Vietnam itineraries that
survive contact with reality.
Vietnam is about 1,650 km long, with three climate zones that never line up. Most itineraries online ignore both. Each route here is built on real transport times, month-by-month weather for every stop, and a budget that does not pretend — and each one says what it leaves out.
Up to a week
One region, done properly. Do not try to cover the country.
5 days in Vietnam: Hanoi and one night on the bay
Hanoi → Halong / Bai Tu Long Bay → Hanoi
- Best
- April, September–November
- From
- $221 pp
- Pace
- Relaxed
7 days in Vietnam: Hanoi, the bay, and Ninh Binh — no flights
Hanoi → Halong / Bai Tu Long Bay → Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Hanoi
- Best
- April, September–November
- From
- $293 pp
- Pace
- Balanced
Central Vietnam in a week: Hue, Hoi An and the Hai Van Pass
Hue → Hoi An
- Best
- March–May
- From
- $196 pp
- Pace
- Relaxed
10 days
Still one region — but now with room for the Ha Giang loop or the full southern loop.
10 days in Vietnam: the north, done properly
Hanoi → Ha Giang Loop → Hanoi → Halong / Bai Tu Long Bay → Hanoi
- Best
- April, September–November
- From
- $544 pp
- Pace
- Balanced
Southern Vietnam in 10 days: Saigon, the Mekong, Da Lat and Phu Quoc
Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta (Can Tho) → Ho Chi Minh City → Da Lat → Phu Quoc
- Best
- December–March
- From
- $390 pp
- Pace
- Balanced · 3 flights
Two weeks
Two regions joined by one flight is the sweet spot. Three is possible, with trade-offs.
2 weeks in Vietnam: Ha Giang, Hoi An and a spare day
Hanoi → Ha Giang Loop → Hoi An → Da Nang
- Best
- March–April
- From
- $606 pp
- Pace
- Balanced · 1 flight
Northern Vietnam in 2 weeks: Ha Giang, Sapa and the bay
Hanoi → Ha Giang Loop → Sapa → Hanoi → Halong / Bai Tu Long Bay → Hanoi
- Best
- April, September–November
- From
- $791 pp
- Pace
- Balanced
Vietnam north to south in 2 weeks — the least-rushed version
Hanoi → Sapa → Hanoi → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta (Can Tho) → Ho Chi Minh City
- Best
- March–April
- From
- $515 pp
- Pace
- Packed · 2 flights
Three weeks
The first length where north to south works without the trip becoming mostly transit.
Planning a Vietnam itinerary — common questions
- How many days do you need in Vietnam?
- Ten to fourteen days covers one or two regions well; three weeks is the first length where north, centre and south fit without most of the trip being transit. With a week or less, stay in one region.
- Should I go north to south or south to north?
- Direction matters less than timing. The north is best in spring and autumn, the centre from February to August, and the south from December to April — so let the month decide which regions you include, then fly whichever way the connections suit.
- Do I need a tour to travel around Vietnam?
- No. Buses, trains, flights and Grab cover every leg on these routes. Book specialists for the parts that need them — the Ha Giang loop, Sapa trekking guides, a bay cruise — and do the rest independently.