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A Two Week Vietnam Itinerary: A Complete First-Timer’s Guide

last Updated: September 25, 2022 hanoi itinerary vietnam

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Interested in planning a fantastic 2 weeks in Vietnam?! Well, you’re in luck, because this Vietnam itinerary will surely help big time! From towering pagodas and bowls of pho and bun cha, to limestone islands and terraced rice paddies, any visit to Vietnam will leave you wanting more.

Hey everyone! I’m Jackie.  I’m a wannabe full-time traveler, but yes, I’ve got bills to pay so I work for a living and travel as a hobby just like Jessica .  Having just returned from an amazing 2 weeks in Vietnam, I’d love to gush about it and encourage you all to go!  And if you’ve landed on this page with tickets already booked looking for itinerary help, I’ve got you covered.

Is Vietnam at the tippy top of your long travel bucket list ?  Yea, I didn’t think so, as Vietnam wasn’t at the top of mine either.  All that changed when I saw an Anthony Bourdain episode about the country and was instantly HOOKED! He actually had dinner with Obama in a little café in Hanoi – so come on, honestly, what’s cooler than that? (Sidenote: nothing. 😉 )

Things to Know Before You Go to Vietnam

You’ll need a visa.

If you’re an American like me hoping to spend two weeks in Vietnam (or any other timeframe for that matter)– here’s something important to know – YOU WILL NEED A VISA .  There’s no way around it, and thankfully, it’s pretty simple and quick to get.  

Unfortunately (of course), the fees have just been raised this past August, so make sure you check the current price before applying.  The visa gives you a year’s worth of multiple entries in & out of Vietnam, so if you’re thinking of heading back, it’s definitely worth it, although you’ll need it no matter how long or short you stay in the country for.  There’s no way around it, so I suggest you get your visa way early in case there are unforeseen delays.

Once you have your visa (which will be glued/stuck inside your passport), that is the only thing you need to arrange beforehand to avoid any problems entering the country.

A few ways to go about this:

1) Vietnamese Consulate or Embassy in the States:

• No extra fees, thankfully!  Here’s the exact wording from the Vietnamese Consulate in San Francisco (just an example): “A VISA to Vietnam can be applied for by mail or in person at the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco as early as 6 months prior to the date of travel. The application does not necessarily need to be at the Consulate in person.  Processing time takes up to 3 working days.”

2) Online Companies:

• Any outside company will probably a charge a service fee on top of the actual visa fee
• We did ours through ‘Its Easy Passport & Visa’ in New York City and it was great. This particular company has offices all around the country and an online chat in order to check on the status of the visa. Ours took literally 4 days but I cannot say whether that is the norm, so make sure you leave ample amount of time to get that sacred piece of paper, aka the Vietnam visa.

3) Visa On Arrival (VOA):

• A VOA is a letter you get that gives you pre-approval to get a visa, which you then you fill out the remaining paperwork in Vietnam and get the visa at the airport. I don’t recommend this option as already having your visa will minimize your time at Passport Control in Vietnam (and who wants to spend extra time waiting around, not this girl!)
• It’s important to note that some of the VOA companies are scams, so make sure you are using a reputable company if you do decide to go this route.

The Perfect 2 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary

A Quick Summary of this Vietnam itinerary:  Hanoi (3 days) — Ha Long Bay (3 days) — Sapa (3 days) — Hoi An (3 days) — Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta (2 days)

Days 1-3: Hanoi

We started off our two weeks in Vietnam in Hanoi, where we flew in to from New York.  We spent 3 days on our Vietnam itinerary exploring the city, which we shortly learned was exceptionally diverse and just tons of fun!

Top things to do in Hanoi

‘Beer Corner’ : You guessed it, Beer Corner is just that- a street full of bars, alluring your liver inside for some delicious imbibing.

West Lake : If you get out of the city center a bit, you’ll find West Lake, a gorgeous lake with a beautiful pagoda and temple that is definitely a worth a check-out. It’s walkable from the city center, being approximately only 15 or 20 minutes.

All the Spas and Massages! Definitely take advantage of spas and massages during your 2 weeks in Vietnam, as amazing treatments can be found very cheaply. We got mud wraps that cost $12 each!  Unheard of in the states!  Any kind of spa treatment you want will probably be about 3/4 the price of what you would pay to get it back at home. The particular spa we went to was called Midori Spa on Ngo Huyen in the backpackers district.

This particular spa participates in a program where all their masseuses are blind. It is part of a larger Vietnam initiative to ensure blind people are able to generate incomes that allow them independence. This spa was amazing and the initiative helping blind people was largely part of the reason we chose them over other spas in the area.

There are tons of spas though, so if that’s something you’re interested in, the demand is definitely there & they do an amazing job.

Recommended Hanoi Activities:

• Full Day Hoa Lu + Tam Coc Tour (Day Trip)
• Hanoi Food on Foot: Walking Tour of Old Quarter
• Day Trip to Perfume Pagoda
• Hanoi Full Day Guided Tour

FOODIES, REJOICE! The array of food choices in Hanoi will not disappoint, I can promise you that!  Admittedly, my boyfriend had quite a large list of foods he wanted to eat prior to our arrival, so we ran around the city checking off all the foods as we ate them. [Editors Note: my kinda people!]  

Food is incredibly plentiful across the city. People will run makeshift cafes on the sidewalks and set up little plastic tables & chairs for you to sit down and enjoy.  A warm delicious bowl of Pho from a street stall will run you about 20,000-25,000 VND, which is a little less than an American dollar. Everything is warm and tasty so make sure you take advantage of the variety of foods, including:

• BUN CHA: Make sure to try Bun Cha, one of our favorites from our time in Hanoi. Bun Cha is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles and herbs with a side of dipping sauce.  It’s not too common to find this dish outside of Hanoi, so be sure to enjoy a few plates while in the city.

• STREET FOOD: Some words of caution– while eating from street stalls is generally safe, a few ways to ensure you are eating from a good place is a) it is busy with locals [as locals know the places in the area that are safe to eat, and most tourists do not] and b) that the soup is served boiling hot. Boiling soup will ensure most kinds of bacteria or any cross-contamination has been killed off. Not trying the street food would be a crime as the plates are absolutely delicious (!!!), just take caution about where and what you eat.

Crossing the streets in Hanoi is like a real life game of Frogger.   No joke.  Don’t let it deter you from visiting the city, just ensure that you use caution when crossing the streets. Here are some tips to make it across safely:

• Be relaxed and self-confident
• Look both ways & maintain eye contact with the drivers
• Walk slowly but keep the same pace throughout your crossing
• Once you have started crossing, continue your crossing. Don’t stop or step back.

Thankfully, most of the drivers will slow down or drive around you, however, caution should always be used when crossing any street – you don’t want to get run over!  The majority of drivers throughout Hanoi (and actually most of Vietnam) use motorbikes.  There are stop lights but drivers do not always obey the traffic laws.

We pretty much ate our way through 3 days in Hanoi.  Realistically, Hanoi can be done in about 2 days. 3 days is certainly plenty but 2 days is perfect to still see and do everything you might want to do and eat your heart out as well.

Where we stayed: Old Quarter Homestay  (approx. $43/night)

Other Recommended Accommodations:

• Luxury Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Hanoi  (approx. $92/night) //  Hanoi La Siesta Diamond Hotel  (approx. $107/night)
• Mid-Class Accommodation:   Oriental Central Hotel (approx. $37/night)
• Budget Accommodation: Hanoi Asia Guest House (approx. $13/night)

More Hotels in Hanoi Here.

Days 4 – 6: Ha Long Bay

After a few days of city life (and oh so much eating), head on over to Ha Long Bay, complete with emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands.  (Do a quick Google Search , and you’ll see what all the fuss is about). 

Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe this place; it’s even considered to be one of the new ‘7 natural wonders of the world’ as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The absolute best way to see this natural phenomenon is by boat, and thankfully there are quite a few different options depending on your preference.

We chose to tour with Vietnam Backpackers Hostel, specifically the ‘Castaway & Ha Long Bay 3 day/2 night package’.  For those who might be interested in this tour, a bit of information: it is basically 2 half-days partying on the island (yes, of course it’s beautiful) – laying on the beach, kayaking, beach volleyball, hanging out with other travelers AND 1 full day cruising around the bay.  

For the most part, I enjoyed this tour, but there were a few setbacks.  The accommodations on this tour were pretty bare, and although we knew about this beforehand, it took some getting used to — no Wi-Fi, limited electricity, and limited hot water.  It was definitely doable, but don’t expect luxury by any means. 

In addition, it appeared as this tour catered for those in the younger crowd (18-mid 20s). Being in our early-mid 30’s, we were two of the oldest members on the cruise.  This was not necessarily a negative perhaps, but we definitely felt our age!  We did, however, get a lot of recommendations from the others on our tour and traveled to an additional destination because of their expertise.

If partying isn’t your thing (or you want a bit more luxury), there are so many different tour options and cruise companies to ensure you get to see the beauty of the bay!  A bit of research and you’ll easily find a travel experience you’re seeking – there are a ridiculous number of options.

Regardless of what tour you choose, Ha Long Bay is beautiful & should definitely not be missed.  Make sure to take a decent camera to photograph this spectacular scatter of islands!  You can even take a day trip from Hanoi, although I recommend spending a bit more time there for the full experience.

Recommended Ha Long Bay Tours:

• Three Day Ha Long Bay Cruise (with transfers from Hanoi)
• Ha Long Bay and Monkey Island 3-Day Tour from Hanoi
• Two Day Tour of Ha Long Bay + Tuan Chau Theme Park
• LUXURY Two Day Cruise on Ha Long Bay
• Ha Long Bay Full Day from Hanoi with Kayaking and Lunch

Where we stayed: Castaway Island (part of our tour)

• Luxury Accommodation: Royal Lotus Halong Bay (approx. $90/night)
• Budget Accommodation:  Saigon Halong Hotel (approx. $33/night)

Find More Hotels in Halong Here.

Days 7-9: Sapa

After being dazzled by Ha Long Bay, head back to Hanoi to catch an overnight train to Sapa, a destination definitely worth the long trek!

Located up north by the border of China, the town is extremely picturesque and terrace rice paddies graze the landscape.  Swoon!  It really is that fantastic… once you get there!

How to Get to Sapa : Flying into Sapa is not available, but thankfully, both options are quite easy.  You can choose to either take an overnight train or an overnight bus, although I suggest a train as it’s faster (8 hours or so) and apparently safer (says Lonely Planet).

We booked a soft-sleeper berth on the Violette Train, run by VNR (Vietnam National Railways). The berths are bunk-bed style, two sets in each cabin, meaning you will be sharing the sleeping cabin with other people/another couple.  If you aren’t comfortable with those arrangements, there are other sleeping options available. 

You may be wondering about the comfort level of the beds on the train… and thankfully we both got a good night’s sleep despite the fact that the train moves and stops frequently throughout the night!

The train ride to Sapa is about 8-9 hours, and drops you off in a town called Lao Cai.  You will then proceed to transfer to Sapa via bus, which takes roughly 30 minutes. Note that the overnight bus mentioned above goes directly from Hanoi to Sapa, although I cannot comment on the sleeping conditions nor the overall experience.

Where to Stay in Sapa : Definitely go for a home-stay if you’re looking for an authentic Vietnamese cultural experience.  You basically stay in a local family home, eat meals with them, and learn about their everyday life. 

We booked in a village outside of Sapa called Ta Phin, and stayed with a lady named May Kieu and her family, who are part of the Red Dao Hilltribe. Ta Phin is home to 6 different hilltribes and approximately 3,000 people.

We found May through a recommendation from another travel blog, and thankfully booking was easy as she has an English-speaker do all of her reservations.  More information on home-stays in Ta Phin with May can be found here.

May’s home-stay had electricity and modern bathrooms with a hot shower and running water; however, there was no stove, TV, or even couches to sit on.  All hot meals were cooked over fireplace and the furniture was rather basic, with just a wooden table and some chairs. The homes are made of wood and have concrete floors.  

Her beautiful children made up for the lack of all material things.  May and her family were so gracious and she had a lovely home. She and her husband Lua cooked delicious meals for us, accompanied by a delicious homemade Rice Whiskey.

If May’s home-stay is unavailable or you’d like other options, don’t fret, as there are dozens of others.  You don’t even need to book anything ahead of time!  Once you arrive in Sapa, there will be tribe ladies waiting for you asking if you’d like to stay in their homes.   

If you’d prefer to arrange a home-stay ahead of time, an agency is your best bet for bookings.  Most of the tribespeople don’t have internet, and is therefore difficult and sometimes even impossible to book directly through them.   Note that the homes are primarily extremely basic, some even without electricity or hot water, but you’ll hopefully know beforehand. 🙂

• Read Next: The Perfect Sapa Itinerary (plus tons of extra tips)

A Must-Do in Sapa : The herbal bath!  May even took us into the fields and rice paddies to gather our own fresh herbs for the bath!  What an exhilarating experience venturing out with our wicker basket backpacks and pulling the herbs off the trees and ground.  

Once back from the fields, the herbs are then cooked and placed into hot water in a bucket that you sit in.  Our skin felt so nice and rejuvenated after soaking for a bit, which was more than welcome after traveling on the train for so long the day prior!

Recommended Sapa Tours (for ease)

• 2-Day Tour with Homestay in Ta Chai Village
• Sapa 4-Day/3-Night Mountain Bike Tour to Dien Bien Phu
• From Hanoi: Sapa Overnight Tribal Village Trek
• Sapa Easy Trekking Tour 2-Days 3-Nights

A few pointers about Sapa & the overall home-stay experience:

• Make sure you have VND on you (Vietnamese money). There is an entry cost to get into the villages – you must buy a ticket to be allowed into the village. They do not accept credit card.
• Most people in the villages ride motorbikes and they will likely take you back to their homestays on one, so packing light is pretty much necessary. A backpack is recommended because you will be responsible for holding onto your luggage while on the bike.  We have the Osprey Farpoint 55in packs, which also allow you to use them as carry-ons.  The 70in lets you pack more but it is too big to be carry-on luggage and would need to be checked on flights.  We love our Ospreys & they worked perfectly on the motorbikes!

Where we stayed: May Kieu Home-Stay

Other Recommended Accommodations/Hotels:

• Luxury Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge (approx. $140/night) // U Sapa (approx. $114/night)
• Budget Accommodation: Eco Palms House  (approx. $13/night) // Sapa Lodge Hotel (approx. $40/night)

Find More Hotels in Sapa Here.

Say goodbye to Sapa and the traditional homestay experience, one of the most unique experiences we had during our 2 weeks in Vietname, and head off to Hoi An!

Days 10 – 12: Hoi An

After an overnight train back to Hanoi from Sapa, off to the airport we went to catch our (very) spontaneous flight to Hoi An!

Getting to Hoi An : After recommendations from friends we met in Ha Long Bay, we decided to add Hoi An to our two weeks in Vietnam, and thankfully were able to schedule a flight and hotel the day before we intended on leaving. 

Domestic airlines are plentiful in Vietnam, with tons of flights running all day.  You’re usually guaranteed a seat even if booking last minute as the flights rarely fill up, so let your newly acquired Vietnam dreams come true!  Note that you’ll be flying into Da Nang, and taking a 30-minute cab ride to get to Hoi An, as the city has no major airport.

Some of the domestic carriers include: Vietjet, Air Asia, Vietnam Airlines, and Jetstar Pacific.  Make sure to note baggage restrictions.  We flew with Vietjet and had a decent enough experience.

What to do in Hoi An : The city consists of 2 main areas – the beach and the ancient town . The beach is about 5km (3 miles) from the ancient town so you can certainly do both in a short period of time.

(Like Hanoi, crossing streets is challenging here as well in Hoi An, but not as difficult in my opinion.)

The Ancient Town of Hoi An:

• Definitely check out the Japanese Covered Bridge and walk around the ‘Walking Street.’
• At night the streets and shops are lit up with lanterns and the streets turn into a night market, with vendors selling souvenirs, crafts and all the kinds of food you can imagine!
• There are women running boat rides around the river and selling lanterns that you can float down the river (similar to Thailand’s ‘Loy Krathong’ holiday).
• If you’re feeling adventurous, definitely rent a motorbike! This was by the far one of the coolest things we did during our 2 weeks in Vietnam. We drove to the Myson Ancient Ruins, about 40km away.

Recommended Activities and Day Trips in Hoi An:

• Vietnamese Cooking Class at Green Bamboo School
• From Hoi An: Half-Day Trip to Cham Island
• Half Day Marble Mountain + Monkey Island
• My Son Half Day Private Tour from Hoi An

Recommended Accommodations:

• Luxury Accommodation:   Anantara Hoi An Resort (approx. $180/night)
• Budget Alternative Accommodation:  Golden Bell Hoi An Boutique Villa (approx. $28/night)

Find More Hotels in Hoi An Here.

Days 13 & 14: Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta

After an amazing time in Hoi An, we flew from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, which is also known as Saigon.

While Hanoi is more of a culture & shopping city, Ho Chi Minh has way more of a food variety and awesome nightlife! If you are getting sick of the Vietnamese food by this point like we were, HCMC is home to a wide variety of food.

We were able to get delicious pizza, Indian food, and even Tex-Mex! At night, we visited one of the many rooftop bars this city has to offer. We chose Air 360 and it was beautiful! The views of the city were incredible at night and this place provided a 360 degree view, as intended by the name of the bar.

If you like markets, check out Cho Benh Thanh. They sell everything. Seriously, EVERYTHING! (Just don’t try the Durian. Seriously. Don’t do it. You have been warned).

Our last day consisted of a tour of the Mekong Delta. We got picked up from our hotel and traveled about 3 hours for a boat ride down the Mekong and savored some tea tasting. This awesome lady rowed me down the Mekong and let me wear her extra hat!

Recommended Activities in Ho Chi Minh + Mekong Delta

• From Ho Chi Minh: Mekong Delta Small Group Tour
• Half-Day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
• Mekong Delta Day Trip
• Saigon Street Food: 2.5 Hour Evening Tour

Where we stayed: HCMC Bali Boutique Hotel  (approx. $25/night)

• Luxury Accommodation:   Silverland Sakyo Hotel & Spa (approx. $78/night)
• Mid-Budget Accommodation:   Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa  (approx. $50/night)

Find More Hotels in HCMC Here.

Some general information about spending 2 weeks in Vietnam:

• Most hotels will keep your passport when you check in and give it back you at the end of your stay when you check out. This is because the police run checks every night at the hotels and require all to let them know which foreigners are staying there.  It’s standard practice and not really a big deal– if you are apprehensive about leaving your passport, make a copy of it to leave with the hotel front desk instead.  We did this at all hotels during our two weeks in Vietnam and didn’t have any problems.
• Bargain! Bargain! Bargain! If there is something you want but don’t want to pay the asking price, most merchants will bargain with you. If they don’t budge, start walking away– they hate losing business!  Once they see you walk away, they are likely to come down on the price.  Most sellers would rather take less money than lose the sale completely.  We saved quite a bit of money doing this, and while spending two weeks in Vietnam, it definitely can add up!
• Bring a roll of toilet paper with you. No joke.  A lot of bathrooms throughout Vietnam do not have toilet paper in them and if you have to, urhmm, really use the bathroom, you will likely find yourself in a ‘stinky’ situation.
• Approximately 22,705 VND is equal to $1. Everything in Vietnam is super cheap and you’ll feel like a millionaire.

This country is seriously breathtaking! The people are generous and the food is oh so good. While 2 weeks in Vietnam is certainly sufficient to see the country, I wish we had more time to explore because my love affair with this beautiful nation is still brewing.  Beat the masses and get there before everyone and their mother knows about it!

Are you currently planning your Vietnam itinerary?! Think 2 weeks in Vietnam will be enough?

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March 4, 2020 at 1:41 am

Hoping to go to Vietnam for the first time Jan 2021 and this article helped loads! Particularly the links you posted. Thank you so much!

July 7, 2021 at 11:02 am

I live in Vietnam since 2008. It has been closed for tourists since March 2020, which is more then 16 months ago. Foreigners cannot legally enter the country, unless they work as experts in Vietnam. Even then, they will need 3-4 Covid-free tests, work permits, work visas and special approvals from three different governmental bodies, which usually takes 2 to 4 months to obtain. Upon arrival, everybody is transported directly to a 21-day quarantine in specially assigned hotels + 1 week of self-isolation (at their own expense). Only after that they can walk out and move around the country, which is partially in lockdown. My estimate is that Vietnam will not open its borders before mid-2022. Why is anybody publishing these out-of-date articles now, in July 2021, is beyond me.

July 14, 2021 at 12:44 pm

I wrote this post a few years ago! Will still be relevant once Vietnam opens its borders 🙂

July 13, 2021 at 1:34 am

Vietnam is beautiful and hospitable. I hope after the end of the coronavirus pandemic I will visit Ha Long Bay.

April 19, 2022 at 5:52 am

Thank you for sharing your Vietnam adventure. I’m planning to go there in the fall. Any recommendations or advice for solo travelers?

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Vietnam Travel Guide

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

Most people either love or hate traveling in Vietnam. When I first went, there was a negative attitude towards foreign travelers (for good reason), lots of scams, and just not a lot of good vibes. But, since that trip many years ago, the country has changed a lot: it’s embraced tourism, people have opened up more, there’s fewer scams, and Ho Chi Minh City has even become a hub for digital nomads.

From exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi to the delicious food and fancy garments of Hoi An , Vietnam has a lot to see and do so take your time. Don’t rush your trip.

This budget travel guide to Vietnam can help you plan your trip and ensure you make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Vietnam

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in vietnam.

1. Tour the Mekong Delta

The delta is a 60,000-kilometer (37,000-mile) long web of interconnected waterways, which spans three Vietnamese provinces and has been used since the 4th century BCE. What I love about this area is it’s filled with small villages, pagodas, mangroves, and orchards. The best way to experience the area is to go on a boat or bike tour, where you’ll experience rural Vietnamese culture. Some of favorite things include the Cai Rang floating market for the colorful fruits and veggies and vibrant atmosphere; Vinh Trang Pagoda for its impressive golden exterior and lush gardens; and the incredible Sadec Flower Village that is stunning and serene, even if you’re not a flower enthusiast. Spend a few days really getting to know the region outside the hustle and bustle of the cities. Day trips on the river start at around 575,000 VND per person.

2. Wander Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital dates to the 3rd century BCE when it was the capital of the ancient nation of Au Lac. I love to wander around the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. It’s a great place to get a feel for the city as there are tons of vendors, smells of street food, people watching, and bustle. Some of my favorite places to visit include the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Hanoi Water Puppet Theater. Be sure to check out the history museum to learn about French colonialism and Communist rule (from the Vietnamese perspective) as well as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Hanoi is also a good base for doing multi-day tours to Ha Long Bay.

3. Explore Ha Long Bay

This iconic region is home to more than 3,000 islands and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The towering limestone islands are covered in lush jungles and surrounded by calm emerald waters. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s located 2-3 hours from Hanoi and travelers can take multi-day boat cruises around the islands (most are 2-5 days). During the cruise, you’ll visit floating markets, incredible beaches, massive caves, and either sleep onboard your boat or on one of the many islands. Just keep in mind that this area is super popular and is often overcrowded. Cheap tours start around 1,200,000 VND while a mid-range tour costs around 3,000,000-4,500,000 VND. Just remember that you get what you pay for and the cheaper boats might be a bit run down.

4. Hang out in Hoi An

Hoi An was a thriving port city between the 15th and 19th centuries and the architecture is incredibly well preserved (the entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It was easily my favorite place in Vietnam because I loved walking around, taking a thrilling sidecar trip in the countryside, and of course, Vietnamese cooking classes, which are great because you learn to prepare fresh fish caught right there. This place is famous for its tailors so if you’re looking to buy some custom made clothes at an inexpensive price, this is the spot to do it in. They will even ship it back to your home country.

5. Get adventurous in Sapa

This is northern Vietnam’s premier trekking area and it’s hugely popular with all sorts of travelers. Sapa is famous for its hill tribes, lush vegetation, beautiful hiking trails, and breathtaking mountains. If you’re looking to experience the scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities Vietnam has to offer, this is the place. This area is rich in culture because it is comprised of 85% ethnic Vietnamese minority groups that have different colorful traditional dress and unique styles of houses. To avoid the tourists, come during the off-season or take longer hikes to parts the crowds don’t go to.

Other Things to See and Do

1. take a free walking tour.

The first thing I do when I visit a new destination is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and connect with a local guide who can answer all my questions. Both Hanoi and HCMH (the two largest and most popular cities in the country) have a few free tours available that cover the main highlights and are a great primer to the country (Hanoi Free Walking Tours and Saigon Free Day Tours are two companies worth checking out). Just remember to tip your guide at the end!

2. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels

This extensive network of tunnels spans nearly 310 miles (500 kilometers). It was utilized by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Tours involve a description of the tunnels, after which tourists are allowed to crawl about the maze and fire AK47s at shooting targets. It’s a sobering experience and not one meant for anyone claustrophobic. However, if you want to better understand the terror of the Vietnam War, this is a must-visit. Admission is around 100,000 VND per person.

3. Relax or find adventure in Dalat

Dalat is nestled in the hills of the Central Highlands and is popular with tourists who want to relax in the mountain air and those who want to participate in a host of adventure sports (such as rock climbing, ziplining, and rappelling). The hills around Dalat are filled with traditional tribal villages, which you can tour as well. Expect to pay around 2,000,000 VND per person for a full day of ziplining and rappelling around waterfalls.

4. Visit Cuc Phuong National Park

South of Hanoi lies Vietnam’s first National Park, Cuc Phuong. Covering 222 square kilometers (85 square miles), this place is home to over 2,000 species of trees and some truly rare wildlife including the Clouded Leopard, Delacour’s Langur and Owston’s Civet. It was my favorite park in all of Vietnam and the only place I didn’t find hordes of tourists. The entrance fee is 50,000 VND.

5. Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and is definitely worth exploring. Ho Chi Minh is the place to really gain an understanding of French colonialism as well as the US headquarters there during the Vietnam War, which you can learn more about at the War Remnants Museum. Like most cities in Vietnam, you’ll be met with the roar of motorbikes speeding through colonial streets. I loved Ben Thanh Market, which is a must-see for amazing food and there is a great buzz of activity within the place. Don’t miss your chance to get the best Pho soup in Ho Chi Minh, that means some of the best is right on the side of the street.

6. Get active in Mui Ne

Despite being a fishing village, Mui Ne has a significant tourism scene due to its popularity as a wind- and kite-surfing destination. The best highlight for me aside from the beach was riding on the rolling sand dunes similar in size to the Saharan ones and also the Jeep Tour to the Fairy Stream through a canyon, which is not something you get to do very often! Also, don’t miss the 9th-century Po Shanu Cham Towers with beautiful views of the Phan Thiet coastal town. Mui Ne is definitely worth checking out for a day or two when you’re passing by on the bus because it has a nice chill vibe to it, friendly people, and beautiful sunsets.

7. See My Son

My Son is a set of Hindu ruins in Vietnam that date back to the Cham Empire. The Champas ruled over Central Vietnam from the 3rd to the 19th century. The temples here are of incredible historical importance, but they have been largely reclaimed by the surrounding jungle, and have fallen into a great state of disrepair. Don’t come here expecting something as marvelously preserved as Borobudur or Angkor Wat. The entrance fee is 150,000 VND.

8. Visit the caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang

Hang Son Doong is reputed to be the world’s largest cave and is located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It was discovered by a local in 1990, and “rediscovered” by a British caving team in 2009. You can arrange trips to see this stunning cave in all its glory with stalactites and stalagmites, an inner cave forest, and even cave pearls. You’ll be blown away by its beauty. Entrance to the caves is around 150,000 VND per person.

9. Check out the rice terraces

Outside of connections to the Vietnam War, the stereotypical image of Vietnam is of the many rice paddies. You can find these in the Muong Hoa Valley. If you’ve never visited rice terraces, you should make a point to see them in Vietnam. Visit them to learn about rice production and take stunning photographs of the unbelievable Vietnamese countryside. Expect tours to cost around 600,000 VND per person.

10. Relax in Hue

Hue is generally passed by, making it a bit of a quieter stop along the tourist trail. Stroll along the beautiful Perfume River and into the Imperial Citadel. Don’t miss the Tu Hieu Pagoda and the Tombs of the Emperors, which mostly date from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the main tombs to see are the Tomb of Minh Mang, the Tomb of Tu Duc, and the Tomb of Khai Dinh.

11. Take a cooking class

Vietnamese food is delicious and the best way to learn about these incredible dishes is to take a cooking class. You’ll not only learn how to make some of these tasty meals but you’ll get to interact with a local chef who can teach you about their history and cultural significance. Many cooking classes also include a visit to the local market where you’ll shop for ingredients. Prices vary but expect to pay at least 800,000 VND per person.

12. Tour the former DMZ

The Vietnamese Demilitarized zone was the dividing line between the Communist north and anti-Communist south during the Vietnam War. It was in use from 1954 to 1976. These days, you can take a tour of the DMZ from Hue and learn about the conflict from expert guides who were actually involved in the war (or survived it as civilians). You’ll see secret tunnels, learn about military surveillance, and get insight about the conflict from a perspective not often shown in the media. Full-day tours from Hue start around 2,500,000 VND.

13. Buy a motorbike

If you’re an adventurous traveler, buy a motorbike and drive the length of the country. This is considered the best way to travel Vietnam by veteran backpackers who like to get off the beaten path. You can buy bikes in Hanoi or HCMC at either end of the country and then make your way to the opposite end, stopping along the way over the course of a few weeks. While it’s not for everyone, this mode of travel offers the most freedom as you’ll be able to visit a lot of places that the buses and trains don’t stop at. You can buy a bike for as little as 4,800,000 VND, and then you can sell it once your trip is done to recoup some of the cost. There are always backpackers looking to buy a bike in HCMC and Hanoi.

14. Sample the local coffee

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer (after Brazil) exporting a whopping 1.5 million tons of it per year (after rice, it’s their biggest export). Even if you don’t drink coffee (I don’t), trying fresh coffee here is a must. Whether you just hop arounds cafes, do a tasting experience in Hanoi of HCMC, or head out to one of the many coffee plantations, learning about this vital crop (and also sampling it fresh) is an experience not to be missed. Expect a half-day plantation tour (with lots of samples) to cost around 700,000 VND.

