27 November to 5 December 2026

Vietnam in nine days.

Nine days from Da Nang's coast to Ha Long Bay.

Explore the days
Illustration of the lantern-lit Hoi An waterfront at dusk
9 days27 Nov to 5 Dec
4 flightsBLR · SGN · DAD · HAN
5 hotelsDa Nang to Hanoi
1 nightHa Long Bay cruise
Route

Bengaluru → Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang → Hoi An → Ba Na Hills → Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Hanoi → Bengaluru

Flights

Reconfirm terminals before departure
Terminal guidance: BLR and HAN links open terminal listings; SGN and DAD links open airport listings, so follow the terminal signs. Vietjet domestic check-in at SGN is T1, Hall A. Recheck your boarding pass for terminals, counters and gates. Sources: Vietjet terminals ↗, SGN Hall A notice ↗, Da Nang terminals ↗, Noi Bai terminals ↗, Vietnam Airlines airport guide ↗.

Lounge access

Verify eligibility before travel
BLR · Leg 1

080 International Lounge

Location: BLR T2 ↗, Level 1, International Departures

Hours: 24/7

Amenities: Greenery, live food counters, a bar and showers, including a rain shower.

SGN · Layover

Le Saigonnais – SASCO Business Lounge

Transfer: VJ 1802 → VJ 638 · SGN airport ↗ · Terminal 2 International → SGN airport ↗ · Terminal 1 Domestic · Vietjet check-in: Hall A

Location: Terminal 1 Domestic, Level 3, airside, opposite Gate 15

Amenities: Old Saigon decor, a garden, pho station and showers.

DAD · 2 Dec

SH Premium Lounge Da Nang

Flight: VJ 528 · Da Nang → Hanoi · 7:55 AM

Location: T1 domestic departures, after security, 3rd floor near Gate 6.

Hours: 4:00 AM to midnight daily.

Breakfast, drinks and Wi-Fi before boarding. Confirm your card’s access eligibility. Lounge details ↗

HAN · Return

SH Premium Lounge

Flight: VN 983 · HAN T2 international ↗

Location: 4th Floor, East Wing, near Gates 21–22

Amenities: Massage chairs, a smoking room and separate showers with towels, body wash and toothbrushes.

Day by day

Open a day · loading weather…
27 Nov Bengaluru → Ho Chi Minh City Friday · overnight flight
11:35 PM
VJ 1802 · Bengaluru → Ho Chi Minh City

BLR T2 ↗ → SGN airport ↗ · Terminal 2 International · 4h 55m · arrives 6:00 AM on 28 Nov.

Overnight: in the air
28 Nov Da Nang, Lady Buddha, Sơn Trà Marina + Dragon Bridge Saturday · arrival day
6:00 AM
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive at SGN airport ↗ · Terminal 2 International. Clear immigration, collect your bags and pass customs. Transfer landside to SGN airport ↗ · Terminal 1 Domestic. Check in at Hall A, then pass domestic security.

10:45 AM
VJ 638 · Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang

SGN airport ↗ · Terminal 1 Domestic · Hall A check-in → DAD airport ↗ · Terminal 1 Domestic · 1h 20m · arrives 12:05 PM.

~12:30 PM
Collect bags and take a Grab to the hotel

Grab or taxi from DAD airport ↗ · Terminal 1 Domestic arrivals. Agree on a pickup point. Lunch on the way or at the hotel.

~1:00 PM
Ask for early check-in

Novotel · 36 Bach Dang Street, Hai Chau District. Check-in starts at 3:00 PM. If no room is ready, leave your bags and have lunch nearby.

1:15–3:15 PM
Rest after the overnight flight

Rest for about two hours. If the room is ready only at 3:00 PM, keep the break short and leave around 4:00 PM.

~4:30 PM
Lady Buddha

Visit the statue and pagoda grounds, then take in the coastal views.

~5:30 PM
Sơn Trà Marina

Coffee or drinks by the water, then a Grab to the night market.

~6:30–8:00 PM

Browse the stalls and have dinner. Leave around 8:00 PM for the bridge.

~8:00 PM
Walk to East Dragon Bridge Park

Walk from the market to the park on the east bank. Find a viewing spot by 8:30 PM, before the crowds build.

9:00 PM
Dragon Bridge fire and water show

Watch from East Dragon Bridge Park. The free show starts with fire, then water.

Take a Grab straight back to Novotel. Walk out of the bridge congestion to a pickup point; expect a wait.

