Ten to 14 days is a great length for a Vietnam trip, with stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, and Ha Long Bay. It's also possible to hit the highlights in eight or nine days if you don't mind a fast-paced journey. 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 Ninh Binh, Can Tho, Pu Luong, and Siem Reap. Keep reading for more inspiring itineraries.
Things remain unchanged nationwide as north and south Vietnam endures the sultry monsoon wet season sauna, while Central Vietnam enjoys the last month of dry sunny weather before its monsoon begins. Shoulder season prices are attractive, so don’t let the rains put you off. There’s still plenty of fun in the sun to be had in August.
Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, Ninh Binh, Can Tho, Ha Long Bay, Ba Thuoc District, and Mai Chau makes a great itinerary for any Vietnam traveler. To do it right, with plenty of time to enjoy the sights and activities of each stop, it's best to spend 12 to 13 days in-country. Check out our favorite itinerary ideas below, and start planning your perfect trip.
For most travelers, 12 to 14 days is the perfect amount of time for a Vietnam trip with stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as 10 or 11 days. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country—some of the best-loved trip extensions include Hue or Can Tho. Get inspired with our Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa trip ideas below.
Retirees Neil and Kate Mann are self-described "fiercely independent travelers." They love every aspect of planning a trip, but decided to enlist some help from kimkim for their most ambitious endeavor yet: a month-long journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Neil shares his favorite moments, the importance of cultural experiences, and advice for travelers interested in recreating their itinerary.
Travelers to Vietnam typically plan a trip for nine to 10 days when combining Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay with Hoi An or Hue. For travelers wanting to visit Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay exclusively, plan six to seven days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five days. Check out our favorite Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay trips below.
Vietnam is one of the most intriguing destinations in Southeast Asia, with its sublime mix of tropical coast, remote farming villages, and cities filled with culinary delights and historical significance. Learn about the nation’s harrowing past in Ho Chi Minh City, eat your way through Hoi An, or cruise through the panoramic jewel of Halong Bay with this roundup of highlights and itinerary ideas._x000D_
For most travelers, 10 to 13 days is the perfect amount of time for a Vietnam and Cambodia trip, with stops in Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, 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 the city of Hue. Keep reading for more inspiring Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay itineraries.
Vietnam in January is perfect, as the country has stepped out of the hot rainy season and you can bask in sunshine and mild temperatures—a great time, in particular, to enjoy the beaches of central Vietnam. Plus, the entire country explodes in joyous celebration of Tet, the six-day-long Vietnamese New Year.
The skies finally clear in North Vietnam in October, and the summer monsoon rains gradually fade away in the south, making this a great month for getting off the beaten track in either region while rains sodden Central Vietnam. And there’s no cheaper month to get there.