One week is enough for two regions if you keep the route simple. This version adds realistic transfer notes, stay-area choices and the key booking decisions that can otherwise make a seven-day trip feel rushed.
Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem & first food crawl
Keep arrival day compact: walk the Old Quarter, circle Hoan Kiem Lake and use dinner to start exploring Hanoi's food scene.
History, temples & Hanoi neighborhoods
Use a full city day for major historical sights, coffee stops and the neighborhoods beyond the most tourist-heavy Old Quarter streets.
Ha Long Bay cruise
Choose a day cruise for efficiency or an overnight cruise if the bay is a priority and your flight schedule can absorb it.
Fly to Central Vietnam
Return toward Hanoi if needed, fly to Da Nang and keep the rest of the day relaxed around My Khe Beach or the Han River.
Choose one Da Nang highlight
Pick Ba Na Hills for a full attraction day or Marble Mountains for a shorter culture-and-viewpoint experience. Avoid trying to do both plus Hoi An in the same day.
Ancient Town & lantern evening
Move to Hoi An and give the Ancient Town a full afternoon and evening, with time for the Japanese Covered Bridge, cafés and a regional dinner.
Hoi An morning & departure
Use the morning for coffee, food, tailoring or a short countryside ride before returning to Da Nang airport.