Vietnam trip: What to see? When to go? How to arrange itinerary?

You intend to visit Vietnam, a country rich in culture and nature with friendly and generous people. However, you still don't have a clear idea on how to organise your own Vietnam trip? This article is just for you to give you a general view on must-see places in Vietnam: things to do and how many days it would take to visit each place, when is the best time to visit. We hope you will take your Vietnam trip at ease, travel at your own style and your own pace.

Table of contents

I - The must-see classic Vietnam destinations

1. Hanoi - The millennial capital of Vietnam (1 - 3 days)

Hanoi is a must-see destination in Vietnam for sure. The capital offers you so many interesting aspects to discover: a long history, cultural diversity, rich cuisine,... Hanoi also fascinates all tourists with both a fast and slow pace of life.

Arriving in Hanoi, you can visit these Hanoi attractions:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Ho Chi Minh is the great father of Vietnam who dedicated his whole life for the country. After his death in 1969, the government built the mausoleum to commemorate him. Now the mausoleum is located in the Ho Chi Minh Complex in Ba Dinh District in Hanoi, which also includes the Ho Chi Minh Museum, garden,...
• Temple of Literature: reported as Vietnam's first university since the 11th century. At first, the temple was the place to worship Confucius but later became the imperial school as well. At the Temple of Literature, the Doctorate Stelae were well-preserved, which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Old Quarter and the French Quarter in Hanoi are very beautiful and unmissable places. The districts are located in Hanoi's Old Quarter, where you can enjoy the local life, each street is full of stories and cultures to discover. Getting lost in the interwoven streets in Hanoi makes you fall in love with this country. 
• West Lake is a sacred place for Hanoians, where you can see numerous sacred temples and pagodas, among which you must list Phu Tay Ho Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Van Nien Pagoda, Tao Sach Pagoda, Vong Thi Pagoda,....
• The heart of Hanoi should be Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Lake of the Returned Sword. Once you arrive in Hanoi, taking a picture of the lake is something all tourists do.

These are the most well-known places in Hanoi that you can see that are offered in all locals' tour programs. In addition, if you have more days in the city, you can also consider visiting local markets such as Hang Be market, Dong Xuan market, Chau Long market, Cho Gioi market, Cho Hom market to know more about local urban life. 

Life in Hanoi's suburbs is also a treasure, around the city are countless artisan villages.

• The Bat Trang pottery village
• The Chuong cone hat village
• The Vac cage village
• The Tho Ha rice paper village 
• The Ha Thai village of lacquer

In addition, the ancient pagodas around Hanoi such as Perfume Pagoda, Tay Phuong Pagoda, Thay Pagoda, Nom Pagoda, and many temples dedicated to saints, Mother Goddesses, and national heroes... make you understand about the tradition of Hanoian life.

If you like to have more art experiences, there are some really interesting shows to book tickets for:

• Water Puppet Show
• Ionah show
• Tuong Art of Vietnam show
• "Quintessence of Tonkin" show
• "A O Show" show

For Hanoi, you can spend at least 1 - 3 days. Otherwise if you don't like to move around too much and change hotels every night, Hanoi offers many tourist activities. You can leave a day to visit the city and its monuments, another day for the ancient pagodas around Hanoi that are not only religious sites but also famous for scenery, and a day for some artisan villages.

>>> See suggestions for excursions in Hanoi. 

When can we visit Hanoi? Hanoi is beautiful all year round so don't hesitate to put Hanoi on your list.

2. Ninh Binh - Halong Bay on land (1 - 3 days)

Ninh Binh is the first capital of the Monarchy of Vietnam in the 10th century, the country is also known as Halong Bay on land. Although this comparison is not so fair to the country, it is a way for you to remember the name of the province.

The countryside of Ninh Binh fascinates us with alternating landscapes between limestone mountains and rivers, a green colour of peace and quiet life. Beyond that, Ninh Binh represents a religious cradle of Vietnam: Ninh Binh and its neighbourhood, Nam Dinh, are the first regions that had contact with Catholicism in Vietnam, Ninh Binh is also the first capital of the Hau Ly Dynasty in the 10th century, whose first king is a Buddhist so there are many ancient pagodas here.

In Ninh Binh, these attractions are worth your visit.

• The places known as inland Halong Bay: Tam Coc,Van Long Nature reserve, Trang An (recognized as a World Heritage Site for both natural and cultural value) by rowboat. These attractions are indispensable once you arrive in Ninh Binh. Although the sights at these attractions are all stunning and the tours give us a totally peaceful feeling, the trip to Trang An also gives you a reminder of Vietnam's history with 3 stops at ancient temples and 12 caves.
• Bich Dong pagoda, Am Tien pagoda, Bai Dinh pagoda are the most well-known ancient pagodas in Ninh Binh. If Bich Dong pagoda and Am Tien pagoda are small and lean on the mountainside, in perfect harmony with nature, Bai Dinh pagoda demonstrates greatness on the mountain. The pagoda holds many records in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and Asia
• Thung Nham Garden, the home of thousands of rare storks. The image of the flocks of birds at sunset fascinates all tourists, especially for nature lovers
• The Hang Mua Cave’s summit
• Phat Diem Cathedral, despite not being close to the other attractions in Ninh Binh, is a very special place in the province. If you have time in Ninh Binh, be sure to go there and discover the unique architecture of Vietnam's Catholicism
• Cuc Phuong National Park: not many villages in Vietnam are endowed with such rich biodiversity like Ninh Binh. As the first recognized national park in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is a fascination for nature lovers who want to have maximum contact with nature.

