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Hanoi to Saigon by Rail — a 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
The 7-day version for February: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 10-day plan · 13-day plan · best time to go.
7
days
1700 km
distance
30.9 h
on trains
45
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- North is cool and drizzly, south is dry and warm — pack for both.
- Heavy transit: day 1 (12h33), day 7 (16h00) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 8 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Hue
🌡 13.2–33.2°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:00
Hanoi Museumlocal & traditionalmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover local natural and human history through the ages.
50 min · Hanoi · Free
open: Tu-Su 08:00-11:30 & 13:30-17:00
09:50
National Museum of Vietnamese Historymuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Trace Vietnam's rich struggle through detailed exhibits.
50 min · Hanoi · 40,000 dong for both
open: Daily 08:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00, except first Monday of month
12:24
Tam Coc Museumlocal & traditionalmuseums & heritage
Discover traditional farming tools and rural life exhibits.
50 min · Ninh Binh
13:14
Bai Dinh Templehistory & sagas
See Vietnam's largest pagoda tower glowing at night.
50 min · Ninh Binh · Free entrance, motorbike parking 15,000
open: 07:00 to 20:00, entrance to the large tower until 17:00
14:04
Trung Tuyet Restaurantcoffee & bakes
Savor hearty portions of local dishes in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
60 min · Ninh Binh
open: Open late
01:53
Garden river Bar coffeecoffee & bakescraft beer & pubsmuseums & heritage
Enjoy coffee by the river, listening to music in an amazing garden.
75 min · Hue
open: 7am-10h30 pm
Overnight: Hue
e.g. Homeland Hotel · Canary Hotel
Day 2 Around Hue
🌡 13.2–33.2°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:00
Ho Chi Minh Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover photographs and artifacts chronicling Ho Chi Minh and Hue's rich history.
50 min · Hue · Free
open: M-Sa
09:50
Imperial City of Huemuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Stroll through grand temples, pavilions, and walls in this expansive former imperial complex.
50 min · Hue · Adults 200,000 dong, children 40,000 don
open: Daily, 06:30-17:00
10:40
Phu Bai Airporthistory & sagas
Walk through remnants of wartime history at this historic airport's preserved structures.
50 min · Hue
11:30
Thien Mu Pagodahistory & sagas
Admire golden Buddha statues with a panoramic view over the Perfume River from this iconic pagoda.
50 min · Hue · Free
12:20
Tomb of Tu Duchistory & sagas
Wander through a vast, poetic tomb complex that served as the emperor's peaceful retreat.
50 min · Hue · Adult 150,000 dong, children 30,000 dong
13:10
Huế Museum of Royal Fine Artsmuseums & heritage
50 min · Hue
14:00
Ancient Hue Royal Cuisine and Gallerymuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Delight in exquisite royal dishes amidst ancient house gardens.
60 min · Hue
Overnight: Hue
e.g. Homeland Hotel · Canary Hotel
Day 3 Da Nang
🌡 14.0–33.5°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
10:49
Han River Promenadelocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Stroll along the scenic riverside pathway.
50 min · Da Nang
11:39
Museum of Cham Sculpturemuseums & heritage
See ancient stone artistry from a vanished civilization.
50 min · Da Nang · 60,000 dong
open: 07:30–11:00, 13:30–17:00
12:29
Linh Ung Templehistory & sagas
Feel the ocean breeze by the towering Quan The Am statue.
50 min · Da Nang
13:19
My Khe Beachmuseums & heritage
Feel the warm sand and surf at dawn.
90 min · Da Nang
14:49
Ba Na Hill Station
Breath in cool air with panoramic mountain views.
50 min · Da Nang · You need to get a taxi to Suoi Mo Statio
15:39
Hoan My Hospital
Receive Western-standard care from internationally trained staff.
50 min · Da Nang
open: M-Sa
16:29
Kenta Vietnamese cuisine & coffeelocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Enjoy hot pho and lemongrass tofu in a warm, cozy atmosphere.
60 min · Da Nang
18:30
Green Town Barcraft beer & pubsswimming & baths
Sip late-night drinks with a great view and pool tables.
75 min · Da Nang
Overnight: Da Nang
e.g. Grand Tourane Hotel · Danang Carpe Diem Hostel
Day 4 Around Da Nang
🌡 14.0–33.5°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:00
BeeBikeHub
Explore the city on well-maintained rental bikes.
