Vietnam Travel Route (3 or 4 weeks)
Traveling in Vietnam is mostly done by bus or train as there are limited direct flights between places. Three weeks is a good amount of time to travel in Vietnam.
Day 1 – 3: Hanoi
Start your Vietnam route in the buzzing capital of Hanoi! This ancient city, centered around the misty Hoan Kiem lake, is home to the best street food on the planet.
Spend at least two days here soaking up the sights, sounds, and flavors of this beautifully chaotic city. Get ready to get lost among the beautiful web of narrow streets, with French-style buildings, and bravely attempt to cross the manic roads!
There is an international airport here which serves the rest of the world, as well as domestic flights to other parts of Vietnam. Because of this, it’s a good place to start on your Vietnam travels.
Read more: 12 Best Things To Do in Hanoi
Hike through the beautiful nature, among mountains, paddies, and tribal villages, and stay with a local family to experience their way of living.
Between May and September to see the rice fields at their greenest!
Note: You will have to go back to Hanoi after Sapa, before departing for Ha Long Bay.
Hanoi to Sapa
Bus: Regular direct buses depart Hanoi, taking 6 hours. This is the cheapest and quickest option. Get your bus or train tickets here.
Train: Both day trains and sleeper trains run from Hanoi to Lao Cai (8 hours). From here take a minivan in 1 hour to Sapa.
Day 7 – 9: Ha Long Bay
Enjoy sailing across the peaceful emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, among limestone karsts, and floating villages. From Hanoi, book onto an incredible cruise to either Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay.
These cruises normally include a return transfer from Hanoi and come in a variety of options. For example, a day cruise or a 2 night/3 day cruise. To properly enjoy the beauty of this magical part of Vietnam, spend 2 nights here relaxing, and exploring your Vietnam route. Find a tour online.
Tip: Take the return transfer back to Hanoi from Ha Long Bay. You may need to spend one more night in Hanoi before continuing on the rest of the journey.
Day 10 – 12: Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh province is the natural paradise of Vietnam, home to charming villages, stunning rice fields, rivers, and the limestone mountains of Tam Coc. Enjoy a relaxing few days seeing the beauty and tranquility of nature. Whether it be spotting wildlife, or exploring the mountain top temples, caves, and shrines, there is something every traveler will love.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh/Tam Coc
By car: Tam Coc is a 2 – 2.5-hour drive from Hanoi. Some guesthouses will offer a return journey to Hanoi for an extra fee.
Bus: Buses run regularly from Hanoi.
Train: There is a direct train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. From Ninh Binh, you can reach Tam Coc in a 10-minute taxi ride.
Day 13 – 15: Phong Nha
Explore the spectacular area of Phong Nha, known as the ‘adventure capital of Asia’ and for good reason! There are hundreds of mammoth caves here, nestled between limestone mountains and wide winding rivers. Because of this, travelers can enjoy trekking, climbing, or abseiling, through tunnels and rivers.
The most extraordinary of all the caves is Son Doong, big enough to fit in city skyscrapers. To reach this cave is a 4-day trek, with a long waitlist, so make sure to plan ahead if you want to incorporate this into your Vietnam travels. Many others, which are just as impressive, such as Hang En, can be visited in a day trek.
Note: During the rainy season of July- December (especially in the later months) many of the caves become inaccessible.
Ninh Binh to Phong Nha
Bus: To get to Phong Nha from Ninh Binh there is a direct overnight bus (7 hours). This is the most efficient and direct option.
Train: There are also trains from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi (8 hours). From Dong Hoi it is a 1-hour taxi to Phong Nha.
Plane: To fly, go back to Hanoi and take a 1-hour domestic flight to Dong Hoi. From here, take the 1-hour taxi to Phong Nha.
Day 16 – 17: Hue
Hue is a lovely little city to spend a night and soak up the remarkable culture of Vietnam. It used to be the capital of Vietnam, a royal city on the banks of the wide Perfume River.
Because of its war-torn past, Hue is also home to many war/history museums, which are fascinating to visit. A cultural gem on your Vietnam route!
Tip: Try the legendary ‘Bun Bo Hue’, iconic of the city.
Phong Nha to Hue
Bus: From Phong Nha take a direct bus to Hue. It can be done in 3 hours for as little as 6 USD!
Day Trip: Hai Van Pass to Danang
On your way from Hue to Hoi An, make a stop for the afternoon in Danang. To do this, hire a motorbike and ride the famous, exhilarating Hai Van Pass. This meandering road (20 km) worms through the hills and coastline 500 m above sea level! Because of its height, this is easily one of the most beautiful ways to see this part of the country. Make a stop in Danang to see the golden bridge or the weird and wonderful Ba Na hills.
Note: If motorbiking isn’t really your thing, Danang is reachable by train from Hue. It’s a beautiful journey along the coast, known as one of the best train rides in Vietnam!
This UNESCO world heritage site offers countless things to do, such as a ride in the traditional basket boats, as well as some of the best food you’ll experience while traveling in Vietnam. Try the famous Banh Mi sandwich here!
Hoi An is also the final stop of a 3-week route and you can fly out from the nearby Danang airport.