Beyond the tourist sites, life in the countryside in Ninh Binh is idyllic but full of activities. It is not difficult to meet a person from Ninh Binh who talks about the land of King Dinh, King Le and shows his love for the country... The tranquillity and rural graciousness in Ninh Binh pampers all the souls. During your trip to Ninh Binh, you will have the opportunity to take the trips, walking or biking to the villages in Ninh Binh.

>>> See more of the things to see and do in Ninh Binh.

For Ninh Binh, you can spend 1-2 days, the first day for trips to Tam Coc or Van Long or Trang An that combine with other sites of interest and perhaps, the second day for Cuc Phuong National Park. If you have more days to spend in Ninh Binh, a trip to Phat Diem Church and a shortstop in the villages with the coast gives you a more authentic view to the life of the locals.

When can we visit Ninh Binh? Ninh Binh is beautiful all year round, and its best time falls from April until July.

3. Halong Bay - UNESCO World Heritage Site (1 - 3 days)

Halong Bay is famous and is the dream of many tourists once they want to go to Vietnam. Halong is recognized by UNESCO twice as a World Heritage Site and is listed as one of the Wonders of the World. The bay interests everyone because of its legend, history and also enchanting beauty. Composed of about 2,000 islets and rocks emerging from the emerald water, the landscape of Halong Bay is fairy tale-like, especially when there is some early morning fog covering the rocks or at the time of changing from light to dark of sunset, the bay has become more enchanting.

There are so many attractions to see in Halong Bay but now for the sake of conservation, it is allowed to visit the bay only with some fixed itineraries. Therefore, to visit Halong Bay, the most important thing is to choose a right cruise with the duration at your preference, and you will get the unforgettable memories.

You can spend 1 to 3 days in Halong Bay. A good quality cruise with good food will make your best experience at this World Heritage site.

>>> Let’s see more information about Halong Bay and our tips on how to choose the right cruises: Everything about Halong Bay cruises.

If you don't have a lot of time, a ride on the bay on a day boat for a couple of hours can take you to the attractions closer to the mainland. When you spend 2 days and 1 night on an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, the junk boat will take you farther and you also have time for swimming or kayaking. In case you decide to book a 3-day 2 night excursion, the program will remain a 2-day 1-night itinerary, then on the added day, a day boat will take you to discover farther in the more pristine areas.

The most popular choice of travellers to Halong Bay now is a 1-night trip for its complete experience and can save time for other destinations in Vietnam.

>>> See more of our 2-day 1-night excursions with 3 - 5 star cruises on Halong Bay.   

Now in addition to Halong Bay, they also offer you other alternative options in case you want to enjoy the same natural beauty but they will not be as crowded as Halong Bay such as Bai Tu Long Bay  and Lan Ha Bay. You can click on the links in each destination for more precise information.

When can we visit Halong Bay?

You can visit Halong Bay all year around, and the best time is from April to September when you can both enjoy the beauty of the bay and swim in the emerald water of the bay. Note that in the summer months such as July - August, sometimes there are some storms that may affect your trip, so prepare a plan B.

4. Hue - The Last Capital of the Vietnamese Monarchy (1 - 2 days)

Hue undoubtedly is a must-see destination on your trip to Vietnam. Being the last capital of the feudal Monarchy of Vietnam in the 19th and 20th centuries, Hue has a large number of well-preserved relics, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Being in Hue, especially in the historical sites, in a moment, you will feel that time also stands still because of its slow pace of life. It is difficult to meet an angry Hue native, people in Hue normally are calm and smiling, especially the women.

In Hue you cannot forget a list of historical sites:

• Forbidden Citadel: a great pride of Hue locals. Although part of it was destroyed during the wars, the Citadel is restored every day with government effort. The architectural work built in the early 19th century is a complex of masterpieces made by artisans from all regions of the country. It reveals so many stories, rituals, lifestyle of feudals, aesthetic point of view and rules of Feng Shui.
• Mausoleum of the Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty: The Nguyen Dynasty had 13 kings, but for economic and political reasons only 7 mausoleums were built. The mausoleums in Hue were built when the king was still alive, so they are not the sad burial places but like palaces with charming scenery, harmonious with nature. You can consider visiting among these mausoleums:
  • The poetic mausoleum of Tu Duc
  • The majestic mausoleum of Minh Mang
  • The complicated mausoleum of Khai Dinh
  • The elegant mausoleum of Gia Long
  • The simple mausoleum of Duc Duc
  • The quiet mausoleum of Thieu Tri
  • The peculiar mausoleum of Dong Khanh
• Thien Mu Pagoda: It is regarded as the soul of this land. It is a must-see check-in point when visiting Hue. Come with us to discover the fascinating and interesting things in this 400-year-old sacred temple.
• Dong Ba Market, Truong Tien Bridge, Perfume River.

