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Creating an itinerary for Vietnam can be a bit ramified as it’s a vast country with many trappy places to segregate from. We’ve put together an heady itinerary full of tips that will take you to all the highlights of Vietnam. You’ll journey through the expansive rice terraces in the north, the impressive Halong Bay, vibrant cities, mannerly Hoi An, and the pure Mekong Delta. If you have increasingly time, we’ll moreover suggest a few other trappy destinations at the marrow that you can add to or retread in your itinerary.
Determining the Direction of Your Vietnam Itinerary
When traveling through Vietnam, you can segregate to visit the north, the south, or both. Most travelers opt to explore both the north and the south to wits the country’s diversity fully. With this itinerary, you’ll be tent the unshortened country.
You can start your journey in either Hanoi in the north or Ho Chi Minh Municipality in the south, as both cities have international airports. Generally, people find the north of Vietnam a bit increasingly picturesque than the south, which you can consider when deciding on your travel direction. Another factor to consider is the price of flight tickets. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to fly to Hanoi, and other times, it’s increasingly affordable to segregate Ho Chi Minh City. Ideally, you can fly into one municipality and depart from the other, saving you the need for an spare domestic flight. We’ve chosen to plan the itinerary from north to south, but you can hands reverse it to fit your preferences.
How Does Transportation Work in Vietnam?
Vietnam stretches for well-nigh 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) from the lattermost north to the far south. You can travel wideness Vietnam by bus, train, or airplane, depending on the route. Buses run between all destinations, and for longer journeys, you can often take a night bus or night train. This way, you can sleep comfortably, save money on hotels, and find it less tiring than traveling during the day. For longer distances, you can moreover opt for a flight, although this is usually a bit increasingly expensive. You can unify transportation locally or book online. The wholesomeness of booking online is that you can compare all providers and options, read reviews, and be sure you’re paying a pearly price.
Tip: We’ve written separate wares well-nigh scrutinizingly all the places on this Vietnam itinerary, providing tips for the most enjoyable activities and how to get there from various other destinations. These wares include all the options and travel durations.
How Many Weeks Do You Need for This Vietnam Itinerary?
To well-constructed this unshortened Vietnam itinerary, you’ll need well-nigh three weeks. If you have less time, you can skip some destinations. If you have increasingly time or want to explore increasingly of the north, you’ll find spare tips for trappy destinations to expand your itinerary at the end of this article. Read our wares with tips for these destinations to hands decide how to intrust your days among the various places.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the popping wanted of Vietnam and a unconfined introduction to the country due to its zillions of heady activities and attractions. You may wits a bit of a cultural shock as Hanoi is quite a upturned city. On every street corner, you’ll find street supplies stalls, and scooters zoom in all directions virtually you. Start your journey with a tomfool street supplies tour or seek tranquility in one of the many temples, such as the enchanting Temple of Literature. Curious well-nigh what else there is to do? Check out all the tips for Hanoi.
Sapa
After a few days getting used to Hanoi, it’s time to leave the hustle and precipitance overdue and travel to the untried mountain village of Sapa. Sapa is located in the far north, nestled among mountains covered in gigantic rice terraces. It’s the perfect destination for a trappy hike. Walk withal viewpoints, through valleys with pure villages, and take a dip in a waterfall. Make sure to moreover take a ride on the longest non-stop subscription car in the world, then stand on the highest peak in Vietnam. Interested in what else there is to do? Read well-nigh the 10 weightier things to do in Sapa.
Note: It’s weightier to visit Sapa only from June to September. In May, farmers plant new rice, and from that point on, the rice terraces wilt greener. September offers the most trappy views of the rice terraces. Sapa is not recommended in the winter months when it’s very cold, the landscapes are bare, and it’s often foggy.
Halong Bay & Cat Ba
Halong Bay is one of the most iconic destinations in Vietnam, thanks to its scenic landscapes. The waddle formations, nearly 500 million years old, form an archipelago of thousands of small islands. These rocks were once part of a gigantic coral reef, and some are hundreds of feet high. Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay and the most worldwide wiring for visiting the bay. The weightier way to explore Halong Bay is on a one- or two-day cruise. Get on workbench the wend and enjoy the eyeful that Halong Bay has to offer. It’s most enjoyable to join a trip that moreover visits lesser-known spots. That’s how you wits the weightier of Halong Bay. Find out which one in the vendible with tips for Halong Bay.
Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is an enchanting province and an wool must-visit during your journey through Vietnam. Amidst the waddle formations, sometimes towering up to 200 meters (656 feet), you’ll find untried rice fields, rivers, lakes, and caves. In Ninh Binh, you’ll completely relax and wits the pure countryside life of Vietnam. Hop on a velocipede or scooter and explore the winding roads that meander through the rice fields. The nature in Ninh Binh is breathtaking, and life there is delightfully uncomplicated. Among the rice fields, you’ll find the most trappy accommodations, often with a spectacular view. All of this makes Ninh Binh one of the most enjoyable places on your Vietnam itinerary. Check out the tips for Ninh Binh to make the most of your visit.
