This summer I spent a short but memorable week traveling in Southeast Asia, and I made sure to include Vietnam on the itinerary. With limited time, I planned a compact route that touches several highlights: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. If you can, spend more time—but this one-week plan works well to experience a vivid cross-section of the country.
Vietnam in one week moves quickly, but it’s entirely possible to sample the food, scenery, and culture with a mix of city life, coastal cruising, and historic towns. Below is the condensed itinerary I followed, with highlights and practical notes from each stop.
Day 1: Hanoi
I flew into Hanoi to begin the trip. The drive from the airport into town is charming—narrow, tall buildings with French-influenced architecture line the streets. After a long travel day, I checked into my hotel, showered, and stepped out to explore the lively city. Hanoi’s streets are bustling with scooters, street vendors, and small cafés. I found a vegan-friendly café for lunch and later enjoyed an excellent Vietnamese dinner in the Old Quarter.
Day 2-3: Ha Long Bay
No trip to Vietnam would be complete without Ha Long Bay. I chose a one-night cruise, which is a convenient way to see the main sights without overcommitting time. The drive from Hanoi takes roughly three to four hours; once on board, the cruise handles accommodations, meals, and activities.
The first day featured sightseeing among the limestone karsts, kayaking in calm waters, and a short hike through a dramatic cave. Evenings onboard are peaceful—perfect for watching the islands drift by as the light changes. The second day offered bamboo rafting and a visit to a local pearl farm, a common tourist stop. We disembarked around noon and returned to Hanoi that evening.
Day 4-6: Hoi An
Next I flew south to Hoi An, which quickly became one of my favorite stops. My first night was at Four Seasons Hoi An, a tranquil resort set in a tropical garden. It was the most relaxing part of the trip, with multiple pools, comfortable rooms, and a breakfast buffet offering healthy choices like quinoa, tofu, and fresh juices—welcome after several days on the road. I also enjoyed a street food-style barbecue dinner at the resort featuring small “street cart” stations with traditional dishes; the steamed vegetable buns were a standout.
After a restful night, I moved into the old town area and stayed two nights at Anantara. The hotel’s location made it easy to walk or bike into Hoi An’s historic center—the hotel even provided bikes. The property is peaceful and traditionally styled, and I experienced my first full-service massage there, which was a perfect way to recover from walking and sightseeing.
Hoi An’s old town is charming and compact. Stalls sell fresh fruit, local snacks, and handmade crafts. Tailors work on nearly every corner, offering custom garments often finished in a day or two. I loved sampling fresh mango and mangosteen from street vendors and wandering the lantern-lit streets at night. For dinner, the car-free walking street offers many options; I tried a fusion restaurant called Mango Mango for cocktails and a lively atmosphere—great for evening drinks and people-watching.
Day 7: Ho Chi Min
On the final day I flew to Ho Chi Minh City. I had limited time and a late international flight, so I kept the day low-key. The city is vibrant and full of things to explore—museums, markets, and nearby attractions like the Cu Chi Tunnels if you have more time. My plans were simple: book a hotel for the day to rest and get some work done, enjoy a local dinner, and then head to the airport for my overnight flight.
Final notes:
One week in Vietnam gave me a vivid introduction to the country’s landscapes, cuisine, and culture. Would I return? Absolutely—ideally for a longer visit to explore more regions, slow down, and delve deeper into local life. Even with a brief visit, the contrasts between Hanoi’s energy, Ha Long Bay’s natural beauty, Hoi An’s charm, and Ho Chi Minh City’s bustle are striking and memorable.
Highlights of Vietnam:
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Vibrant restaurant scene in Hanoi
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Kayaking and cruising in Ha Long Bay
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Shopping and tailors in Hoi An
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Street food and night markets in Hoi An