Hue is also the hometown of many skillful artisans used to live and develop their career, especially when the Hue’s buildings were constructed. That is why there are so many artisan villages and ancient villages with garden houses around the city. Among them the best known are:

• Thuy Bieu ancient village
• Thanh Tien paper flower village
• Phuoc Tich ancient village
• Thuy Xuan incense village
• Sinh painting village
• Tien Non traditional lacquerware village

Other attractions you can see in Hue:

• Bach Ma National Park
• Dam Chuon lagoon
• Pha Tam Giang lagoon
• Ancient An Hien House
• Abandoned aquarium
• The Bao Vinh ancient town
• The Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge

Once you visit Hue, don't miss a chance to enjoy the Royal Music of Hue, another Intangible World Heritage of Vietnam.

For Hue you can consider spending 1-2 days. The first day for the most well-known and must-see sites and the second day for the surrounding villages. If you enjoy cycling, a bike ride to ancient villages, for example Phuoc Tich village would be a wonderful idea.

>> Find out about excursions in Hue. 

When can we visit Hue?

The best time to go to Hue is from January to October when it does not rain as much. The weather would be ideal especially in March to April.

5. Hoi An - Living museum of ancient port life (1 - 4 days)

If you are looking for a typical oriental city, Hoi An is a testament to 16th - 19th century urban port life in Vietnam. The city so far is well preserved and represents antiquity and also interaction between cultures, including Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese,... Very long time ago, the land was a part of the Champa Kingdom so you can encounter the typical cultural traits of Champa culture.

In 1999, Hoi An was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. 

Hoi An's main attractions are:

• The Japanese Bridge: a symbol of Hoi An that is honoured to appear on Vietnam's money of 20,000 VND. The bridge is famous for its peaceful scenery. With the age of nearly 400 years, the bridge represents a testimony and is an indispensable stop for all tourists visiting Hoi An. 
• The old houses: they are well preserved for many centuries with its original architectural beauty. During the tours, visitors will have the feeling of "going back" to the bustling trading port of Hoai Pho in the past. The mostly well-noted are:
• Tan Ky Old House
• Phung Hung Old House
• Ancient Tran family house
• Quan Thang Old House
• The harbour
• The local market in Hoi An

Besides the old town, the countryside of Hoi An is also very beautiful. You can spend your time to visit the Hoi An surrounding villages, which are:

• Cam Thanh Village: famous for the "water palm forest"
• Thanh Ha Village: famous for pottery and earthenware craftsman
• Kim Bong wood carving village
• Go Noi islet on the Thu Bon River

Each village has a distinct beauty but the thing that makes Hoi An most lovable in the eyes of tourists are the humble, generous and very friendly locals.

Beyond these things, you can consider exploring Hoi An with these unique experiences:

• Trip to My Son Sanctuary: a typical architectural work of the Champa Kingdom in Vietnam and is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• A day at Cham Island: this is an exceptional marine experience that offers you diving opportunities and coral viewing. Not yet open for overnight stay, the island remains pristine with clear water.
• The "Memory of Hoi An" show is also a must-see tourist activity that immerses you in a musical, cultural and historical environment. It is a show that we highly recommend.
• Trips to Da Nang, big cities within 30 km distance (about 30-40 minutes driving time) to see its beautiful bridges, Marble Mountains, Golden Bridge at Ba Na hills,...

For Hoi An, you can spend at least 1 day visiting the main tourist sites. You can also leave another day for trips to surrounding villages, another for Cham island, another for Da Nang, another for My Son shrine,....

>> See all of our Hoi An excursions.  

Possessing very beautiful beaches such as An Bang, Ha My, Nam Hoi An, Hoi An offers you possibilities to stay here even a week for an interesting seaside stay, a stay that combines relaxing on the beaches, good food, cultural and natural discoveries. It seems that Hoi An is a friendly land for everyone, whether you travel with your family or a group of friends.

When can we visit Hoi An?

The best time to visit Hoi An is from March until October, and the ideal time to stay here is from May to September.

6. Sai Gon - Vietnam's most important economic centre (1 - 2 days)

Sai Gon is the old name of Ho Chi Minh City, whose name was changed in 1975 to memorialise the country's great first president. The city gives us a sense of the country's development. Not quiet like Hue or full of nostalgia like Hanoi, Saigon impresses us with the fast pace of life. It is like a young person growing up in a new world. As a young city in Vietnam, Sai Gon also has its own history, especially the history related to the Vietnam War.

Arriving in Sai Gon, you cannot miss the following tourist attractions.

• Reunification Palace: witnesses many historical events, especially the Southern Liberation event to reunify the country on April 30, 1975. 
• The Central Post Office, the Grand Opera House, Ben Thanh Market: Saigon is regarded as the Pearl of the East in the years before 1975. These historical monuments demonstrate a special era of Saigon with Western style.
• War Remnant Museum: This is a member of the International Network of Museums for Peace and the International Council of Museums. The museum's function is to research, collect, preserve and display documents and objects on the crimes and consequences of the Vietnam War.
• Fito Museum: The Museum of Traditional Medicine of Vietnam is the brainchild, passion and research over many years of Mr. Le Khac Tam, a person who worked for decades in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Cho Lon area: it is considered as the second centre of Saigon, known as Chinatown. Here you can discover the life of Vietnam's ethnic Chinese.
• Religious sites such as Ngoc Hoang pagoda, Thien Hau temple.

