Most travelers will find that 12 to 14 days is perfect for a well-paced Vietnam trip with stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, and Ha Long Bay. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in 11 days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region, like Bai Tu Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Keep reading for more inspiring Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, and Ha Long Bay itineraries.

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

  • Most travelers spend 12-14 days in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, and Ha Long Bay combined
  • Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Can Tho, and Ha Long Bay in 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 Bai Tu Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and Pu Luong Nature Reserve

How Many Days to Spend in Vietnam

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

Recommended Itinerary for 2 Weeks

See how locals live in Hoi An
Stay two nights in Hoi An's Ancient Town and observe how the locals live
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Explore the History & Beauty of Hanoi Hanoi
Day 3 Explore the Vietnamese Countryside on a Ba Vi Eco-Tour Hanoi
Day 4 Cycling & Boating In Ninh Binh, Visit Nho Quan 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, Vespa Food Tour 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

Plan your trip to Vietnam
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Extended Itineraries

2-Week Itinerary Including Bai Tu Long Bay

Cruise through the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 Day Trip to Cu Chi Tunnel & Cao Dai Temple Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3 Transfer to Can Tho, Mekong Delta Tour Can Tho
Day 4 Can Tho Tour, Flight to Da Nang & Transfer to Hoi An Hoi An
Day 5 Visit Fishing Villages & Hoi An Tour Hoi An
Day 6 Visit Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Hoi An
Day 7 Free Day in Hoi An Hoi An
Day 8 Hoi An to Hue, Visit the Imperial City Hue
Day 9 Hue Mausoleum Tour, Fly to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 10 Rural Villages Bicycle Tour & Hanoi Cultural Tour Hanoi
Day 11 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Explore Ha Long Bay
Day 12 Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay, Visit Local Fishing Villages Bai Tu Long Bay
Day 13 Return to Hanoi 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

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

Spend a day sightseeing in Ninh Binh, located in northern Vietnam
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 & Hoi An 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, Hue, 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 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

Map

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