Explore the enchanting landscapes of Vietnam with its iconic limestone formations, green rice fields, and breathtaking caves. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Vietnam, where traditional lanterns illuminate the streets. I will take you on a journey through Vietnam, a country filled with diversity and hidden gems to discover.
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- How do you get there?
- Route from South to North
- Days 1-3: Ho Chi Minh City
- Days 4-8: Hoi An
- Days 9-10: Hué
- Days 11-14: Dong Hoi / Phong Nha
- Days 15-18: Ninh Binh
- Days 19-21 Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay Cruise
- Days 22-25 Sa Pa / Ta Van
- Days 26-30: Hanoi
How do you get there?
Vietnam has several international airports, the most significant of which are Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), and Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang).
You can also reach Vietnam overland, starting from Cambodia via Ho Chi Minh City, and there are various options from Laos as well. For example, you can travel from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoy, and from there to Dien Bien.
As soon as you know where your entry point is and which date you would like to enter the country, you need to arrange your visa. You can apply for an e-visa online through the official channel via this link. The price of a visa is 25 dollars. Fill in your full name as it appears on your passport. We have heard from various people that they are very strict about this during the checks. Also, make sure to enter all numbers correctly, and consider taking a screenshot before filling out your form.
We had a digit wrong in a birth date, and having heard so many similar stories by now, we suspect this is done intentionally… Of course, we have no proof of this, but a warned person is worth two.
Route from South to North
Our ideal route goes from south to north, mainly because most bucket list experiences can be found in the north. We had a little over a month to explore this diverse country, but with less time, you will have to make choices.
Our round trip starts in Ho Chi Minh City. Next, you will head to the colorful Hoi An, one of our favorite places. After that, the imperial city of Hué, Phong Nha, and the beautiful Ninh Binh are on the agenda, before you board a cruise on Halong Bay, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful travel experiences in Vietnam. Finally, you will enjoy the lovely rice fields around Sa Pa and the iconic capital, Hanoi, until your journey through Vietnam comes to an end.
I would like to point out that in this blog we only mention places where we have been ourselves. The Mekong Delta, Mui Ne, Ha Giang Loop, Phu Quoc, and many other perhaps fantastic places were not included in our travel itinerary.
Days 1-3: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, better known as Saigon, is one of the largest cities in Vietnam and has a population of nearly 9.5 million people, almost as many as Belgium. Until the mid-1950s, the city was part of French Indochina, which is why you can still admire many beautiful colonial buildings today. This French heritage, combined with Eastern traditions and modern influences, creates a vibrant city with a mix of cultures.
What to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
Many people visit the well-known Cu-Chi tunnels, which are located about 35 kilometers from the city. These tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. However, we decided not to include these tunnels in our itinerary, as the tour would share shocking images and details, and we do not find it suitable for the ages of our children.
In the city itself, there is more than enough to experience to keep you occupied for a few days.
You can take a beautiful walking route starting from the Bitexco Financial Tower. From there, you walk to the famous street Nguyễn Huệ, which was colorfully decorated for Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, during our visit. Next, you walk on to the Saigon Opera House, a stunning colonial building that still regularly hosts shows. One notable performance is the internationally renowned Vietnamese Bamboo Circus – À ó show featuring live music. You can purchase tickets on-site or via GetYourGuide.
Next, we walk from the City Hall of Ho Chi Minh to the stunning Saigon Central Post Office, a monumental building from the late 19th century. As you stroll past the Notre Dame Basilica, you enter Ho Chi Minh’s Book Street. You can find some English books there, and I think it’s a wonderful way to spark a love for reading in both young and old.
Finally, we go to the beautiful pink church Tân Định. On weekends, the church is closed to visitors, and even on weekdays, you might sometimes find the door closed. Fortunately, it is incredibly beautiful from the outside and, in my opinion, definitely worth a visit.
In the evening, you can visit The Golden Dragon Puppet Theater, which we consider to be the most beautiful water puppet theater in Vietnam. You can buy tickets at the door or in advance via GetYourGuide. It is an impressive show lasting about an hour, where puppeteers bring the traditional form of the water puppet show to life.
Where to sleep in Ho Chi Minh City?
We stayed at the Beauty House, a small and budget-friendly hotel in the heart of the city. We had a family room and were within walking distance of the main attractions.
Days 4-8: Hoi An
Hoi An is undoubtedly our favorite city in Vietnam. There’s so much to experience, and the city is also incredibly charming, adorned with lanterns that decorate the entire town along with its traditional wooden houses and temples.
How to get to Hoi An?
