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In just 12 days, our family of three (with our 9 year old son) found ourselves riding the Peak Tram above Hong Kong’s skyline, wandering past glitzy casinos and panda enclosures in Macau and ending the day with an egg coffee beside the lake in Hanoi. Hong Kong, Macau and Vietnam feel like three very different trips with three very different energies; however, we found this route to be surprisingly cohesive, with an eclectic mix of vibrant architecture, unique culture and incredible food.
This city-focused, multi-country trip felt like a natural progression from the crowds and pace of Hong Kong to the significantly slower, more relaxed pace of Hanoi right as we needed it. This post is an overview of our 12 day Hong Kong, Macau & Hanoi itinerary where I will share what we included, how we structured our days, and why this combination worked so well.
Love fast-paced city travel with a side of great food and culture? This 12-day itinerary is absolutely for you!
Trip snapshot
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Trip Length: |
12 days / 12 nights |
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Dates: |
Early – mid October |
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Route: |
Perth → Hong Kong → Macau → Hanoi → Perth |
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Weather: |
Hot, humid, tail end of typhoon season |
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Travel Style: |
Active, exploratory, food-and-city-focused |
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Best suited for: |
Families or couples who love to walk, wander, soak up city life and make the most of their travel day |
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Rough total cost |
AUD $13,000 for three people |
This wasn’t a budget trip, but it wasn’t luxury either. We kept costs low where suitable, but spent a little more on convenience and experience. We plan multi-city trips like this regularly and this was a route and comfort level we would happily repeat. This worked particularly well, with Hanoi’s affordability balancing out the budget for this trip.
Trip Planning Essentials
- 🛏️ Search hotels in Hong Kong | Macau | Hanoi
- 📱 Buy an eSIM for Asia travel (worked great in all 3 cities!)
- 🎟️ Book skip-the-line activities and day tours
- 🚕 Pre-book airport transfers
The 12-day itinerary at a glance
- Days 1–4: Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui)
- Days 5–6: Macau
- Day 7: Hong Kong (airport hotel)
- Days 8–12: Hanoi (Old Quarter, including day trip to Ninh Binh)
Each section below gives you context for how the trip flowed and what each day looked like. Detailed breakdowns for each city will be linked once they’re live.
Hong Kong Travel Snapshot
Hong Kong is ideal for 4-6 days for a first visit, giving you time to see the main attractions, wander some local neighbourhoods and try some local dishes.
Energy level: For us, this felt high. Lots of walking, busy crowds and a fast pace in general.
Cost: Expensive. While you can find a variety of budget food, in general the food, attractions and accommodation in the city areas were quite costly.
Child friendliness: Great, particularly for school-aged kids. Our son enjoyed walking (mostly!), the trams, ferries and parks, but we were careful to try and balance the pace.
Getting around at a glance: Excellent public transport system with the MRT, trams, buses and ferries covering most of what we needed. Cash is required for taxis.
Where to stay: We based ourselves Kowloon and found the location ideal with great food, access to transport, and walkable to the harbour. f you’re deciding between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, I break down exactly how the two compare for first‑time visitors here.
→ Where to Stay in Hong Kong: Kowloon vs Central
or you can browse places to stay in Hong Kong
Day 1: Arrival in Hong Kong
After a red-eye flight and smooth arrival into Hong Kong, our first day was all about settling in. A few transport hiccups aside, we made it to our hotel, grabbed some local noodles nearby, and explored the surrounding area on foot, including a visit to Kowloon Park and the famous waterfront at Tsim Sha Tsui.
With no real sleep the night before, we eventually gave in and opted to wait in the hotel bar for check-in and have a quick nap, before heading back out to see the Symphony of Lights followed by dinner at Din Tai Fung (which was incredible!)
It was not a big sightseeing day, but we were happy with how much we managed to see, especially considering how tired we were.
Choosing the right base to stay in Hong Kong made our whole trip easier. Check out my guide on Where to Stay in Hong Kong.
Day 2: Victoria Peak Hike, Hong Kong Park & Mong Kok Markets
We started the day early with coffee and a peaceful Star Ferry ride across the harbour, aiming to hike up to Victoria Peak. The path we chose was scenic but steep, hot, and humid, not my finest moment energy-wise, but the views along the way made it worth the effort. After a bakery stop at The Bakehouse and a bit of a detour, we eventually made it to the true summit and took in panoramic views from the Sky Terrace viewing platform.
Want to walk to Victoria Peak too? We mapped the whole route, terrain, kid-friendliness, tram tips and all, in this detailed guide.