Besides must-see sites in Ho Chi Minh city, you can also take day trips in its vicinity to visit.

• Cu Chi Tunnel: an underground system of the Vietnamese's defence during the Vietnam War 
• The Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh is also a famous cultural work, converging with unique architectural styles that attract thousands of tourists each year.

In Ho Chi Minh city, you can also see some unmissable shows such as:

• Traditional Music Show at Truc Mai House
• Lune Production show: Ter Dah, Suong Som
• A O Show

For Saigon aka. Ho Chi Minh city, you can spend about 1-2 days. You can see our examples in this link: Ho Chi Minh City tours.

When can we visit Ho Chi Minh city?

The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh is in the dry season from November to April, however from May to October, you need to bring an umbrella for sudden rains.

7. Mekong River Delta (1 - 5 days)

The Mekong River Delta is a very special area in Vietnam with an intense rain system. The area attracts all tourists not only for the unique colours of life on the river but also for the gentleness and generosity of the locals.

Arriving in the area, you can assess to see these beauiful villages:

• Ben Tre
• Cai Be
• Vinh Long
• Sa Dec
• Can Tho
• Long Xuyen
• Chau Doc
• Tra Vinh
• Soc Trang

>> See more Things to do in Mekong Delta.

For the Mekong Delta, you can spend at least 1 day to get a general look at the area. However, to get an idea and to explore all the best things in the area, normally tourists choose to spend 2 - 4 days. Certainly if you like life on the river, you can spend more days.

>> Some suggestions for your Mekong Delta trip

When we can visit Mekong Delta?

Like Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong River Delta has the same climate situation. However, the rainy season is by no means a time to avoid. It is the harvest time for many tropical fruits, and the rains with the rising water level show a spectacular life aspect of the area. Therefore, you can visit the delta all year round.

So in this part, with our sharing and suggestions, you can safely plan an itinerary on your own for a classic Vietnam trip to the most famous places of about 10 days to 20 days. This is not too complicated if you see our suggestions on each stop then combine for the program you want.

II - Extend your Vietnam trip to the mountainous areas

If you are looking for more adventurous excursions, this part gives you some suggestions to include in your program. 

1. The famous destinations: Sapa and Mai Chau - Pu Luong (2 - 4 days)

Sapa and Mai Chau are the most well-known tourist destinations in Vietnam in the past 10 years and are featured in so many offers from local travel agencies. In recent years, Pu Luong has become a new tourist destination that fascinates so many tourists for the scenery as much as the ease of combining with other attractions.

Sapa is located in the West of Northern Vietnam, toward the border with China. While Mai Chau and Pu Luong are found quite close to each other (about an hour's drive) so they normally put Mai Chau and Pu Luong on the same itinerary.

These regions surprise travellers with breathtaking landscapes with mountains, rice terraces, and the possibility of encountering ethnic minorities.

For both options, you can spend about 2 - 4 days. Normally travellers choose 2-day options but if you are a nature lover and want to discover the cultural life of ethnic groups, you can stretch more days. Are you confused between Sapa and Mai Chau - Pu Luong? We suggest you read this article: Visit Sapa or Pu Luong Nature Reserve? 

Things to do in Sapa - Bac Ha and Mai Chau - Pu Luong:

• Visiting the ethnic market
• A walk and trek in the middle of the rice fields
• Overnight at ethnic groups' traditional home
• Visit ethnic villages and meet local people, discovering their culture
• River trip along the streams
• See the pretty waterfalls

If you want to take a short getaway to the mountains, these destinations are ideal for you.

Sapa: located quite far from Hanoi, the transfer takes about 6-7 hours by bus or you can take the overnight train which takes about 10 hours.

A classic itinerary would be:

Day 0: Overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai
Day 1: Lao Cai - Bac Ha - Ethnic market - Sapa
Day 2: Sightseeing in Sapa - Return to Hanoi by bus or train

>> See more of our suggested itineraries for Sapa. 

Mai Chau - Pu Luong: From Hanoi to Mai Chau, it takes about 4 hours by car. If you transfer directly to Pu Luong from Hanoi, it takes an extra hour.

A classic itinerary would be:

Day 01: Hanoi - Pu Luong
Day 02: Pu Luong - Hanoi
>> Discover recommended itineraries in Pu Luong.

When can we visit?

• Sapa - Bac Ha: From April to early September, the weather is good for the area. In addition, you can also enjoy rice cultivation at different times: flooded terraces, tiny rice plants, green rice, yellowed rice fields.
• Mai Chau - Pu Luong: you can go any month of the year.

2. Quang Binh - the land of the sea and mysterious caves ( 2 - 4 days)

Quang Binh is a small province in sunny and windy central Vietnam. Nature has given the people and the land a great favour: a cave system, crossing many tectonic processes deep in the majestic limestone mountains, the turquoise stream and also the poetic Nhat Le beach. It is a perfect place for those who love and want to immerse themselves in nature.

You can get to Quang Binh by overnight train or by flight. The province also has a domestic airport.

