Sample Itineraries

These routes are built only from the per-province 1, 2 and 3-day plans in the destination guides — nothing is invented. Each day links to the full guide for that place.

3 days — Northern highlights

For a first taste of the north.

Day 1: Hanoi (1 day)

the essentials

Morning: pho at Pho Gia Truyen, then Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple as the city wakes up. Walk the Old Quarter guild streets, stop for egg coffee at Cafe Giang. Lunch: bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien. Afternoon: Temple of Literature, then Hoa Lo Prison. Evening: water puppet show at 18:30, then dinner and a walk around the lake.

Day 2: Ha Long (1 day)

day cruise from Hanoi

08:00 Leave Hanoi by limousine van. 11:30-12:00 Board at Tuan Chau Marina. 12:00-16:30 Cruise: Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, kayaking at Luon Cave, lunch on board. 17:00-18:00 Sail back to port. 20:00 Back in Hanoi. A long day — about four hours on the water for twelve hours away — but it works if you are short on time.

2 days, 1 night — the classic overnight cruise

Day 1: morning van from Hanoi, board at noon, afternoon at Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island, kayaking at Luon Cave, sunset on the sundeck, dinner on board, and a quiet night anchored in the bay. Day 2: sunrise and tai chi on deck, a morning visit to a floating village or a second cave, brunch on board, back at port around 11:00-12:00, van back to Hanoi by the evening.

3 days, 2 nights — bay plus city

Days 1-2: as the overnight cruise above. Day 3: a slow morning in Ha Long City — Bai Chay Beach, the Queen Cable Car at sunset, Quang Ninh Museum on the Hon Gai side, and a seafood dinner at Hong Hanh. Or swap day 3 for Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay, the quieter water next door.

Day 3: Ninh Binh (1 day)

from Hanoi and back (only if you really cannot stay overnight)

06:00 Train SE7 from Hanoi (or a limousine picking up 06:30-07:00 in the Old Quarter). 08:30-11:30 Trang An boat — going early is the most important decision of this day. 12:00 Lunch of mountain goat and crispy rice in the Trang An area. 13:30-14:30 Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. 15:45-17:45 Climb Hang Mua and watch the sunset from Ngoa Long Peak. Evening: train or car back to Hanoi. This day skips Tam Coc and Bai Dinh — trying to squeeze them in means seeing each place briefly at its busiest hour.

2 days, 1 night — the recommended plan (stay in Tam Coc)

Day 1 — Trang An cluster: arrive in the morning and drop your bags; 09:00 Trang An boat; lunch of goat meat; afternoon Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Am Tien Cave; dinner and an early night in Tam Coc. Day 2 — Tam Coc cluster: 07:30 Tam Coc boat while the river is still quiet; cycle to Bich Dong Pagoda and Thai Vi Temple; lunch; 15:30-17:30 climb Hang Mua for sunset; back to Hanoi in the evening, or stay a second night.

3 days, 2 nights — add forest or the northern cluster

Days 1-2: as the 2-day plan above, at a slower pace, with an extra morning cycling the village loop. Day 3 — choose one of two: (a) a full day at Cuc Phuong: primary forest and the primate rescue center; or (b) the northern cluster: Bai Dinh Pagoda in the morning (go early, before the pilgrim groups), then Van Long Lagoon at sunset before heading back.

5 days — The North, properly

The north at a relaxed pace.

Days 1–2: Hanoi (2 days)

the classic Hanoi trip

Day 1: as the 1-day plan above. Day 2: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the morning (go early, check the day — closed Mondays and Fridays), then the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Lunch: cha ca at Cha Ca La Vong. Afternoon: Train Street with a cafe, then West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda at sunset. Evening: the weekend walking street around the lake if it is Friday to Sunday, or a food crawl through the Old Quarter night market.