Getting from Hue to Hoi An
From Hue, make your way to Hoi An either by motorbike, public transport or minivan. Book your transport here.
Spend time here spotting animals, taking the famous Da Lat cable car, or riding one of the many legendary motorbike journeys in the area. Because of its high location, there are nice mild temperatures all year round, so it’s a great spot to cool off from the heat of the lowlands.
Tip: Da Lat has an amazing coffee scene! Try a cup of the delicious brew here.
Hoi An to Dalat
Bus: If heading straight to Dalat from Hoi An, take an overnight bus of 13/14 hours.
Train: Overnight train from Danang to Nha Trang (10 hours). From here take the bus to Dalat in 4 hours.
Plane: Danang to Dalat is a 1.5-hour flight (more expensive than other ways of travel).
Alternatively, visit the white sand dunes for adventurous activities like quad biking, or sand dune sledding. This is a must-do on any Vietnam travel route!
Dalat to Mui Ne
Bus: Visit in a 4-hour bus ride from Dalat.
Day 26 – 28: Ho Chi Minh
Spend a few days in the sprawling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh! Formerly known as Saigon, this fantastic city is very modern, with broad tree-lined avenues, bright city lights, and skyscrapers. Get to know the various districts, eat incredible food, and make sure to visit the highly informative war museums. This is a must-visit when traveling in Vietnam!
Make sure to take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels: a huge network of underground tunnels, used by the Viet Cong soldiers in the war. Join a tour that gives you the opportunity to crawl through the tunnels yourself for a true to life experience.
Day 29 Onwards: Phu Quoc (Optional)
If you have time, visit the beautiful island of Phu Quoc, in the far southwest of Vietnam. The island is a true paradise of secluded white sand bays, fringed by clear, emerald waters, and hanging palm trees.
Head to the north of the island to explore the Phu Quoc National Park. Here you will find perfectly preserved nature, mountains, and dense forest that’s home to an abundance of incredible wildlife. Phu Quoc is definitely a perfect spot to relax, swing in a hammock, and enjoy the peace of nature after your adventurous Vietnam travels.
Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc
Bus + Boat: It is possible to take the bus to Rach Gia or Ha Tien (ferry piers) in 7-8 hours. From here, take the ferry to Phu Quoc in 2.5- 3 hours.
Plane: There is a direct 1-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc. This is a little more expensive but it’s the most efficient way of travel.
Tip: If heading to Phu Quoc it’s worth taking some time to visit other places in the Mekong Delta region. This stunning area of natural beauty is home to a network of rivers, fantastic floating markets, rice paddies, and forests.
Alternative Vietnam Route Options
If your time in Vietnam is limited, spend 3 weeks up until Hoi An and save the south for another trip! If you have more than one more month, spend more time in the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc. Remote places like Sapa and Dalat, that take more time to get to, can be removed from the Vietnam route if time is tight.
What’s Vietnamese food like?
Vietnamese food is one of the healthiest cuisines in the world! The fresh, salty, sweet, and sour Vietnamese flavors mixed with herbs and spices bring beautiful harmony to your taste buds. Most dishes are not spicy but chili flakes are always served on the table separately.
Costs of Traveling in Vietnam
Travel in Vietnam is exceptionally affordable! Delicious food can be bought from street vendors at a very cheap price, and there are very well-priced hotels and guesthouses throughout the country.
Travel is very cheap by bus but extend your budget if you want to take domestic flights as these can be more expensive. Expect to travel on a budget of 10-20 USD per person and 20-50 USD per person for a bit more comfort.
- Hotel: 6 – 100 USD / night
- Hostel: 5 – 20 USD / night
- Food: 2 – 30 USD / day
- Entrance Fee: 1 – 5 USD / day
- Transport: 5 – 15 USD / day
The main way to travel in Vietnam is by bus, and although this is slower, there are excellent sleeper buses which means you don’t have to take days off the itinerary. Good train routes operate down the coast of Vietnam, which also offer sleeper services.
Vietnam has a handful of domestic airports but if you want to travel to more remote places, prepare to take the bus! (Find cheap flight tickets)
Via this website you can easily book your busses and trains online
Best Time to Visit Vietnam
The climate of Vietnam is different from north to south. In the north, the weather is very seasonal, with hot, humid, and rainy summers and cold, dry winters. In the south, it is hot throughout the year, with the drier months between November to April, and the wetter months between May and October.
Avoid visiting Vietnam during public holidays like TET, as prices will be much higher. It’s also good to note that most shops will be closed and transport services greatly reduced.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Vietnam?
Yes! Apply for an electronic visa online before traveling to Vietnam. The e-visa costs 25 USD and is valid for 30 days of travel. It takes 3 days to be approved but allow for more time just in case of delays, or problems with the application. For a 90-day visa, apply beforehand using a reputable agency or by visiting the Vietnamese embassy in your home country.
Safety in Vietnam
Vietnam is a very safe country to travel in. Even so, always keep your belongings with you, and be wary of pickpockets, and scams. If traveling by motorbike, be very wary of the chaotic traffic on the roads, always wear a helmet, and make sure you have insurance.
Here’s how to: find the right travel insurance
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