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Vietnam is becoming a safe and interesting destination for international visitors. Let's experience our itinerary of 15 days in Vietnam, explore the must-see attractions to have a panoramic view of the country Vietnamese people
15 day Vietnam itinerary map
HANOI CAPITAL CITY
Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi city
Like many other countries in the world, Hanoi capital is one of the must-visit destinations when coming to Vietnam. Normally, you will fly to Hanoi and stay there for about 2 days.
Hanoi is the economic - political - cultural center of Vietnam. Although it is a big modern city, Hanoi has its own features that captivate visitors. You will find it easy to see the old town houses with the color of time, the shade of green trees shading the streets, many lakes interspersed with crowded residential areas. It is rare to see a city with many lakes and trees like Hanoi.
Therefore, besides a bustling Hanoi, people always see a quiet, ancient and also strangely peaceful side. Even if you like neither the noisy and crowded cities, nor the museums or historical sites, you should stay in Hanoi for at least 1 night; first of all, to rest after a long flight to Vietnam then to feel and fall in love with Hanoi.
Hanoi Old Quarter
Do not forget to enjoy a bowl of Hanoi pho, sip a cup of coffee in a small roadside cafe, or try some street foods. You will find a lovely Hanoi.
Hanoi also pleases visitors with many attractions, mainly located around the center; It won't take too long to move from one to the other. So with only 1-2 days, you can explore almost completely this thousand-year-old city.
Around Hanoi, there are many attractive options for you such as traditional craft villages (Ha Thai lacquer village, Chuong hat village, Bat Trang pottery village ...), Duong Lam ancient village, Thay pagoda, Tay Phuong pagoda with unique architecture. ...
Street vendor in Hanoi
Day 1: Fly to Hanoi
Airport pick up to hotel. Depending on your flight time, if you have time, a recommended activity for today is a gentle walk in the old quarter and around the Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi 36 streets - there are many interesting things waiting for you.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour
Suggested beauty spots for you: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, Museum of Ethnology (or Women's Museum, Fine Arts museum ...), Tran Quoc Pagoda , Quan Thanh Temple.
Note:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is only open in the mornings and closed every Monday and Friday. On summer or public holidays, people visit the Mausoleum are very crowded and it will take many hours to queue up to enter the mausoleum. But actually the more interesting part is the relics surrounding the mausoleum (gardens, fish ponds, stilt houses ...) - you can visit all day and should go in the afternoon to avoid crowding. If you go to visit in the morning, you must go to the Mausoleum to enter the house on stilts complex.
- Being one of the most visited museums, The Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mondays. However, the Women's Museum or the Fine Arts Museum are always interesting alternatives.
>>> See the different itineraries of Hanoi tours, please click here
NINH BINH
Ricefield in Ninh Binh - Vietnam
Only a 2 hours car drive from Hanoi, you will be in Ninh Binh - a place considered to be Ha Long Bay on land. Ninh Binh is suitable for most tourists, whether they like to learn about the history - culture, or to discover nature.
Besides enjoying rowing boats or visiting famous tourist spots, you absolutely can spend hours cycling on the winding village roads, in between rice fields and among the mountains.
If you are interested in the country scenery, an overnight in a homestay or a bungalow hidden at the foot of the mountain will be the ideal choice.
In Ninh Binh you have many options for your trip and you can stay there for 1 or 2 days depending on how long you are in Vietnam.
The "Halong Bay on land" in Ninh Binh such as Tam Coc, Trang An, Van Long. You can visit one of the three main points above, no need to go all of them because the activities are quite similar.
Tam Coc is a bit noisy and touristic, but the scenery here is very beautiful, especially during the ripe rice season (April-May).
A great view of Tam Coc in Ninh Binh
Trang An - a UNESCO world heritage site - where Kong Skull Island was filmed, has more and larger cave system than Tam Coc, so it takes a longer time by rowing boat (3 hours) to visit, the rice season in August - September.
Van Long lagoon brings a wild look to those who prefer quiet. If you have a lot of time in Ninh Binh, you can explore Kenh Ga, Thung Nham.
Other attractive destinations in Ninh Binh: Dinh king and Le king temple in ancient Hoa Lu capital, Bai Dinh pagoda, Bich Dong pagoda, Hang Mua (Dancing cave), Phat Diem cathedral.
