Vietnam is one of those truly remarkable places to visit. There are countless reasons to explore this rising hotspot – its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious food, to name just a few! After spending a month exploring, we’ve put together the ultimate Vietnam itinerary guide for 2026 – so you don’t have to.
Most tend to explore the country either from north to south, starting in Hanoi, or south to north starting in Ho Chi Minh City. We went from north to south, but if your flight gets into Ho Chi Minh, just put this itinerary in reverse!
We’ve focused on the must-see spots, but if you’ve got a bit more time to spare, why not add:
- A tour of the Ha Giang Loop via motorbike – you can get there from Hanoi quite easily
- A bit of relaxation on the stunning beaches of Phu Quoc island
Essential Tips
Before diving into the itinerary, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know before travelling to Vietnam. It includes tips on the best time to visit, how to get around the country, and other crucial information to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Day 1-2: Hanoi
Start your adventure in the capital city, Hanoi. Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and use public transport or taxis to reach your accommodation. There are plenty of people waiting by the exit with pre-agreed taxi prices to various districts in the Hanoi city area.
Day 1: Exploring the Old Quarter
- Wander through the vibrant streets of the Old Quarter.
- Have your first (of many) Bánh Mì sandwiches for lunch. Banh Mi 25 was one of our favourites!
- Walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple.
- Enjoy some traditional Vietnamese Pho for dinner. Pho 10 is a very popular spot!
Day 2: More Exploring!
- Explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace.
- Check out the Note Cafe. Try their egg coffee and make sure to leave a sticky note!
- Head to Train Street. It can be a confusing to know where to go and what to do, so make sure you check out our full guide on visiting Train Street before you go.
- Hanoi Weekend Night Market is a must if you are there on a Saturday or Sunday night. If you are not there on a weekend, check out Dong Xuan Market which is Hanoi’s largest indoor market.
Where to Stay in Hanoi
We would recommend staying anywhere in the Old Quarter, for its atmosphere and easy location – you can pretty much walk anywhere! We stayed at Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa. Check out their reasonable rates on Booking.com.
Check out our Hanoi Travel Guide: Top Things To Do article for more ideas and helpful tips!
Day 3-4: Sapa
Head to Sapa, a picturesque town in the mountains of northern Vietnam. You can take a night train or bus from Hanoi to Sapa. We opted for the bus which picked us up at 7am and took around 5-6 hours. Book your bus with 12Go.
Day 3: Sapa Town and Surroundings
- Explore Sapa Town on foot and its vibrant market.
- Visit Cat Cat Village for an insight into the local Hmong culture. You can walk here from Sapa.
- Enjoy the stunning views of the terraced rice fields.
Day 4: Mount Fansipan or Trekking and Local Villages
- Head up Mount Fansipan taking the cable car. Walk up the remaining 600 (steep) steps to the summit, or alternatively take the small funicular train right to the top or;
- Embark on a trekking adventure to visit local villages such as Ta Van and Lao Chai.
- Take in the breathtaking scenery of the Muong Hoa Valley.
Where to Stay in Sapa
Definitely find yourself a local homestay for an authentic experience, or boutique hotel otherwise. We stayed in a lovely homestay, unfortunately the walls were quite thin so we wouldn’t recommend it, but there are lots of lovely options around!
Day 5: Ha Long Bay Cruise
Ha Long Bay is a breathtaking natural wonder, known for its thousands of limestone islands topped with lush rainforests. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a New 7 Wonder of Nature, so you should definitely check it out!
Most who visit do so via a reasonably-priced ‘cruise’ tour, which will most likely include transport from Hanoi in the morning. So, to maximise on time, why not try the overnight train from Sapa (Lao Cai station) to Hanoi, which will arrive in the morning ready for your pickup to Ha Long Bay.
There are lots of tour operators which offer cruises around Ha Long Bay with varying activities/comfort levels. Depending on your budget you can stay for multiple nights and even treat yourself to some luxury. We opted for a budget cruise and stayed for one-night, and this was perfect for us. We got to explore a couple of the small islands, hike up to a viewpoint, kayak in remote caves and experience some great Vietnamese food, entertainment and even sunrise Tai Chi!
Check out the tour we booked on Viator.
Top tip: Ha Long Bay can be quite busy as it’s an increasingly popular spot, so why not try its similar yet quieter neighbour Cat Ba for your overnight cruise, or even just a day trip.
Day 6-7: Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land.” This region offers a beautiful escape from Hanoi and is perfect for a day trip or an overnight stay. To get to Ninh Binh, you can take a bus or train from Hanoi, both of which provide scenic views of the Vietnamese countryside.
