Thanks to its captivating nature, cultural richness and endearing population, Vietnam has become one of the favourite countries of travellers from all over the world. It has its own particularities that distinguish it from all other countries in Asia.

You will only have one week to discover the land of the Dragon, what to do and what to visit in Vietnam? Here are our few suggestions for a good tour plan in Vietnam for 1 week.

Because your time is limited, you must first identify what is the priority for this trip. Do you want to discover the must-see attractions of Vietnam or do you want to focus on just one region? Do you want to travel as a couple or as a family?

When you have the answer, keep reading to find a 7-day Vietnam tour itinerary among these suggestions below. It’s up to you to adapt them to your desires and at your own pace.

1. Classic trips: Visiting the must-sees of Vietnam in 7 days

These tours below are the ideal choice for those who want to do most of Vietnam in one week.

1.1 Vietnam tour in 7 days from North to South

From North to South, fall under the spell of the sites not to be missed under any circumstances that we have selected for a 7-day tour in Vietnam.
Your tour will allow you to discover only the essentials from North to South, also passing through the centre. Depart from the bustling capital of Hanoi and then immerse yourself in the heart of Halong Bay. Continue towards central Vietnam to enjoy the romantic ambience of Hoian. End the trip in the vibrant city of Saigon then explore Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta before departure.

Route: Hanoi – Halong – Da Nang – Hoian – Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival: Welcome to Hanoi, walk in the old quarter, discover the life of Hanoians
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour: Visit the Temple of Literature and the Ethnography Museum, explore the French Quarter, experience the water puppet show
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay: Transfer to Halong Bay, Cruise on the bay, swimming & kayaking, night on board
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – flight to Da Nang – Hoian: Continuation of the cruise. Return to Hanoi. Flight to Da Nang. Transfer to Hoian
Day 5: Hoian – discovery: Bike ride in the rural villages of Hoi An, boat trip on the Thu Bon River, interaction with locals
Day 6: Hoian – Da Nang – flight to Ho Chi Minh: Flight to Ho Chi Minh. Town tour
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh – departure flight: Boat trip on the Ben Tre river, bike ride in Nhon Thanh village, experience local life, meet with locals. Return to Ho Chi Minh. Departure flight.

Noticed:
- The route is a bit rushed.
- You cannot visit other must-sees: Ninh Binh (Halong Bay on land), Hue, Can Tho
- You have 2 domestic flights: Hanoi – Da Nang and Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh

1.2. Vietnam tour in 7 days from North to Centre

This tour will introduce you to the best attractions of Vietnam from the North to the Centre, following the famous Mandarin Road which reveals the extraordinary cultural, natural and historical heritage of Vietnam.

Route: Hanoi – Halong – Hue – Da Nang – Hoian – Hanoi

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival: Welcome to Hanoi, walk in the old quarter, discover the life of Hanoians
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour: Visit the Temple of Literature and the Ethnography Museum, explore the French Quarter, experience the water puppet show
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay: Transfer to Halong Bay, Cruise on the bay, swimming & kayaking, night on board
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – flight to Hue: Continuation of the cruise. Return to Hanoi. Flight to Hue
Day 5: Hue – city tour – Da Nang – Hoian: visit Hue imperial city, boat trip on the Perfume River, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb. Transfer to Hoian
Day 6: Hoian discovery: visit Hoian old town and the surrounding villages
Day 7: Hoian – flight to Hanoi (or Ho Chi Minh City) – departure flight

Noticed:
- The pace of the trip is easy which is suitable for vacations with children or elderly people.
- You have 2 domestic flights: Hanoi – Hue and Da Nang – Hanoi

1.3 Vietnam Tour 7 days North and South

This tour will allow you to discover Vietnam in a fairly short duration. After visiting Hanoi, explore Halong Bay and Halong Bay on land, and then fly to Saigon and the Mekong Delta before the return flight.

Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong – Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival: Welcome to Hanoi, walk in the old quarter, discover the life of Hanoians
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour: Visit the Temple of Literature and the Museum of Ethnography, explore the French Quarter, and experience the water puppet show.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh: Bike ride & boat trip in Tam Coc, visit Dinh-Le temple
Day 4: Ninh Binh – Halong: Transfer to Halong, cruise in the bay, night on board
Day 5: Halong – Hanoi – flight to Ho Chi Minh: Continuation of the cruise, return to Hanoi, flight to Ho Chi Minh
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh – city tour
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh – departure flight: Boat trip on the Ben Tre river, bike ride in the village, meet with the locals. Return to Ho Chi Minh. Departure flight.

Noticed:
- You miss the Centre area in this case
- You have 1 domestic flight: Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh

1.4. Vietnam tour 7 days in the North only

This tour is intended for those who wish to discover the North only. After visiting Hanoi, set off to explore the mountain region of Mai Chau-Pu Luong where Thai people live. Then enjoy an excursion to Ninh Binh, nicknamed Halong Bay on land, and end your trip in style with a cruise aboard a junk in the magical Halong Bay.

Route: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Halong – Hanoi

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival: Welcome to Hanoi, walking tour in the old quarter
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour: Visit the Temple of Literature and the Museum of Ethnography, explore the French Quarter, and experience the water puppet show.
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Mai Hich: Visit the Muong village and the Thung Khe pass, explore Thai culture in Mai Hich village, overnight stay at a local homestay
Day 4: Mai Chau – Pu Luong: Hike to the villages of Eo Ken - Hang, meet with a Muong family, transfer to Pu Luong
Day 5: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh: Transfer to Ninh Binh, visit Hoa Lu, rowing boat excursion in Tam Coc
Day 6: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay: Transfer to Halong. Cruise in Halong Bay and Lan Ha. Night on board
Day 7: Halong – Hanoi – departure flight: Continuation of the cruise. Return to Hanoi. Departure flight

Noticed:
- There is enough time to fully discover the must-sees of the North and go a little further to immerse yourself in the authentic life of ethnic minorities in Mai Chau – Pu Luong.
- Without a domestic flight, the price of the trip would then be cheaper.
- The pace of the trip is not too rushed
- This tour is suitable for older people and children.

1.5. Vietnam tour 7 days in the South only

To discover another no less fascinating facet of the South of the country, fly to the lands cradled by the courses of the Mekong. We offer you a one-week tour of Vietnam for an exclusive stay in the southern part. Following the frenetic atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City, head to the provinces of the Mekong Delta.

Heading for the land of a thousand arroyos and coconut trees, a boat trip or a bike ride crisscrossing the wooded villages, artisan factories and lush orchards of Ben Tre will take you to experience another Vietnam. The warm welcome at the homestay in Tra Vinh, the treat of the freshest fruits and the fish specialities that abound there will remain engraved in your memories.

Along the water, go to the Long Xuyen floating market for its liveliness and also to feel one of the most authentic markets along the Mekong. Whether on foot, by bike or on board some boats, your discovery will fill you with pleasant moments of the region where you will discover, among other things, the culture of the Cham and Khmer.

Route: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Tra Vinh – Long Xuyen – Tra Su – Chau Doc – Ho Chi Minh

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City, city tour: Discovery of Saigon: Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, central post office, Chinatown, Quan Am pagoda, FITO museum
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Tra Vinh: Boat and bicycle excursion, visit an artisan workshop, meet with the local population and spend the night at a local homestay
Day 4: Tra Vinh – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen: Bike ride in Khmer villages, departure to Long Xuyen visiting Kien An Cung pagoda, Huynh Thuy Le house and Cao Dai temple
Day 5: Long Xuyen - Tra Su – Chau Doc: Floating market, Cu Lao Ong Ho islet, Tra Su reserve, Mount Sam, Goddess Xu pagoda, Thoai Ngoc Hau temple and Tay An pagoda
Day 6: Chau Doc – Ho Chi Minh: return to Ho Chi Minh
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City, Departure

Noticed:
- You can go to Cambodia from Chau Doc by taking the Chau Doc – Phnom Penh fast boat. The journey lasts 5 hours.
- In case you want to take your departure flight or a flight to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or another destination, you should return to Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Authentic, off-the-beaten-track trip to Vietnam in 7 days

If you are thirsty for authentic discoveries and have the soul of an adventurer.