A flight takes us to Da Nang airport in 1 hour and 20 minutes. From there, it’s just a half-hour taxi ride to the old town of Hoi An.
An ecological alternative is the night bus or train from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An. In this case, you will be traveling for about 20 to 24 hours. Tickets can be booked via 12go.
What to do in Hoi An?
Hoi An not only has a beautiful ancient town where you can take a nice walk, but you can also cycle to the nearby beach in An Bang. Additionally, you can make lanterns yourself, go on a coconut boat tour, and take a trip on a lantern boat.
Read the full article here: What to do in Hoi An | Vietnam Travel
Where to stay in Hoi An?
For your accommodation, ideally choose something within walking distance of the old town. We opted for the budget-friendly Hoa My II hotel, which offers family rooms, free bicycles, and a swimming pool.
Days 9-10: Hué
Hué is the former imperial capital of Vietnam located along the Perfume River. A visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial City) and a boat trip in a dragon boat on the Perfume River are some of the things you definitely shouldn’t miss here.
Due to the bad weather, the city didn’t really impress us. Hué does not have the imposing presence of a city like Ho Chi Minh or the charm of Hoi An, and for us, it can therefore be skipped on a trip through Vietnam.
How to get to Hué?
You can reach Hué from Hoi An in two hours by taxi or take a bus that will get you to Hué in four hours. You can purchase tickets through 12go.
Days 11-14: Dong Hoi / Phong Nha
Dong Hoi is a coastal town from where you can easily visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Phong Nha, an area with one of the oldest karst landscapes in the world that boasts over 500 caves. The largest caves in the world are located in this area.
You can also choose to stay around Phong Nha itself if you want to visit multiple caves. It is an idyllic area that attracts many tourists.
What to do in Dong Hoi?
The region around Dong Hoi is ideal for visiting the caves around Phong Nha. The most famous caves are Phong Nha Cave, Tien Son Cave, Paradise Cave, Son Doong (which requires prior reservation) and Hang En.
We chose a day trip to Phong Nha Cave and Tien Son Cave.
There are various activities in Phong Nha such as ziplining, a boat tour through the caves, a kayaking tour, and one-day or multi-day jungle treks. You can easily book these in advance through GetYourGuide.
Friends of ours did the two-day trek and made this video that gives a good impression of the adventure.
Additionally, you can spend time at the beach in Dong Hoi.
Days 15-18: Ninh Binh
The region around Ninh Binh is an enchanting area of natural beauty, featuring limestone rock formations and vast rice fields. For this reason, it is often referred to as “Halong Bay on land”. We choose to stay in Trang An, amidst the serene nature. It serves as an ideal base for various day trips.
How to get in Ninh Binh?
You can take the train from Dong Hoi to Ninh Binh. Tickets can be easily booked in advance via 12go. From there, you can take a taxi to Trang An.
What to do in Ninh Binh?
The region around Ninh Binh attracts a huge number of tourists. In some places, it can get quite crowded. However, it is worth adding this region to your itinerary, as there is much to experience.
One of the most well-known activities is a boat tour in the Trang An/Tam Coc region. However, due to the large number of tourists, this attraction has long lost its charm, and there are many better activities to undertake. You can visit the Bich Dong Pagoda, enchantingly located amidst the limestone rocks.
In addition, you can visit the lesser-known ancient city of Hoa Lu and the prehistoric island of Khê Côc. You can also enjoy beautiful hiking in Trang An or ride a scooter through the fields.
Finally, you should definitely add the Hang Mua Viewpoint or Mua Cave Viewpoint to your itinerary. It’s a challenging climb of 500 steps that offers breathtaking views over the Ngo Dong River.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh?
I recommend staying in the countryside in the villages of Trang An or Tam Coc to fully enjoy the landscape. We stayed in a Hoalu Ecolodge Homestay in a family room. There is a cozy backpacker atmosphere. In the evenings, you can participate in the family meal where everyone sits together at the table and different dishes are served. You can get a deluxe family bungalow for just €33 per night (prices for April 2025).
Days 19-21 Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Ha Long Bay has long been an essential stop on a backpacker route in Vietnam. However, the spectacular nature of the area only became world-famous in the late 1990s thanks to the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” (which was mainly filmed in Thailand) and its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The increasing mass tourism in Ha Long Bay is also leading more and more tourists to choose the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay.
It had been a dream for many years to sail around here. We booked a family cabin on this cruise and were impressed from start to finish.
