Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, Ha Long Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay makes a great itinerary for any Vietnam traveler. It's best to spend 14 to 16 days in-country—this allows for plenty of time to enjoy the top sights and activities at each stop. See our best-loved Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, Ha Long Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay itineraries below to start planning your Vietnam trip.

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

  • Most travelers spend 14-16 days in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, Ha Long Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay combined
  • With 17 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip

How Many Days to Spend in Vietnam

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

Recommended Itinerary for 2 Weeks

Tour the Mekong Delta in Can Tho before continuing to Hoi An
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 Visit Tay Ninh & the Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, Tour the Mekong Delta Can Tho
Day 4 Can Tho Tour, Fly to Da Nang, Transfer to Hoi An Hoi An
Day 5 Visit Fishing Villages, Hoi An Tour Hoi An
Day 6 Visit the Ba Na Hills & the Golden Bridge Hoi An
Day 7 Hoi An Free Day Hoi An
Day 8 Hoi An to Hue, Visit the Imperial City Hue
Day 9 Mausoleum Tour of Hue, Fly to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 10 Bicycle Tour of Rural Villages, Cultural Tour of Hanoi Hanoi
Day 11 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Board Overnight Cruise Ha Long Bay
Day 12 Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay, Visit Local Fishing Villages Bai Tu Long Bay
Day 13 Bai Tu Long Bay to Hanoi, Free Time Hanoi
Day 14 Depart Hanoi  


This two-week itinerary includes the highlights of Vietnam from south to north. Beginning in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll tour the historic metropolis once known as Saigon, plus take a river trip up the Mekong Delta—and that's just the beginning. The rest of the trip combines sightseeing in Hanoi and the river town of Hoi An, plus cruising the jade waters and towering green islands of Ha Long Bay. Read more

How to travel between Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, Ha Long Bay & Bai Tu 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 Hanoi to Hoi An
Travelers making the 500-mile (807 km) trip from Hanoi to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An have several options for completing the journey. The fastest route and best option is an hourlong flight to Danang, going by private transfer the rest of the way. Read more

How to get from Hanoi to Hue
Those traveling 423 miles (680 km) from Hanoi to the former imperial city of Hue have several options, but taking a direct flight will be best. 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 Hoi An to Can Tho
Travelers making the 681-mile (1,097 km) journey from Hoi An to the city of Can Tho, famous for its floating markets and canals, will likely wish to fly between the two cities with a short transfer at Danang. Read more

How to get from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay
If you're looking to explore the under-the-radar cousin of Vietnam's Halong Bay, the Gulf of Tonkin's other jewel, Bai Tu Long Bay,  is 131 miles (211 km) from Hanoi. You have two options to make the journey to Van Don Island, the main island in Bai Tu Long Bay. You'll have to hire a private driver either way, but you can also opt to take the first half of the journey by train. Read more

Map

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