For more information on specific cities in Vietnam, check out the following guides:

• Hanoi Travel Guide
• Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide
• Hoi An Travel Guide
• Nha Trang Travel Guide

Vietnam Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels start at around 100,000 VND per night for a dorm room. These can be a bit rustic and no-frills. For a hostel with more amenities, such as free breakfast or a a free happy hour (as well as improved cleanliness), expect to pay double. Private rooms cost at least 350,890-425,000 VND per night for a double room. Most hostels include free Wi-Fi, and many also include free breakfast or free beer during certain hours of the day. Self-catering facilities are not very common since eating out is so cheap.

For those traveling with a tent, wild camping is not legal in Vietnam. While it is still possible to do as enforcement is sparse (especially if you’re sleeping in a hammock), I also wouldn’t recommend it. Insects and animals can be an issue, there are lots of landmines still undiscovered out in the brush, and robbery can occur. Stay safe and stick to hostels.

For a budget hotel with a double bed, expect to pay around 225,000 VND per night. This usually includes free Wi-Fi and free breakfast.

On Airbnb, a private room costs at least 325,000 VND per night. For an entire home or apartment, prices begin around 600,000 VND. Prices double when not booked in advance so plan accordingly

Food – Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavorful, and uses a lot of herbs and vegetables. Rice and noodle dishes are common as are various soups such as the iconic pho (a beef noodle soup). Wonton soup, meat curry, fresh French bread (known as bahn me , and grilled fish are just some of the popular dishes you’ll encounter. Standard ingredients include fish sauce, lemongrass, chili, lime, Thai basil, and mint.

You can get a bowl of pho or a rice dish for 20,000 VND. Street food is the cheapest and the most delicious food option in the country.

Most sit-down restaurants are also inexpensive at around 45,000-95,000 VND. The fancier (and more touristy) the restaurant, the more expensive.

Western food is also more expensive, usually around 110,000 VND for a fast food meal, so skip it if you’re on a budget.

If you want to splash out on a fancy three-course meal, expect to spend around 250,000 VND.

A liter of water at a convenience store is about 15,000 VND, while beer or soda is about 20,000-35,000 VND.

For those looking to cook their own meals, expect to pay at least 400,000 VND per week for basic groceries. Be sure to shop at the local markets to get the cheapest and freshest food. That being said, food is so cheap in the country that it’s simply easier – and cheaper – to just eat street food, especially as most hostels and hotels don’t have shared kitchens.

Backpacking Vietnam Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, you can visit Vietnam for 600,000 VND per day. This budget covers a stay in a large hostel dorm, eating street food for all of your meals, limiting your drinking, taking the bus, and doing free activities in each destination. If you plan on drinking, add another 20,000-40,000 VND to your daily budget.

A mid-range budget of about 1,125,000 VND per day covers staying in a cheap hotel, eating street food and at the occasional sit-down restaurant, enjoying a few more drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid activities such as museum visits and water upper shows.

On an upscale budget of 2,460,000 VND, you can stay in a nice hotel, eat out for all your meals anywhere you want, enjoy lots of drinks, and more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want, including a multi-day trip to Ha Long Bay. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Vietnam Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Vietnam is a very affordable country. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest in Southeast Asia. Even with the explosion of tourism in the last few years, it still remains very affordable. You’ll be hard pressed to spend money if you’re sticking to non-Western food, cocktails, and hotels. However, if you’re looking to travel even cheaper and save some money, here are some tips:

• Eat delicious street food – The street food here is excellent and cheap, and you can watch it being cooked in front of you. Stick to the local food and you’ll save money. The street-side pho, bread, sandwiches, donuts, and bananas are your best deals.
• Late-night travel – If traveling on long journeys, try to take the late-night “sleeper” buses or trains as these will save you the cost of a night’s accommodation. Depending on the company, you may even have a chance to comfortably lie flat as you ride through the dark countryside to your next destination.
• Take the tourist bus – It is actually cheaper to take the tourist bus around the country than taking local transportation because of the “tourist” price you get at the bus station. Tickets from one end of the country to another are very affordable.
• Fly for cheap – Vietnam’s low-cost airlines VietJet and FlyVietnam are extremely inexpensive. This is a great option for people with limited time to explore different regions of Vietnam. Both airlines frequently offer special deals and at the time of writing this, Hanoi to Da Nang is just 820,000 VND!
• Bargain hard – Tourists tend to be charged more than locals for everything from cyclos (a three-wheel bicycle taxi) to clothes to street food. Bargain harder than you would ordinarily, and don’t underestimate the value of walking away.
• Avoid paying tourist prices – Before you leave the hostel, ask them to estimate how much what you want to do should cost. How much should a ride to the museum cost? How much should I pay to have a gown like this made? They will be able to give you bargaining guidelines.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in Hanoi is not safe to drink. To save money and reduce your plastic use, bring a reusable water bottle with you. LifeStraw make a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can be sure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Vietnam

To help you save money on accommodation, here’s a list of my recommended hostels and budget hotels in Vietnam:

• Mad Monkey (Hoi An)
• Hoi An Golden Holiday Hotel (Hoi An)
• Little Hanoi Hostel (Hanoi)
• San Palace Hotel & Spa (Hanoi)
• Hanoi House Hostel & Travel (Hanoi)
• Ccasa Hostel & Coffee Bar (Nha Trang)
• The Hideout (HCMC)
• Orchid’s Saigon Hotel (HCMC)

How to Get Around Vietnam

Public transportation – Larger cities in Vietnam (such as Hanoi and HCMC) have reliable and safe public transportation. In Hanoi, there are buses that cover most of the city and generally have stops near all the major tourist sites. Tickets are paid for in cash on the bus and generally cost 7,000-15,000 VND depending on how far you go. HCMC also has a large network of buses, with tickets costing up to 10,000 VND (again, depending on how far you travel).

Cyclos (a bicycle rickshaw) is one of the cheapest ways to get around. A short ride costs as little as 12,000 VND, while a longer night ride costs upwards of 40,000 VND. A more popular option is the ze om , a motorbike taxi that has fares starting from 15,000 VND. You’ll have to hold on tight though (and make sure you wear a helmet as accidents are common).

Train – A lot of people love taking the train in Vietnam because it’s safe, affordable, and comfortable and, although some routes might be slow, you’ll get some amazing views of the Vietnamese countryside. The rail network also covers most of the country, so you can get just about everywhere you want to go (except the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta). You can use the website Baolau to research train schedules and book your tickets. A train journey between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi (which spans the entire length of the country) starts at 1,000,000 VND for a soft seat (not a berth). The journey takes three days. Hanoi to Hue costs around 600,000 VND and takes around 13 hours while HCMC to Nha Trang costs around 500,000 VND and takes 8 hours.

Bus – It’s easy to find long-distance hop on, hop off bus tours running the length of Vietnam. You can hop on or off at any stop along the way. They cater to tourists, but locals actually use this service too since it’s super affordable. Prices depend on route and operator but generally, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh is between 815,000-1,600,000 VND.

Flying – Flying domestically in Vietnam is a good idea if you’re looking to fit a lot into a shorter trip. For example, a flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes two hours while the train ride would take at least 30 hours. One-way flights around the country start at around 590,000 VND.

Car rental – Vietnam is very easy to navigate by bus, so I don’t really suggest renting a car here — especially because traffic in the cities is very hectic and accidents are common. That said, car rentals are affordable, costing around 500,000 VND per day. An IDP (International Driving Permit) is required. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Vietnam

In the southern part of Vietnam, the dry season lasts from December to late April/May while the rainy season occurs from May to the end of November. The rainy season usually just means brief heavy downpours in the afternoon, although sometimes the Mekong Delta will flood. The dry season is the best time to visit but keep in mind that it’s winter up north and it’s going to be a lot colder in the north than the south. Rainy season isn’t that bad either but, like the name implies, it rains a lot.

May through November is still a good time to visit. Temperatures rarely dip below 20°C (68°F), but they can sometimes get as high as 40°C (104°F) in the hottest months (March to the end of May). The south especially gets very hot and humid during this time but it’s perfect beach weather!

Along the central coast, the rainfall pattern differs quite a bit. In the northern part of the region (like Hué and Da Nang), the rain lasts from September to February. February to May is the best time to visit this area. Temperatures soar from June to August, often in the high 30s°C (80s°F).

In Northern Vietnam, the weather is most pleasant from October to December.

The weather in Vietnam varies so much per region so it’s hard to pick the best time to go. But generally, it’s recommended to visit sometime between September-December and March-April if you’re hoping to get an overall experience in the country.

How to Stay Safe in Vietnam

Vietnam is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel. Violent crime is really, really rare. Petty theft is the most likely thing to happen to you here. Always keep your valuables secure when out and about just to be safe. Lock your windows and use common safety sense, especially in bars at night and in touristy areas.

Traffic in the major cities (specifically Hanoi) is super hectic and there are virtually no rules of the road. There are also millions of motorbikes and scooters here (literally). For that reason, take extra caution when crossing the street. It’s best to just walk as directly and calmly as possible and let the traffic weave around you. If you’re not comfortable doing that alone, follow locals when they cross.

If renting a bike or riding on the back of one, make sure you always wear a helmet. Accidents are incredibly common here, both in the traffic-heavy cities but also in rural areas where roads can be less than optimal.

There are some common scams in Vietnam, such as the motorbike scam where vendors try to charge you for pre-existing damage to your bike rental. When renting anything, take photos and videos beforehand just in case.

Be sure to always count your change. The money is similar looking here so oftentimes people will “mistakenly” give you the wrong change hoping you won’t notice that the 200,000 VND bill you just got is actually only 20,000. Always count your change here!

Most scams here are really just people trying to try to nickel and dime you and try to get you to spend extra money since they know, as a tourist, you have more than they do. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Use common sense when using dating apps while traveling and meet in public places.

Street food here is very safe, but whenever you’re not sure of where to eat simply find somewhere where there are locals eating. If it’s good (and safe) enough for them, you should be fine. Avoid meat that looks uncooked or that has been out in the sun too long. Always wash your hands before and after eating just to be safe.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Be sure to make copies of your important documents in case of theft.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Vietnam Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Vietnam Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Vietnam travel and continue planning your trip:

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

Biking the Mekong Delta in Vietnam

Why I’ll Never Return to Vietnam

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

TRAVEL to VIETNAM – Tips and Information Guide (2024 Edition)

Everything you need to know about travel to Vietnam in our comprehensive 2024 Vietnam travel guide.

We get it. You’re wondering what the absolute best destination to travel in Southeast Asia is.

You’ve spent hours researching.

Talked to friends.

Scoured the internet for blogs.

Watched YouTube videos.

And you’ve finally realised something.

Without a doubt, Vietnam is the place for you.

And trust us, as a couple that have travelled the world for over a decade, we think you’ve made the right decision.

There’s a reason Vietnam is our all-time favourite country…

From the tropical coral reefs of Nha Trang to the northern mountains of Sa Pa, travel to Vietnam is one of the most adventurous yet culturally empowering experiences you can have.

One moment you will find yourself haggling for  banh mi  deep within Saigon and later that day you could be watching a breathtaking sunset from the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam is more than a country. It’s an experience.

You’ll find yourself immersed among street food vendors cooking up exotic cuisines such as  pho  along streets with stores selling suits and ties.

Or you’ll be cruising the waters of Halong Bay while monkeys jump from island to island.

Or you might find yourself trekking to the highest peak in Vietnam, Fansipan soaring to over 3,100 metres!

Not into adventure activities? Homestays are the perfect way to spend your day as the monsoon rains fall across the endless snaking rivers of the Mekong.

Vietnamese hospitality is unrivalled and is something that you should experience once in your life, so what are you waiting for? Say good morning Vietnam! And go get lost!

So we’ve convinced you to travel to Vietnam? Awesome!

Now check out the basic information about the country in our Vietnam travel guide.

25 BEST Things to Do in Hue, Vietnam (2024 Edition)

The perfect vietnam itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 weeks, canyoning in dalat – what it is really like, travelling in vietnam: at a glance.

Here are the basics about travel to Vietnam.

OTHER MAIN CITIES:

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Da Nang, Hue

Vietnamese Dong (see  current exchange rate ). 1USD approximately = 23,000 dong. 1 beer = 30,000 dong ($1.30USD)

ENTRY / VISA:

Travellers from most countries in the world are required to have visas. In most cases these can be obtained upon arrival for either 3 or 6 months. For information about your specific visa requirements click  here.

Vietnam is fairly safe for travellers. Petty theft tends to be the biggest concern and always be on the lookout for taxi scams. Also of concern are minor auto/motorbike accidents. This is one place it’s great to have travel insurance when visiting.

ELECTRICITY:

220 Volt at 50Hz. Power plugs – Type A: 2 vertical pins, Type C: 2 round pins, Type F (also known as Schuko plug): 2 round pins (Be sure to get your  universal travel adapter  before you leave)

TRANSPORTATION:

Intercity travel is possible by plane, train and bus. Within cities, towns and villages you can expect to get around on bicycle rickshaws, motorbike taxes, taxis and bus.

Don’t Forget to Pack the Most Important Thing: Travel Insurance !

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN VIETNAM

With so much to see and do in Vietnam, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate Vietnam you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Take the Overnight Train from Hanoi to Sapa

Said to be one of the most eye-opening train rides in the world, as you pass through lush forests, rice paddy fields on your way to the Vietnamese – Chinese border.

Book your  train ticket here .

Hike Through the Rice Terraces of Sapa

Explore the area with the local hill tribes. Stay with them during your trek. And enjoy the beautiful terraced countryside for which Sapa is known.

Here’s our full post about  trekking in Sapa .

Cruise the Mekong Delta

Probably one of the ‘must do’s of Vietnam.’ The Mekong Delta is full of hidden gems including floating markets, friendly locals and late afternoon storms.

Book a multiday  tour of the Mekong Delta

Go Caving in Phong Nha

Caves there can fit a 747 plane in it. They are massive and spectacular. This is an adventure you will never forget.

Book your  Phong Nha cave tour

Ride a Motorcycle

Yes, that’s right! Hiring a motorcycle or scooter is a must. But maybe do it out on the country roads. Opt for the famous ride to the mountain village of Dalat, or pretty much anywhere throughout the country.

Read about how to ride through the famous  Hai Van Pass

Other Things to do in Vietnam

Learn to cook Vietnamese food . Eating delicious Vietnamese food is one thing. Eating it after you’ve  learned to prepare it  is another!

Scuba dive  in Nha Trang. You may not think of Vietnam as a big scuba location, but there is  some great diving  to be had in Nha Trang.

Go canyoning  in Dalat. Rappel, slide, jump and  climb your way through canyons  in this gorgeous place!

Explore the Marble Mountains  in Da Nang.  These beautiful mountains  have been mined for marble for years and have incredible views and temples to visit along the way.

Sandboard down the sand dunes  in Mui Ne. It’s like snowboarding, but down massive sand dunes! Enjoy this rush!

Visit the Giants Causeway  in Ghan Da Dia. Half the world away from the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, be amazed at  this unique geologic structure .

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels  outside of Ho Chi Minh City. No trip to HCMC is complete without  touring these historic tunnels  that were used during the war.

Conquer the Hoi An Pass on a motorbike . This is known as one of the most beautiful sections of highway in the world. Enjoy!

Explore the world’s biggest cave . We have a special connection with  Hang Son Doong  as it is where we were engaged. Make your own special moment too!

Climb the highest mountain in Indochina  in Sapa. Fansipan is over 3,000m above sea level and  offers incredible views  along the way to the top!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE  OTHER AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN   VIETNAM

READ MORE...

A First-Timer’s Guide to Trekking in Sapa

The 11 Best Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam (2024 Guide)

33 BEST Things to Do in Vietnam (Epic 2024 Guide)

10 BEST Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam (2024 Guide)

Scuba Diving In Nha Trang – Is It Worth It?

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Vietnam. Depending on your interests, trip duration and time of year you will find plenty of things to do during any length of stay. 

When slurping a bowl of pho in a local market or exploring an ancient temple, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine in Ho Chi Minh City.

A collection of over 3,000 limestone islands providing endless kayaking opportunities. Take the time to relax aboard a boat or venture to Cat Ba National Park for mystical waterfalls!

Book your  tour of Halong Bay

The capital of Vietnam is also one of the most ancient capitals in the world. The history of Hanoi is rich, devastating and full of legends. This mystical city is also known for its cuisine, silk, buzzing nightlife as well as cultural diversity.

Plan your 3-day  Hanoi itinerary

My Son Temple

Ancient temples dating back 1,000 years give a culture understanding into Vietnam’s past all while showing the scars of the war.

Book an early morning  tour of My Son

For more information on specific things to do in the top places to visit in Vietnam, reference our following city travel guides: 

Ho Chi Minh City:

*  Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary *  Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City

*  Hanoi Itinerary * Day Trips From Hanoi

Dalat Hoi An

Da Nang Hue Ninh Binh

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AWESOME PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM. 

BEST VIETNAM TRAVEL ITINERARY

We’ve put together a few Vietnam itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit. 

There are so many amazing things to do in Vietnam that planning an itinerary for your travel can be a little overwhelming. 

Even though the country is one united nation, you can think of it geographically as being divided into a northern and southern region.

So depending on how much time you have, you may want to explore the northern region, southern region or the entire country.

Of course, no one-size-fits-all plan will suffice. But if we were to head back to Vietnam these are the top places and things that we would want to do! 

1-Week Vietnam Travel Itinerary Highlights

Most people spend at least a month went hey travel to Vietnam. But if you had just one week, or were willing to split a few weeks between the northern and southern regions, this is how we’d spend our time! 

Northern Vietnam

• Fly into Hanoi
• 2 nights – Hanoi
• 2 nights –  Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay
• 2 nights  – Sapa
• Alternative to Sapa  –  2 night in Hue
• Fly out of Hanoi

Central Vietnam

• Fly into Hanoi or HCMC. Get a local flight down to Dong Hoi
• 3 nights  – Phong Nha
• 2 nights  – Hue
• 2-3  nights  – Hoi An
• Fly out of Da Nang to either Hanoi or HCMC to leave

South Vietnam

• Fly into Ho Chi Minh City
• 2 nights  – Ho Chi Minh City
• 2 nights –  Mekong Delta
• 2 nights –  Dalat
• 1 night –  Mui Ne
• Fly out of Ho Chi Minh City

READ MORE: Check out this post for more details on our  Vietnam travel itinerary . 

VIETNAM TRIP PLANNING

Best time to visit vietnam.

The best time to travel to Vietnam really depends on what you are looking for in terms of weather, scenery and budget.

Peak season occurs from mid-December through to February. But expect prices to double during this time. The low season is perfect for those on a budget.

• Low Season –  April to June, September to November
• Shoulder Season –  December to March
• High Season –  July & August

Northern Vietnam  –  The best months to travel Northern Vietnam are April to May or September to October. There are mostly sunny days and the rain has stopped.

The weather gets really cold from December to March and is not suited for hiking or sailing a junk boat in Halong Bay that time of year.

Central Vietnam –  The best months for travel to Central Vietnam are January to June. There are heavy rains in October and November and the really hot months are from May to August.

Southern Vietnam  –  The best months to explore Southern Vietnam are January to April where conditions are beautiful.

You really can travel the south at any time of the year. Just note that from May to November there are afternoon downpours.

VIETNAM TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDELINE

Vietnam is a cheap country to travel if you want it to be, this all depends on what your budget is like. Our advice is always over-budget when making plans, and if you come home with money, it can go towards your next trip. All prices below are in USD per day.

Budgeting Tips

To make your money go further here are a few tips: 

• Eat street food as often as possible. You can usually fill up for $1-2USD.
• Travel in groups when possible. Staying in hostels will lead to making friends. And with friends, you can split transportation costs and barter on other expenses.
• Negotiate taxi fares before taking the ride. Vietnamese taxi drivers are notorious for flexible fares that tend to fall int heir favor. Don’t be afraid of a little negotiation.
• Drink  bia hoi . Sure it’s not the more delightful beer. But it is shipped in fresh each day, it’s cheap and it’s what the local drink.
• Take in the sights for free. Do a little research and walk the streets on your own. You’ll also find there are a number of free tours and other opportunities if you ask around.
• Sleep on overnight busses for longer trips. Combine the transportation and accommodation line items of your budget and save a few dollars.

But there are a few things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.

Note: Budgets shown as Single Traveller / Couples per day. 

Budget Traveller ($35 Single / $50 Couples)

If you are on a backpacker budget and planning on staying in dorm rooms, getting street food, drinking a few nights of the week, I would budget for about $35 a day.

A single hostel bed can be $5-$8 per person. A budget basic private room is $15-$20. A street food meal can be $1-$2. A bottle of beer is about $1- $1.50 and a  bia hoi  is $0.20 per cup. This is not the nicest beer. But it is passable and you get to make new friends when drinking it.

Walking or taking public transport will keep your budget down. There are many free things to do, you just need to think outside the box.

Mid-Range Traveller ($100 Single / $120 Couple)

If you have a little more cash in your budget your travels in Vietnam will become a lot more comfortable.

A nicer hotel is definitely affordable.

There are restaurants where you will pay more than the street food price. But the food is definitely of nicer quality (most of the time). The local beer can get a little too much sometimes so you will be able to enjoy an international beer or wine.

For the attractions you are most interested in, get a guide and learn more about the history of the country. You’ll be able to commit much more of your budget to do things rather than cutting corners just to stay alive.

Luxury Traveller ($90+ Single / $120+ Couple)

You don’t have to have that much more to enjoy a luxury trip to Vietnam. With a few more dollars in your budget, a nicer hotel is definitely affordable. Eat and drink anything you would like at virtually any restaurant.

You can hire transportation without having to haggle. And you can pretty much do any tour you would like to do when visiting any part of Vietnam.

GETTING TO AND AROUND VIETNAM

Entry requirements.

Most travellers are required to have visas when travelling to Vietnam, which can typically be arranged upon arrival. You are typically allowed to stay for 3 – 6 months, depending on nationality.

For information about your specific visa requirements click  here

Additionally, Vietnam has introduced an electronic visa (e-visa), which costs $25 USD and is granted for single entry visits for up to 30 days.

You no longer will have to apply through an agent to get an invitation letter or queue at the airport immigration for hours waiting to receive your visa upon arrival.

Apply in advance  here .

Once you are approved, all you need to do is print the visa out and present it on entry to Vietnam. Don’t lose this e- visa print out as you will need this during your travels in Vietnam.

Hotels will ask for it on check-in at the accommodation and travel agents may ask for it if you are booking flights.

Also, print out your  travel insurance  as well. Immigration will ask for this also as they want to know you are covered if you fall ill or get injured during your stay.

Getting to Vietnam

There are a number of different ways to travel to Vietnam, depending on where you are coming from and how you like to get around with transport.

There are a lot of different airlines that fly to Vietnam from all over the world. There are two major international airports in Vietnam: Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Noi Bai Airpot (HAN) in Hanoi in the north.

Direct flights to Vietnam from Australia, Europe and North America are still limited, but it is improving. You will most likely have to book a flight with a stopover in either Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul or Singapore.

There are many domestic airports scattered among the country. Vietnam Airlines is Vietnam’s national carrier. We have flown with them several times and they are amazing.

You can cross into Vietnam by train from China, all the way from Beijing to Ping Xian. This is the Dong Dang Crossing which is 160km from Hanoi.

After you have crossed the border hop on a train to Hanoi. Don’t buy the direct ticket from Beijing to Hanoi. It works out cheaper to buy your ticket from Beijing to Ping Xian then cross the border and purchase another ticket from Dong Dang to Hanoi.

If you do the train trip from Beijing through to Hanoi, it will take 36 hours so it is best to book a sleeper. Make sure you have your visa organised before getting to the border.

You can bring your own food and drinks for the train or purchase them from the cafeteria on board. There are squat toilets on board and areas to store your luggage.

You can get to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City through either the Cambodia, Laos or China borders. There is a route from Vientiane (Laos) to Hanoi, and one from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City.

Most travel agents in Vientiane, Siem Reap or Phnom Penh will sell the tickets or at your accommodation. You can also get a minivan from Guangzhou through to Hanoi.

Make sure you have your visa ready. The border crossings by land may not be set up as well as others.

If you want to book any of your bus trips online rather than trying to deal with travel agencies in the country, you can do so on the popular website  Bookaway .

Getting Around Vietnam

Getting around Vietnam is surprisingly easy. Public transport goes everywhere, and there are plenty of moto-taxis that are happy to take you to the places that public transport won’t reach.

Travelling by Air

The fastest way to get around the country, of course, is by air. There are many domestic airports all over the country and you can fly in from major cities.

You can get cheap flights within the country through VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines. For the best deals head directly on the airline’s website.

Travelling by Taxi, Tuk Tuk Or Mototaxi

When you are in the cities and town catching a taxi, tuk-tuk or moto-taxi can be the best way to get around. For taxi companies, look for the biggest and most reputable companies as you can be ripped off.

For the tuk-tuks, ask your accommodation the average price to your destination so you can agree on a price with the driver.

We recommend Uber and Grab (car or motorbike) which you can use an app and get the price.

Travelling by Bus

It is possible and advisable to travel by bus throughout Vietnam. Busses inside of cities can be complicated and should be a last resort.

However, when travelling long distances in Vietnam busses are a great option. This is especially true if you take night busses and sleep during the ride.

Travelling by Motorbike

We think travelling by motorbike is the best way to see Vietnam if you have the time. Buy your own motorbike and ride the length of the country. Or you can choose one area and explore Northern Vietnam or South Vietnam.

Here’s our post to help guide you on  how to buy a motorbike in Vietnam .

Travelling by Train

Taking the train is a great way to get around the country. They are great for overnight journeys as the trains have bed cabins.

In Vietnam, there are many places with roadwork that can last for years. So trains can be the best way to go.

APPS AND TECHNOLOGY

We know you’ll absolutely love travelling in Vietnam. But technology has made it easier, more affordable and safer to travel than ever.

Here are a few apps we think you should definitely acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:

Grab  – Use this app to catch a ride from any metro area in Vietnam.

XE Currency  – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around. 

Express VPN  – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in [Country]. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel. 

iTranslate  – Even if you don’t know more than a handful of Vietnamese words, iTranslate will help you communicate as you travel in Vietnam. 

WiFi Finder  – With this app, you no longer have to guess whether the next place on your itinerary has WiFi or scramble across town looking for hot spots.

BEST THINGS TO EAT IN VIETNAM

When you travel to a foreign country one of the new and most exciting things you will experience is the food. There are so many amazing food choices in Vietnam, and Vietnamese food is delicious.

Here are a few of our favourites.

Goi Cuon:  This is a rice paper packed with greens, coriander and various combinations of minced or shredded pork, shrimp or crab. It will be served with a sweet and sour sauce or a delicious homemade peanut sauce.

Sometimes to make the experience even better, you get to hand roll them yourself. This was our favourite dish.

Banh Mi:  With this one, it will be different in every corner of Vietnam. This is a baguette sandwich that is filled with meat, greens, pata, pickled vegetables, soy sauce, cilantro and sometimes an omelet.

The meat filling will be roasted pork belly, grilled pork loin, barbecue pork, boiled chicken, or a fried egg.

Pho (pronounced ‘fur’):  This flat rice noodle soup is either light beef or chicken broth flavoured with coriander and ginger with spring onions and bits of meat (chicken, pork or beef).

It is a dish you can have any time of the day and is delicious, but it can be hit and miss in some places. If you have an average one, please do try it again. We ate pho a lot for breakfast and never got sick of it.

Bun Cha:  This is a Hanoi specialty and it is deliciously addictive. Bun Cha is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles. It will be served with a sauce.

It will all be served separately and you combined everything together. You can ask for some little fried spring rolls on top too. It is so delicious!

Coa Lau:  Hoi An is the best (and only authentic) place to try this one. as the noodles are made using water from a special well in town.

It is chewy rice flour noodles with Chinese barbecue pork, bean sprouts, croutons and fresh herbs in a delicious pork-based gravy.

PLACES TO STAY IN VIETNAM

There are accommodation options for all budgets in Vietnam. You can stay in a shared dorm for $5 USD per night, or a luxury hotel for over $300 USD.

The accommodation standards can vary in each destination.

For example, we got a really nice hotel in the middle of nowhere when we were on our bike for $12 a night. But we would not find a place like this in Hanoi, Hoi An, HCMC or Hue for less than $25.

NOTE –  In Vietnam, the accommodation will keep your passport for the duration of your stay. This is to do with the government. Officials will randomly come around and check hotels and hostels.

If they do not have the ID or passport of every person staying there, the accommodation will be fined. The accommodation will keep your passport in a safe. If you are unsure just ask, “do you lock my passport up?”

Types of Accommodations

Vietnam is wildly popular among backpackers. Because the costs are generally incredibly low, budget travellers flock to the country.

This means that there are lots of great hostel options when looking for accommodations in Vietnam.

Whether you are busy spending all your time exploring and are just looking for a cheap place to crash for the night or want to make friends along the way, you will find most of what you are looking for in a variety of hostels throughout Vietnam.

Because costs are generally lower in Vietnam than in most parts of the world your quality of life can go up quite a bit when you travel to Vietnam.

One way you can upgrade your travel experience is by booking rooms in hotels instead of beds in hostels. For a few dollars more you’ll get vastly more space and privacy.

In some towns and villages, hotels are your only option.

But generally, these are very reasonably priced. You can expect to spend USD$20-30 for a decent hotel room in most cities, towns and villages across Vietnam.

Another good option in recent years is AirBnB, and there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay in Vietnam for very affordable prices every day.

As is typical in many destinations where Airbnb accommodations are available, you’ll likely find great value and a little more personal space with an Airbnb stay. 

If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before,  sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Vietnam

We travelled from the south to the north and stayed in many different places. Here are a few accommodation options we highly recommend.

VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS

The Vietnamese people are friendly, welcoming and hospitable towards travellers. It is a great destination to travel to in Southeast Asia.

The people are very respectful and would like the same back from you. Here are a few things that you should know before going to Vietnam.

GENERAL VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS 

While we have  many basic travel tips  we suggest you use when travelling to Vietnam, there are also plenty of Vietnam-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be. 

Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit Vietnam: 

Please show respect to their religious beliefs and their cultures . You are travelling to someone else’s country. They have different religious beliefs and cultures in your home. Please respect them.

Watch your belongings.  Vietnam is a safe country but unfortunately, there still is petty theft. Whether you are at a restaurant or on a bus always watch your belongings.

Beware of the counterfeit tour agencies . Unfortunately, there are plenty of these around, especially in the main tourist areas. Book through the main owner or operator or any of  these tours that we recommend .

Do not drink the tap water.  The locals don’t even drink the water. There is bottled water available everywhere. Popular tourist restaurants will usually have on their menu that they wash their salad and veggies in sterilised water and make tea, coffee and soup from that too.

Carry toilet paper everywhere . There are toilets available in restaurants or in public but there may not be toilet paper. Most of the time you have to pay for the public toilet and they may give you some toilet paper, but don’t count on it. Always have your stash.

Toilet paper goes in the bin . DO NOT put the toilet paper in the toilet. Please put it into the bin provided. Vietnam’s sewerage systems are not built for much more than human waste so toilet paper and other items will just clog up your toilet.

Embrace the “bum gun “. Next to every toilet in Vietnam, there is a water hose. This is not to wash down the floor. This is to clean yourself up after you do your business. Don’t be disgusted by this. Embrace it.

Vietnam is bigger than you think . This country is huge and many people underestimate it. Vietnam is about 1,650 kilometres long from north to south. The distance on buses and trains is long so be prepared.

Take note of the Vietnamese money . It will be a new currency for you so do take a look at it before you go out spending. There are more zeros in it than you might be used to (1USD = 23,000 Dong)

Always take photos when you rent a scooter . Renting a scooter in Vietnam is something everyone does. It is a great way to get around and see all the attractions. But where you rent it from can get you into trouble. Whenever you rent a scooter take photos of the bike or else might end up with a crazy expensive bill.

Always wear a helmet. Always . Please wear a helmet. The roads are crazier here than they are in your country. The rules are different and road conditions are not the best. A quality helmet could save your life in an accident.

Make sure you have travel insurance . We tell people who are going travelling, “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” You do not know what is going to happen while you are away and knowing you are covered will put your mind at ease.

Be confident when crossing the road . The roads in Vietnam are crazy. Crossing the road can be daunting but you need to be confident. Do not walk backward or hesitate. Walk slowly and watch the traffic coming towards you. They will all move around you.

Take your shoes off before entering a temple or a person’s home . It is a custom that stems back to ancient times and a big part comes back to cleanliness. The ground is used for chatting, dining and even sleeping.

Cover your shoulders and knees when entering a temple . This is common in most religious sites. There are always signs suggesting visitors dress ‘appropriately.’ Shoulders and knees should be covered. If it is a hot day and a t-shirt is too sticky, carry a scarf for when you visit to cover your shoulders.

Keep a low profile . Do not be loud, raise your voice in aggression or show off. Do not show dramatic affection publicly like kissing. Save it for the hotel room

Ask for permission before taking a photo of someone . This is polite and ensures you are not intruding on them. The people are not there for your entertainment. If they say no, smile and thank them anyway.

Do not take photos of anything to do with the government or military.  This is a big NO in any country and can end up with you in jail.

Do not touch someone on the head . The head is the most important part of the body. Touching someone’s head who you don’t know is like saying you are more important than they are.

Place your chopsticks across the top of the bowl when finished . Don’t have your chopsticks hanging out of the bowl, and don’t point them at anyone when they are resting on the plate.

VIETNAM PACKING LIST

We always travel with a  core packing list  wherever we go. And when it comes to Vietnam, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you. 

Check out our  travel essentials  and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below. 

Important Note!  Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.

Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is  World Nomads .

TRAVEL INSURANCE. SIMPLE & FLEXIBLE.

Which countries or regions are you traveling to, what’s your country of residence, enter traveler’s age, staying safe in vietnam.

Vietnam is extremely safe, apart from the one major danger which is the roads. They are crazy, even more so if you try to ride 10’000km around the country on motorbikes as we did!

Aside from that, common sense will keep you safe.

Here are a few reminders of what common sense when travelling in Vietnam means:

As you saw above, Vietnam is extremely safe. We did not feel unsafe once in the 7 months we were there (excluding the roads).

This doesn’t mean you can completely let your guard down though, and petty theft does happen in this country, although it’s not common.

Some tips for protecting your things:

In other words, use common sense and you’ll be fine.

STAYING CONNECTED IN VIETNAM

Staying connected with friends and family (and work) when travelling in Vietnam is important. But if you don’t know how to connect you can find yourself greatly inconvenienced or spending too much money.

We feel like your money will go a lot further if you consider a few options. 

Purchase a SIM Card

Picking up a SIM card has become the quickest and typically most affordable way to stay connected in Vietnam or any country for that matter.

If you have an unlocked phone you can use a 4G SIM card to connect to the cellular networks in Vietnam. From there you can cast a hot spot if you need to crank out some work on your computer or want to connect a tablet.

This 3G/4G SIM card  is a great and affordable option for a SIM card if you are flying into Vietnam.

Rent a Portable WiFi Device

Alternatively to a SIM card, particularly if you don’t have an unlocked phone, you can rent a portable WiFi device during your travel to Vietnam.

This device  will be delivered to you when you arrive in Vietnam and will provide 4G service for less than USD$5 per day.

You’ll be able to connect anywhere you can find service across the country, which will be most of the places you are likely to travel in Vietnam.

Access Free WiFI

Free is always best, if it is convenient. And there are plenty of places throughout Vietnam that will provide free WiFi in public spaces or at restaurants, cafes and hostels and hotels.

We recommend using the  WiFi Finder  app, which will help you locate WiFi anywhere you travel in Vietnam.

BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER IN VIETNAM

We absolutely love Vietnam. And we love the idea that it will remain a beautiful and friendly place for travellers for years to come.

Here are a few tips specific to travel to Vietnam that will promote sustainable tourism in the country:

Use your own energy to get around.  Walk or cycle through town as much as possible. Taking a cyclo-taxi is a close alternative if you don’t have the energy to propel yourself through the city. But this reduces the impact of taxis, busses and other forms of automotive transportation.

Mind your plastic . Plastic is everywhere in Vietnam. But using your own reusable bag for groceries and other shopping, carrying a reusable water bottle and having your own straw are just 3 of the many simple ways you can reduce the amount of plastic you use.

Shop local . Visiting the markets will be one of your top experiences when travelling to Vietnam. Support local vendors as often as possible, including in taking tours when available.

Be mindful of wildlife . Wildlife in the wild is great. But be mindful not to provoke, feed or otherwise molest wildlife. And never purchase any item made of or involving rare or endangered species.

Attempt to communicate in Vietnamese . You’re probably not going to be fluent as soon as you arrive in the country. But knowing a few phrases and doing your best to communicate with locals will show respect and earn trust and make your experience richer.

KEY VIETNAMESE TRAVEL PHRASES

You don’t have to be fluent in Vietnamese to have a great time when you travel to Vietnam. But it does help to know a few key phrases.

This will not only assist you in your travels but it will also show respect to the local Vietnamese people that you are doing your best to assimilate into their culture. 

BOOKS TO READ ABOUT VIETNAM

Maybe you already know everything about Vietnam. Chances are you don’t!

But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to Vietnam. 

The Quiet American  (Graham Greene) – Originally published in 1956 and adapted for film twice, this story by Greene became an instant classic. Greene fictionalizes life in 1950s Vietnam as told by a British correspondent trying to understand the roots of the rising conflict set to occur.

At Home In The World  (Thich Nhat Hanh) – World renown Vietnamese monk, Hanh reflects on lessons and stories in life from the Buddhist perspective.

Vietnam: Rising Dragon  (Bill Hayton) – A piece of nonfiction that looks back on the Vietnam of old and attempts to projects its place in the future of Southeast Asia.

The Sympathizer  (Viet Thanh Nguyen) – The Pulitzer Prize-winning book, allegedly influenced by  The Quiet American , is told through the eyes of a double-agent during the Vietnam War who struggles to understand the minds and hearts of men engaged in war.

DISCLAIMER:  Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Table of Contents

Read our vietnam posts, 20 amazing things to do in hoi an, vietnam (2024 guide), 14 incredible things to do in dalat, vietnam (2024 guide), the perfect 3 days in hanoi itinerary [2024 guide], 25 amazing things to do in hanoi, vietnam (2024 guide), the perfect 3 days in ho chi minh city itinerary [2024], the 8 best day trips from ho chi minh city (2024 guide), caves, zip lines and deep mud in phong nha, ganh da dia – vietnam’s own ‘giant’s causeway’, ba be national park – the lake, trekking and happy water, motorbiking the road from dalat to nha trang in vietnam, riding sea to sky: hue to hoi an by motorbike, getting a chinese visa in hanoi, vietnam.

The Most Perfect Vietnam 2 Week Itinerary Guide

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: September 24, 2023

This travel itinerary guide will help you plan your perfect 2 weeks in Vietnam. It includes everything you need to know about the best places to visit in Vietnam, where to stay, what attractions you have to see, which months have the best weather and how to get around Vietnam as an independent traveller.

Vietnam is one country you must visit in Southeast Asia, but deciding where to start and finish your itinerary for Vietnam can be daunting.

I explored Vietnam in 2 weeks during my epic round-the-world trip and fell in love with Vietnam’s diverse culture, ancient history, friendly people, mouthwatering food and stunning landscapes.

To help other travellers have a similar experience on their first trip, I have compiled the perfect itinerary for an epic two weeks in Vietnam.

My two weeks in Vietnam itinerary also includes handy Vietnam travel tips crucial for first-time visitors to the country.

Follow this 2-week Vietnam itinerary and see beautiful destinations in Vietnam like Halong Bay, Hoi An and Da Nang.

Visit the crazy city of Hanoi, traverse the winding Hai Van Pass and be mesmerised by what you will find in the Marble Mountains!

Spend a few days, a week or much longer, and Vietnam will get under your skin; it’s such a great place. Take it from me; once you’ve been, you will want to return again and again!

This travel guide may contain affiliate links – For more information, please read my  disclaimer and privacy policy.

Do you need to arrange travel insurance, car hire or accommodation? Please check out my  resources page  to help you plan your trip.

Table of Contents

Best 14-Day Vietnam Itinerary (from North to South Vietnam)

• Hanoi – 3 nights
• Ha long Bay Cruise – 2 nights
• Hanoi – 1 night
• Hue – 3 nights
• Hoi An – 3 nights
• Da Nang – 2 nights

Vietnam Itinerary Map

Helpful Information for Planning A Trip to Vietnam

I spent hours and hours planning my trip to Vietnam and wished I could have found all the information I needed in one place. Therefore, I decided to write this travel blog post in an easy-to-read format to help other travellers plan a 2 week itinerary for a trip to Vietnam.

It starts with all the essential Vietnam travel tips you will need to know, followed by a day-to-day 2-week travel itinerary outlining where to go and what to do in Vietnam.

I have written other in-depth Vietnam blog posts on all the locations I visited to give you the ultimate Vietnam travel itinerary for your first visit to Vietnam.

Getting to Vietnam

My two weeks in Vietnam were part of my epic round-the-world trip .

I flew into Hanoi from Hong Kong, spent two weeks in Vietnam and flew out of Da Nang to Siem Reap in Cambodia .

If your international flights are from Europe, prices are often lower if you fly in or out of Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam Weather and When to Go

The country has three distinct climates – the south, the central areas, and the north, so it can be tricky to figure out the best time to go to Vietnam.

Southern Vietnam has two distinct seasons – wet and dry. From November to early May, expect dry, sunny days. The wet season lasts from May until early November, with June, July & August receiving the highest rainfall.

Central Vietnam is hot and dry for the period between January and August. The monsoon season will likely arrive from October to mid-January, when it will be hot, wet, and humid.

Northern Vietnam is hot and dry between November and April. Rainfall will arrive from May to October, and the climate will be hot and humid.

April weather in Vietnam

I travelled to Vietnam in April and encountered one full day of rain in Hanoi at the beginning of my trip. The rest of the time, the weather in Hanoi was warm and sunny .

Halong Bay’s weather was warm with cooling ocean winds ; however, it can be unpredictable. Halong Bay is often shrouded in mist and low clouds.

In Hue, the temperature was hot and humid. Make sure to pack breathable clothing and comfortable footwear.

Hoi An’s temperature was hot, dry and sunny . Perfect for a day on the beach after sightseeing in Hoi An Town.

In Da Nang, it was hot but quite windy and overcast . As this is a coastal location, the winds from the ocean can be pretty strong.

How many days do I need to explore Vietnam?

The minimum time to see the best Vietnam attractions for a first-timer is two weeks. I have designed this ultimate 2-week Vietnam itinerary to highlight the best places to visit in Vietnam on your trip.

It will be a busy two weeks, but you will see some of the most beautiful places in Vietnam and still have time to relax – what could be better?

If you enjoy immersive travel and want to spend time in Vietnam at a slower pace, you can easily adjust your schedule by reducing the destinations on this itinerary. Maybe omit Danang and spend longer in Hoi An.

Or you could check out some of the hidden gems in Vietnam away from the tourist trail .

Best Places to Spend 2 Weeks in Vietnam

The distances between Vietnam’s north, central, and south can be vast, so planning your journey between locations is essential.

You can take the train or bus, but the journey can be long and uncomfortable. Flying is often the best option for both speed and comfort.

For these reasons, you must carefully decide what you want to experience in Vietnam to plan your perfect trip.

If you love big cities, start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh and work from north to south or vice versa.

If you want to experience rural Vietnam, head to Sapa or Ninh Binh,  while culture lovers should include Hue or Hoi An on their trip itinerary.

Sun worshippers will want to relax on the beach in Da Nang or Phu Quoc . And, of course, every Vietnam travel itinerary must include an iconic cruise in Halong Bay – the scenery is like nowhere else on earth. It is one of the must-see places in south east Asia.

Best Places to Shop in Vietnam

Hanoi and Hoi An are the best places for a shopaholic, so make sure they are included on your Vietnam travel itinerary.

Hanoi’s weekend night market is terrific, with many artisan crafts on sale (and many designer items sold cheaply!)

Hoi An is the best place for tailor shops in Vietnam ; you can have a suit, dress or even shoes made during your trip. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An.

Travel Essentials to Pack for Vietnam

Please read my post on Must-Have Travel Essentials to Pack before you go to Vietnam.

Books are great for a trip, so why not choose a favourite from my list of travel books written by travellers?

Travel Vaccinations for Vietnam

If you are a seasoned traveller, you will probably already have had an armful of vaccinations to enter other countries. If not, chances are you’ll need a few vaccines.

You may need Hepatitis A , Hepatitis B , Yellow Fever , and Typhoid to travel to Vietnam. You will need vaccinations against dengue fever and malaria to go to the jungle or mountains.

Check with your doctor about which vaccines you need several months before travelling to Vietnam. Please do not leave it to the last minute.

Vietnam Visa

The Vietnamese Government changed their visa entry rules in 2023, and it’s good news for travellers.

UK citizens can now stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days for tourism, transit and business (but not paid or voluntary work) without needing a visa.

Previously, UK travellers could only stay for up to 15 days, so this new move by the government is a significant increase of days you are eligible to stay without needing a tourist visa in Vietnam.

A stay of more than 45 days will require an e-visa. Check with www.gov.uk for up-to-date guidance on Vietnam’s entry requirements.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Vietnam.

Some British nationals have been refused entry and exit due to damaged passports. Make sure your passport is in good condition before you leave home.

All US citizens must still apply for an e-visa to enter Vietnam. It is valid for 30 days.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is so important , and you should never travel without it. Make sure you have your travel insurance arranged in advance of your trip, and make sure you know what you are covered for if you should need it.

Vietnamese Currency

Dong is the currency of Vietnam and comes in colourful notes in very high denominations. You will feel like a millionaire with thousands of Dong in your pocket until you realise it is only worth around £50!

ATMs are in all the large cities, and I found it easy to take cash out of my account. I also had a pre-loaded Caxton money card with me. I felt this was safer than using my bank card for transactions.

Vietnam Time Differences (GMT)

7 hours ahead of London, England

12 hours ahead of Washington DC, USA

4 hours behind Canberra, Australia

6 hours behind Wellington, New Zealand

Book a flight to arrive in Vietnam in the late afternoon/early evening. This will give you time to freshen up, eat dinner and familiarise yourself with the area you will be staying in.

Getting Around Vietnam Safely

I would not recommend getting on motorbikes in the major cities as the roads are crazy and chaotic.

That said, many travellers hire motorbikes when travelling through the countryside and between towns.

Ultimately, you must ensure you have travel insurance for any accidents.

Vietnam has Grab (their version of Uber) in major Vietnam cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang. I used taxis a few times, but mostly, I just walked around the cities ; this way, you see more.

Vietnam Accommodation

Accommodation in Vietnam is cheap , and you get to stay in some stunning properties.

I have listed the hotels where I stayed in each section of this Vietnam travel guide.

The accommodation ranged from 3* to 5* properties, offering a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

There are many hotels to choose from in each locale, so please look below at other places to stay in Vietnam to suit your budget.

Hanoi accommodation to book

Hue accommodation to book

Halong Bay Cruises

Hoi An accommodation to book

Da Nang accommodation to book

Epic 2-week Vietnam Itinerary Schedule

International Flight to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi | Transfer by taxi from the airport to Hanoi Old Quarter

Days 1-4 in Vietnam / 3 Nights in Hanoi

1st Day in Vietnam – Arrive in the evening on your first day, head straight to the hotel to unpack and get a good nights sleep ready for the next morning.

On your second day in Vietnam you are going to want to spend a full day exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Wander around this ancient town and watch local life unfold at Hoam Lake, learn about the history of the Temple of Literature, and taste the delicious food served from road side stalls and family run restaurants.

3rd Day in Vietnam – Continue exploring further afield in Hanoi. Head to Ho Chi Minh’s mauseleum, the Imperial city of Thang Long and Tran Quoc Pagoda. In the evening visit the night markets and grab yourself a bargain!

4th Day in Vietnam – Head to Halong Bay for a 2-night cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay. It’s the best way to see the magnificent limestone islands that rise out of the water.

Check out what to do in Hanoi in my travel guide: The Perfect 3-Night Hanoi Itinerary.

Visit Vietnam’s capital and get ready for an assault on your senses!

Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture, enjoy historical monuments and discover the gentleness of the Vietnamese people.

Try egg coffee at one of the superb coffee shops in Hanoi and feast on Vietnamese street food.

On the weekend, wander around the night market (free from traffic on Fri-Sat-Sun) and pick up some Vietnamese souvenirs to take home.

Hotel Options:

• Hanoi La Siesta Hotel 4*
• Hanoi Pearl Hotel 4* (I stayed here) 

Both hotels are located near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Check out from your Hanoi hotel after your first three nights, but make sure you have re-booked a room for the night you return from Halong Bay.

The reason for doing this is that you will need to store your suitcases at the hotel , as only one piece of hand luggage will be permitted on the cruise.

After the cruise, you will return to your Hanoi hotel for one night and be reunited with your luggage, ready for your onward journey.

Road transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay (your cruise company should arrange this)

Days 4-6 in vietnam / 2 nights cruising halong bay and bai tu long bay.

No trip to Vietnam can be complete without a cruise in Halong Bay. It is one of the main attractions in Vietnam and is worth visiting.

The idyllic and unique landscape of this Unesco World Heritage Site, with its limestone cliffs rising majestically out of the water, will leave you mesmerised.

Join a day cruise or enjoy an extended Bay Tu Long Bay cruise to see the surrounding area away from Halong Bay.

Over two or three days, you can relax on golden beaches and marvel at sea caves and fishing villages scattered around the calm waters while immersing yourself in your surroundings’ natural beauty.

Check out what it is like to take a Vietnamese cruise in the Halong Bay area in my post: Cruising Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay .

• Indochina Junk Dragon’s Pearl Cruise

Road Transfer from Halong Bay back to Hanoi (arranged by cruise company)

Day 6-7 in vietnam / 1 night in hanoi.

Return to the Hanoi Pearl Hotel to pick up your left luggage for one night.

• Hanoi Pearl Hotel

Internal Flight from Hanoi to Hue

My internal flight from Hanoi to Hue was with Vietnam Airways.

I flew between these two destinations because it was the quickest way, as I wanted to see as much as possible during my 2-week Vietnam trip.

You can also travel by train or road between Hanoi and Hue, but it will take longer than flying.

Days 7-10 in Vietnam / 3 Nights in Hue

7th Day in Vietnam – Arrive mid-afternoon – Relax by the pool

8the Day in Vietnam – Explore the Imperial City of Hue

9th Day in Vietnam – Explore the Royal Tombs of Hue

10th Day in Vietnam – Check out of the hotel and travel by road to Hoi An

Once the ancient capital, the Imperial City of Hue is now one of Vietnam’s Unesco world heritage sites. It’s a nice place to stroll around especially towards the end of the day when the crowds have dispersed, the heat is dying down and the evening light makes everything look that little bit more magical.

Hue has plenty of things to do to satisfy culture vultures. Some of the best things to do include visiting fascinating ancient palaces and historic royal tombs, or taking a boat trip along the Perfume River.

It’s a great idea to combine your visit to the city with a spot of relaxation at one of Hue’s luxury resorts , and you will have the perfect balance for this part of your trip around Vietnam.

• Pilgrimage Village Resort and Spa 5* (I stayed here)

Road Transfer via the Hai Van Pass  with a stop at The Marble Mountains

My Vietnam road trip continued with a transfer between Hue and Hoi An with Hura Cars .

It’s the easiest way to get between the two towns, and you can stop at the famous Marble Mountains on the way.

Days 10 – 13 in Vietnam / 3 Nights in Hoi An

10th Day in Vietnam – Arrive mid-afternoon – Relax by the pool

11th Day in Vietnam – Head into Hoi An’s Ancient Quarter

12th Day in Vietnam – Day at An Bang Beach

13th Day in Vietnam – Morning in Hoi An old town, then head to Naman Retreat Beach Resort in Da Nang

Hoi An is a Unesco heritage site in Vietnam . It is known as the “City of Lanterns” because of the hundreds of lanterns illuminating it at night, and it is my favourite place in Vietnam.  

It is a charming place to wander around, soak up its history and culture and enjoy great food, fantastic coffee and artisan shops.

If you coincide your trip with the monthly lunar cycle, you will experience Hoi An’s Lantern Festival .

Enjoy a romantic evening boat ride on the lake, hire cycles, ride along the winding alleyways, and discover the Hoi An heritage trail with its ancient temples and historic Japanese covered bridge.

Stay in Hoi An’s ancient quarter and explore the town first thing in the morning when it isn’t crowded.

Sit back with a coffee at one of the riverside cafes and soak up the atmosphere in this unique little town.

There is also a beautiful beach at An Bang , a short distance from the town centre, to top up your tan.

• La Senta Hotel 4* (overlooks rice fields and has a shuttle bus into Hoi An several times each day – 10 mins)
• Anantara Hoi An Resort (walkable to Hoi An central)
• Cozy Hoi An Villas (in the Old Quarter – I stayed here)

The Naman Retreat Resort arranged the transfer from Hoi An.

Days 13 – 15 in vietnam / 2 nights in da nang.

Days 13 to 15 in Vietnam – Our final two trip days are spent relaxing at the resort.

Check out Naman Retreat in my Travel Guide: Naman Retreat Review – The Best Boutique Resort in Da Nang .

Da Nang is not far from Hoi An , so enjoy the last days of your holiday by simply relaxing by the pool or on one of the beautiful beaches; make time for a visit to the spa and the marvellous amenities at this resort.

However, if you still have plenty of energy left, you could book a day tour as there are many things to do in Da Nang, and a day trip is a great way of experiencing some fantastic activities.

• Naman Retreat (I stayed here)

Da Nang Day Tours

Hotel shuttle transfer to da nang airport at the end of two weeks in vietnam .

I hope that my Vietnam travel itinerary has inspired you to consider a trip to this beautiful country. As you can see, its allure may leave a lasting effect on you, just as it has on me.

I love Vietnam so much that I want to revisit Hanoi and Hoi An and explore some of the other  hidden gems in Vietnam that I have on my travel bucket list, like Phong Nha, Cat Ba and Tam Coc.

This ultimate Vietnam 14-day travel itinerary was independently researched, planned and booked by me.

If you want to add an extra day or more to this Vietnam travel itinerary, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta are a 90-minute flight from Da Nang .

Ho Chi Minh is one of Vietnam’s bigger cities and has many great attractions. These include the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ben Thanh Market.

And let’s not forget the famous Cu Chi tunnels used to move soldiers about underground, undetected by the enemy.

I didn’t visit Ho Chi Minh on this trip; however, I will put it on my following Vietnam trip itinerary. I can’t wait to check out the city’s ancient history, once known as Saigon.

Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

Things to do in the mekong delta.

PIN for Future Travel to Vietnam

Are you looking for further Vietnam travel inspiration? Please check out the following posts:

• Vietnam’s Hidden Gems: 10 incredible destinations off the tourist trail
• Vietnam’s 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Northern Vietnam

• The perfect 3-night Hanoi travel itinerary guide
• The perfect 2-night Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

Central Vietnam

• How to visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang
• Hai Van Pass: the best route by road from Hue to Hoi An
• Discover the Hoi An Lantern Festival
• Naman Retreat Review: the best boutique resort in Da Nang  

 I would like to receive occasional updates and new travel posts.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Wander-Lush

Visit Vietnam: The Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide

Going to Vietnam the first time was life-changing for sure… The food, culture, landscape, and smell; they’re all inseparable. It just seemed like another planet; a delicious one that sort of sucked me in and never let go. Anthony Bourdain

Land of the Blue Dragon

Vietnam: Where motorbikes outnumber the people. For most travellers, this country is synonymous with three things: Frenetic cities, incredible outdoor adventures, and some of the best food on earth.

After my first visit to Vietnam when I travelled the entire length of the country on the Reunification Express , I told myself that unlike the 97% of people who only visit once, I’d be back. Years later, I moved to Hanoi to work with an NGO – an experience I’ll never forget. I have more dear friends in Hanoi than almost any other city. Vietnam feels like a second home to me.

From the jagged peaks of Ha Giang to the backwaters of the Mekong Delta , the one thing Vietnam isn’t lacking is variety. Join the crush inside the canary yellow walls of Hoi An’s UNESCO Ancient Town , chase dragons in Hue , then find room to breathe in one of rural Northern Vietnam’s hidden oases .

Between the velvety rice terraces of Sapa and Mu Cang Chai and the prickly limestone karsts of Halong Bay and Ninh Binh , you’ll find sand dunes in Mui Ne , waterwheels in Pu Luong , tea fields in Thai Nguyen , and hundreds of sweet hamlets and fascinating small cities in between.

From rustic homestays to boutique apartments, sipping cocktails in a Saigon skybar to knocking back a glass at a bia hoi in Hanoi. Vietnam might come off as a little aloof, but at the end of the day, she certainly knows how to treat her guests.

Vietnam travel essentials

Please note: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more .

Late February to April (spring shoulder season) for cooler weather.

How long in Vietnam?

3-4 full days for Hanoi; 2 weeks for the highlights; 3-4 weeks for a good overview.

Daily budget

45-60 USD per person per day (mid-range hotel; restaurant meals; taxis; museum tickets).

Getting there

Fly into Hanoi or Saigon; bus from any neighbouring country.

Vietnam visa

eVisa/VOA (single entry; 30 days) or visa-free for some.

Getting around

Domestic flights (Viet Jet, Jetstar); train; bus/minivan.

Where to stay

Family-run guesthouses, homestays or hotels.

Tours & experiences

Food tours, history walks and trekking.

Explore Vietnam

Discover Hanoi’s local side plus all the best things to do in Vietnam with my latest travel guides.

Vietnam With Kids: 6 Best Vietnam Family Holiday Destinations + Travel Tips

Hanoi to Halong Bay: The Definitive Travel Guide for 2024

How to Travel from Da Nang to Hoi An in 2024: Detailed Transport Guide

Where to Stay in Ninh Binh: 12 Fantastic Hotels & Bungalows for Every Budget

Perfect 3-Day Dalat Itinerary: The Best Things to Do in Vietnam’s City of Eternal Spring

Shopping in Hanoi: 18 Local, Handmade & Authentic Hanoi Souvenirs (With Map)

My vietnam favourites.

Trekking in the rice fields around Ta Phin, Sapa.

Must-eat meal

A plate of Pho Cuon in Hanoi’s Truc Bach neighbourhood.

local experience

Rolling up to Hanoi’s Long Bien produce market at 2am.

best souvenirs

Propaganda posters from Hanoi & Hmong textiles.

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Vietnam Travel Guide

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam and on a budget? Then, this Vietnam travel guide is just for you!

Traveling in Vietnam you will find large urban cities, island-filled bays, rice terraces, caves, and some of the best food you’ve ever eaten. The locals are friendly and will make you feel welcome in their country.

Vietnam offers a plethora of flavors, sounds, landscapes, and people. Once you visit this place, you’ll never want to leave.

Vietnam Travel Guide Contents

Important Info    |    Best Time to Visit    |    Things to Do    |    What to Eat    |    Typical Budget

Travel Tips    |    What to Pack    |    Vietnam Articles    |    Book Now

Important Information about Vietnam

Vietnam at a Glance:  Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With its stunning beaches, Buddhist shrines, lush mountains, sleepy rural villages, and bustling cities, Vietnam has everything for every type of traveler.

Hanoi: bustling city in the north of the country with lots of character

Sapa: small mountain town known for rice terraces and homestays

Halong Bay: take a boat cruise through these stunning rock formations

Hoi An: this beautiful UNESCO town is located in the middle of the country and has a charming architecture and a laidback vibe

Dalat: set in the mountains, this town is less hot and humid than the rest of the country and is known for adventure activities

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): modern and busy city in the south of the country

Currency in Vietnam: Vietnamese dong | 2018 Conversion Rate: 10000 VND = $0.43 USD

Tipping in Vietnam: In Vietnam, tipping is not customary but it is highly appreciated. The locals don’t have a habit of tipping unless you go to upscale restaurants or get a massage from spas. You could say that the tipping culture here is at its infancy.

However, most of the tourist cities including Hanoi, Saigon, Hoi An and others are becoming more familiar with tipping. Some high-end services may add a service fee to your bills from 5 percent to 15 percent.

