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Vietnam · Trip plan

6 days in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

Old Quarter street food and a night aboard a junk among 1,600 limestone islands.

Best time
Oct – Dec, Mar – Apr
Ideal length
6 days
A day, mid-range
₹6,000 per person
Trip for two
about ₹72,000

Planning a 6-day trip to Hanoi & Ha Long Bay? Here's a day-by-day Hanoi & Ha Long Bay itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

October to December is dry and cool in the north, with clear days on Ha Long Bay and pleasant evenings in the Old Quarter.

Hanoi is Vietnam's characterful capital, with a buzzing Old Quarter, French colonial streets and lakes. A few hours away, Ha Long Bay's limestone islands are best seen from an overnight cruise, and Ninh Binh offers 'Ha Long on land'.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar: a good time to go
  4. Apr: a good time to go
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct: a good time to go
  11. Nov: a good time to go
  12. Dec: a good time to go

October to December: 18–28°C; March to April: mild and pleasant.

Create my Hanoi trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

  • 01

    Hanoi Old Quarter

    Thirty-six guild streets, egg coffee and pho.

  • 02

    Ha Long Bay

    An overnight cruise among limestone islands.

  • 03

    Ninh Binh

    Trang An boat ride through caves and rice fields.

  • 04

    Hoan Kiem Lake

    The heart of Hanoi, car-free at weekends.

Day by day

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay itinerary for 6 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: The Old Quarter

    Morning
    Arrive in Hanoi and check in to the Old Quarter.
    Afternoon
    Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
    Evening
    Street food tour: pho, bun cha, banh mi and egg coffee.

    Cross streets slowly and steadily; traffic flows around you.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Historic Hanoi

    Morning
    Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda (mornings only).
    Afternoon
    Temple of Literature, then Train Street for coffee as the train squeezes past.
    Evening
    Water puppet show.

    Dress modestly for the mausoleum.

  3. D3

    Day 3: Ha Long Bay

    Morning
    Bus or shuttle to Ha Long (about 2.5 hours) and board an overnight cruise.
    Afternoon
    Kayaking and cave visits among the limestone islands.
    Evening
    Sunset on deck and dinner on board.

    Cruise quality varies; read recent reviews.

  4. D4

    Day 4: Bay sunrise

    Morning
    Tai chi at sunrise and a final cave or kayak.
    Afternoon
    Brunch on board, then back to Hanoi.
    Evening
    Free evening in the Old Quarter.

    Pack light; cruises have small cabins.

  5. D5

    Day 5: Ninh Binh

    Morning
    Day trip to Ninh Binh: Trang An boat ride through caves and rice paddies.
    Afternoon
    Hike up to Mua Cave viewpoint.
    Evening
    Back to Hanoi.

    Wear a hat; the boats have no shade.

  6. D6

    Day 6: Coffee and home

    Morning
    Coffee crawl: egg coffee and coconut coffee.
    Afternoon
    Shopping for silk and lacquerware.
    Evening
    Fly home.

    Hanoi's airport is 45 minutes from the Old Quarter.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay in 5, 6 or 8 days

5 days in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

Follow days 1 to 5 above and leave out “Coffee and home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

8 days in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Phu Quoc.

What it costs

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay trip budget

StylePer person, a day6 days for two
Budget₹2,500₹30,000
Mid-range₹6,000₹72,000
Luxury₹18,000+₹2,16,000

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Hanoi & Ha Long Bay is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay for every budget

  • Budget

    Hostels in the Old Quarter

    Hoan Kiem

    Walk to everything.

    from ₹1,500 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    La Siesta Premium Hang Be

    Old Quarter

    Boutique rooms and a rooftop bar.

    from ₹7,000 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

    French Quarter

    A 1901 colonial landmark.

    from ₹30,000 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

  • Pho

    Beef or chicken noodle soup.

  • Bun cha

    Grilled pork with noodles.

  • Egg coffee

    Whipped egg yolk over strong coffee.

Getting there

How to reach Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

Travel
Direct flights to Hanoi from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
Getting around
Walk the Old Quarter; Grab for taxis; buses and tours to Ha Long and Ninh Binh.
Visa
Indians apply for Vietnam's e-visa online before travel.
  • Cruises vary a lot in quality: read recent reviews.
  • Use Grab for taxis; cross streets slowly and steadily.

Before you go

What to pack for Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

6 days are enough to see the highlights: Hanoi Old Quarter, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 6-day Hanoi & Ha Long Bay trip cost?

Roughly ₹2,500 a day per person on a budget, ₹6,000 mid-range and ₹18,000+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about ₹72,000 for 6 days.

What is the best time to visit Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

Oct – Dec, Mar – Apr. October to December is dry and cool in the north, with clear days on Ha Long Bay and pleasant evenings in the Old Quarter.

Where should I stay in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

Budget: Hostels in the Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem), from about ₹1,500 a night. Mid-range: La Siesta Premium Hang Be (Old Quarter), from about ₹7,000 a night. Luxury: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (French Quarter), from about ₹30,000 a night.

How do I reach Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

Direct flights to Hanoi from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

Do I need a visa or permit for Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

Indians apply for Vietnam's e-visa online before travel.

Is 5 days enough for Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 5 of the itinerary above and skip "Coffee and home". 6 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

October to December: 18–28°C; March to April: mild and pleasant.

What food should I try in Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

Pho: Beef or chicken noodle soup. Bun cha: Grilled pork with noodles. Egg coffee: Whipped egg yolk over strong coffee.

How do I get around Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

Walk the Old Quarter; Grab for taxis; buses and tours to Ha Long and Ninh Binh.

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