Week 1 — Northern Vietnam (Hanoi & Mountains)

Hanoi (3 days)

  

Why go: Vietnam’s capital blends ancient temples, colonial architecture, and amazing street food.

Highlights

• Explore Old Quarter streets and markets

• Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

• See the Temple of Literature

• Try famous dishes: pho, bun cha, egg coffee

Optional experiences

• Water puppet show

• Street food tour

Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay (2 days / 1 night cruise)

  

 

Why go: One of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.

Typical activities

• Overnight cruise boat

• Kayaking through caves

• Swimming and sunset on deck

• Visiting floating villages

(Lan Ha Bay is quieter than Ha Long Bay.)

Sapa or Ha Giang (3–4 days)

Option A: Sapa (trekking)

  

Option B: Ha Giang Loop (motorbike adventure)

  

• Sapa: easier trekking, rice terraces, ethnic villages

• Ha Giang: dramatic mountains, best motorbike route in Vietnam

Week 2 — Central Vietnam (History & Beaches)

Hoi An (4 days)

  

Why go: One of the prettiest towns in Southeast Asia.

Things to do

• Lantern-lit Old Town at night

• Cooking class

• Tailor-made clothes

• Bicycle to An Bang Beach

Nearby

• My Son ruins (Cham temples)

Da Nang & Hai Van Pass (1–2 days)

  

Highlights:

• Drive or motorbike the Hai Van Pass

• See the Golden Bridge

• Relax at My Khe Beach

Hue (2 days)

  

Why go: Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

Highlights:

• Imperial Citadel

• Royal tombs

• Thien Mu Pagoda

• Try Hue dishes like bun bo Hue

Week 3 — Southern Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (3 days)

  

Highlights:

• War Remnants Museum

• Notre Dame Cathedral

• Ben Thanh Market

• Rooftop bars and nightlife

Mekong Delta (2 days)

  

Activities:

• Boat through canals

• Floating markets

• Visit fruit farms and villages

Best base: Can Tho

Optional Beach Extension (2–3 days)

Phu Quoc Island

  

Great for:

• White sand beaches

• Snorkeling

• Island hopping

Sample 21-Day Route

Days 1–3: Hanoi
Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay cruise
Days 6–8: Sapa or Ha Giang
Days 9–10: Hue
Days 11–14: Hoi An + Da Nang
Days 15–17: Ho Chi Minh City
Days 18–19: Mekong Delta
Days 20–21: Phu Quoc or extra city time

✅ Best travel tips

• Travel north → south to follow the geography

• Use domestic flights (Hanoi → Da Nang → HCMC)

• Best months: March–May and September–November