The remote mountainous regions in the North-West and North-East of Vietnam invite you to indulge yourself.

2.1 Authentic Circuit in the North-West

This 7-day stay in Northern Vietnam is carefully designed to please lovers of nature, culture and off-the-beaten-track discoveries. Start in Hanoi and head to the Northwest to immerse yourself in a majestic natural setting in Nghia Lo, Tu Le, Mu Cang Chai, and Sapa and meet ethnic inhabitants in colourful costumes. Finish your week-long trip to Vietnam with a cruise in Halong Bay.

Route: Hanoi - Nghia Lo - Tu Le - Mu CangChai - Sapa - Hanoi - Ha long - Hanoi

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – Nghia Lo: Road to Nghia Lo visiting tea plantations in Thanh Son, discovery of the ethnic villages of Muong and Thai
Day 3: Nghia Lo – Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai: Trek through the best rice terraces in the world at Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai - La Pan Tan, immerse in the culture of the Dao, Dzay, Thai and Hmong
Day 4: Mu Cang Chai – Sa Pa: Gentle hike to Na Tam, interact with Lao & Lu, transfer to Sapa via the highest pass in Vietnam – Hoang Lien Son pass
Day 5: Sapa – Hanoi: Journey through the rice terraces and ethnic villages in the Muong Hoa valley, discover the life of the Hmong and Dzay, return to Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay: Transfer to Halong Bay, cruise and overnight on board
Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – departure flight: Continuation of the cruise. Return to Hanoi. Departure flight

Noticed:
- You discover the hidden beauty of Vietnam in a region far from mass tourism.
- The ideal time to contemplate rice fields during the rice season falls between May and October. The harvest period takes place at the end of September - beginning of October.
- You can spend the night with a local in Nghia Lo, in Mu Cang Chai. This is the opportunity to be as close as possible to local life.
- It is advisable to bring hiking shoes and a camera.
- In this case, you still have a little time left to enjoy the cruise in Halong Bay before departure
- This tour is not suitable for children and people in poor physical condition.

2.2 Authentic tour in the North-East in 7 days

This tour will give you the opportunity to discover the hidden landscapes of Vietnam by taking a very little-travelled road in the northeast. This region is full of real playgrounds that suit all types of hikers and all levels. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, solo or in a group, be sure that Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan... will please you.

Route: Hanoi - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Ba Be - Hanoi

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – Ha Giang: Road to Ha Giang, easy hike to the villages of Me - Lup - Tha, a night at a homestay
Day 3: Ha Giang – Dong Van: Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Twin Fairy Mountains, commune of the Hmong & Bo Y ethnic groups, palace of the Hmong king
Day 4: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lac: Travel from Dong Van to Bao Lac, crossing the Ma Pi Leng pass, exploring the authentic life of the Lo and Hmong minorities
Day 5: Bao Lac – Ba Be: Meeting with an ethnic group from San Chi in a hidden village on the hill, visit Hua Ma cave, night at a Tay homestay
Day 6: Ba Be – Hanoi: Boat trip on Ba Be Lake, excursion to Dau Dang Waterfall and Puong Cave, return to Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi – departure flight

Noticed:
- You must have at least 5 days to discover this region. Otherwise, your trip is very rushed. If you have more time, you can add a few days of hiking in Ha Giang, Dong Van, Hoang Su Phi, Cao Bang or Ba Be.
- The terrain is much more rugged than elsewhere and there is no highway or train.

Please click on this link below for an in-depth itinerary in the North East: Loop in the North-West of Vietnam, what to see and what to do?

- Don’t forget to bring walking and trekking shoes and cameras.
- Nights at homestays in Ha Giang, Ba Be are always recommended to better understand the life of ethnic minorities.
- Comfort conditions can be quite basic; some may complain about the lack of comfort.
- You have the opportunity to attend the Dong Van market on Sundays.
- This journey is not suitable for small children and people in poor physical condition.