Headed to Vietnam soon? Don’t forget to get a visa lined up before you go! Not sure if you need one? We’ll explain if you need one and how to get a Vietnam Visa On Arrival . 

Language & Helpful Phrases:  Vietnamese

Hello = xin chào

Thank you = Cám ơn

Beer = bia

Delicious = Thơm ngon

Bathroom =  Phòng tắm

How much? = Bao nhiêu?

Too expensive = Quá đắt

Don’t want = Không muốn

Religion and Culture:  More than 70 percent of Vietnam’s population are Buddhists. Other official religions recognized by the government are Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, Hoa Hao, and Cao Dai. Most of the religion in Vietnam has been greatly influenced by the Tam Giáo, also known as triple religion – Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

Transportation around Vietnam: When you’re in Vietnam, your transportation will depend on your budget, time, flexibility and love for adventure. The safest and best way to go around Vietnam is by car. Buses, on the other hand, can either be delighted or unpleased. It depends on your expectations. There are also trains running along Vietnam’s coast. Always book ahead if you are planning on traveling during the weekend.

Transportation Tip:   12go.asia is a great site is you want to book your transportation in advance or look at the time tables!

Best Time To Visit Vietnam

For an in-depth guide on the regional seasons, weather patterns and other factors, check out our complete guide on the best time to visit Vietnam . We’ve also listed out some of the basics below to give you a general idea.

Climate in Vietnam

Vietnam’s weather differs between each region, so planning can be a bit tricky if you’re not careful.

Hanoi and The Northern Part of Vietnam:

Hot and rainy season: May to October

Cool season: December and January

Dry season: November to April

Central Vietnam:

Hot and dry season: January to August

Rainy season: September to November

Southern Vietnam:

Hot and dry season: November to April

Rainy season: June to August

Peak season for tourists is during the summertime around June and July. However, this time is also the monsoon season so expect a lot of rain showers.

Times to avoid traveling in Vietnam

It is best to avoid early February during the Tet or Vietnamese New Year, because the locals will be traveling as well and prices will be high.

Ho Chi Minh City: Avoid May to November because of the heavy rain. Often, there is flood on the main streets so it is best that you do not travel during this time.

Phu Quoc Island: Avoid the months June to October. This is often the time of strong winds and heavy rain.

Dalat: April to October is the raining season.

Nha Trang: Expect that there will be a lot of rain from September to December.

Hoi An: Heavy rains occur around August to December.

Halong: Avoid the local summer holiday around June and July.

Hanoi: Aside from the hot weather, May to September is the time of heavy rains and storms.

Major Festivals in Vietnam

If you want to experience Vietnam at its best, you should definitely check out the major festivals in the country. Here you will get up close and personal with the myths and culture of Vietnam.

Tet Nguyen Dan , around late January or early February: Tet Nguyen Dan is one of the major festivals in Vietnam. It marks the arrival of spring according to the Lunar calendar but most importantly, it is the Vietnamese New Year.

Hoi An Lantern Festival , every month: The Hoi An Lantern Festival is celebrated every month during the full moon. The lanterns are its biggest feature. At around 8 pm, you will witness the beauty of the floating lanterns.

Mid-Autumn Festival , September 15: Mid-Autumn Festival is unlike any other. It originates to around 20,000 years ago. Here, family relationships are celebrated and mooncakes are eaten.

Top Things to Do in Vietnam

Eat all the food that you can.

When in Vietnam, you have to eat all the food that you can. One of the best places to be in is Hanoi . It has some of the best and cheap street food in the world.

Take a trek in Sapa

Just 6 hours away from Hanoi, Sapa boasts of stunning rice terraces and waterfalls especially when the weather is clear. Book a bus online from Hanoi to Sapa so you don’t have to worry about transportation when you’re there.

Visit Paradise Cave and Dark Cave

If you love caves, then you’ll definitely love Dark Cave and Paradise Cave in Phong Nha. In the Dark Cave, you can trek, zip-line, and swim in a cave lake. On the other hand, Paradise Cave is one of the most gigantic caves in the world. It used to be the largest cave until Son Doong took its place.

Go Canyoneering in Da Lat

For more adventures, don’t miss going to Da Lat. You can go cliff jumping and repelling down waterfalls in this fantastic place.

Insider Tip: For the highlight of your trip to Vietnam, don’t forget to take the secret tour in Da Lat .

Did you know Vietnam is a great place to teach English? Find out how to get certified to  teach English abroad .

Best Food to Eat in Vietnam

Most households in Vietnam eat vegetables and noodle soups. A typical meal would be a vegetable dish, a seafood or meat dish, soup, fish sauce, and rice.

Here are some of our favorites:

Grilled Chicken: fresh and ordered half or whole

Banh Bot Loc:  great as an appetizer with shrimp-stuffed tapioca dumplings

Banh Khoai:  savory pancake

Bun Bo Hue:  vermicelli noodle beef soup that’s spicy

Bánh mì baguette sandwich:  cheap and tasty street food

Cao lầu:  noodle soup

Insider Tip:   Happy Cow is a great resource for finding vegetarian and vegan restaurants all around the country!

Typical Budget for Vietnam

Vietnam is such a large country that offers a lot of things to do and places to see. For travelers on a budget, Vietnam is a dream come true. For as low as $20 per day, you can survive on a shoestring budget and travel around the country.

Good to know:  If you know how to drive a motorbike, you can rent one on the cheap and save on your transportation costs. Plus, Vietnam has some pretty epic drives that are best discovered on two wheels!

How Much to Budget in Vietnam Per Day

Budget traveler:  If you are on a tight budget and watch your spending closely, $20 – $30 could be a sufficient daily budget.

Mid-range traveler:  If you want to have a few splurges and stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $30 – $50 per day

Dorm bed = $5-8

Budget room = $18-25

Mid-range = $30-45

Luxury hotel = $60+

Street food = $1-$2

Mid-range restaurant = $3-$6

Fancy restaurant = $10+

Local beer = $0.88

Domestic flight = $36-$45 (Jetstar or Vietnam airlines)

Open bus tickets = $68-$70 through country

Taxi = $5-$10

Airport shuttle bus = $2

Trains = $11.50-$50 depending class and length of the route

Trekking in Sapa = $19 with a guide

Halong Bay Boat Trip = $64 for a 2-day cruise

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi = $3-$5

Vietnamese Cooking Class in Hoi An = $30

Responsible Travel Tips in Vietnam

We are passionate about sharing tips anyone can use to travel more responsibly. Here are some easy ways you can travel better in Vietnam.

1. Plan your itinerary well

Vietnam can be a tricky place to visit. If you want to see the best that the country has to offer, it’s best to avoid forcing everything on your itinerary. Allow at least 3 to 4 weeks to explore the Vietnam from North to South. Book tours with ethical companies throughout the country. Check out reviews and discover organizations that are giving back to their communities. You can check our one-month Vietnam itinerary to help you.

2. Go easy on the haggling

Prices in Vietnam are cheap but most things don’t have fixed prices so you can haggle. However, with prices so low, inform yourself of what a good price is and don’t argue over 50 cents. The local people need make a living and tourism helps support that.

3. Say no to plastic straws

When buying a drink, ask for no straw ( không rơm in Vietnamese) and start reducing your plastic use. A single plastic straw may look convenient and simple but it contributes a lot of harm to our environment. It is one of the top five items that’s found in most beaches and adds to the millions of plastic wastes in the oceans.

Related Article:  Eco-Friendly Packing List for Responsible Travelers

What to Pack for Vietnam

When going to Vietnam, loose-fitting, layers and lightweight stuff are what you should go for.  Don’t overpack. It’s impractical to bring all of those home comforts with you.

Here are some Vietnam-specific items we’d recommend packing:

bug repellant  (solids are the way to go)

reef safe sunscreen

insulated water bottle

reusable straw &  reusable bag  ( say no to single-use plastic! )

loose, lightweight clothes & layers

rain jacket (it can rain during any season, so you’ll want to be prepared!)

diarrhea medication (in case you get hit by a stomach bug)

a quick-dry towel

small first aid kit

Chaco sandals (we’d recommend these instead of hiking boots as they are less bulky and are good for walking through water)

Vietnam Articles

Backpacking for over five weeks in Vietnam was nothing short of incredible. Vietnam has some of the most naturally beautiful landscapes in the world. Find all kinds of information on traveling to Vietnam to help you plan your trip. From how to get a Vietnam visa to fun things to do in Vietnam.

11 Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

With ancient roots and adventurous activities, visiting the Ninh Binh, Vietnam should be on every traveler’s bucket list. In this guide, we’ll show you the best things to do in Ninh Binh, beyond the typical tourist experiences. 

Vietnamese Street Food: 25 Delicious Dishes You Must Try in Vietnam

Discover traditional ingredients and the best local spots to savor Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, this list promises a tantalizing exploration of popular Vietnamese dishes.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Spanning more than 1,000 miles from north to south, the climate and weather of Vietnam can vary drastically depending on where you’re traveling. We’re going to walk you through the best times to visit Vietnam, and which times of year to avoid (if possible!).

One Month in Vietnam: A Complete Itinerary

Vietnam is a country filled with delicious food, friendly people and a rich history. We traveled for a little over one month backpacking this action-packed nation. The itinerary below is a perfect guide from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for anyone visiting Vietnam for the first time.

How to get a Vietnam Visa On Arrival

Need a tourist visa for Vietnam? We'll show you the options and which one is the cheapest and fastest way to get a Vietnam visa.

14 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Hanoi

We stopped in Hanoi many times during our travels in Vietnam and this guide has you covered with free and cheap things to do in Hanoi, plus where to stay and what to eat.

8 Fun Things To Do in Hoi An

It's no surprise why people love to travel to Hoi An Vietnam. It is a city with complex history, delicious food, fun nightlife, and hundreds of Hoi An tailors. This historic port city has so many activities to do. Oh, and you can't forget about the beach! Whether you have...

6 Adventurous Things To Do in Da Lat, Vietnam

Not only is Da Lat the adventure capital of Vietnam, but it's a city full of quirky surprises. Follow this backpacker's guide and we'll tell you our best tips and things to do in Da Lat.

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Book Your Trip Now

GONE TO VIETNAM

BEYOND HANOI

Welcome, I’m Katie…

I have lived in Vietnam since 2017, and have traveled extensively throughout this country over the last 6+ years. 

Today, I use my knowledge and insider perspective to help women travelers just like you discover Hanoi’s local customs and hidden gems, helping you create a safe, memorable, and authentic experience while traveling in Vietnam.

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11 Awesome Itineraries to Spend 7 Days in Vietnam

If you’re visiting Vietnam and only have 7 days to explore this fabulous country , then you’re at the right place. The 7 days in Vietnam will go by super fast, so you’ll need to plan ahead of time the places and attractions that you want to see. 

Since this country is S-shaped and the cities are spread out, we suggest that you focus your week in Vietnam on specific regions in the North, Central, or Southern areas. If you want to go from North to South Vietnam or vice versa, it is possible. 

In this post, we’ll provide you with 11 different itineraries to spend 7 days in Vietnam. We currently live in Vietnam and know that the opportunities are endless. Feel free to adjust the number of days in each of the locations based on your interests. 

One thing to know is that you’ll need to factor in the transportation time especially to return to your departure city. There aren’t any high-speed bullet trains yet so taking local transportation and/or domestic flights will take some time and it’s accounted for in the itineraries.

Click on the links below to jump to a certain section of the Vietnam 1 week itinerary:

• North Vietnam
• Central Vietnam
• South Vietnam
• North to South Vietnam

Before you read this post, check out our other handy Vietnam posts to help with your travel plans:

• Vietnam budget tips
• Visiting Vietnam for the first time
• What to pack for Vietnam
• Vietnam travel apps to have

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Appreciate the support.

North Vietnam Itineraries for One Week

Itinerary #1: hanoi – ninh binh – halong bay.

This route is considered a typical 1 week itinerary to explore the best of Northern Vietnam.

Stop #1: Hanoi (2 Days)

Hanoi ( Hà Nội in Vietnamese ) is the capital of Vietnam and it’s a great introduction to Vietnam. It has a rich history with iconic buildings and museums, tons of street foods and cafes, and fun attractions to check out. 

You’ll land at Hanoi International Airport (airport code: HAN), which is about 40 minutes away from Old Quarter, the main area of Hanoi. 

We recommend that you stay nearby the Old Quarter as it’s a touristy spot with easy access to cafes and restaurants. Try the egg coffee as it originated in Hanoi. 

Old Quarter is a bustling area with lots of shopping opportunities to buy souvenirs . You’ll find a street that focuses on lanterns, another on stuffed animals. It’s pretty random but cool to walk around and explore. 

If you like museums, check out the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (where Ho Chi Minh is embalmed), or the National Museum of History. 

One of the Instagram-worthy photo spots is visiting Hanoi train street . The train squeezes through a narrow residential area. Hang out at one of the cafes to see the train pass by. 

For some quietness, take a walk around Ho Kiem Lake . It’s around 1.2 miles and is located in the center of town. 

You can also watch a water puppet show in the evening. It’s a fun show to learn about Vietnamese stories and folklore but with puppets in the water. 

Stay overnight in Hanoi. Click here for hotel options in Hanoi. 

Stop #2: Ninh Binh (1 or 2 Days)

Ninh Binh ( Ninh Bình ) is a gorgeous place with limestone karsts, riverways, and rice fields. It’s often called “Halong Bay on land.” (Halong Bay is a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site with over 1,600 limestone karsts islands.)

From Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you’ll take either a private car or a bus. Or, take a tour . Expect to take 2 hours. 

Once you’re in Ninh Binh, take a relaxing ride boat on a sampan through the Trang An Grotto . Trang An is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The boat ride is 1.5-2 hours long. You’ll get to see tall limestone karsts, local fishermen checking their traps, and beautiful scenery. One of the coolest things to see is your sampan driver paddling the boat with their feet. 

Fun fact: Did you know that the Kong movie was filmed here? 

Afterward, visit the temples such as Hang Mua and Bich Dong Pagoda . Climb to the top for the photogenic views of the rice fields and the limestone karsts.

If you can either visit Ninh Binh as a day trip and return to Hanoi for the evening or stay overnight in Ninh Binh. Click here to see accommodation options in Ninh Binh. 

Ninh Binh is another place to visit when you’re in Northern Vietnam. Photo credit: Jessica May via Scopio Photos

Stop #3: Halong Bay (3 Days)

Halong Bay ( Vịnh Hạ Long ) is one of the prettiest destinations to visit in Vietnam . It’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site to add to your visit. There are over 2,000 small limestone islands around the bay. Some of these islands have caves inside. 

To get to Halong Bay from Hanoi, you can take a bus or hire a driver. It’ll take 4 hours to get to the Halong Bay port. Or, you can take a tour which may include transportation. 

The best part about visiting Halong Bay is the chance to stay overnight on a junker boat. It’s much nicer than it sounds as these boats are retrofitted and have a luxurious feel. You can get a private room with an ensuite bathroom. You’re also served fresh seafood during your stay. 

Since there are many companies that offer this trip, check out these recommendations on the best Halong Bay cruise to take.

If you’re worried about motion sickness, don’t worry. The boat moves slowly across the bay and the water isn’t too choppy.

Hang out at the boat’s rooftop to see the small islands and awe at the turquoise water pass by. Other activities include taking a sampan to go to a floating village, kayaking or swimming off of a small beach area, and exploring caves . 

Reserve this 3 night cruise on Halong Bay here. 

Add Halong Bay to your itinerary to see the gorgeous limestone karsts and the bay. Photo credit: Tan Pham via Scopio Photos

Stop #4: Return to Hanoi or Haiphong (1 Day)

On your last day in Vietnam, take a minivan or bus to Hanoi or Haiphong

Depending on the time of your flight, you can spend some time in Old Quarter in Hanoi or head directly to the airport, Noi Bai International Airport. 

Ask your transportation agency if you can arrange a drop-off at the airport. This is a convenient option so you can hop onto a plane. 

You can also head directly to Haiphong’s Cat Bi International Airport (airport code: HPH) to take limited international flights. Domestic flights are available from here. 

Itinerary #2: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Sapa

For this 7 day in Northern Vietnam itinerary, we’re adding a visit to see rice terraces in the gorgeous Sapa area. 

With two days in Hanoi, you can pick a few of the attractions in Itinerary #1 to focus on. 

Stop #2: Ninh Binh (1 Day)

With this itinerary, you’ll spend 1 day in Ninh Binh. Feel free to pick a couple of attractions to visit from Itinerary #1 to check out on your Ninh Binh day trip.

Stop #3: Sapa (3 Days)

Sapa (Sa Pa) is a popular spot in the Lao Cai Province. It’s located in a mountainous area and is famous for the golden and green rice terraces and pretty sceneries. 

From Hanoi to Sapa, it’ll take 5-6 hours by bus, minivan, or limousine van. There isn’t any airport transportation here yet. Check out our post on various transportation options from Hanoi to Sapa and vice versa. 

Once you’re in Sapa, wander through the center of town to check out the souvenir shops and try roasted chestnuts or chestnut bread. 

Fansipan Mountain is one of the highlights of Sapa . It’s a staggering 3,143 meters (10,312 feet) high. Take the cable car and funicular to the summit from Sapa’s city center. Or, take the challenge and hike to Fansipan peak in 1-2 days. (We did it in one day!)

Trekking is a popular activity in Sapa . Take 1-3+ days to wander through the rice terraces and stop by ethnic minority villages and stay overnight at homestays. Cat Cat Village and Lao Chai Valley are popular trekking spots. Check out where we trekked for 2 days . We recommend that you also read our Sapa trekking tips here . 

Read our Sapa in 3 days itinerary for more information. 

Sapa has plenty of guesthouses and boutique hotels for your overnight stay. Click here for accommodation options in Sapa. 

Sapa is beautiful to visit at any time of the year.

Stop #4: Departure to Hanoi (1 Day)

On your 7th day in Vietnam, take a bus or minivan from Sapa to Hanoi or directly to the airport. 

Itinerary #3: Hanoi – Ha Giang Loop

This 7 day Vietnam route is for those who want to go on an adventure and explore a less-touristy spot. If you’ve already been to Northern Vietnam before, then this is a good option.

Stop #1: Hanoi (1 Day)

Follow the Hanoi itinerary above for ideas on what to do. We only have 1 day in Hanoi so choose a couple of attractions to focus on. 

Stop #2: Ha Giang Loop (5 Days)

Ha Giang Loop ( Hà Giang) is considered one of the fun bucket list things to do in Vietnam . It’s an opportunity to explore an off-the-beaten path and take a motorbike trip through an untapped area of a northern Vietnam province. 

From Hanoi to Ha Giang, take a bus or minivan. Expect 6-7 hours to get there so you’ll need some time for traveling. 

Afterward, join a tour and wander through various areas of the province. You’ll need to know how to ride a motorbike or hire a driver/Easy Rider who can ride the motorbike (or car) on your behalf. The roads are windy yet offer beautiful views along the way. Most people tend to go in a clockwise or counterclockwise route to explore the loop. 

Stop by places such as Thac Ba Lake, wander through ethnic villages, ride a boat along Nho Que River, and visit Ba Be National Park (one of the top national parks to visit in Vietnam ). 

Read our 4 Days in Ha Giang Loop itinerary here .

Reserve this Ha Giang Loop trip here. 

Ha Giang Loop is a pretty destination to visit during your 1 week in Vietnam. Photo credit: JayHub via Depositphotos.com

Stop #3: Go back to Hanoi (1 Day)

It’s time to return to Hanoi on your last day in Vietnam. 

If you have a flight scheduled on this day, you may consider taking a later flight. The traffic from Ha Giang to Hanoi may have delays so you don’t want to miss your flight. 

Itinerary #4: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island 

We suggest that you follow the Hanoi things to-do list in the Itinerary #1 section. 

Stop #2: Halong Bay (2 Days)

Halong Bay is doable to explore in 2 days. When making a reservation for a Halong Bay tour, ask for a 2 day / 1 night trip. Reserve this 2 day Halong Bay trip here. 

Refer to Itinerary #1 regarding transportation options to get to Halong Bay. If your tour includes transportation, then that is even better!

Stop #3: Cat Ba Island (2 Days)

For a quieter and less touristy area of Halong Bay, check out Cat Ba Island ( Cát Bà ). It’s considered one of the best islands to explore in Vietnam . 

From Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island, it can be easily reached by ferry or speedboat. More information is here. 

Rent a motorbike to explore the island and take pretty photos along the coastline. You can also explore the Cat Ba National Park and go hiking around the island. There are a few beaches to relax on. 

Click here to see accommodations on Cat Ba Island. 

Cat Ba Island is beautiful place to visit during your 7 days in Vietnam. Photo credit: fbxx via Depositphotos.com

Central Vietnam Routes

Itinerary #5 : danang – hoi an – hue.

If you plan to focus on Central Vietnam, then there are plenty of places to explore. Below is a typical Central Vietnam itinerary where you can learn more here . 

Stop #1: Danang (3 Days)

Danang ( Đà Nẵng ) is the largest city in Central Vietnam and the fifth largest in Vietnam. Tourists and local visitors love coming to Danang for the nonstop sunshine, beaches, temples, and theme parks . 

You’ll land at Danang International Airport (airport code: DAD) and then head to your destination. 

The beaches are one of the highlights of Danang. You can’t go wrong with the My Khe Beach which has golden sand that stretches for miles. 

For temples, check out one of the Lady Buddha statues at Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula. You can climb up the peaks of Marble Mountain to also see gorgeous views of Danang and visit the smaller temples.  

We can’t forget about the hottest European-style theme park in Danang – Sun World Ba Na Hills. It’s home to the Instagram-worthy Golden Bridge, two stone hands holding up a golden bridge. There are dance performances, alpine coasters, indoor games, and more. Read our Ba Na Hills guide here.  

Another theme park to check out is Sun World Danang Wonders . This is the place to visit for the thrilling theme park rides. Read our Danang Wonders guide here . 

For more information, check out our Danang 3 days itinerary here . 

As for accommodations, stay at a 5-star resort or hotel or a guesthouse. Stay nearby the beach for easier access. Click here to check out availability for places to stay . 

Mable Mountains is a must-see attraction to visit when you’re in Danang. Photo credit: bloodua via Depositphotos.com

Stop #2: Hoi An (1 Day)

Hoi An ( Hội An) is easily one of the tourists’ favorite towns to visit in Vietnam. It’s another UNESCO recognized site and known as a former port town. 

Many visitors love the Ancient Town vibe with the yellow buildings, cobblestone roads, historic buildings, and the gentle river flowing between the town. 

Purchase an entrance ticket to have access to temples, museums, and local attractions such as the pretty Japanese bridge. The cost helps preserve the local area. 

In the evenings, the city lights up with colorful silk lanterns. Wander through the Night Markets for souvenir shopping or have dinner along the river. 

From Danang to Hoi An, take a taxi or ride-hailing vehicle. It’ll take 30-40 minutes to get there. 

Return to Danang in the evening to stay overnight. 

These silk lanterns in Hoi An are gorgeous at night.

Stop #3: Hue (2 Days)

Hue ( Huế ) is another awesome spot to visit for a few days. It’s known as the Imperial City where the Nguyen Dynasty lived from 1802 to 1945. 

To get to Hue from Danang, hire a driver, take a car tour , or consider taking a motorbike tour along the Hai Van Pass. Expect to take 2 hours one-way. 

The ancient Imperial City houses the collection of buildings and is surrounded by a moat as the “Complex of Hue Monuments” which is another UNESCO site . Either hire a guide or wander through the Hue Monuments. It’s a large area so you can easily take a full day here.

We can’t forget about the food. Central Vietnam’s food has unique flavors compared to other areas. Try the bún bò Huế (beef noodle soup) and bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp).

Stay overnight in Hue for 2 nights. Find your perfect accommodations here. 

Check out these gates when visiting the Imperial City. Photo credit: efired via Depositphotos.com

Stop #4: Return to Danang (1 Day)

It’s time to head back to Danang from Hue and head directly to the airport, Danang International Airport, to return home. 

Itinerary #6: Danang – Phong Nha 

This itinerary focuses on a visit to Phong Nha to see the beautiful caves and go trekking through the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. 

Stop #1: Danang (2 Days)

Choose a few attractions to visit on your two days in Danang from Itinerary #5. 

Stop #2: Phong Nha (4 Days)

Phong Nha is a sleeper town within the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. It’s another recognized UNESCO recognized site and has tall limestone mountains and underground caves. 

From Danang to Phong Nha, take a train or domestic flight. The train will take at least 6 hours. While will be easier, there isn’t a direct flight from Danang to Dong Hoi (airport code: VDH), the nearest airport to Phong Nha. You would need to fly back to Hanoi and then take a flight from Hanoi to Dong Hoi. This will take 7 hours or so. 

Once you’re in Phong Nha, you’ll need a few days to explore this quiet town and area. 

One day will be spent exploring the national park loop and stopping by Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave, and the Botanic Garden. 

Another day is focused on Bong Lai Valley , the rural villages and area outside of Phong Nha main town. Either explore by motorbike or bicycle. Read more about our Bong Lai Valley experience here. 

The last few days in Phong Nha are where you can go on a 2-day trek through the National Park . We did the trek to Hang En Cave with Oxalis Adventures and had the opportunity to stay overnight in the third largest cave in the world. There are other 2 day treks that you can explore from Oxalis or Jungle Boss Adventure. 

A bucket list experience would be to visit Son Doong Cave, the largest cave in the world. (Technically, Hang En Cave is the first two days of the Son Doong Cave tour). 

Check out our Phong Nha itinerary for a detailed breakdown of what to do here. 

Click here on where to stay in Phong Nha. 

You can’t miss this Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park Hollywood sign when entering Phong Nha town.

Stop #3: Departure (1 Day)

Return to Dong Hoi Airport and take a flight either back to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

South Vietnam Itineraries for 1 Week

While 7 days in South Vietnam is a decent amount of time, we suggest taking at least 2 weeks. Click here to see our South Vietnam itinerary for 2 weeks . 

Itinerary #7: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Mui Ne

This 7 days in Vietnam itinerary is perfect for visitors who want to explore a large city, Ho Chi Minh City, and then head to the countryside of the Mekong Delta. We end the itinerary with a visit to a beach town . 

Stop #1: Ho Chi Minh City (3 Days)

Ho Chi Minh City (also referred to as Saigon, HCMC, or Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh in Vietnamese) is a bustling city in South Vietnam. As the largest city in Vietnam, there is non-stop action here from the motorbike traffic, nightlife , shopping, and good eats. 

You’ll land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (airport code: SGN). It’ll take about 20-30 minutes to head into District 1 Downtown area. 

You’ll need to spend 1 day in HCMC to visit the main attractions such as the Saigon Cathedral, Post Office, and include a visit to the War Remnants Museum or Independence Palace. 

There are other things to do in HCMC for your other days. If you want a full day of relaxation at your hotel pool, getting a massage, or any beauty care with manicure/pedicures, go for it! You deserve a day to relax. We love getting massages at Miu Miu Spa. 

If you want to go shopping or go cafe hopping, then the main Downtown area has lots of opportunities. 

On your third day, consider taking a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City . You can visit Cu Chi Tunnels to see the underground tunnels that the Viet Cong soldiers lived through in the Vietnam War. Or, head to Can Gio to see the monkeys. 

Check out our detailed Ho Chi Minh City 3 days itinerary here . 

Check out places to stay in HCMC here. 

Check out the Ho Chi Minh Statue when visiting the Nguyen Hue walking street.

Stop #2: Mekong Delta (1 Day)

Mekong Delta is an important river for the Vietnamese people. It’s used for transportation and buying/selling fresh produce on the floating markets. There are small towns and cities specialized in certain agricultural products so each place has a unique ambiance. 

Since you have 1 day in the Mekong Delta, the closest place to visit is Ben Tre Province . Ben Tre ( Bến Tre ) has the tastiest young coconuts to try. Find dừa xiêm (fresh young coconut) from a local vendor and enjoy this delicious drink .

Many of the Ben Tre tours will take you to a coconut candy factory so you can see how this confectionary is made, a honey farm, and a rice cracker factory. You get the chance to ride a sampan along the river and see what a traffic jam is like with boats. Your tour may also include a chance to fish for snakeheads in a river and have it for lunch. 

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for the evening. 

One of the coolest experierences is to ride a sampan along the Mekong Delta.

Stop #3: Mui Ne (2 Days)

It’s time to head to the beaches and escape to a coastal town. We’re off to Mui Ne ( Mũi Né ), a small town part of Phan Thiet City. 

To get to Mui Ne from Ho Chi Minh City, take a sleeper bus. It’ll take 5-6 hours depending on traffic. 

There are lots of fun things to do in Mui Ne . Go on a Jeep tour to explore the red and white sand dunes, walk through a Fairy Stream, and see the fishing village either at sunrise or sunset. You can also learn how to kitesurf as the winds are strong. Don’t forget to try the delicious seafood here! 

If you want to go on a hike, consider hiking Ta Cu Mountain to see a reclining white Buddha. Taking the cable car is also another option. 

Check out places to stay in Mui Ne here. 

Visiting the white dunes at sunrise or sunset is a highlight of Mui Ne.

Stop #4: Return to Ho Chi Minh City (1 Day)

Ask your accommodation to arrange a bus ride back to Ho Chi Minh City. Or, stop by one of the bus companies along the main street to make a booking. 

Itinerary #8: Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc

Want to go on an island? Head to Phu Quoc, south of Cambodia, and is the closest island from Ho Chi Minh. 

Refer to Itinerary #7 to get ideas on how to spend 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Stop #2: Phu Quoc (3 Days)

The next destination is Phu Quoc Island ( Phú Quốc ). Many locals and visitors love visiting Phu Quoc for a weekend trip to hang out at the beaches and relax. 

To get to Phu Quoc Island, take a flight from Ho Chi Minh City. The flight takes only 1 hour. 

Most people stay at a 5-star resort and hang out at the pool and private beaches. You’re here for a relaxing vacation! Don’t worry, there are plenty of guesthouses available, but you’ll need a motorbike to travel around the island . 

