Before you organize your route to Vietnam, don’t forget the key: the travel insurance. Although travel Vietnam is generally safe, private hospitals can be expensive and there are coverages that should be clear before you travel. In my article What insurance do you recommend for your trip to Vietnam? I tell you what is the best insurance, how much it costs and why it is worth.
First: the map of Vietnam
To help you plan your trip, I’ve prepared this map with colors based on the ideal duration of the trip:
🟥 Red – most stunning Locations, recommended for the first week in Vietnam
🟨 Yellow – ideal Options for a second week (Hue and of Ho Chi Minh city are optional)
🟩 Green – Sites extra for those who travel more than two weeks or you already know what is essential
To give you an overview, then included in the following table a summary with suggested itineraries depending on the length of your journey through Vietnam.
| Days | Regions recommended | Suggested itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | North Vietnam | Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Halong Cat Ba |
| 14 days | North + Central | + Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue (optional: Ho Chi Minh city) |
| + 15 days | Alternative routes | Ha Giang, Phong Nha, con Dao, Mekong Delta… |
What Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh? Where to begin the journey?
As you saw in the previous map, the places marked in red (the most essential) are in the north of Vietnam.
That’s why, if you’re going to be 10 days or less, it is best to enter and exit through Hanoi. otherwise, you will certainly have to add an internal flight to get there.
On the other hand, if your trip is two weeks or more, it may make sense to start by Ho Chi Minh, especially if you find cheaper flights or if you are interested to know this city, which had a critical role during the Vietnam war, and has as its most important visits to the War Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Itinerary 1 week
Visits must-haves in 1 week
If you have only a week, I recommend you visit the most important places in the north of Vietnam:
- 🏙️ 1 day in Hanoi. First contact with Vietnam: lively streets, temples, tours of local food, free tour, parks, pagodas, and museums.
🔗 The Hanoi that you should Not miss - 🏞️ 2 days in Sapa. Trekking, rice paddies and villages of ethnic minorities.
🔗 Sapa: What to see and what to skip? - ⛵ 2 days in Halong or Cat Ba. Cruise between rock formations or scan from the island.
🔗 Halong Bay 1 Day, 2 Days, or from Cat Ba - 🌿 1 or 2 days in Ninh Binh. Spectacular landscapes, boats by the river, caves and temples.
🔗 Ninh Binh to your air | The most complete guide to
If you can spare just 1 or 2 days, consider adding time to Hanoi, Ninh Binh or Halong Bay.
PRO TIP: you can go from one place to another in the north of Vietnam on the bus without passing through Hanoi. This will save you time and money. If you want to know more about how to move around in Vietnam saved the article Transport in Vietnam – How Do I move around this country?
Itinerary 2 weeks
If you’re going to be two weeks in Vietnam, you can extend the itinerary of the north including the center of the country, with cities such as Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An. in Addition, if you have time, you could also finish the trip with an optional visit to Ho Chi Minh city in the south.
How to get to the centre?
From the north (for example, Hanoi), you can get to Da Nang or Hue plane, night train or bus.
What I will be in the centre of Vietnam?
- 🏮 2 days in Hoi An. Old town illuminated with lanterns, temples, markets, An Bang beach, and tours to My son or islands, Cham.
- 🏞️ 1 or 2 days in Da Nang. Marble caves, Lady giant Buddha, Hai Van Pass and the famous Bridge of the Hands on Ba Na Hills.
- 🏯 1 or 2 days in Hue. Imperial city, royal tombs and quiet environment next to the Perfume river. Ideal for history lovers.
Practical recommendations:
- Accommodation in Da Nang – Hoi An. To visit Hoi An and Da Nang, the most convenient option is to stay in Hoi An, which is very close to Da Nang. In Hoi An accommodation units offer excellent value for money, better than in the rest of the country. In addition, you can decide between staying near the beach or in the areas close to the beautiful historic quarter.
- Is it worth to visit Hue? Hue is a city with much charm, known for its history imperial, its mausoleums real and the citadel. However, if you’re just in time, or if your priority is not the historical-architectural, my advice is to focus on Hoi An and Da Nang.
Optional: 2 days in Ho Chi Minh city
If you want to finish your trip in the south, you can fly to Ho Chi Minh city, the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the south during the war.
Highlights:
- 🏛️ Museum of the War (shocking, with graphic content).
- 🔫 Cu Chi tunnels (half day tour).
- 🏙️ City tour: cathedral of Notre Dame, post office, temple, Thien Hau street and Nguyen Hue.
- 🔗 Ho Chi Minh city What to visit and what not?
What to add to your itinerary if you come more than 15 days?
If you come more than 15 days in Vietnam, you can extend the itinerary and explore regions with tourist, depending on your tastes and pace of travel. Here you have some ideas, sorted by preference within each area:
What to add in the north of Vietnam?
- Route Ha Giang (3-5 days, motorbike or 4×4). 🔗 How to make the Loop of Ha Giang without being a biker expert
- Mu Cang Chai,. Incredible landscapes, trekking and rural life.🔗 Mu Cang Chai 🌾 The best landscapes of Vietnam
- Pu Luong. Trekking through rice fields, rivers and villages calm.
- Mai Chau. rice Fields in the mountains. 🔗Mai Chau 🌾 Rice fields and ethnic groups near Hanoi
- Vu Linh. Near lake Thac Ba, swimming, kayaking, and local ethnic groups. 🔗 Vu Linh 🚣♀️ full Guide
- Moc Chau. cool Weather, gardens, tea plantations, strawberry, and waterfalls.
What to add in the center of Vietnam?
- Phong Nha – Ke Bang. natural Park with some of the largest caves in the world.
- Demilitarized zone (DMZ) and tunnels of Vinh Moc. Former border between north and south during the war.🔗 GUIDE to the DMZ (demilitarized) in VIETNAM
- Tam Thanh. Fishing village decorated with colorful murals.🔗 Tam Thanh: Murals, beach and local life near Hoi An
What to see in the south of Vietnam? (in order of preference)
- Can Tho. To explore the Mekong delta in an authentic way: floating markets, channels and local life.
- Con Dao. Island paradise with tranquil beaches, history and good snorkeling.
- Phu Quoc. Island resort in the south: beaches, resorts, and tropical atmosphere.
- Da Lat. City mountain, with a cool climate, waterfalls, lakes and colonial architecture.
- Tuy Hoa. Small coastal town, rural, and still little explored.
- Mui Ne. Beaches, red sand dunes and white, and water sports.
- Nha Trang. beach City with good infrastructure, snorkeling, and urban environment.
