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7 nights
The ultimate Vietnam itinerary
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City – get the inside scoop on your ultimate Vietnam itinerary.
Planning to do some travelling in Vietnam? We’ve pulled together a list of the places that you need to visit. Famous for conical hats, jade-green rice fields, and long, wooden fishing boats, Vietnam is bound to impress. Expect bustling cities that rival the likes of Hong Kong and Singapore, and beaches as beautiful as Thailand’s. From the impressive Halong Bay to cultural capital Hanoi, there’s something different in every corner of this country. Read on for inspiration on putting together your perfect itinerary, and check out our long-haul deals to find a quick getaway...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Last updated: 24.07.2018
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.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Last updated: 24.07.2018