Check: shows run at 9:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Confirm locally in case of bad weather.
Stay: Novotel Danang Premier Han River · check-out 30 Nov, 12:00 PM
29 Nov Rafting, Coconut Boat Hoi An + lantern night Sunday · rafting by day, Hoi An by night
Start: Novotel Danang Premier Han River
~7:30 AM
Breakfast, then shared transfer to Hoa Phu Thanh

The Klook combo includes the hotel return transfer, about 40 minutes each way. Check the voucher for pickup time and wait in the lobby a few minutes early.

~9:00 AM
Hoa Phu Thanh rafting
  • About 3 km of rafting, with a life jacket and helmet. Session around 10:15 AM
  • Zipline, pools, slides and a stream foot bath

Wear quick-dry clothes and shoes that can get wet. Bring a change of clothes and secure your sunglasses. Klook combo ticket ↗

~1:15 PM
Wash, change, shared transfer back to the hotel

Shower and change on site. Back by about 2:00 PM for lunch and a short rest.

~3:00 PM
Grab to Coconut Boat Hoi An

Roughly 40 minutes from the hotel to the Cam Thanh coconut forest.

~3:45 PM
Bamboo boat ride at Coconut Boat Hoi An

About 1 hour through the water-coconut forest. Book your onward Grab before the ride ends; pickups can be slow.

~5:00 PM
Grab to Hoi An

About 15 minutes to the Ancient Town. Walk the Japanese Covered Bridge and the riverfront, then dinner.

~6:30 PM onward
Lantern boat ride and night market

Take a lantern boat after dark, then browse the night market and riverside shops.

~9:00 PM
Grab back to the hotel

About 45 minutes to Da Nang, so you're back around 9:45 PM.

Stay: Novotel Danang Premier Han RiverCheckout tomorrow at 9:30 AM (deadline: noon). Store bags until after Marble Mountains and lunch.
30 Nov Marble Mountains → Ba Na Hills · French Village Monday · overnight on the mountain
Start: Novotel Danang Premier Han RiverCheckout at 9:30 AM; store bags until after lunch.
~8:30 AM
Breakfast

Finish breakfast and packing before checking out.

~9:30 AM
Check out and leave for Marble Mountains, Gate 2

Store bags at Novotel and keep the receipt. Book a Grab to Gate 2 (Glass Elevator / Popular Entry), Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street.

~10:15 AM–12:15 PM
Marble Mountains · Gate 2 (Glass Elevator / Popular Entry)

Follow signs to the glass elevator and ticket counter. Explore the caves, pagodas and viewpoints; expect stone stairs inside.

~12:30 PM
Lunch near Marble Mountains

Eat nearby, then leave for Novotel around 1:15 PM.

~2:00 PM
Return to Novotel and collect luggage

Collect your bags and leave around 2:15 PM. Ask the driver for Mercure reception at Toc Tien Waterfall Station.

~3:15 PM
Arrive at Toc Tien Waterfall Station

Go to Mercure reception for arrival formalities and cable-car arrangements. Hotel arrival directions ↗.

~3:30 PM
Cable car · Toc Tien Waterfall Station → L’Indochine Station

Follow the hotel team’s boarding instructions, then walk to Mercure in the French Village.

~4:15 PM

Check-in starts at 2:00 PM. Ask reception about After Glow admission and showtime, ride closing times, and tomorrow’s early cable car in both directions. Arrange checkout and bag storage after breakfast, around 8:15–8:30 AM.

~4:30–5:05 PM

Mercure → Saint Denis Church → Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple. Follow signs to the spiritual area and climb the temple stairs. Check access first; shorten the visit if check-in runs late.

~5:05–5:25 PM

Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple → Helios Waterfall. Head towards the village, following Beer Plaza / Helios signs. Allow for the walk and crowds at photo spots.

~5:25–5:50 PM
Flying Chairs / Swing Du Fantasie

Helios Waterfall → Swing Du Fantasie. Walk into the Medieval Fair area and follow the ride signs. Ride if it is open and the queue fits; weather may stop outdoor rides.

~5:50–6:15 PM
Nearby rides · optional buffer

Swing Du Fantasie → Beer Plaza. Ask staff in the Medieval Fair area to identify “Lotus Tea Cups”. Its name and location are unverified. Try it only if staff can point it out nearby.

~6:15–7:45 PM
Beer Plaza · dinner + After Glow

Have dinner around the confirmed performance. Published showtimes vary between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM; neither confirms 30 November. Ask when to arrive, allowing 20–30 minutes beforehand. The hotel programme is 18+ and excludes Tuesdays. Confirm tonight’s entrance and any separate admission.

~7:45–8:30 PM
French Village evening walk

Beer Plaza → French Village → Saint Denis Church → Mercure. Walk the lit streets, then turn in early. Stop for a live show only if one is scheduled nearby.

