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How This Itinerary is Organised

This itinerary has been planned using public transport, taking you from northern Vietnam to the south. I will suggest different modes of transport – including buses and trains – but if you’re strapped for time, you may prefer to fly internally. Internal flights are extremely affordable within Vietnam. For each destination, I will make suggestions about what to see and do but won’t give you a rigid checklist to follow. Keep in mind that the country’s tropical climate varies dramatically from region to region, and can change rapidly. It’s good to stay flexible in case the weather affects your plans.

This itinerary gives you an overview of what can be achieved in three weeks but can easily be adapted, depending on your budget, timeframe, preferences and which airport you arrive into or leave from. If you have less time, simply remove a location or two. I have given each destination at least two nights, so you can enjoy some relaxation at each stop. Vietnam is the kind of place where doing nothing – whether it’s people-watching, sitting in a cafe, or admiring the scenery – is one of the best things to do!

Getting Around Vietnam

Travelling in Vietnam is very affordable, even more so if you book your transfers and connections via your hotels, hostels and homestays. We also used 12go Asia, Busbud and Getbybus really often. These websites are really easy-to-use; you can find all the information you need about routes, prices and timetables, search in whichever language you need, pay through the website (by credit or debit card) and download e-tickets straight to your smartphone.

This Vietnamese adventure starts in the country’s capital, Hanoi. I absolutely love this city, and have spent a lot of time here during my travels. It is truly an assault to the senses in the best way! It’s busy, bustling, hectic, gritty, fun, and full of character.

Spend your time here exploring the city’s wonderfully quaint Old Quarter. In this densely packed district you will find a hodgepodge of old buildings, shops, markets, cafes, narrow alley ways, streets buzzing with a million scooters, beautiful, colonial-era architecture, parks, lakes, museums, temples and pagodas galore, and historic landmarks like the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and St. Joseph Cathedral. It’s a great place to explore on foot as you will discover something round every turn. Just watch out for the bikes! Check out my 3-Day Hanoi itinerary for more ideas and tips.

Days 4-5 Bai Tu Long Bay

After 3 days in Vietnam’s bustling capital, it’s time for some rest and relaxation. Located around 3 hours outside of Hanoi is Bai Tu Long Bay, a stunning area of natural beauty made up of hundreds of islands, towering limestone hills, and clear turquoise water. Although lesser known than nearby Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long is equally beautiful, less crowded and much quieter.

The best way to enjoy Bai Tu Long Bay is to take a 2 day/1 night cruise on a traditional wooden junk ship. In addition to surprisingly comfy accommodation, your cruise will include kayaking, delicious freshly-cooked meals, and visits to beaches, caves, and fishing villages. You can read all about my experience at Bai Tu Long Bay.

How to Get from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay

Although you can reach Bai Tu Long Bay independently by car then ferry, it’s much easier to book a tour from Hanoi. To get the cheapest price, book in-person at any travel agency in the city. My husband and I booked in Hanoi and paid around $150 USD per person (including all food, transport and activities). You will be collected from your accommodation in Hanoi and arrive at Bai Tu Long Bay in the afternoon. 

Days 6-7 Mai Châu

On Day 6, you will travel to the picture-perfect Mai Châu district. Located around 150 km southwest of Hanoi in the Hoa Binh Province, this rural area has exactly the kind of scenery I envisioned before arriving in Vietnam. Rolling green hills, rice fields, small tribal villages, water buffalo casually strolling around, and locals cycling around wearing traditional conical hats.

There are plenty of things to do in Mai Châu, such as hiking, cycling, or whizzing around on a scooter, visiting the local villages, and taking long, leisurely walks through the gorgeous countryside. There are also several wellness retreats here for those looking for the ultimate peaceful getaway.

How to Get to Mai Châu

Your Bai Tu Long tour will take you back into Hanoi after breakfast. From there, take a minibus or shuttle bus to Mai Châu. This journey takes around 3 hours, meaning, all going well, you will arrive mid-afternoon. There are lots of companies which operate the route between Hanoi and Mai Chau. Check times and availability on 12go Asia. Prices range from around VND 150,000-400,000 depending on the time of day and provider.

On the morning of day 8, travel to the striking Ninh Bình province. Like in Mai Châu, you will be treated to spectacular scenery and bombarded by vibrant, varying shades of green. This province is perhaps best known for its limestone mountains, giving it the nickname Halong Bay in land. In fact, the scenery here is so striking, it was chosen as a shooting location for King Kong: Skull Island. 

Some of the highlights of Ninh Bình include taking a picturesque boat ride through the Trang An Grottoes (a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site) and exploring the Van Long Nature Reserve. You can also visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda (the largest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia) or climb the 500 steps up Hang Múa mountain for incredible panoramic views. 

How to Get from Mai Châu to Ninh Bình

From Mai Châu, take a minivan to the city of Ninh Bình. This journey takes around 3 to 4 hours and costs roughly VND 300,000-500,000 depending on the time of day and provider. You can book from one of the tour agencies in Mai Châu town, through your accommodation, or through 12Go Asia. You can also get here directly from Hanoi, should you wish to remove Mai Châu from your itinerary.

Day 10 and 11: Da Nang

All going well, you should arrive in the coastal city of Da Nang on the morning of Day 10. Although popular with digital nomads, Da Nang is often overlooked as a travel destination, but we really enjoyed our time there. Sip on excellent quality coffee in the many cute cafés, sample the city’s delicious cuisine, chill out on My Khe beach, and stroll along the promenade by Bach Dang Street.

