Suggested Vietnam Itinerary: 10 Days, 2 Weeks, or 1 Month

Vietnam has become one of our favorite travel destinations. This post will help you create the best Vietnam itinerary for your own trip, whether it’s for 10 days, 2 weeks, or 1 month.

We had the good fortune of having friends who were living in Vietnam for several years. They showed us around Hanoi and introduced us to the culture. We loved visiting Vietnam so much, we’ve returned many times, staying longer each time.

In this article, we’ll focus on destinations in Vietnam that we personally know best, although we’ll also briefly cover other popular places to see.

Updated: January 2024. Originally published: 2019.

We were a little shocked to learn that summer is a high season for visitors to Vietnam since it gets incredibly hot and humid. We personally prefer traveling to Vietnam in winter (October through March) for better temperatures.

Each region of Vietnam varies with the weather.

Hanoi in the North and DaLat in the mountains can actually get quite cold in mid-winter. Fall is probably the best time to visit Hanoi when the temperatures are moderate and rain is minimal. Mid-summer is their rainy season.

Hoi An and the Central Coast has a heavy rain season in October and November which may cause floods. And field burning can seriously affect air quality after harvests in April. January and February are ideal times to visit.

Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the South should be best from November through February. The hot, rainy season in the South tends to be April through September.

Finally, if you’re visiting in late January or February, be sure to look up the dates for Vietnam’s Tet Holiday. This is the country’s biggest celebration season, and many businesses stop operating for 3 to 10 days. The holiday makes it much more challenging to travel and find amenities that are open during this time.

Top Destinations in Vietnam

Our suggested itinerary does not include all of the best places to go in Vietnam–there are too many for that. But we wanted to give you an overview. Here is a quick summary, from North to South.

Sapa – Lush green mountain village with French colonial remnants

Hanoi – Vietnam’s capital. Absolutely fascinating, buzzing with motorcycle traffic, and charming Old Town. International airport is a common start or end point.

Ha Long Bay – Where thousands of steep limestone karsts dot the bay, one of Vietnam’s most visited places

Mai Chau – Minority ethnic village in a lush valley of rice fields

Ninh Binh – “Ha Long Bay on land” where impressive karsts rise from the land and rivers

Phong Nha – An up-and-coming National Park destination with enormous caves

Hue – Former national capital with citadel, and bordering the De-Militarized Zone during Vietnam-American War

Da Nang – Coastal city with growing international airport and beaches

Hoi An – Charming Ancient Town was once a major trading port, beach nearby

Nha Trang – Long white sand beaches

Da Lat – A fertile City of Eternal Spring in the mountains

Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. International airport is a common start or end point.

Phu Quoc – Island vacation destination

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Vietnam Itinerary Map

Could you technically visit all of the top destinations above in one month? Sure. But do you really want to be in transit every other day for that long? Not likely.

Generally, we suggest staying in each destination for a minimum of two nights, ideally longer. 

If you can be content with “seeing less” and narrowing down the number of stops, we believe you’ll have a much more enjoyable trip.

To be honest, our first recommendation would be spending your whole ten days or two weeks in our favorite Vietnam destination: Hoi An.

With a nice Hoi An homestay as your base, you could do a number of great day trips. This is what we do when hosting our one-week Hoi An Un Tour.

But we also understand that most people do want to see more of Vietnam, especially if it may be your only chance to visit.

Which Vietnam airport should you fly to?

For this guide, we’ve written a North to South Vietnam Itinerary, however, it can be easily reversed to go South to North.

If you’re not able to book an “open jaw” ticket, flying into one city and out of another, you can always book an inter-country flight to get you back to your starting point. Just allow another half day for this additional travel.

To follow our itineraries below, it would be most ideal to fly into Hanoi and fly out of either Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City.

What will a Vietnam trip cost?

When it comes to Vietnam, your biggest expense is usually the flight to get there. Budget travelers can spend under $25/day USD per person, with meals to be had for as low as $2 and lodging under $20.

Of course, traveling around Vietnam means adding more transportation costs. Taking the train from North to South, for example, would be about $40 USD in a seat and around $65 in an air-conditioned sleeper. One-way flights covering the same distance range from $27 USD to $160.

