Simply Vietnam in 7 Days: The Self-Launched Version
7 days · Vietnam
Realistic Asia charges £470
No-markup version: ~£350 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched itinerary covers the same iconic highlights as Realistic Asia's 7-day Vietnam group tour — from Hanoi's ancient streets and Ninh Binh's limestone karsts to a Halong Bay overnight cruise and the Mekong Delta — at a fraction of the cost. You'll swap the guided group for independent travel using local buses, trains, and self-bookable tours, while staying in well-rated hostels and budget guesthouses. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Hanoi
Hanoi
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. Take the 86 airport bus into the Old Quarter for around £0.80, or a metered taxi/Grab for roughly £5–7. Check in to your hostel or budget guesthouse in the Old Quarter — this puts you right in the heart of the action. Spend the evening wandering the narrow lanes of the Hoan Kiem Old Quarter at your own pace, grab a Bia Hoi (street beer) for pennies, and soak up the buzzing night atmosphere around Hoan Kiem Lake.
🚌Bus 86 from Noi Bai Airport (~£0.80) or Grab taxi (~£5–7)
🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or Vietnam Backpacker Hostels Original — dorm from £8–12/night, private room from £20–25/night
- →Take bus 86 from Noi Bai Airport to the Old Quarter (£0.80) or Grab taxi (£5–7)
- →Check in to Old Quarter hostel (e.g. Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or Vietnam Backpacker Hostels)
- →Self-guided wander through the Hoan Kiem Old Quarter at own pace
- →Evening street food and Bia Hoi at Ta Hien Street
Hanoi City Sights
Hanoi
Spend the day exploring Hanoi's historic landmarks independently. Most sites are walkable or a short Grab ride apart. Start early at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (note: closed Monday and Friday mornings). Walk to the One Pillar Pagoda, then head to the Temple of Literature — entry is around £1.20. Visit Hoa Lo Prison (entry ~£1), and choose between the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (entry ~£2, great cultural context) or the Vietnamese Women's Museum (~£1.50). End the day at Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake — free to enter. Book any entry tickets directly on arrival; no pre-booking needed.
🚌Walking and Grab rides between sites (budget ~£3–5 total)
🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or Vietnam Backpacker Hostels Original — dorm from £8–12/night, private room from £20–25/night
- →Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex and gardens (free, check opening hours)
- →One Pillar Pagoda (free)
- →Temple of Literature (~£1.20 entry)
- →Hoa Lo Prison Museum (~£1 entry)
- →Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or Vietnamese Women's Museum (~£1.50–2 entry)
- →Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake (free)
- →Street food lunch near Ba Dinh Square (~£2–3)
Hanoi to Ninh Binh — Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
Ninh Binh
Catch an early bus or minivan from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (roughly 2 hours, £3–5 via Hoang Long bus or a booked minivan transfer). Head to Hoa Lu ancient capital to explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le (~£1.50 entry). Then make your way to Tam Coc for the iconic rowing-boat cave cruise through the limestone karsts (~£4–5, book at the dock). Hire a bicycle at the wharf to cycle through the surrounding rice paddies and villages (~£1.50/day). Have lunch at one of the riverside restaurants at Tam Coc wharf. Return to Hanoi by afternoon/evening bus, or stay overnight in Ninh Binh if you prefer a slower pace.
🚌Hoang Long bus Hanoi–Ninh Binh return (~£6–10 total), local xe om or Grab in Ninh Binh (~£2)
🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or Vietnam Backpacker Hostels Original — dorm from £8–12/night, private room from £20–25/night
- →Hoang Long bus Hanoi → Ninh Binh (~£3–5, ~2 hrs)
- →Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: King Dinh & King Le Temples (~£1.50 entry)
- →Tam Coc rowing-boat cave cruise (~£4–5, booked at the dock)
- →Bicycle hire to cycle rice fields and villages (~£1.50)
- →Lunch at Tam Coc wharf riverside restaurant (~£3–5)
- →Return bus Ninh Binh → Hanoi (~£3–5)
Hanoi to Halong Bay — Overnight Cruise
Halong Bay
Join a self-bookable 2-day/1-night Halong Bay cruise — these are widely available online via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct with operators like Indochina Junk, Bhaya, or Cat Ba Ventures. Budget options start from around £70–90/person including transport from Hanoi, meals, kayaking, and a cabin. The tour bus picks up from your Hanoi hotel in the morning. Enjoy the scenic drive across the Red River Delta, board the junk boat at Tuan Chau Marina, tuck into a seafood lunch on deck, explore limestone caves, kayak through hidden lagoons, and watch the sunset from the sundeck before an early dinner on board.