There are tons of things to do in Phu Quo c. Hang out at Sao Beach and visit the Starfish beach during your visit here. You can also visit several factories and see how fish sauce and sim wine are made. You can also ride the longest cable car ride according to Guinness World Record and visit Hom Tom Island (or Pineapple Island)

If you only have 2 days in Phu Quoc , check out this itinerary on what to do here. 

Click here to see accommodations on Phu Quoc. 

When visiting Phu Quoc Island, take a day trip to go snorkeling.

You can either take a flight back from Phu Quoc or Ho Chi Minh City to your next destination. Some international flights land in Phu Quoc so it’ll reduce extra traveling costs and time. 

Itinerary #9: Ho Chi Minh City – Dalat

If you need fresh air and cooler temperatures, head to Dalat. It’s located in the Central Highlands and has many outdoor adventures to do. 

Check out Itinerary #7 for ideas on what to do in HCMC. 

Stop #2: Dalat (3 Days)

Dalat ( Đà Lạt ) is one of the prettiest spots to visit in Vietnam. Since the city is located in mountainous areas and is known for the cooler weather, Dalat has lots of trees and plants, waterfalls, and forest areas to enjoy . It’s no wonder why this city is called the “City of Eternal Spring.”

You will need a few days in Dalat to explore the incredible waterfalls . Check out Elephant Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, Dantala Waterfall, and Prenn Waterfall. For a non-touristy waterfall, consider hiking to Tam Tham Waterfall .

The main Downtown area has adorable cafes with French architecture. In the evenings, check out the Night Market to buy snacks, hot soy milk, and produce. Check out these delicious places to eat in Dalat!

Another funky place to visit is the Crazy House with unique and whimsical architecture. You can even stay overnight in one of the themed rooms . 

There are also fun hiking routes around Dalat. Langbiang is an easier route. Or, you can join a hiking tour to go to Bidoup Nui Ba National Park . 

Read more on how to spend 3 days in Dalat here . 

If you have the chance, consider taking a side trip to Bao Loc for more waterfalls and to see tea plantations. 

Check out places to stay in Dalat here. 

Pongour Waterfall is one of the best waterfalls to see in Dalat.

Stop #3: Departure to Ho Chi Minh City (1 Day)

Schedule a bus ride to go back to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Itinerary #10: Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang – Dalat

Looking for a combination of beach and nature experiences? Then this 7 day Vietnam itinerary is for you!

Stop #1: Ho Chi Minh City (Day 1)

One day in Ho Chi Minh City will go by quickly so you can refer to Itinerary #7 and choose the best attractions that you want to visit. 

Stop #2: Nha Trang (3 Days)

Head to Nha Trang for some beach and relaxation. Nha Trang is a popular beach destination in the South Central part of Vietnam. 

To get to Nha Trang from Ho Chi Minh City, either take a domestic flight or an overnight train . If taking a flight, you’ll fly to Cam Rang Airport (airport code: CXR). The flight is 1 hour and 10 minutes. Then, you will need to take a bus or taxi to Nha Trang. If taking an overnight train, it’ll take around 9 hours. 

It’s easy to find a spot along Nha Trang Beach and soak in some sunshine. You may consider renting a lawn chair from one of the beach hawkers so it’ll be more comfortable. 

Soaking in mineral springs and mud baths is a must-do in Nha Trang . There are three locations – 100 Eggs Theme Park, Thap Ba Hot Springs, and I-Resort – yet other places around Nha Trang offer these. Check out our I-Resort review here. 

Other attractions to visit include visiting VinWonders Nha Trang theme park , checking out Po Nagar Cham Towers, going snorkeling, or visiting Hon Tam Island as a day trip . 

Check out our 3 days Nha Trang itinerary here . 

Click here to see accommodation options in Nha Trang. 

Check out the Nha Trang beach when you’re in Nha Trang for a few days.

Stop #3: Dalat (2 Days)

Dalat is doable to do in 2 days. It can be as relaxing or adventurous as you want it to be. Check out Itinerary #9 for ideas on what to do. 

From Nha Trang to Dalat, take a bus. It’ll take 3-4 hours depending on traffic. 

Stop #4: Go back to Ho Chi Minh City (1 Day)

From Dalat, you’ll take another sleeper bus to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City.

From North to South Vietnam Itinerary in 7 Days

Itinerary: #11: hanoi – danang – ho chi minh city.

For this route, we’re traveling across the country and utilizing domestic flights for transportation. This itinerary has the highlights of visiting the three biggest cities in Vietnam. 

You’ll need to fly directly into Hanoi to start this itinerary. Afterward, choose a few attractions to visit from Itinerary #1. 

Stop #2: Danang (3 Days)

As mentioned in the Central Vietnam section, Danang is a beach city with tons of local attractions to visit. 

Choose a few activities to check out above during your two days in Danang. Refer to Itinerary #5. If you prefer to just hang out at the resort, then that’s perfectly fine too! You could also do a day trip to Hoi An on one of the days. 

To get to Danang from Hanoi, take a domestic flight. It’ll take 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

Stop #3: Ho Chi Minh City (1 Day)

The last stop is Ho Chi Minh City. Since it’s your last day here, you can visit a few of the local attractions or get a massage. Check out ideas on what to do in Itinerary #7.

From Danang to Ho Chi Minh City, take a domestic flight. The direct flight is 1.5 hours. 

Stop #4: Departure (1 Day)

It’s time to return home. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the airport. 

Final Thoughts

One week in Vietnam will fly by quickly! With prior planning, you can easily squeeze in a jam-packed itinerary. 

Which of these itineraries do you want to experience on your next trip to Vietnam? Let us know in the comments below.

Like this post? Save it to your Pinterest Asia Travel board.

Featured photo and pin #1 photo credit: AlexGukBO via Depositphotos.com

I'm Jackie - world explorer, hiker, and wanderer. I love planning things whether it is a trip or an upcoming event, exploring nature, hiking up mountains, and seeing new places. I'm notorious for getting lost, so you may see me circling a place a few times.

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Home » Southeast Asia » Vietnam » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Vietnam Travel Guide (BUDGET TIPS • 2024)

Backpacking Vietnam will ignite your senses in a way you have never experienced before. This unique country in the middle of Southeast Asia is unlike anywhere I have ever been before.

The colours, the lanterns and the smiley faces of Vietnam will forever be etched into my mind. Packed with rice-paddy fields, roaming buffalos and zooming motorbikes; there is so much to see and experience in this magical land. 

Not only delicious but also kind to the budget; Vietnam has some of the best and most fascinating street food in the world. From a simple, delicious Bahn Mi to fresh Bun cha. Prepare for your mind (and your taste buds) to be blown. 

Vietnam leapt into the 21st century so fast, that much of its countryside is still buffering to catch up – which I hope it never does. 

While you can spend weeks exploring Vietnam’s off-the-beaten-track jungles and villages, you can also encounter EPIC cities with bustling traffic and fast wifi. Vietnam has it all (and more!)

Vietnam is a big ol’ place with rich diversity in terms of its cities and towns; each offering something completely unique from the next. You’ll want to be as prepared as possible to make the most of your time backpacking Vietnam

That’s where I come in! I’ve compiled all of the wisdom I have gathered from my trips into this ULTIMATE backpacking Vietnam guide. From the best places to visit to the boring (but important) stuff like insurance, I’ve got you covered. 

Avast! Let’s get into the good stuff and stock you up with everything you need to know before backpacking Vietnam.

Why Go Backpacking in Vietnam

Travelling Vietnam has many of the classic markers of backpacking Southeast Asia . It still presents all the gorgeous sights: rolling green highlands, steaming jungles, twinkling azure coastlines, and ancient delights. There’s still an element of debauchery waking up still drunk in a city you don’t know. However, there’s an unshakable element of maturity that Vietnam asks of you.

I think it’s partly that the horrific history of this country is still in your face. Some of the mountains are still pockmarked from the insane bombing they endured in the war of the 1960s and 1970s. It’s also partly because Vietnam was not a well-visited destination until the 1990s. Even today isn’t full of cookie-cutter tours to the same degree as its neighbouring countries.

It’s also incredibly cheap to travel here. Vietnamese cuisine is sublime, the cities offer a metropolis-meets-charming-chaos style of living and the mountains? The mountains are damn fine. This has made it quite a popular base for English teachers, digital nomads, and other veteran traveller ex-pats.

I found Vietnam to be a heady collision of worlds. One day you might be chilling in a Vietnamese village that hasn’t seen foreigners in forty years, and the next you’re kicking it with Vietnamese students who deal weed to the ex-pats next door.

This all leads to this feeling that this is Southeast Asia. Or this is what Southeast Asia could be if there was a little more responsible tourism. Vietnam is a world away for most backpackers – and it sticks with them as a highlight of their years vagabonding Southeast Asia.

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Vietnam

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Below we have put together the grand tour itinerary. This is great if you have over 3 weeks to backpack Vietnam, and best completed by motorbike or bus! If you only have 2 weeks, aim to complete the first  or second half of the itinerary.

Vietnam is generally split into two regions, the north and the south. Deciding on where to stay in Vietnam , and what the best area for you is, can be a pretty hard decision.

If you only have less than two weeks, you can focus on one region. Another popular way to backpack Vietnam is to combine a trip with a neighbouring country. For example, combining Southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

2-Week Travel Itinerary for Vietnam: The Quick Trip

This trip is best done over about two weeks. It lends itself to bus travel in between some of Vietnam’s most beautiful places . You can start at either end, but I will talk about it from north to south.

Flying into Hanoi will be an experience in itself. Hanoi is an epic blend of modern skyscrapers and streets full of mouthwatering foods. Be sure to check out the Temple of Literature while you’re there.

After spending a few days in Hanoi, pop down the coast to the old imperial capital of Hue . My love affair with Vietnamese food was truly consummated here. Yes, if I could bed with the bun bo hue, I would. From Hue, it’s not too far to another beautiful Vietnamese city – Hoi An.

Hoi An has a slow pace of living and it’s a good place to catch up on the first leg of your trip. You can stroll through the picturesque streets, and catch up on some market shopping.

The chill times continue in Da Lat . It’s well worth taking a motorbike trip through the mountains on the way here -it’s stunning! Finish up your trip in Ho Chi Minh City !

This trip has the best of Vietnam in one neat little 2-week package!

1-Month Travel Itinerary for Vietnam: The Grand Tour

This itinerary can be complete in either direction, but I will discuss it from North to South. Start your trip backpacking in Hanoi – Vietnam’s beautiful capital city. Make a side trip to the countryside of Sapa,  where you can ride your motorcycle through the hills and explore waterfalls. Then arrange a trip to  Halong Bay,  a highlight on any Vietnam trip.

Head south, stopping to stay in the town of Hue , before moving on to visit Hoi An , where you can get an affordable, good quality suit made. Then go to Nha Trang  to let loose, get a bit wild and have some fun on the water. A popular water sports area with the likes of windsurfing, paragliding and jet skiing on offer; there’s enough adrenaline here to keep even the most adventurous happy.

Head to Mui Ne and for a short stay in Da Lat , then on to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) , the starting point for most backpackers travelling Vietnam. Saigon is a crazy bustling city. You can also go explore the Mekong River, a paradise for wildlife.

As I mentioned earlier, backpacking Vietnam is a collision of worlds. Some cities feel like old-world Asia, others still retain strong French colonial influences, and others are straight-up party hubs. Vietnamese cities are still among my favourite in the world – the heady mix of skyscrapers and good internet with carts selling pig ears and Chinese medicine peddled throughout them.

There is so much to unpack and discover that I can give you my favourite places to go in Vietnam, but inevitably you’ll discover your own hidden gems.

Always, there is colour and the smell of pho.

Backpacking Hanoi

One of my favourite cities in all of Asia, Hanoi is a beautiful combination of Old meets Modern: a gateway to the incredible mountains and scenery to the North and the warm beaches and bustling cities to the south. Hanoi is worth spending at least a couple of days exploring, on foot, or by bicycle. You could end up joining the ranks of ex-pats that call Hanoi home.

In Hanoi, it is definitely worth visiting the War Museum,  easily spotted it has a great collection of weaponry marking the entrance. It costs just $3 to get in and it’s a good introduction to exploring Vietnam’s war-torn past. Oh and be sure to check out the Old Quarter . It’s here that the traffic looks most like schools of fish, and that the best bowls of noodles can be found.

As for my personal favourite places to visit in Hanoi ? Other than the street carts selling banh mi until the early hours of the morning, it’s got to be the Temple of Literature.

The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070. It was Vietnam’s first university where the rich and incredibly brainy attended. Even if you’re not into the history behind it, its handcrafted architecture is pretty breathtaking. If you aren’t templed out, definitely head over to the ‘old section’ of the city and stop by Bach Ma Temple aka the oldest temple in the city. If you only see one temple while backpacking through Hanoi , make it this one.

Hoan Kiem Lake,  also known as the ‘Lake of the Restored Sword’. The legend goes that once the Emperor defeated the Chinese from Hanoi, a giant golden turtle grabbed the sword and disappeared into the lake to restore it to its rightful owners. All traffic here is banned between 7 P.M. to midnight every Friday to Sunday turning this beautiful place into a meeting place for friends, giving it an almost funfair vibe. If you’re an early bird and like morning exercise, 6 am Thai Chi takes place every morning.

Hanoi is a popular place to buy and sell motorbikes from or to other backpackers. It functions as both an entry and exit point to this epic country. As such, there is a contagious and frenetic energy in the hostels. You bump shoulders with those that have got stuck and fallen in love with Vietnam and those who are moving on. What a place to trade travel tips over a pint!

Backpacking Sapa

An explorers paradise, you are likely to arrive here early in the morning. Check into one of the awesome hostels in Sapa , leave your bags here, and go in search of Motorbikes for hire ! It’s around $10 per day to hire a motorbike. The price of freedom is cheap here.

Getting lost on a Motorbike, exploring the beautiful countryside is just one of the many  adventurous things to do in Sapa . Drive to the beautiful Thac Bac Waterfall , around 15kms outside Sapa main town. A legend says if you look at the falls long enough, you will see a white dragon peering down into the valley below.

Get off the beaten track while backpacking Vietnam and take a day trip out of Sapa town and visit the incredible  Ban Pho Village.  One of the friendliest tribes in South East Asia, it stands out among others due to the Mongolian Ban Ha population here. Settled on a Mountainous cliffside these guys literally live life on the edge. Come and explore the culture, talk to the villagers and try not to get too drunk off the legendary corn wine they will insist you taste. Multiple times.

If motorbikes aren’t your thing, you can still make an awesome tour of Sapa Valley by bicycle. If you go with a company all of your food and extra transportation (not on a bicycle) is covered, but it is easy enough to organize yourself.

There are some truly awesome treks around Sapa and you could spend a few days (or a few lifetimes) here exploring. For the more adventurous, why not  conquer Vietnams highest peak , Fansipan. Not quite Everest but standing at 3,143m it’s pretty impressive; it is possible to do in a day but most will recommend at least 2 days. You can do this hike solo or with trekking companies in the area.

Backpacking Ha Giang

If you fancy heading off on some even more adventure-fuelled forays, consider treks around the area or better yet, motorbiking the Ha Giang Loop ! It’s one of the most under-appreciated areas in Vietnam and attracts far fewer Western tourists than Sapa.

Although it’s getting more and more popular every day, there are still some hidden gems here, like the remote lake of Na Hang . There’s plenty of ripe adventure material left to find travelling in this part of Vietnam.

When looking for accommodation in Ha Giang, be sure to check out our friends at Hmong Moonshine! They are great people (ask for Tuyen) and the property itself is very beautiful. You can also learn how to make local moonshine while staying here! Allegedly, this is where I was drunk under the table by a Vietnamese grandma… Turns out I can’t hold my moonshine as well as the locals – who knew!

Backpacking Halong Bay & Cat Ba Island

This UNESCO world heritage site, often known as the Eighth Wonder of the world, is an unmissable stop whilst backpacking Vietnam. Almost everyone who visits Halong Bay does it as part of a pre-arranged package. I’m not normally one for taking the tour option but it is pretty impossible otherwise. The tour’s not too expensive and it was totally worth it.

We had a great time and were surrounded by some awesome people. It’s essential to prebook your trip and accommodation in Halong Bay ; we booked a two day, two-night tour from our stay at the Central Hanoi Backpackers Hostel.

Whilst exploring Halong Bay we stayed on a cool ‘ Junk Boat ‘ one night and in beach huts the other. Being part of a prepackaged tour meant all our food, transport and everything else was included, making it a hassle-free adventure.

Once the tour is over you can either stay on Cat Ba island and check out the rock climbing scene or head back to Hanoi for a night before travelling South.

Backpacking Hue

This is a beautiful small town offering a great break in the journey from Hanoi to Hoi An. One of Vietnams most royal cities, Hue is littered with impressive historic sights, delighting the inner nerd in us all!

There are also heaps of cool backpacker hostels in Hue with bouncing little traveller vibes. It is one of Vietnam’s sticky spots – it’s just so easy to get stuck exploring and chilling out here. There is a slower pace of life compared with some of the other cities in Vietnam.

Check out the impressive Citadel  on the other side of the perfume river. This impressive piece of history is made up of 4 separate citadels and will take a full day to explore. So you can hire a bike to get around!

There is a ton of things to do in Hue and you could easily spend weeks here. Check out the Thien Mu Pagoda ; standing at 21 metres high and decorated with mind-blowing architecture this pagoda is a pretty spectacular eyeful.  

If rest and relaxation are what you are after the beaches of Lang Co  and the mineral hot pools of Phong An are just a short distance away.

Backpacking Hoi An

Hoi An is THE place to get tailor-made clothes whilst backpacking Vietnam. There are loads of things to do but most backpackers visiting Hoi An come here to get a suit made.

Clothes tend to take at least 3 days to make so you want to get measured as soon as possible… So first stop? Find a tailor!

Check into Mad Monkey Hoi An – dorms start from $7 USD a night, and it has an awesome pool! Spend a few days exploring the local area by bicycle. (The hostel provides them for free.) It’s located close to the beach which is great on hot days, as you don’t have to go far!

Looking to get back into the city? Da Nang is a great day trip, only a 40-minute drive from Hue; the sandy beaches, caves and Buddhist shrines among many other activities make for the perfect day out.

Backpacking Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a perfect place to let loose, get a bit wild, and have some fun on the water. A popular water sports area with the likes of windsurfing, paragliding, and jet skiing on offer, there’s enough adrenaline here to keep even the most adventurous happy. No need to prebook; all can be arranged from the beach.

The best area to stay in Nha Trang is down the side alleys and not on the main road. It’s quieter, cheaper, and just more chill.

Something I found interesting about Nha Trang was its popularity with wealthy Russian tourists. I wasn’t expecting to eat mystery meat soup next to a large Slavic man with a shiny watch but hey, that’s travelling! Some of the bars popular with backpackers here can err on the side of dodgy , so keep your wits about you.

There are some great backpacker hostels in Nha Trang with awesome social vibes. The beaches are beautiful and there’s a pretty laid back vibe to backpacker life here.

There is a strange feeling that hovers over Nha Trang that I can’t quite put my finger on. It made me love it all the more, but still, there’s an oddity to it.

I think it’s got to do with the availability of cheap drugs and the associated changes to locals – and tourists who get hooked – that this brings. Rumours of Russian mafia activity abound and some of the hookers are pretty good pickpockets too. This all contrasts with a stunning, postcard-perfect exterior to create the ‘odd’ feeling.

Nha Trang is one of those interesting places that you’ll be glad you went to, but also, probably glad you left.

Backpacking Lak Lake

Recover from the heavy nights in Nha Trang and break up the journey to Dalat by venturing out to the tranquil and beautiful Lak Lake, the largest natural body of water in central Vietnam.

This region of Vietnam is home to the Mnong people . An ethnic group indigenous to Vietnam (with a small population in Cambodia too), the Mnong people, rather curiously, are renowned for designing one of the world’s oldest instruments: the lithophone .

Paddle out in a kayak at sunset and enjoy the still waters and beautiful scenery. You can also explore Jun Village : A Mnong settlement of wooden stilted houses. It’s a very beautiful place to go in Vietnam and a slight departure from the regular tourist trail.

Backpacking Mui Ne

From Nha Trang you can head to Mui Ne which is home to one of the best beaches in Vietnam . You can check out the awesome sand dunes or hire a motorbike from Easy Rider for roughly 30 dollars and ride up the mountain paths to Dalat.

There isn’t much other than the sand dunes, beaches, and a fairy stream in Mui Ne. Ostrich riding is totally a thing though, which sounds totally awesome but it’s really kind of fucked. I am going to please ask you to consider your actions when engaging with animal tourism .

That is to say, please don’t ride the ostriches. Bombing the sand dunes is plenty fun enough.

Backpacking Da Lat (Dalat)

There is not a whole lot to do in Da Lat, but the ride itself is very scenic. I managed to crash and hurt myself quite badly because the roads are difficult, and if you have limited riding experience I suggest you hire a driver and just go on the back of the bike.

Although it’s not as stacked with activities as a lot of other destinations in Vietnam, there are still awesome budget accommodations in Dalat for backpackers to stay at. It’s a nice place in Vietnam to stay and take a breather for a few days.

I liked slowing down and getting to know the quieter side of Vietnam while in Da Lat. I couchsurfed here and we barbequed octopus and played hopscotch with the kids until late in the night. It’s one of those little memories that didn’t feel special at the time but has stuck out as a wonderful memory as the years have gone on.

Backpacking Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

The starting point for most visitors to Vietnam, backpacking in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is a crazy bustling experience. Expensive for us broke backpackers in comparison to the rest of the country, I recommend venturing into the ‘real’ Vietnam pronto.

Although there are plenty of cool things to do in Ho Chi Minh , many of the ‘must-see’ sights around are related to the terrors of the Vietnam War.

The War Remnants Museum is a haunting insight into the life of those fighting on the front line during the period of 1954 – 1975. It costs around $1 to enter.

Take a trip out of the city and tour the incredible network of Cu Chi Tunnels . Brave claustrophobia and crawl around the safer sections of the restored tunnels, popping (or squeezing) out at the other end. You can pre-book half-day tours of the tunnels through the Hide Out Hostel travel desk.

From Ho Chi Minh, it is easy to arrange a bus onwards to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. You get your Cambodian visa for a fee on the border.

Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is often referred to as the ‘Rice Bowl’ of Vietnam (there are lovely rice paddies everywhere) this maze of rivers, swamps and islands are home to tiny villages floating on the banks of the Delta.

Paddle into the floating markets and pick up some cheap trinkets, you’ll find anything and everything. Unfortunately, the market is becoming increasingly popular and much of the trinkets being sold are aimed at those travelling Vietnam.

If you have a day to kill in the Mekong consider renting a vintage Vespa scooter and checking out the Delta countryside and local culture.

Moving past the ‘tourist’ trap section, the Mekong Delta is a paradise for local wildlife. The quiet and noise of nature is a refreshing change from the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh.

Trips to the Mekong can be as quick as half a day or a couple of days, depending on budget. However, I would recommend spending at least a day exploring the Mekong Delta. The best place to stay when exploring the Mekong Delta is Can Tho , just south of Ho Chi Minh

Getting Off the Beaten Path in Vietnam

Vietnam is certainly shooting up as a popular destination for both backpackers and holidayers. While you can stick to exploring the typical areas of Vietnam that most people visit, there is so much more to discover once you get off the tourist trail.

The Ha-Giang Loop (which I’ve already mentioned) is one such choice. It’s not one of Vietnam’s completely hidden gems anymore, however, it’s still far from touristic. Even attempting the Ha-Giang Loop by motorbike is going to give a feeling of real adventure material while simultaneously bringing you into closer contact with local communities.

As an extension of that, travelling Vietnam by motorbike (while definitely a common activity for tourists) brings even more potential for exploring the unseen sides of the country. The good thing about having your own wheels is that you can go anywhere! No village is too far off the beaten track.

I’m also going to throw the suggestion of the Ta Xua mountain range at you. Close to Moc Chau village (another underexplored locale), the Ta Xua mountains give the feeling of walking above the heavens themself. Mountain trails wind the ranges over oceans of rolling cloud formations – sunrise is a real treat.

And lastly, if you’re packing for a beach day but prefer the feeling of lost isolation, Vietnam has heaps of lesser-known beaches to explore too! Just heading north up the coast from Nha Trang is going to land you in some dope spots like Quy Nhon . If you’re still keen to branch out from there, just rent a bike and start looking!

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Vietnam is loaded with cool activities – both for lovers of tourist affairs and for lovers of the road less travelled. Here’s my top pick of the coolest things to do in Vietnam!

1. Cruise Halong Bay

No journey to Vietnam is complete without a trip to check out Ha Long Bay. Admire the breathtaking scenery of mountainous limestone rocks while cruising Halong Bay. When the humidity hits take a leap off the side and into the tranquil water below and splash around till your heart’s content.

2. Squeeze into the Cu Chi Tunnels

See how the Vietnamese used underground tactics during the Vietnam War. Squeeze yourself into the tiny tunnels, overcoming claustrophobia as you try to experience what the Vietnamese Soldiers once did back in 1954.

3. Trekking in Sapa

Leave the hustle and bustle behind and check into some of the most beautiful mountainous landscapes in Asia. Home to Vietnam’s highest peak Fansipan, Sapa is a dream to trek, and standing at 3,143m it’s pretty impressive. If this is a bit too adventurous, enjoy the day walks or simply kick back and take in the beautiful views.

4. Suit up in Hoi An

Thailand has Elephant Pants and Vietnam has incredible Silk Suits. Watch the talented tailors at work in Hoi An and get your own creation made cheaply, beautifully, and in just a few hours!

5. Motor Bike across the Country

This is a fantastic way to see the countryside. Of course, more information is coming about exploring on 2 wheels in the motorbike travel section below.

6. Water Puppet Show

Originating as far back as the 11th Century from the villages of the Red River Delta in Northern Vietnam, Water Puppet Shows are incredible. Lasting from as little as 5 minutes to hours, these are shows that you have to check out when travelling in Vietnam.

7. Bar Hop Ba Hoi

Friendly bars with cheap beer, laid back feels and even more friendly locals. Often located up sketchy looking side streets, these little bars are a great place for a laugh and cheap beer.

8. Street Food

For as little as $1 for a great meal, you really have no excuse not to try some of the local delicacies. We’re talking the classic Banh Mi and fetal duck eggs. There’s turtle soup, pho, and beef in every way you can imagine. This country is simply spoiled with the finest food in Southeast Asia.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Vietnam has some of the cheapest accommodation in Southeast Asia . You can find a dorm bed for as little as $3 USD a night or a private room with a fan for $7 USD .

The hostel scene is pretty awesome. It’s super diverse with party hostel, co-working spaces, and grungy, old school hostels all in the mix.

You can expect to meet some interesting characters while staying in a hostel . This is where you can trade travel stories and pick up tips about where to go next. If hostels don’t sound like your thing – or maybe you just want to indulge in a double bed for a special occasion – Vietnam also has a range of great Airbnbs.

You can stay in whole apartments for less than $50 a night. When that one guy at the hostel has told you the story about how he almost became an international drug smuggler but then he remembered about his ethics so he just dodged taxes instead, an Airbnb can seem more appealing for a night. And even luxury Airbnbs in Vietnam is not out of the question for a solo backpacker in Vietnam looking to splurge for one night.

In between swanky Airbnbs and party hostels are a bunch of great guesthouses and homestays. Many of these aren’t listed online but are well known via word of mouth.

Wherever you choose to stay in Vietnam, it’s not going to be expensive – but it will be a great time!

The Best Places to Stay in Vietnam

Travelling in Vietnam can be cheap without you really having to think about it. I spent around 20 dollars a day in Vietnam, sometimes a little more when splurging on a day trip or imported beer. You could very easily travel on less than 10 dollars a day, while still enjoying yourself.

As I’ve (hopefully) made clear in this guide, I LOVE Vietnamese food! Mostly that’s because it’s so damn delicious, but partly it’s because it’s so cheap. If you spend $3 on a meal in Vietnam, you’re going to be full to the brim and overdosing on tastiness.

A l ocal beer costs around 80 cents , although imported beers are still expensive. Going out for a night to see some music or have drinks in a bar can be done for less than $10! (And that’s drinking A LOT!)

Local transport is very cheap; though an airconditioned bus ride will be around $15 . Generally speaking, the further from the city centres that you get, the cheaper life becomes.

A Daily Budget in Vietnam

Money in vietnam.

Ever wanted to throw cash in the air and feel like a millionaire? Well, the Vietnamese Dong allows every broke backpacker travelling in Vietnam the opportunity to feel rich. As of 09/11/21, $1 US = 22,660 Vietnamese Dongs – crazy huh?

Plus the name is Dong… Which, when enjoying multiple dirt-cheap beers, is consistently amusing.

Don’t try to obtain Vietnamese currency before entering the country, it’s pretty much impossible. If you managed to snag some, you’ve probably had a pretty bad exchange rate. Take US dollars into Vietnam, you’ll find many shops and services accept US dollars.

Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted in the more built-up areas such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi but many of these, charge pretty insane withdrawal fees so it’s advisable to avoid small ATM transactions and get out a bunch of cash at once – just make sure you hide it well.

For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, The Broke Backpacker strongly recommends Wise – The Artist Formerly Known as Transferwise! Our favourite online platform for holding funds, transferring money, and even paying for goods, Wise is a 100% FREE platform with considerably lower fees than Paypal or traditional banks. But the real question is… is it better than Western Union? Yes, it most certainly is.

