9 Days in Vietnam Itinerary - A Brief of the Country

Day 1: Arriving in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Ho Chi Minh City is the best destination for your first day because of its combination of cultural and historical features in modern life. You probably recognize the city named after the great leader of Vietnam - Uncle Ho. After all, this place also has another name that is very familiar to the indigenous locals and the Vietnamese in general, Sai Gon. 

Ho Chi Minh has not only cutting-edge buildings with ancient Vietnamese style and Western structure but also owns delicious cuisine that you must try. Moreover, as a bustling city, the nightlife is exciting and unique, making you actually get memorable overnight. 

Ho Chi Minh City in the sunset

Explore Saigon on your own

After check-in at the hotel, you have two options: 

*Option 1: Rest in your private room in the hotel to recover from a long flight.

*Option 2: Hit your road on Sai Gon’s streets now!

• Visit the historical spots of the Vietnam - America War, such as The Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum. 
• Admire the two oldest classical French colonial architecture constructions, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office. These structures bring you great photos, so enjoy them. 

On your first time in Ho Chi Minh City, it will be romantic if you get your luxury dinner on Saigon Cruise. You can travel to Nha Rong Port (Saigon Port), then move to a luxury cruise to taste your delicious buffet and sightsee the city on the river.

The Reunification Palace

Day 2: Explore Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels 

Cu Chi Tunnels Half-day Tour

Cu Chi Tunnels is a complex that contains 120 kilometers of underground tunnels and trapdoors, command centers, storage, kitchens, housing quarters, and even hospitals. It's part of a military museum in Saigon that gives tourists a glimpse into the subterranean lives of Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War against the French.

Cu Chi Tunnel Exploration

In the morning, you will be transferred to Cu Chi Tunnels, which is around 55 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, by a speedboat. You need to watch a short video on Cu Chi Tunnels to learn how the tunnel system works before entering the complex to navigate the narrow passageways of the underground tunnels. It also prevents you from being lost underground. Then explore the tunnel systems under your tour guide’s instruction.

Vespa City Tour 

After your Vietnamese lunch at Cu Chi Tunnels, take upon a vintage Vespa at Tan Cang pier, then start your city tour. In addition to sightseeing the city on a classic scooter and taking beautiful photos, you also visit some of the following places such as Ho Thi Ky flower market, Bitexco Tower, Sai Gon Opera House, and China Town. 

Vespa Saigon Tour

Get the vibe of Ho Chi Minh City on a Saigon Vespa City Tour at BestPrice Travel!

When the sun sets, that is time for the local street food tour. Many eateries stretch along the streets, from indoor eateries to sidewalk eateries. You can choose a random one to enjoy local food. Some suggested dishes for you: Com Tam (rice with grilled pork), Hu Tieu (pork rice noodles), Saigon Bami, etc. In addition, you can also get your nightlife in Bui Vien, which is considered like Lan Kwai Fong in Vietnam. 

Day 3: Day Trip to Mekong Delta and fly to Da Nang

Mekong Delta Day Tour

In the morning, you will continue Day 3 of the 9-day Vietnam itinerary to Cai Be and Cao Dai Temple (transfer time around 2 hours).

• Cai Be: You pad by a bamboo boat to visit Cai Be Catholic Church and the floating markets. Then explore the local life and how they process the floating market on the river. Head to an orchid garden to enjoy ‘Tai Tu music’ (a traditional South Vietnamese folk) while tasting fresh fruits.
• Cao Dai: Located in Tay Ninh, Cao Dai is a Vietnamese religion that combines Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and even Catholicism. You admire the architectural beauty of harmony between Vietnam and the West and can pray according to your beliefs.
• Tan Phong Island: Go to Tan Phong Island and get your lunch at a local restaurant. After that, you cycle around the island and explore the traditional handicraft workshops of handbags and rice papers. Get on a ferry boat with local people to sail through the Tien river. 

Cao Dai Temple

Transfer to the airport

Around 16:30, go back to Ho Chi Minh to check out your stay and move to Tan Son Nhat airport to transfer to Danang airport, then head to Hoi An for your new experience. 

After an energetic journey, you should rest in your Hoi An’s hotel to refresh your mind and body. You can also order a massage service from the hotel manager to heal yourself more effectively. 

Day 4 and 5: Hoi An Inside Out 

Day 4: Ancient Hoi An Exploration 

It would be a miss if you don’t visit Hoi An on the 9 days Vietnam itinerary. Start the Day 4, wake up early to breathe fresh air and cool weather among ancient scenery, then enjoy Hoi An signature breakfast, such as Banh Mi Hoian, Cao Lau, Banh Bao/Banh Vac (pork/shrimp dim sum/baozi), Xoi Xa Xiu (sticky rice with sweet pork), Quang Noodles, etc. 

After tasting a nutritious breakfast, let's walk along the ancient streets to witness the 1,000-year structure of Phung Hung House, Cantonese Assembly Hall, Temple of the Tran family, etc. 