You will always find suitable activities in Quang Binh: 

• Easy to long trekking
• Boat trips to tunnel caves such as Phong Nha
• Visiting caves on the mountain like Thien Duong
• More "youthful" activities such as zipline, kayaking at Mooc creek
• Professional adventure to Hang En, Son Doong, Tu Lan, combining long-distance trekking in the forest, swimming inside the caves and camping
• Quang Binh seaside stay

For Quang Binh, you can spend at least 1 day visiting Phong Nha town, Mooc creek and Thien Duong cave. Certainly you can spend more days here for deep excursions in the area.

An example for classic itinerary in Quang Binh:

Day 00: Transfer to Dong Hoi
Day 01: Dong Hoi City - Phong Nha
Day 02: Phong Nha - Quang Tri - Hue
>> See our tours in Quang Binh to get a better idea. 

When can we visit Quang Binh?

The best time in Quang Binh is from April to the end of September.

3. Encountering the ethnic groups of the Northwest (5 - 9 days)

The Northwest area of Vietnam is also a wonderful destination if you have more days. In this case, you may decide to take a ride through the mountain roads from Hanoi - Mai Chau to Sapa, passing Mu Cang Chai and have chances to meet the ethnic groups of North Vietnam, including the Thai, Hmong, Dzao.

Popular villages in the area: Nghia Lo - Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Bac Ha - Thac Ba 

To hike the Northwest of Vietnam, tourists normally travel by car and then take a trekking in villages or fascinating trekking routes such as La Pan Tan. You can choose to spend 5 to 9 days in this area.

Things to do in Northwest Vietnam.

• Hunt stunning photos of Mu Cang Chai and Nghia Lo
• Taste the typical cuisine of the area
• Spend a night at home with locals in Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Bac Ha
• Visit a multi-ethnic market in Bac Ha
• Taste schnapps with typical ethnic Thai straws 
• Conquer the Fansipan peak and Hoang Lien Son mountain range
• Take a boat ride at Thac Ba Lake
• Trek into the wild nature

An example of a popular route.

Day 01: Hanoi - Nghia Lo
Day 02: Nghia Lo - Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai.
Day 03: Mu Cang Chai - Than Uyen - Sapa
Day 04: Sapa
Day 05: Sapa - Bac Ha ethnic market
Day 06: Bac Ha - Thac Ba - Hanoi

>> More suggestions for Sapa and Northwest Vietnam from Izitour.

When can we visit the North West of Vietnam?

Ideal time for this tour is from April to the end of September.

4. Northeast landscapes and ethnic groups (5 - 9 days)

Northeast Vietnam is suitable for adventurous souls. You can make the visits by car, moped, or even bicycle. The curvy roads attract everyone to put their feet up in one of the toughest areas of the country. The area is famous for nature and majestic landscapes; for the rich culture of almost all ethnic groups in Vietnam, among which you have chances to meet the Hmong, Lolo, Tay, Nung.

The most beautiful places in the area are: Ha Giang, Dong Van, Bao Lac, Cao Bang, Ba Be.

It takes at least 5 days to make a trip to the Northeastern part of Vietnam. Otherwise, you can also make a trip to Ha Giang, or Ba Be or Cao Bang for 3 days from Hanoi.

Things to do in Northeast Vietnam.

• Take a trip to the Nho Que River and Tu San Canyon
• Visit the Dong Van karst plateau, an enchanting UNESCO Global Geopark
• Meet tribes on ethnic market 
• Admire the grandiose Ban Gioc waterfall, Fairy Waterfall
• Discover enchanting caves of Hua Ma, Nguom Ngao, Puong
• Take a boat ride to Ba Be natural lake and find out about its legend
• Overnight stay in the homes of local residents
• Taste the specialties of Ha Giang and Cao Bang

>> See the top ethnic markets in North Vietnam. 

An example of a popular route

Day 01: Hanoi - Ha Giang
Day 02: Ha Giang - Lung Cu - Dong Van
Day 03: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac
Day 04: Bao Lac - Cao Bang
Day 05: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc - Cao Bang
Day 06: Cao Bang - Ba Be
Day 07: Ba Be
Day 08: Ba Be - Hanoi

>> More suggestions for Northeast Vietnam from Izitour.

When can we visit Northeast Vietnam?

This part of Vietnam is suitable to visit all year round. At any time, the area shows different beauty. Note that to visit the waterfalls, you need to consider going around July - September

5. An escape to the off-the-beaten-track Central Highlands (1 - 7 days)

The Central Plateau area of Vietnam is a pristine land little touched by mass tourists. Majority of the foreigners who have come here are the people who want to visit their old battlefields or just Da Lat. Arriving here, you can also visit the villages of Gia Rai, Ede, Mnong, Bana. You can discover their culture and admire the interesting landscapes by hiking to the valleys, lakes and waterfalls in the surrounding area.

The most beautiful villages in the area are: Da Lat, Daklak, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Kon Tum.

Things to do in Central Highland.

• See the unique traditional architectural works of local ethnic groups: the long house of Ede people, high house - nha rong of Bana people, cemetery of Mnong people, tomb of Elephant Kings.
• Discover the Goong cultural space - a UNESCO World Intangible Heritage: a typical trait of ethnic groups at the central plateau of Vietnam.
• Admire the enchanting sceneries of the area: T'nung Lake, Draysap Waterfall, Lak Lake, Coffee Plantation, Tea Plantation.