50 min · Da Nang
09:50
LOI Chuyen bicycle repairs
Trust skilled mechanics for all your bike needs.
50 min · Da Nang
10:40
Golden Bridge
Marvel at the bridge held up by giant stone hands.
50 min · Da Nang
11:30
Dragon Bridge
Watch the dragon come alive with fire and water.
50 min · Da Nang
12:20
Marble Mountains
Hear echoes in cave temples amidst marble peaks.
50 min · Da Nang · 40,000 dong but may enter for free if ar
13:10
Motorbike ride up Monkey Mountain
Hear wind rush while climbing scenic mountain roads.
90 min · Da Nang
14:40
Quán Thảolocal & traditional
Relish Quảng-style noodles or beef noodle soup in a quiet morning setting.
60 min · Da Nang · 20,000 dong (price listed 2018)
open: 06:00-10:00
Overnight: Da Nang
e.g. Grand Tourane Hotel · Danang Carpe Diem Hostel
Day 5 Hoi An
🌡 14.0–33.5°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:33
Museum of Hoi An History and Culturemuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Explore black-and-white photos and ancient artifacts.
50 min · Hoi An
10:23
Museum of Sa Huynh Culturemuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
View ancient pottery and revolutionary memorabilia upstairs.
50 min · Hoi An
11:13
Hoi An Art Craft Manufacturing Workshopcraft beer & pubsmuseums & heritage
Enjoy folk music amidst craft displays and demonstrations.
50 min · Hoi An
12:03
Hoi An Traditional Art Performance Houselocal & traditionalmuseums & heritage
50 min · Hoi An
12:53
Bamboo Circuslocal & traditional
Watch acrobats and dancers in a vibrant, intimate theatre.
50 min · Hoi An · Adult 700,000-1.6 million dong, child 5-
open: Daily at 18:00
13:43
Hoi An memories showhistory & sagas
Experience the history of Hoi An through a grand musical spectacle.
50 min · Hoi An · Adult 600,000-1.2 million dong, child 50
open: Daily at 16:00, main show 20:00 - 21:00
14:33
Bazar Cafe & Restaurantlocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Relish Vietnamese and Mediterranean barbecue in a comfortable garden lounge.
60 min · Hoi An
open: 08:00-24:00
18:30
Dive Bar Restaurantlocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubsswimming & baths
Relax with a wide choice of cocktails, beers, and small tapas in a garden setting.
75 min · Hoi An · 20,000-150,000 dong for drinks and food
open: 11:00-02:00
Overnight: Hoi An
e.g. Quynh Long Villa · Hotel Royal Hoi An
Day 6 Around Hoi An
🌡 14.0–33.5°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:00
Quan Cong Templehistory & sagas
Worship at this ancient temple dedicated to a loyal general.
50 min · Hoi An
09:50
Museum of Folk Culturemuseums & heritage
Learn about rural Vietnamese dress and culture through exhibits.
50 min · Hoi An
10:40
Museum of Trade Ceramicsmuseums & heritage
Walk through an old Hoi An home filled with ceramic fragments.
50 min · Hoi An
11:30
Old house of Phung Hunglocal & traditional
Step into a century-old wooden house guided by its inhabitants.
50 min · Hoi An
12:20
Old house of Tan Kylocal & traditional
Sip tea in a traditional house while hearing family stories.
50 min · Hoi An
13:10
An Bang Beachhistory & sagas
Relax on soft white sand with calm, clear waters.
50 min · Hoi An
14:00
Banana fritters stallmuseums & heritage
Savor sweet, crispy banana fritters freshly fried to perfection.
60 min · Hoi An · 6,000 dong/pc
open: Morning to noon/afternoon
Overnight: Hoi An
e.g. Quynh Long Villa · Hotel Royal Hoi An
Day 7 Nha Trang
🌡 20.1–27.9°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 11.6h light
16:38
Fairy Spring waterfallslocal & traditionalswimming & baths
Feel the cool stream's refreshing splash amidst jungle tranquility.
50 min · Nha Trang · 10,000 dong per person, 3,000 dong per m
18:30
Alley Cafecoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Relax with cheap drinks in a cozy spot popular with English-speaking expats.
75 min · Nha Trang
open: Closed on Tuesdays
Overnight: Nha Trang
e.g. Nha Khach Thai Nguyen Guest House · Citadines Bayfront Nha Trang