12 Days in Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City

Get ready for one of Southeast Asia’s great journeys. In twelve days you’ll trace Vietnam from north to south: Hanoi’s buzzing lanes, a night among Ha Long Bay’s limestone islands, Hue’s imperial citadel and royal tombs, lantern-lit Hoi An and high-energy Ho Chi Minh City.

This plan suits first-time visitors who want the big highlights without sprinting. The pace is steady: two or three anchor sights a day, time to eat, wander and rest, plus three long-distance transfers and the Ha Long Bay round trip. Prefer slower travel? Drop the optional day trips and linger.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Hanoi	Arrival, Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter street food
2	Hanoi	Ba Dinh, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (seasonal), Temple of Literature
3	Ha Long Bay	Board an overnight cruise, caves and kayaking
4	Ha Long Bay to Hanoi	Sunrise on the bay, return to Hanoi
5	Hanoi to Hue	Travel day, evening by the Perfume River
6	Hue	Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda
7	Hue	Royal tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
8	Hue to Hoi An	Coastal road via the Hai Van Pass, lantern evening
9	Hoi An	Old town heritage houses, rice fields by bike
10	Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City	Beach morning, flight south
11	Ho Chi Minh City	Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum
12	Ho Chi Minh City	Optional day trip, departure

Day 1: Hello Hanoi, lakes and lanes

Welcome to Vietnam! Today is all about lakes, lanes and your first bowl of noodles.

Morning

Land at Noi Bai International Airport and head into the city (see “Getting there and getting around”). Drop your bags in the Old Quarter and ease in slowly.

Afternoon

Stroll the loop around Hoan Kiem Lake, then cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on its little island. The Old Quarter starts right on the lake’s northern shore, so today is all on foot.

Evening

Pull up a plastic stool for pho or bun cha and let Hanoi’s evening buzz wash over you. Keep cash in small notes.

Day 2: Ba Dinh and the Temple of Literature

Get ready for grand monuments and peaceful courtyards.

Morning

Start early in the Ba Dinh area, a short taxi or ride-hail trip west of the Old Quarter. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opens on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings only and is closed on Mondays and Fridays. In the cold season (1 November to 31 March) visiting hours are 8:00 to 11:00, extended to 11:30 on weekends and holidays. In the hot season (1 April to 31 October) they run 7:30 to 10:30, or to 11:00 on weekends and holidays.

Important: the mausoleum closes every year for restoration. In 2026 it is closed from 4 September to 2 November and is scheduled to reopen on 3 November. Check the Management Board’s website before you plan around it.

Afternoon

Walk or take a short ride south to the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam’s first national university, with its courtyards, pavilions and doctoral stelae. It opens 8:00 to 17:00 every day. A standard adult ticket is VND 70,000, and children under 16 enter free. Wear respectful clothing when entering the shrines and keep your voice down in sacred areas, as the site’s own regulations ask.

If you’d rather go by bus, the official site lists routes 02, 41, E08 and E09 stopping opposite 40 Ton Duc Thang Street, and route 38 at 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street.

Evening

On Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday the Temple of Literature runs a night experience from 18:00 to 22:00, a magical way to see the courtyards lit up. Check the official site for night ticket details. Tonight, confirm tomorrow’s cruise pick-up time.

Day 3: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

This is the day you set sail among Ha Long Bay’s limestone islands!

Morning

Many overnight cruises offer a shuttle from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the marina. Confirm pick-up and journey times with your operator, and book in advance, especially for weekends.

Afternoon

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO-listed seascape of limestone islands, and the Ha Long Bay Management Department organises visits along set routes. Route 2, for example, takes in Titop Island, Sung Sot Cave and other caves, while Route 1 covers Thien Cung Grotto, Dau Go Cave and the famous Cock and Hen islet. Ask your operator which route your cruise follows.

The official entrance fee for an overnight visit on Route 2 is VND 550,000 per person for one night, while daytime visits on Routes 1 and 2 cost VND 250,000. Many cruise prices bundle this fee, so ask what yours includes.

Evening

Watch the sun set over the karst towers from the deck, then enjoy dinner on board. Overnight stays are only permitted at designated places along the approved routes, which is why your boat anchors where it does.

Day 4: Sunrise on the bay, back to Hanoi

Rise and shine: today starts out on the water.

Morning

Wake early for misty first light over the bay before the cruise returns to port.

Afternoon

Transfer back to Hanoi and keep the rest of the day easy: lakeside coffee or a foot massage.

Evening

Enjoy a final Hanoi dinner and pack for tomorrow’s journey south.

Day 5: Hanoi to Hue

Enjoy one last easy morning in Hanoi before you head south to Hue.

Morning

Keep the morning relaxed and catch anything you missed in the Old Quarter.