🚌Cruise package includes return Hanoi transport
🛏Shared cabin on budget/mid-range junk cruise (e.g. Cat Ba Ventures, Bhaya Classic, or similar) — included in cruise price ~£70–90/person
- →Morning pickup from Hanoi hostel included in cruise package
- →Scenic drive across the Red River Delta to Halong Bay (~3.5 hrs)
- →Board overnight cruise junk boat at Tuan Chau Marina
- →Seafood lunch on deck
- →Time on the sundeck exploring the bay
- →Kayaking or swimming at a secluded lagoon
- →Limestone cave exploration
- →Sunset drinks and dinner on board
Halong Bay Sunrise → Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Rise early for sunrise views over the bay — one of Vietnam's most iconic moments. Explore a limestone cave with stalagmites and stalactites before brunch on deck while sailing back to harbour. The cruise returns to Hanoi by early afternoon. From Hanoi, take a domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) — book ahead with VietJet Air or Bamboo Airways for as little as £25–50 one-way. Grab a taxi or the bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to your hotel in District 1. Check in and enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the Ben Thanh Market area.
🚌Domestic flight HAN→SGN (~£25–50, book via Skyscanner); Grab airport transfer (~£3–5)
🛏Saigon Backpacker Hostel or The Common Room Project — dorm from £8–12/night, private room from £20–28/night
- →Sunrise viewing over Halong Bay from the deck
- →Limestone cave exploration (Sung Sot or Thien Cung cave)
- →Brunch on board while sailing back to harbour
- →Return to Hanoi by early afternoon
- →Domestic flight Hanoi (HAN) → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) with VietJet or Bamboo (~£25–50)
- →Grab taxi or bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1 (~£3–5)
- →Evening wander around Ben Thanh Market area
Mekong Delta Day Trip
Mekong Delta / My Tho
Book a Mekong Delta day tour from Ho Chi Minh City via GetYourGuide or Klook — prices start from around £20–30/person including transport and lunch. Tours visit My Tho and the four islands (Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, Tortoise), include a sampan cruise along Thoi Son Canal, tropical fruit tasting in orchards, a honey-bee farm visit, folk music performance by locals, and cycling or hammock relaxation in Tan Thach village. This is an easy, excellent-value day out that you can book the night before. Return to HCMC by early evening.
🚌Included in Mekong Delta day tour package
🛏Saigon Backpacker Hostel or The Common Room Project — dorm from £8–12/night, private room from £20–28/night
- →Book Mekong Delta day tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£20–30/person, includes transport & lunch)
- →Sampan cruise around Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix & Tortoise islands
- →Hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son Canal
- →Walk through Unicorn Island orchards and country lanes
- →Tropical fruit tasting at a local plantation
- →Visit honey-bee farm and taste honey tea and coconut candy
- →Folk music performance by local villagers
- →Cycling around Tan Thach village or hammock relaxation
- →Return to Ho Chi Minh City by evening
Ho Chi Minh City — Markets & Departure
Ho Chi Minh City
Your final morning in Vietnam. Enjoy a local breakfast at a street café — try bánh mì or phở for under £1.50. Head to Ben Thanh Market or the Russian Market (Cho Cu) for last-minute souvenirs and gifts. If time allows, take a quick look at the Reunification Palace exterior (entry ~£2) or stroll along Dong Khoi Street. Grab a Grab taxi to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure. Allow at least 2.5–3 hours before your flight.
🚌Grab taxi to Tan Son Nhat Airport (~£4–6)
🛏Check-out — no accommodation needed
- →Breakfast at a local street café (bánh mì or phở, ~£1–1.50)
- →Browse Ben Thanh Market or Cho Cu (Russian Market) for souvenirs
- →Optional: Reunification Palace exterior/entry (~£2)
- →Stroll Dong Khoi Street
- →Grab taxi to Tan Son Nhat Airport (~£4–6, allow 3 hrs before flight)
Self-launched vs. Realistic Asia
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Realistic Asia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£350 | £470 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £120 per person (26%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Realistic Asia-style trips? Check them out here.~£350
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Simply Vietnam in 7 Days: The Self-Launched Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £350 per person for 7 days in Vietnam. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Realistic Asia?+
Yes — Realistic Asia charges around £470 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £350 — a saving of roughly £120 (26%) per person.
How long is the Vietnam trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Vietnam.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, backpacker, budget trip through Vietnam, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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