#halong-bay

Hanoi and Halong Bay in 7 days: a backpacker's Vietnam (2026)

The honest 7-day route through northern Vietnam in 2026 is Hanoi (3 nights), Halong Bay on a 2-day, 1-night cruise, Ninh Binh on a day trip and an optional night-train ride to Sapa. Americans, Canadians and most Europeans no longer need a visa for stays up to 45 days (rule extended through 2028). Round-trip flights JFK-HAN or LAX-HAN via Doha or Istanbul run $1,200-1,900. Phở at Gia Truyen in the Old Quarter is 50,000 dong ($2). A decent Halong Bay cruise with kayak and grotto is $120-250 per person. This is the dense plan for travelers who have one week and don't want to settle for generic Southeast Asia.

Curadoria Voyspark · May 22 · 🇻🇳 Hanói