Walking and queues are included in the time slots as estimates. If delayed, shorten the temple or ride stops to make the confirmed showtime.
Show reference: Mercure’s published After Glow programme ↗. Reconfirm the November schedule with reception.
Stay: Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills
1 Dec Ba Na Hills → Da Nang · My Khe Beach Tuesday · sunrise start, Golden Bridge before breakfast
Start: Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills
~6:00–6:15 AM
Wake and get ready

Leave bags mostly packed. Bring a light jacket and guest identification.

~6:15–6:30 AM

Mercure → Louvre Station. Be there before departure.

6:30 AM
Guest cable car · Louvre Station → Bordeaux Station

Use the early hotel-guest service. Confirm both journeys with reception the night before; weather can change operations. Hotel early-access details ↗.

~6:40–7:25 AM
Golden Bridge before breakfast

Bordeaux Station → Golden Bridge. Walk to both ends for photos before the day visitors arrive. Early bridge access may not include the gardens.

~7:25–7:45 AM
Return to the hotel

Golden Bridge → Bordeaux Station → Louvre Station → Mercure. Cable car to Louvre, then walk to breakfast. Timing depends on the return service.

~7:45–8:15 AM
Breakfast at the hotel

Use your assigned restaurant and leave in time for the coaster’s opening.

~8:15–8:30 AM
Check out and store luggage

Leave bags at reception, keep the receipt and confirm where to collect them this afternoon.

~8:30–9:15 AM
Alpine Coaster

Mercure → Alpine Coaster. Ask for the shortest queue among the open tracks and check the fare or ticket entitlement. Entrances are at Fantasy Park’s main entrance, beside Louvre Station and on Fantasy Park B1. Aim for one ride; a wait over 40–45 minutes means less time at the castles. Official coaster information ↗.

~9:15–9:40 AM
Cable car back to the garden zone

Alpine Coaster → Louvre Station → Bordeaux Station. Take the internal cable car, then follow the garden signs.

~9:40–10:10 AM
Le Jardin d’Amour Gardens

Bordeaux Station → Le Jardin d’Amour Gardens. Choose a few garden paths and photo stops. Published opening is 8:00 AM, so dawn access is not assured.

~10:10–10:35 AM
Linh Ung Pagoda

Le Jardin d’Amour Gardens → Linh Ung Pagoda. Follow signs to the temple and Buddha in the lower area. This is Ba Na’s pagoda; the 28 November visit is on Sơn Trà.

~10:35–11:00 AM
Return to the upper village

Linh Ung Pagoda → Bordeaux Station → Louvre Station → Fantasy Park. Cable car back to the upper village, then follow Fantasy Park signs.

~11:00–11:40 AM
Fantasy Park + Jurassic / Dinosaur Park

Visit the dinosaur area and one or two nearby attractions. Queues can build around lunch and in wet weather.

~11:40 AM–12:10 PM
Lava Train to Moon Kingdom

Fantasy Park → Mystery Well / Giếng Thần Station → Dragon Den / Hang Rồng Station. Walk to Mystery Well and queue for the Lava Train to Dragon Den. This is separate from the garden funicular.

~12:10–12:50 PM
Flying Eyes Theatre / Mắt Bay

Dragon Den / Hang Rồng Station → Lunar Castle → Flying Eyes Theatre. Queue for the seated attraction before taking castle photos. If seating or dispatch delays hold you up, shorten the castle visits.

~12:50–1:10 PM
Lunar Castle

Explore the open interiors and viewpoints after Flying Eyes; leave time for lunch and luggage collection.

~1:10–1:25 PM
Lava Castle / Pink Castle

Lunar Castle → Lava Castle. Follow signs towards Lava Castle and Eclipse for a short photo stop.

~1:25–1:40 PM
Eclipse Square

Lava Castle → Eclipse Square. Take photos, or catch a performance if one is running and time allows. November / December showtimes are unconfirmed.

~1:40–2:10 PM
Lunch near Eclipse Square

Eat in the square or on the way back. Check serving hours beforehand.

~2:10–2:30 PM
Return to the luggage counter

Eclipse Square → French Village → Mercure. Follow the signed walking route; ask staff for an alternative if it is closed.

~2:30–3:00 PM
Collect luggage and reach the descent station

Collect bags, use the facilities and head to L’Indochine Station. Confirm the descent service with reception and keep this buffer free.

~3:00 PM
Descend and transfer to Da Nang

Cable car from L’Indochine to Toc Tien Waterfall Station, reaching the base around 3:30 PM. Meet your driver for Grand Mercure Danang; queues, weather and traffic may delay arrival.