From Ninh Binh, it is easy to travel to these destinations without returning to Hanoi: Halong Bay, Lan Ha, Cat Ba, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Hue.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi – Overnight train to Lao Cai
Enjoy a day trip to Ninh Binh and return to Hanoi in the evening for a night train to Lao Cai ( Normally, depart at 21.30)
Ninh Binh classic route: Hoa Lu ancient capital – Bich Dong pagoda – Tam Coc ( or Trang An)
Ninh Binh authentic route: Van Long nature reserve – biking – boating – meeting locals – join in embroidery class
>>> See more about Ninh Binh tours, please click here
SAPA and vicinity
Decades ago, Sapa was a destination not to be missed when coming to Vietnam. Sapa was fanciful with mist spreading, majestic with mountains after mountains, charming with its winding terraced fields in the hillside, colorful with diverse ethnic groups.
Most visitors come to Sapa by overnight train or shuttle bus, and stay here for 3-4 days to live among nature, explore the cultural diversity of the ethnic minorities and their daily life.
O Quy Ho pass from Sapa Vietnam
Because Sapa is so attractive, Sapa gradually becomes touristic and commercialized. Sapa loses a part of its inherent natural beauty because small and large hotel projects is growing up every day to serve the increasing demand of tourists. But there is still an enchanting Muong Hoa valley during the rice season (from May to September), there are still colorful ethnic villages for you to explore.
Coming to Sapa, we cannot miss the special markets in Bac Ha, 100km from the center of Sapa. The fair is only held once a week.
The biggest market is Bac Ha market, meeting on Sunday morning. A little further is Can Cau market meeting on Saturday morning, Sin Cheng market meeting on Wednesday morning, Coc Ly market meeting on Tuesday morning.
Fair market is an ideal place for you to learn about the lives of local people. Coming to the market, you will see many people of different ethnic groups wearing their colorful traditional costumes. Market is not only a place to buy and sell goods but also a place for cultural exchange among ethnic groups. This is really a festival.
Bac Ha market on Sunday
A tourist's advice for a real market visit: It is necessary to immerse yourself in it, enjoy a cup of corn or rice wine with a drunk local person, and then dance with him to the tune of an ethnic musical instrument, buy a locally made knife, fruits and grilled meats, watch animal trade. It takes at least 2 hours to visit the market, if less time you will not be able to visit anything.
Traveling to Sapa is not difficult, even if you travel by yourself. The locals are accustomed to serving tourists, and you'll easily find everything you need.
Besides the overnight train, now you can travel to Sapa very easily by car, bus – brand-new luxury 16-seater. New highway Hanoi - Lao Cai has made this journey much shorter and more leisurely than before (5-6h by car).
You can combine Sapa - Bac Ha with Northwest discovery tour (Hanoi - Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Bac Ha - Thac Ba - Hanoi), Northeast (Hanoi - Bac Ha - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Bao Lac - Cao Bang - Ba Be - Hanoi) or the full Northeast route.
Day 4: Lao Cai – Sapa
Arrive at Lao Cai station around 6am, you will transfer to Sapa (~ 30 km – 45minutes by bus). If you go on a tour with a tour company, you will have hot shower and have breakfast near the station.
There are many options for 1 day in Sapa depending on your walking ability.
Explore Muong Hoa valley with trekking tour route: Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van.
Day 5: Sapa – Bac Ha
From Sapa to Bac Ha, it takes about 3 hours by car. Depending on the date of the market, you can decide to depart sooner or later. If not a market day, you can continue to explore Sapa more before going to Bac Ha: visiting the city, church, Ham Rong mountain, walking at Ma Tra - Ta Phin ...
In the afternoon, we went to Bac Ha to visit the Meo King's palace. You can overnight homestay in Bac Ha to learn more about the life and people here.
Day 6: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Night train to Hanoi
Visit the market and discover the ethnic villages around Bac Ha
>>> See more about the itineraries in Bac Ha, please click here
HA LONG BAY – BAI TU LONG BAY – LAN HA BAY
Referring to Vietnam, we immediately think of Ha Long Bay - the symbol of Vietnam tourism, has been ranked by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site and is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Thousands of limestone mountains, islands and islets sprouted in the middle of the bay, arranged naturally but in a harmonious way. Staying on the boat going further into the bay, you will feel immersed in the middle of nature and forget all reality. Heaven is real!
