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If you’re dreaming of spending several weeks in Vietnam, you’ve come to the right place. On this page, you’ll find a series of articles dedicated to my travel itinerary in Vietnam, as well as a series of ideas for visits to make during your trip to Vietnam.
I was lucky enough to explore Vietnam during a six-month trip in 2023. This experience enabled me to discover this country from every angle, taking the time to soak up every moment. In this article, I also suggest an idea for a 2 to 3-week itinerary. You can adapt it according to your desires and the length of your trip.
Vietnam travel guide: 1-month itinerary for a guaranteed change of scenery
You can also consult my practical guide to Vietnam to help you plan your trip.
My 1-month travel itinerary in Vietnam (from south to north)
This Vietnam travel itinerary has been created without a car rental. It’s easy to get around by public transport and transfers. We booked all our trips via the site 12go and traveled the entire route by day and night bus.
- Day 1 to 3 : Ho Chi Minh
- Day 4: Mué
- Day 5: In transit
- Day 5 to 9: Hội An
- Day 9 to 11: Hué
- Day 11 to 14 : Ninh Binh
- Day 14 to 17: Hanoï
- Day 17 to 20 : Ha Giang
- Day 20 to 23: Sapa
- Day 23 to 25: Back to Hanoï
Find my detailed itinerary further down in this article.
For an overview of the best things to do in Vietnam, I refer you to my article: Best places in Vietnam to visit : Overview of the best things to do.
Suggested 2-3 week itinerary
If you have two or three weeks, here’s a sample itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi.
- Days 2 and 3: Discover Hanoi.
- Day 4: Excursion to Halong Bay from Hanoi.
- Days 5–8: Discover Ninh Binh and its surroundings.
- Days 9–13: Loop around Ha Giang on a scooter.
- Days 14–17: Sapa (trekking in the mountains with a Hmong guide, the discovery of Sapa, Mont Fansipan, etc.).
- Day 18: Return to Hanoi.
My 28-day Itinerary in Vietnam
Vietnam is a vast and dense country. It’s impossible to explore all its regions in a single trip. So you need to prioritize certain places and know exactly what to do before you go. Vietnam is a country you have to prepare for, otherwise it can quickly become hostile.
Days 1 to 3: Ho Chi Minh City
Coming from Cambodia, we began our journey in Vietnam in the south.
Must-sees in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Ben Thanh market.
- Ho Chi Minh City Hall.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica.
- Drinking Vietnamese coffee or coffee in the apartments.
- Strolling down Nguyen Hue pedestrian street.
Day 4–5: Mui Né
24 hours is the ideal time to explore Mui Ne, a small fishing town in southeastern Vietnam.
Transport : Ho Chi Minh > Mui Né journey: 4h30 by bus + transfer by Grab to hotel.
Must-sees in Mui Né :
- The Red and Black Dunes
- The fishing village
Days 7 to 11: The typical village of Hội An
Hội An means “peaceful meeting place“. Its well-preserved ancient town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It’s a big city, but not too big, with a restful yet lively atmosphere, charm in spades, and, above all, plenty of things to do.
Transport : from Mui Né > Hội An: 2 x 10h night bus, including a transit night in Nha Trang. In our opinion, this town is not worth the detour.
Hoi An Must-sees :
- Stroll in the old town
- Coconut boat tour
- A bike ride through the rice fields
- …
Check out my article – an overview of the best things to do, and my best addresses to help you prepare for your trip!
Day 11 to 12: Imperial citadel of Hué
Hué, Vietnam’s last royal capital under the Nguyen dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see for travelers to Vietnam. Not only for its formidable historical heritage but also for its divine gastronomy and all the tourist attractions that the graceful city of Hué has to offer.
Transport from Mui Né > Hoi An: 2h30 by minivan.
For the question: What are the top must-do activities in Hué? The answer is :
- Discover its imperial city
- Visit one of the kings’ tombs
- Taste its excellent cuisine
- Visit the Incense Village
Discover my article – an overview of the best things to do, and my top tips for discovering Hué and the surrounding area.
Day 12 to 15: Ninh Binh region
This region is better known as the “land of Ha Long Bay” thanks to its magical river landscape, with mountains rising amidst rice paddies.
The best way to get a feel for this UNESCO-protected site is to take a boat trip along its sparkling rivers and climb to the top of legendary peaks such as the Mua Caves viewpoint.
Journey Hué > Ninh Binh: 10h by night bus.
Ninh Binh must-sees :
- Mua Caves viewpoint
- Cycling through the rice fields of Tam Coc
- Visit the Bich Dong pagoda
- Boat trip around Nha Trang
Discover my article – an overview of the best things to do, and some good addresses to help you prepare for your trip to this region!
Day 15 to 18: Hanoi
Located in the north of Vietnam, Hanoi is a great city to stroll around. For us, the Old Quarter is Hanoi’s highlight. It can be a bit chaotic, with crowded sidewalks and streets, exotic and colorful food for sale, and motorcycles whizzing around. But that’s all part of the experience.
Don’t hesitate to take a day trip from Hanoi to the famous Halong Bay.
Transport : Ninh Binh > Hanoi: 3h bus.
Check out my article – an overview of the best things to do, and my tips for preparing for your trip to this region!
Days 18 to 22: Ha Giang loop by motorcycle
Ha Giang province is a place where roads wind through breathtaking mountains, rice terraces, and majestic wildflower valleys. Home to some of Vietnam’s most beautiful ethnic minority tribes, unforgettable turquoise canyons, and narrow, winding passes, the Ha Giang loop is an adventurer’s dream.
The journey from Hanoi to Ha Giang: is 6 hours by bus.
Check out my article – an overview of the best things to do, and my good addresses to help you prepare for your trip to this region!
Days 22 to 25: The Sapa region and its rice paddies
Sapa is one of Vietnam’s most picturesque regions. It is world-famous for its ancient yellow and green rice terraces carved into the mountains by ethnic minorities.
Transport : Ha Giang > Sapa route: 6h by bus.
Not to be missed:
- Hiking in the rice terraces of Sapa
- The town of Sapa
- Mount Fansipan
Check out my article – an overview of the best things to do, and my good addresses to help you prepare for your trip to this region!
From Sapa, we returned to Hanoi to finish off this wonderful trip
Conclusion
Visiting Vietnam offers a wide variety of landscapes, cultures, and activities. Whether you want to discover bustling cities like Hanoi or venture into the wilderness, Vietnam has something for everyone. It’s a country to discover at least once in your life, and one that will leave you with wonderful memories once you’ve left.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our complete guide to planning your trip to Vietnam and our 1-month itinerary.
Finally, if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.
Other Related Articles
- BEST PLACES IN VIETNAM TO VISIT: OVERVIEW OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO
- WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TRAVELING TO VIETNAM?