Phong Nha
From here, your journey to Hoi An in inside Vietnam begins. You can imbricate this long journey by night train or hands divide it into two parts by planning a visit to Phong Nha on your itinerary. Here, you can visit two impressive caves named Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave. You can rent a scooter and explore the caves on your own or typesetting the combination tour where you visit both caves. This includes transportation, admission, and lunch.
Tip: In Phong Nha, you can stay at a special place tabbed Karst Villas Phong Nha. From here, you’ll have a scenic view from the pool over the landscape.
Hoi An
Hoi An is the favorite municipality of most travelers in Vietnam. It’s a small town by Vietnamese standards that offers the weightier of both worlds. You’ll find the recreate of the old town but moreover a trappy beach, and within 15 minutes, you’ll be in the middle of rice fields. Here, you can seek both the hustle and tranquility. Hoi An exudes undercurrent and coziness with its trappy historical houses, colorful lanterns, numerous spanking-new restaurants, and lovely shops. Curious well-nigh what Hoi An has to offer? I’ve listed the weightier things to do in Hoi An for you.
Ho Chi Minh City
If you’re visiting the southern part of Vietnam, you can’t miss Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the largest municipality in the country with a population of 9 million. Don’t spend too much time here considering it’s not the most heady city. District 1 is a popular district among travelers, and you’ll find most of the attractions, restaurants, bars, and hotels here. End your day in Ho Chi Minh Municipality with a cocktail at one of the rooftop bars. From here, you’ll have a view of the unshortened metropolis as the sun slowly sets. Check out all the tips for Ho Chi Minh City.
Mekong Delta
After a day in Ho Chi Minh City, it’s time to escape the hustle and bustle, and the weightier way to do that is in the Mekong Delta. This is a unique water landscape consisting of hundreds of small rivers. People here mainly live on and withal the water. You’ll find floating markets where various supplies items like coconuts, fish, meat, and fruit are traded. It’s a unique destination that you shouldn’t miss if you want to wits the real life of Vietnam. Cycle withal the canals and over small bridges and wave to the friendly locals you’ll encounter everywhere. It’s weightier to stay on the outskirts of Can Tho. There, you’ll find some trappy small-scale hotels located by the water where you can wits an oasis of tranquility. Read all the tips for the Mekong Delta to make the most of your visit.
Other Heady Destinations For Your Vietnam Itinerary
For the whilom Vietnam itinerary, you’ll need well-nigh three weeks. This, of course, depends on your travel style and pace. If you want to customize or expand this itinerary, there are increasingly heady destinations in Vietnam to consider. You can segregate to explore increasingly of the north or the south. Below, we’ll suggest a few trappy destinations that you can add to or retread your Vietnam itinerary.
Phu Quoc
If you want to end your journey through Vietnam on a pristine white waterfront with ultramarine undecorous waters, plan a few increasingly days on the island of Phu Quoc on your itinerary. It’s located at the southernmost point of Vietnam, and you can fly there from Ho Chi Minh City, for example. As soon as you set foot on the island, the enjoyment begins. Go island hopping and snorkeling for a day or just relax at one of the waterfront clubs. If you have the time, Phu Quoc is a delightful way to end your trip! Check out all the tips for Phu Quoc to get a good impression of the island.
Ha Giang Loop
If you want to explore increasingly of northern Vietnam in an venturesome way, Ha Giang is the perfect destination for this. Here, you can embark on the famous Ha Giang Loop by motorcycle, taking a tomfool road trip through various small villages. Withal the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the rugged mountain landscapes. You can rent a motorcycle yourself, or you can ride with an “easy rider,” which is a typical Vietnamese concept where you travel with a guide on the when of their motorcycle. This is often washed-up in groups, making it a fun road trip with plenty of trappy stops and enjoyable evenings. Check out all the tips for the Ha Giang Loop.
Cao Bang
In the far north, near the verge of China, lies the lush province of Cao Bang. This province is quite remote, but the impressive Ban Gioc Waterfall and Phong Nam Valley make it well worth the trip. Here, you’ll truly venture off the tamed path, encountering few English speakers. There’s still much to discover, and it doesn’t get much increasingly pure than this. Check out our tips for Cao Bang to get a good sense of this unique destination.
Mui Ne
If you segregate to travel overland from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, a stop in Mui Ne is recommended. This way, you can split the journey in two and visit this fishing village with its vast sand dunes. It’s moreover a popular spot among surfers and windsurfers. Even if you have no wits with (wind)surfing, it can be fun to take a lesson here and unflinching the waves. Check out all the tips for Mui Ne if you want to add this stop to your southern Vietnam itinerary.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Vietnam
During all our travels, we search for the most pleasant and unique places to stay. Vietnam is a fantastic destination in this regard considering here, you can sleep at unique locations with stunning views for relatively little money. We’ve once compiled a list of our favorite accommodations in Vietnam by destination. We unchangingly recommend a cozy hostel and a special hotel for those looking for a bit increasingly luxury. Staying at these delightful accommodations will surely enhance your trip!