We caught the Peak Tram back down to Central Hong Kong and found ourselves in Hong Kong Park. It was full of waterfalls, turtles and some fun photo moments. We stopped for a drink in the Pacific Place shopping centre before catching an iconic Hong Kong tram to explore the Mid-level escalators and stop for dessert in Central.
In the evening, we rode the MTR to Mong Kok to visit the flower and goldfish markets, which were so vibrant and totally unique. We finished the day with dumplings and street snacks before heading back to the hotel.
Book Peak Tram + Sky Terrace combo here
Day 3: Disneyland Hong Kong
Today was Disney day, and what a wild, humid, magical ride it was. From the moment we hopped on the themed MTR with Mickey windows and character statues, we knew we were in for something special. We arrived early and made good use of our Premier Passes (approx $80 AUD each) before the crowds picked up. Pick up your Tickets & Premier Passes here.
We started with Tomorrowland with favourite rides like Hyperspace Mountain, the Iron Man Experience and the interactive Ant-Man laser ride. After a ridiculously filling lunch at the Royal Banquet Hall, we wandered through the Fairytale Forest, Toy Story Land, and hit some more rides in the Mystic Manor and Geyser Gulch, which had a much needed water play area in the heat! By mid afternoon, we were well and truly done and decided to skip the shows and fireworks in favour of air-con and showers at the hotel.
That evening, we shopped in Don Quijote, grabbed a Milkfill sweet treat, and had a long-awaited ramen dinner at Ichiran. Such a fave from our Japan visits, that we went back later in the trip.
Day 4: Kai Tak Walks, Kid-Friendly Arcades & A Local Science Museum
We started the day with a classic Hong Kong-style breakfast near our hotel before tackling some laundry and exploring the nearby parks and harbourfront. After a short climb up Signal Hill Tower, we headed to the ultra-modern K11 Musea shopping centre for iced tea and window shopping.
In the afternoon, we took the train out to Kai Tak, the site of Hong Kong’s old airport, where we explored the redeveloped waterfront and walked along the old runway. We found a small museum about the area’s aviation history, before heading into the surrounding malls for a much-needed lunch and arcade time for our son.
After trying a few different venues (with varying degrees of success), we found a Namco arcade that was a hit. We wrapped up the Kai Tak visit with a quick look at the new sports stadiums and urban development before heading back to Kowloon.
On the way home, we visited the Hong Kong Science Museum which is a fantastic spot for kids, filled with hands-on exhibits, quirky machines and illusion displays. We finished the night with a return to the Temple Street Night Market, a few sweet street snacks, and another round of local noodles before calling it a day.
Macau Travel Snapshot
2 days here were well spent and very busy! We would have loved one more day in this Portugese, historic city.
Energy level: Moderate. Macau is quite compact with walkable areas and calmer than Hong Kong; however, we packed in a lot and were on the go constantly.
Cost feel
Moderate. Accommodation and food are generally more affordable than Hong Kong, with occasional splurges.
Kid friendliness
Mixed. The historic centre is easy to explore with kids and the casino area was visually impressive with a couple of great attractions.
Getting around at a glance
Walkable historic core. Taxis exist but can be hard to find at times. Buses and light rail public transport are reliable but a little slow. Cash is needed for public transport.
Where to stay: We stayed just outside the historic centre for peace and local charm, and loved it.
Find accommodation in Macau
Day 5: From Hong Kong to Macau
We checked out of our hotel and made our way to the Hong Kong Island ferry terminal, where we stored our bags and set off to explore Central a bit more before boarding the ferry to Macau. A short (and dramatic) tram ride and wander took us past temples, stairways, and quiet market streets which sounds like a peaceful way to wrap up our time in the city. In reality, we were really watching the clock and hunting for bathrooms!
After a quick lunch at the terminal, we boarded the TurboJet ferry to Macau. It only takes an hour and was a super easy, smooth ride. However, a tip is to collect your seat number from the gate before sitting to wait. We missed out on window seats as we didn’t know.
Macau was an instant contrast. Our hotel, Belive&More, was small but welcoming. It was located just outside the busy tourist zone in a more local area, which was exactly what we needed after the pace of Hong Kong.
That evening, we wandered through the old town and were completely captivated. Senado Square’s tiled streets, pastel Portuguese architecture and glowing lanterns painted a very different picture to Hong Kong. We walked up to Monte do Forte for sunset views over the city and the Ruins of St. Paul’s below which was easily one of our trip highlights.