A part of Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam
Today, besides Ha Long Bay, there are Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Actually, these 3 bays are located in a complex place that you can simply understand as "Ha Long Bay". There is no clear difference in landscape in the 3 bays, all of them are majestic in their own ways. Ha Long is the nearest route with the highest density of boats and also the most touristic. Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha are further away so they are more pristine and quieter.
It is possible to visit HaLong bay for a day trip (visiting the bay from 4-6) but be advised to take the overnight cruise with a 2-day / 1-night or 3-day / 2-night itinerary to fully enjoy the beauty of the bay. You can use the cruise’s package service at a very reasonable price (including shuttle bus, English speaking tour guide, all meals, private cabin to sleep at night with amenities like hotel rooms).
After the tour, you can return to Hanoi or go straight to Ninh Binh.
Day 7: Hanoi – Halong
From Hanoi, depart for Ha Long or Hai Phong depending on your cruise’s schedule. Arrive around 11:30 - 12:00. You will be picked up on the cruise and begin your journey to visit the bay. Lunch, sightseeing, kayaking or visiting caves.
Day 8: Halong – Hanoi – fly to Hue
Usually, the cruises have Tai Chi practice activities in the early morning. After that, you will have a light breakfast and continue the cruise’s activities. Lunch at 10:30 - 11am and then disembarking
Transfer to airport for flight to Hue
>>> See more about hundred cruise options
HUE – ANCIENT CAPITAL
In the words of Vietnamese people, Hue is a dreamy city. Hue is gentle, romantic, from scenery to people. Possessing a series of important historical relics such as Hue Citadel, the tombs of King Tu Duc, Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Gia Long with extremely beautiful architecture and in harmony with nature, Hue has also been recognized the World Cultural Heritage by Unesco.
Hue Imperial Palace
Besides, you can take a leisurely walk (walking or cycling) in the peaceful villages of Hue, explore the daily life of the local people and enjoy Hue specialties such as Bun Bo, Rice Dumpling Cake, Hue royal tea ...
Many visitors enjoyed the cooking lesson in Thuy Bieu village. They can go to the market, visit the village, be instructed to cook, experience the foot massage service. It's really interesting.
It will take 1 – 2 days to stay in Hue to explore this beautiful city.
From Hanoi, you can travel to Hue by overnight train instead of flights to save money, which is also a way to experience the transportation in Vietnam. The train usually departs at 19:30 and arrives in Hue the next morning, around 8:45.
From Hue, besides going to Danang - Hoi An, you can go to Phong Nha - Quang Binh with a 2 day 1 night tour, explore the most beautiful caves in Vietnam in Phong Nha or the historic sites in Quang Tri. DMZ demilitarized zone, Vinh Moc tunnels ...
Day 9: Full day to discover Hue city
If you like history, you can focus on visiting the relics: Imperial Palace, Tu Duc mausoleum, Minh Mang mausoleum.
If you do not want to visit too many historic sites during the day, you should spend half a day visiting villages in Hue (choose either Thuy Bieu village, or 3 villages Tien Non - Thanh Tien - Sinh, or La Chu village), The rest of half day is for Hue Citadel and Dong Ba market.
Day 10: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An
Continue to explore more attractions in Hue if you like. Then depart for Hoi An through Hai Van Pass - the most beautiful road in Vietnam. You can stop visiting the Cham museum in Da Nang where the Champa cultural vestiges are kept.
It takes about 3 hours by car from Hue to Hoi An. In addition to the private tour bus, you can book a bus at thesinhtourist.vn (5USD/pax) or limousine bus (10 – 15 USD/pax)
>>> Suggestion for Hue Tours, please click here for more
HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN WHERE THE TIME STOP
Hoi An is always on top of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. There are many things that keep tourists attached to Hoi An for a long time: ancient golden walls, mossy roofs, colorful lantern-colored streets, warm smiles of locals, Idyllic foods but famous all over the world (I.e Bread Phuong) ... It is difficult to tell all the things that make us fall in love.
Hoi An ancient town in the central Vietnam
Surrounding the old town are peaceful villages: Tra Que vegetable village, Thanh Ha pottery village, Cam Thanh village with Bay Mau coconut forest where you can experience an interesting basket boat ride ...
