Hanoi itineraries: 1-7 days- 7 different experiences

Situated to the north of Vietnam, Hanoi has long been regarded as the heartland of Vietnamese civilization and one of the biggest political, economic and cultural centers of the country. 

Visiting Hanoi, tourists will be amazed by the diversity of travel destinations they may choose, ranging from ancient temples to overcrowded streets full of motorbikes and food.

It’s not easy when you only have 1-2 days to explore such a large and diverse place. 

In order to provide you the best travel experience, we would like to suggest 7 different itineraries from only one day to a whole week.

Hope that with these 7 suggested itineraries, your time in Hanoi would be as wonderful and convenient as possible.

Hanoi Itinerary 1 Day

Honestly speaking, it is not enough to spend just one day to explore such a diverse place like Hanoi. But even if you’re pressed for time, you can still enjoy the essence of Hanoi within a day.

In this itinerary, we would like to include the most representative places of the city.

The highlights of this trip would be HISTORY AND FOOD.  Hanoi is well-known for its 1000 years of history and its irresistible cuisine. 

The first place tourists will visit is the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, followed by Ho Chi Minh Museum, two of the most important constructions dedicated to Ho Chi Minh.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Due to the importance of the two places, tourists are expected to behave politely and wear unrevealing clothes within the mausoleum and the museum. 

The trip also includes One-pillar Pagoda- one of the most famous pagodas throughout Vietnam. As the name suggests, the whole pagoda stands on only one pillar above a pond.

The architecture was constructed in the 11 century and resembles a lotus-the symbol of Buddhism. 

Another highlight of the trip is food. The Old Quarter of Hanoi is well-known for its traditional dishes that you may find in nowhere else.

Wandering through small streets full of delicious snacks and desserts would be something shouldn’t be missed on your list.

The trip finishes at 5:00 pm so that you will have time to pack your luggage and get back to your country.

Day 1: HISTORY & FOOD TOUR
07:00am – Airport to City Center
08:00am – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
09:00am – Ho Chi Minh Museum
11:30am – One-pillar Pagoda
12:00nn – Walk to Old Quarter
01:00pm – Food Tour
05:00pm – Old Quarter to Airport

Hanoi Itinerary 2 Days

In this itinerary, besides what you may have in Hanoi Itinerary 1 Day, you will definitely have more time to explore other popular travel destinations in Hanoi.

The first day will be somewhat similar to the Hanoi Itinerary 1 Day but for the second day, you will start by a visit to a very holy temple in Hanoi: Ngoc Son Temple.

To visit the temple, you need to cross The Huc bridge with a very distinct red color. The bridge is also a very popular check-in spot for tourists.

The Huc bridge

Now that you have crossed the bridge, you have the chance to explore the religious side of the city.

Inside the temple, the body of a very large turtle related to the foundation of the city is displayed, which may be an unforgettable experience for any tourist.

You can also visit  St. Joseph Cathedral and Vietnamese Women’s Museum, two popular places recommended for tourists due to their historical and cultural value.

Finish lunch, you will have a chance to enjoy the view of the city through a City Tour, followed by a grand dinner before packing your luggage to get back to your country.

Day 1: HISTORY & FOOD TOUR
07:30am – Airport to City Center
08:30am – Hotel check-in
09:00am – Walk to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
10:00am – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
11:00am – One-pillar Pagoda
11:30am – Lunch
02:00pm – Ho Chi Minh Museum
04:30pm – Walk back to Old Quarter
06:00pm – Food Tour
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: HANOI LAKES
07:00am – Wake up, early check out
08:00am – Huc Bridge & Ngoc Son Temple
09:30am – St. Joseph Cathedral, Vietnamese Women’s Museum
11:00am – Lunch
12:30am – Walk to Thang Long Opera Hotel
01:00pm – Hanoi City Tour
05:00pm – End tour
06:00pm – Early dinner
08:00pm – Pick up bags
08:30pm – Transfer to airport
10:00pm – Flight check-in
01:00am – Flight out

Hanoi Itinerary 3 Days (with Ha Long Bay Day Tour)

As the title suggests, Halong bay will be the highlight of this itinerary. Together with the essence of Hanoi within the first two days, a trip to Halong on the last day is absolutely a good way to feel the fullest of Vietnam.

Located to the Northeast of Hanoi, it takes around 4 hours to get from Hanoi to Halong by bus. Therefore, the trip will start early in the morning so that you will have more time to enjoy Halong.

Ha Long Bay Day Tour

Often well-known worldwide as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Halong attracts millions of tourists every year.

The bay is famous for countless limestone islets emerging above  emerald green sea water.

The beauty of Halong is compared to a Chinese ink painting. But Halong is also famous not just for its incredible landscape but also its seafood.

The seafood here is highly valued and often gets praised as the best in the country thanks to its environment. 

Halong trip finishes at 8:30 pm. Then you can pack your luggage, get to the airport before flying back to your country.