Example for a perfect itinerary for Central Highlands.

Day 01: Discover Da Lat City 
Day 02: Sightseeing in Da Lat
Day 03: Da Lat - Daklak
Day 04: Buon Ma Thuot - Daklak
Day 05: Buon Ma Thuot - Pleiku
Day 06: Pleiku - Kon Tum
Day 07: Kon Tum departure

>> Discover more travel ideas to Central Highland from Izitour. 

When can we visit Central Highland?

Ideal time for this tour is from November to April, right in the dry season in the area.

Conclusion: You can also think about these destinations for your second trip to Vietnam for a very different discovery from the more classic trips. Why not take a tour of the entire North Vietnam area will help you get some great footage and photos.

III - The recommended places for the seaside stay

If you don't want to do more hiking after the classic excursions and want to leave the lesser-known area for your next trip. Then a few leisure days by the sea would be ideal to refresh after the trip. You will be recharged before returning to normal life.  We give you some suggestions for seaside extension in Vietnam.

1. Phu Quoc Island

The very famous island of Vietnam with many beautiful hotel choices. The tropical beaches in Phu Quoc give you a complete escape to relax.

You can get to Phu Quoc by flight or speedboat. Arriving here, don't forget these beautiful beaches:

• Bai Sao Beach
• Bai Khem Beach
• Ong Lang beach
• Bai Dai beach
• Ganh Dau beach
• Hon Thom island
• Hon Mong Tay island

When can we visit Phu Quoc?

The best time to Phu Quoc is from the end of October until April

2. Con Dao Archipelago

So far Con Dao is still a pristine marine destination in Vietnam. Although there is still little choice of hotels, Con Dao offers us many interesting natural experiences. 

You can get to Con Dao by flight, helicopter or speedboat. Arriving here, don't forget these attractions:

• The primary Ong Dung forest, Nui Chua mountain
• Beaches: An Hai, Bai Cat, Dam Trau
• Islands: Hon Tre small, Hon Tre large, Hon Cau, Hon Bay Canh,....

When can we visit Con Dao?

Best time to visit Con Dao is from March to September, when the sea is calm and there are no strong winds.

3. Mui Ne - Phan Thiet

Mui Ne - Phan Thiet is a well-known coastal destination on the southern coast of Vietnam. The area is famous for these things.

• Red sand dunes and white sand dunes.
• Many white sand beaches: Bien Rang, Hon Thom, Ganh Son, Ke Ga,. 
• Snorkelling activities
• Ke Ga Lighthouse
• Suoi Tien Creek

For Mui Ne, you can easily reach from Ho Chi Minh City by private car or grouped bus.

When can we visit Mui Ne?

We can travel to Mui Ne almost all year round, especially from April to August

4. Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a wonderful seaside town with a mild climate, delicious seafood and fabulous beaches. You can spend your time in the seaside resorts or in the city where it would be easy to take trips. Arriving in Nha Trang, you can choose from these magnificent tourist attractions.

• Nha Trang Beach
• Dai Lanh Beach
• Bai Tru Beach (Hon Tre Island)
• Doc Let beach
• Bai Dai beaches
• Cam Ranh bay, Vinh Hy bay and Ninh Van bay
• Diep Sơn Island
• Ponagar Tower of Kingdom Champa

When can we visit Nha Trang?

Best month to visit Nha Trang is from January to September.

5. Quy Nhon

In recent years, Quy Nhon has been developed to become one of Vietnam's fascinating beach destinations. So far, the number of hotels in Quy Nhon is still limited but there are the very luxurious options such as Amanoi, Avani, Anantara.
You can take a flight to Quy Nhon or go there by train from Da Nang - Hoi An.
If you decide to travel to Quy Nhon, don't miss these sites.

• Eo Gio area with Ky Co Island.
• Hoang Hau beach, Tien Sa beach in Ghenh Rang
• Hon Kho Island, Cu Lao Xanh Island
• Phuong Mai dunes
• The twin towers of Champa

When can we visit Quy Nhon?

The ideal time to get to Quy Nhon is from April to September.

6. Hoi An - Danang

These are the attractive tourist destinations and also the ideal places for beach stay not only for travellers from all over the world but also for Vietnamese people. The uniqueness of the culture with the beautiful beaches make these cities become some of the most desired places in Vietnam.

To get to these resorts, you can take a car from Hue or directly by flight from other locations. Da Nang airport is an international airport so you can also take a flight from other countries.

Things to see in Da Nang and Hoi An.

• The ancient old town of Hoi An
• Marble Mountain in Da Nang
• Son Tra Peninsula
• Ba Na Hills with golden bridge
• The surrounding villages
• Cham Island 
• Beaches: My Khe, Non Nuoc, An Bang, Ha My, Nam Hoi An,.

When can we visit Danang and Hoi An?

The ideal time to travel to these areas is from January to October.

IV - Some recommended Vietnam trip itineraries

1. Things to do in Vietnam in less than a week

If you only want to make a shortstop in Vietnam for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days, our advice is to take advantage of your time to visit only one region of Vietnam. The following combinations of destinations will surely satisfy you.

