and US passport holders need a visa. Apply online at evisa.gov.vn, the official site. A single-entry e-visa costs $25, a multiple-entry one costs $50, and both allow stays of up to 90 days. Processing takes about 3 working days. 

Is a delta Mekong trip worth it in one day? 

Yes, if you want a taste of river life. A Mekong Delta day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre takes about 2 hours each way. You get a river boat ride, a sampan through small canals, a coconut candy workshop and a fruit orchard. Stay overnight only if you want floating markets. 

Which is better for the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc? 

Ben Dinh is closer to the city, about 1.5 hours away, and its tunnels are widened for visitors. Ben Duoc is about 2 hours away, much quieter and closer to the original tunnels. Both charge foreigners 135,000 VND from February 2026. Pick Ben Dinh for families and Ben Duoc for fewer crowds. 

Is Indian vegetarian food easy to find in Vietnam? 

Yes, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Try Namaste Hanoi or Dalcheeni in Hanoi, and Tandoor or Baba’s Kitchen in Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang has fewer choices. On the Go-Go Trips tour, Indian meals are included, so you do not need to search for them. 

Is November a good time for a 9-day Vietnam itinerary? 

It is good for Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ho Chi Minh City, which turns drier from December. Central Vietnam can still see heavy rain and floods until November. Keep a spare half-day in Da Nang, buy travel insurance, and check the weather before your Ba Na Hills day.