Day 3: Ha Long (1 day)

day cruise from Hanoi

2 days, 1 night — the classic overnight cruise

3 days, 2 nights — bay plus city

Days 4–5: Ninh Binh (2 days)

from Hanoi and back (only if you really cannot stay overnight)

2 days, 1 night — the recommended plan (stay in Tam Coc)

3 days, 2 nights — add forest or the northern cluster

7 days — North + Central in a week

Add Hoi An and Da Nang — fly Hanoi to Da Nang.

Days 1–2: Hanoi (2 days)

the classic Hanoi trip

Day 3: Ha Long (1 day)

day cruise from Hanoi

2 days, 1 night — the classic overnight cruise

3 days, 2 nights — bay plus city

Day 4: Ninh Binh (1 day)

from Hanoi and back (only if you really cannot stay overnight)

2 days, 1 night — the recommended plan (stay in Tam Coc)

3 days, 2 nights — add forest or the northern cluster

Days 5–6: Hoi An (2 days)

1 day — the old town. Morning: wander the Ancient Town, visit the Japanese Bridge and one or two heritage houses. Lunch: banh mi from Phuong or Madam Khanh. Afternoon: a tailor fitting or a coffee by the river. Evening: dinner at Morning Glory, then a lantern boat on the Hoai River and the night market.

2 days — add the countryside. Day 1 as above. Day 2: morning cycling to Tra Que Vegetable Village for a cooking class, afternoon at An Bang Beach, evening back in town for cao lau and the lanterns.

3 days — add My Son. Day 3: early start to My Son Sanctuary (before 08:15 to beat the crowds), back by lunch, then a slow afternoon — a basket boat in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, or a beach afternoon and a final lantern-lit dinner.

Day 7: Da Nang (1 day)

1 day — the highlights. Morning: Marble Mountains, then My Khe Beach for a swim. Afternoon: Museum of Cham Sculpture and Han Market. Evening: dinner on the beach road, then the Dragon Bridge fire show at 21:00 (Friday–Sunday).

2 days — add Ba Na Hills. Day 1 as above. Day 2: full day at Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge (leave by 07:30, back by late afternoon). Evening: Linh Ung Pagoda at sunset, then a seafood dinner on Vo Nguyen Giap Street.

3 days — add Son Tra and Hoi An. Day 3: morning ride around Son Tra Peninsula, afternoon day trip to Hoi An (30 minutes away) for the lanterns, or take the train to Hue for the day if you prefer history over tailors.

10 days — Classic Vietnam

The north, then Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang.

Days 1–2: Hanoi (2 days)

the classic Hanoi trip

Days 3–4: Ha Long (2 days)

day cruise from Hanoi

2 days, 1 night — the classic overnight cruise

3 days, 2 nights — bay plus city

Days 5–6: Ninh Binh (2 days)

from Hanoi and back (only if you really cannot stay overnight)

2 days, 1 night — the recommended plan (stay in Tam Coc)

3 days, 2 nights — add forest or the northern cluster

Day 7: Hue (1 day)

1 day — the Imperial City. Morning: the Imperial City (arrive at opening, allow 3 hours). Lunch: bun bo Hue at Me Keo or Quan Cam. Afternoon: Thien Mu Pagoda by dragon boat, then Dong Ba Market. Evening: dinner on Le Loi Street and a walk along the riverfront.

2 days — add the tombs. Day 1 as above. Day 2: morning at the Tomb of Tu Duc and the Tomb of Minh Mang, lunch of com hen, afternoon at the Tomb of Khai Dinh, evening at a vegetarian restaurant.

3 days — add the countryside. Day 3: a morning cycling along the river road to the villages, an afternoon at a local cooking class or a spa, and a final sunset boat on the Perfume River.

Days 8–9: Hoi An (2 days)

Day 10: Da Nang (1 day)

14 days — The full journey

North to south, Hanoi to Phu Quoc.