Day 6: Tam Coc
- Take a Tam Coc Boat Ride on a traditional sampan boat, passing through natural caves along the way.
- Rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding countryside. Cycle through small villages and endless green fields.
- Visit the ancient Bich Dong Pagoda complex.
- Try the local specialty of goat meat at a riverside restaurant in Tam Coc village.
Day 7: Trang An and Hang Mua Peak
- Check out Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you’re not sick of boats yet, take a boat tour through the network of waterways and limestone caves.
Hike up to Hang Mua Peak, a steep but worthwhile climb with over 500 steps. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Tam Coc valley, winding rivers, and jagged limestone peaks!
Day 8-9: Hue
Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, is home to the sprawling Imperial city with its ancient tombs and pagodas which give a glimpse into Vietnam’s regal past.
The things to see in Hue are slightly further apart and, although still walkable, you may prefer to rent a scooter or use the Grab app (similar to Uber).
To get there, you can either fly from Hanoi or take an overnight bus. The overnight bus was definitely less comfortable than a flight, but it was a lot cheaper and it saved us the cost of a night of accommodation – every little helps! Check out your transport options here.
Day 8: Imperial City and Pagodas
- Visit the Imperial City (Citadel) and explore its ancient architecture.
- See the Thien Mu Pagoda, a historic temple overlooking the Perfume River.
- Enjoy a traditional Hue meal like ‘Bun Bo Hue’ at a local restaurant.
Day 9: Tombs and Local Culture
- Explore the elaborate tombs of the Nguyen emperors, such as the Tomb of Minh Mang, Tu Duc or Khai Dinh.
- Visit the vibrant Dong Ba Market.
- Check out the interesting Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh.
- Take a leisurely boat ride along the Perfume River.
If you have more time, Hue has an abandoned water park! This water park was opened in 2004 but closed down a few months later due to financial problems. You might be wondering why you would even visit this place but how often do you get to walk around a completely empty, run down amusement park! It’s really eerie and overgrown after years of neglect but super interesting to see, and photographers absolutely love it here.
Where to Stay in Hue
We stayed in a riverside hotel which was fairly central and we could therefore walk to most places. As Hue is a little more spread out, you can pretty much stay anywhere and scooter around to your heart’s content!
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Day 10-14: Hoi An
Hoi An was one of our favourite stops in Vietnam. The small city centre has a town feel and is easily walkable, and you will want to spend a lot of time just wandering down all the streets, checking out the souvenir shops and cute cafes! With lots to do, including fun day trips out of the city, you will want to spend a fair amount of time here!
You can travel from Hue to Hoi An, either by bus, car, or train, but, we would absolutely recommend taking yourself on a scooter, one of the highlights of our trip!
A bike was dropped off at our hotel, and our bags were collected and transported down to the office in Hoi An while we took to the road to drive ourselves from Hue to Hoi An! We’ve written a full guide on how much it cost, what the process was like, and more – check it out below 👇
You might also like:Day 10: Arrival and Old Town Exploration
- Settle into your accommodation and take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Hoi An’s Old Town. Simply walking around this charming area is such a highlight, with its walkable lanes and street food market in the evening.
- Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
- Enjoy a meal at one of Hoi An’s many riverside restaurants.
Day 11-14: Beaches, Cooking Classes, and More
Over the next few days, we’d recommend you experience as much as Hoi An has to offer from the list below:
- Spend a day relaxing at An Bang Beach (you can reach here by bicycle or taxi).
- Take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes.
- Go on a coconut boat ride, and let your local guide spin you around!
- Visit the Marble Mountains checking out the temples and walk up the viewpoint.
- Visit the ancient ruins of My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Enjoy bicycle rides through the surrounding countryside and rice paddies.
- Shop for souvenirs at the local markets.
- Hoi An is famous for its very reasonably-priced tailors who can turn designs into perfectly tailored pieces in just a day or two! They can even help you ship the garments back home in case you have no room left in your suitcase!
Where to Stay in Hoi An
A charming boutique hotel or riverside villa. We stayed at Tomorrow Oasis Boutique Villa which was great! The hotel was a 15 min walk from the town centre and they offered bicycles for us to use throughout our stay.
Day 15-16: Dalat
Travel to Dalat, a cool and serene hillside city in the Central Highlands. You can fly from Da Nang (near Hoi An), or again opt for an overnight bus. Dalat is a lot cooler, so if you have had a hot last few days, enjoy the cooler temperature before you head back to the heat in Ho Chi Minh!
As usual, we’d recommend getting your tickets on 12Go a handful of days before you travel.