Afternoon

Travel to Hue. You can fly into Phu Bai International Airport or take the train down the coast with Vietnam Railways. Check current schedules and fares on the official airline and railway websites, and book a few days ahead, particularly for sleeper berths.

Evening

Settle in near the Perfume River. A riverside walk at dusk is the perfect welcome to Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

Day 6: Hue’s Imperial City

Get ready for gates, halls and gardens in Hue’s royal heart.

Morning

Head into the Imperial City early, before the midday heat. This vast walled complex was the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, and you can easily spend three hours among its gates, halls and gardens. The adult ticket for the Hue Imperial City is VND 200,000, according to the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre’s price list. Confirm at the ticket office, as fees can be revised.

Planning to see the tombs tomorrow? The combo of the Imperial City plus the tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh costs VND 530,000 for adults, cheaper than buying four separate tickets. Ask at the counter how long the combo stays valid.

Afternoon

After lunch, take a taxi or boat upriver to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s elegant riverside landmark. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, as this is an active place of worship.

Evening

Try bun bo Hue, the city’s spicy beef noodle soup.

Day 7: Hue’s royal tombs

Today is for lakes, pines and royal tombs along the Perfume River.

Morning

The royal tombs lie south of the city along the Perfume River, so hire a car and driver or join a tour for the day. Start with the tomb of Minh Mang, set among lakes and pines. Individual tickets for the Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh tombs are VND 150,000 each for adults, if you didn’t buy the combo.

Afternoon

Continue to the poetic tomb of Tu Duc, then finish at Khai Dinh, whose ornate glass-and-ceramic interiors are a total contrast. Expect steps at Khai Dinh and bring water.

Evening

Enjoy an easy dinner and an early night.

Day 8: Over the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An

Save your camera battery for the coastal road today!

Morning

Travel from Hue to Hoi An by private car or tour. We suggest the scenic coastal road over the Hai Van Pass, with photo stops above the sea. Agree your stops and the total price with your driver before setting off.

Afternoon

Check in at Hoi An and rest through the afternoon heat.

Evening

This is Hoi An’s magic hour. As dusk falls, lanterns glow across the old town and the Thu Bon River. Stroll the riverside, then sit down for cao lau or white rose dumplings.

Day 9: Hoi An old town and countryside

Hello, Hoi An! Today you explore the old town and the countryside around it.

Morning

Explore the heritage sites early, before the crowds arrive. Entry to the old town’s historic houses, assembly halls and small museums works on an ancient town ticket that covers a set number of sites. Check the current price and site list at the official ticket booths when you arrive, as we could not confirm it on an official source today. Don’t miss the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Afternoon

Rent a bicycle and pedal out into the rice fields and vegetable villages around town, or book a cooking class. This is also a great time for a tailor fitting if you’ve ordered clothes.

Evening

Take a slow riverside dinner, perhaps followed by a lantern boat ride.

Day 10: Beach morning, fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Start with sand between your toes, then fly south to the big city.

Morning

Spend the morning on a beach near Hoi An or in a favourite café.

Afternoon

Transfer to Da Nang International Airport by car and fly to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Check transfer times with your driver and allow a buffer for traffic.

Evening

Find your feet with a walk and a street-food dinner.

Day 11: Saigon’s history in one day

Get ready for a full day of Saigon history and a lively evening.

Morning

Start at the Independence Palace (also called Reunification Palace), open 7:00 to 18:00 daily. A general admission ticket (palace plus exhibition) is VND 80,000 for adults aged 18 to 59. Ticket sales run 7:00 to 18:00 at the 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia gate and 8:00 to 16:00 at the 106 Nguyen Du gate. You can book online through the palace’s official ticket link.

Afternoon

The War Remnants Museum is a short walk away at 28 Vo Van Tan Street. The standard ticket on the museum’s official online ticketing site is VND 60,000. Its listed opening hours are 7:30 to 17:30 daily, with the ticket counter closing at 17:00, but check the official site before you go. The exhibits are powerful and emotional, so give yourself time afterwards to decompress.

Evening

Dive into the night markets and food streets, or find a rooftop for sunset.

Day 12: Day trip and departure

Squeeze in one more adventure before you fly home.

Morning

With a late flight, join a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels or a Mekong Delta excursion. Book with a reputable licensed operator and confirm the return time against your flight.

Afternoon

Pick up coffee beans and souvenirs, then head to Tan Son Nhat Airport with plenty of time for traffic.

Evening

Fly home with a camera roll full of lanterns and limestone.

Getting there and getting around

Airports. Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) and leave from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), or the other way round. Both cities have public airport buses, metered taxis and ride-hailing apps. We could not verify current airport bus routes, fares or journey times on an official source today, so check the airport and city transport operators’ websites before you fly.

