Plan your trip to Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the most thrilling countries to travel through in Asia. Because it has so many incredible places to visit, I recommend 3 weeks as the ideal minimum time to see the south, center, and north of Vietnam. But be warned: Vietnam is quite a lot bigger than it may seem on a map at a glance, and your trip may involve a few long bus or train journeys. Traveling the whole length of Vietnam is well worth the effort though, since the north and south are quite different from each other in terms of culture, geography, and climate. Night buses or night trains can help you cover some of the longer distances without losing much time. (You could also fly, but I would argue that going overland gives a stronger sense of a journey and can also be an experience in itself.)
How to Travel Independently in Vietnam
Vietnam may seem quite exotic if you haven’t been before (and it is), but it’s also quite easy to travel through. This is thanks in part to an extensive bus and train network, affordable accommodation, and plenty of tourism infrastructure. Because of this, there is no really need to buy a complete holiday or fully organized tour for Vietnam. They are often highly overpriced and it’s better to plan your trip yourself. Even with a budget tour operator like G Adventures, a 3-week Vietnam trip will still cost around $1700 or €1500 per person, but you could do it for as little as half the cost by doing it yourself. Don’t worry, even if you’re not that experienced of a traveller, you can survive in Vietnam!
How to book your own trip
You can book your accommodation most easily via Booking.com, the Asia specialist Agoda, or via Hostelworld if you stay in hostels. It’s not usually necessary to book that far in advance, unless you are picky with your accommodation, so you can still improvise during your trip if you want. Bus or train transport you can book locally using tour agents or hotel staff, or more easily via the Asia-specific booking site 12Go Asia. You can check more tips for booking transportation in Vietnam. As far as local activities or tours go, the one that’s wise to pre-book before your trip is a cruise to Ha Long Bay. Many consider it the most epic sight in Vietnam, but the quality of the cruises varies quite a lot, so it’s a good idea to reserve a well-rated tour in advance.
A 3-Week Vietnam Itinerary
The following is a rough template for planning your Vietnam trip. This route starts in Ho Chi Minh City in the south and ends in Hanoi in the north, but you can also choose to do it in reverse order. I have included suggestions for activities and accommodation for each day.
Ho Chi Minh City (3 Days)
This itinerary begins in the former capital of South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, which was formerly known as Saigon. Many Vietnamese will abbreviate it to HCMC so don’t be surprised if you see it written that way.
Dalat (2 Days)
Dalat, known as “the city of endless spring”, is located at a higher elevation and surrounded by waterfalls, pine forests, hills, and lakes.
Nha Trang (2 Days)
Next up is the seaside city of Nha Trang, located just over 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Dalat. Again, it is recommended to take the bus to get to Nha Trang – a cheap trip with plenty of providers to get a ticket from in Dalat.
Hoi An (4 Days)
It’s on to the ancient city of Hoi An, a hefty 500ish kilometers (300ish miles) from Nha Trang. It’s a mere one-hour flight, but my recommended option is to go overland and take the overnight sleeper bus. Sleeper buses are a unique way to travel in Vietnam and kill two birds with one stone – your travel and accommodation. The journey takes around 11 hours and costs around $35 (VND 850,000). You’ll find more details on this overnight trip here.
Hue (2 Days)
The city of Hue (pronounced like ‘way’) is next up on this Vietnam itinerary. Once North Vietnam’s capital and home to the Imperial City. It’s a short 120-ish kilometer (75-ish miles) and is best done by bus, taking around three hours or so from Hoi An. You can check all transport options from Hoi An to Hue.
Ha Long Bay (2 Days)
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most picturesque places in the entire country. I would recommend taking an overnight train from Hue to reach Hanoi by the following morning. It’s a lengthy distance just shy of 700 kilometers (just over 400 miles) but at least you can arrive early and hopefully well-rested. Depending on when your Ha Long Bay cruise departs, you may want to spend one day in Hanoi before you set off. The bay is dotted with more than 1,600 limestone islands, and the area is best to explore by means of an overnight boat trip. There are so many options available, but a two-day, one-night trip is one of the most popular options.
Hanoi (3 Days)
Next up on the itinerary is the bustling city of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, after being dropped back off by your Ha Long Bay tour operator. The city is one of the busiest in the country, with a hustle and bustle that can be equal parts overwhelming and energizing. There is a beautiful mix of Chinese and French architecture, with the latter leaving behind a strong coffee and baguette culture.
Sapa (3 Days)
Last but definitely not least, is the town of Sapa in the mountainous northern stretches of the country. Sapa is best accessed from Hanoi, and you can take an overnight bus or train to travel the 300ish kilometers (190 miles). While the bus takes around five or six hours, the train takes a bit longer, around 8 hours to Lau Cai, and then a further hour by road to reach the village.
So there you have it, a 3-week trip in Vietnam that leaves no stone unturned! You’ll experience a variety of regions and environments and tick some of the top activities off your list. For more tips on how to plan your trip, don’t miss my guide to backpacking in Vietnam, which should be useful even if you don’t consider yourself a backpacker. And you can find more of my Vietnam guides here.