Compare and book Vietnam transit tickets on BookAway here >

You can splurge for a one-hour massage starting at $12 USD. Book luxury hotel rooms for $60. And enjoy three-course meals for $10 to $30 per person.

That’s not to say you won’t find great value spending closer to the local standard, which we encourage.

All in all, 10 days in Vietnam could easily cost under $500 for food and lodging. Add a few hundred more for guided day tours and other special experiences.

The last time we stayed longer-term in Hoi An, our monthly total was under $750 for all our living expenses.

Here is a quick overview of our suggested itineraries for Vietnam. Read on for more details about each place.

Vietnam Itinerary: 10 Days, 3+ Cities

Arrive to Hanoi – Day 0
Day 1 – 4: Hanoi
Day 4-5: Overnight trip. Choose from:
  * Ninh Binh
  * Ha Long Bay
Day 5: Fly Hanoi to Da Nang
Day 5 – 10: Hoi An
Day 10: Fly out of Da Nang

Vietnam Itinerary: 2 Weeks, 5 Destinations

Arrive to Hanoi – Day 0
Day 1 – 4: Hanoi
Day 4 – 6: Overnight trip. Choose from:
  * Mai Chau
  * Ninh Binh
  * Ha Long Bay
Day 7: Fly Hanoi to Da Nang, Train to Hue
Day 7 – 8: Hue
Day 9: Hue to Hoi An Motorbike Tour
Day 9 – 13: Hoi An
Day 13: Fly Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh (or back to Hanoi)
  * Overnight in HCMC

Vietnam Itinerary: 1 Month North to South Trip

Arrive to Hanoi – Day 0
Day 1 – 4: Hanoi
Day 4 – 6: Overnight Trip #1. Choose from:
  * Ninh Binh
  * Ha Long Bay
Day 7 – 9: Overnight Trip #2
  * Mai Chau
Day 9: Fly Hanoi to Da Nang, Train to Hue
Day 9 – 11: Hue
Day 11: Hue to Hoi An Motorbike Tour
Day 11 – 17: Hoi An
Day 17: Fly to Da Lat
Day 17 – 21: Da Lat
Day 21: Fly or bus to Ho Chi Minh
Day 21 – 28: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 28: Fly out of HCMC or back to Hanoi

 
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Vietnam Itinerary Highlights & Where to Stay

Whether you’re spending ten days in Vietnam, two weeks, or more than a month, here’s a bit more about what to see, foods to try, and best places to stay in each destination.

Hanoi: Vietnam’s Capitol in the North

What to do: Hanoi is one of the most fascinating cities we’ve ever been to. With the number of motorcycles and the things they carry, one of the city’s biggest marvels is the traffic.

You will need to relearn how to cross the street. 

Hanoi has much to offer visitors. From delicious street food to historic landmarks, most people concentrate their visit around the Old Town French Quarter area, North of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. From here, you can make a base to see the city as well as day trips to surrounding areas.

Learn more about the city’s points of interest in our article: Hanoi on a Budget + Map

We recommend:

– Walking around one of the many lakes first thing in the morning
– Trying coconut coffee at Cong Caphe
– Trying egg coffee
– Eating Bún chả (Vermicelli noodles, grilled pork, herbs, fish sauce)
– Taking a food tour with a local

Click to see Hanoi tours here >

Where to stay in Hanoi:

Proximity to Hanoi’s Old Quarter is recommended. The following are highly rated accommodations in this area:

Little Charm Hanoi Hostel – $ – Elegant dorm style with continental breakfast. Check rates & availability >

Hanoi Garden House – $$ – Rooms with private bath and breakfast. Check rates & availability >

Eco Boutique Hotel – $$$ – New rooms with private bath and breakfast. Check rates & availability >

Mai Chau: Overnight Trip from Hanoi

What to do: Nestled in a scenic valley in Vietnam’s Northern mountains, you’ll find traditional stilt house villages of Vietnam’s ethnic minority peoples: White Thai and Black Thai.

Tourism found Mai Châu years ago, but it’s still a great place to slow down and encounter another culture.

