Vietnam is long and thin, so a good itinerary is really a line down the map, not a loop. The country runs more than 1,600 kilometres from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, and the smart way to travel it is one direction, north to south or south to north, using short internal flights to skip the dull stretches. This guide covers how many days you need and gives ready made routes from a week to just over two. For the full picture, start with our Vietnam travel guide.
How many days do you need in Vietnam?
Ten to twelve days is the sweet spot for a first trip, enough to see the north, centre and south without living on planes. A week covers two regions comfortably, and fifteen days lets you slow down and add the far north or the Mekong Delta. Count usable days, not calendar days: arrival and departure each eat roughly half a day, and every region change costs a short flight.
| Trip length | Realistic scope |
|---|---|
| 5 to 6 days | One region, usually the north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh) |
| 7 to 9 days | Two regions, north plus centre, or centre plus south |
| 10 to 12 days | North, centre and south, the classic full sweep |
| 15 days or more | All three regions plus Sapa or the Mekong Delta |
7 days: the north
Best if you want depth over distance. Days one to three in Hanoi for the Old Quarter, street food and day trips. Day four, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. Days five and six in Ninh Binh for the inland karst and rice fields, then back to Hanoi to fly out on day seven. No long transfers, one region done properly.
10 days: north to centre to south
The classic first trip and the best all rounder. Days one to three in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Fly to Da Nang for days four to six, basing in Hoi An for the lantern-lit old town, tailors and beaches. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City for days seven to nine, adding the Cu Chi tunnels, then home on day ten. Two short flights link the three faces of the country.
15 days: the full length
Two weeks lets you breathe and add the scenery that most first trips skip. Follow the ten day spine, then add two nights in Sapa for the rice terraces and hill tribe villages in the far north, and finish with a Mekong Delta day trip or overnight from Ho Chi Minh City. This is the route for anyone who wants the whole country rather than the highlights reel. Our guide to the best places to visit in Vietnam helps you choose the add ons.
Tips for building your own route
- Travel in one direction and fly the long legs. Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City are quick, cheap flights.
- Give Hanoi three days, Hoi An three, and Ho Chi Minh City two to three.
- Fly into one end and out of the other to avoid a backtracking day.
- Match the month to the region, since the north and centre have opposite wet seasons. See the best time to visit Vietnam.
- Book Ha Long Bay cruises and Hoi An hotels early in the October to April peak.
Short on planning time? Compare Vietnam tour packages to see typical routes and durations at a glance.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Vietnam?
Yes, for one or two regions. A week comfortably covers the north, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, or a centre and south combination. It is not enough to travel the full length of the country without rushing.
What is the best 10 day Vietnam itinerary?
Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in the north, Hoi An and Da Nang in the centre, and Ho Chi Minh City in the south, linked by two short internal flights. It covers all three regions at a steady pace.
Should I travel Vietnam north to south or south to north?
Either works, since the route is a straight line. North to south is the most common because it saves the warm beaches and the Mekong Delta for the end. Choose the direction that fits your international flights.
How many internal flights will I need?
Usually two on a ten day trip, Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. They are short and inexpensive, and far faster than the long overland journeys between regions.
More Vietnam travel guides
- Vietnam Travel Guide: Visa, Money, Transport and Tips
- 12 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam: North to South
- Best Time to Visit Vietnam: A Month by Month Weather Guide
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