Vietnam Itineraries — 1, 2 and 3 Week Travel Routes

Don't try to see the whole country in one trip. Vietnam is long and narrow. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is a 2-hour flight or 32-hour train ride. Budget travellers who try to cover the whole country in 10 days end up spending most of it in transit.

Pick a direction. Most travellers go north-to-south or south-to-north. One-way flights between Hanoi and HCMC are cheap (from USD 35) — there's no need to backtrack.

Leave buffer days. Vietnam is notorious for last-minute plan changes: missed buses, tropical rain, an unexpected festival. Build in at least one flexible day per week.

Season matters by region. Check the climate section before fixing dates — what's dry season in the south can be typhoon season in the centre.

Best for: First-time visitors who have limited time but want iconic highlights.

Day 1–2: Hanoi
Arrive, recover from jet lag. Old Quarter walk, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature. Street food dinner: bun cha or bun bo Hue. Night train or early flight booked ahead.

Day 3–4: Ha Long Bay cruise (2 days / 1 night)
Book a cruise departing from Hanoi or directly from Ha Long port. Day 1: kayaking, cave exploration (Sung Sot cave). Day 2: sunrise on deck, return to Hanoi by noon.

Day 5: Hanoi
Free morning for the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or a cooking class. Afternoon flight or overnight train to Hue or Da Nang.

Day 6: Hue
Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, local bun bo Hue. Rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding villages.

Day 7: Day trip to Hoi An or fly home
If time allows: 1-hour bus to Hoi An (Ancient Town, Hoi An market, tailors). Evening flight from Da Nang back home.

Alternative 1-week: South Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (2 days: Ben Thanh, Cu Chi Tunnels, war museums) → Mekong Delta day trip → Phu Quoc (2 nights, beaches) → back to HCMC for departure.

Best for: Travellers who want to combine heritage, nature, and beach without rushing.

Days 1–2: Hanoi
Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, evening bia hoi corner.

Days 3–5: Sapa (or Ha Long Bay)
Overnight train from Hanoi → Sapa. Trek to ethnic minority villages (Black Hmong, Red Dao). Rice terraces at their peak September–November. Alternatively, take a 2-night Ha Long Bay cruise instead.

Day 6: Return to Hanoi, fly to Da Nang
Afternoon flight (1h). Check in to Da Nang or head straight to Hoi An (30 mins by taxi/grab).

Days 7–9: Hoi An
Ancient Town wandering, cooking class, My Son Sanctuary day trip, tailored clothing, beach day at An Bang.

Days 10–11: Hue
Imperial Citadel, royal tombs (hire a motorbike or join a half-day tour), Thien Mu Pagoda, excellent local food scene.

Days 12–13: Phong Nha
3-hour bus from Hue → Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Paradise Cave, Dark Cave (ziplining + river swimming). One of Vietnam's most underrated destinations.

Day 14: Return to Da Nang, fly home
Morning bus back to Da Nang (3h). Afternoon/evening flight.

Best for: Beach lovers and those interested in modern Vietnamese culture and history.

Days 1–2: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive HCMC. Ben Thanh Market area, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, rooftop bar at sunset.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta
Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels (half-day tour). Afternoon: return to HCMC or day trip to Mekong Delta (Ben Tre or My Tho).

Days 4–5: Mui Ne
4-hour bus from HCMC. White and Red Sand Dunes (sunrise is magical), Fairy Stream, kite surfing spot. Quieter beach alternative to Phu Quoc.

Days 6–8: Dalat (optional detour)
5-hour bus from Mui Ne. Vietnam's highland city: waterfalls, flower gardens, coffee farms, cool temperatures, excellent cuisine. Off the typical tourist trail but highly rewarding.

Days 9–11: Hoi An
Flight from Da Lat (or Nha Trang) → Da Nang → Hoi An. Ancient Town, beaches, cooking class, day trip to My Son or Hue.

Days 12–13: Da Nang
Marble Mountains, Dragon Bridge (fire-breathing on weekends), Son Tra Peninsula, excellent seafood.

Day 14: Fly home from Da Nang

Best for: First-timers wanting the full picture, or those returning to Vietnam for a deeper trip.

Days 1–2: Hanoi
Arrival. Old Quarter exploration, street food, Hoan Kiem Lake.

Days 3–5: Ha Long Bay (2-night cruise)
Premium cruise recommended for a 3-week trip — you have the time to do it right.

Days 6–8: Sapa
Overnight train from Hanoi. Trekking through Muong Hoa Valley, homestay with local families.

Day 9: Fly Hanoi → Da Nang
Afternoon flight (1h). Arrive, settle in Hoi An.

Days 10–12: Hoi An
Full Ancient Town experience, cooking class, bike ride to countryside, beach day.

Days 13–14: Hue
Imperial sights, royal tombs, Phong Nha day trip option, Hai Van Pass by motorbike (spectacular mountain road between Hue and Da Nang).

Days 15–16: Phong Nha
Caves, National Park, cycling, river kayaking. Overnight at Son Trach village.

Day 17: Fly to HCMC via Da Nang
Bus back to Da Nang (3h), evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City (1h20).

Days 18–19: Ho Chi Minh City
Museum of Vietnamese History, Ben Thanh, Binh Tay Market, rooftop bars, Ba Na Hills day trip option.

Day 20: Mekong Delta
Full-day tour: floating markets, boat canals, fruit orchards, local home-cooked lunch.

Day 21: Departure or Phu Quoc extension
If time allows, extend 2–3 nights to Phu Quoc island for beach relaxation before flying home.

Hanoi → Ha Long Bay: Bus/shuttle 3.5h, or join a cruise that includes transfer.
Hanoi → Sapa: Overnight train 8h (scenic, recommended) or bus 5–6h.
Hanoi → Da Nang: Flight 1h15 (USD 25–60). Or night train 14–16h.
Da Nang → Hoi An: Grab/taxi 30–40 min (USD 8–12). Local bus also available.
Hoi An → Hue: Bus 3h or hire a car over the Hai Van Pass (stunning drive, 2h).
Hue → Phong Nha: Bus 3h (USD 6–10).
Phong Nha → Da Nang: Bus 3h.
Da Nang → HCMC: Flight 1h25 (USD 20–60). Or overnight train 17h.
HCMC → Mekong Delta: Tour or bus 1.5–2h to Ben Tre/My Tho.
HCMC → Phu Quoc: Flight 45min (USD 20–50) or ferry from Ha Tien (5h total from HCMC).