Travel Tips – Vietnam on a Budget

Vietnam is one of the cheapest destinations in Asia. However, it is still possible to go a little out of control, especially when the currency makes you feel like a millionaire. Standard budget backpacking tips aside, here are my top tips to keep it for backpacking Vietnam on a budget…

• Camp : Vietnam has some incredible countryside and coastline, views that shouldn’t be wasted by sleeping inside. Camping is most popular within the National Parks up and down Vietnam. Pack up your best backpacking gear and take adventures outdoor.
• Take the Bus : The national bus service or ‘the chicken bus’ has great links throughout Vietnam, even into some of the more remote areas. For as little as $1 a ticket, I’d happily sit next to a chicken for a few hours.
• Eat Street Food : Seriously, the food here is so cheap – and so declicious – you might as well indulge! Cooking for yourself probably won’t end up saving you much when you can get a meal on the street for $2 USD. Plus, you can’t make pho like the grandma up the road can!
• Understand the Money : If, like me, you don’t have a great mathematical brain, use a currency app to help you understand how much you are spending. Knowing the value of the currency will help you avoid being ripped off or spending too much without realising.
• Couchsurf: To connect with the locals, try meeting people with Couchsurfing. You’ll get a free place to stay, and you’ll probably make a friend!
• Keep it Local : Where possible drink the local beer, eat the local delicacies, and for day trips, try to use local companies. By using local companies you can haggle a bargain price that larger, international tour operators won’t offer. Plus supporting local businesses thrive is awesome!
• Hitchhike:  I didn’t hitchhike whilst backpacking Vietnam but I have a couple of amigos who have hitched the whole length of the country, no worries. Getting around by hitchhiking is a great way to travel for free, meet local people, and kick plans to the kerb!
• Budget-friendly Tours: If you do happen to go on any guided tours, at least make it a tour where you can pay it off in instalments. Global Work and Travel have the broke backpacker in mind with this one. You can even choose the amount per instalment! There are loads of Vietnam tour options to tickle your fancy.

Why Should You Travel to Vietnam with a Water Bottle?

Whilst there’s a lot that we can do when it comes to travelling responsibly , reducing your plastic consumption is one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, don’t take plastic shopping bags, and forget straws. All of this just ends up in landfills or in the ocean.

There’s nothing worse than showing up to a picture-perfect beach, only to discover plastic bottles littering the sand. One way to get around this is by investing in a premium filtered travel bottle like the Grayl Geopress. You can filter any kind of water, save money on buying endless plastic bottles – and sleep easy knowing you’re not contributing to the plastic bottles lining our beautiful beaches.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Vietnam is a country with multiple weather patterns ranging from monsoon rains, cold snaps, and hot, humid sunny days. It can be hard to catch the whole country at a consistent time of year. But no fret, it is possible!

If you are planning to backpack Vietnam from top to bottom, the best time of year generally is September – December (Autumn) and March – April (Spring). These times of the year are your best weather window, where you might be lucky enough to see the whole country in sun!

Looking for specifics? Let me break down by regions, the best time of year for backpacking Vietnam:

• North Vietnam : October to May will give you dry weather the majority of months. Expect some colder temperatures in the mountains and from March onwards, a little more rain as it gets more humid.
• Central Vietnam : February to July is the best time of year to avoid heavy rain. Temperatures will hit the upper 30s in June to August.
• Southern Vietnam : December to April is the ‘dry’ season. Temperatures will rarely fall below 20 degrees and will reach up to 40 degrees come March/April.

What to Pack for Vietnam

Make sure you get your packing for Vietnam right! On every adventure, there are 6 things I never go travelling without:

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

With these essentials, I still make sure to do a rundown of my full  backpacking packing list .

Vietnam is extremely safe for travel. Violent crime is almost nonexistent in Vietnam. Petty crime and pickpocketing can be an issue in the cities however, so just watch your valuables or leave them locked at your hostel. Where backpackers need to be careful is riding a motorcycle.

Vietnam’s cities are hectic, and the countryside has windy roads and animals roaming around. Even though road tripping with a motorcycle is a huge part of Vietnam tourism, I don’t recommend this for beginners.

Dense cities and tourist attractions are still questionable (as they usually are). Vietnam isn’t rife with petty crime, but keep an eye on your valuables.

Past that, Vietnam is pretty standard ‘travel in Southeast Asia’ stuff, and even by that metric, it’s very chill. Stick to the standard advice for safe travel and you’ll be fine.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Vietnam

The penalties for drugs are really harsh in Vietnam, like other neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia. Weed is the most commonly used drug throughout Vietnam, but you will get into a bunch of trouble for having it if you’re caught.

Let’s be realistic though, you’re probably going to try drugs on the road. In Vietnam, there are definitely underground scenes amongst locals – especially students – so having local friends helps when looking for a joint.

I’d advise against travelling even between cities with anything considered illegal. Once you arrive in a new city, ask around from there.

As for sex? Well you’re a backpacker, aren’t you? 😉 Of course, there will likely be a one night stand in your backpacker travels – whether you bone down in a hostel or have a sensuous encounter with a particularly beautiful local.

Through it all, you gotta be a good person. Free love is about love as much as it is about sex, y’know?

Also, I’d be remiss not to mention ‘sex tourism’. Everything is cheap in Asia, including the services of sex workers. This has led to an industry in Southeast Asia that can be very ethically murky. Regardless of your opinion on sex working in general – and whether or not you engage with sex working services – there is no reason for you to not have respect for another human being.

There are enough people in this world with bad intentions and rotten hearts – there’s no need to add your name to that list. But you know that.

Travel Insurance for Vietnam

Right, now let me be the first to admit that my travels sometimes involve some sketchy activities! But rather than ignore my wild side, I just insure in with World Nomads! That way, I can still have my adventures while knowing if shit hits the fan – I’m covered by insurance.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most accessible countries. Whether you are travelling the Southeast Asia loop and entering by land, coming down from China, or flying directly there, border crossings are relatively straight forward and the days of the tricky Vietnamese visa are now over.

There are long-distance bus/train services that you can use to get all the way from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, train it from Europe all the way to Vietnam…

For those backpacking Vietnam without the luxury of time, the best way in is to catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. There are flights with the likes of Emirates (via Dubai), Air China (via Guangzhou), and many more Airlines.

I’ve found Vietnam Airlines tend to have the best deals for flying direct to Ho Chi Minh City. Most flights will land in Ho Chi Minh but you can fly to other parts of the country.

You can enter Vietnam by motorbike easily and you can easily travel from Cambodia across the border to Vietnam using local buses. Or, if you fancy travelling in style, there are VIP bus services available for flash-packers.

Entry Requirements for Vietnam

Most countries require a visa to enter Vietnam, however, there is a shortlist of countries that are exempt for short stays. Past that, you’ll need to organise a Vietnam e-visa for a 30-day stay.

Thankfully e-visas are relatively straightforward to organise before you travel to Vietnam. If you don’t want to organise it yourself, there are many companies out there who can help you apply.

And if the 30 days in Vietnam just feels too short, no worries! You can extend once you’re there.

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Comfortable long-distance transport and constantly improving road quality make travelling in Vietnam pretty smooth. Vietnam has a great coastal train line that extends up to the Chinese border making travelling onwards to China a snap! It’s a great way to travel across Vietnam on a time limit.

Most backpackers choose to explore Vietnam via bus network. Buses in Vietnam are cheap, plenty are hop-on/hop-off style tickets, and they have ever-increasing presence of Air Con. Basically, they are a broke backpackers dream.

A great way to get from one end of the country to the other fast and scenically. Vietnam Railways operates a single track train network running from Ho Chi Minh city all the way to the Chinese border with beautiful views of the countryside and coast. Slightly slow in places as much of the train line dates back to the colonial period – but that’s just part of the charm, right?

Ensure you book your tickets in advance. Hard sleeper class offers the best value. Be aware that if you buy a through ticket you cannot break up the journey along the way, you will need separate tickets for this. Hop on the Reunification Express for a breathtaking journey.

I did not travel via domestic flight within Vietnam. However, if you are on a time limit, a 2hr flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is a lot more favourable than 30hrs + it can take on the train. Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier, and Jetstar both offer cheap and backpacker-friendly flights  to many destinations within Vietnam.

Rather than just rocking up at the station in the hope they will have space to fit you on, you can now book tickets in advance for most of Southeast Asia using Bookaway .

Travelling by Motorbike in Vietnam

To kick your backpacking adventure into the next gear, get a motorbike. Travelling by motorbike across Vietnam is often more cost-effective than paying for multiple train/bus tickets.

It gives you the freedom to really explore, get off the highway and go in search of raw adventure… Plus you look cool and you don’t have to deal with the drunken Aussie lads on the bus attempting to rope you into a game of ‘drink the beer’.

I picked myself up a Honda Win Manual Motorbike second hand from one of the many backpackers selling their bikes in Ho Chi Minh. I paid around $300  and, for the few weeks I had it, only some minor repairs were needed.

Before travelling to Vietnam,  I had never actually ridden a motorbike before and I was, in truth, a little intimidated. Luckily, riding a motorbike is a lot easier than it looks and after about an hour of (somewhat, hilarious) practice, I was good to go.

I had this expectation that the roads in Vietnam were going to be dangerous dirt tracks. But for the most part, they are fairly decent besides a few potholes. The biggest threat to you on the road is your own lack of attention, other drivers and animals/people. Make sure your travel insurance  covers you for riding a motorbike in Vietnam.

Unfortunately, accidents among travellers are common; I came off my motorbike myself in Dalat and got away with just cuts and bruises… The bike flipped and hit me in the back of the head, and my helmet almost certainly saved my life – always wear a helmet .

I’d also consider bringing a dedicated tent for your motorbike if you want to save money on accommodation. I usually rocked up to a restaurant for dinner & politely asked if I could set up there for the night. They always said yes and never charged me a dime.

Onwards Travel From Vietnam

Vietnam is well placed for onward overland travel to Cambodia , Laos, and China which all border Vietnam. You can bus, motorbike, or hitchhike in a truck full of onions over any of these borders. There are also cheap flights to Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond if you want to carry the Southeast Asia party on that a-ways!

If your travel funds are running low, it’s well worth considering a flight Down Under to the famously high minimum wage of Australia! Or, if you want to chill out in some colder climates, why not try backpacking in New Zealand ?

The long and the short of it is, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to onwards travel from Vietnam!

• Backpacking China
• Backpacking Malaysia
• Backpacking Laos
• Backpacking Thailand

Yes, yes, 1000 times, yes! I have no short number of long-term travelling friends that do a stint working a backpacker job in Vietnam to build up their cash supplies.

You will need a work permit to work in Vietnam though. A work permit/visa is valid for up to 2 years (non-renewable) and the pressure of the paperwork is off because the responsibility is on your employer! You’ll need to be sponsored by your prospective employer who will then be responsible for the organisation of your working permit.

Vietnam is also an up and coming digital nomad hotspot. It’s got fast internet, a good ex-pat science, and it is ridiculously cheap. There are not many other places in the world where you can get lunch for 2 dollars, and a beer for 80 cents while working with lightning-fast internet.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

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Teaching English in Vietnam

Teaching English in Vietnam is one of the most popular forms of work for foreigners in the country. With the right qualifications (i.e. a TEFL certificate ), you’ll find a lot of doors opening to you with some decent wages too (relative to the standards of Asia).

TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world with one!  Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses through MyTEFL (using the code PACK50).

You’ll need a prospective employer to sponsor you (and to go on a contract too). However, then an expat lifestyle in Vietnam awaits! There are heaps of schools around Vietnam that are always looking for fluent English speakers willing to teach. There are even heaps of adults wanting to learn.

A lot of people end up working in the major cities (like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh) simply for the amount of work available and modern lifestyle. Of course, as I always tell people looking to teach English abroad , getting out of the urban jungles and into the villages and rural areas is going to offer a much more authentic and wholesome experience.

Volunteering in Vietnam

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst helping your host community. There are plenty of different volunteer projects in Vietnam including teaching, construction, agriculture, and pretty much anything.

If the regular ol’ day job isn’t beckoning however, volunteering in Vietnam is a spectacular backup choice! You’ll lower your travel costs, connect with local communities, and give back all your best vibes and smiles while you’re at it! Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and Workaway still have their flaws but they’re a great way to get your foot in the door of the volunteering community.

Although only surpassed only by Indonesia as Southeast Asia’s most heavily populated country, Vietnam is the region’s most ethnically homogenous country with the Vietnamese making up about 85% of the population. Most of the remaining population in Vietnam is made up of a variety of minority ethnic groups and peoples with their own customs and traditions.

Being a communist country, Vietnam has no state religion and atheism is encouraged. In truth, the majority of the Vietnamese people either identify with folk traditions or are just straight atheistic. Buddhism and Catholocism are the other two big religions in the country. Across all beliefs, the family and ancestor worship remain pillar belief concepts.

Once you get to know a Vietnamese person, I can guarantee you that you won’t stop laughing. There’s a lot of banter and a kind of humour that’s a second cousin of sarcasm. I don’t know quite how to describe it, but there’s a lot of pointing out the randomness of life and having a good laugh about it.

You don’t want to start a friendship with a Vietnamese person with too much banter; you still have to respect that people do not want to lose face. But once you’re out of a formal situation – and after some rice wine has been consumed – then you can unleash the sarcasm!

I think this makes sense for a country that had a brutal civil war and then still has to navigate communist “niceties”.

When my Vietnamese friend and I went on a bit of a street food bonanza, we joked a lot about things that only made sense in Vietnam – like the couple wearing matching pyjamas while dining at a fancy coffee shop. Also, she found it far too funny that people would stop to take selfies with me because I had blue eyes. Obviously, she had to start calling me “Miss America” despite the fact that I am Australian…

Useful Travel Phrases for Vietnam

Below I have listed helpful travel phrases for Vietnam. It always pays to learn a new language as you travel to be able to communicate with the locals. At the very least, try!

On my first days in Vietnam, the only word I could remember was sorry – sin loi . This was lucky, as it’s something I found myself saying a lot as I tried to navigate the dense city of Ho Chi Minh.

Thankfuly, the Vietnamese people are some of the most gracious and good-humoured people on the planet. Nobody cared that I was in the way, although it was pretty funny to hear a little, white foreigner saying sorry over and over!

• Hello – Xin Chao
• Goodbye – Tam biet
• Thank You – Cám on Ban
• No Problem – Khong Van De Gi
• I like to Eat – Toi Muon An
• What is this? – cái si te nài?
• I am Sorry – Toi Sin Loi
• No plastic bag – Không có túi nh?a
• No straw please – Không có r?m, xin vui lòng
• No plastic cutlery please – Không có dao nh?a xin vui lòng
• I’m Hungry – Tôi Doi
• What is your name? – Tên cua ban là si
• I don’t understand  – Toi khong hieu

What to Eat in Vietnam

Vietnamese food is popular all around the world! I would be gobsmacked if you have yet to try rice paper rolls or noodle soup.

The Vietnamese know how to cook something mouthwatering out of thin air. As well as tasting absolutely wonderful, Vietnamese food is one of the healthiest foods in the world. Prepared with fresh ingredients, vegetables, herbs, and either rice or noodles, each dish is different but delicious!

And I will begrudgingly pay the  French  a complimen: they know how to cook some damn fine food. So, if you can imagine salivating snacks a la Vietnam with just a hint of French influence left over from the colonial days.

Yes, the food is the best reason to backpack Vietnam!

I remember sitting in a sliver of an alleyway deep within the bowels of the old imperial capital of Hue. I was sweating my sweet tushy off and thought the best way to combat sweat is with sweat, so I proceeded to order the most memorable meal I had in Southeast Asia.  Bun Bo Hue .

I don’t believe in God, and neither do most Vietnamese people, but how do you explain such divine flavours?

While in Vietnam, I would suggest eating out at every opportunity. It’s cheap and delicious. You’ll understand, first hand, why McDonalds has never caught on in Vietnam.

Popular Vietnamese Dishes

• Buncha – One of my favourites! This is basically a Pork Meatball Noodle Salad. Yum!
• Goi Cuon –  The famous Vietnamese “Summer Rolls” are a perfect light bite. Normally filled with shrimp and/or pork, herbs and vegetables. They are wrapped in rice paper and served with Peanut dipping sauce.
• Pho – Basically noodle soup. There are many varieties of Pho, perfect for those slightly unsure about Vietnamese food.
• Banh Mi Thit – Or in other words, the best sandwich in Asia! Basically, a well-sized baguette stuffed with yummy treats such as ham, cheese, fish, vegetables etc.

Brief History of Vietnam

People have been living in Vietnam for thousands of years. It was one of the first places in the world where rice was cultivated! There were several dynasties that ruled over a unified Vietnam – although alongside this dynasty were many other indigenous groups who never fully assimilated into any dynasty.

The Chinese often invaded and were periodically rulers of Vietnam. The Mongols did invade as well but were driven back. When the French showed up in the 19th century though, a unified Vietnam was not willing to be a colony of yet another foreign power.

When France was losing in WWII, Japan took advantage and occupied French Indo-China. The Vietnamese Communists or Viet Minh fought the Japanese and by 1945 they controlled parts of North Vietnam. Viet Minh took control of most of Vietnam and declared Vietnam independent by 1945, but France ignored this. With no intention to give up power, fighting broke out between them and the Viet Minh.

After a siege lasting 57 days, the French were forced to surrender.

In North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh introduced a Communist regime while in the south Ngo Dinh Diem became ruler. Gradually, the USA became involved in the Vietnam War during the Cold War. First, they were sending military advisers to South Vietnam. Financially, they supported the French and later the South Vietnamese government.

Then in 1964 two US ships were supposedly subject to ‘unprovoked’ attacks by the North Vietnamese. The Americans then bombed the north and Congress passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution allowing the president to take ‘all necessary measures’ to prevent ‘further aggression’.

As a result by December 1965, there were 183,000 US soldiers in Vietnam and by the end of 1967, there were nearly half a million. However, the Vietcong continued their guerrilla war.

Americans withdrew from Vietnam in 1973, but the South Vietnamese continued to fight the Vietcong alone until 1975 until the North Vietnamese captured Saigon. Vietnam was reunited under Communist rule.

Every first time backpacker to Vietnam has a few questions that they are dying to know! Luckily, we’ve got you covered…

Is Vietnam safe for backpacking?

Yes, Vietnam is SUPER safe for backpackers. Petty theft is a fairly small risk and violent crime against tourists is very low. However, the roads can be quite dangerous – especially if you aren’t used to driving in heavy, chaotic traffic.

Where should I go backpacking in Vietnam?

There is a fairly defined tourist trail along the Ho Chi Minh highway that winds its way from north to south. This is not to say that it’s not worth checking out! The cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are along this route, as are the old capital of Hue and the city of lights AKA Hoi An. Off the beaten path destinations in Vietnam include along the Laos border and the very northern border with China. You can pretty much pick anywhere in Vietnam and be sure that it will be a good time!

What is considered rude in Vietnam?

Both men and women should dress conservatively when visiting Vietnam and be extra respectful toward elders. Don’t beckon with your palm facing up (as this is how you would beckon a dog) and generally keep a respectful tone. Obviously, tourists do have a little leeway but it pays to be respectful as a guest of this country.

Is Vietnam expensive?

Noo. Noooooooo, nope. Not in the slightest. I mean, you could spend hundreds of dollars per day living like a royal, but why would you bother? For 10 dollars a day you can have a good hostel bed, eat out at every meal, and even enjoy a cold beer at the end of it.

What is the highlight of backpacking in Vietnam?

For me, the highlight was seeing the modern world meet the old world. In many ways Vietnam is as advanced as cities in the west – the wifi is better than in Australia, for example. There are high rises, public transport, and hipster cafes. And then there is still the Vietnam of rice paddies, buffalo carts, and wet markets. It’s such a juicy, fascinating mix of cultures that simply never gets boring!

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Be good to Vietnam.

Writing your name in black marker on temples, chugging beer in Saigon while shirtless, swearing loudly, and visiting unethical animal attractions? You, Sir, are a twat. Luckily, most backpackers don’t fall into this category but, when you’re out and about and have had a few too many drinks, it can be easy to embarrass yourself.

By no means am I telling you not to drink, smoke, or party. Do it and enjoy it. Just don’t get so drunk you turn into an imbecile your mum would be ashamed of .

Go to Vietnam and have the time of your life, but be respectful along the way. There are mountains to hike, cities to explore, and some delicious bun bo hue to try along the way. You are sure to experience a very special slice of the world when you travel to Vietnam.

When we travel, we make choices that not only impact ourselves but the local communities around us and the travellers that come after us. When we are privileged enough to experience a country like Vietnam, it’s up to us to make sure it stays special for those that come after us.

Vietnam has had it rough over the years. Just be good to it, is all.

Now all that’s left is for you to book your ticket and get trying that banh mi!

• Best festivals in Vietnam
• Best backpack for travel
• Hanoi VS Ho Chi Minh
• Best hostels in the world!

Updated November 2021 by Indigo Atkinson .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Will Hatton

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60 Comments

Thanks for all the info, really loved it 🙂 I am travelling alone around Asia during 3-4 weeks. I am trying to decide between Vietnam or Indonesia. I am looking for nature a bit of beach and a destinations where its easy to meet people (but not too touristic). From your posts both seem great options! Any recommendation?

Hi Paula, I would suggest Northern Vietnam, Thailand and maybe one other destination. Indonesia is certainly an amazing country but you would be able to experience a number of different countries on one trip is you choose the first route.

I worked in Hanoi for a short time in 1996, and thought it was an amazing country. Have always meant to go back, but it is now 2020 and that hasn’t happened yet. Would love to see the rest of the country and backpacking might be the way to do. The guide is much appreciated! Many thanks 🙂

What a nice post. Vietnam is definately a must visit place in South-East Asia. We have everything from beautiful landscape, friendly people, amazing nature and delicious food,… Thank you very much for visiting our country and sharing your experiences to travel community. I love to read your amazing blog. Wish you all the best and keep doing a good job!

Hi! I was wondering if any vaccinations/medicines are necessary or recommended to enter Vietnam and its surrounding countries. I’ve heard advice to get Malaria pills but wasn’t sure if it’s absolutely necessary. Thank you in advance!

We recommend Hep A, Typhoid, and Tetanus vaccinations. Malaria pills are always good to have on hand in tropical areas. The CDC is a good resource for specific information by region. Happy adventuring!

Thank you so so much! This was put together so very well ! And it sounds like a practical and realistic itinerary for people on a budget ! Thank you so much 🙂

Thanks for dropping by! Hope your time in Vietnam is a good one 🙂

The best time to visit Vietnam: – The North: From November to March is great if you like cold air, very typical surroundings, but the weather may be rainy, and the remaining months are quite good weather – Central region: From April to November, sunny weather is very good, the rest is even rainy and cold. – Southern: All months

During my own trip to Vietnam last year I used this page as a reference. I ended up using Vietjet airways (not listed on this page) and had no problem finding a cheap flight. The central downtown Backpackers Hostel was spot on, and made for a great launching point into the rest of the country. My only additional recommendation in Hanoi is touring the Ho Chi Mihn museum, the glowing dead body of the fearless leader is crazy to see.

-be sure to cover all visible tattoos while visiting religious sites, as well as cover shoulders and legs to the knees -do not give money to children on the street, many are forced to beg and the more money given by tourist encourage them to not attend school

Hoi An, Danang will be great if you go there, sure you will have a great time. i love hoi an

Hey Will, I understand that you recommend traveling by motorbike. I’m planning on traveling to Vietnam for about 4 weeks “alone” (I’m hoping I’ll meet someone one the way) next year. Honestly, to me it sounds a bit scary to motorbike everywhere. I have never done it and afraid I won’t manage it. So my question is, do you think I would get a lesser experience by not renting a motorbike? Thanks

Having a motorbike in Vietnam is hands-down the best way to experience the country. It is not only one of the cheapest ways to get around but also gives you the most freedom. I’ve found some pretty amazing places in Vietnam that were only accessible by bike.

BUT you must be experienced with a bike before traveling to Vietnam. The roads can be super intimidating, thanks to all of the crazy drivers and speeding trucks, and being sheepish at all could result in disaster. I highly recommend that you practice on a bike before heading for the country – specifically, a semi-auto – and to know what you’re doing.

Hope that helps.

Best time to visit Northern Vietnam (Ha Noi, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang) is from Mar to Sep. It’s sunny and hot season. So boring if you visit these places in winter, rain all day, sometimes have storm >_<

Southern Vietnam like Hochiminh, Mekongdelta, Phuquoc island …, you can visit anytime. It's warm, hot, sometimes rain 1h or 2h. From here, it's easy to go to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand by flight or bus or boat.

Thanks for your suggestions. We have finally made a plan of 15 days. Saigon(2n)- Mui Ne (half day) – Da Lat(2n)-Hoi An(2n)-Danag(1n)- Hue(half day) -Phong Nha(2n)- Ninh Binh(1day) – Halong Bay(1 and half day) – Hanoi (2n). We have eliminated Sapa trek because we have just completed himalayan range trek. Though it’ll be a speedy one but no way out. Wish to have a good time.

Wow, what a wonderful write up for someone who is planning to head for Vietnam for the 1st time. Would you please tell me if 12 days are enough to cover all of them? another thing is how much does is cost for Ha Long Bay cruise?

Waiting for your reply.

It’s not possible to do this whole itinerary in 12 days and I don’t recommend trying – it’ll be too rushed. For Halong Bay, there are many different packages and it partly depends on your haggling abilities but bank on somewhere between $100 – $200.

When you take a break and go to a new place, where everything is simply amazing and great to look at, then Vietnam is the place for you. I got Hanoi transfer service from Hanoi Travel Bus. It helps you from the airport to your lodging.

I have been to Vietnam so many times and I absolutely love it!

Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to write this. I have traveled Asia plenty of times before and I am just researching an upcoming trip to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The information you have provided here is so detailed and by far the most useful I have found. I’m pretty ‘laissez faire’ when it comes to travelling but in the past a lack of planning has seen me in a sticky situation. This makes me feel just prepared enough to arrive without a plan. Thanks and keep it up!

Thanks for your kind words, I’m glad you enjoyed the blog! 🙂

Hi everyone,

I just accidentally visit this blog, I’m a Vietnamese. I have some tricks to travel VietNam with cheapest price. I’ve just travelled across VietNam with 5,000,000 VND ~~ 250 USD with my motorbike. (around 4800km ~2900 miles in 9 days) Here is my tips: + Live in small hotel (hostel, in VietNamese => “Nhà Ngh?”) -> it cost from 5$ ->10$ per night 🙂 + There’s almost beautiful places in Northwest of VietNam, it called “Tay Bac”, it includes some provinces: – Ha Giang (you should visit Ma Pi Leng pass – small himalaya mountain range :)) – Lao Cai (SaPa is good) – Lai Chau(O Quy Ho pass (~40km)) – Dien Bien (many historical places) There also many places that I can’t list here.

If you interest in travel or something you can ask. Please contact [email protected] It’s my hobby, not work, so there no charge or fee. 🙂

Thanks for read my comments 🙂 Tan Pham

Have been struggling over multiple travel blogs to know more about Vietnam. This article has literally answered all my questions . Thanks Will, this is really great . We are a group of 4-5 girls, heading for Vietnam in December , just a quick question, how’s the safety for female travelers there ? Thanks again! 🙂

Have an awesome time – safety in Vietnam for ladies is really pretty good if you follow normal precautions of not being alone at night in the street etc.

Awesome blog WILL!!! This is informative & especially relevant for a traveler on budget. Thank you so much.

Thank you for a very detailed information. This blog is really suitable for one who wants to go and visit Vietnam. Hope that you will provide us the more interesting articles about this beautiful country. looking forward reading your others blog <3

Hey Will, thanks a lot for this beautiful blog. I’m heading to Vietnam next month and cant ask for more now. Great job, will surely leave a review when I get back. Thanks again!

Love how detailed your article is! I even share this to my friend who’s going to backpack here in Vietnam for a month and he also found your article very informative.

Brilliant blog and pictures! Sapa adjustments each year as swiftly do other terrific destinations in vietnam alas! Even though it nonetheless is a super united states of america to visit! Thank you for sharing.

Hey Will! been following your travels for a while now! Awesome stuff! did you spend any time in Da Nang? I have been living here for eight months and love it here, so much more than Hanoi, HCMC and Hoi An!

I haven’t been to Da Nang, would love to go though! 🙂

O gosh how I miss Vietnam. I absolutely loved the area of Halong Bay ad Ha Giang. The people are so lovely and friendly. The food is super. I want to go back!!

Awesome piece, some really helpful stuff on there for a first time traveller like me. I had a quick question. I’m planning on travelling through Vietnam solo in May next year and I was keen to find out exactly how “planned” my trip should be. Do you reckon I should pre-book all my accommodation before I go or do you think initially arriving with an idea of where I want to go will be fine? I obviously would like to have a good balance of being able to do things spontaneously if I meet a good crew of people but also wouldn’t want to be stuck without anywhere to stay! Thanks for the help

Play it by ear amigo!

The trip is really fun if you choose to have a great trip to experience all the best things that the tour has done, the difficult roads need patience and beautiful roads. will be recorded for your journey.

Hi Will Hatton thanks a lot for posting this interesting blog and also a worth read.People who are plannnig to visit vietnam should definitely go through this blog.

Thanks so much for this Will! My girlfriend and I are planning a budget trip to Vietnam and this guide is super helpful! You also shared so many destinations that I haven’t come across yet or found recommended so I definitely have a lot to consider with our upcoming trip.

Quick question for you – is it just as easy to get around using the train as the bus? Similar to how it is in Europe? or would you recommend using the bus for smaller destinations and the train to get between bigger cities?

Thanks Will!

Hey Stefan! It’s real easy to get around Vietnam using hop on hop off buses but I strongly recommend exploring by motorbike, that’s the best way to see the country! 🙂

Pour découvrir tout le Vietnam, je pense que cela prendra un mois. Et pour ce faire, mon budget doit être abondant

Hello! My understanding is that you cannot ride a motorbike in Vietnam without a proper license? My insurance won’t cover me without a motorcycles license. You mentioned you had no prior riding experience before going there. How did you get around that?

Hey man, I’m not sure if the situation has changed but as far as I know it’s very unusual to get into any problems with the police – a small bribe will get you out of most traffic situations. Your insurance wont’ cover you to drive a bike but if you did get into an accident…. *cough* perhaps you could say you were on the back *cough*

Recently completed our month long trip from Ho Chi Min to Hanoi & then beack to Thailand for another month. We based our trip on this article as we knew nothing of Vietnam. Found it usefull & informative.

Pretty impressive article! Thanks for sharing?

,great blog. worth a read.I am currently planning my Vietnam- Cambodia backpacking and this will definitely help me a lot but I think I’m going to skip some places though.

Very Informative article, Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! Hopefully I can get there soon!

– Jessica | http://brokegirlsdiary.com/

Loved your article.! Im planing my trip according this.! Also should i drop some of the stuff given above being a solo women traveler.?

…ps, your guide refers to around 20 different places to visit from North to South. Have you done this route & what would your estimated time frame be to travel this at a moderate, relaxed pace? How much time do you think we realistically need?

