Rice terraces, karst bays, imperial cities and buzzing streets: Vietnam is travelled from north to south along its coast. This three-week itinerary links its most striking stops.
Itinerary: from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta
- Days 1 to 3: Hanoi: the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and street food
- Days 4 and 5: Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, on an overnight cruise
- Days 6 and 7: Ninh Binh, the “Ha Long Bay on land”
- Days 8 and 9: Hue, the former imperial city
- Days 10 to 13: Hoi An and its old town, with Da Nang nearby
- Days 14 to 17: Ho Chi Minh City and around
- Days 18 to 21: The Mekong Delta, then departure
When to go
The climate varies a lot from north to south. Spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) are often good compromises for the whole country. The north is cool in winter; the centre can see heavy rain and typhoons in autumn. Adapt the order of the itinerary to the season.
Getting around
Domestic flights quickly link the north, centre and south. The Reunification Express runs along the coast, with sleepers for long legs. On the spot, taxis, ride-hailing and organised tours do the rest.
Our tips
- Check entry requirements and the e-visa for your nationality
- Cross streets at a steady pace, scooters will go around you
- Haggle at markets, with a smile
- Keep a buffer at the end of the trip in case of bad weather in the centre
Plan this trip with Voyage : mon guide
Add each stop with its number of nights: the app creates the days and puts the whole route on an Apple Maps map. Keep markets, temples and street food spots in the ideas box, log flights, trains and rentals on the right day, then prepare the trip for offline use before leaving. Once there, Guide mode shows the current day and tonight’s hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Are three weeks necessary?
They are ideal from north to south. With two weeks, fly between the north and the centre, or focus on two regions.
Which direction should I travel?
Both work; choose according to each region’s weather on your dates.
Plan this itinerary with Voyage : mon guide.
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