Northern Vietnam 7-Day Itinerary from India: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh Costs and Visa

IndiGo, VietJet Air, and Air India all operate direct Delhi–Hanoi return flights; in shoulder season, return fares typically sit between ₹25,000 and ₹45,000. The nonstop route avoids a connection in Bangkok or Singapore, which keeps the first day simpler. Land at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), about 28 km north of central Hanoi. For the ride into the Old Quarter, the cheapest sensible option is bus 86: it costs 40,000 VND and runs every 15–20 minutes, with luggage space beneath and a drop near Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Expect the trip to take 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

If you land late, have heavy bags, or simply do not want to wait, a Grab booked through the app or a pre-arranged private transfer to the Hoan Kiem area costs 250,000–350,000 VND door-to-door. By car the drive is about 45 minutes, but morning or evening traffic across Nhat Tan bridge can add 15–20 minutes, so do not cut it close. Spend the first night near Hoan Kiem Lake. Double rooms in the Old Quarter typically run $35–60 a night, which puts the Fri–Sun night market and Bún Chả Hương Liên, where a bowl costs about 70,000 VND, within walking distance. That location also means you can start day two on foot instead of paying for another taxi.

On departure day, leave for Noi Bai at least 3 hours before international check-in. Bus 86 reverses cleanly for the same 40,000 VND fare and 45–60-minute runtime, but a private car removes any last-minute bus-timing stress if your flight is before mid-morning. If you do use the bus, factor in the 15–20-minute bridging delay on Nhat Tan bridge during rush hour.

A common mistake at immigration is an airport mismatch on the application form. The entry and exit airports you list must match your actual flights exactly. If you fly into and out of Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, enter Noi Bai in both the arrival and departure fields. Leaving the departure field blank or entering a different airport can get you refused at the check-in counter or the immigration desk, and there is no quick fix once you are at the airport. Before you type anything, copy the airport names from your flight confirmation exactly—Noi Bai International Airport is listed as HAN on most tickets. Keep a printed or digital copy of the e-visa approval letter with your passport and boarding pass.

June–August is hot and humid, often 35°C or above, but Ha Long Bay cruises still operate. Start sightseeing before 10:00 to stay ahead of the worst heat, and keep the middle of the day for air-conditioned transfers or meals. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes for annual maintenance—dates change each year, usually in summer—so check the official schedule; outside that period it opens only Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday–Sunday, 7:30–10:30. If the mausoleum is on your list, choose March–April and visit on a Thursday or Saturday morning, then schedule the Temple of Literature for the same afternoon.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opens Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday–Sunday from 7:30 to 10:30, and it closes for annual maintenance—dates change each year, usually in summer—so schedule it first on a Hanoi morning. If you are in the city on an open day (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday), go at 7:30 before tour groups appear. From there, visit the Temple of Literature, open 8:00–17:00 and charging 30,000 VND, then continue to Hoa Lo Prison, open 8:00–17:00 with a 50,000 VND ticket. This order works because the mausoleum shuts before midday while the other two stay open until 17:00.

For Ninh Binh, begin the sightseeing day at Trang An, where the boat tour runs 7:00–15:00 and costs about 250,000 VND per person including the boat ride and site entry (fees can change—confirm on the official website). Start before 10:00 to avoid the late-morning queue. After the boats, head to Mua Cave, open 7:00–17:00 with a 100,000 VND ticket, then Hoa Lu ancient capital, open 7:00–17:00 and priced at 20,000 VND. At each gate, carry small VND notes—20,000, 50,000, and 100,000—since ticket counters often cannot change large bills.

Entry fees across Hanoi and Ninh Binh add up to roughly 450,000 VND per person for the main sights: Temple of Literature 30,000 VND, Hoa Lo Prison 50,000 VND, Trang An about 250,000 VND (including the boat ride and site entry), Mua Cave 100,000 VND, and Hoa Lu ancient capital 20,000 VND. Many small entrance gates and village shops only take dong, so withdraw cash at Vietcombank or Agribank ATMs in Hanoi or Ninh Binh rather than relying on cards. That still leaves room in the $450–650 per-person figure for meals, local transport, and a few market purchases, as long as you avoid last-minute cruises and peak-Tet price spikes.

Check the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum maintenance schedule before finalising dates if it is a priority. It closes for annual maintenance on a schedule that changes each year (often in summer), and outside that it is open Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday–Sunday, 7:30–10:30. If the mausoleum matters, pick March–April and visit on a Thursday or Saturday morning, then use the afternoon for the Temple of Literature (30,000 VND). Hours and prices change—confirm on the official website before you travel.