Best Food, Restaurants & Must-See Spots in Vietnam (7-Day Guide) | Homejourney

Best Food and Restaurants in Vietnam and Must-See Highlights: Quick Answer

Planning a short Vietnam trip and want the best food and restaurants and must-see highlights in one place? For a classic Vietnam 7 days or Vietnam one week itinerary, focus on three hubs: Hanoi (street food and Old Quarter heritage), Ha Long Bay (natural wonder), and either Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City (culture, cafes, and modern dining). This mix gives you Vietnam’s top flavours, iconic sights, and realistic travel times, especially if you are flying from Singapore or considering regional property investment with Homejourney.

This cluster guide supports Homejourney’s broader pillar content on Asian travel and lifestyle for global property buyers, helping you understand Vietnam as a travel destination while subtly comparing it with Singapore as a safe, transparent real estate base.

Vietnam Overview for Singapore Travellers & Investors

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling short-break destinations: rich food culture, contrasting cities, and relatively affordable prices compared with Singapore. A Vietnam one week trip is usually enough to cover 2–3 cities without rushing, ideal for busy professionals and Singapore-based expats.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Vietnam runs north–south, so weather varies significantly by region. As a practical rule for a short Vietnam trip that includes Hanoi and central Vietnam (Hoi An/Da Nang):

November–April (cooler/drier in the North): Comfortable for walking Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ha Long Bay cruises.
February–April & August–October (central Vietnam sweet spots): Typically fewer storms around Hoi An/Da Nang.
Ho Chi Minh City (South): Tropical year-round; showers are short and predictable, similar to Singapore’s quick downpours.

Getting There from Singapore

From Singapore, direct flights to major Vietnamese cities typically take:

Singapore → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): about 2 hours.
Singapore → Hanoi (HAN): about 3 hours 20 minutes.
Singapore → Da Nang (DAD): about 2 hours 45 minutes (seasonal or fewer frequencies).

For many Homejourney users already based in Singapore, this makes Vietnam a very feasible short Vietnam trip over 5–7 days, similar in planning complexity to popular Hong Kong–Macau combinations you may have seen in our other guides such as Best Food & Restaurants on a Hong Kong–Macau Day Trip Best Food & Restaurants on a Hong Kong–Macau Day Trip | Homejourney .

Currency & Exchange Tips

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND). In day-to-day use, notes are large (e.g., 50,000 VND, 100,000 VND, 500,000 VND), so always double-check zeros before paying.

Cash is still king in street food areas and small shops, while cards are increasingly accepted in mid-range and upscale restaurants.
ATMs are widely available in main cities; fees vary, so withdraw in reasonable amounts to minimise charges.
Homejourney’s platform supports currency comparison including VND when you explore Singapore properties, helping you mentally map Vietnam spending power against Singapore real estate values Bank Rates Property Search .

Top Must-See Highlights in a Vietnam One Week Trip

For a balanced Vietnam 7 days or short Vietnam trip, these are the essential must-see areas many Singapore-based travellers prioritise.

Hanoi: Old Quarter, Culture & Street Food

Hanoi is Vietnam’s political and cultural capital, with narrow streets, French-era shophouses, and some of the most flavour-packed street food in the country.

Old Quarter: The core area for first-timers. Expect scooters, tiny stools, and locals sipping coffee at all hours. From Hoan Kiem Lake, many food streets are within a 5–15 minute walk.
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple: A calm centre; great for early morning walks when streets are quieter and safer for families.
Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first national university, combining history and architecture in a compact visit.

Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh: Natural Landscapes

If your Vietnam highlights list includes dramatic scenery, choose one of these for a 1–2 day segment.

Ha Long Bay: Famous limestone karsts and overnight cruises. Good cruises usually include meals, safety briefings, and basic water safety gear.
Ninh Binh (Trang An/Tam Coc): Often called “Ha Long on land,” with rice paddies and boat rides through caves. About 2 hours’ drive from Hanoi, suitable if you prefer land-based stays.

Hoi An / Da Nang: Heritage & Beach

For many international travellers, Hoi An is a highlight of a Vietnam 7 days plan:

Hoi An Ancient Town: Lantern-lit streets, preserved shop-houses, and tailors. Vehicle restrictions in parts of the old town make it more walkable and family-friendly compared with busier cities.
An Bang Beach: A short taxi or Grab ride from town; a good half-day break between food adventures.
Da Nang: Modern, with long beachfront and better air links; some investors pair Da Nang stays with Singapore real estate research via Homejourney’s Projects Directory for wider ASEAN comparisons.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Energy & Modern Dining

Ho Chi Minh City delivers the high-energy city experience, with rooftop bars, markets, and some of Vietnam’s most inventive restaurants.

District 1: Central, walkable for many visitors. Landmark sites like the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral (under restoration at times), and Ben Thanh Market are in this area.
District 3: Slightly calmer, with traditional eateries and coffee shops.
Cu Chi Tunnels (day trip): A half- or full-day excursion showing Vietnam War–era tunnel networks; typically visited on guided tours with clear safety instructions.

Best Food and Restaurants in Vietnam: What & Where to Eat

Vietnam is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top food destinations. For a focused short Vietnam trip, these are the key dishes and reliable types of places to try them, based on patterns that many Singaporean and expat travellers recognise from repeated visits.

Core Vietnamese Dishes to Try

Phở: Rice noodle soup with beef or chicken, iconic at breakfast. In Hanoi, the broth is usually clearer and lighter; in the South, herbs are more abundant.
Bún chả (Hanoi): Grilled pork with rice noodles and herbs, served with dipping sauce. Often eaten at small street-side shops.
Bánh mì: Baguette stuffed with pate, cold cuts, herbs, and pickles. In Saigon, you’ll find 24-hour bánh mì stands similar in convenience to Singapore’s late-night prata shops.
Cao lầu (Hoi An): Chewy noodles with slices of pork, herbs, and crunchy toppings – a local specialty not easily replicated elsewhere.
Com tam (broken rice): Popular in Ho Chi Minh City, typically with grilled pork, egg, and fish sauce dressing.