~4:30 PM
Check in · Grand Mercure Danang

Lot A1, Green Island, Hoa Cuong Ward · check-in from 2:00 PM, check-out 2 Dec 12:00 PM. Drop the bags and freshen up before the beach.

~5:30 PM
My Khe Beach

Walk along the beach and stop for coffee or drinks.

~6:30 PM
Dinner near My Khe Beach

Return to Grand Mercure Danang after dinner and pack for the early flight.

If delayed: shorten castle visits or skip a ride to collect bags at 2:30 PM. Outdoor rides depend on weather; live shows follow the daily programme. Ask staff about Lotus Tea Cups and use park signs for paths and stations.
Stay: Grand Mercure Danang
2 Dec Da Nang → Hanoi → Ninh Binh Wednesday · Trang An + Hang Mua
Start: Grand Mercure Danang
~5:30 AM
Check out, leave for the airport at ~6:00 AM

Ask the driver for DAD airport ↗ · Terminal 1 domestic departures.

After security
SH Premium Lounge Da Nang

T1 domestic departures, 3rd floor near Gate 6. Have breakfast if time allows, then head to your assigned gate in time for boarding. Access and location ↗

7:55 AM
VJ 528 · Da Nang → Hanoi

DAD airport ↗ · Terminal 1 Domestic → HAN T1 domestic ↗ · nonstop · 1h 20m · arrives 9:15 AM.

~10:00 AM
Meet the private driver at Noi Bai T1 arrivals

Collect your bags at HAN T1 domestic ↗ and meet the driver outside domestic arrivals at an agreed door. Drive straight to Ninh Binh.

~12:00–12:30 PM
Arrive Ninh Binh · lunch
~1:00 PM
Trang An boat ride

Around 2.5 hours through the caves and karsts.

~4:00 PM
Hang Mua viewpoint

Climb for views over the limestone mountains, rice fields and the Ngo Dong River.

~5:30 PM
Depart for Hanoi · arrive ~8:00 PM

Novotel Suites Hanoi · 5 Duy Tan Street, Dich Vong Hau, Cau Giay. Dinner and rest.

Check: the booking shows checkout as 3 Dec · 12:00 AM. Ask the hotel to confirm; this may be a booking-system display error.
Stay: Novotel Suites Hanoi
3 Dec Ha Long Bay cruise Thursday · night on the water
Start: Novotel Suites Hanoi
~7:00 AM
Breakfast
~7:30–8:00 AM
Check out and depart Hanoi

Either the La Regina shared transfer or a private transfer to Ha Long.

10:45–11:15 AM
Arrive at the cruise port

Halong International Cruise Port, Bai Chay, Ha Long, Quang Ninh.

11:30 AM
Check in · La Regina Classic Cruise

Board and follow the crew’s schedule.

Onboard
Typical cruise programme
  • Welcome drink, lunch while sailing
  • Limestone karst scenery and a cave visit
  • Kayaking, sunset activity
  • Dinner and evening activities
Stay: La Regina Classic Cruise
4 Dec Back to Hanoi · pagoda, cathedral and night market Friday · dinner at the market; Train Street optional around 8 PM
Start: La Regina Classic Cruise
Morning
Breakfast and the last cruise activities
9:30 AM
Cruise checkout

Use the checkout and disembarkation times the crew gives you.

Early–mid afternoon
Return to Hanoi and check in

Mercure Hanoi La Gare, 94 Ly Thuong Kiet Street. Check-in starts at 2:00 PM; leave your bags with reception if you arrive earlier.

~3:00 PM
Grab to Tran Quoc Pagoda

Hotel → pagoda: about 3.5–4.5 km / 15–30 minutes by Grab. Go here first, before it closes at 5:00 PM.

~3:30–4:15 PM
Tran Quoc Pagoda

Visit the pagoda beside West Lake. Friday hours are 7:30–11:00 AM and 1:30–5:00 PM. Dress for a place of worship.

Pagoda → St. Joseph's Cathedral: about 4–5 km / 20–30 minutes by Grab. Leave around 4:15 PM.

~4:45–5:15 PM
St. Joseph's Cathedral

See the cathedral and wander the nearby streets.

Cathedral → Hang Dao: about 0.8–1 km / 12–15 minutes on foot. Have a coffee nearby if you're early for the market.

~6:00–7:30 PM
Night market browsing and dinner

Start at the Hanoi Weekend Night Market Start Point · 104 Hang Dao ↗. Browse the stalls and have dinner.

