How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Sapa?
- Most travelers spend 12-14 days in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa combined
- Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa in 10 or 11 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 15 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Hue and Can Tho
How Many Days to Spend in Vietnam
Recommended Itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Sapa
Recommended Itinerary for 13 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Explore | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Sapa, Explore | Sapa |
| Day 3 | Trekking Through Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho & Tavan Villages | Sapa |
| Day 4 | Take a Cable Car Up Fansipan Mountain, Transfer to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 6 | Morning Cruise, Return to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Hoi An, Sightseeing | Hoi An |
| Days 8-9 | Free Day in Hoi An | Hoi An |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Free Time | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 11 | Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City Tour | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 12 | Day Trip to the Mekong Delta | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 13 | Depart Ho Chi Minh City |
From north to south, discover the heart and soul of Vietnam on this 13-day adventure. Immerse yourself in the frenetic cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Soak up breathtaking natural landscapes atop Fansipan Mountain, in Ha Long Bay, and on the waters of the Mekong Delta. Then step back in time to unravel the cultural and architectural melting pot of Hoi An. Along the way, meet local villagers, eat traditional meals and street snacks, and leave with rich, colorful memories. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
13-Day Itinerary Including Hue
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Explore | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Full-Day Hanoi Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Sapa, Muong Hoa Valley Hike | Sapa |
| Day 4 | Trek to Lech Dzao & Thanh Kim Villages | Sapa |
| Day 5 | Ta Phin Village Trek, Return to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 7 | Morning Cruise, Fly to Hue | Hue |
| Day 8 | Hue Sightseeing Tour | Hue |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Hoi An & City Tour | Hoi An |
| Day 10 | Free Day in Hoi An | Hoi An |
| Day 11 | Fly to Ho Chi Minh City | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 12 | Day Trip to the Mekong Delta | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 13 | Depart Ho Chi Minh City |
Delve into Vietnam's culture as you traverse its diverse landscapes on this 13-day tour. Start in Hanoi, where you'll enjoy Vietnamese cuisine and water puppet shows before heading north to trek through Sapa's towering rice terraces dotted with remote villages. Next, take an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay and discover UNESCO-listed architecture in Hue and Hoi An. The adventure ends in the tropical south, where you'll sail through the lush Mekong Delta. Read more
15-Day Itinerary Including Can Tho
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Optional Activities | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Hanoi City Sightseeing & Street Food Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class | Hanoi |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Sapa, Explore | Sapa |
| Day 5 | Sapa Trekking & Sightseeing | Sapa |
| Day 6 | Ethnic Villages Tour, Transfer to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Cruise Lan Ha Bay | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 8 | Dark & Bright Cave, Transfer to Hoi An | Hoi An |
| Day 9 | Countryside Tour & Cooking Class | Hoi An |
| Day 10 | Cycling in Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm Visit | Hoi An |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 12 | Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Tour | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Can Tho, Explore the Mekong Delta | Can Tho |
| Day 14 | Visit the Floating Market, Return to Ho Chi Minh City | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 15 | Depart Ho Chi Minh City |
Experience the very best of Vietnam on this 15-day journey from north to south. See the highlights of Hanoi before traveling outside the city to the terraced rice fields and ethnic villages of Sapa. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll travel down the coast to historic Hoi An on your way to Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll end the trip in style with city tours and trips to the famous Mekong Delta. Read more
How to travel between Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Sapa
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 to Sapa
In northern Vietnam, 200 miles (320 km) from Hanoi and close to the border with China, lies Sapa. At 4,921 feet (1,500 m) above sea level, Sapa lies in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, close to the highest peak in Vietnam, Fansipan. The terrain makes getting to Sapa a little tricky, but the scenic views more than make up for it. 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
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