Vietnam in 7-10 days
Vietnam in 1 Week
Day 1-2, Ho Chi Minh City: Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, learn about the Cu Chi Tunnels from a local guide. In your free time take a walk through the open-aired market at Pham Ngu Lao Street.
Day 3, Danang to Hoi An: Drive from Danang to Hoi An passing beautiful scenery such as the Marble Mountains, and historically significant My Khe Beach.
Day 4, Hoi An: Discover Hoi An’s Old Town, with its many architectural influences from European to Chinese, explore Dong Ba Market in your free time.
Day 5, Hanoi: Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, enjoy the quiet nature of the city’s many lakes and green spaces.
Day 6-7, Halong Bay: Enjoy a day cruise through one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders. Stay overnight on board ship.
Day 8, Hanoi: Return to Hanoi for the end of your trip
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Vietnam in 2 Weeks
Day 1, Ho Chi Minh City: Arrive in Vietnam. Take a walk through the open-aired market at Pham Ngu Lao Street.
Day 2-3, Mekong Delta: See the area know as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam. Take a boat ride to explore the canals on the Mekong River, stay overnight in a local home along the river. In the morning visit the Cai Be floating market.
Day 4, Ho Chi Minh City: Return to Ho Chi Minh City and take a tour with a local guide to see the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and see the Cu Chi Tunnels which were used by the Viet Cong during wartime. Take the train to Nha Trang.
Day 5, Nha Trang: Visit the picturesque beaches of Nha Trang, see the archaeological site at Po Nagar Cham Towers.
Day 6, Danang to Hoi An: Drive from Danang to Hoi An passing beautiful scenery such as the Marble Mountains, and historically significant My Khe Beach.
Day 7-8, Hoi An: Take a guided walking tour of this old port city which dates back to the mid-sixteenth century. My Son ruins, local markets, rent a bike and take an afternoon by the beach.
Day 9-10, Scenic Drive to Hue: Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach, visit the Imperial Citadel, cruise on a traditional dragon boat on the Perfume River, visit Thien Mu Pagoda.
Day 11-12, Hanoi: Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. Enjoy the quiet nature of the city’s many lakes and green spaces.
Day 13-14, Halong Bay: Enjoy a day cruise through one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders. Stay overnight on board ship.
Day 15, Hanoi: Return to Hanoi and enjoy a local meal and souvenir shopping before heading home.
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Culinary Tour of Vietnam
Day 1-2, Hanoi: Explore the city, with its calming atmosphere, and enjoy a local beer known as be bia hoi, at a traditional brew hall. The next day, tour Chau Long Market, sample local delicacies and coffee. Visit the Hanoi Cooking Centre.
Day 3-4, Halong Bay: Visit picturesque Halong Bay. Watch a demonstration of fishermen throwing nets, and learn how to do it yourself! Enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood and stay overnight in a traditional houseboat.
Day 5, Transfer to Hoi An: Take an overnight train or fly from Hanoi to Hoi An.
Day 6-7, Hoi An: by local ingredients at the markets to make traditional dishes. See the sights in Hoi An such as My Son ruins.
Day 8, Tra Que: A half day trip from Hoi An, Tra Que is a village known for its herb gardens. Bike ride out to the village and learn about various herbs and spices and how they feature in Vietnamese cuisine. Attend a cooking class.
Day 9-10, Ho Chi Minh City: Visit the bustling market of Ben Thanh for fresh produce and other souvenirs. Enjoy the French influenced cuisine of pastries and coffee.
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Vietnam and Cambodia: Multi-city tour
Day 1-2, Hanoi: Explore Old Quarter and enjoy traditional performances. Try your hand at cooking traditional dishes. Take in the beauty of Hanoi — from the Temple of Literature, to the Vietnam History Museum, to the stunning Hanoi Opera House.
Day 3-4, Halong Bay: As you cruise down the “Bay of the Landing Dragon”, witness the magnificence of the limestone islets and turquoise waters. You’ll also be able to stop at several villages on your trip through the Bay
Day 5-6, Hoi An: Deep cultural roots and diversity are reflected all through Hoi An, which is nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Walk the Japanese Bridge, visit the Chinese assembly halls, and explore the pagodas.
Day 7, Ho Chi Minh: Do some sightseeing at the Reunification Palace, the Notre-Dame cathedral, and at Ho Chi Minh’s colorful markets.