A loop through Hang Dao and adjoining streets is about 0.8–1.2 km / 15–20 minutes, plus browsing and dinner. The weekend market ↗ usually runs Friday–Sunday, 6:00–11:00 PM.

Stay longer or head back: Hang Dao → hotel is about 1.6–2 km / 25–30 minutes on foot, or a Grab ride.

~8:00–9:00 PM · optional
Coffee at Hanoi 1990s · South Train Street

Visit the original Hanoi 1990s at 210 Le Duan. Check @hanoi1990s ↗ for train times, a table reservation and the meeting point.

Hang Dao → café: about 2.5–3.5 km / 15–25 minutes by Grab. Leave around 7:30 PM from outside the pedestrian area to reach the café around 8:00 PM. Confirm arrival time with the café; skip it if the booking clashes with dinner. Follow staff and railway instructions.

Café → hotel: about 1–1.5 km / 15–25 minutes on foot, or take a Grab.

If the cruise return is late: skip Tran Quoc if you can't reach it by about 4:15 PM. Go straight to the cathedral instead: about 1–1.3 km / 15–20 minutes on foot from the hotel. Distances and travel times are estimates between stops.
Stay: Mercure Hanoi La Gare · checkout tomorrow, 12:00 PM
5 Dec Hanoi sights · Dong Xuan shopping · fly home Saturday · morning sights, afternoon market; VN 983 at 7:10 PM
Start: Mercure Hanoi La Gare
~7:30 AM
Breakfast
~8:30–10:00 AM
Ho Chi Minh Complex

Explore the mausoleum area, Presidential Palace grounds and One Pillar Pagoda. Mausoleum entry depends on access and queues. Take a Grab from the hotel around 8:00 AM.

~10:30–11:30 AM
Temple of Literature

Allow about an hour, then return to the hotel for checkout.

12:00 PM
Check out, store bags and have lunch

Leave your luggage at Mercure Hanoi La Gare and have lunch nearby from 12:00–12:45 PM.

If you miss Train Street on 4 Dec, allow 12:00–1:10 PM for a quick lunch and Hanoi 1990s Train Street Coffee (Original), 210 Le Duan. Hotel → café: roughly 1–1.5 km by Grab. Confirm train times and access with @hanoi1990s ↗. A train is not guaranteed during this window. Leave by 1:10 PM, even if none has passed. If the timing does not fit, go straight to lunch and shopping.

~12:45–1:10 PM · later if visiting Train Street
Grab to Dong Xuan Market

Mercure Hanoi La Gare → Dong Xuan Market: approximately 2–2.5 km. Allow 15–25 minutes by Grab, including pickup and traffic. From Train Street, leave the café at 1:10 PM and aim for 1:30 PM; check the live route when booking.

~1:10–1:50 PM
Dong Xuan Market shopping

Browse clothes, bags, accessories and souvenirs. After Train Street, shop from roughly 1:30–1:50 PM. Leave at 1:50 PM; skip shopping if the café or traffic runs late.

~1:50–2:20 PM
Back to the hotel

Dong Xuan Market → Mercure Hanoi La Gare: approximately 2–2.5 km. Allow 15–30 minutes including pickup and traffic. Back by 2:20 PM to collect bags and pack your purchases.

~3:00 PM
Leave for Noi Bai T2

Driver drop-off: HAN T2 international ↗ departures for Vietnam Airlines VN 983.

7:10 PM
VN 983 · Hanoi → Bengaluru

HAN T2 international ↗ → BLR T2 ↗ · nonstop · 4h 45m · arrives 10:25 PM.

Airport buffer: finish shopping by 2:00 PM and be back by 2:30 PM at the latest. Distances are estimates between stops.

Where we sleep

8 nights · 5 hotels · 1 cruise · 1 in transit
DateStay
27 NovOvernight flight · VJ 1802
28 NovNovotel Danang Premier Han River
29 NovNovotel Danang Premier Han RiverCheckout 30 Nov at 9:30 AM (deadline: noon). Collect stored bags after lunch, before Ba Na Hills.
30 NovMercure Danang French Village Bana Hills
1 DecGrand Mercure Danang
2 DecNovotel Suites Hanoi
3 DecLa Regina Classic Cruise
4 DecMercure Hanoi La Gare
5 DecFlight home · VN 983

Transport at a glance

27–28 Nov
BLR → SGN → DAD

VJ 1802 + VJ 638

2 Dec
DAD → HAN

VJ 528 · 7:55 AM → 9:15 AM

3–4 Dec
Hanoi ⇄ Ha Long

Cruise transfer or private car

5 Dec
HAN → BLR

VN 983 · 7:10 PM → 10:25 PM