Great article Will. We “Will” be using this as a basis for planning our backpacking trip through Vietnam, possibly in June or July. The trip will be anything from 6-8 weeks. We will be slackpacking as we are 49 & 50 years young. Don’t mind camping as we rough it often in South Africa on 4×4 trails & bike rallies. We don’t, however do hostels or share bathrooms. Not sure how much that will influence the daily spend, although in Thailand we found that we spent more on accommodation yet less on getting scammed and wasting money like we saw lots of the young backpackers do, so maybe this will balance figures. Will, do you have any tips you may think are relevant to us “Midlifebackpackers”? Cheers

I’m Vietnamese and working in tourism but I learn more from your post. Great blog Will Hatton.

Great blog and pictures!

Sapa changes every year as rapidly do other great destinations in Vietnam unfortunately! Though it still is a great country to visit!

Tom and I met in Vietnam so it is quite dear to us! He rode a motorbike throughout Vietnam and had the time of his life! I went on buses but joined him along some of the stops. We will be posting a photo diary of his motorbike adventure on our blog soon. Great article, Will!

I would love to see the photo-diary!! keep in touch 🙂

In my opinion, no, not really. Hanoi is WAY nicer. Saigon has a good party vibe but it’s still not there best place in Vietnam to party so if I was planning a trip it would be the first place on my list I would scratch out if I was low on time.. 🙂

I loved backpacking in Vietnam, and visited everywhere that’s on your list. Sapa was the only place that, unfortunately, I really wasn’t keen on..

I think Sapa has changed a lot from what I have heard… I havn’t been for over three years now, I’d love to head back to Myanmar but I’m just preparing to head off on a whirlwind adventure around Central and South America! 🙂

Woah, also, I think that ostrich riding is not an activity that should be recommended. I saw the signs for it when I was in Mui Ne… Made me feel quite sad.

I’m currently in Central America, though will be travelling north I think. Unfortunately I don’t really have the funds to go south yet – as I want to do a massive long journey around South American in one go sometime in the future.

Hmmm, I don’t know enough about ostrich riding, other than that it is quite popular in South Africa, to say whether or not it should or should not be recommended. It was an interesting experience for sure and the ostriches seemed well looked after in a professionally run center.

Hi again Will – I would definitely recommend reading this post: http://right-tourism.com/2014/09/ride-ostrich/#sthash.frdGIE5P.KSwVRI2K.dpbs

Hi Charlie,

An interesting read for sure but it doesn’t really provide any evidence that there is a problem with riding ostriches, it uses phrases like ‘may’ and ‘maybe’ – although I think it’s important to be an ethical traveler, one has to try and get the balance right – after all, the most ethical thing for the planet would be to not travel at all! Riding an ostrich was a unique experience which I enjoyed, I’m not sure I would repeat it (I havn’t yet had a chance), and I saw no risk of harm to the ostriches themselves. When I can see a risk to an animal I will never increase that risk – for example, I would never dream of riding horses or donkeys abroad as they are usually treated badly.

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Travel Vietnam: The Top 12 Most Useful Vietnam Travel Blogs

Some of you will love Vietnam, and some of you will visit only once. Either way, we want to give you the real deal. Here are our top favorite Vietnam travel blogs, guides, and Vietnam blogging travel writers, that give you, the Vietnam traveler, a good idea of the places and cities to visit.

Vietnam Coracle

Tom of Vietnam Coracle has lived in Vietnam since 2005 and wants to give all you independent travellers a living and breathing guide to his off-the-beaten-path Vietnam. Of all the blogs on our list, Vietnam Coracle is definitely the most in-depth guide to the country. Travel guides, hotels, food and drink? Check. But what makes this blog our favorite? The motorcycle guides that will take you to places guide books could never dream of.

The Rusty Compass

Mark Bowyer from The Rusty Compass has lived in Vietnam since the 90s and his wealth of travel expertise throughout Vietnam shows in the quality video and content that he produces. Amazingly, he’s the sole content creator for the Rusty Compass , an independent travel guide for Cambodia and Vietnam. We hear that his team has also recently opened a sister business, a cafe called The Old Compass Cafe in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nomadic Notes

James Clark over at Nomadic Notes has been roaming the world the last 15 years as a digital nomad. He’s based himself in Vietnam for the last few years and has many unique insights to share about living and traveling in Vietnam. He’s been featured in The New York Times and Lonely Planet, among other publications.

Adventure Faktory

Having lived in Vietnam for two years, Thuymi and Mitch from Adventure Faktory give you an in-depth and amazingly curated lifestyle guide to the country. This isn’t just a travel blog, it’s jam packed with a ton of Vietnam’s flavor and culture. If you feel like torturing yourself with a mad case of wanderlust, click away and stare in awe at their amazing photography and content. Or maybe their 2016 year in review video , featuring 18 countries in one-friggin-year, will do the trick. Either way, check this couple out.

The Broke Backpacker

Will of The Broke Backpacker has written up an informative and well-rounded guide to Vietnam targeting backpackers, but it’s also super useful for anyone looking to travel smart. If you want wild adventure, Will is your guy to inspire you to ditch your desks and create exciting opportunities for your lifestyle. Including visas, currency, food, language, destinations, and books, he covers many areas that you’ll need to know to get around and have an amazing time. Seriously, bookmark this page. It’s the best cliff notes of a Vietnam travel guide.

Nomadic Matt

Nomadic Matt is all about unsponsored content to plan your next adventure. He has guides on almost 60 countries, along with general travel tips. Although we disagree with his assessment of Vietnam , his website features a comprehensive guide that gives you an idea of what to do and how much things cost. He wrote his article way back in 2007, and a lot has changed in the ten years since then. Matt, if you’re listening and somehow make you way back to Ho Chi Minh City, please let us take you out and show you around this new version of Vietnam!

Adventurous Kate

Kate is a solo female traveler who quit her day job at 26 and has been on the road ever since, with more than 60 countries under her belt. While Matt didn’t enjoy Vietnam all that much, Kate shares her more enjoyable experience in response to Nomadic Matt’s post. We appreciate her candidness about how scams suck and love her list of other female blogger perspectives of Vietnam.

The Blonde Abroad

Kiersten from the Blonde Abroad is another female traveler who quit her day job in corporate finance to live out her travelling dreams. She offers a great download on northern Vietnam and a ton more content on solo female travel and backpacking in Southeast Asia. All you ladies out there reading, don’t be afraid to travel alone! Kiersten did it, and so can you.

Two Wandering Soles

Hub and wife Ben and Kate got married, quit their jobs, and bought a one way ticket to Colombia. Since then, they’ve lived in many places and travelled to over 40 countries. They have a couple of city guides for you to get your bearings including this month long itinerary for you to enjoy the best spots in all three regions of Vietnam . We especially appreciate that they include national parks and caves in their guide, places and cities you don’t often see in other guides!

That Backpacker

Audrey is a blogger and Youtuber with an awesome another one month itinerary of Vietnam including seven destinations. If you like jam packed with a ton of fun and diversity, this will be great for you. Favorite part? Audrey even gives us a post-mortem of her trip on what changes she’d recommend for your very own trip.

Vicky Flip Flop Travels

Vicky wants you to explore travel and soul searching (which we love). We also love her inspiring story of “girl loves boy, girl wants to marry boy, boy breaks up, turn out boy was cheating, girl travels solo for one year, profit.” Not only did she aggregate her own list of top blogger advice , she also shares her own tips on city guides and visa advice. Grab a cup of weasel poo coffee, and enjoy.

Alex in Wanderland

Alex is a native New Yorker with a case of wanderlust. She’s been to over 30 countries with destination guides to each. She gives us some honest perspective behind her tough experience in Vietnam . Tl;dr don’t go to the HCMC Zoo, do check out Alex’ amazing photography and adventures.

Vietnam Travel Blog

So you are off to Vietnam! One of our favourite places in Asia and it will always remain a country that we return to time and time again!  

To help you prepare for your Vietnam holiday, you can read our pre-Vietnam travel advice post (which also contains info on popular places to visit in Vietnam), and then use our post on fun things to do in Vietnam .

Vietnam is a great destination for couples, friends or for families. Here is a list of the best places to see in Vietnam .

To get you in the mood for your trip, check out our suggestion of books to read .  You can read all our best posts in this Vietnam travel blog section.

Vietnam can be really rainy, so please check our post on the best time to visit Vietnam before booking your tickets.

Vietnam with Kids

Vietnam is an easy Asian country to travel to with kids.  

Vietnam holidays are pretty affordable (if not cheap) and it is easy to find drivers that can take you around to the popular Vietnam attractions.  

Many of the best attractions in Vietnam are outdoors which can make things much easier for travelling families.

There is a wide range of gorgeous family hotels in Vietnam; most of which offer swimming pools and kids’ clubs.

A holiday in Vietnam with kids might be a bit exotic, but it is a safe destination to visit and there are loads of learning experiences available for the kids.

Best Accommodation in Vietnam

If you are looking for the best accommodation in Vietnam, check out our guide to the best choices:

• Where to Stay in Vietnam
• Best Hoi An Hotels
• Where to Stay in Hanoi
• Best hotels in Sapa
• Which cruise is the best Halong Bay cruise ?  Click to find out.

Vietnam Tours

A lot of travellers feel more comfortable travelling around Vietnam on an organized tour.

If you prefer to visit Vietnam on an organized tour; we have compiled a list of the best tours of Vietnam .

Vietnam Transport Guides

For helpful information on how to get around on your Vietnam trip, click to read the guide below:

• How to get from Hanoi to Sapa (& vice versa)
• How to get from Danang to Hoi An (& vice versa)
• How to get from Hanoi to Hoi An (& vice versa)
• How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay (& vice versa)
• How to get from Sapa to Halong Bay (& vice versa)

One-Page Guides to Help You Plan

Your quick guide to planning your trip to Hanoi .

Vietnam Itineraries

We want to share some fabulous Vietnam itineraries with you all. First one on our list:

• Vietnam in 5 Days – How to spend 5 days in either the North, the South or in central Vietnam.

Vietnam Travel Guides

You can read our guides to:

• Hanoi Travel Blog Posts
• Sapa Travel Blog Posts
• Halong Bay Travel Blog Posts
• Hoi An Travel Blog Posts
• HCMC Travel Blog Post
• Phu Quoc Travel Blog Post

Plan Your Trip to Vietnam

Here are some resources to help you plan your holiday in Vietnam.

• Vietnam Packing List

Accommodation in Vietnam: 

We always start our accommodation research with HotelsCombined.  

This site makes it super easy to compare accommodation across various booking engines so that you can simply pick the best price for the accommodation of your choice.

We also often book through sites such as Airbnb, especially when we travel in Europe as it allows for massive savings on accommodation.

We also recommend you book a cruise for both Halong Bay as well as Mekong River. You can find a selection of fabulous Mekong River cruises to book.

Flights to Vietnam

We personally book our flights on  Cheapo Air , we find that they are often the cheapest (even in comparison to  Skyscanner ).   Click to check on prices for your flights .

Travel Insurance

We never travel without  travel insurance with Safety Wing . We have claimed on our travel insurance more than once, claims that would have cost us A LOT out of our own pockets.  Don’t skimp out on insurance!! 

Safety Wing offers incredible plans and is one of the few insurance companies that allow you to grab insurance when you are already travelling!   Click to check on their plans and prices .

Find all of our Vie tnam Travel Blog Posts Below

Where to Stay in Hanoi Old Quarter: 15 of the Best Hotels

Are you looking for where to stay in Hanoi on your next visit? Our selection of the best hotels in Hanoi will guide you to … CONTINUE READING

7 Best Walking Tours in Hanoi (Old Quarter, Private, Food & More)

Have you been wondering which tour is the best walking tour in Hanoi? I’ve got you covered! Vietnam is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, … CONTINUE READING

15 Best Hotels in Sapa, Vietnam (2024)

If you are after the best hotels in Sapa Vietnam then you came to the right place! Here you can find the top 15 best … CONTINUE READING

The Ultimate Guide on How to get from Danang to Hoi An (& Vice Versa)

When traveling from Danang to Hoi An, in Vietnam, there are a few options you can choose. Those options are a private car, taxi, bus … CONTINUE READING

9 Halong Bay Cruise Reviews By Travel Bloggers (Which Is Best?)

I don’t see how you can go to Vietnam and not book in a cruise on Halong Bay. In my opinion, it is one of … CONTINUE READING

Vietnam Packing List [Travel Essentials & What to Pack for Vietnam]

Known for sparkling rivers, stunning beaches, and enchanting Buddhist pagodas, the South Asian country of Vietnam on the South China Sea attracts thousands of tourists … CONTINUE READING

16 of the Absolute Best Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations in 2024!

Are you looking for the best Halong Bay cruise recommendation for your next holiday in Vietnam?Join in with thousands of happy travelers on a trip … CONTINUE READING

Adventure-Packed One Week in Vietnam Itinerary (North & South)

Are you wondering if it is possible to explore Vietnam in a week? If you are planning a trip to this marvellous country, you would … CONTINUE READING

5 Days In Vietnam Itineraries (North, Central & South Options)

Are 5 days in Vietnam enough for a tourist? What is the optimal Vietnam 5-day itinerary? Vietnam is fast becoming an incredible tourist destination! Located … CONTINUE READING

The Best Time To Go To Vietnam (North vs Central vs South)

If you want to go visit one of the most economical yet beautiful tropical nations on the planet, Vietnam should be on the top of … CONTINUE READING

10 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

Are you struggling to choose the best places to visit in Vietnam? Worry no more! We got you covered. The Southeast Asian country of Vietnam … CONTINUE READING

The Best Vietnam Tour Packages of 2024 | Adventure, Classic, Family & More!

Are you looking for the best Vietnam Tours 2024 has to offer? Wondering which of the Vietnam tour packages would suit you best for your … CONTINUE READING

How To Plan A Trip To Vietnam [Complete First-timer’s Guide!]

I think by now you all know that Vietnam is one of our favorite countries in the world! It is so naturally beautiful and culturally … CONTINUE READING

How To Get From Sapa to Halong Bay (& Vice Versa)

Are you wondering which are the best ways how to get from Sapa to Halong Bay?  Not to worry, we got you covered here! As … CONTINUE READING

The Best Time to Visit Halong Bay in Vietnam

Finding the best time to visit Halong Bay in Vietnam can be a daunting task, especially if it is your first time. Not to worry … CONTINUE READING

5 Of The Most Popular Caves In Halong Bay To Explore

Experience Halong Bay’s surreal landscape in the spectacular caverns that fill its landscape. Finding the ultimate Halong Bay cave to explore has never been easier … CONTINUE READING

7 Amazing Things to Do in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong (or Ha Long) Bay is a stunning oasis on the northeast coast of Vietnam. Its unbelievable landscape is made of limestone formations and islets … CONTINUE READING

Let us Help you Plan your Trip to Hanoi – [Your One Page Guide]

Where should you stay and what should you do in Hanoi? Let’s start planning your trip to Hanoi with these itinerary suggestions. North Vietnam is … CONTINUE READING

Hoi An Basket Boat Tour Review – Our Coconut Basket Boat Tour

Are you looking for the best Hoi An basket boat tour, that is a bit more private and not overcrowded? Then, this is the best … CONTINUE READING

The Ancient City of Lanterns in Vietnam – Hoi An Old Town!

Welcome to the beautiful Hoi An Old Town, the town that you will fall in love with! Join in on the fun with thousands of … CONTINUE READING

How To Travel From Hanoi To Halong Bay (Or Vice Versa)

Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam, is world-known for its stunning towering limestone islands. Visitors love exploring this beautiful part of Vietnam on either one of the … CONTINUE READING

The Ultimate Guide on How to Get from Hanoi to Hoi An (& Vice Versa)

Hoi An is a small town in central Vietnam that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999.  It is known for its … CONTINUE READING

Best Hotels in Vietnam: Places to Stay for a Memorable Trip!

Are you scared of getting scammed, when booking your Vietnam Accommodation?   Worried that the place you are booking is not going to live up to … CONTINUE READING

The Ultimate List of Best Vietnam Books to Read!

I love to read and nothing excites me more than finding a book before I travel to power-up the anticipation of the trip to come!  … CONTINUE READING

What you NEED to Know before you Travel to Vietnam!

Vietnam happens to be one of our absolute favorite Asian countries to visit!  A country that will give you a sensory overload, one with an … CONTINUE READING

How To Get From Hanoi To Sapa: Transfer, Train Or Bus To Sapa

Due to its location, around 350km from Hanoi, Sapa happens to also be a region in Vietnam that a lot of tourists bypass as it … CONTINUE READING

Our Review Of The 6-Star Hotel In Ho Chi Minh City

When we went to Vietnam, we were not only looking for a wonderful experience of living abroad but also to find out more about the … CONTINUE READING

Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa Review (Our Honest Thoughts)

I have been fascinated by the culture of Vietnam since I was a child; so, visiting the country has always been a part of my … CONTINUE READING

Top 10 Things to do in Phu Quoc, Vietnam

– GUEST POST – by Melissa from Thrifty Family Travels My family can’t get enough of holidays on South East Asian beaches. We have visited … CONTINUE READING

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa Review | Luxurious Hoi An Accommodation

I can understand why Lonely Planet has dubbed Hoi An as Vitenam’s most atmospheric and delightful little town. This charming town is located in Central … CONTINUE READING

Review of Topas Ecolodge in Sapa, Vietnam

The setting and views from Topas Ecolodge will impress even the hardest of hearts! This Sapa luxury hotel instantly made us think about ‘Maldives’ or … CONTINUE READING

Authentic Things to do in Hanoi – Discover the Real Hanoi!

Ah to visit Hanoi, memories to last forever. The people, the food, and the heat! The place that captures your mind, and enriches your senses … CONTINUE READING

Top 5 Memorable Ho Chi Minh City Attractions!

Of all the cities we visited in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City was by far the most modern!  Whilst driving through the streets to reach … CONTINUE READING

15 Best Things To Do In Vietnam During Your Next Trip

Vietnam. Every single time I think of you, a million pictures run through my head. My eyes light up and a satisfied smile shows up … CONTINUE READING

What To See In Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay During A Cruise

I have only been sailing a few times in my life, but every time I get on a boat, something changes in me.  I don’t … CONTINUE READING

Luxurious Halong Bay Indochina Sails Junk Cruise 3 Days/2 Nights

Hands up who has been to Phi Phi islands before! My hand is up too. When we were looking into the Halong Bay Indochina Sails … CONTINUE READING

Visiting The Bac Ha Market In Vietnam | The Most Colorful Markets!

I have been to many markets in my life, but I have never been to one quite like this. Vietnam markets are different.  Vietnam markets … CONTINUE READING

Everything You Need To Know About A Sapa Hike in Vietnam!

Are you ready for a hike of a lifetime? For an insanely picturesque Sapa hike that takes you down mountains, across valleys and past lush green rice paddies? … CONTINUE READING

Top 5 ‘Must-See’ Hanoi Tourist Attractions That Should Be On Your Itinerary

I have always wondered what a visit to Vietnam would be like. Never would I have thought that this place would change my life and … CONTINUE READING

A Review Of Paradise Boutique Hotel In The Hanoi Old Quarter

Located in the heart of the busy streets of Hanoi Old Quarter you will find a little gem! This little treasure stands tall amongst the … CONTINUE READING

Relaxing on the Hoi An Beaches | Cua Dai beach vs An Bang Beach

What do you get when you cross a great golden sun high in the bluest sky, hot sandy beaches that stretch as far as eye … CONTINUE READING

A Journey through the Local Villages in the Hoi An Countryside

Paint a picture in your head of narrow roads, lined by  palm tree upon palm tree.  Add some boats and some fishing nets together with … CONTINUE READING

A Coffee Lovers Guide to Different Types of Vietnam Coffee | Vietnamese Egg Coffee & More!

The coffee is pretty unique in Vietnam and actually forms a great part of their culture. Here the Vietnamese coffee is part of socializing and … CONTINUE READING

10 Travel Essentials For Vietnam That You Need For Your Trip!

We are absolutely ecstatic about our upcoming exploration of an incredibly gorgeous Asian country. This one has been on my bucket list for years and … CONTINUE READING

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12 Things To Do in Hanoi, Vietnam

Welcome to Hanoi, where the street is king! Experience delicious street food on every corner, watch trains squeeze behind narrow houses, and traffic merge into each other from every possible direction. The energy and vibrancy of this addictive Vietnamese city is not to be missed, so aim to spend 2-3 days exploring all the things to do in Hanoi.

Things to do in Hanoi

Although Hanoi is not the largest city in Vietnam , it has taken the title of the capital of the country. As a result, there are plenty of amazing things to do in Hanoi.

Read: Complete 3-week Vietnam Route Guide

1. Hanoi Motorbike Tour

Join a motorbike tour and hurtle through Hanoi’s Old Quarter back streets. Hanoi Backstreet Tours is a fantastic tour that uses vintage Minsk motorcycles for the journey. Enjoy the surroundings on the back of these motorcycles while you ride over famous bridges and stop at authentic markets.

The well-informed guides provide you with local knowledge and plenty of information about Hanoi and its history. The tour will also take you around the green region, which is a lovely contrast to the busy morning in the metropolis. The tour covers most of the city’s highlights and is easily one of the most fun things to do in Hanoi!

Here are all your hotel options in Hanoi.

2. Leave a Note at The Note Coffee

Coffee is a way of life in Hanoi and there are many excellent cafes to choose from. However, a special ‘note’ has to be made for The Note Coffee. This cute little cafe asks customers to leave a handwritten note, on colorful sticky paper, on the normally empty walls.

Hence the name ‘The Note Coffee’- a three-story building, with walls fully covered in colored notes. Read the notes from other visitors and make sure to leave one yourself!

Open from 6.30 AM – 10.30 PM every day and is located here .

3. Hanoi Old Quarter

No visit to Hanoi would be complete without seeing the Old Quarter! This is one of the city’s oldest areas, dating back 2000 years. Here you’ll see a perfect representation of the local life in Hanoi.

Expect to see old houses lining narrow alleys, locals transporting goods on the carrying pole, and traffic crossing from every possible road.

Tip: When crossing the road, make sure to walk slowly out into the street and directly across, so that traffic can move safely around you.

4. Train Street of Hanoi

Set in a narrow back street, squeezed between rows of shanty houses and cafes, there is a railway, where trains speed through twice a day. This world-famous train street is one of the most surprising things to do in Hanoi.

Discover Charming Hoi An

It’s possible to sit outside the cafes and feel the air pressure as the train passes centimeters away from your body. However, police do ensure that only those enter the street who buy something from the cafes. It’s recommended to ask about the train times at your hotel as it changes often.

Mon-Fri: 6.00 AM, 7.00 PM Sat-Sun: 6.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 11.20 AM, 3.20 PM, 5.30 PM, 6.00 PM, 7.00 PM, 7.45 PM, 8.30 PM, 9.00 PM, 11.00 PM

5. Drink Coffee!

Vietnam is, surprisingly, the world’s second-largest coffee producer. The coffee craze started due to French colonialism and has grown ever since. Because of this, you are never further than two steps away from amazing coffee shops, where Vietnamese locals gather around to enjoy the hot brew. 

Tip: Try the typical Vietnamese egg coffee, which is made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and robusta coffee. Sugary goodness!

Here are some of our favorite coffee shops to try in Hanoi:

• Loading T Cafe
• Hidden Gem coffee
• The Note Coffee

6. Eat at the Hanoi Night Market

If you’re visiting Hanoi over the weekend, make sure to visit the night market that takes place in the Old Quarter. Everything from ceramics to clothing is sold. Also, make sure to haggle for the best price, as this is an extremely common practice in Northern Vietnam. Finally, grab some amazing street food at one of the many stands. Open from 6.00 PM – 12.00 AM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

More food? Join a Hanoi cooking class!

7. Luxury French Street (Phan Dinh Phung Street)

Phan Dinh Phung Street is undoubtedly one of the grandest avenues in the city. The wide road, with overhanging trees, has a very distinct feel from the rest of Hanoi and its small back streets. Take a walk down the avenue, admiring the impressive mansions and old French villas whilst the sunlight streams through the shadowing trees.

8. Long Bien Bridge

Long Bien is an incredible steel-structured bridge connecting the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien district. Sadly, the bridge was victim to many bombings over the years of the war. Consequently, it has fallen into disrepair and is under renovation.

Now only pedestrians, cycle bikes, mopeds, and trains use the bridge, and the majority of traffic uses other routes across. Because of this, it’s possible to admire the industrial beauty of the orange rusty posts set around the old train track. 

Don’t forget to: get your Visa for Vietnam

9. St Joseph’s Cathedral

The French Colonial government built St Joseph’s Cathedral with the aim of mimicking the style of Notre Dame in Paris . Hence why it differs hugely from the other buildings in the city. Noticeably, it is the oldest church in Hanoi! The gothic style is very impressive from the outside, but it is also worth taking a look inside, too, for the medieval European feel, especially as it’s free entry.

Tip: Hungry? Enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat at one of the cafes set in the square overlooking the church. La place cafe is a great choice with a balcony!

10. Hanoi Trompe L’Oeil Murals

The Trompe L’Oeil murals are a community art project painted on the railway arches of Phung Hung Street. The project began between South Korea and Vietnam in order to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations. ‘Trompe L’Oeil’ is a visual illusion within the artwork, and these murals are exactly that!

The artwork displays acts of local life in a way that the artwork blends in with the day-to-day goings of the city. The visual illusion, and 3D elements of the paintings, mean that people can interact with the art by taking photos and positioning themselves to make it look like they are part of it.

11. Hoan Kiem Lake

Make your way to Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn to watch the sunrise over the misty water. Sit amongst the trees while watching locals enjoying their morning tai chi or yoga. Beautiful!

As a result, Hoan Kiem Lake feels like a spiritual haven amongst the chaos of the city. Even better, it sits right in the center, so you are never far away! Don’t miss out on one of the most famous things to do in Hanoi.

Ngoc Son Temple

Ngoc Son Temple is a stunning Vietnamese pagoda that sits in the center of the lake. Named the ‘rising sun’ bridge, it’s painted in bold red and pictured on many postcards. Walk across the bridge and enter the pagoda between 8 AM – 6 PM.

Tickets cost: Adult ticket- 30,000/ Student-15,000 VND (0.75 – 1.5 USD). Children under 15 free.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

On the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake is the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, where you can watch the ancient tradition of Vietnamese puppetry played out on a pool of water.

12. Day Trip to Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, one of the natural wonders of the world and of UNESCO status, is an absolute must-see on any trip to Vietnam . It is unique because of its limestone karsts, rising up out of the ocean amongst beautiful bays and luscious greenery.

Everything you need to know about Ha Long Bay

Take a boat trip and watch locals fishing from floating villages, or kayak along the bay’s many white-sand beaches.  Ha Long Bay is located only a few hours to the east of Hanoi, by bus, and for that reason, it is the perfect spot for a day trip. Check with your hotel what options they offer, as most accommodations in Hanoi offer Ha Long Bay trips as part of their service.

Tip : Ha Long Bay has got busier in recent years. Lan Ha Bay is another excellent, and lesser-known option, situated close by.

How to Get to Hanoi

Hanoi is one of the easiest places to travel to in Vietnam because of its capital city status. Noi Bai International Airport serves the city with international flights from all over the world. From the airport to the Old Quarter is approximately a 1-hour journey by public bus/shuttle bus or taxi. This is due to the traffic in the city.

Domestic flights also leave Noi Bai for other destinations in Vietnam. Make sure to check which airport your domestic flight is leaving from, as there are other airports in Hanoi.

Hanoi is also well-served to other parts of the country by public buses and trains. You can even choose to take a public bus across the border to Laos or Cambodia if you are continuing your travels.

Browse your public transport tickets online

Getting Around

Once in Hanoi, it is relatively easy to get around. Use apps like ‘Grab’ to hire a taxi or bike to take you between destinations. It’s best to opt for a motorbike, over a taxi, because they will find it easier to avoid traffic jams. Choose a hotel or guesthouse in the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem in order to be able to explore the main sights on foot.

Restaurants in Hanoi

Hanoi is world-famous for its mind-blowing street food! The choices are endless, and travelers will eat some of the best food of their lives here. Whether it’s a steaming bowl of hot pho or a banh mi sandwich, there is a street food favorite for everyone. These are some of our favorite places to eat in Hanoi:

• Hanoi Night Market
• The Hanoi Social Club
• Hoang’s Restaurant
• Tung’s Kitchen

Where to Stay in Hanoi

Vietnam is still reasonably cheap. As a result, the quality of guesthouses and hotels in Hanoi is extremely high for the money you’ll pay. Situate yourself in the Old Quarter or near Hoan Kiem Lake so that you can see all the things to do in Hanoi on foot.

Hotels in Hanoi 😴

There are also some lovely neighborhoods further out, like Tay Ho, which has great options. However, expect to have to take grab motorbike in order to reach the center.

Best Time to Visit Hanoi

Unlike other areas in Vietnam, Hanoi is very seasonal. This means winters can be very cold and summers very hot and humid. Because of this, it’s best to visit in the Spring (Feb-April) or the Autumn (October-November).

Tip: Avoid public holidays, such as TET, as most shops/restaurants will be closed, and services will be greatly reduced.

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• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Hanoi via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

14 Best Things to do in Vietnam in 2024

Ha long bay: how to visit & things to do, 8 best things to do in mui ne, vietnam.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

update: you can visit the train street, cafes are open :) but police is on the entrance so only people who buy something from the train street shops can get in

Thanks for letting us know :)

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Travel Blog, Itineraries & Guides, Hotel Reviews

The Perfect Hanoi Itinerary (2024) Travel Guide for Vietnam’s Capital

August 1, 2023 by Bino 1 Comment

Vietnam’s capital may be known more than anything for its chaotic and motorbike-filled streets but I have to say that Hanoi remains to be one of my favorite Southeast Asian capitals. There is something about the city that always puts it at the back of my mind as a destination I’d want to visit again and again, with a different Hanoi itinerary each time. It may be the excellent food or the fascinating history or simply the pulsating and distinctively Vietnamese energy. Whatever it is, each visit to Hanoi always leaves me with new finds and restaurants that I won’t hesitate recommending to friends.

