So, you're dreaming of Vietnam travel! Fantastic choice. From the dramatic karst peaks of Ha Long Bay to the bustling energy of Ho Chi Minh City and the serene waterways of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam offers an incredible tapestry of experiences. But with so much to see and do in this long, beautiful country, planning your Vietnam itinerary can feel daunting. How much can you realistically see in 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, or 3 weeks?
This guide offers suggested itineraries to help you structure your trip, whether you're looking for a quick highlights reel or a more immersive exploration. Remember, these are just templates – the best Vietnam itinerary is one tailored to your interests, pace, and budget!
Vietnam stretches over 1,650 km (1,000+ miles) from north to south. Travelling between major Vietnam destinations takes time, whether by plane, train, or bus. For shorter trips (like 7 days Vietnam), it's often best to focus on one region to avoid feeling rushed and spending too much time in transit. Longer trips (2 weeks Vietnam or 3 weeks Vietnam) allow for exploring multiple regions more comfortably.
With only a week, you'll need to choose between North or South to maximize your experience. Trying to do both is possible but extremely rushed.
Day 1-3: Hanoi: Arrive in Hanoi. Immerse yourself in the capital's charm: explore the Hanoi Old Quarter, wander around Hoan Kiem Lake, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, and see the Temple of Literature. Enjoy delicious street food!
Day 4-5: Ha Long Bay: Transfer to Ha Long Bay (approx. 3-4 hours). Embark on an unforgettable overnight cruise amidst the limestone karsts. Enjoy kayaking, cave visits, swimming, and onboard relaxation.
Day 6: Hanoi: Return to Hanoi after your cruise. Catch a traditional Water Puppet show, do some last-minute souvenir shopping, or revisit your favourite spot.
Day 7: Departure: Depart from Hanoi.
Best for: Culture lovers, stunning natural landscapes.
Day 1-3: Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC): Arrive in HCMC. Explore the city's dynamic energy: visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office. Take a half-day trip to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels.
Day 4-5: Mekong Delta: Journey south into the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip through canals, visit fruit orchards and local villages (e.g., My Tho/Ben Tre area for a day trip or Can Tho for an overnight stay to see the Cai Rang floating market early morning).
Day 6: HCMC: Return to HCMC. Explore Ben Thanh Market or discover a neighbourhood you missed.
Day 7: Departure: Depart from HCMC.
Best for: History buffs, river culture, vibrant city life.
Ten days allows you to combine two regions, usually requiring an internal flight.
Day 1-3: Hanoi exploration.
Day 4-5: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.
Day 6: Return to Hanoi, catch an afternoon flight to Da Nang. Transfer to charming Hoi An.
Day 7-9: Hoi An Ancient Town exploration. Get clothes tailored, take a cooking class, cycle through rice paddies, relax by the river or at nearby An Bang beach.
Day 10: Depart from Da Nang.
Best for: Combining culture, stunning scenery, and historical charm.
Day 1-3: HCMC exploration & Cu Chi Tunnels.
Day 4-5: Mekong Delta excursion (day trip or overnight).
Day 6: Return to HCMC (if overnight in Delta), fly to Da Nang. Transfer to Hoi An.
Day 7-9: Hoi An exploration (as above).
Day 10: Depart from Da Nang.
Best for: Combining southern energy, river life, and central coast charm.
This is a popular timeframe to hit the major highlights from North to South. It's well-paced but still involves significant travel.
Day 1-3: Hanoi: Arrival and city exploration.
Day 4-5: Ha Long Bay: Overnight cruise experience.
Day 6: Fly to Central Vietnam: Return to Hanoi, fly to Hue. Explore the ancient capital upon arrival if time permits.
Day 7: Hue: Explore the Imperial Citadel and royal tombs. Perhaps a Perfume River boat trip.
Day 8: Hue to Hoi An: Travel south to Hoi An, ideally via the scenic Hai Van Pass (by private car/motorbike or train+taxi).
Day 9-10: Hoi An: Enjoy the Ancient Town, tailoring, food, and maybe a beach visit.
Day 11: Fly South: Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. Start exploring HCMC.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City: City tour highlights and Cu Chi Tunnels excursion.
Day 13: Mekong Delta: Day trip to the Mekong Delta (e.g., My Tho/Ben Tre).
Day 14: Departure: Depart from HCMC.
Best for: Seeing the absolute must-dos across the country. Requires good planning and internal flights.
Three weeks allows for a more relaxed pace, adding destinations like Sapa or beach stays, or delving deeper into specific regions.
Day 1-3: Hanoi exploration.
Day 4-6: Sapa: Travel to Sapa (overnight train or bus). Enjoy trekking through stunning rice terraces and visiting ethnic minority villages.
Day 7: Return to Hanoi (overnight travel).
Day 8-9: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.
Day 10: Return to Hanoi, fly to Hue.
Day 11: Hue exploration.
Day 12: Transfer to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass.
Day 13-15: Hoi An: More time to relax, explore further afield (My Son Sanctuary?), enjoy the beach.
Day 16: Fly Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 17-18: HCMC & Cu Chi Tunnels exploration.
Day 19-20: Mekong Delta: Consider an overnight trip to Can Tho for the floating market experience.
Day 21: Depart from HCMC.
Best for: Adding mountain scenery and culture, plus more downtime in Hoi An.
Day 1-3: Hanoi exploration.
Day 4: Day trip (or overnight) to Ninh Binh ("Ha Long Bay on land") - Tam Coc/Trang An boat trip.
Day 5-6: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.
Day 7: Return to Hanoi, fly to Hue.
Day 8: Hue exploration.
Day 9: Transfer to Hoi An.
Day 10-12: Hoi An exploration.
Day 13: Fly Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 14-15: HCMC & Cu Chi Tunnels.
Day 16-17: Mekong Delta (Day trip or overnight).
Day 18: Fly from HCMC or Can Tho to Phu Quoc Island.
Day 19-20: Phu Quoc: Relax on beautiful beaches, snorkel, explore the island.
Day 21: Depart from Phu Quoc (PQ C) or fly back to HCMC for international departure.
Best for: Adding another stunning natural area (Ninh Binh) and ending with island relaxation.
Remember to factor in your interests!
Foodies: Add more cooking classes, street food tours.
History Buffs: Spend extra time in Hue, Hanoi, HCMC, consider DMZ tours.
Adventure Seekers: Look into Phong Nha caves, Ha Giang loop (requires more time), canyoning in Da Lat.
Beach Lovers: Allocate more days to Hoi An's beaches, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, or Phu Quoc.
Always account for travel time between destinations when planning your Vietnam itinerary. Booking internal flights and popular train routes in advance is recommended, especially during peak season.
Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Planning a multi-destination Vietnam travel itinerary involves coordinating flights, transfers, accommodation, tours, and more. Why not let the experts handle it?
Vielokal Travel specialises in crafting seamless and unforgettable Vietnam package tours. We can customise any itinerary – whether it's 7 days Vietnam or 3 weeks Vietnam – to perfectly match your interests, budget, and travel style. Focus on enjoying the adventure, and leave the logistics to us!
Contact us today to start planning your dream Vietnam journey!
