Vietnam itinerary

Thailand, the land of smiling faces, vibrant cities, serene temples, and stunning beaches, offers an unforgettable travel experience. Here is a comprehensive itinerary to discover the best of Thailand.

What to do in Vietnam?

Day 1-3: Hanoi

Start your adventure in Hanoi, where ancient charm meets modern chaos.

Day 1: Explore the Old Quarter, taste street food like bun cha, and visit Hoan Kiem Lake.
Day 2: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, and the famous Train Street.
Day 3: Discover local markets and museums or take a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda.

Traveling from Hanoi to Sapa:

Option 1: Night train (~8 hours, comfortable sleeper options).
Option 2: Night bus (~6-7 hours, cheaper but less comfortable).

Day 4-6: Sapa

Sapa is the best place for trekking through iconic rice terraces and meeting local hill tribes.

Day 4: Trek through rice fields to Cat Cat Village or Lao Chai & Ta Van.
Day 5: Take a longer trek with a homestay experience at a local family.
Day 6: Ride the cable car to Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam.

Traveling from Sapa to Hanoi:

Option 1: Night train (~8 hours, scenic and comfortable).
Option 2: Night bus (~6-7 hours, direct but bumpy).

Day 7-9: Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay

The world-famous Halong Bay (or the less crowded Lan Ha Bay) is a must-visit.

Day 7: Take a cruise through the bay, visit caves, floating villages, and hidden beaches.
Day 8: Kayak through the stunning karst landscape and spend the night on a boat or island.
Day 9: Return to Hanoi and take the night train to Ninh Binh.

Travel to the next destination: Night bus or train to Ninh Binh (2-3 hours).

Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh:

Option 1: Night train (~2-3 hours).
Option 2: Bus (~2.5 hours).
Option 3: Private car (~2 hours, more expensive but comfortable).

Day 10-11: Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh offers a fairy-tale landscape with limestone formations, rice fields, and ancient temples.

Day 10: Take a boat tour in Tam Coc and hike to the Hang Mua viewpoint for breathtaking views.
Day 11: Visit the ancient capital Hoa Lu and the majestic Bai Dinh Temple complex.

Travel to the next destination: Night bus or train to Phong Nha (6-8 hours).

Traveling from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha:

Option 1: Night train (~6-8 hours, comfortable sleeper available).
Option 2: Night bus (~8 hours, cheaper but less comfortable).

Day 12-13: Phong Nha

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is home to some of the biggest and most beautiful caves in the world.

Day 12: Visit the famous Paradise Cave and explore Phong Nha Cave by boat.
Day 1: For adventure seekers: Take a day trip to Hang En Cave or the multi-day expedition to Son Doong (the world’s largest cave).

Travel to the next destination: Night bus to Hue (4 hours).

Traveling from Phong Nha to Hue:

Option 1: Bus (~4 hours).
Option 2: Private car (~3.5 hours).

Day 14-15: Hue

Hue, the former imperial capital, is full of history and charm.

Day 14: Explore the Forbidden Purple City and visit the Thien Mu Pagoda.
Day 15: Discover the Royal Tombs and take a boat trip along the Perfume River.

Travel to the next destination: Motorbike or bus ride over the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An (3-4 hours).

Traveling from Hue to Hoi An:

Option 1: Motorbike tour over Hai Van Pass (~3-4 hours, stunning views).
Option 2: Bus (~3-4 hours).
Option 3: Train to Da Nang + taxi to Hoi An (~2.5-3 hours total).

Day 16-18: Hoi An

Hoi An is a beautiful, lantern-lit town with stunning architecture and beaches.

Day 16: Explore the Ancient Town, Japanese Bridge, and colorful lanterns.
Day 17: Take a bike ride to An Bang Beach or join a local cooking class.
Day 18: Visit the UNESCO-listed My Son Temple ruins.

Travel to the next destination: Night bus or flight to Da Lat (10-12 hours).

Traveling from Hoi An to Da Lat:

Option 1: Night bus (~10-12 hours, long but cheap).
Option 2: Flight from Da Nang to Da Lat (~1.5 hours, fastest option).

Day 19-20: Da Lat

Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and pine forests, Da Lat is a refreshing escape.

Day 19: Visit the Crazy House, Xuan Huong Lake, and try Da Lat’s famous wine.
Day 20: Go canyoning at Datanla Waterfall or trek to Lang Biang Mountain.

Travel to the next destination: Night bus or domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (8 hours).

Traveling from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City:

Option 1: Night bus (~8 hours).
Option 2: Domestic flight (~1 hour).

Day 21-22: Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the economic heart of Vietnam, full of energy and history.

Day 21: Visit the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, and Independence Palace.
Day 22: Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a fascinating underground network from the Vietnam War.
Travel to the next destination: Bus to the Mekong Delta (3-4 hours).

Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta:

Option 1: Bus (~3-4 hours).
Option 2: Private car (~2.5 hours).

Day 23-24: Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is the heart of Vietnamese rural life.

Day 23: Take a boat tour through the floating markets of Cai Rang and visit fruit plantations.
Day 24: Explore small canals by sampan boat and enjoy the peaceful countryside.

Travel to the next destination: Bus or flight to Phu Quoc.

Traveling from Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc:

Option 1: Flight from Can Tho to Phu Quoc (~1 hour).
Option 2: Bus to Ha Tien + ferry to Phu Quoc (~5-6 hours).

Day 25-27: Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is the perfect ending to your trip, offering white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.

Day 25: Relax on Long Beach and enjoy a sunset cocktail.
Day 26: Go snorkeling or diving around the southern islands.
Day 27: Visit the Phu Quoc Night Market and try fresh seafood dishes.

Return Trip: Fly from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for your international flight home.

This Vietnam itinerary offers a perfect mix of culture, nature, and adventure, ensuring you experience the best of this incredible country. Let yourself be enchanted by friendly locals, delicious food, and breathtaking landscapes!