Hoi An is also favored with beautiful beaches not too far from the center (4-5 km). Due to the invasion of seawater, you are no longer able to swim in many beautiful beaches such as Cua Dai. Still, visitors can enjoy the unspoiled beach in An Bang. In the summer, Hoi An is the ideal and most economical choice.
Hoi An is very friendly and "easy to love". You are assured to explore freely your own way without having to worry about anything. Most hotels have free bicycles for you. Therefore, for Hoi An, staying for 1-2 days or longer is fine.
Note for transfer Hue to Hoi An: October - November is the rainy season. The rains can last for days causing flooding or maybe storms.
Day 11: What to visit in Hoi An?
- The ancient town: Chua Cau pagoda ( Japanese bridge pagoda) Assembly Hall of Fujian, Trieu Chau, Quang Dong, the ancient house of Tan Ky, the ancient house of Quan Thang, Phung Hung, chua Ong ... (2-3 hours)
- Biking to visit Tra Que vegetable village and cooking class.
- Rowing boat trip in coconut forest
- Explore Cham Island ( half day)
- Discover My Son sanctuary ( half day)
>>> See more what to do in Hoi An, please click here for more
SAIGON
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is the economic center of Vietnam. Unlike ancient Hanoi, Saigon is always bustling, noisy and everywhere are buildings, commercial centers.
Besides the main attractions such as the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the Grand Market, Thien Hau Pagoda, the Fito Museum, the War Museum ... you can spend an extra day to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. , Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh.
Saigon Independence Palace
Many visitors appreciate and love the tour to discover Saigon street food by motorbike (from 17:30 - 22:00). You will have a really different experience when you ride into the crowded traffic of this busiest city in Vietnam.
There are also many visitors who choose to be free in Saigon to explore for themselves. Or simply for a break if you don't like the excitement of this city.
Should stay in some hotels in the District 1 for better sightseeing
Day 12: Hoi An – Da Nang – fly to Saigon
There are many daily flights from Da Nang to Saigon, from early morning to late evening (1.5 hour flight). If you want to use the afternoon to visit Saigon, you should fly in the morning.
>>> More activities in Saigon, Please see more at this link
MEKONG DELTA RIVER
For the fullest view of Vietnam, you should not miss the Mekong Delta on your adventure. Life associated with rivers and floating markets is the typical feature of this region.
However, with the development of modern life, inland markets are becoming more popular and easier for the local people to live, floating markets are also disappearing. Currently, there are only Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho and Long Xuyen floating market.
Cai Be floating market in Vinh Long
The floating market operates in early morning, so you also need to get up early, around 6am. You can visit the market and then return to the hotel for breakfast, or enjoy a bowl of "noodle soup" Mekong specialties right on the boat like local people, it is also very interesting.
The Mekong Delta is also famous for its immense rice fields, fruitful gardens, canals with shade of coconut trees... This is really the ideal place for you to stay away from the bustling Saigon.
If you do not have much time, you can go to visit Mekong for a day trip just explore the near destinations such as Cai Be - Vinh Long or Ben Tre.
Should have at least 2 days, ideally 3 days to have a full view of local life in here.
Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho
Some important destinations in the Mekong Delta that should not be missed: Cai Be, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Sa Dec, Long Xuyen, Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Chau Doc.
After finishing the tour in the Mekong, you can continue to Phu Quoc island for a beach break (there is a flight from Can Tho to Phu Quoc at 12:00, or take the high-speed boat from Rach Gia, Ha Tien to Phu Quoc Island) or another option is to Cambodia by high speed boat from Chau Doc.
Day 13: Saigon – Ben Tre – Can Tho
Ben Tre - famous for coconuts. You see coconuts all over the place. Cycling on the shade of coconut village roads surrounding the rice fields or boating through the coconut ranges are an unmissable activity.
Day 14: Can Tho – Saigon
Get up early to visit Cai Rang floating market. Then visit Binh Thuy ancient house, Khmer pagoda and return to Saigon.
Long Xuyen Floating market is smaller with fewer tourists. It can be a better choice for those who prefer pristine spots.
Day 15: Saigon – fly home
>>> More activities in Mekong delta: please click here
Hopefully, above suggestions will motivate you to come to Vietnam in the near future. Each person can have a list of unmissable destinations depending on their travel preferences. Come and feel your own way. Vietnam is always ready to welcome you.