We finished the night with dinner at a Portuguese restaurant called Portugese Dragon, trying a few different local dishes. The standout being a light, fluffy serradura (sawdust pudding) that I’m still thinking about.
Day 6: Macau Play, Art & High‑Roller Fun
We started the day with a great local breakfast of French toast and coffee that was so good we went back again the next day. Then we headed over to explore teamLab SuperNature inside the casino zone in Cotai. Unlike the one in Singapore, this version was so quiet, it felt like we had a private viewing! We wandered through interactive art, immersive light rooms, and a standout “ballroom” of glowing spheres, then explored mirrored orchid gardens and a tea experience. Find tickets here.
After all the wandering through casinos, from Parisian to Venetian to Londoner, we grabbed an easy McDonald’s lunch before crossing over to Studio City. There we tried the Golden Reel figure‑eight Ferris wheel (incredible but nerve‑wracking!) and spent ages with our son playing in the VR gaming room, Legends Heroes Park, with all sorts of virtual experiences.
Book your Golden Reel ticket here.
In the late afternoon, we stopped off at Taipa Village, grabbed an iconic Lord Stow’s egg tart (worth the hype), and wandered the streets in search of dinner. Eventually we hopped on a bus back toward the hotel and found a fantastic Balinese meal with delicious beef rendang.
Day 7: Pandas, Parks & Return to Hong Kong
Our last full day kicked off with a long bus ride down to the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion, a quiet little zoo in the far south of the island. The pandas weren’t overly active, but it was still a peaceful visit with gardens, monkeys, and plenty to see.
Afterwards, we made a brief stop at Colôane Village for a wander along the waterfront and the street art, but with not much open, we shifted plans and headed into the city for lunch. We ended up at the MGM casino for a lunch of wraps, sandwiches and perfect little cakes!
In the afternoon, we finally visited the museum at Monte do Forte, which surprised us with its rich displays and immersive exhibits. It was a far more interesting peek into the history of Macau than I expected. After a quick ice cream stop, we powered up to Guia Hill to check out the old lighthouse and hoped to explore some historic tunnels. Unfortunately they were closed; however, the views of Macau were incredible from the lighthouse up top!
We had a slight issue with being overly blasé with our logistics planning for the return back to Hong Kong, leaving it far too late in the evening and having not properly researched the buses. In the end, we scrapped the original bus idea and grabbed a Turbo Jet ferry back to Hong Kong instead. It was a good reminder of why we plan out those logistics in advance!
We wrapped up the night with one last standout meal at Xiao Noodles in Shun Tak Centre. It was a meal I wish I’d discovered earlier and could have eaten every day. We then grabbed a taxi to our airport hotel for the night.
Hanoi Travel Snapshot
4 days in Hanoi, along with a day trip was the perfect amount of time for this beautiful city.
Energy level: Low. to medium. While traffic and streets were busy, it was definitely a slower, more relaxed pace.
Cost feel: Low. Accommodation, food, and transport are excellent value.
Kid friendliness: Good, particularly for older children. The roads can be a bit nerve racking, but street life is fascinating, food is accessible and it is easy to keep your days flexible and close to your hotel base.
Getting around at a glance: Best explored on foot for short distances, with many attractions in walking distance from Old Quarter. Grabs are the best choice for longer trips.
Where to stay: We stayed in the Old Quarter and wouldn’t stay anywhere else. It’s central, walkable, and full of character.
Explore stays in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Day 8: First Tastes of Hanoi
A stressful start at Hong Kong Airport nearly saw us miss our flight to Hanoi with a valuable lesson learned: always allow three hours, especially with code-share check-ins and visa hiccups. In hindsight, staying at the airport hotel the night before was a lifesaver, even if it felt like overkill at the time.
Arriving in Hanoi, we quickly settled into our hotel (with the warmest welcome!) and spent the day exploring the Old Quarter. We wandered from a popular banh mi stop (Banh Mi 25) to St. Joseph’s Cathedral, where we found a tiny upstairs café for salted coffee and people-watching.
The atmosphere around Hoàn Kiếm Lake was lively, especially with the weekend road closures turning it into a walking zone. After a sunset drink at our hotel’s rooftop bar, we wrapped up the day with incredible bún chả from a Michelin-selected street stall. A perfect welcome to Hanoi.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Old Quarter Wanders
We kicked off early with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which was a moving and memorable experience that we hadn’t quite anticipated the depth of. The line was long but moved quickly, and while it felt touristy at first, the mood definitely shifted the closer we got. It was a real privilege to witness how deeply loved “Uncle Ho” is, and visiting the rest of the complex gave me a better understanding of the man behind the history.
