Best 7-Day Vietnam Discovery – Central & Northern Highlights

Flexible Itinerary & Custom Options

The itinerary below is a suggested program for 7 days in Vietnam. It can be adjusted anytime based on your travel style & preferences. We can provide a full package including visa support, hotels, flights, private airport transfers & unique local experiences,.. or you can choose only the day tours listed in the itinerary.

Tell us what you need, and we’ll design the trip around you.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Da Nang Arrival | Linh Ung Pagoda & Hoi An Ancient Town (L, D)

Morning arrival in Da Nang. Your tour guide and driver will warmly welcome you at the airport and take you to a local restaurant for lunch. Afterward, check in at your hotel and rest for a while.

14:00 – Start Your Journey
Begin with a visit to Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula – famous for its Lady Buddha statue & peaceful ocean views. The pagoda’s detailed architecture & quiet atmosphere make it a great introduction to central Vietnam.

Continue to Marble Mountain, known for its caves, temples & panoramic viewpoints. You’ll walk through natural stone formations, explore Am Phu cave & visit the stone-carving village at the foot of the mountains.

Afterward, transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through its preserved streets and visit landmarks such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient houses, and charming assembly halls.

As evening falls, Hoi An lights up with lanterns, creating a beautiful atmosphere. You can explore the night market, try local snacks, or buy souvenirs.

19:00 – Dinner
Enjoy Hoi An specialties at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Da Nang (arrive around 21:00). Rest and get ready for the next day.

Day 2 – Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge (B, L, D)

After breakfast at your hotel, begin your full-day tour to Ba Na Hills with pickup around 08:00. Enjoy the journey into the mountains before boarding the famous cable car system, ranked by CNN as one of the most impressive cable car networks in the world.

Golden Bridge & Le Jardin D’Amour

After reaching the top, walk across the Golden Bridge, an iconic landmark held by two giant stone hands overlooking the clouds. Then explore the Le Jardin D’Amour flower gardens – nine themed gardens designed with different architectural styles.

Spiritual Sites & Scenic Views

Visit Ba Na – Linh Ung Pagoda, home to a 27-meter-tall Buddha statue and tranquil views over the hills. Take your time to enjoy the fresh mountain air and peaceful atmosphere.

Buffet Lunch

Enjoy a tasty buffet lunch at the hilltop restaurant, with more than 70 dishes including Vietnamese specialties, salads, hot soups, baked dishes and desserts.

French Village & Fantasy Park

In the afternoon, explore the French Village, designed like a miniature Europe with castles, cobblestone streets and town squares. Continue to Fantasy Park, one of Vietnam’s largest indoor amusement parks, with games for children and adventurous rides for thrill seekers.

15:00 – Begin your journey back to Da Nang via cable car.
17:00 – Return to your hotel.
Evening is free for dinner and exploring Da Nang by night – bridges, river views & night markets.

Day 3 – Cham Island & Coconut Forest (B, L, D)

07:30–08:00 – Pick-up from your hotel in Da Nang and transfer to Cua Dai dock in Hoi An to start your Cham Island adventure.

Speedboat to Cham Island

Board a high-speed canoe and travel across the sea at 40–50 km/h. Enjoy the views during the 20-minute ride across 10 nautical miles toward the beautiful “Cham Pearl”.

Upon arrival at Lang Beach, explore island life and learn how around 3,000 residents live in unique conditions compared to the mainland. Visit key cultural and historical sites including:

• Marine Protected Area – learn about the island’s sea life

• Champa Ancient Well – known for local legends about love

• Hai Tang Pagoda – one of the oldest temples on the island

Snorkeling & Beach Time

10:30–10:45 – Move to Xep Beach for snorkeling in clear blue waters, discovering vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
12:00 – Enjoy lunch with local island dishes, then relax with free time to swim, walk along the coast, sunbathe or look for wild monkeys.