Due to its distance from Hanoi (3 – 4 hours if you hire a driver), we have excluded Mai Châu from the 10 day itinerary but provide it as an option if you’re staying for 2 weeks or more. Mai Châu may be considered an alternative to Sapa, another mountain destination in the North which tends to get more attention.

Learn more about things to do in our article: Mai Châu on a Budget

We recommend:

– Staying overnight in a traditional homestay
– Exploring the villages by bicycle

Not ready to visit Mai Chau on your own? This guided overnight trip includes transportation, lodging, and meals.

Where to stay in Mai Chau:

Avoid the main town and stay in a village instead. For the best impact on your own experience and the community, book private rooms in a family homestay.

Truong Huy Homestay – $ – Friendly hosts, rustic rooms, breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Mai Chau Countryside Homestay – $/$$ – Friendly hosts, variety of rooms, breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Mai Chau Valley Retreat – $$$ – Oasis in the rice fields, modern rooms, breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Ninh Binh: Day Trip or Overnight Trip from Hanoi

What to do: Just two hours South of Hanoi by train or car, Ninh Binh province can technically be visited as a day trip though an overnight would be preferred.

Sometimes called the “Ha Long Bay On Land,” it is a less crowded alternative to Vietnam’s coastal karsts. Similar magnificent cliffs just up from the flat countryside, with epic paddleboat rides available on the rivers that wind through the karsts with their secret temples and caves.

For the top sights in Ninh Binh, see our article: Ninh Binh on a Budget + Bicycle Routes Map

We recommend:

– Trang An boat tour (over the one at Tam Coc)
– Cycling around Tam Coc, Bich Dong Pagoda, and Mua Cave
– Don’t bother much with Ninh Binh the town, except to eat at Trung Tuyết

Not ready to visit Ninh Binh on your own? This guided day trip includes transportation, meals, boat ride, and bicycle ride.

Where to stay in Ninh Binh:

Tam Coc Moonlight Bungalow – $ – Quaint private rooms or dorm style, breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Mountain Lake Homestay – $/$$ – Private rooms with lake view, breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Tam Coc Wonderland Bungalow – $$/$$$ – Private bamboo rooms, views, pool, breakfast. Check rates & availability >

Ha Long Bay: Day Trip or Overnight Trip from Hanoi

What to do: The famous Ha Long Bay is another place that can technically be done as a day trip from Hanoi, though most people recommend spending two or three nights to make the best of it.

This is one of Vietnam’s most visited spots, so it gets very crowded and full of cruise boats. Most people tend to book a cruise package, which includes transportation from Hanoi, sleeping cabin, meals, guide, and options for hiking, kayaking, or bamboo boats.

A less crowded alternative is visiting from the nearby Cat Ba Island port through Lan Ha Bay. Or, as we mentioned above, visit Ninh Binh (a.k.a. Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay On Land) instead.

Check out Ha Long Bay cruise options here >

Hue: Central Vietnam

What to do: The city of Huế has had a very important role in the region’s history. It was once the capital during the Nguyen Dynasty, when a large citadel and moat was built to protect the Imperial City.

Later, being right at the line between North and South, it saw one of the biggest battles in the Vietnam-American War. 

One or two days is generally enough to see the main sights of Huế, though we skip it in the 10 day itinerary to leave more time for Hoi An.

For top things to do in Huế, see our article: Hue on a Budget

We recommend:

– Do a city walking tour with Thu
– Cycle to Thien Mu Pagoda and around the Citadel if weather permits and you feel comfortable in some traffic
– Transit from Hue to Da Nang/Hoi An via motorbike tour with Phu
– Check out these unique tours and activities led by locals

Where to stay in Hue:

Hue Sweethouse Homestay – $ – Riverside guesthouse with private bathroom, parking, wifi, and breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Hue Riverside Villas – $$/$$$ – Riverside property with contemporary villas, breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Da Nang: Central Vietnam

Da Nang is a big city with an international airport on Central Vietnam’s Coast. If you’re looking for a beach resort with modern amenities like malls and movie theaters nearby, you may want to stay here longer.

Not being big city people, we typically just use Da Nang to get to Hoi An and Hue.

