How long should you spend in Vietnam, and how do you fit it all in? It is the question we hear most often. The country is long and narrow, and travelling from north to south takes time, so it is better to see a few places well than to rush through many. In this guide we share three Vietnam itineraries for one, two and three weeks, with the reasoning behind each route.
Each itinerary runs from north to south, starting in Hanoi and ending in Saigon, but they work just as well in reverse. The best direction depends on the season; see our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.
Before you plan: a few principles
- Use domestic flights for long distances. Hanoi to Da Nang or Hue takes just over an hour by air, compared with a day or a night on the train.
- Allow two nights in most places. One night means arriving tired and leaving early; two nights gives you a full day.
- Mix cities, countryside and water. Vietnam is at its best when you combine a city with a bay, a mountain valley or the Mekong Delta.
- Leave some free time. A free afternoon every few days keeps the trip enjoyable.
One week in Vietnam: the classic highlights
With seven days, focus on three regions and connect them with short flights. This route gives you a taste of the capital, the bays of the north, the old town of Hoi An and the waterways of the south.
- Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi. Evening street food walk in the old quarter.
- Day 2: Hanoi’s temples, markets and lakes. Water puppet show.
- Day 3: Drive to the coast for an overnight cruise in Lan Ha Bay, kayaking among the karsts.
- Day 4: Sunrise on the bay, back to Hanoi and fly to Da Nang. Evening in Hoi An.
- Day 5: Hoi An old town early, then a countryside bike ride and basket boats.
- Day 6: Fly to Saigon. Afternoon in the hidden alleys and markets.
- Day 7: Day trip to the Mekong Delta by bike and boat, or departure.
If you prefer a slower week, drop Halong and add a second day in Hoi An or a night in the Mekong Delta. See our 7-day Vietnam tour for a ready-made version.
Two weeks in Vietnam: slower and deeper
Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first trip. It lets you add Ninh Binh’s rivers, the royal city of Hue and a homestay in the delta, at a comfortable pace.
- Days 1 to 2: Hanoi, with a street food walk and the old quarter.
- Day 3: Ninh Binh by bike and rowboat.
- Days 4 to 5: Overnight cruise in Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay, then fly to Hue.
- Day 6: Hue: the citadel, royal tombs and a garden house.
- Day 7: Over the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An.
- Days 8 to 9: Hoi An, a cooking class, the countryside and My Son.
- Days 10 to 11: Fly to Saigon; explore the city and Cu Chi or Chinatown.
- Days 12 to 13: Mekong Delta with a night in an island homestay and the Cai Rang floating market.
- Day 14: Back to Saigon and departure.
Our 12-day north to south journey follows a similar route with two days less.
Three weeks in Vietnam: the full journey
With three weeks, you can include the mountains and the caves as well as the classic sights, and still travel at a relaxed pace.
- Days 1 to 2: Hanoi, then the night train to Lao Cai.
- Days 3 to 4: Trek in Sapa with a village homestay.
- Days 5 to 6: Down to Ninh Binh for cycling and rowboats.
- Days 7 to 8: Overnight cruise in Lan Ha Bay and back to Hanoi.
- Days 9 to 10: Fly to Dong Hoi for the caves and jungle of Phong Nha.
- Days 11 to 12: Drive to Hue via the DMZ; explore the citadel and tombs.
- Days 13 to 15: Hai Van Pass to Hoi An; the old town, the countryside and My Son.
- Days 16 to 17: Fly to Saigon; city walks and street food.
- Days 18 to 20: Cycle and boat through Ben Tre, Vinh Long and Can Tho in the Mekong Delta.
- Day 21: Back to Saigon and departure.
See our 21-day Best of Vietnam for the full itinerary.
Adding Cambodia or Laos
Vietnam combines beautifully with its neighbours. From the Mekong Delta, a speedboat goes up the river to Phnom Penh, from where it is a short flight or a scenic drive to the temples of Angkor. From Hanoi, a short flight takes you to Luang Prabang in Laos. Allow at least three days for Angkor and two or three for Luang Prabang. Our 16-day Indochina journey links all three countries.
Our tip
Do not try to fit everything in. One extra night in a place you love is worth more than another long transfer. If you have to choose, keep the places that match your interests: mountains and trekking in the north, history and food in the centre, rivers and cycling in the south.
Itineraries by travel style
For families
Choose fewer places and longer stays. A good two-week family route is Hanoi, a night on a boat in Lan Ha Bay, Hoi An for beaches, bikes and cooking, and a homestay in the Mekong Delta. Children love the boats, the animals and the basket boat rides. Avoid very long road transfers and keep afternoons free for swimming and rest.
For active travellers
Add a multi-day trek in Sapa, Ha Giang or Pu Luong, a jungle day in Phong Nha and two or three days of cycling in the Mekong Delta. You can cover a lot of ground on foot and by bike while still enjoying the classic sights between them.
For food and culture lovers
Spend more time in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Saigon, the four great food cities of Vietnam. Join street food walks, a cooking class and a market tour in each, and add a homestay to taste home cooking in the countryside.
Typical travel times
| Route | By air | By road or rail |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi to Halong or Lan Ha Bay | – | 2.5 to 3 hours by road |
| Hanoi to Sapa | – | 5 to 6 hours by road, or night train to Lao Cai |
| Hanoi to Hue or Da Nang | About 1 hour 15 minutes | 13 to 17 hours by train |
| Hue to Hoi An | – | About 2.5 hours via the Hai Van Pass |
| Da Nang to Saigon | About 1 hour 20 minutes | – |
| Saigon to Can Tho | – | About 3.5 hours by road |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one week enough for Vietnam?
One week is enough for a first taste of three regions if you use domestic flights, but two weeks lets you travel at a much more relaxed pace.
Should I travel Vietnam north to south or south to north?
Both work. Choose the direction that follows the best weather for your dates; for example, in autumn start in the north and finish in the south.
Is the train a good way to travel in Vietnam?
The train is slow but scenic, especially between Hue and Da Nang. For long distances, flights save a lot of time. The night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai is a popular way to reach Sapa.
Can I customise these itineraries?
Yes. All our trips are private, so we can change the order, the pace, the hotels and the activities to suit you.
Plan Your Trip With Us
See our ready-made journeys of 7, 12 and 21 days, or let us design one around your dates and interests.