Between cities. The Hanoi to Hue leg works by domestic flight (to Phu Bai International Airport) or by train with Vietnam Railways. Hue to Hoi An is easiest by private car or tour bus. For the long jump south, fly from Da Nang International Airport to Ho Chi Minh City. Check schedules and fares directly with airlines and Vietnam Railways.

In the cities. Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoi An’s old town are best on foot. For longer hops, use ride-hailing apps or metered taxis, and agree private driver prices in advance.

Where to stay

• Hanoi, Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem: Best for first-timers who want street food, the lake and walkable sights on the doorstep. Lively and noisy, so light sleepers should ask for a quiet room.
• Hue, the south bank of the Perfume River: Handy for restaurants and riverside walks, with the Imperial City a short ride across the bridge.
• Hoi An, around the old town or toward the beaches: Stay near the old town for evening lantern walks on foot. Choose the beach side if you want quieter nights and morning swims.
• Ho Chi Minh City, the central district around Ben Thanh: Puts the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, markets and nightlife within walking distance or a short ride.

Budget

Prices below are entry fees checked on official sources today. They exclude international and domestic flights, trains, accommodation, food, cruise fares, private drivers and tours, which vary widely by season and comfort level, so price those at the time of booking.

Item	Typical cost
E-visa (if you need one)	USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple entry
Temple of Literature, adult	VND 70,000
Ha Long Bay entrance fee, Route 2 with one night	VND 550,000 (often bundled into cruise prices)
Ha Long Bay entrance fee, Route 1 or 2 day visit	VND 250,000
Hue Imperial City, adult	VND 200,000
Hue combo: Imperial City plus three tombs, adult	VND 530,000
Single royal tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc or Khai Dinh), adult	VND 150,000
Hoi An ancient town ticket	Check at the official ticket booths
Independence Palace, general admission, adult	VND 80,000
War Remnants Museum, standard ticket	VND 60,000

Following this exact plan, the verified entry fees add up to about VND 1,290,000 per adult (Temple of Literature, Ha Long overnight fee, Hue combo, Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum), before Hoi An and any optional extras.

Practical tips

• Visa and entry: Entry rules depend on your nationality and can change. Check whether you need a visa on the Vietnam Immigration Department’s portal, and apply for an e-visa only through the official National Electronic Visa system. The e-visa fee is paid through the portal and is not refunded if the visa is refused. E-visa holders must enter and leave through designated international border gates.
• Dress codes: Dress modestly at temples, pagodas and the mausoleum. The Temple of Literature asks visitors to wear respectful attire in its shrines.
• Closing days: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays and for an annual restoration period. The Temple of Literature and Independence Palace open every day.
• Money: The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Carry small notes for street food, markets and temple donations, and double-check the zeros when paying.
• SIM and eSIM: Local SIM cards and eSIMs are widely sold. Buy from official carrier shops and check what’s included before paying.
• Book ahead: Your Ha Long Bay cruise, sleeper train berths and domestic flights. The War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace both sell tickets online through their official sites.

Heads-up

Vietnam is a joy to explore, and a little preparation keeps it that way:

• The mausoleum isn’t always open. Beyond the Monday and Friday closures, the Management Board suspends visits each year for restoration. In 2026 the closure runs from 4 September to 2 November. Check before building your Hanoi day around it.
• Use only the official e-visa portal. The Immigration Department directs applicants to evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn. Fees paid there are non-refundable if your application is refused, so double-check every detail before submitting.
• Respect site rules. The Temple of Literature forbids smoking, touching or writing on stelae and artefacts, and fraud on site, and security may end the visit of rule-breakers.
• Ha Long Bay is regulated. Daytime visits run from 6:30 to 18:30, and overnight stays are only allowed at designated places along approved routes. Choose an operator that follows the official routes, and confirm what’s included in your fare.
• Opening hours change. Prices and hours at the Independence Palace changed on 1 August 2025, and the War Remnants Museum’s online price is higher than earlier reports. Check official sites close to your travel date.

FAQ

Is 12 days enough for Vietnam?

It covers the classic highlights at a comfortable pace, with a rich taste of the north, the central coast and the south.

Do I need to book the Ha Long Bay cruise in advance?

Yes, we suggest booking ahead, especially for weekends and holidays. Ask whether the official bay entrance fee (VND 550,000 for a one-night Route 2 stay) is included.

Can I visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on any day?

No. It opens on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings only, and closes yearly for restoration. In 2026 it is scheduled to reopen on 3 November after works.

How much are Hue’s monument tickets?

The Imperial City costs VND 200,000 for adults. The combo with the tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh costs VND 530,000.

Can I buy museum tickets online in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes. The Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum both run official online ticketing.