Day 1: FOOD TOUR + HO CHI MINH COMPLEX
07:30am – Airport to City Center
08:30am – Hotel check-in
09:00am – Walk to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
10:00am – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
11:00am – One-pillar Pagoda
11:30am – Lunch
02:00pm – Ho Chi Minh Museum
04:30pm – Walk back to Old Quarter
06:00pm – Food Tour
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: HANOI LAKES
07:00am – Wake up
08:00am – Huc Bridge & Ngoc Son Temple
09:30am – St. Joseph Cathedral, Vietnamese Women’s Museum
11:00am – Lunch
12:30am – Walk to Thang Long Opera Hotel
01:00pm – Hanoi City Tour
05:00pm – End tour
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: HA LONG BAY DAY TOUR
07:00am – Early hotel check-out, leave bags
08:00am – Start Halong Bay Tour
08:30pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags
09:00pm – Transfer to airport
10:00pm – Flight check-in
01:00am – Flight out

Hanoi Itinerary 4 Days (with Overnight Ha Long Bay Tour)

Continue our Hanoi Itinerary 3 Days for another day, what is better than spend another day in the magnificent bay of Halong? 

Another day means that you will have more time to explore Halong. The bay consists of may small islets and each islet is characterized by its unique geographical feature.

Overnight Ha Long Bay Tour

Some resemble animals, some resemble objects, which you may find amazing every time you think about it.

Halong also includes may caves such as Surprise Cave or Dau Go cave. These caves are highly valued due to the geographical uniqueness which is form after millions of years. 

When mentioning Halong, it would be a mistake not mentioning a variety of aquatic sports that Halong offers, ranging from normal sports like volleyball or beach volleyball to very exotic ones like mountain climbing or kayaking.

The trip ends at 5:30 pm. Then you move back to Hanoi to have dinner before packing, getting to the airport and flying home.

Day 1: FOOD TOUR + HO CHI MINH COMPLEX
07:30am – Airport to City Center
08:30am – Hotel check-in
09:00am – Walk to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
10:00am – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
11:00am – One-pillar Pagoda
11:30am – Lunch
02:00pm – Ho Chi Minh Museum
04:30pm – Walk back to Old Quarter
06:00pm – Food Tour
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: HANOI LAKES
07:00am – Wake up
08:00am – Huc Bridge & Ngoc Son Temple
09:30am – St. Joseph Cathedral, Vietnamese Women’s Museum
11:00am – Lunch
12:30am – Walk to Thang Long Opera Hotel
01:00pm – Hanoi City Tour
05:00pm – End tour
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: HA LONG BAY TOUR
07:00am – Early hotel check-out, deposit bags
08:00am – Start Halong Bay Tour
11:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: HA LONG BAY DAY TOUR
07:00am – Continue Ha Long Bay tour
05:30pm – Back in Hanoi
06:00pm – Dinner
08:30pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags
09:00pm – Transfer to airport
10:00pm – Flight check-in
01:00am – Flight out

Hanoi Itinerary 5 Days

This itinerary will be a little different. Instead of having a Halong Bay trip on your third day, you will enjoy another day in Hanoi before continue the trip in Halong on the fourth and fifth day. 

As the two first day, you have already walked a lot, the third day would start from 12:00 am so that you will have more time to relax or get around the city on your own. 

At 12:00, you will have lunch and take a rest until 5:20 when you will have the chance to enjoy a specialty of Vietnam: Water puppet.

Water Puppet

Although puppet can be found around the world, water puppet is something that can only be found in Vietnam.

The topics of the puppet show are very simple, mainly about the life of Vietnamese farmers in the countryside.

But you will be amazed by how skillful the puppet masters control their puppets from the back of the stage.

The art of water puppet will be something you will remember every time the flashbacks of the tour show up.

Day 1: FOOD TOUR + HO CHI MINH COMPLEX
07:30am – Airport to City Center
08:30am – Hotel check-in
09:00am – Walk to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
10:00am – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
11:00am – One-pillar Pagoda
11:30am – Lunch
02:00pm – Ho Chi Minh Museum
04:30pm – Walk back to Old Quarter
06:00pm – Food Tour
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: HANOI LAKES
07:00am – Wake up
08:00am – Huc Bridge & Ngoc Son Temple
09:30am – St. Joseph Cathedral, Vietnamese Women’s Museum
11:00am – Lunch
12:30am – Walk to Thang Long Opera Hotel
01:00pm – Hanoi City Tour
05:00pm – End tour
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: REST DAY, WATER PUPPETS SHOW
12:00nn – Lunch
05:20pm – Water Puppet Show
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: HA LONG BAY TOUR
07:00am – Early hotel check-out, deposit bags
08:00am – Start Halong Bay Tour
11:00pm – Lights out

Day 5: HA LONG BAY DAY TOUR
07:00am – Continue Ha Long Bay tour
05:30pm – Back in Hanoi
06:00pm – Dinner
08:30pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags
09:00pm – Transfer to airport
10:00pm – Flight check-in
01:00am – Flight out

Hanoi Itinerary 6 Days

In this itinerary, you will have the chance to visit Ninh Binh, another popular destination in the northern part of Vietnam on the third day.

Located 94 km to the south of Hanoi, Ninhbinh is one of the destinations that you should never take off your list when travelling to Vietnam. 