After cooling off with lunch and drinks, we headed back to the hotel to book our Ninh Binh day trip, eventually organising it through the hotel staff.
The rest of the day was a slow wander around Hoan Kiem Lake and the surrounding streets: watching kids rehearse for shows, wandering down Book Street, trying new coffees (coconut coffee was fantastic!), and just soaking up the atmosphere. We booked water puppet tickets for the next day and spent the late afternoon exploring the around the lake.
Later, we explored the area near Beer Street, a vibrant, chaotic area which was not quite my vibe, but still a fun visit for a few drinks, snacks, and people-watching. Dinner ended up being a very late street-side banh mi.
Day 10: Train Street, Water Puppets & Our Favourite Hanoi Dinner
We started the morning with a walk to Train Street. It was a slow one, thanks to interesting stops along the way like a local photography exhibition and a few landmarks. Train Street was quieter during the day, and definitely less hectic than we’d heard it can get in the evenings. While the cafes can be a little intense trying to get your attention, we found a spot and settled in for a drink and a front-row view of the train coming through. It was loud, fast, and way too close!
In the afternoon, we caught the water puppet theatre performance, which was quirky, clever and not quite what we expected, but in a good way. The musicians were incredible, and the puppeteers are seriously talented. Only 50 minutes long and absolutely worth it.
Dinner that night was our favourite in Hanoi , a small restaurant where we tried Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese pancakes) for the first time. The staff showed us how to eat them properly and they were absolutely delicious.
Day 11: A Big Day in Ninh Binh
Our Hanoi adventure took us out of the city for the day with a tour to stunning Ninh Binh, at a cost of around $100 AUD each. We were picked up early and provided with snacks from our hotel (seriously, best service ever). It rained non-stop most of the day, but honestly, the cool weather was a blessing for what was a super active and jam-packed itinerary.
We started with a climb up Ngoa Long Mountain at Mua Caves. It was wet, steep, and one of those experiences at the top that would never be allowed in Australia with slippery rocks and sheer drops. The views were incredible.
Then we visited Bich Dong Pagoda, climbed past temples and through bat-filled caves, and later biked through the countryside in ponchos. Lunch was at a local restaurant, and we were hosted in a local family’s home for tea afterwards, which was a very memorable experience.
The afternoon brought a two-hour boat ride through Trang An. It was very peaceful and scenic (though busy!) as we enjoyed the views of temples, movie sets and caves.
One more temple stop at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and then the two-hour drive back to Hanoi. Incredible day!
We booked this day trip through our hotel, but you can find similar tours here.
Day 12 – Aquariums, Banh Mi and Egg Coffee
Our final full day in Hanoi didn’t start well with me wiped out in bed feeling under the weather. My husband got some supplies from the chemist and eventually I rallied because FOMO always wins.
We visited Lotte Mall West Lake and its brilliant aquarium with lush forest-themed areas, underwater tunnels, fluorescent tanks, penguins, seals, and even a pearl-harvesting experience where we got to open an oyster. I had it set into a pendant that I’ve worn ever since.
Then a long Grab ride across town for a roast pork banh mi cooked in ceramic barrels. Only 35k VND and totally worth the hunt.
In the afternoon, we went to Bat Trang Pottery Village. A gorgeous place with amazing artwork and pottery studios. But we recommend going with a guide. It felt quite inaccessible and many things were closed or not walk-in friendly.
Later, I finally tried a Vietnamese egg coffee (from Cafe Giang) and was surprised by how much I liked it. We finished our last day with a final wander of the Old Quarter, dinner and then back to the hotel to pack and get to bed ready for our early morning flight..
What we’d change next time (and what we’d keep)
We’d change:
- Travel at a cooler time of year if possible (November or December)
- Give Hong Kong a little more time
- Pack better for heat and humidity (more light, flowy clothes)
- Research Macau transport options in more depth rather than the overview we had in our mind
We’d keep:
- The overall route: Hong Kong + Macau + Hanoi
- Finishing in a slower destination
- Paying for location and room layout
- Staying near the airport before early flights
- Using Wise and Airalo for payments and connectivity across multiple countries
We loved this trip and would happily do it all again!
Planning your own multi-destination trip
Ready to adapt this itinerary? Start by assessing whether these three cities match your interests and constraints, then use our planning framework to adjust the timing and order for your own trip. I love planning and researching trips and have outlined my planning framework here:
👉 How to Plan a Multi-Destination Trip in Asia (Without Feeling Rushed)