For those looking to visit, I have come up with this suggested Hanoi itinerary. Depending on whether you intend to visit Ha Long Bay and Tam Coc, this itinerary is something you can execute in as little as 2 days if you’re coming here only for the weekend or up to 4 days if you intend to make it a short getaway.

the pulsating energy of hanoi

General Tip: In Hanoi, a common scam occurs with some taxi drivers at the airport where they claim the hotel you booked has closed. This is a trick to get you to stay in another hotel where they can get commission. To avoid this, you can ask your hotel to pre-book your transport or you can book one yourself here .

Heading to Central Vietnam? Check out this suggested itinerary for Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang

Table of Contents

Day 1 – Old Hanoi

Hoan kiem lake.

hoan kiem lake

Start your Hanoi itinerary by obtaining your bearings at the Lake of the Returned Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), the focal point where touristic activities in Hanoi are concerned. How the lake came about is the stuff of legends. In the morning, you will find locals doing tai-chi at the park encircling the lake. There is a pagoda in the middle of the lake – an often photographed structure – as well as the Ngoc Son Temple in the northern side which you can cross over to via a red bridge. Opening hours: 8:00 to 18:00, daily / Admission: 30,000 dong (adult)

French Quarter

french quarter of hanoi

Afterwards, head east towards the French Quarter . You will find this area of Hanoi calmer, with plenty of small parks, charming turn-of-the-century hotels as well as buildings dating from the French period such as the post office. The neoclassical Hanoi Opera House in particular, is a fine example of the French influence. The building was modeled after the Palais Garnier in Paris.

Old Quarter

hanoi old quarter

By early afternoon, the cramped streets of the Old Quarter starts to buzz with life and that’s a great time to head there to see how local commerce is done. The area offers a beguiling mix of stores housed in old shophouses. The streets are named according to the types of shops found there – there is a street for jewelry (Hang Bac); a street for shoes (Hang Dau) and so on. You can easily spend the entire afternoon here, which is not a bad idea. Bach Ma Temple , said to be the oldest in Hanoi, is located here. Make sure to stop by Cha Ca La Vong (daily 11AM to 2PM, 5PM to 9:30PM) for lunch.

souvenirs along the old quarter of hanoi

For cheap souvenirs, head to Dong Xuan Market or head to Tired City for some cool and totally non-kitschy t-shirts, scarves, postcards and art prints made by local artists. They have a few outlets but the biggest one is in Hang Gai. 

If shopping is not your thing, you can check out some really local experiences such as conical hat making, calligraphy, pottery and even coffee appreciation with Backstreet Academy . For foodies, you can go on a 3-hour food tour of the Old Quarter where you get to visit various eateries specializing in different dishes.

egg coffee from loading t cafe

In the late afternoon, you can head out of the Old Quarter and head southwest to see the imposing St. Joseph’s Cathedral with its neo-gothic façade. Within its vicinity are a number of charming cafes. Loading T Cafe (daily 8AM to 6PM), set in a crumbling mansion, is particularly atmospheric for its vintage interiors as well as semi-open balcony that overlooks the street. Go for a cup of Hanoi’s famous egg coffee which is made with whisked egg white, condensed milk and a little bit of sugar for a truly frothy coffee experience!

Day 2 – Monumental Hanoi

Imperial citadel.

hanoi citadel

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (daily except Monday, 8AM to 5PM) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public. There isn’t much to see here these days so I would only rate it as an optional stop. But if you ever decide to make a visit, try to combine it with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum as it’s within the same area.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

ho chi minh mausoleum

Try to beat the queues and venture to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in the morning (weekdays are better). It’s free to enter. Do note that the venue is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Opening hours: 7:30 to 10:30 / Admission: Free

Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda

presidential palace of hanoi

From here, it’s a short walk to the Presidential Palace , Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House  as well as the One-Pillar Pagoda . The latter’s exceptionally small size makes it one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Vietnam. As there is a good number of tourist attractions within the area, it’s often crowded here so try to avoid the weekend and public holidays if possible. Opening hours: 8:00 to 17:00, daily

Lunch at Quan An Ngon

quan an ngon

It would be midday by the time you finish, just in time to take a cab ride to Quan An Ngon (daily, 7AM to 9:30PM) for lunch. The venue takes you on a quick culinary tour of Vietnam. While it’s possible to order from the menu, there are stalls that allow you to have a peek at various dishes before you order. If you have a limited amount of time to spend in Vietnam, I’d recommend coming here to allow you to quickly sample the country’s varied specialties in one sitting.

Temple of Literature

temple of literature

From Quan an Ngon, it’s around a 10 minute walk to the Temple of Literature . The spread of Confucianism in Vietnam is perhaps never more apparent than here. During imperial times, only the most gifted scholars were able to study here and the venue offers a good peek of life in the imperial era. The sprawling complex is filled with courtyards, pavilions and ponds and showcases the extent of Chinese influence in Vietnam. Opening hours: 8:00 to 17:00, daily / Admission: 30,000 dong (adult)

Shopping and Cafes at Tay Ho

tran quoc pagoda

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the chic district of Tay Ho or West Lake, one of the up and coming neighborhoods of Hanoi filled with plenty of local designer boutiques, some of the city’s best international restaurants as well as hipster cafes. Aside from being Hanoi’s expat enclave, many dining and drinking establishments also choose to set up shop here due to the lakeside views. The Tran Quoc Pagoda which is found in a small peninsula jutting out from the narrow strip of land separating West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, makes for a picturesque sight early in the morning or towards sunset when the calm waters create a mirror reflection. Otherwise, for a great bird’s eye view of the twin lakes, Summit Lounge – the rooftop bar of the Pan Pacific Hanoi – is the place to go.

Sky High Views at Sky Lotte Observation Deck

sky lotte observation deck

For a bird’s eye view over Hanoi, you can head to Lotte Center for the Sky Lotte Observation Deck . At 65 floors up, you can spot some of the city’s landmarks from the viewing gallery. A highlight here is the Skywalk where visitors get to walk on the floor is made of glass. Best time to visit is around 5 to 6PM – it’s a great place to catch the sunset. You can get discounted tickets here .

Home-style Dinner at Tam Vi

When the Michelin Guide did its inaugural awarding of Michelin stars in 2023, one of the first establishment to earn the accolade in Hanoi was Tam Vi (11AM to 2:30PM/5PM to 9:30PM) – a traditional restaurant serving home-style meals hidden in an alley off Nguyen Thai Hoc. Star dishes here include Crab Soup with Spinach, Vietnamese Ham with Periwinkle Snails as well as the Caramelized Pork with Egg. This is a worthwhile dinner venue as the cuisine is decidedly Northern Vietnamese and quite different from what you’ll get in Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang. Reservations are recommended. I tried reserving for a same-day table and could only get a slot at 8PM. 

Day 3 – Ha Long Bay & Other Excursions

Ha long bay (day trip or overnight option).

ha long bay

Most people who visit Hanoi also make their way to Ha Long Bay . For booking of these tours, you can check out Vietnam tours which offers various excursions from Hanoi. While going to Ha Long Bay is practically a “yes” for most, the main decision you’d likely be facing is whether you should stay overnight in Ha Long Bay or just make it a day trip?

An overnight stay in Ha Long Bay will definitely enable you to visit more spots and you can climb the jagged peaks of some of the islands as well on a longer cruise to get a bird’s eye view of the bay (for example, in Titop Island). This is something you would not be able to do on a day trip though if you are really lacking in time, there’s little other choice.

If you decide to go for a day trip, you can expect a few hours’ cruise along the bay, a seafood lunch, some time for kayaking and exploring a cave called Thien Cung Cave. You can book the Ha Long Bay day tour here .

If you decide to go for an overnight cruise, you can expect the same highlights from the day tour plus around 2 more caves, a nice view point from Titop Island, an additional dinner and breakfast plus a likely cooking class.

Tam Coc / Hoa Lu

If you have already been to Hanoi before and are looking for a different day trip option, a journey through the river valleys of Tam Coc / Hoa Lu is also worthwhile. The landscape is lush and the experience is quite fun as you ride a small bamboo boat down the river surrounded by limestone rock formations. Aside from the boat ride, a typical day tour includes climbing up Mua Cave for a scenic view of the river, surrounding rice fields and mountains.

Perfume Pagoda

A third option for excursions originating from Hanoi is the Perfume Pagoda . Situated some 60km away from Hanoi, the Perfume Pagoda is one of the country’s most important religious sites. To get here from Hanoi, travelers will need to take a roughly 70 minute car ride to a village followed by a 45 minute or so boat ride down the Yen River to a temple complex. From here, a path leads to another temple as well as a cable car station.

perfume pagoda

Visitors can either take the cable car or hike up to the Perfume Pagoda itself which is situated in a cave. The entrance to the cave is rather dramatic – it is said to resemble a dragon’s mouth and is decorated with Chinese text.

A typical Perfume Pagoda day tour includes round trip transport from Hanoi, a guide and lunch but not the cable car ticket as it is up to the visitor’s discretion whether they’d want to hike or take the cable car. You can book this tour here .

Travel Tips for Hanoi

• In this age of uncertainty, you might wish to get travel insurance. If you reside in Singapore, check out Starr Travelead , one of the cheapest travel insurance. They have a promotion that comes with S$10 cash rebate that helps to offset the insurance cost.
• Do note that Hanoi has a pronounced winter season from November to February. A jacket would come in handy. If you visit during these months, there’s a possibility you might not even see any sunshine. On the other hand, July and August is a very humid time in Hanoi. Even if it just says 30 to 32 degrees celsius in the thermometer, you’ll sweat buckets.
• You can pay in USD in some places including shops, restaurants and other tourist-oriented establishments. This does not apply to the small eateries or groceries. Most hotels will be able to change USD to Vietnamese Dong at competitive rates. 
• For those who constantly need to be online, you can purchase local sim cards upon arrival at the airport.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

I’ve been to Hanoi twice and a hotel I can personally recommend is the La Sinfonia del Rey Hotel which conveniently overlooks Hoan Kiem Lake. Rooms are incredibly sleek and I found the clouds painted on the room’s ceilings to be quite relaxing. For a slightly cheaper option,  you can check out La Mejor Hotel located in the Old Quarter. Alternatively, you can use this aggregator HERE to compare for the best prices for hotels in Hanoi with just one look.

Getting Around: GRAB is a cheap, safe and reliable way to get from point to point within Hanoi. Most trips between the various city attractions should not cost more than $5.

Entry Requirements: Certain nationalities may require a visa to enter Vietnam. It’s better to check beforehand. For visa services, you can try Vietnam Visa .

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Hi, my name is Bino and I started I Wander around 15 years ago with the aim of sharing about some of my personal journeys and experiences, hoping that the information may benefit readers like yourselves. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Alternatively, you can also email me at b i n o (at) iwandered.net. You can follow I Wander on Facebook , Telegram , or Instagram . Also, if you liked this article, please feel free to SHARE or RETWEET

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November 4, 2017 at 8:35 pm

Thanks for sharing the good travel blog about two days itinerary for Vietnam. It is really beautiful country, You must visit one time in your lifetime.

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Hanoi Travel Blog and 3 Day Itinerary

Hanoi travel blog: “Hanoi is the closest city across the bridge. It’s an hour away from Bắc Ninh.”

My childhood friend had brought it up on various occasions before landing at the Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). His family stayed in Bắc Ninh, Vietnam.

We landed in Hanoi at midnight and drove straight to Bắc Ninh. While this Hanoi travel blog is also a Hanoi 3 Day itinerary, we didn’t visit one day after another. We stayed at Bắc Ninh and would rush after public buses early in the morning to Hanoi.

Some days were day trips we had booked like Halong Bay. Other days were touring the city itself. Call it a juxtaposition but the city had a soothing bustling liveliness to it. The river through Long Biên, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ho Chi Minh’s home itself.

Table of Contents

Hanoi Travel Blog: A Sketch in Words

Hanoi, like many parts of Vietnam, is prosperous with its history, retail markets, and cafes. While Ho Chi Minh city is inevitably bigger than Hanoi – in size and diversity, there are some things unique only to Hanoi that make it a must-visit in Vietnam. With the plentiful things to do, at least spend 3 days to get around.

Unless you’re on a package trip, you’ll see that unlike even in the capital city, most don’t speak English. Saigon says otherwise in Southern Vietnam.

Like Chinatown in Singapore or Old Manali street , most travelers’ eyes run along the crowded uneven lanes of Old Quarters when in Hanoi. The alleys open down to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and then the Hoan Kiem Lake.

During the day, modern Vietnam’s light shines with cars zooming through 4 adjacent road lanes passing by the lake. Vietnam’s ever-popular places like the Water Puppet show and Ngoc Son temple stand here. And then the age-old Quarters for local eateries and endless coffee cafes.

The nights, however, look different in the very same spot. As dusk sets in, locals begin to pop out on to the streets. Those 4 road lanes get shut for vehicles and the whole city’s residents flock in night after night to get a breath of fresh air.

Acoustic guitar shows, boys’ dance crews and fangirl phones’ held up, old people simply taking a stroll, families dancing to music in the rooms between the crowd, ice cream stalls, and the list goes on. It’s quite a sight to experience.

Hanoi Travel Blog: Budget Accommodation Guide

The only mistake we made in Vietnam was booking private rooms on popular booking sites that cost a good deal. Undeniably, they were comfortable but cost too much for a backpacker.

Hanoi is the capital of the country and a major travel destination, there are dozens of compact backpackers hostels to pick from. For a people person, a party-goer, a backpacker hostel on Old Quarters is a paradise. It was for us too.

We stayed at the Old Town Backpackers Hostel that connected straight to a noisy local street. It was a decent stay for the price.

A reasonable average bed per night costs anywhere between VND 130, 000 and 170,000. For those new to backpacking, most Old Quarters hostel entrances’ are on narrower alleys between buildings. While hotels are expensive, they’re also troublesome to communicate as most who stay here are Vietnamese.

With backpackers hostel, you’re bound to meet staff and other travelers that finally speak English here – thus making these hostels a safe haven for the evening. I highly recommend using HostelWorld for booking your Hanoi stay.

Make sure to book your hostel in advance as Hanoi is always a busy hub. So check out HostelWorld below and don’t miss out on deals today!

Check out hostels on HostelWorld!

Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary

Places like the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and his house are must-visits. But when it comes to trying coffee, and exploring Old Quarter streets, feel free to be versatile. Here’s a bit of how we spent our 3 days in Hanoi, and a view of what a Hanoi 3 day itinerary looks like:

Day 1: Land at Noi Bai International Airport

Like most airports, the Noi Bai International Airport lies on the outskirts of the city. The most comfortable way to get to Hanoi (or directly to your accommodation) is with a taxi. No doubt, it’s expensive, but language becomes a huge barrier.

Since we landed in Hanoi over midnight, it was our only option. It costs anywhere between 350,000 and 450,000 VND depending on your destination in Hanoi. Download Grab for taxis when in Vietnam as local taxis get extremely expensive. Moreover, language becomes a huge barrier for non-native speakers.

Be ready to get your phones out for translation anywhere you go from here.

The cheapest option, however, is a bus shuttle. One is an Express Airport Shuttle (Bus no. 86) operating between 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the Hanoi Railway station as its last stop. Costing around 45,000 VND, they’re cheap and reliable. Keep in mind they only accept cash here.

For those aware of the routes in Hanoi (or those more adventurous), public city buses from the airport are another option. It is much cheaper than the shuttle and there are multiple buses from the airport to different parts of the city.

Hanoi travel blog : Since my friend had lived around Hanoi for quite a while while going to the airport, we inevitably took the local bus 17 from Long Bien straight to the airport. Surprising to me, it cost us only 10,000 VND per person! You should know that local city buses are quite spacious. air-conditioned and comfortable in Vietnam today.

How to Get around Hanoi

Public buses are the most budget-friendly option to get around Hanoi. Not to mention, the buses are air-conditioned and comfortable. But understanding the routes and communicating is a bit of a hustle.

Hanoi is a tourist-friendly city, there are multiple ways to get around to places. Grab taxis are an affordable option as local taxis can get unreasonably expensive. Another option, especially for small groups, is making use of the infinite city day tour options.

Like the Singapore City Tour Hippo Bus, Hanoi has its own traveler-friendly city tour buses at pretty good prices. Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of these tours earlier. Having visited the city already, here are some of my favorite picks of day tours that cover the must-visits of Hanoi. I personally use Klook.com for the best deals.

Insider Travel Tip: Klook.com is a trusted site for booking attractions in most parts of Southeast Asia and personally my favorite. As partners of Klook, our readers get better deals and you get to book all attractions for travel in one place.

Pay a Visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

The capital city is most popular for its historical sites. There are simply so many to visit that we couldn’t visit some popular ones as well. But to begin with, I’d highly recommend beginning with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.

As the name suggests, it preserves Ho Chi Minh’s real body and it’s quite fascinating to visit. The only downside when I visited was that it was closed for maintenance for the months of June and August. What we weren’t aware of, was that the Mausoleum is closed for two months every year in order to preserve the remains of the body.

Anyhow, my friend suggested it to be a must-visit in Hanoi. We had even left Bắc Ninh early to adhere to the strict visiting schedule of the Mausoleum. It is usually open only in the mornings like 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on selected days of the week.

Please refer to updated sites like VinWonders for timing details before you go.

Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum

Luckily, amidst the same compound walls housing the Mausoleum were the Presidential Palace (a French Colonial Palace), the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and a Buddhist Temple popularized as One Pillar Pagoda.

While the Mausoleum was free, the Presidential Palace where Ho Chi Minh himself resided (between 1954 to 1969) cost VND 25,000 for foreigners. Being free for locals to enter, a staff lady stood at its entrance judging other ethnicities.

Our brown skin didn’t help much. But the building, antique cars Ho Chi Minh drove in, and the stilt houses beyond the lake, and glass panes to let peek into the comforts of Vietnam’s beloved leader back then were worth it. Unfortunately, the Presidential Palace isn’t open to walk in.

Our next stop was the Ho Chi Minh Museum to which we had already bought tickets (VND 30,000 for foreigners). But we took a step detour to the One Pillar Pagoda temple (Diên Hựu tự). People flocked around here taking pictures of the structure rising amidst an average-sized square pond.

I took a couple of pictures yet we didn’t realize its importance. There were concrete stairs built up to its entrance but that was it. Now writing this article I realize that the pagoda – Pagoda of Extended Blessings – was built on a single pillar back in 1049!

Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary Travel tip: For those interested in Vietnam’s war history, I recommend getting a guide. If not all, most artifacts, writings, and labels in the Ho Chi Minh Museum are in Vietnamese. Most of the time, we guessed through pictures and artifacts without an idea of what they meant.

Feast at Hanoi Train Street

Most already know of this infamous Hanoi street. To those who don’t, remember that narrow alley street with a track between the colorful cafes? It’s this one!

Fun fact, it was never intended for tourism. It’s a full-fledged train passing just steps from resident’s homes after all. While it’s dangerous, it is equally a wonder-striking sight to see when the train passes.

Hanoi travel blog : We sat at one cafe for coffee and couldn’t help getting tons of pictures while at it. It’s exactly how it appears in the pictures – picturesue. Unfortunately, we couldn’t catch sight of a train while here, and apparently the next train was due hours later.

A heads-up for the train street – go along with one of the local vendors around this area that are looking to take you to the train street. If you go without company as a tourist, you’re mostly bound to be pushed off the street.

Yep, you heard that right. You see, local citizens with the cute shops here own these areas around the train street. Walking on a railway track is illegal, the shop vendors here run a monopoly. Thus, it isn’t free to visit – it’s best to get coffee or a meal at some place here.

Expect yourself to spend anywhere around 2 hours here.

Check out the Hoa Lo Prison Relic

Among the historic places, Hoa Lo Prison is the last stop for the day. The Hoa Lo Prison which once was the functional Hanoi Hilton today stands as a museum preserving the hallways and corridors with figures of how people lived in these dark rooms.

With the figures with melancholic expressions, the tales of brutal torture of the prisoners, and execution tools on the exhibit the place does get eerie. But it portrays the dark days of French Colonization until 1954 and the Vietnam war where Americans war prisoners were held here.

As the etymology goes, the French Colony prison turned into a torture prison for American pilots shot down in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Ultimately being named the Hanoi Hilton by the American Navy.

We didn’t have the time to visit it but it’s no more than 10 minutes walk from the Hanoi Train Street (700 meters).

Experience the Thang Long Water Puppet Show

For the evening, a water puppet show in Vietnam is a must-visit, an ancient tradition that began in the 11th century here. Yes, the whole term water puppetry originated in Vietnam.

Though I experienced a glamourous theatre show in the capital city of Vietnam with comfortable seating, authentic water puppetry wasn’t like this. It dates way back and was started by local farmers to celebrate paddy harvests. The only difference is the puppeteers performing in waist-high waters.

Hanoi travel blog : The harmony of the traditional musical instruments, the voices, and the puppets setup with fireworks at times were nothing short of perfection. The only downside was we didn’t understand a single word – the whole one-hour show was in Vietnamese.

The stories depicted here, like any puppet show, are folk tales and have morals. Though it cost a good VND 100,000 to 200,000 depending on seating, every penny was worth it. Regardless of language, it’s an amazing show but I do recommend getting the translation headphones at the reception.

Make sure to prebook your show. When we booked, only 2 seats were left out and we didn’t have much choice for availability. Instead of offline booking, one way to save time is to reserve your tickets online. Use our recommended partner Klook.com for ticket booking.

Insider Travel Tip: Klook.com is a trusted site for booking attractions in most parts of Southeast Asia and personally my favorite. As partners of Klook, our readers get better deals and you get to book all attractions for travel in one place. So don’t miss out and book your tickets below!

Spend the Evening at Ta Hien Beer Street

Ta Hien Beer Street, simply known as Hanoi/Old Quarter Beer Street makes for the night life of Hanoi. Be it the locals or tourists, everyone ends up here for a beverage and an evening luncheon.

The very same streets of Old Quarters that remain calm during the day become a cheery crowded place with portable karaokes, bars, restaurants laid out on the street, and massage parlors.

From one of the crossroads, you’ll see the bustle following down all four narrow lanes. Even the little restaurants that were hidden way between alleys were busy. Alcohol’s pretty affordable, the vibe is there if not the language – what else could one ask for on a holiday evening?

Exploring and walking through the streets, we too settled down to a road vendor trying to get us to sit at his restaurant.

Day 2: Have Egg coffee at Old Quarters

Sorry for not mentioning coffee earlier, Vietnam’s known for coffee! It wouldn’t hurt to spend a little on coffee wherever you go. There are tons of coffee spots in Hanoi if not Old Quarters.

I’d be only a nuisance if I recommended my favorite coffee shop here, as there are tons to try out there. And trust me, any traveler you meet is bound to tell you theirs too. So it’s best you take a walk out there and see where it takes you.

But being human myself and for this Hanoi travel blog, here’s my favorite – the Hanoi Coffee Station. It’s a little hard to find – it lies above another store by the road towards Hoan Kiem Lake. The egg coffee here is a must-try here.

For day 2 of the Hanoi 3 Day itinerary, have a heavy breakfast before you begin your day. Hanoi Coffee Station, popular among the backpackers community, has amazing breakfast options to try. Everything we ordered was simply finger-licking good and satisfying!

Hop on a Cyclo Tour

Remember those 3-wheeled pedal cycles? The French Colony introduced them as cyclos and they became popular among foreigners as well as locals. However, the rickshaws were a failed attempt.

While the cyclos aren’t really needed today with Vietnam’s development, it’s preserved for tourism. Various vehicle brands cruise 4-lane roads today. While it’s no more than a slow tour around the heart of the city, it covers a great area which would otherwise take a long while by walk.

They’re quite fun to look out at, but we didn’t hop into any. We preferred walking on instead. It isn’t a must – when you’re here, you might as well hop on.

Here’s another article for you to read: Perfect Batam Travel Guide

Walk the Ngoc Son Temple (Hoan Kiem Lake)

Hoan Kiem Lake itself with the Turtle Island (turtle tower) is an attraction enough. But that larger island on the northern end with a bright red bridge connecting to it is an extra. The Ngoc Son Temple.

Hanoi travel blog : We paid the entrance fee and entered, not really expecting much. Nor was there much to expect. But it was before us when we entered a low-ceiling room with two turtle figures that seemed to be made of concrete. There was a legend with an English translation of the stories of the turtles.

Spoiler alert, these turtles weren’t concrete – they were real preserved turtles that once resided in the very lake! Enclosed carefully behind glass panels, the turtles’ glossy finish made it hard to believe, but here it was!

The history itself was quite a fascinating read. There was a shrine before the turtle room overlooking the lake beyond, but the turtles’ were the best part. Make sure to have a look when you’re here.

Visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda

Similar to the Ngoc Son temple, the Tran Quoc Pagoda is a Buddhist temple island on the West Lake. Except West Lake is much much larger than Hoan Kiem Lake.

Also, there are multiple temple elements here apart from the main Pagoda structure and lots of greenery around here.

With the temple being 1500 years old, it’s a sacred place among the Vietnamese and many come here on various occasions of the year. You’re lucky if you witness any of them. One such occasion I found fascinating was when they released small animals like fish, turtles, and birds free into the lake.

Though the temple is free to visit, it is a 10-minute drive from Old Quarters.

Don’t miss the Temple of Literature

The last of the ancient spiritual places in Hanoi (though I already picked a few out) is the Temple of Literature. For those who find historical places in Hanoi interesting, another pick is the Imperial Citadel Thang Long.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the remains of the main structure that dates back 1000 years and belongs to the ancient capital city. I picked the Temple of Literature as it possesses equally jaw-dropping architectural preserves.

The following day is a whole-day itinerary to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi. Thus making it difficult if not impossible to visit both of these spots. Nevertheless, for those who wish to visit both, make the best of squeezing in.

Temple of Literature, built around 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, began for the prince – then the nobles, and the elites of the nation. It later spread to accepting the bright minds of the nation. Forgive me, but with literature and philosophy being of personal interest, I daresay I’m biased in picking this place.

It costs VND 30,000 for adults and VND for children and the disabled. It takes around an hour to get around the structures.

Stroll Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street

Trust me, we were itching to get back to the Old Quarters nightlife. I bet you’ll be too! The Hoan Kiem Lake Walking street is only a short walk from Beer Street. Not to mention, you’ve already been here before.

Once for the Water Puppet show and the other for Ngoc Son Temple the same morning. But the evenings here, especially weekends, are something else. It appears as though the whole capital gathers here for a fresh breath of air. Music, laughter, people dancing in nostalgia, and cute coffee dates by the lake.

The tiny portable shops, food vendors, and colorful lights only make the place bright with hues. Old Quarters Beer street is surely a happening place. But this is more of a relaxed crowd with families, kids, ice creams, and bright balloons.

Similar to the Old Quarters streets, the roads are shut for vehicles and all the lanes stretch out for these markets, artists of all sorts – dancers, guitarists, and even painters.

Walk the whole stretch to the Gucci corner store at the end of the lake. But be sure not to tire yourself. The next day needs you to be up early.

Day 3: Plan a Day Trip to Halong Bay!

In this Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary , if you have a day planned separately for Halong Bay, that’s amazing! You get to spend another day just in the city of Hanoi. But assuming most travelers are new to Hanoi, here’s everything to know about Halong Bay.

When I visited this place, I didn’t bother checking up on what really was this spot. In fact, that’s most of how I traveled to Vietnam . I don’t recommend doing so, but for Halong Bay – it’s best you blindly book a 1-day package trip through an agency and go on the adventure.

A package trip is the best budget option in this case as Halong Bay is a good 2.5 to 3-hour ride away from Hanoi city. Prices vary with agencies and services offered.

For a hustle-free booking, use a trusted site like Klook.com for day-package trips from Hanoi.

Travel Tip: Here are some of my favorite day-package trips from Hanoi that are definitely worth the budget. From Hanoi – Halong Bay, Trang An, and Bai Dinh are the best places for day tours. Pick your preferred package below on Klook.com for the best rates.

A single shot of the landscape gives you an idea but also makes for its spoiler. So it’s best keep your eyes and ears away till you make it on that boat. Most 1-day packages are inclusive of a luncheon, the Thien Cung and Sung Sot Caves or Surprise Caves, a long Kayaking session, and trekking up Ti Top Island.

They don’t focus on hardcore caves exploration, or even actual hiking. It’s more of steep walks on concrete steps. Yet, the views are dreamy.

Hanoi travel blog : Halong Bay was one of my favorite of Vietnam. On that lucky day, the weather was perfect, most of the company we had were Indonesians. Me and my friend, who grew up in Indonesia , mingled along speaking Bahasa Indonesian and spent the whole day together.

They were all older than us (we’re only 22 after all) but still jolly and up for all the activities. They still talk with us from time to time. Instagram is handy. It was overall a good day.

Why Halong Bay?  It isn’t a bad idea to spend another day at more historical sites in the city, but Halong Bay being neither too large to stay at, nor too small to miss, it makes for a perfect itinerary from Hanoi.

Apart from this, there are quite a handful day trip package options from Hanoi. You’ll see that most common pickup point is the Hanoi Opera house in the morning. To recommend, another alternative day trip from Hanoi is Trang An in Ninh Binh – another recognized World Heritage Site.

Between Halong Bay and Trang An, I wouldn’t be able to pick one.

Is the Sapa tour worth it? There are trips to Sapa as well, but that’s another story. For Sapa, I’d recommend keeping it aside from your Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary . It’s best to stay in Sapa at least for 2 days to have a better experience.

Tailpiece to Hanoi Travel Blog

We had 3 days to spend in Hanoi but not consecutively. Still, we could make it to most these places. While we focused more on the itinerary when in Ho Chi Minh, we stayed a little laid back in Hanoi.

For 3 days, it honestly isn’t possible to cover all of Hanoi. The beauties of the city are endless. It’s best to take your time and experiencing whatever you visit to the fullest. Don’t miss on the must-visits like the Ho Chi Mih mausoleum, the Hanoi Train Street, Water Puppet Show and Old Quarters.

But the rest are all a gamble. I’ll make another post on tips when traveling Hanoi for making the best of time and budget. For now, this makes for a rough sketch for a Hanoi 3 Day Itinerary.

Tell me about your Hanoi stories below. I’d love to hear. Happy traveling!

Manas Patil

Hi there! I'm a 22-year-old dude all the way from India, I love traveling and building itineraries! Sign up and get your FREE COPY of my travel checklist to get the best of your next vacation!

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