# Vietnam from north to south · More time in the middle and at the far end

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/asia/open-jaw/vietnam-from-north-to-south-z0711/>)

More time in the middle and at the far end

- Region: Asia
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 13
- Interests: Design, Arts & Theatre, Nature, Food & Drink, History

## Route and nights

- Hanoi · 3 night(s)
- Hội An · 5 night(s)
- Ho Chi Minh City · 5 night(s)

Tradeoff: The middle base gets time of its own. Book the last gateway separately and compare the total transport cost.

Compare: Rail or regional flights to compare

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · Hanoi

- 15:30 to 16:15 · Check in and drop your bags · Tirant Hotel
- 16:30 to 17:35 · Take a short orientation walk near the hotel · Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hanoi. Skip this block if you arrive later.
- 17:50 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Old Quarter, Hanoi
Overnight: [Tirant Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho378735/tirant-hotel-hanoi-vietnam/>) · Hanoi

### Day 2 · Hanoi

- 08:20 to 09:05 · Breakfast near Hoàn Kiếm Lake · Old Quarter, Hanoi
- 09:30 to 11:15 · Walk around the Hanoi Opera House and nearby avenues · Hanoi Opera House. Use an exterior route unless you have a confirmed interior visit.
- 11:35 to 12:45 · Have lunch in the French Quarter · French Quarter, Hanoi
- 13:05 to 14:45 · Walk the south and east sides of Hoàn Kiếm Lake · Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hanoi. Compare the lakefront’s pace with the wider streets around the opera house.
- 15:00 to 16:15 · Take a coffee break near the lake · Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
- 17:40 to 19:10 · Dinner near the hotel · Old Quarter, Hanoi
Overnight: [Tirant Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho378735/tirant-hotel-hanoi-vietnam/>) · Hanoi

### Day 3 · Hanoi

- 08:20 to 09:05 · Breakfast near the hotel · Old Quarter, Hanoi
- 09:30 to 11:45 · Visit the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum · Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi. Check open galleries and choose a collection rather than rushing the whole museum.
- 12:00 to 13:00 · Have lunch near the museum · Văn Miếu, Hanoi
- 13:30 to 15:15 · Walk around the lake or return to the hotel for a break · Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hanoi
- 15:40 to 17:05 · See a booked water-puppet performance · Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Hanoi. Replace this window with the published showtime. Keep a lake walk as a fallback if tickets are unavailable.
- 17:25 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your hotel · Old Quarter, Hanoi
Overnight: [Tirant Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho378735/tirant-hotel-hanoi-vietnam/>) · Hanoi

### Day 4 · Hội An

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast before checking out · Old Quarter, Hanoi
- 08:45 to 09:30 · Check out and allow time for the first connection · Tirant Hotel
- 09:30 to 16:30 · Travel from Hanoi to Hội An · Hội An. Build in time for the final road connection to Hội An. Keep the late afternoon open if it takes longer. Replace the suggested window with the actual departure and arrival times.
- 16:30 to 17:20 · Check in after reaching the new base · ÊMM Hotel Hoi An. Use this time for a quick check-in and keep dinner flexible if you are delayed.
- 17:50 to 19:05 · Have dinner near the new hotel if arrival allows · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
Overnight: [ÊMM Hotel Hoi An](<https://www.hotels.com/ho606444/emm-hotel-hoi-an-hoi-an-vietnam/>) · Hội An

### Day 5 · Hội An

- 08:25 to 09:10 · Breakfast near the hotel · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
- 09:40 to 11:35 · Take a lantern-making class if confirmed · Hội An Ancient Town. Use the workshop’s address and start time. Check whether the finished lantern folds for travel.
- 11:50 to 12:55 · Have lunch near the workshop · Hội An Ancient Town
- 13:25 to 15:10 · Compare lantern styles in the old town shops · Hội An Ancient Town. Ask about packing and materials before buying.
- 15:25 to 16:30 · Take an afternoon break near the river · Thu Bồn River, Hội An
- 17:50 to 19:25 · Walk the lantern streets and choose a nearby dinner · Nguyễn Phúc Chu Street, Hội An. Use a shorter route if the pedestrian lanes are crowded.
Overnight: [ÊMM Hotel Hoi An](<https://www.hotels.com/ho606444/emm-hotel-hoi-an-hoi-an-vietnam/>) · Hội An

### Day 6 · Hội An

- 07:45 to 08:30 · Have an early breakfast · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
- 08:45 to 09:35 · Travel to Trà Quế or the beach area · Trà Quế Vegetable Village, Hội An. Pick one route according to heat and conditions. Arrange a car if cycling or walking is unsuitable.
- 09:40 to 11:40 · Choose a village walk or a short An Bàng beachfront visit · Trà Quế Vegetable Village, Hội An. Check access, carry water, and use the beach as a walking stop unless swimming conditions are suitable.
- 11:55 to 13:00 · Have lunch near your morning stop · Hội An
- 13:20 to 15:40 · Return to the hotel for the hotter part of the day · Hội An
- 16:00 to 16:45 · Take a coffee break if you want to go back out · Hội An Ancient Town
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Dinner near the hotel · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
Overnight: [ÊMM Hotel Hoi An](<https://www.hotels.com/ho606444/emm-hotel-hoi-an-hoi-an-vietnam/>) · Hội An

### Day 7 · Hội An

- 08:15 to 09:00 · Breakfast near the hotel · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
- 09:20 to 11:30 · Compare timber house fronts and the covered bridge area · Japanese Covered Bridge, Hội An. Check current access and leave time to see the surrounding streets.
- 11:45 to 12:50 · Have lunch in the old town · Hội An Ancient Town
- 13:15 to 14:55 · Choose one old-house interior or take a sheltered break · Hội An Ancient Town. Check the site included on your old-town ticket before walking over.
- 15:10 to 16:25 · Rest over coffee or tea · Hội An Ancient Town
- 17:45 to 19:20 · Take a short lantern-street walk and stop for dinner · Hội An Ancient Town
Overnight: [ÊMM Hotel Hoi An](<https://www.hotels.com/ho606444/emm-hotel-hoi-an-hoi-an-vietnam/>) · Hội An

### Day 8 · Hội An

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have a light breakfast near your hotel · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
- 09:10 to 11:05 · Browse Hội An Central Market and nearby food stalls · Hội An Central Market. Compare posted prices and order smaller portions if you want to try several items.
- 11:20 to 12:35 · Choose a cao lầu lunch · Hội An Ancient Town
- 13:00 to 14:40 · Walk a short stretch of the riverside or take an indoor break · Thu Bồn River, Hội An. Shorten the afternoon walk in high heat.
- 15:00 to 16:15 · Stop for coffee or a market snack · Hội An Ancient Town
- 17:40 to 19:10 · Have dinner near the hotel · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
Overnight: [ÊMM Hotel Hoi An](<https://www.hotels.com/ho606444/emm-hotel-hoi-an-hoi-an-vietnam/>) · Hội An

### Day 9 · Ho Chi Minh City

- 07:45 to 08:30 · Have breakfast before checking out · Cẩm Phô, Hội An
- 08:30 to 09:15 · Check out and allow time for the first connection · ÊMM Hotel Hoi An
- 09:15 to 16:45 · Travel from Hội An to Ho Chi Minh City · Ho Chi Minh City. Arrange pickup in Hội An and leave time for the first road connection. Use your confirmed arrival time. Replace the suggested window with the actual departure and arrival times.
- 16:45 to 17:35 · Check in after reaching the new base · Hotel Grand Saigon. Use this time for a quick check-in and keep dinner flexible if you are delayed.
- 17:55 to 19:10 · Have dinner near the new hotel if arrival allows · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
Overnight: [Hotel Grand Saigon](<https://www.hotels.com/ho279302/grand-hotel-saigon-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam/>) · Ho Chi Minh City

### Day 10 · Ho Chi Minh City

- 08:25 to 09:10 · Breakfast near the hotel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
- 09:35 to 11:45 · Choose a gallery visit at the Fine Arts Museum · Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts. Check open buildings and save time to look at the building interiors.
- 12:00 to 13:10 · Have lunch near the museum · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 13:35 to 15:05 · Walk a shorter nearby design or bookshop route · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Use an indoor stop if rain or heat makes the walk impractical.
- 15:20 to 16:35 · Take a café break · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 17:45 to 19:10 · Dinner near the hotel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
Overnight: [Hotel Grand Saigon](<https://www.hotels.com/ho279302/grand-hotel-saigon-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam/>) · Ho Chi Minh City

### Day 11 · Củ Chi

- 07:30 to 08:10 · Breakfast before leaving the city · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
- 08:25 to 10:45 · Travel to the Củ Chi visitor site you booked · Củ Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City. Confirm whether your visit uses Bến Dược or Bến Đình and use that meeting point.
- 10:50 to 12:50 · Visit the surface exhibits and decide whether to enter a tunnel · Củ Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City. Use the outdoor route if the passage, steps, or enclosed space is unsuitable. Follow site guidance.
- 13:00 to 14:00 · Take a lunch break near the site · Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City
- 14:15 to 16:50 · Return to the city · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 17:10 to 17:45 · Take a quiet break before dinner · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 18:00 to 19:20 · Dinner near the hotel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
Overnight: [Hotel Grand Saigon](<https://www.hotels.com/ho279302/grand-hotel-saigon-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam/>) · Ho Chi Minh City

### Day 12 · Ho Chi Minh City

- 08:05 to 08:50 · Have a light breakfast near the hotel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
- 09:10 to 11:10 · Compare produce and prepared food around Bến Thành Market · Bến Thành Market, Ho Chi Minh City. Check posted prices and portion sizes before ordering.
- 11:30 to 12:50 · Choose a southern Vietnamese lunch · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 13:10 to 14:55 · Walk the surrounding retail streets or take an indoor break · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Keep the route short in high heat.
- 15:15 to 16:30 · Try iced coffee or a small snack · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 17:40 to 19:10 · Have a different southern dish for dinner · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Overnight: [Hotel Grand Saigon](<https://www.hotels.com/ho279302/grand-hotel-saigon-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam/>) · Ho Chi Minh City

### Day 13 · Ho Chi Minh City

- 08:20 to 09:05 · Breakfast near the hotel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
- 09:25 to 11:10 · Visit the Central Post Office area and compare nearby public buildings · Saigon Central Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City. Check interior access and use the sidewalks if construction changes the route.
- 11:30 to 12:35 · Have lunch near Đồng Khởi · Đồng Khởi Street, Ho Chi Minh City
- 13:00 to 14:55 · Walk toward the Opera House and Nguyễn Huệ · Saigon Opera House, Ho Chi Minh City. Compare street scale and building frontage on the two routes.
- 15:10 to 16:25 · Stop for coffee in District 1 · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 17:40 to 19:10 · Dinner near the hotel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
Overnight: [Hotel Grand Saigon](<https://www.hotels.com/ho279302/grand-hotel-saigon-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam/>) · Ho Chi Minh City

### Day 14 · Ho Chi Minh City

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Take an optional last walk · Bạch Đằng Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City. Skip the walk if your departure is early.
- 10:00 to 10:30 · Check out and collect luggage · Hotel Grand Saigon
- 10:30 to 11:30 · Allow time for onward travel · Đồng Khởi, Ho Chi Minh City. Use the departure and pickup times from your booking.