Days 1–2: Hanoi (2 days)

the classic Hanoi trip

Days 3–4: Ha Long (2 days)

day cruise from Hanoi

2 days, 1 night — the classic overnight cruise

3 days, 2 nights — bay plus city

Days 5–6: Ninh Binh (2 days)

from Hanoi and back (only if you really cannot stay overnight)

2 days, 1 night — the recommended plan (stay in Tam Coc)

3 days, 2 nights — add forest or the northern cluster

Day 7: Hue (1 day)

2 days — add the tombs. Day 1 as above. Day 2: morning at the Tomb of Tu Duc and the Tomb of Minh Mang, lunch of com hen, afternoon at the Tomb of Khai Dinh, evening at a vegetarian restaurant.

3 days — add the countryside. Day 3: a morning cycling along the river road to the villages, an afternoon at a local cooking class or a spa, and a final sunset boat on the Perfume River.

Day 8: Da Nang (1 day)

Days 9–10: Hoi An (2 days)

Days 11–12: Ho Chi Minh City (2 days)

1 day — the essentials. Morning: Independence Palace at opening (7:00), then the War Remnants Museum. Lunch: pho at Pho Hoa Pasteur. Afternoon: Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral, then Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs and a banh mi at Huynh Hoa. Evening: sunset from the Bitexco Skydeck, dinner at Cuc Gach Quan, and a stroll down Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

2 days — add the tunnels. Day 1 as above. Day 2: half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning (leave by 7:30), back in the city for a late lunch of com tam at Ba Ghien. Afternoon: Jade Emperor Pagoda and a coffee in the Cafe Apartments. Evening: Bui Vien for street food and people-watching.

3 to 4 days — slow down. Day 3: Cholon in the morning (Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Temple, a Chinese breakfast of dim sum), then the afternoon in Thao Dien — riverside cafes, the metro ride out and back. Day 4: a full-day Mekong Delta trip (My Tho and Ben Tre are the classic first-timer route), or a slow day of cafes, the Fine Arts Museum, and a cooking class.

Day 13: Can Tho & Mekong Delta (1 day)

1 day — the floating market. 5:00: boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf to Cai Rang Floating Market; breakfast from a boat. 8:00: small canals behind the market, then back to the city. Late morning: Can Tho Museum and a walk along the riverfront. Afternoon: a bicycle ride in Phong Dien or a rest by the river. Evening: Ninh Kieu Night Market.

2 days — the classic Delta. Day 1 as above, plus Son Islet in the afternoon. Day 2: full-day trip to Ben Tre — river boat, sampan through the coconut canals, coconut candy workshop and orchard lunch — back to Can Tho for dinner.

3 days — the wider Delta. Days 1–2 as above. Day 3: early bus to Chau Doc; Sam Mountain and the floating fishing village in the afternoon, Tra Su Cajuput Forest by boat the next morning, then onward travel or back to Can Tho.

Day 14: Phu Quoc (1 day)

1 day — the south. Morning: Hon Thom cable car at opening (9:00), water park and beach on Hon Thom Island. Afternoon: Sao Beach for a swim, then Phu Quoc Prison on the way back north. Evening: sunset at Kiss Bridge in Sunset Town, dinner in An Thoi.

2 days — add the center. Day 1 as above. Day 2: slow morning on Long Beach, lunch in Duong Dong, Ho Quoc Pagoda in the afternoon, Dinh Cau Night Market in the evening.

3 to 5 days — the full island. Day 3: north — Vinpearl Safari in the morning, VinWonders in the afternoon, Grand World after dark. Day 4: snorkeling trip to the An Thoi islands (book through your hotel, typically 500,000–900,000 VND / ~$19–$35 per person including lunch), or Starfish Beach at Rach Vem. Day 5: a slow beach day, a spa afternoon, and a final sunset dinner on Long Beach.

Per-province plans

The full 1, 2 and 3-day plans from every guide:

Hanoi

1 day — the essentials

2 days — the classic Hanoi trip

3 days — slow Hanoi plus a day trip

Days 1-2: as above, at a slower pace, with the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Vietnamese Women's Museum added. Day 3: a day trip — Ha Long Bay by cruise (leave Hanoi about 08:00, back about 20:00) or Ninh Binh (Trang An boat in the morning, Hang Mua at sunset).