Around 15:00, your driver comes and picks you up to start your Hoi An Street Food Tour: 

Firstly, taste a unique dumpling dish at an ancient restaurant. Then, visit a local business house in a small alley, then try a Beef rice noodles bowl (Bun Bo). After you are full, you should relax with a cup of coffee in Tra Que vegetable village, where local farmers plant 20 different herbs and vegetables. Discover unique specialists such as Banh Khot (a round pancake made with rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk, quail egg, and vegetables) or Balut (One of the Top 10 weird foods globally). Complete the tour with a dinner on the river with beer. Drink your glasses of beer with the ‘Nhau’ style. 

A guest experienced watering plants at Tra Que Vegetable Village

Day 5: Hoi An Vespa Tour

In the morning, you will be transferred to the meeting point of the Hoi An Vespa Tour and meet your other fellows. You will pass through rural roads during your tour to take in the beautiful panorama of rice fields and farms. Move to an Ancestral House to visit a traditional boat builders’ yard.

On the way, you may learn how to weave a mat, farm, or cook rice crackers and noodles. Ride towards the coast on pathways bordered, then stop for delicious food, organic drip coffee, and the art of coffee roasting at a small café village.

The next stop is at the top of Cua Dai Bridge, which provides breathtaking views of Hoi An. You arrive at the water coconut palm fringed trails around noon for a tasty lunch in a peaceful scene.

Back to your stay at around 1 pm to take a nap and recover yourself after the half journey of 9 days in Vietnam itinerary.

Cua Dai Bridge

Day 6: Early flight to Hanoi and explore the Old Quarter

Discover Hanoi Old Quarter

Stretch your body in the Hoian last morning before check-out your room and flight to Hanoi Ancient Capital of Vietnam. 

Let’s begin the Hanoi City Tour in the afternoon with attractive spots: Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi Opera House, Hoan Kiem lake, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison, West Lake, Huu Tiep Lake, and The B52. Experience the Egg coffee, a particular Vietnamese specialist from French colonial times, at Giang coffee shop. Get your dinner at Hanoi Old Quarter. 

Hanoi City Motorbike Tour

You can try many cuisines for your supper, such as Com Binh Dan (rice box/rice dishes with various food for every class), My Van Than (grilled pork, shrimp, veggies, and noodles), hotpot, etc.

To get a memorable overnight in Hanoi, you can burn yourself in some eateries on Ta Hien Street (like Bui Vien in Saigon) and eat what you want among the attractive music of bars and clubs. If you want to join in, hit your road!

Egg Coffee at Giang Cafe

Day 7 & 8: Relax with Halong Bay Cruise

Enjoy Hanoi's early morning

Enjoy the sunshine in Hanoi with a slow and ancient atmosphere combining modern spirit. Then go out and taste Hanoi breakfast with various dishes, such as Pho, Banh mi, Bun Rieu (stir-fried blended craft with rice noodles), and Banh Cuon (rice rolls with pork and mushrooms). During your breakfast, you can sightsee Hanoian (Hanoi residents) going to work by scooters and street vendors doing their jobs on Hanoi Old Quarter streets. 

Afterward, return to your Hanoi accommodation to meet your driver and transfer to Halong - one of the World Heritage sites (transfer time around 2.5 hours). 

Halong Bay Overnight Cruise

You will match your cruise, check-in at noon, and get your delicious seafood lunch while sailing along the Bay. Each cruise has a different itinerary to Halong Bay, Lan Ha, or Bai Tu Long Bay. However, you may try some popular activities like kayaking, swimming, discovering caves, sun-bathing, or joining a sunset party.

After an interesting day, you go back to the cruise and taste your buffet dinner or set menu dinner. After complete, you can relax onboard overnight with some entertainment activities, such as squid fishing, watching movies, listening to music, drinking wines at the cruise bar, or chatting with your fellows. 

Kayaking in Halong Bay

On the second day of the Halong Bay cruise, you should get up to the sound of waves crashing on the side of the cruise and take part in the Tai-chi session to stretch your body and refresh your mind. Then get a buffet breakfast with coffee, tea, and pantries while the cruise passes through magnificent stalagmites and stalactites. When the cruise anchors at the port, disembark and go on the luxury van to transfer to Hanoi.

Rest in your private room to recover or explore your Hanoi last night of your Vietnam itinerary for 9 days.

Day 9: Say goodbye to Vietnam's capital

Feel your free morning in Hanoi before check-out time at noon. This is an excellent time to buy some souvenirs for your family and friends. If you have any dishes in Vietnam that you haven't tasted yet, now is the time to experience them. Prepare your package and pay any surcharge bills before leaving the hotel. 

It's the end of your Vietnam tour. Let's say goodbye to Hanoi and move to the airport with your driver. 

We hope that by following the instructions of this 9 Days in Vietnam Itinerary - A brief of the Country, you will have the finest opportunity to see this lovely nation.

If you want to know more about the 9-day tour in Vietnam, please contact Bestprice Travel to get the best support and advice.

Khanh Linh

(Image sources: Internet)