Day 8-10, Mekong Delta: Cruise down the Mekong, and sip tea at the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. Be entranced by the works of local artisans, and the birds that fly around the area. Visit temples and villages as you sail on through to the Vietnam border
Day 11, Phnom Penh: Tour the city and take in the gorgeous buildings. You’ll see several structures inspired by the French.
Day 12, Toul Sleng, Killing Fields, Pse Center: Today, you will learn more about Cambodia’s somber and terrible history under the rule of the Khmer Rouge. While the nation’s history is dark, you will be inspired by the resilience and strength of its people.
Day 13-14, Siem Reap: Walk through the ancient wonders of Siem Reap. Explore temples, pagodas, and stunning countryside. You will visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and more.
Day 15, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap: Wake up bright and early to journey to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. This magnificent sight is the perfect way to end your trip.
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Top Regions To Visit on a Trip to Vietnam
Vietnam can generally be divided into three regions: North, Central, and South.
Northern Vietnam
Often overlooked for the warmer southern coastlines, this region has its own charm. Not only is it home to the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, but it's also where you will find the country's unique rice terraces, bustling markets, and stunning bays.
Up north are mountainous regions, where towns like Sapa are located. Here, you'll meet people from several hill tribes eager to share their heritage.
Northern Vietnam is also known for Halong Bay, Mai Chau, and Ninh Binh.
Central Vietnam
The central region of Vietnam is a center for history, culture, and nature. The attractions here are incredibly diverse — you can revel in the centuries-old beauty of Hoi An by the riverside, explore the remnants of imperial Vietnam in Hue, or discover the deep caverns of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park that are about 400 million years old!
You can also learn about Vietnam's more recent history at the Vinh Moc Tunnels, an expansive underground network and a sanctuary for families hiding from American bombs during the war. Often compared to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Vinh Moc Tunnels are unique, as they shed light on how violence and war affected innocent civilians.
Southern Vietnam
It's home to the rapidly developing city of Ho Chi Minh. The region also boasts the wonders of the Mekong Delta — an expansive ecosystem characterized by a maze of rivers and floating markets.
Southern Vietnam has abundant turquoise water and white sand beaches, so take your pick. However, if you have a taste for adventure, check out Mui Ne, a famous spot for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing.
Touring Vietnam From South to North (or opposite)
The best way to tour Vietnam is to start at either the southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, or the northern capital city of Hanoi.
- Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC): The first thing you might notice in HCMC is the buzz of the motorbikes as you go on a walking tour of the Ben Thanh market. At first, what looks like a glorified flea market opens up to reveal all sorts of Vietnamese culinary stalwarts like pho. Go in the morning to escape the crowds (and the heat!).
- Other highlights in HCMC include the War Remnants Museum (the exhibits may feel off-putting to many American travelers), the Cu Chi tunnel system, and the various historic hotels in the city center.
- Nha Trang: Heading north from HCMC, Nha Trang is a typical beach destination for tourists and locals alike. Enjoy a day cruise with opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Remember to try fresh seafood, the specialty in this city by the sea.
- Hoi An: Our next stop is the historic city of Hoi An, with its labyrinth of ancient buildings and pathways. Historically rich, the city was influenced by the French, Japanese, and Chinese, which is apparent in the architecture and cuisine.
- Search for the famous Hoi An noodles, Cao Lau, which can only be authentically enjoyed in this town. Many galleries and craft shops offer everything from custom-made shoes to vibrant oil paintings.
- Hue: A short drive brings you to Hue, the imperial capital of Vietnam. The Nguyen dynasty ruled from here before ceding power to the French in 1945. Explore the old, walled citadel and book a tour to visit the former demilitarized zone (DMZ) for a bit of war history.
- Hanoi: Your last stop is the capital of Hanoi. With its beautiful urban lakes and government seat, Hanoi is calmer relative to HCMC but still quite the metropolitan center in its own right. For history buffs, a visit to the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh is a must, where one can see the body of the former Vietnamese ruler lying in state. Also of interest are the Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda. You can also plan a day visit to Mai Chau Valley from Hanoi.
Top Activities in Vietnam
Celebrating with the locals during Tet, the new year
Crawling through the Cu Chi Tunnels
Shopping at Cai Rang Floating Market
Trekking and staying at homestays in Sapa
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