Vietnam Explorer: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Saigon

Hanoi

• 10:00Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. Grab to Old Quarter (45 min, ~1,225 INR).
• 11:00Check into boutique hotel in the Ma May / Hang Bac streets area. Rest and freshen up.
• 14:00Walk through the 36 Old Streets (Pho Co) -- each street historically sold one type of goods. The most atmospheric neighbourhood in Southeast Asia.
• 17:00Hoan Kiem Lake sunset walk -- watch locals doing tai chi by the lake.
• 18:30Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (350 INR) -- uniquely Vietnamese 50-minute show. Book ahead.
• 20:00Dinner: Pho Thin (13 Lo Duc) -- legendary pho bo since 1979 (175 INR).

Hanoi

• 07:30Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (free, closed Mon/Fri). No shorts, no cameras inside. Includes Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda.
• 10:00Temple of Literature (105 INR) -- Vietnam's first university (1070 AD). Gorgeous courtyards and bonsai gardens.
• 13:00Vietnamese Women's Museum (140 INR) -- excellent exhibits on ethnic minority cultures.
• 15:00Train Street (Phung Hung) -- trains pass within arm's reach of cafe tables. Check schedule locally.
• 16:00Egg coffee at Cafe Giang (39 Nguyen Huu Huan, 122 INR) -- the original egg coffee shop, since 1946.
• 18:00Bia Hoi Junction (Ta Hien & Luong Ngoc Quyen) -- fresh draught beer from 17 INR per glass.
• 19:30Dinner: Bun Cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu) -- the 'Obama bun cha' spot (175-245 INR).

Ha Long Bay

• 07:30Hotel pickup for 3.5-hour drive to Ha Long Bay (transport included in cruise).
• 12:00Board cruise ship. Welcome drink and safety briefing.
• 13:00Cruise through 1,969 limestone karsts. Lunch on board.
• 15:00Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave -- enormous stalactite formations inside a karst island.
• 16:30Kayaking through lagoons and limestone caves (included in cruise).
• 18:00Sunset on the deck with 360-degree views of the bay.
• 19:30Seafood dinner on board (included). Squid fishing after dark (free activity).

Hoi An

• 06:30Tai chi on the cruise deck at sunrise. Breakfast on board.
• 10:00Disembark. Transfer to Hanoi or Cat Bi Airport.
• 14:00Flight Hanoi to Da Nang (1.5 hrs). Grab from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An (35 min, 875 INR).
• 16:00Check into boutique hotel in or near the Ancient Town.
• 18:00Hoi An Ancient Town at dusk -- the silk lanterns come alive after dark. Thu Bon River walk.
• 19:30Dinner: Cao Lau (thick noodles unique to Hoi An) at Trung Bac (87 Tran Phu, 140 INR). Night market on the river.

Hoi An

• 08:00Hoi An Ancient Town ticket (420 INR) covers 5 heritage sites: Japanese Covered Bridge (16th century), Fujian Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Old House, traditional music performance.
• 10:00Visit a tailor shop -- Hoi An is world-famous for custom tailoring. A bespoke suit from 7,000 INR, ready in 24-48 hrs.
• 13:00Option A: Cooking class (1,900-2,900 INR) -- learn banh xeo, spring rolls, pho with market visit. Top picks: Red Bridge, Thuan Tinh Island.
• 13:00Option B: An Bang Beach (3 km from town) -- sunbed rental 175-350 INR. Cold beer on the beach.
• 17:00Lantern-making class (700-1,225 INR) -- take home a handmade silk lantern.
• 19:00Dinner: Banh Mi Phuong (2B Phan Chau Trinh) -- Anthony Bourdain called it 'a symphony in a sandwich' (105 INR).

Ho Chi Minh City

• 07:00Tra Que Vegetable Village (122 INR) -- cycle through herb gardens, optional farming experience.
• 09:00Grab to Da Nang Airport from Hoi An (875 INR).
• 12:00Flight Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (1.5 hrs). Grab to District 1 (525-700 INR).
• 15:00Check into hotel in District 1. Walk past Reunification Palace exterior.
• 17:30Nguyen Hue Walking Street -- wide boulevard, street performers, selfie culture.
• 19:00Dinner: Pho Le (413-415 Nguyen Trai, District 5) -- widely considered the best pho in Saigon (245-315 INR).
• 21:00Bui Vien Walking Street -- Vietnam's Khao San Road. Cheap beer, street food, live music.

Ho Chi Minh City

• 07:30Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour (1,050-1,750 INR guided). Crawl through Viet Cong tunnels, see wartime booby traps. 45 min from city.
• 11:30War Remnants Museum (140 INR) -- harrowing but essential. The American war from the Vietnamese perspective. Allow 2 hours.
• 14:00Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (exterior) and Central Post Office (free) -- designed by Gustave Eiffel's firm, still functioning.
• 15:30Ben Thanh Market -- bargain hard (start at 30-40% of first price). Lacquerware, conical hats, Vietnamese coffee.
• 17:30Saigon Skydeck at Bitexco Tower (700 INR) -- 360-degree city view at sunset from the 49th floor.
• 19:30Dinner: Banh Xeo 46A (46A Dinh Cong Trang) -- massive crispy Vietnamese crepes (210-280 INR).
• 21:00Rooftop bar: Chill Skybar (26th floor, AB Tower) or Saigon Saigon Bar at Caravelle Hotel.

Ho Chi Minh City

• 07:00Jade Emperor Pagoda (free) -- one of the most atmospheric temples in Vietnam.
• 08:30Last banh mi and ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee). Pack up.
• 10:00Grab to Tan Son Nhat Airport (525-700 INR). Trip ends.

BEST TIME: March-April (dry everywhere, warm not scorching) or October-November (autumn in the north, dry in the south). Vietnamese Tet (late Jan/early Feb) sees prices spike 35-50%.

VISA: E-visa required for Indians. $25 USD single entry. Apply at evisa.gov.vn 5-7 days before travel.

FLIGHTS: Direct Delhi-Hanoi on VietJet/IndiGo from INR 18,000 return. Kolkata is often cheapest. Book 4-6 weeks ahead.

FOOD: Vietnamese cuisine is one of the world's best. Must-try: pho bo (Hanoi), bun cha (Obama's spot), banh mi (Hoi An), banh xeo (Saigon). Vegetarians -- look for "Quan Chay" restaurants; always say "khong nuoc mam" (no fish sauce).

MONEY: 1 INR ~ 285 VND. Withdraw VND from ATMs (TP Bank = no fees). Cash is king for street food and markets.

MOBILE: Buy Viettel SIM at airport -- 350-700 INR for 15-30 days unlimited data. Grab app (Vietnam's Uber) is essential.

WHAT TO PACK: Rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, light layers. Sunscreen. Quick-dry clothes for humidity.