As mentioned above, we highly recommend a motorbike tour with our friend, Phu. Based in Hoi An, he specializes in the back roads that lead to traditional villages, scenic viewpoints, and waterfalls around Da Nang, Hoi An, and over the Hai Van Pass.

For off-the-beaten-path things to do in Da Nang, see our article: Unique Da Nang Guide

We recommend:

– Ride to the Son Tra Peninsula (“Monkey Mountain”) and see the Lady Buddha temple grounds
– Visit Hai Van Pass via motorbike tour with Phu
– Check out these unique tours and activities led by locals

Where to stay in Da Nang:

Mid-Range Luxury Beach-side: Voco Ma Belle Hotel (IHG)
Central Apartment with Balcony: Han Apartment
Central Budget Homestay: Bao Tran Homestay

Hoi An: Our Favorite Place in Vietnam

What to do: Hội An, just 45 minutes South of Da Nang along the coast, is one of our favorite places in the world.

Once one of the most important trading ports in the world, the well-preserved Old Town is full of color and charm. Granted, large tourist groups make Old Town quite crowded at peak times, but Hội An has so much more to offer in terms of food, scenic surroundings, and day trips.

For the best things to see, do and eat, check out our article: Hoi An Itinerary + Walking Map 

We recommend:

– Visit the markets in the morning
– Visit Old Town and the river in the evening
– Go on a bike ride through the rice paddies
– Have a meal at Nu Eatery
– Try these other Best Places to Eat in Hoi An
– Visit the Marble Mountains and these other Day trips from Hoi An
– Try one of these unique experiences led by locals

For more important things to know read: What NOT to do in Hoi An

Where to stay in Hoi An:

We have a full Guide on Where to Stay in Hoi An, complete with recommendations based on your trip goals and budget. Our all-time favorite homestay has retired, but we’ve now stayed for almost a month here:

Yen Homestay Villa – $ – Friendly and family-run, modern hotel-style rooms, pool, bicycles and breakfast included.

Check rates and availability for Yen Homestay on booking.com >>

Also, here’s a quick video recap from our un-tour in Hoi An, so you can get a feel for the city:

DaLat: South Vietnam Mountains

What to do: Da Lat, known as a City of Eternal Spring, is a nice mountain retreat when the rest of Vietnam is all heat and humidity. For this reason, it’s quite popular with domestic tourists.

Da Lat is known for both natural and man-made landmarks. Popular destinations include its walking street (Hoa Binh area), some unconventional architectural marvels (like the “Crazy House”), flower gardens, and nearby waterfalls.

For the best things to see, do and eat, check out our article: DaLat Itinerary + Walking Map 

We recommend:

– Visit the market and lake area
– Try local foods like banh can and hot soy milk
– Take day trips to explore nearby natural beauty

Where to stay in Da Lat:

Pretty Backpackers Hostel – $ – Friendly, family-run hostel with bunk bed dorm rooms. Check price & availability >

HomeSweetHome – $$ – Spacious, modern homestay with exceptional breakfast. Check price & availability >

Ho Chi Minh City a.k.a. Saigon

What to do: Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city with 13 million in the metropolitan area. HCMC is the country’s financial center, home to numerous industries and modern amenities. Like Hanoi, the city is buzzing with motion and tourism centers around the French colonial district (District 1).

Ho Chi Minh City also has a major international airport, so even if you choose not to stay long, it is often a convenient city to fly in and out of. 

Check out these unique experiences in Ho Chi Minh City led by locals>

We recommend:

– Explore the expansive markets for produce and goods
– Find historic landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office
– Enjoy all kinds of cafes and restaurants
– Check out the unique experience listings for HCMC on LikeLocal

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City:

Coucou Homestead – $/$$ – Private room or small shared dorm, breakfast included. Check rates & availability >

Hammock Hotel Fine Arts Museum – $$/$$$ – Stylish rooms with rooftop deck. Check rates & availability >

Adora Art Hotel – $$$ – Elegant rooms and suites, breakfast buffet included. Check rates & availability >

Still need help planning your Vietnam trip?

Schedule a Vietnam trip consultation

* Get our free Vietnam Travel Destinations e-guide *

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