• For the North, you can set time to visit Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, and even Mai Chau or Sapa.
• For Central Vietnam, you can visit Hue, Da Nang - Hoi An and also put in a stop in Quang Binh if you have time.
• For South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta area will not disappoint you. The excursion options are also various.

2. 7-day Vietnam Itinerary

Vietnam includes 3 regions: North, Central and South. If you want to take advantage of your time to deeply discover one area, 7 days is enough to discover what we mentioned above.

However, if you want to use your precious time to visit as many things as possible, you can do so while also considering the climate.

• If you travel to Vietnam during January to June and September to October: you can choose to combine 2 out of 3 regions in Vietnam because the climate is favourable all over the country.
• From July to September: the North of Vietnam is sometimes hit by storms so you may consider taking a Central - South Vietnam tour
• Late October to early December: a North - South Vietnam tour is recommended, Central Vietnam is in the rainy season

>> See more information on Best time to visit Vietnam? 

Map: An example for 7 day Vietnam Itinerary

3. 10-day Vietnam tour suggestions

With 10 days in Vietnam, as a suggestion for 7 days, you can take a more leisurely trip to 2 regions in Vietnam. Stay of 10 days is quite enough time for a classic trip throughout Vietnam. So many people are doubtful whether they should book international flights to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) or Hanoi. In general there is not much difference, you can safely book if you find a good flight offer. If you want to be more specific, you can also evaluate the weather to avoid bad weather in some stages. But within 10 days, the weather doesn't change that much.

For 10-day itineraries, we give you 2 suggestions

• A trip with arrival in Hanoi and departure from Ho Chi Minh city of about 10 days:

>> Best of North & South Holiday | Vietnam Classic Tour - 10 Days 

• A trip with arrival in Hanoi and departure from Saigon of about 10 days: 

>> Essential South and North with Nha Trang Beach | Vietnam Classic Tour - 10 Days

In both options, you can know exactly the price of the tour by input your group details, the quotation including internal flights and tourist guide (available in 6 languages: German, Italian, French, Portuguese, Spanish and English). The price changes if you have more people or choose a tourist guide or without the internal flights.

Map: A recommended Vietnam itinerary in 10 days

4. Most enjoyable Vietnam itineraries in 15 days

15 days is not a short period for a trip to Vietnam. In 15 days you can do many things in your own style. 

• In case you want to explode the off-the-beaten-path aspects to see the real Vietnam, it would be nice to read this article: The 15 Best Vietnam Tourist Places You Should Visit 
• How will a 15-day combined trip between Vietnam and Cambodia go? Find out in this article: Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary in 15 days
• You can also combine a classic 10-day trip with some day on the beach. You can read about: The top 10 best beaches in Vietnam

Surely if you have more time, your trip to Vietnam will need to be designed more carefully and well organised to take advantage of your precious time. In this case, you can request the information on Izitour's Whatsapp: +84 904 586 510, we offer a free consultation in English to support you.

Map: An example for Vietnam itinerary in 15 days

5. Examples for 3-week Vietnam trip

If you have as long as 3 weeks, you can really put a lot of things in your schedule, and then not only travel, you can also experience the local culture and life. In this case, you choose to take a longer trip to spend more time with the locals, or use the time for other great adventures in Vietnam as well. In the first part and second part of this article, we have listed the places where you can make the trip and extension, why not study the climate of each region to plan your dream trip.

See some sample itineraries here. 

>> From Hanoi to Saigon: Amazing Vietnam Journey | Authentic Tour: In addition to classic programs, Mai Chau - Pu Luong and the land of the most wonderful caves in Vietnam - Quang Binh is also included. 

>> From Hanoi to Saigon: Grand Vietnam Adventure | Authentic Tour - 21 Days: Also included in the program is the stupendous curve to the North-West of Vietnam. Itinerary is highly recommended from July to September.

>> From Hanoi to Saigon: Experience from Northern Vietnam to Mekong Delta River | Authentic Tour - 19 Days: The majestic Northwest landscapes of Vietnam are included in this program, refer now for ideas for one of the most beautiful tour in Vietnam.

Of course suggestions are always suggestions, you can modify the program at your own pace and preference. Send us your wish, we will give you the most suitable suggestions: [email protected].

Map: An example for Vietnam trip itinerary in 3 weeks

6. Adventure in Vietnam for nature lovers

Are you a nature lover? Vietnam is a very suitable country for you. With covering ¾ of the land are mountains, plateau, caves, forest and long coastline, the country offers you so many wonderful natural sceneries. The Lonely Planet magazine has also listed a list of Top 10 natural wonders in Vietnam, also take a look at this article to put on your wish list. 

7. Tips on travel to Vietnam for food lovers 

Not only famous for nature and very special colours, Vietnam's gastronomy is continuously listed among the top in the world. For all food and culinary art lovers, Vietnam is really a paradise of street food and traditional dishes.

>> You can read here 7 Great Places to Visit in Vietnam for Foodies. 

8. Recommended itinerary for families

If you are travelling with your family, especially with children, certainly an intense trip will not be a good idea. In this case, we make a list of activities to have unforgettable moments.

