Nine days is the ideal duration for a comprehensive Vietnam trip — covering North, Central and South Vietnam without rushing. Sky Journey Tours plans this exact route multiple times every week for Indian travelers. This is our standard recommendation for anyone wanting to see the full breadth of Vietnam in one trip.
Pre-Trip Checklist
- Apply Vietnam e-visa minimum 7 days before departure ($25, 90 days single entry)
- Book open-jaw flights: India → Hanoi (entry), Ho Chi Minh City → India (exit)
- Book internal flight Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City for Day 8 (VietJet or Bamboo Airways, ~₹3,000-5,000)
- Book Ha Long Bay cruise at least 3 weeks ahead for quality mid-range boats
- Download: Grab app, Google Maps offline Vietnam, Google Translate (Vietnamese offline)
Day 1 — Arrive Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi evening. Take Grab from outside the terminal to Old Quarter hotel. Quick dinner nearby — pho or banh mi. Sleep early.
Day 2 — Hanoi City Tour
7:30 AM start. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday only — closed Monday and Friday, 7:00-10:30 AM). One Pillar Pagoda adjacent. Ho Chi Minh Museum (30-45 min). Temple of Literature (10:30 AM, ₹200 entry — Vietnam's first university, beautifully landscaped). Lunch at KOTO restaurant. Afternoon: Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple (₹150), Old Quarter walking tour. Evening: Bia Hoi Corner street food experience at Ta Hien and Hang Be Streets.
Day 3 — Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Private car to Ha Long Bay pier (3.5 hours, depart 7:30 AM). Board cruise 12:00-1:00 PM. Afternoon: Kayaking through limestone caves, swimming at Titop Island (climb the viewpoint — 15 minutes, worth every step), visit Sung Sot Cave. Evening: Sunset cocktails on deck, seafood dinner on board. Night fishing optional.
Cruise selection: Minimum ₹8,000-12,000 per person for a quality boat. Budget boats under ₹4,000 use old vessels with poor food — not worth the saving. Ask us for specific boat recommendations.
Day 4 — Ha Long Sunrise + Fly to Da Nang
5:30 AM sunrise on the bay — genuinely the most photographed moment in Vietnam. After breakfast, return to port 11:00 AM. Transfer to Hanoi airport. Afternoon flight to Da Nang (1 hour 15 min). Check in by 7:00 PM. Saturday/Sunday: Dragon Bridge fire show 9:00 PM.
Day 5 — Da Nang: Marble Mountains + Beach + Son Tra
8:00-10:30 AM: Marble Mountains — elevator up (₹30), Huyen Khong Cave (sunlight through ceiling hole — extraordinary), panoramic terrace views. 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: Son Tra Peninsula, Linh Ung Pagoda and Lady Buddha (67m, tallest in Vietnam — outstanding views over Da Nang Bay). 2:00-6:00 PM: My Khe Beach — best section between Pullman and Mercure resort area. Safe swimming, sun loungers available.
Day 6 — Ba Na Hills Full Day
Arrive cable car station 7:30-8:00 AM (critical — Golden Bridge queues start 30-45 min by 10:00 AM). Sequence: Cable car → Golden Bridge (arrive before 9:00 AM, 45-60 min for photos) → French Village → Fantasy Park (2-3 hours) → Le Jardin d'Amour gardens → Cable car down by 5:00 PM. Full day required — not half a day.
Day 7 — Hoi An Full Day
Leave Da Nang 8:00 AM. Buy Hoi An Tourist Pass on arrival (₹250/person, covers 5 heritage sites). Ancient Town morning walk: Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Ancient House. Lunch: Morning Glory Restaurant — excellent Vietnamese food and vegetarian options. Afternoon: Basket boat in Coconut Forest (book official cooperative boats — Cam Thanh Village, 10 min from Ancient Town). Evening: Hoi An lanterns — Thu Bon River lantern boat (₹400-600 for two). Dinner riverside. Return to Da Nang 9:30 PM.
Day 8 — Fly Ho Chi Minh City + Explore
Morning free. Afternoon flight Da Nang to HCMC (1 hour 20 min). Check in by 5:00 PM. Evening: Ben Thanh Market and surrounding streets for authentic street food. Bui Vien Walking Street for nightlife atmosphere if desired.
Day 9 — Cu Chi Tunnels + Departure
Depart 7:30 AM for Cu Chi Tunnels (40 km from HCMC, 1.5 hours each way). This underground tunnel network where Vietnamese fighters lived for years during wartime is one of the most historically significant and moving experiences in Vietnam. Allow 2.5-3 hours at the site. Return to HCMC by 1:00 PM. Final shopping, lunch, then transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for evening return flight to India.
9 Day Cost Summary
- Return flights open jaw (into Hanoi, out HCMC): ₹22,000-35,000
- Internal flight Da Nang to HCMC: ₹3,000-5,000
- Hotels 8 nights 3-4 star (per room): ₹22,000-40,000
- Ha Long Bay cruise 1 night mid-range: ₹10,000-16,000 per person
- Tours, guides, transfers: ₹16,000-24,000 per person
- Food 9 days: ₹6,000-12,000 per person
- Total per person: ₹79,000-1,32,000
Sky Journey Tours offers this complete 9-day Vietnam package from ₹52,000 per person (land only). WhatsApp our team for your personalised quote including specific hotel options for your budget.
Pack one smart casual outfit for Ha Long Bay dinner and one nice restaurant in Hoi An. Vietnam's better restaurants have informal dress codes — you will feel more comfortable and receive better table service if you are not in beach clothes at dinner. Other than these two occasions, light cotton clothing is perfect throughout the entire 9-day trip.
