Vietnam Highlights: Self-Launched

Touch down at Noi Bai International Airport and take the public bus (Bus 86, ~£1) or a Grab taxi (~£5–7) into the Old Quarter. Check into your guesthouse or hostel and spend the afternoon wandering the maze-like streets of the 36 Streets neighbourhood. As evening falls, head to Bia Hoi Corner at the intersection of Luong Ngoc Quyen and Ta Hien streets for a sit-down with locals over 20p draught beers, then grab a bowl of phở bò from a street stall for dinner — a proper Vietnamese welcome on your own schedule.

🚌Bus 86 from airport to Old Quarter (~£1) or Grab taxi (~£6)

🛏Old Quarter hostel (e.g. Hanoi Backpacker's Hostel or La Siesta Premium) — from ~£12–18/night in a dorm or ~£30–40 in a private room

• →Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport — take Bus 86 to the Old Quarter (~£1) or a Grab taxi (~£5–7)
• →Check in to your Old Quarter hostel or guesthouse
• →Explore the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter on foot
• →Evening drinks at Bia Hoi Corner and street food dinner (phở, bún chả, bánh mì)

Spend the day exploring Hanoi's must-see landmarks independently. Start with the Temple of Literature (entry ~£1.50), Vietnam's first university dating to 1070. Walk south around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple on its island (entry ~£1). Stroll through the French Quarter and grab lunch at a local bun cha spot. In the afternoon, head to the Long Bien Bridge area — cross the old French colonial bridge on foot or by bicycle and stop for a drink at one of the quirky cafés built into the old railway arches alongside the tracks. Round out the evening with a free-roam of the night market (open Fri–Sun) or a bia hoi in the Old Quarter.

🚌Walking and occasional Grab bike (~£1–2 per ride)

🛏Old Quarter hostel (same as Day 1)

• →Temple of Literature — self-visit, entry ~£1.50
• →Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple walk — entry ~£1
• →Lunch at a local bún chả restaurant (~£2–3)
• →Long Bien Bridge walk and drinks in a trackside café
• →Old Quarter night market or evening street food crawl

Rise early for the 3.5–4 hour drive to Ha Long Bay — book a seat on a shared shuttle bus from your hostel or via operators like Sinh Tourist (~£7–10 each way). At the pier, board your pre-booked overnight cruise. Budget cruises (e.g. Bhaya Classic, Indochina Junk, or well-reviewed options via GetYourGuide/Klook) include a seafood lunch on deck, kayaking or bamboo boat access to caves, a visit to a floating fishing village, and twin-share cabins with private bathrooms. Watch the sunset from the top deck over a cold Bia Ha Long. A 2-day/1-night cruise including all meals, cabin, and activities typically costs £60–90 per person when booked independently.

🚌Shared shuttle bus Hanoi → Ha Long Bay (~£8)

🛏Overnight twin-share cabin on Ha Long Bay cruise boat (included in cruise cost)

• →Shared shuttle bus from Hanoi Old Quarter to Ha Long Bay pier (~£8)
• →Board overnight junk cruise — pre-book via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct with operator (~£65–90 all-in)
• →Seafood lunch on deck
• →Kayaking or bamboo boat tour to caves (included in most cruise packages)
• →Sunset views from the top deck

Enjoy the morning light on the limestone karsts from the deck over breakfast before the boat returns to port around 11am–12pm. Your shuttle bus returns you to Hanoi in time for a late afternoon domestic flight to Hue (book ahead with VietJet Air or Vietnam Airlines, ~£25–40 one way). Arrive in Hue early evening, take a Grab taxi to your guesthouse (~£3–4), check in, and take a relaxed stroll along the Perfume River. Grab dinner at one of the riverside restaurants — try bún bò Huế, the city's famous spicy beef noodle soup.

🚌Shuttle bus to Hanoi (~£8) + domestic flight to Hue (~£30) + Grab taxi (~£4)

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in central Hue (e.g. Hue Serene Palace Hotel or similar) — ~£15–25/night

• →Morning cruise and breakfast on Ha Long Bay
• →Return shuttle bus to Hanoi (~£8)
• →Domestic flight Hanoi → Hue with VietJet or Vietnam Airlines (~£25–40) — book in advance
• →Check in to guesthouse in Hue
• →Evening stroll along the Perfume River and dinner (bún bò Huế, ~£2–3)

Spend the morning exploring Hue's remarkable imperial heritage. The Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City are a self-guided highlight — entry is ~£6 and audio guides are available. Hire a bicycle or take a Grab bike to reach the Tomb of Tu Duc (~£2–3 entry), one of the most elaborate mausoleums of the Nguyen dynasty, set in peaceful forested grounds. For lunch, seek out An Nhien Garden restaurant — the same plant-based family restaurant Exodus uses — for a memorable, locally grown meal (~£5–8). In the afternoon, consider an optional Perfume River cruise by dragon boat (~£5–8, bookable at the riverbank) to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, with traditional Nha Nhac music often performed on board.