3. Family trip to Vietnam in 7 days

Vietnam is also an ideal country for a family trip. Call on a local travel agency that will be able to offer you an itinerary balancing bike rides, walking tours and fun activities for your little ones. This is undoubtedly an exceptional opportunity for children to socialize and discover a new culture by playing with local children from different backgrounds.

Here is an example:

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival: visit the old quarter of Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour: Visit the Temple of Literature and the Museum of Ethnography, explore the French Quarter, and experience the water puppet show.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay: Transfer to Halong Bay, cruise and overnight on board
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – flight to Da Nang – Hoian: Continuation of the cruise. Return to Hanoi. Flight to Da Nang, transfer to Hoian
Day 5: Hoian – discovery: Bike ride in the rural villages of Hoian, boat trip on the Thu Bon River, interact with locals
Day 6: Hoian – free day
Day 7: Hoian- Da Nang – Hanoi – departure flight

We would like to talk more specifically about activities and destinations suitable for your children:

- In Hanoi: your children will like the ethnography museum, the water puppet show, the “to he” modelling in Hanoi old quarter, or the pottery modelling in Bat Trang village.

- In Halong: It’s an easy place for families. You have more time to rest and participate in activities with your children: kayaking, swimming, diving, boat trips in the bay...

- In Hoian: There are many fun activities in this beautiful city:
    + Make pottery in Thanh Ha village
    + Take a bamboo boat trip to Cam Thanh village. Trying to catch crabs in the coconut palm forest
    + Paint a traditional mask
    + Take a boat trip on the river
    + Do a family cooking class
    + Learn how to make colourful lanterns

4. High-end travel and honeymoon in Vietnam with a seaside extension in 7 days

Do you want a luxury tour or a honeymoon with a seaside stay? Think of Vietnam! Breath-taking landscapes, tasty cuisine, welcoming people and also a wide choice of accommodations to suit all budgets, Vietnam has everything to satisfy you.
Get inspired by these ideas below to have exceptional moments in dream places in Vietnam.

4.1 For the period between May-September

Start with a visit to Hanoi to soak up its atmosphere mixing history, culture and food. Then enjoy a cruise in the legendary bay which has everything to make your escape a most romantic experience. Nothing better than watching the sunset on the upper deck where the unique beauty of thousands of spectacular islets plays out. The stay ends in style with a hand-in-hand stroll through the old quarter and a seaside extension on the sublime Hoian beach.

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long: cruise in the bay. Night on board
Day 4: Halong – return to Hanoi – flight to Da Nang – Hoian
Day 5: Hoian - seaside stay
Day 6: Hoian – seaside stay
Day 7: Hoian – Da Nang – flight to Hanoi – departure flight

Noticed:
- Between May and September is ideal for a cruise to Halong Bay and a seaside stay in Hoian in the Centre where it is sunny and the sea is clear.
- At each destination, whether you have a small or large budget, you can easily find quality 4*-5* accommodation according to your needs.

4.2 For the period between November-April

In this option, fly to Phu Quoc instead of Hoian. Paradise beaches of white sand, turquoise water, beautiful sunshine in the dry season (November-April) and lush vegetation, Phu Quoc has everything to satisfy sea lovers. With quality hotel infrastructure, this island awaits you to spend a stay with your feet in the water and so many memorable moments.

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long: Transfer to Halong. Cruise in Halong or Lan Ha Bay. Night on board
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – flight to Phu Quoc
Day 5: Phu Quoc – seaside stay
Day 6: Phu Quoc – seaside stay
Day 7: Phu Quoc – flight to Ho Chi Minh – departure flight

Noticed:
- To get there, you can take a direct flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. Additionally, it is possible to take a fast boat from Ha Tien or Rach Gia.
- In Phu Quoc, a paradise of 4*-5* resorts is located by the beach. Please find here the list of good luxury resorts in Phu Quoc.
- A discovery of Phu Quoc National Park is highly recommended if you like wild nature.

5. When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?

The climate of Vietnam varies from North to South. Generally, it is possible to travel to Vietnam all year round. The choice of the period to go to depends on the regions visited or the centres of interest you wish.

>> See more: Best time to visit to Vietnam

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