For most travelers, 10 to 13 days is the perfect amount of time for a Vietnam trip, with stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho, and Ha Long Bay. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some of our favorite itinerary extensions include Hue, Ninh Binh & Pu Luong Nature Reserve. See more ideas for Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho, and Ha Long Bay itineraries below.

How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho & Ha Long Bay?

  • Most travelers spend 10-13 days in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho, and Ha Long Bay combined
  • With 14 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
  • The most common extensions are Hue, Ninh Binh, and Pu Luong Nature Reserve

How Many Days to Spend in Vietnam

Recommended Itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho & Ha Long Bay

Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days

Take an overnight cruise in the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Bicycle Tour of Dong Ngac & Hanoi Hanoi
Day 3 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise & Optional Activities Ha Long Bay
Day 4 Morning Cruise, Transfer to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 5 Transfer to Hoi An, City Tour Hoi An
Day 6 Bicycle Tour of Organic Farms & Fishing Villages Hoi An
Day 7 Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Guided Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8 Transfer to Can Tho, Cycling Tour Can Tho
Day 9 Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


Over 10 action-packed days in Vietnam, you'll enjoy various activities that include city tours, trips on the Mekong Delta, and an overnight cruise on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. You'll also experience the cultural heritage of Vietnam as you travel by bicycle to organic farms and floating market villages, where you'll learn to fish from traditional basket boats. Tack on a visit to the ancient river town of Hoi An for an adventure of a lifetime. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 11 Days

End the trip in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, and see historic sights like the Tran Quoc Pagoda
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Ho Chi Minh, Evening Food Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 Transfer to Ben Tre, Boat Ride to Can Tho Can Tho
Day 3 Cai Rang Floating Market, Transfer to Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4 Fly to Da Nang, Transfer to Hoi An Hoi An
Days 5-6 Hoi An Self-Guided Experience Hoi An
Day 7 Fly to Hanoi, Explore the City & Evening Food Tour Hanoi
Day 8 Day Trip to Ninh Binh Hanoi
Day 9 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise Ha Long Bay
Day 10 Morning Cruise, Transfer to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 11 Depart Hanoi  


From bustling Ho Chi Minh to the tranquility of Ha Long Bay, see Vietnam from south to north on this tour by boat, bicycle, car, and airplane. Shop for ingredients to make Vietnam's signature dishes in Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh one day and then learn how to catch fish along the Mekong River on another. Study the ancient art of paper lantern-making in Hoi An and explore a temple dedicated to Confucius in Hanoi. There are discoveries at every turn of this 11-day Vietnam adventure. Read more

Plan your trip to Vietnam
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Extended Itineraries

2-Week Itinerary Including Hue

See how locals live in Hoi An
See how locals live in Hoi An's Ancient Town
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Hanoi Hanoi
Day 3 Explore the Vietnamese Countryside on a Ba Vi Eco-Tour Hanoi
Day 4 Day Trip to Nho Quan in Ninh Binh Province Hanoi
Day 5 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise  Ha Long Bay
Day 6 Morning Cruise, Transfer to Hue via Hanoi Hue
Day 7 Hue Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Hue
Day 8 Transfer to Hoi An, Hoi An Sightseeing Tour Hoi An
Day 9 Visit Tra Que & Cam Thanh Villages, Basket Boat Ride Hoi An
Day 10 Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Evening Food Tour by Vespa  Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11 Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12 Transfer to Can Tho, Discover the Mekong Delta Can Tho
Day 13 Explore Cai Rang, Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


Travel from north to south as you explore the best of Vietnam on this two-week tour. Start in Hanoi to discover its riches in the city center and outskirts. Cruise on Ha Long Bay to get a feel for rural Vietnam. Meander through the countryside as you discover the villages of Hue, Hoi An, and Cam Thanh before enjoying a basketboat ride in complete serenity. Finish your trip in the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, where you'll tour the city and experience the floating markets of Cam Rai. Read more

15-Day Itinerary Including Hue, Ninh Binh & Pu Luong Nature Reserve

The Red River Valley of Nin Binh, Tam Coc
Experience the scenery in the Red River Valley of Ninh Binh
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi City Tour Hanoi
Day 3 Transfer to Pu Luong Nature Reserve & Hike Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Day 4 Transfer to Ninh Binh Ninh Binh
Day 5 Sightseeing in Ninh Binh Ninh Binh
Day 6 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise & Optional Activities Ha Long Bay
Day 7 Fly to Da Nang, Transfer to Hue Hue
Day 8 Hue City Tour, Bike to Rural Villages Hue
Day 9 Transfer to Hoi An, Explore the Ancient Town Hoi An
Day 10 Visit Tra Que Village & City Tour Hoi An
Day 11 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12 Free Day in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13 Day Trip to Tày Ninh & Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14 Day Trip to Mekong Delta Can Tho
Day 15 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


This grand tour of Vietnam covers the best in the country, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. After touring the historic sites in Vietnam's capital, spend time in the unspoiled nature reserve of Pu Luong and the stunning landscapes of the Red River Valley. Following this is a cruise around Ha Long Bay, a tour of organic farms at ancient Hoi An, and a visit to highlights around Ho Chi Minh City, like the Mekong River. Read more

How to travel between Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho & Ha Long Bay

How to get from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
If you're looking to make the 108-mile (174 km) journey from Hanoi to scenic Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone pillars and small, verdant islands—you have three efficient options. Read more

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
There are 104 miles (168 km) separating Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, famous for its canals and floating markets. To travel between them, the most popular option is a two-hour plane ride—though traveling by shuttle or private transfer. With travel time to get to and from the airports in Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho, the travel time will likely be approximately the same between all options. Read more

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
Vietnam's two major cities, Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the north are about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) apart. The easiest way to get to Hanoi is a direct two-hour flight, and there are multiple flights out of Ho Chi Minh City's airport each day. Read more

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
Travelers making the 582-mile (938 km) trip between Ho Chi Minh City and the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An have several options to complete the journey. The fastest and best route is via a 1.5-hour plane ride to Danang, but taking the train is another (significantly slower) option for those who might like to experience Vietnam's countryside up close.  Read more

Map

Map of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho & Ha Long Bay: Best Itinerary Ideas
Map of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Can Tho & Ha Long Bay: Best Itinerary Ideas