Hanoi to Hoi An in 7 Days: A Route for Food, Culture & Sea Air

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Shanky Gondal

  • Vietnam

  • Arts & Culture

  • Couples Travel

  • City Travel

  • Outdoors & Nature

  • Multi-City

Advisor - Hanoi to Hoi An in 7 Days: A Route for Food, Culture & Sea Air
Curator’s statement

This journey is deeply personal to me because it brought together everything I enjoy about traveling, from a rich culture, to incredible food, and layers of history that you can feel in the streets of these cities. It was also one of the most romantic trips I have ever taken, from lantern-lit evenings to quiet coastal walks. Somewhere along that route, with all of that beauty around us, I asked my girlfriend to marry me, so now Hanoi to Hoi An is forever tied to our engagement story. That mix of place, feeling, and life milestones is why this destination will always mean more than just a line on a map.

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Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

St. Joseph's Cathedral

  • Arrive in Hanoi and check in at your hotel.

  • Explore the Old Quarter for the evening for shopping.

  • Get your egg coffee with the balcony view of Hanoi at COFFEE A.

  • Get dinner at MET Vietnamese restaurant—lots of vegetarian options.

  • End the night at Ta Hien Ber Street with a street full of people and many bars available.

Day 2: Hanoi sightseeing

  • Sleep in and get breakfast at the hotel.

  • Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral inspired by Notre Dame.

  • Visit The Temple of Literature and learn about the history of Vietnam.

  • Grab a coffee on Hanoi Train Street and check the train timetable for it.

  • Shop at the night market as it’s on every Friday and Saturday.

  • End the day at The Player Cocktail Bar for jasmine cocktails and espresso martinis.

Day 3: Travel to Tam Coc

Boat trip

  • Private transfer to Tam Coc, located in Nin Binh, and check in at the hotel.

  • Visit the Bái Đính Pagoda.

  • Do the Tam Coc boat ride (less crowded and touristy than Trang An).

  • For dinner, I only recommend roasted duck or grilled mountain goat.

Day 4: Mua cave & transfer to Hoi An

Mua cave view

  • Explore the Mua cave in the morning for the sunrise views of rice fields.

  • Take a private transfer to Hanoi Airport.

  • One-hour flight to Da Nang and private transfer to Hoi An.

  • Check in to Son Hoi An Boutique Hotel and Spa.

  • Explore the old town and get dinner at Morning Glory.

Day 5: Custom shopping day

Lantern boat

  • Get your measurements for custom leather jackets, dresses, suits.

  • Eat a sandwich (Bánh mì).

  • Stroll the city and get lost in the ancient town, which is UNESCO-listed.

  • Shop at the night market as you walk past the Japanese bridge.

  • Release a lantern on the river from a boat.

Day 6: Biking & beach day

Cudai Beach

  • Wake up and bike around to see the local coconut village.

  • Relax at Cudai Beach for the afternoon.

  • Come back to double check your measurements.

  • See the Hoi An Ancient Memories light show.

Day 7: Farewell

Custom leather jackets

  • Wake up and have a spa day at the hotel.

  • Pick up your custom outfits.

  • Private transfer to Da Nang Airport.

Need to know

Other must-eats

  • Bun cha: Grilled meat with noodles and sauce

  • Pho: A soup bowl

  • Banh mi: Subway-style sandwich but way better

Bring cash as it is accepted everywhere and try to avoid pork due to humidity and heat for salmonella.

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