• Halong Bay tour: there are not too many active things to do, instead you can spend most of your time relaxing on a cruise. Some cruises offer the services and activities for clients to enjoy their stay on the junk boat to the fullest

>> See the All activities for Halong Bay Cruise in 2 Days 1 Night? 

• Tour to Bat Trang craft village in Hanoi: It is nice to spend time with children with discovery in Bat Trang, an ancient village with the craft of pottery making in Vietnam. Learning new things together helps you be closer that everyone starts at the same starting line.

>> See Amazing discovery of Le Mat snake farm, Bat Trang ceramic. 

• Learn how to make a traditional kite in Hue and spend an afternoon flying it on the river bank - a beautiful reminder from childhood that is now rarely seen in modern life.
• Spend a beach stay in Da Nang - Hoi An: We list this country because it is a perfect place for the family where everyone can find a balance between tourist activity, lessons in making handicrafts, good food, beach vacation, good deals on accommodations, transfers. This is a totally harmonious location in so many aspects for a family trip.

>> See 1-day tours in Hoi An to include in your beach stay.  

V - Things to know before your Vietnam trip

1. Vietnam Visa

You will find all up-to-date information about Vietnam visa in this article: All you need to know about Vietnam Tourist Visa.

2. How to get around tourist destinations in Vietnam

We are sure that so many of you are curious about this, we have written 47 articles to give you the most detailed information on how to move around Vietnam, for example "How to transfer from Phu Bai Airport to Hue?" ; "How to transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay?", ect. Such a number of articles are not few but if you are travelling alone, the information is very useful.

>> See All information about car rental 

3. Vaccination and health care

No vaccination is required to visit Vietnam. If you are afraid of malaria or dengue, you can get vaccinated. Otherwise, you can prepare a good mosquito and insect repellent spray/cream.
Hospitals and clinics that support in English are usually concentrated in big cities like Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Some contacts of international hospitals in Vietnam.

• International SOS Clinic

Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 934 0555
Fax: + 84 4 934 0556

• Hanoi Dental Clinic

A2 Building, Van Phuc, Suite 101-102, Kim Ma Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 823 0281

• Hanoi Family Medical Practice

A1 Building, Van Phuc, Suite 109-112, Kim Ma Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 843 0748
Fax: + 84 4 846 1750

• Hanoi French Hospital

No. 1 Phuong Mai road, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 4 574 0740
Fax: + 84 4 869 8443

• Da Nang Family Medical Practice

50-52 Nguyen Van Linh Road, Nam Duong district, Hai Chau district, Da Nang city, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 511 583 699
Fax: + 84 511 583 049

• Franco-Vietnamese Hospital

MD5-1 Saigon South, Tan Phu District, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 411 3333
Fax: + 84 8 411 3334

• HCMC Family Medical Practice

Diamond Plaza, Number 34 Le Duan Road, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 822 7848
Fax: + 84 8 822 7859

• International SOS Clinic

Hannam Palace, 65 Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 829 8424
Fax: + 84 8 829 8551

• Columbia Asia Gia Dinh International Clinic

Number 01 Trang An road, Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 803 0678
Fax: + 84 8 803 0677

• Columbia Asia Saigon International Clinic

08 Alexandre de Rhodes, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 823 8455
Fax: + 84 8 823 8454

• Maple Healthcare Dental Clinic

72 Vo Thi Sau, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: + 84 8 820 1999
Fax: + 84 8 820 4619

4. Connection, local SIM and electricity in Vietnam

• Connection: Almost all hotels, restaurants and homestays offer free Internet access. Wi-Fi connection is increasingly popular in Vietnam. Do not hesitate to ask for a Wi-Fi password.
• Local SIM: You can buy SIMs from Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone, they are the most reliable ones in Vietnam that provide you with a good 4G for Internet.
• Electricity: in Vietnam, we use a voltage of 220V at 50Hz. However, for special devices, you may consider buying an electricity adaptor.

5. Best things in Vietnam to take home as souvenirs

• Dried green tea: Vietnam is well known for green tea plantations, especially in northern regions such as Thai Nguyen, Moc Chau. You can buy tea as souvenirs for your friends or relatives.
• Coffee: Vietnam is the second largest exporter of coffee in the world, just after Brazil. Our country produces many easy cafe recipes and ready-to-buy packages.
• Local Vietnamese rice brandy, you can also bring some corn brandy from the Hmong ethnic group. Its taste is very good.
• Handmade products and handicraft gifts: there are many handicrafts you can find, such as: lacquer, embroidery, ethnic textiles, silks, ceramic products, tiger balm, lanterns, etc.
• Ao dai - traditional dress of Vietnam: an elegant and very graceful dress, the fair of all Vietnamese.
• Cooking spices such as pepper, chilies, rice paper, dry rice noodles.
• Nuts: Cashew nuts, lotus seeds are considered the healthy food for your better body.

We believe that by now you have already had more ideas for your Vietnam trip itinerary. Certainly it is not so easy to plan everything after one article but it takes more time to study everything well, please feel free to study our +1000 itineraries with the precise suggestions on: When to go to Vietnam, top things to see in Vietnam and best things to do in Vietnam.