🚌Hire a bicycle for the day (~£3) or Grab taxis (~£2–4 per trip)

🛏Guesthouse in Hue (same as Day 4)

• →Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City — self-visit, entry ~£6
• →Tomb of Tu Duc — entry ~£2–3, travel by bicycle or Grab
• →Plant-based lunch at An Nhien Garden (~£5–8)
• →Optional: dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River with Thien Mu Pagoda stop (~£6)

Take an open-tour bus or book a private car/minivan with fellow travellers from your hostel for the scenic 130km coastal drive south (~£10–15 per person). The route crosses the spectacular Hai Van Pass — ask your driver to stop at the top for panoramic views over the ocean and Lang Co lagoon. Stop at Marble Mountain (Da Nang) for a short climb to explore the Viet Cong war caves and enjoy views over My Khe Beach — entry ~£1.50. Arrive in Hoi An by mid-afternoon. Check in, then join a self-guided walking tour of the Ancient Town: visit the Japanese Covered Bridge (entry included in the Ancient Town ticket, ~£4.50 for 5 sites), merchants' houses, and the riverfront market. Evening is yours — the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An at night are unmissable.

🚌Shared minivan or open-tour bus Hue → Hoi An (~£12)

🛏Guesthouse or boutique hotel in or near Hoi An Old Town (e.g. Vinh Hung Library Hotel or Hoi An Chic Hotel) — ~£15–25/night

• →Open-tour bus or shared minivan Hue → Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (~£12)
• →Photo stop at the summit of Hai Van Pass
• →Marble Mountain stop — climb and explore Viet Cong caves, entry ~£1.50
• →Ancient Town of Hoi An walking tour — Ancient Town ticket ~£4.50 (covers 5 heritage sites)
• →Evening wander through lantern-lit streets and riverside market

Head to Tra Que Vegetable Village, 3km north of Hoi An (bicycle ride ~£2 hire, or Grab). Book a cooking class directly with one of the village cooperatives or via GetYourGuide/Klook — expect to pay ~£18–25 per person for a half-day class that includes a market visit, herb garden tour, hands-on cooking of Vietnamese dishes, and lunch with what you've made. This is the same experience Exodus uses. The afternoon is completely free — explore more of Hoi An's tailor shops and silk boutiques, hire a bicycle to ride to An Bang Beach (~£2 hire, beach 5km away), or take a boat trip to the Cham Island Marine Reserve. Gather your fellow travellers for a final farewell dinner at one of Hoi An's excellent local restaurants — try White Rose Restaurant or Mỳ Quảng Bà Mua for authentic local dishes.

🚌Bicycle hire for the day (~£2–3)

🛏Guesthouse or boutique hotel in Hoi An (same as Day 6)

• →Cycling to Tra Que Vegetable Village (~£2 bike hire)
• →Half-day cooking class with local chef — book via GetYourGuide or direct (~£20–25, includes lunch)
• →Free afternoon: tailor shops, An Bang Beach by bicycle, or optional Cham Island snorkelling trip (~£20–25 via day tour)
• →Farewell dinner at a local Hoi An restaurant (~£5–10)

Enjoy a final Vietnamese breakfast — a bowl of cao lầu (Hoi An's signature noodle dish) from a local stall is the perfect send-off. The nearest airport is Da Nang, approximately 30km north. Book a Grab taxi or arrange a pre-booked shuttle transfer through your guesthouse (~£6–10). If your flight isn't until later, spend a final morning wandering the Old Town or visiting Thu Bon Riverside before heading out. Safe travels!

🚌Grab taxi or shuttle to Da Nang Airport (~£8)

🛏None (departure day)

• →Final breakfast — try cao lầu from a local street stall (~£1.50)
• →Last walk through Hoi An Old Town
• →Grab taxi or shared shuttle to Da Nang Airport (~£6–10)