Day 15: Exploring Dalat
- Visit the Crazy House, an architectural wonder. In the evening you can go to the Maze Bar which uses the same style as the Crazy House. Walk around the maze to eventually find the rooftop bar!
- Wander around the Dalat Flower Gardens.
- Take a scooter to the Ling An Pagoda or the Linh Phuoc Pagoda.
- Explore the historic Dalat Railway Station.
Day 16: Nature and Adventure
- Take a cable car ride to Truc Lam Zen Monastery.
- Visit Datanla Waterfall and try the exhilarating alpine coaster.
- Enjoy a leisurely boat ride on Tuyen Lam Lake.
- If you’re looking for more of a thrill – and the weather is nice enough – give canyoning a go!
Where to Stay in Dalat
You’ll very likely need to rent a scooter, or take taxis, as a lot of the activities and sights in and around Dalat are not really within walking distance of each other. Therefore, you can really stay anywhere in the city as the location isn’t so important here – find yourself a cosy guesthouse or hotel with views of the hills if possible!
Day 17-18: Mekong Delta Homestay
The Mekong Delta is the intricate network of lush rivers and canals, where the Mekong river meets the sea. It’s famous for its floating markets, traditional villages, and diverse ecosystems, and many who visit choose to stay in a homestay, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the daily life and rich culture of the Vietnamese countryside and the people who live there.
Travelling to the Mekong Delta often involves going via Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about (5-6 hours from Dalat). Your homestay should provide you with instructions on how to reach them from Ho Chi Minh City, which will take roughly another 1-2 hours from there.
Day 17 & 18: Arrival, Exploration, Local Life and Activities
- Arrive at your homestay and meet your host family, they will recommend local activities like:
- Taking a boat trip through the beautiful waterways of the River Mekong
- Visiting local markets
- Visit a local workshop to see how traditional crafts are made (our homestay made coconut sweets on site!)
- Take a bike ride through the scenic countryside
- Experience an authentic cooking class
- Participate in traditional activities such as fishing or rice planting
- And most importantly, spend time with your local host family, enjoying home-cooked meals and finding out about them and the way they live.
Day 19-21: Ho Chi Minh City
Finally, you’ll be concluding your trip in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest and most buzzing city. Previously named Saigon, the city has an interesting past and offers a lot of insight into the history of Vietnam, particularly related to the Vietnam war.
It’s a large city yet you can mostly get around on foot if you pick the right area to stay (more on that below). There are SO many mopeds on the road (that often spill onto pavements – watch out!), so we wouldn’t recommend getting mixed up in the hoards of them, driving yourself! Instead you can get on the back of a Grab scooter or into a taxi when you can’t get around on foot.
Day 19: Arrival and Initial Exploration
- Visit the War Remnants Museum for a sobering look at Vietnam’s history.
- Explore the bustling Ben Thanh Market.
- Enjoy a night out on Bui Vien Street aka “Backpacker District” or “Western Street”. With cheap beers and bright lights, even if you don’t spend all night there, walking down at nighttime is an experience – maybe not one to go with kids though…
- If a night out is not your style, why not go to a traditional Golden Dragon Water Puppet Show?
Day 20: Historical and Cultural Sites
- Visit the Reunification Palace, a historic landmark.
- Explore the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the Central Post Office. You can actually send postcards here – it’s a really easy process, just write your postcard, purchase the correct stamps and send it off to your friends or family back home!
- Whilst you’re nearby, check out Book Street just down the road from the Post Office for cute shops
- Go on a guided food tour and try some national street food classics in places where locals love!
Day 21: Cu Chi Tunnels and Final Day
- Take a half day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Viet Cong’s underground network. You can also have the chance to shoot a range of war-era guns, such as the M16 or AK-47, if that’s something you’re into!
- Check out any last minute spots you haven’t had the chance to yet:
- Sample a few of the cute cafes and restaurants in the The Cafe Apartments
- Check out the view from the Saigon Skydeck
- Spend your last evening enjoying a delicious meal at a rooftop restaurant with views over the city.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh is split into various districts. District 1 is perfect for its central location and close proximity to the best things to do in the city. We stayed at 9 Hostel and Bar, which was a cheap but nice option with a great location.
And that’s a wrap! This three-week itinerary covers all of our highlights, and our hope is that you experience the best of what Vietnam has to offer.
Vietnam is such a diverse country which has something for everyone, from hiking, beaches, cruises, vibrant cities, remote villages, stunning geography and some of our favourite food in Asia! Whatever your interests, you are bound to find it in Vietnam.
Happy travels!
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