Check out the fantastical Dragon Bridge, which comes alive on the weekends, shooting out fire and water during a spectacular light show. While you can of course head straight to nearby Hoi An from Da Nang, I suggest giving this young, vibrant, and fast growing city at least a day of your time.

How to Get from Ninh Bình to Da Nang  

I recommend taking the overnight train from Ninh Binh to Da Nang. Travel time varies from 13 – 14.5 hours (depending on which train you take). Prices vary dramatically too, with tickets costings from VND 620,000-1,900,000, depending on which style of bed you take. I recommend the 4-berth sleeper; you can also get a cheaper bunk in a 6-berth sleeper, but they are not as spacious, and avoid the “2nd class seats only” tickets unless you want a very uncomfortable night without sleep! For up-to-date prices and timetables check out the official Vietnam Railway website. You can also book at the Ninh Binh train station or via 12go Asia. 

If you don’t want to get the train, another option is an overnight bus. This is notably cheaper (VND 500,000-700,000 per person) and takes between 13-16 hours. The third option is flying, but as there are no direct flights from Ninh Bình you will need to travel 3+ hours back into Hanoi to catch your flight, making this the most inconvenient option.

Days 11-13 Hoi An

Hoi An is the most touristy place on this Vietnam itinerary by far, with its wonderfully preserved Ancient Town, which attracts huge numbers of visitors every year. Don’t let that put you off though, as this charming and quaint city is well worth your time. You’ll find colourful French colonial buildings, ornate bridges, boutiques, temples, pagodas, food markets, beaches, and more than enough cafés to get your daily fix of Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese iced coffee).

Make sure to visit Hoi An at night – with the streets illuminated with lanterns, this is when the Ancient Town truly comes alive. A popular evening activity is taking a boat ride down the Thu Bon River to release a lantern into the water, creating a truly beautiful display.

If you’re craving more nature, you could visit the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. They are really easy to reach from Hoi An by local bus. I also recommend visiting a tailor while in Hoi An, for a truly original keepsake. The city is famous for its tailors, and I had two dresses tailor-made, which was a really fun experience. I got to choose the style, material and design, both dresses were measured to fit me like a glove, and each dress only cost the equivalent of €25! 

How to Get from Danang to Hoi An:   

Hoi An is an easy and short journey from Da Nang. While you can take public transport for a small fee, I recommend taking a taxi. This will cost only around VND 350,000 and take just 45 mins from Da Nang centre to Hoi An centre. 

Days 14-15 Can Tho

You can’t visit Vietnam without experiencing the Mekong Delta so it’s time to head to Can Tho. Located on the southern bank of the Hau River, Can Tho is famous for its nearby floating markets, the largest of which is Cai Rang Floating Market.

You can visit the Floating Market on a guided tour, or hire a private boat from one of the jetties in town (some haggling required!) If you book a guided group tour, look for one that visits Cai Rang as early as possible. Unfortunately by the time we got to Cai Rang, things were really winding down. However we enjoyed the smaller Phong Điền floating market, bought fresh fruit from the vendors selling directly from their boats, and had a hearty bowl of hot Phở for lunch on our little boat.

Even if you’re not interested in visiting the floating markets, Can Tho is still worth visiting. It feels very authentic and untouristy; a great opportunity to observe the locals going about their daily business. Spend an evening strolling along the illuminated Ninh Kieu Wharf promenade, try some local delicacies at the bustling night markets, or just sit by the river’s edge and watch the hive of activity on the waterways.

Getting to Can Tho from Hoi An

The quickest and easiest way to get to Can Tho from Hoi An is to take a direct flight from Da Nang International Airport to Can Tho International Airport. Flights take around 1hr 30mins, and cost less than $50 one-way.

There are other options (including buses and trains) that require a change in Ho Chi Minh City. However, these journeys take around 24 hours, so I wouldn’t recommend these unless you plan to stop off at some other destinations along the way.

Day 16-17 Ben Tre

On day 16 travel from Can Tho to the nearby Ben Tre province, aka Vietnam’s Capital of Coconut! This scenic area, full of coconut plantations, winding canals, rice fields, and dusty dirt paths, is perfect for exploring, whether on foot or bicycle. I recommend staying outside of Ben Tre city centre so you can immerse yourself in nature. We stayed in a charming homestay, south of the river. Our host was really sweet, giving us freshly plucked coconuts from the garden, and making us a delicious home-cooked meal, which showcased local fish from the river. 

Another way to explore the area is by boat. A relative of our homestay host took us out on his little sampan (rowing boat) through the narrow, coconut tree-lined canals, taking us passed coconut-processing plantations and luscious plants and flowers. It was exactly what I wanted from a trip to the Mekong Delta. Speaking of coconut, be sure to try the local coconut candy Kẹo dừa. There are even cooking classes where you can learn to make your own! 

How to Get to Ben Tre

Take a local bus from Can Tho to Ben Tre. There are lots of bus companies running this route from Can Tho station. It takes between 2-3 hours and costs around VND 75,000 per person. Alternatively you could rent a car, or hire a private driver. 

How to Get from to Ho Chi Minh City

You could hire a private driver to take you from Ben Tre to HCMC (it’s around 1-2 hours’ drive). Alternatively buses run several times per day, with a journey time of 2hrs 15mins and average cost of VND 132,000. Check out prices and availability on 12go Asia. 

All too soon it’ll be your last day in Vietnam. Depending on when your flight is, you might have more time to explore Ho Chi Minh City, or at least grab one last Cà Phê Sữa Đá. If you’re anything like me, it won’t be long at all before you’re planning a return visit!

I hope this three-week itinerary has been helpful! If you have any questions or other recommendations, please leave them in the comments below.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow