Ready-made plans
Ready-made plan

5 days in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay for couples

Hanoi 3 nights, Ha Long Bay cruise 1 night

I paired Hanoi's old streets and amazing food with a night on a cruise among Ha Long Bay's limestone islands. It suits couples who want culture, romance and great value, with vegetarian friendly meals each day.

An overnight cruise on Ha Long BayEgg coffee and street food in the Old QuarterThe water puppet showBest in Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
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Hotels, 4 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.

Day 1 Hoan Kiem Lake and water puppets

  1. 13:30Land at Noi Bai Airport, transfer to the Old QuarterAbout 30 km. Book a Grab in the app and meet at the marked pickup point.Soc Son · about 45 mins · 300,000 to 450,000 VND per car
  2. 14:45Check in and restOld Quarter streets are loud, so ask for a room at the back.Old Quarter · about 1.5 hrs · FreeGrab
  3. 16:30Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son TempleCross the red Huc Bridge to the little temple on the lake.Hoan Kiem · about 1 hr · 30,000 to 50,000 VNDWalk, 10 min
  4. 18:30Thang Long Water Puppet showA thousand year old art: wooden puppets dancing on water with live music. Very short and charming.Hoan Kiem · about 50 mins · 100,000 to 200,000 VNDWalk, 3 min
  5. 19:45Dinner at Quan An NgonA garden villa with dozens of street food dishes in one place. Good vegetarian options.Phan Boi Chau · about 1.25 hrs · 200,000 to 350,000 VND · Order: Banh xeo pancakes and fresh spring rollsGrab, 10 min

Tip: Cross streets slowly and steadily. Motorbikes will flow around you.

Day 2 Old Hanoi

  1. 08:00Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar PagodaDress modestly, no bags or cameras inside. The little One Pillar Pagoda is right behind.Ba Dinh · about 1.5 hrs · Free
  2. 10:00Temple of LiteratureVietnam's first university, from 1070. Calm courtyards and stone turtles.Dong Da · about 1.25 hrs · 70,000 VNDGrab, 10 min
  3. 12:00Lunch at Bun Cha Huong LienThe bun cha shop where Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate. Grilled pork, so vegetarians do better at dinner tonight.Le Van Huu · about 45 mins · 80,000 to 150,000 VND · Order: Bun cha (grilled pork with noodles and herbs)Grab, 10 min
  4. 13:00Rest at the hotelHanoi afternoons are hot and humid.Old Quarter · about 2.5 hrs · FreeGrab, 10 min
  5. 15:45Egg coffee at Cafe GiangWhere egg coffee was invented in 1946. Whipped egg yolk and coffee, like a warm tiramisu.Nguyen Huu Huan · about 45 mins · 35,000 to 50,000 VND · Order: Ca phe trung (egg coffee)Walk, 5 min
  6. 16:45Old Quarter walk and Hang Gai silk streetEach street was once a guild. Have tailored silk scarves or a shirt made here.Old Quarter · about 1.5 hrs · free to browseWalk
  7. 19:30Dinner at Uu Dam ChayElegant vegetarian restaurant, beautifully plated. Even non-vegetarians love it.Hang Bai · about 1.5 hrs · 300,000 to 500,000 VND · Order: Lotus root salad and mushroom hotpotGrab, 10 min

Tip: The mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. On those days swap in Hoa Lo Prison from day 5.

Day 3 Sail into Ha Long Bay

  1. 08:00Transfer to Ha Long BayThe expressway makes it about 2.5 hours. Most cruises offer a shuttle from the Old Quarter.Hanoi to Tuan Chau · about 2.5 to 3 hrs · 300,000 to 500,000 VND per person by shuttle
  2. 12:00Board your cruise and lunch on boardWelcome drink, cabin check-in, then a seafood lunch as you sail into the bay. Ask for vegetarian meals when booking.Ha Long Bay · about 1.5 hrs · included · Order: Grilled fish, prawns and spring rollsTender boat from the marina
  3. 14:30Sung Sot (Surprise) CaveOne of the largest caves in the bay. Some steps, so wear good shoes.Ha Long Bay · about 1 hr · includedCruise boat and tender
  4. 15:45Kayaking among the limestone islandsPaddle through quiet lagoons and under rock arches.Ha Long Bay · about 1 hr · included or 200,000 VNDTender, 10 min
  5. 17:00Ti Top Island viewpoint at sunsetClimb about 400 steps for the classic view over the bay, or swim at the small beach.Ha Long Bay · about 1 hr · includedTender, 10 min
  6. 19:30Dinner on boardCandlelit dinner as the boat anchors among the islands. Squid fishing off the back afterwards.Ha Long Bay · about 1.5 hrs · included · Order: Seafood set menu (vegetarian set on request)Back on the boat

Tip: Pack a small overnight bag and leave the big suitcase at your Hanoi hotel.

Day 4 Bay morning, West Lake evening

  1. 06:30Tai chi on the sundeckA gentle morning stretch with the mist on the islands.Ha Long Bay · about 30 mins · included
  2. 07:30Morning cave or bamboo boat visitUsually Luon Cave by rowing boat or a pearl farm, depending on your cruise route.Ha Long Bay · about 1 hr · includedTender
  3. 09:00Brunch and check outBrunch while the boat sails back to the marina.Ha Long Bay · about 1 hr · included · Order: Vietnamese brunch buffetOn board
  4. 10:30Transfer back to HanoiSame road back. You reach the Old Quarter around 2 pm.Tuan Chau to Hanoi · about 3 hrs · 300,000 to 500,000 VND per person by shuttleFrom the marina
  5. 14:00Check in and restA shower and nap after the early start.Old Quarter · about 2 hrs · FreeDrop at the hotel
  6. 16:30Tran Quoc Pagoda and West Lake at sunsetHanoi's oldest pagoda on a tiny island. Then walk the lakeside as the sun sets.West Lake · about 1.5 hrs · FreeGrab, 15 min
  7. 19:00Dinner at Cha Ca Thang LongHanoi's famous turmeric fish, fried at your table with dill and spring onion.Duong Thanh · about 1.25 hrs · 150,000 to 250,000 VND · Order: Cha ca (turmeric fish with dill and noodles)Grab, 15 min

Tip: Cruises can be cancelled in storms from July to September. Keep this day flexible.

Day 5 Pho, history and home

  1. 08:00Breakfast at Pho Gia TruyenHanoi's best known beef pho. Queue, pay, carry your bowl. No vegetarian option here.Bat Dan · about 45 mins · 50,000 to 80,000 VND · Order: Pho bo (beef noodle soup)
  2. 09:15Hoa Lo Prison museumThe prison the French built and US pilots called the Hanoi Hilton. Powerful and well presented.Hoan Kiem · about 1.25 hrs · 50,000 VNDGrab, 10 min
  3. 11:00Long Bien BridgeWalk out on the old iron bridge for river views and passing trains.Long Bien · about 45 mins · FreeGrab, 15 min
  4. 12:15Lunch at Banh Mi 25Crispy Vietnamese baguette with fillings. They make good vegetarian versions.Hang Ca · about 45 mins · 40,000 to 70,000 VND · Order: Banh mi (mixed, chicken or vegetarian)Walk, 10 min
  5. 13:15Last shopping and collect bagsPick up coffee beans, lacquerware or your tailored pieces.Old Quarter · about 1.75 hrs · free to browseWalk
  6. 15:30Transfer to Noi Bai AirportLeave by 3:30 for evening flights. Afternoon traffic on the bridge can be slow.Old Quarter to Soc Son · about 1 hr · 300,000 to 450,000 VND per carFrom the hotel

Tip: Keep some cash in small notes. Many small eateries do not take cards.

Where to stay

Hanoi, Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem · nights 1 to 2Walk to the lake, food streets and puppet show
  • Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi luxury · about 7,000,000 to 12,000,000 VND a night Hanoi's grand colonial hotel from 1901, a short walk to the lake
  • Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi (MGallery) mid · about 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND a night Stylish and romantic, next to the Opera House
  • La Siesta Classic Ma May mid · about 1,800,000 to 3,000,000 VND a night Right in the Old Quarter with a rooftop bar and great service
Ha Long Bay, Overnight cruise from Tuan Chau · nights 3Waking up among the islands is the highlight
  • Heritage Line Ylang luxury · about 15,000,000 to 25,000,000 VND per cabin with meals a night Elegant small ship, quieter routes
  • Paradise Elegance Cruise mid · about 6,500,000 to 10,000,000 VND per cabin with meals a night Long running and reliable, big balconies
  • Bhaya Classic Cruise budget · about 4,000,000 to 6,500,000 VND per cabin with meals a night Traditional wooden junk style with good food
Hanoi, Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem · nights 4Same hotel, so you can leave bags there
  • Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi luxury · about 7,000,000 to 12,000,000 VND a night Hanoi's grand colonial hotel from 1901, a short walk to the lake
  • Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi (MGallery) mid · about 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND a night Stylish and romantic, next to the Opera House
  • La Siesta Classic Ma May mid · about 1,800,000 to 3,000,000 VND a night Right in the Old Quarter with a rooftop bar and great service

Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.

What to eat

  • Pho bo at Pho Gia Truyen, 49 Bat Dan Hanoi's signature beef noodle soup
  • Bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien, Le Van Huu Grilled pork and noodles, the Obama lunch
  • Cha ca at Cha Ca Thang Long, Duong Thanh Turmeric fish with dill, cooked at the table
  • Egg coffee at Cafe Giang, Nguyen Huu Huan Invented here in 1946
  • Banh mi at Banh Mi 25, Hang Ca Crispy baguette with fillings, vegetarian version available
  • Vegetarian tasting dishes at Uu Dam Chay, Hang Bai Beautiful plant based Vietnamese food

Hanoi evenings are lively and safe: street food on tiny stools, the lake lit up and, on Friday to Sunday nights, the streets around Hoan Kiem close to traffic for walking.

Why it is planned this way

  • I put the mausoleum first on day 2 because it only opens in the morning.
  • I kept the same Hanoi hotel either side of the cruise so you can leave your big bags there.
  • I added Uu Dam Chay and Quan An Ngon so vegetarians eat well, since many famous Hanoi dishes are meat based.
  • I put Pho Gia Truyen as breakfast on the last day because it closes by mid morning.

Opening times and prices change. Tomo checks them again for your dates when you make the plan yours.

Your dates, your hotel, your pace