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1:
✨ Transportation from Ninh Binh or Hanoi by luxury van or minibus
✨ Check-in at the pier and embark on the cruise ship
✨ Welcome drink and delicious buffet
✨ Stop at the Tra Bau area where you can kayak, swim, or – as we did – relax by the pool
✨ Cooking demonstration and happy hour
✨ Five-course dinner in a romantic setting
✨ Catching squid or relaxing in the sky bar
Day 2:
✨ Tai Chi session at sunrise
✨ Breakfast
✨ Day trip on a smaller boat to Lan Ha Bay
✨ Cycling tour to the village of Viet Hai
✨ Five-course lunch on board the day boat
✨ Kayaking and/or swimming in a secluded lagoon
✨ Return to the cruise ship for swimming and relaxing
✨ Cooking demonstration and happy hour
✨ Five-course dinner
✨ Cocktails at the bar and/or another round of catching squid
Day 3:
✨ Morning Tai Chi session
✨ Breakfast
✨ Visit to a cave on Cat Ba Island
✨ Lunch
✨ Disembarkation
You are of course not obligated to participate in all activities!
How much does a cruise in Ha Long Bay cost?
To give you an idea of the price: in 2024 we paid €869 for 4 people (2 children and 2 adults), and this included:
✨ two nights in this luxury cabin
✨ welcome drinks
✨ entrance fees and admission charges
✨ excursions
✨ 7 meals on board (a mix of buffet and five-course menus)
✨ Tai Chi class
✨ catching squid
✨ kayaking
✨ outdoor jacuzzi
✨ insurance
Days 22-25 Sa Pa / Ta Van
Another gem in northern Vietnam is the mountainous village of Sa Pa, better known to us as Sapa. Renowned for its impressive rice terraces, green valleys, and vibrant local culture, Sa Pa is a beloved destination for hikers, nature lovers, and those seeking tranquility.
How to get to Sa Pa?
The ideal way to get to Sa Pa is by taking a luxury overnight train from Hanoi. You can easily book tickets in advance via 12go. An alternative way to get there is by bus.
Where to stay in Sa Pa?
We choose not to stay in the busy Sa Pa, but to sleep in the quiet Ta Van. There we sleep in the budget-friendly Sa Pa River Homestay. Ideally located by the river, this is the perfect base for your visit to Sa Pa.
What to do in Sa Pa?
Sa Pa is perfectly suited for various walks along the rice fields. We chose a loop walk starting from Ta Van via Lao Chao and Y Linh Ho.
Many people choose to take this walk with ethnic minorities. There are numerous options available, and it’s easy to organize through your accommodation or via GetYourGuide. However, you can also easily do these walks on your own by searching for a walking route in apps like AllTrails. You can already find our routes here, here, and here.
Be sure to visit the village of Ta Van or one of the surrounding villages and see how the H’Mong, Dzao, and Dao process textiles and roll a conical, spicy incense. You’ll find the most original souvenirs of Vietnam here.
You relax in a traditional herbal bath or with a Vietnamese massage at one of the many spas.
Lastly, there are also more tourist activities, such as a visit to the roof of Indochina, the top of the highest mountain in Vietnam: Fansipan. You can climb it with a multi-day trek or take a ride on the cable car. Be aware that there are regularly stories circulating about people suffering from altitude sickness.
You can also visit the Silver of Love waterfall.
We chose to skip these tourist hotspots and simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Days 26-30: Hanoi
We conclude this beautiful travel route from South to North Vietnam in Hanoi, the capital of the country and one of the oldest cities in Southeast Asia. It is a fascinating city where you can immerse yourself in the narrow streets.
How to get to Hanoi?
From Sa Pa, you take the night train to Hanoi again. Once there, you can easily take a taxi via Grab, but if you stay centrally, you can mostly explore the city on foot.
What to do in Hanoi?
In Hanoi, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll through the Old Quarter and its 36 streets. The name originates from the 13th century when each street specialized in a particular craft. For example, there is Hàng Bạc, the silver street, known for its jewelers. Or Hàng Gai with its silk and fabric shops. In most streets, these crafts are still largely represented, leading you from one surprise to another.
Additionally, Train Street is undoubtedly the most famous street in Vietnam. Here, tourists sit on terraces while a train rushes by. We had already admired this street from the train and decide to skip the risky endeavor of sitting among hundreds of tourists by a train track. However, we discover a beautiful art route along the station.
Strolling along the Hoan Kiem Lake with the famous Post it café and the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple is certainly a must.
In the evenings, you can enjoy a beautiful skybar or a show at the water puppet theater (although we found the one in Ho Chi Minh City better).
Where to stay in Hanoi?
You sleep ideally within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. We chose a family room in the small-scale Twins Home.
If you have any questions or comments about our itinerary through Vietnam, please let me know.