The ultimate Vietnam itinerary

Days 1 - 3: Start in Ho Chi Minh City

Must see spots:

Ben Thanh Market – Grab lunch and barter for trinkets.

Local tailor shops – Get measured up for a handmade outfit. Your purchases will take a few days to make, but don’t worry if you’ve got plans to leave Ho Chi Minh City behind - you can get them sent on to your next destination.

The War Remnants Museum – Learn all there is to know about the Vietnam War from the perspective of the Vietnamese people.

The Cu Chi Tunnels – Climb inside them to witness the conditions soldiers faced. The tunnels once stretched from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cambodian border.

The Shri Rooftop Bar – Watch the sun sink behind the horizon while enjoying one of the bar’s unique cocktails like The Bason, served in a model ship.

Day 4: Cast off in Can Tho

Time from Ho Chi Minh City: Three and a half hours by bus

Must see spots:

The Mekong Delta – Board a boat to experience Vietnam at its most authentic.

Can Tho’s Floating Market – Eat breakfast on this day trip from HCMC. Keep an eye on the poles attached to the front of the boats selling food – they’re the closest you’ll get to browsing a menu.

Days 5 - 6: Head to capital Hanoi

Time from Can Tho: Around two hours by plane

Must see spots:

The Temple of Literature – Explore the home of Vietnam’s first national university.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre – Watch a Water Puppets show to experience an important part Vietnam’s heritage. The shows were created by villagers for entertainment when the rice fields would flood.

The Serein café – Sip on Hanoi’s speciality drink, egg coffee. This sweet treat is best enjoyed in the afternoon.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake – Watch locals take part in sunrise yoga and meditation. You can also visit Ngoc Son Temple at the centre of the lake.

The various streets across Hanoi – Explore avenues dedicated to a variety of trades, including Metal Street and Bamboo Street.

Days 7 - 8: Navigate the waters of Ninh Binh

Time from Hanoi: Around an hour and a half by train

Must see spots:

The Trang An Grottoes – Get lost in a collection of caves and waterways with temples dotted along the shoreline.

Hang Múa – Climb the 500 steps to enjoy sweeping views of rice fields and rivers.

Days 9 - 10: Hang out in Halong Bay

Time from Ninh Binh: Around four and a half hours by bus

Must see spots:

Halong Bay – Dip into the turquoise waters of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of limestone islands. A cruise is the best way to see it all.

Ready to plan your own trip?

Take a look at our Vietnam breaks, and if you’re tempted by egg coffee and Can Tho’s Floating Market, check out our list of the best thing to eat on your trip.

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