Dental treatment does not have to mean flying in, sitting in a chair and flying home. Hanoi is a city of temples, lakes and street-food lanes, and days between appointments can be a real holiday if you plan them around your treatment.
This guide gives five itinerary outlines, from a short whitening trip to a longer stay. Each is built around the trip lengths Picasso Dental Clinic publishes (its two Hanoi branches are the clinics SmileJet lists in Hanoi), with rest after procedures. Your dentist sets the real schedule, so treat these as starting points.
For recovery, pain relief, diet and when it is safe to fly, see our recovery guide after dental surgery in Hanoi.
Why Hanoi works for a dental holiday
- Published prices: the Picasso Old Quarter branch and Picasso Westlake Square branch share one published price list. Both are featured partners on SmileJet: a commercial listing relationship, not a clinical endorsement.
- Imaging and brands: the clinic says every branch has a CBCT 3D scanner and an iTero scanner, and it uses Nobel Biocare, Straumann and Neodent implants.
- Gentle walks: the Old Quarter branch is in Trúc Bạch, on the southern edge of West Lake, about 10 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake (clinic).
- Soft food everywhere: phở, cháo (rice porridge), bánh cuốn and steamed dishes.
- Day trips: Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh are popular outings for days without appointments.
- Getting around: Grab cars are easy to use, and drivers know "16 Phố Châu Long" and "Westlake Square" (clinic).
For more, see our Hanoi destination guide.
Ground rules: what is fine and what to avoid
General guidance; always confirm with your treating dentist.
| Activity | Usually | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle walks | Fine | Rest first on the day of surgery |
| Museums and cultural sites | Fine | Low effort, often air-conditioned |
| Phở, cháo, soft noodles | Fine | Let hot dishes cool |
| Spicy food | Avoid at first | Can irritate healing gums |
| Alcohol | Avoid | For as long as your dentist advises |
| Smoking | Avoid | Raises the risk of implant problems |
| Swimming | Ask your dentist | Avoid with open surgical sites |
| Boat trips as a passenger | Often fine | Good on days without appointments; check after surgery |
| Strenuous exercise or trekking | Avoid after surgery | Can increase bleeding and swelling |
For food, see What to Eat After Dental Surgery in Hanoi.
Itinerary 1: the 5-day whitening trip
Suits: first-time visitors, couples, short trips.
Treatment: in-office whitening (tẩy trắng răng). Picasso gives 3 to 5 days for a whitening trip and lists Zoom! WhiteSpeed, full mouth, at 6,000,000 VND (about US$230).
Clinic: either Picasso branch.
Sensitivity: teeth can feel sensitive after whitening. Plan soft, lukewarm food and avoid very hot or cold drinks until it settles.
Day 1: arrive and settle in
Fly into Noi Bai and take a Grab to your hotel; the clinic says the Old Quarter branch is about 30 minutes from the airport. In the evening, walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and have a light dinner.
Day 2: examination and whitening
A morning appointment: examination, then whitening. Rest afterwards. Later, visit Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. Keep dinner soft and mild, and avoid strongly coloured food and drink as your dentist advises.
Day 3: culture day
A soft breakfast, then the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area. Finish with a gentle walk by West Lake.
Day 4: check and a cooking class
A short check at the clinic if your dentist wants one. Then Dong Xuan Market and a Vietnamese cooking class.
Day 5: fly home
A slow morning, then a Grab to the airport.
Itinerary 2: the veneers trip
Suits: people planning porcelain veneers (dán sứ veneer), with time to explore.
Treatment: Picasso gives 3 to 5 days for a veneer trip and lists Emax Press veneers at 9,000,000 VND (about US$350) per tooth, with a 7-year warranty on porcelain veneers.
Clinic: either Picasso branch; the Westlake Square branch lists digital smile design on site (clinic).
Day 1: arrive and consultation
Arrive and check in. Consultation: X-rays, shade selection and smile design. Evening walk by the lake.
