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Travel guide

27/10-2025

VIETNAM ITINERARY IDEAS: 7 DAYS TO 3 WEEKS

Vietnam's got it all, fam—think misty mountains up north, crazy emerald bays, old-school imperial cities, and lit southern deltas, making it the perfect spot, no cap, for any vacay length.

Vietnam's got it all, fam—think misty mountains up north, crazy emerald bays, old-school imperial cities, and lit southern deltas, making it the perfect spot, no cap, for any vacay length. Whether you're Hella busy or got weeks to kill, the real tea is sticking to one or two regions for a week-long flex, hitting the central bangers for 10-14 days, and doing the whole north-to-south thing for 3 weeks. Peep these itineraries I cooked up, based on fire routes, focusing on quick travel (flights for big jumps, overnight trains or buses for shorter hops). These bangers are based on expert advice and traveler's stories, assuming you're flying into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Budget like $50-100 a day per person for a bootee-but-not-too-much trip, including eats, stays, and activities.

 

7-Day Flex: Northern Vibes (Culture & Nature, Bruh)

For all your newbies tryna get a feel for Vietnam's north without stressing. Chill in Hanoi and day-trip to baller spots like Ha Long Bay. Travel time's a breeze; get ready for lit streets, bomb pho, and limestone cliffs.

Day

Location

Highlights

Travel/Stay Tips

1-2

Hanoi

Wander the Old Quarter's chaotic markets and street food stalls; visit Hoan Kiem Lake at sunset; explore Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature. Evening cyclo tour optional.

Arrive via Noi Bai Airport. Stay in Old Quarter (e.g., Hanoi La Siesta Hotel, $50/night).

3-4

Ha Long Bay

Overnight cruise: Kayak through emerald waters, visit floating villages, and spot monkeys on limestone islands. Opt for Lan Ha Bay for fewer crowds.

3–4-hour bus Hanoi ($20 round-trip). Cruise $150 (includes meals).

5-6

Ninh Binh

"Ha Long Bay on land": Boat through Tam Coc's rice paddies and karsts; hike Hang Mua for panoramic views; cycle rural villages.

2-hour train/bus Hanoi ($10). Guesthouses like Tam Coc Rice Fields Homestay ($30/night).

7

Hanoi/Depart

Free morning for shopping (silk, coffee filters); transfer to airport.

Fly out or extend to Sapa for treks.

 

10-14 Day Flex: North to Central Vietnam (History & Beaches!)

Build on that 7-day hustle by rolling south to UNESCO spots and lit-up towns. That's like 2-3 days chilling' per place, mixing' it up with thrills and relaxation. Peep domestic flights (like VietJet, dirt cheap at $30-50) to bounce quick.

 

Day

Location

 

Highlights

Travel/Stay Tips

1-3

Hanoi & Surrounds

 

As in 7-day; add Ninh Binh day trip.

Same as above.

4-5

Ha Long Bay

 

Overnight cruise, as above.

Bus Hanoi.

6-7

Hue

 

Imperial Citadel tour; riverboat to Thien Mu Pagoda; try royal cuisine like banh khoai.

1-hour flight Hanoi ($40). Stay at Hue Riverside ($40/night).

8-10

Hoi An/Da Nang

 

Lantern-making workshop and tailoring in Hoi An; My Son Sanctuary ruins; beach day at An Bang or Marble Mountains in Da Nang.

1-hour flight or 3-hour bus Hue ($10). Hoi An Ancient House Resort ($60/night).

11-12 (Optional Extension)

Phong Nha Caves

 

Zipline into Paradise Cave; boat through Son Doong (world's largest cave, book ahead).

6-hour bus Hue ($15). Oxalis Resort ($80/night).

13-14

Da Nang/Depart

 

Free time for markets; fly out Da Nang Airport.

Extend with My Khe Beach relaxation.

 

3 Weeks, : Vietnam, Top to Bottom (OG Overland Trip)

Vietnam's crazy long, like 1600km, so peep this: Start up north with all the culture, cruise through the middle's old-school spots, and end down south where it's Poppin'. Take it easy with those sleeper trains (cheap and scenic AF) or just fly. This 3-week run? Beaches and chill delta vibes, so you can totally zen out.

Week

Focus

Key Stops & Activities

Travel/Stay Tips

1: North

Hanoi to Sapa/Ha Long

Days 1-3: Hanoi (as above). Days 4-6: Sapa treks among H'Mong villages and rice terraces. Days 7: Ha Long cruise.

Overnight train to Sapa ($25). Homestays in Sapa ($20/night).

2: Central

Hue to Hoi An

Days 8-9: Hue (citadel, tombs). Days 10-12: Hoi An (lanterns, cooking class); Da Nang beaches. Days 13: Optional Phong Nha caves.

Flight Hanoi-Da Nang ($40); bus to Hue/Hoi An. Boutique hotels ($50/night).

3: South

Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong/Phu Quoc

Days 14-16: Saigon—Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Thanh Market, rooftop bars. Days 17-18: Mekong Delta boat tour (floating markets, coconut groves). Days 19-21: Phu Quoc island—snorkeling, Sao Beach relaxation; depart Phu Quoc Airport.

2-hour flight Da Nang-Sai gon ($30); bus to Mekong ($10); ferry/flight to Phu Quoc ($20). Mid-range resorts ($70/night).

 

Yo, mad tip: Flip the script if you're ending up in Hanoi, ya dig? For two weeks straight, ditch Sapa and Phu Quoc – stick to the must-sees. Hard pass on Tet (Lunar New Year, Jan/Feb) 'cause it's gonna be hella packed. All in, it'll run you a cool $1.2-2K per person, flights within included, word.

 

Travel Tips: No Cap

Transport: Hit up Baolau.vn for trains/buses; Skyscanner for flights. Grab app for cabs, fam.

Deets: E-visa ($25, month); snag that travel insurance. Only bottled water, trust. Street pho is bussin', but skip that ice, tho.

Packing: Pack light layers (it's gonna be hot/humid af), rain jacket, comfy kicks, reef-safe sunscreen is a must.

Going Green: Eco-cruises in Ha Long Bay; support local homestays, fr fr.

Make it your own: Bring the family? Beach time! Adventurous? Ha Giang loops or motorbike rides—send it!

These plans mix must-sees with chill time—do you, boo. Book with TripAdvisor or local legends like Oxalis Adventure. Good vibes only; Vietnam's all about its people and pho, that's the tea!

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