Ninhbinh is renowned for not only its natural landscapes such as Tam Coc but also its man-made architectures including Bai Dinh - The world’s largest buddhist temple. 

Ninh Binh

Located outside of Ninh Binh town, Tam Coc is one of the best nature destinations in Vietnam although it remains firmly off the tourist trail.

Tam Coc is known for its karst landscape which is similar to the better known Halong Bay, although here you will find some scenic limestone hills which are dotted amongst emerald green rice paddies.

On the other hand, Bai Dinh is a colorful Buddhist temple complex that is located on a scenic hill close to Ninh Binh town.

The temple was built in 2014 and has quickly become one of the top attractions in the area.

The entrance leads to walkways which are lined with 500 stone arhats (images of enlightened Buddhists) and inside you will find the Phap Chu Pagoda which extends over some three tiers.

There is also a bronze Buddha inside which weighs 100 tons and is 10 meters high as well as two smaller gilded Buddhas.

Day 1: FOOD TOUR + HO CHI MINH COMPLEX
07:30am – Airport to City Center
08:30am – Hotel check-in
09:00am – Walk to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
10:00am – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
11:00am – One-pillar Pagoda
11:30am – Lunch
02:00pm – Ho Chi Minh Museum
04:30pm – Walk back to Old Quarter
06:00pm – Food Tour
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: HANOI LAKES
07:00am – Wake up
08:00am – Huc Bridge & Ngoc Son Temple
09:30am – St. Joseph Cathedral, Vietnamese Women’s Museum
11:00am – Lunch
12:30am – Walk to Thang Long Opera Hotel
01:00pm – Hanoi City Tour
05:00pm – End tour
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: NINH BINH
07:00am – Wake up
08:00am – Hotel pick up, Ninh Binh Tour
06:30pm – End tour, back in Hanoi
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: REST DAY, WATER PUPPETS SHOW
12:00nn – Lunch
05:20pm – Water Puppet Show
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Lights out

Day 5: HA LONG BAY TOUR
07:00am – Early hotel check-out, deposit bags
08:00am – Start Halong Bay Tour
11:00pm – Lights out

Day 6: HA LONG BAY DAY TOUR
07:00am – Continue Ha Long Bay tour
05:30pm – Back in Hanoi
06:00pm – Dinner
08:30pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags
09:00pm – Transfer to airport
10:00pm – Flight check-in
01:00am – Flight out

Hanoi Itinerary 7 Days

The highlight of this itinerary would be a trip to Perfume pagoda, one of the holiest buddhist temples in Vietnam.

The Perfume Pagoda, known locally as Chua Huong or ‘inner temple’, is at the centre of a very revered and sacred site featuring a maze of mainly Buddhist temples built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich.

At the heart of this complex lies the Perfume Temple or Perfume Pagoda in the Huong Tich Cave.

It is believed that the first temple was built here in the 15th century, although legend declares that the site was actually discovered over 2,000 years ago by a Buddhist monk who was meditating nearby.

The mountain foothills are an area of great natural and spiritual beauty filled with streams, tropical plants and temples.

To get to the temple, there is no way rather than get on a boat directed by local women. The water way to the temple is so breathtaking that many would compare it to the beauty of Halong. 

The best time to visit is Spring when the weather is very cool and the flowers bloom. The view is perfect for picnics and photos.

Summer can be very hot but it’s the time when you don’t have to “compete” with other tourists for space.

The tour also includes a rest day featuring water puppet show on the fourth day and a Halong trip on the last two days.

Day 1: FOOD TOUR + HO CHI MINH COMPLEX
07:30am – Airport to City Center
08:30am – Hotel check-in
09:00am – Walk to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
10:00am – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
11:00am – One-pillar Pagoda
11:30am – Lunch
02:00pm – Ho Chi Minh Museum
04:30pm – Walk back to Old Quarter
06:00pm – Food Tour
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 2: HANOI LAKES
07:00am – Wake up
08:00am – Huc Bridge & Ngoc Son Temple
09:30am – St. Joseph Cathedral, Vietnamese Women’s Museum
11:00am – Lunch
12:30am – Walk to Thang Long Opera Hotel
01:00pm – Hanoi City Tour
05:00pm – End tour
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 3: NINH BINH
07:00am – Wake up
08:00am – Hotel pick up, Ninh Binh Tour
06:30pm – End tour, back in Hanoi
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 4: PERFUME PAGODA
06:00am – Wake up call
07:30am – Hotel pick up, Perfume Pagoda Tour
06:00pm – End tour, back in Hanoi
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Walk back to hotel
10:00pm – Lights out

Day 5: REST DAY, WATER PUPPETS SHOW
12:00nn – Lunch
05:20pm – Water Puppet Show
07:00pm – Dinner
09:00pm – Lights out

Day 6: HA LONG BAY TOUR
07:00am – Early hotel check-out, deposit bags
08:00am – Start Halong Bay Tour
11:00pm – Lights out

Day 7: HA LONG BAY DAY TOUR
07:00am – Continue Ha Long Bay tour
05:30pm – Back in Hanoi
06:00pm – Dinner
08:30pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags
09:00pm – Transfer to airport
10:00pm – Flight check-in
01:00am – Flight out