Most travelers will find that 13 to 15 days is perfect for a well-paced Vietnam trip with stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in 12 days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country. Keep reading for more inspiring Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa itineraries.

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

  • Most travelers spend 13-15 days in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa combined
  • Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa in 12 days is possible, but will feel rushed
  • With 16 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, Ha Long Bay & Sapa

Recommended Itinerary for 13 Days

Take to the terraced hills and meet the locals of the Muong Hoa Valley
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Hanoi
Day 3 Transfer from Hanoi to Sapa, Free Time Sapa
Day 4 Trek to the Lech Dzao & Thanh Kim Villages Sapa
Day 5 Transfer from Sapa to Hanoi, Free Time Hanoi
Day 6 Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Board Overnight Cruise Ha Long Bay
Day 7 Transfer from Ha Long Bay to Hue, Free Time Hue
Day 8 Hue Sightseeing Tour Hue
Day 9 Transfer from Hue to Hoi An, Half-Day City Tour Hoi An
Day 10 Hoi An Free Day Hoi An
Day 11 Transfer from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, Free Evening 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

Recommended Itinerary for 15 Days

Boat down Vietnam's Mekong River while staying in Ho Chi Minh City
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi Morning Walking Tour, Hanoi Water Puppetry Experience Hanoi
Day 3 Day Trip to Tho Ha Village & Cycling Hanoi
Day 4 Hanoi to Sapa, Trek to the Cat Cat & Y Linh Ho Villages Sapa
Day 5 Trek to the Lech Dzao & Thanh Kim Villages Sapa
Day 6 Visit the Black Hmong Villages of Sa Xeng & Sau Chua, Transfer to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 7 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Board Overnight Cruise in Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay
Day 8 Cruise In Ha Long Bay, Transfer to Hue Hue
Day 9 Imperial City Tour of Hue, Sunset Tour to Tam Giang Lagoon Hue
Day 10 Hue to Hoi An, Ancient Town Walking Tour Hoi An
Day 11 Cycling in Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm Visit Hoi An
Day 12 Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, A O Traditional Vietnamese Culture Show Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13 Full-Day Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14 Explore the Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh City
Day 15 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


This 15-day adventure will take you to the most beautiful locales in Vietnam while immersing you in its cultural heritage. Starting in Hanoi, you'll visit historical sites and meet local artisans, then head north to hike the terraced rice paddies in the Vietnamese highlands. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll travel south to imperial cities, dip into the wartime history of Ho Chi Minh City, and cap the trip on the Mekong Delta. Read more

How to travel between Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, 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 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 to Sapa
In northern Vietnam, 200 miles (320 km) from Hanoi and close to the border with China, lies Sapa. At 4921 feet (1500 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

Map

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