Coconut Forest Experience

14:00 – Leave Cham Island and head to Coconut Forest near Hoi An.
Ride a bamboo basket boat, watch the fishing net demonstration, and enjoy fun spinning boat tricks performed by locals. This area is often called “the Southeast inside the ancient town” thanks to its peaceful scenery and palm-lined waterways.

15:30 – Return to Da Nang.
Free time to walk around My Khe Beach or explore Da Nang on your own.

Evening: transfer to a local restaurant for dinner and relax at your hotel.

Day 4 – Hanoi Arrival & City Tour (B, L, D)

Morning: Have breakfast at your hotel and check out. Your driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Take some time to relax before starting the city tour.

City Tour Begins (12:00–13:00)

Your guide and driver will pick you up for lunch at a local restaurant, then begin exploring Hanoi’s cultural and historical landmarks:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (outside view only)

• Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House – where Uncle Ho lived and worked

• One Pillar Pagoda – one of Hanoi’s most unique architectural icons

• Walk around the fishpond and green surroundings

Continue to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and known as Vietnam’s first university, dating back to the 11th century. Learn about education during the feudal era and admire traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Old Quarter Experience

Experience the charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter with a cyclo or electric car ride through the 36 historic streets, famous for traditional craft shops, narrow alleys and local food stalls.

18:30 – Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening is free to explore Hanoi by night. You may stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, visit the night market or enjoy a local café.

Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.

Day 5 – Hanoi to Ha Long Bay | Overnight Cruise (B, L, D)

Have breakfast at your hotel before starting the journey to one of Vietnam’s most famous destinations – Ha Long Bay.

08:15 – 08:45 – Your bus and guide will pick you up and drive along the new highway toward Tuan Chau Harbor, with a short rest stop on the way.

Boarding the Cruise

12:00 – Arrive at the harbor and board your cruise. After a quick safety briefing, enjoy a buffet lunch on board as the boat begins its journey through Ha Long Bay, known for thousands of limestone islands rising from the water.

Cruise Highlights:

• Cruise route following the 2-day sleeper boat itinerary

• View famous islets such as Cock Fighting Islet & Thumb Islet

• Enjoy the scenery from the sundeck

Afternoon Activities

13:45 – Arrive at Bo Hon Archipelago

• Visit Surprising Cave – one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long

• Choose kayaking or bamboo boat at Luon Cave to explore a peaceful lagoon

• Stop at Titop Island, relax on the beach or climb up to Titop Peak for a panoramic view of the bay

16:30 – Return to the cruise and enjoy Afternoon Tea with one soft drink included. Spend time sunbathing, taking photos or simply relaxing on the upper deck as the boat heads back.

17:45 – 18:00 – Disembark and return by bus to Hanoi via the highway.
20:30 – Drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi. Rest after a full day at sea.

Day 6 – Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave (B, L, D)

07:45 – Your guide will meet you at the hotel and begin the drive to Ninh Binh (about 110 km). Enjoy views of Vietnam’s countryside along the way, with a short break en route.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

10:30 – Visit Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. Explore the Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple, both built in honor of ancient Vietnamese rulers. Learn about the nation’s early history and culture in a peaceful rural setting.

Countryside Cycling

11:30 – Leisure cycling trip along quiet rural roads, passing canals, rice fields & small traditional villages with limestone mountains as the backdrop.

Local Lunch

12:00 – Enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant with regional specialties.

Tam Coc Boat Trip

13:30 – Board a small sampan boat to explore Tam Coc, known as “Ha Long Bay on land.” The 1.5-hour journey takes you through majestic limestone cliffs, calm streams & three natural caves. It’s a relaxing scenic ride & a great moment for photography.

Mua Cave Viewpoint

15:30 – Arrive at Mua Cave and hike up nearly 500 steps to reach the panoramic viewpoint at Ngoa Long Mountain. From the top, you’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful views in northern Vietnam – rice fields, river valleys & karst mountains stretching into the distance.

16:30 – Drive back to Hanoi.
18:30 – Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7 – Departure Day (B)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

Depending on your flight time, you’ll have some free time to relax, walk the Old Quarter, or do some last-minute shopping. When ready, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.