Vietnam is 1000 miles long. That’s a minimum of ten days you need to fly that entire distance, but only if you avoid moving for two days at a time. The best one thing to do is prior to booking anything.
Open-Jaw Flight is available now.Open-Jaw Flight is available to book.
Fly in and out of Hanoi or vice versa. If someone returns to one city, they will have wasted a day when going back. Open-jaw travel is offered at little or no premium by most airlines.
The Classic North-to-South Route
Days 1–2: Hanoi
Visit the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem lake and the Temple of Literature and spend a full day to explore. For lunch, enjoy bun cha and in the afternoon, egg coffee.
Day 3: Ninh Binh
Two hours south. Spend a day in a rowboat in the flooded caves of Trang An and then climb up Hang Mua to the viewpoint above the valley. Head back to Hanoi (or overnight stays).
Days 4–5: Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay
Kayaking and a cave stop on an overnight cruise amongst the limestone karsts. Lan Ha, accessible via Cat Ba is quieter than the main bay.
From Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An, before flying back to Ha Long.
A 15-hour bus journey is replaced by a 75-minute flight.A 75-minute flight takes the place of a 15-hour bus journey. Reach the old town in the afternoon and stroll through the “lantern town” at night.
Days 7–8: Hoi An and Central Vietnam
Visit the old town, tailors and An Bang beach for 1 day. On the 8th day, you will have an option to visit the ruins of My Son or make a day trip to Hue via the Hai Van Pass.
Days 9–10: Ho Chi Minh City
Fly south. Half day visit to War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace, then opt for either the Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta day tour before heading back home.
Two Alternatives
Northern Deep Dive
Avoid going south into the south. Time in Hanoi, Ninh Binh and overnight cruise; followed by four days riding the Ha Giang Loop, passing through the mountain passes and Hmong villages. For those who prefer landscape over urbanization.
Central and South Only
Land in Da Nang. This includes four days between Hue and Hoi An, three days in the caves at Phong Nha and three days in Saigon and the Mekong. Fewer journeys, more time spent in each location.
Transport Realities
Hit the Long Legs!
One can book tickets for $40 to $80 between Hanoi and Da Nang and also from Da Nang to Saigon, which take around 75 minutes. Budget carriers are the main operators, and there are lots of delays.
Avoid taking too many trains.Don’t take more than one train.
The entire Reunification Express journey is over 30 hours long, which is just too long for this trip! The Da Nang to Hue route along the coast is a great train ride and will only take you about three hours.
When to Go
There’s no perfect month countrywide. September to November in Central Vietnam brings flooding, December to February brings cold and grey weather to the north, May to October brings rainy weather to the south. The best overall balance is in March, April and October.
Budget and Entry
Eating and internal flights can be expected to cost $50- $90 per person, per day, when traveling in the mid-range. The e-visa of Vietnam is valid for most countries for up to 90 days for a period of time, you need to apply before getting online and check the condition before booking.
The Cut to Make
If you want to add on Sapa, Phong Nha, or Phu Quoc, you will need a total of 13 travel days and 2 less real days. Keep them for the second trip (or 14 days – slot one in properly).