Day 2: preparation
Tooth preparation and a digital scan, with temporaries if needed. Rest in the afternoon; soft dinner.
Days 3 to 4: lab days
No appointments while the lab makes your veneers. Good days for museums, West Lake and a cooking class. If you plan a longer outing such as Ha Long Bay, check the clinic's schedule first so you are back for the fitting.
Day 5: fitting and bonding
Try-in, colour and bite check, then bonding. Avoid staining food and drink for as long as your dentist advises.
Days 6 to 7: buffer and fly home
A spare day in case of adjustments, then home. If all is done, use it for a day trip.
Itinerary 3: implant trip with Ha Long Bay
Suits: people replacing one or two missing teeth.
Treatment: implant (trồng răng implant) placement on this trip; the crown on a second trip. Picasso gives 3 to 5 days for the first visit and 2 to 3 days for the second, 3 to 6 months apart. A complete implant with zirconia crown is 30,000,000 to 45,000,000 VND (about US$1,160 to 1,740) by brand.
Clinic: either Picasso branch.
Important: implants are done in two stages. On this trip the implant is placed; the crown is fitted on a second, shorter trip once the bone has healed.
Day 1: arrive, scan and consultation
Examination and CBCT 3D scan; Picasso says it scans before every implant. The dentist confirms the plan and brand (Nobel Biocare, Straumann or Neodent).
Day 2: implant surgery
Implant placement under local anaesthetic. Take the rest of the day off: hotel, soft food, rest.
Days 3 to 4: gentle recovery
Short walks by Hoan Kiem Lake or Trúc Bạch, lukewarm phở, early nights. A cold compress can help with swelling, as your dentist advises.
Day 5: check
A check of the implant site and instructions for the coming months.
Days 6 to 9: holiday days
With your dentist's agreement, a relaxed Ha Long Bay cruise as a passenger, a boat trip through Trang An in Ninh Binh, and museums such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Skip swimming and strenuous activities.
Day 10: fly home
A soft breakfast of bánh cuốn, then the airport. Plan your second trip for the crown when the clinic says.
Itinerary 4: the longer smile makeover tour
Suits: people combining several treatments, such as veneers, crowns (bọc răng sứ) and whitening.
Treatment: Picasso does not publish a smile makeover package, so ask for a written plan with each item priced and a schedule.
Clinic: either Picasso branch.
Days 1 to 2: arrival and planning
Arrive and rest. A planning day: examination, scans, photos and shade matching, then a written plan and schedule.
Days 3 to 4: first treatment days
Preparation and whitening as the dentist plans. Rest in the afternoons.
Days 5 to 8: lab days, with a Da Nang and Hoi An option
While the lab works, some people fly south to Da Nang and Hoi An, about 30 km apart. Picasso also has branches in Da Nang. Check the clinic's schedule before you book. See Hanoi vs Da Nang for dental implants.
Days 9 to 11: back in Hanoi
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, a cooking class, a water puppet show and early-morning walks by Hoan Kiem Lake.
Days 12 to 13: fittings
Try-in and adjustments, then final fitting and bite check.
Day 14: fly home
A last bowl of phở and the airport.
Itinerary 5: the long stay
Suits: people who can work remotely and want to spread treatment over a longer stay.
Treatment: several treatments over a few weeks, by written plan.
Clinic: either Picasso branch.
A longer stay lets you:
- Space appointments for comfort
- Do several treatments without rushing
- Live like a resident for a while
Implants still need months of healing between placement and crown, so a single long stay rarely covers both.
How to structure a four-week stay
| Week | Base | Dental focus | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Near your branch | Examination, plan, scaling (cạo vôi răng), whitening | Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple |
| 2 | Near your branch | Preparation for crowns or veneers | Trấn Quốc Pagoda, West Lake cafés |
| 3 | Side trip, if the clinic agrees | Lab days | Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh |
| 4 | Near your branch | Fittings and review | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology |
Hanoi has many cafés and co-working spaces for remote work; check Wi-Fi when you book a room.