Ha Long

1 day — day cruise from Hanoi

2 days, 1 night — the classic overnight cruise

3 days, 2 nights — bay plus city

Ninh Binh

1 day — from Hanoi and back (only if you really cannot stay overnight)

2 days, 1 night — the recommended plan (stay in Tam Coc)

3 days, 2 nights — add forest or the northern cluster

Sa Pa

1 day — the highlights. Morning: Fansipan cable car if the sky is clear (if it is foggy, swap in a Cat Cat walk instead). Lunch in town. Afternoon: walk down to Cat Cat village (2–3 hours), then back up by taxi. Evening: hotpot dinner and the Stone Church square.

2 days — the classic. Day 1: arrive, settle in, afternoon Cat Cat village and the church square; dinner of salmon hotpot. Day 2: full-day guided trek through Muong Hoa Valley — Lao Chai to Ta Van — with lunch at a village homestay; evening herbal bath in Ta Phin or a massage in town.

3 days — slow Sa Pa. Days 1–2 as above. Day 3: morning at Fansipan (or a second valley trek to Ta Phin), afternoon motorbike or taxi to Tram Ton Pass, Love Waterfall and Silver Waterfall for sunset, then a last dinner in town before the night bus or train back to Hanoi.

Phong Nha

1 day — the essentials. Morning: Paradise Cave, arriving at opening to beat the groups. Lunch in town. Afternoon: Phong Nha Cave by boat. Evening: sunset walk along the Son River and dinner at your homestay.

2 days — the classic. Day 1: Paradise Cave in the morning, then cycling the Bong Lai Valley in the afternoon. Day 2: Phong Nha Cave by boat in the morning, Dark Cave zipline and mud bath in the afternoon. Evening: drinks and a pool at your hostel.

3 days — slow Phong Nha. Days 1–2 as above. Day 3: a full-day jungle trek or a motorbike loop to the Eight Ladies Cave and Ho Chi Minh Trail viewpoints, with a swim in the Chay River to finish. Or, if you have booked months ahead, swap day 3 for the start of a Hang En overnight expedition.

Hue

2 days — add the tombs. Day 1 as above. Day 2: morning at the Tomb of Tu Duc and the Tomb of Minh Mang, lunch of com hen, afternoon at the Tomb of Khai Dinh, evening at a vegetarian restaurant.

3 days — add the countryside. Day 3: a morning cycling along the river road to the villages, an afternoon at a local cooking class or a spa, and a final sunset boat on the Perfume River.

Da Nang

Hoi An

Nha Trang

1 day — the city. Morning: Po Nagar Cham Towers at opening, then Long Son Pagoda. Lunch: nem nuong at Dang Van Quyen. Afternoon: Dam Market, then the beach and a swim. Evening: seafood dinner on Tran Phu and a walk along the promenade.

2 days — add the island. Day 1 as above. Day 2: VinWonders on Hon Tre Island — take the cable car at opening, do the rides and aquarium in the morning, the water park in the afternoon, and stay for the evening show if your energy holds.

3 to 4 days — slow down. Day 3: island-hopping and snorkeling at Hon Mun in the morning, then a mud bath at I-Resort in the afternoon. Day 4: Ba Ho Waterfalls in the morning (or a cooking class), a long beach afternoon, and a sunset at Hon Chong.

Da Lat

1 day — the highlights. Morning: Crazy House, then a walk around Xuan Huong Lake. Lunch in town. Afternoon: Datanla Waterfall and the alpine coaster, then Truc Lam Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake. Evening: Da Lat Night Market for grilled rice paper and hot soy milk.

2 days — the classic. Day 1 as above. Day 2: morning at Langbiang Mountain (jeep or hike), afternoon at the Clay Tunnel and a coffee farm, evening at a lakeside cafe.

3 days — slow Da Lat. Days 1–2 as above. Day 3: a morning Easy Rider motorbike tour through the countryside — waterfalls, a silk factory, a coffee farm and a village — then a lazy afternoon at the lake and a last dinner in town.