Gentle Hanoi experiences during recovery
Low-effort ideas for days between appointments.
Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning
Locals exercise around the lake at dawn. A slow circuit is a gentle start to the day.
Phở for breakfast
Soft noodles in broth, once cooled. Ask for "không cay" (no chilli).
Egg coffee
Hanoi's egg coffee (cà phê trứng) has a thick, custard-like foam. Wait until it is warm rather than hot, and skip it after whitening as your dentist advises.
Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu)
Courtyards, gardens and old stone steles; flat and easy to walk.
Water puppet show
A seated, traditional Vietnamese performance near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Đình Square
Check opening days and times before you go. The One Pillar Pagoda is nearby.
Ha Long Bay
Day trips and overnight cruises run from Hanoi. Compare operators and prices for your dates, and go only when your dentist agrees.
Soft food in Hanoi
For the full guide, read What to Eat After Dental Surgery in Hanoi (2026).
| Dish | What it is | After treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Phở | Rice noodle soup | Let it cool; skip chilli |
| Cháo | Rice porridge | Very gentle after surgery |
| Bánh cuốn | Steamed rice rolls | Little chewing needed |
| Bún chả | Grilled pork with noodles | Later; noodles fine, meat can be chewy |
| Sinh tố | Fruit smoothies | Use a spoon, not a straw, after surgery |
| Sữa chua | Yoghurt | Cool and soothing |
| Tofu dishes | Soft tofu | Soft protein |
Practical tips for your Hanoi dental holiday
- Get the clinic's schedule before booking flights. See Planning Your Dental Trip to Hanoi: Step by Step.
- Keep the clinic's contact details with you. Both Picasso branches are open every day from 8:30 to 18:00; SmileJet can pass on messages on WhatsApp or Messenger.
- Know how many days you need. See How Many Days Do You Need in Hanoi for Dental Treatment?
- Pack basics: pain relief your dentist approves, a soft toothbrush, and any prescriptions. Pharmacies (nhà thuốc) are easy to find.
- Stay near your branch. See Where to Stay in Hanoi for Dental Treatment.
- Send X-rays ahead. Picasso offers video consultations for patients planning a trip.
- Know what to do if something goes wrong. Ask the clinic before treatment how to reach it urgently and what happens out of hours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go on a Ha Long Bay cruise while an implant heals?
Often, once healing is going normally and your dentist agrees. Stay a passenger: no swimming or strenuous activities until you are cleared.
What if I have a dental problem while sightseeing?
Contact your treating clinic straight away; SmileJet can help pass on messages. Ask before treatment how the clinic handles urgent problems.
Which area should I stay in?
Near your branch. The Old Quarter branch is in Trúc Bạch, close to the Old Quarter; the Westlake Square branch is 10 to 15 minutes by car from Ciputra, Starlake and Tay Ho (clinic). See Where to Stay in Hanoi for Dental Treatment.
Is street food fine after dental treatment?
Soft, freshly cooked dishes from busy stalls usually are. Avoid hard, crunchy or spicy food at first. See What to Eat After Dental Surgery in Hanoi.
Is Hanoi suitable for women travelling alone for dental work?
Many women travel alone to Hanoi. Check your government's current travel advice, use Grab for transport, and see our guide for solo female travellers.
Ready to plan your Hanoi dental holiday?
Message SmileJet on WhatsApp or Messenger for a written plan and schedule from Picasso. Our help costs you nothing; you pay the clinic directly.
Disclaimer: These itineraries are general outlines and will change with your treatment, healing and the clinic's schedule. Prices and trip lengths are Picasso Dental Clinic's published figures ("Updated July 2026", read 26 Oct 2026), converted at SmileJet's 26 Oct 2026 rates and rounded; only a written quote applies to you. Always follow your treating dentist's advice on activity and travel. SmileJet is an information service, not a healthcare provider.