Vietnam trip: itinerary, budget, and best time to go
Vietnam is one of those countries where "when should I go" doesn't have a simple answer. It stretches over 1,600 km from north to south and crosses several climate zones at once: it can be 12°C and drizzling in Hanoi while it's 30°C and dry in Phu Quoc, on the same day in January.
I've been back there several times, and the question I get asked most is how to split your time between the North, Centre, and South without rushing. This article covers the three regions, itineraries for 10, 14, or 18 days, the visa, and budget ranges.
The North: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and the Sapa rice terraces
Hanoi is the most logical entry point: two days for the Old Quarter (36 streets organized by trade guild) and a street food evening. Ha Long Bay, a 3.5-hour drive away, is best done as an overnight junk boat cruise, one night covers the essentials, two leave time to kayak between the karst peaks; for more quiet, try Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay next door. Sapa, further northwest (overnight train to Lao Cai), has the country's most spectacular rice terraces: flooded in May–June, golden in September–October.
- Hanoi: 2 days for the Old Quarter and street food
- Ha Long Bay: one- to two-night junk cruise, kayaking included
- Sapa: 2 to 3 days trekking between Hmong and Dao villages
The Centre: Hue, Hoi An, and the Ba Na Hills
Hue, the former imperial capital, is worth visiting for its fortified citadel and emperors' tombs, Khai Dinh's, a mix of European and Vietnamese architecture, is my favorite; one day is enough, two with the DMZ. Hoi An, often the highlight of the trip, is best seen early morning before the crowds or at night under the lanterns of the Thu Bon River: the town for custom tailoring (24 to 48 hours), a good base for two to three days mixing beach time at An Bang with cycling through rice paddies. Da Nang, 30 minutes away, mostly serves as an airport gateway; the Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge are divisive, don't let them cost you an extra day in Hoi An.
- Hue: 1 to 2 days for the citadel and imperial tombs
- Hoi An: 2 to 3 days between the old town, tailors, and the beach
The South: Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Phu Quoc
Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by many locals) is denser and faster-paced than Hanoi: the War Remnants Museum, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and District 1 fit neatly into two days. The Mekong Delta, one to two hours southwest, is best visited over one or two nights, to catch the Can Tho floating market at sunrise. Phu Quoc, the island in the Gulf of Thailand, remains the country's best beach option to close out the trip: Long Beach and Sao Beach are the best known, the north of the island, around the national park, far less developed.
- Mekong Delta: 1 to 2 nights, Can Tho floating market at dawn
- Phu Quoc: 3 to 4 days to close out the trip in beach-and-relax mode
How many days to plan: 10-, 14-, and 18-day itineraries
Vietnam lends itself well to a linear north-to-south itinerary, which simplifies logistics. How many days you have shapes everything: the country is bigger than it looks on a map.
- 10 days, the highlights only: Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, with well-timed domestic flights
- 14 days, the full north-to-south route: the format I recommend most, adding Sapa or Ninh Binh
- 18+ days: enough to add Phu Quoc and a proper stop in the Mekong Delta
When to go: weather that shifts by region
There isn't one best season in Vietnam, there are three, one per region, and they don't always line up. For a full north-to-south itinerary, February–March or September–October offer the best compromise: the North is coming out of its cool winter, the Centre isn't yet in its rainy season, and the South stays manageable even outside the dry season.
| North (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa) | Centre (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) | South (HCMC, Mekong, Phu Quoc) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best period | October to April, cool and dry | February to August, before the rainy season | December to April, dry season |
| Period to avoid | May to September: hot and humid, frequent rain | September to January: heavy rain, typhoon risk | May to November: rainy season, short but daily downpours |
| Typical temperatures | 10-20°C in winter, up to 35°C in summer | Warm year-round, 25-33°C | Stable and warm year-round, 25-32°C |
Visa and practical logistics
Vietnam offers an e-visa through the official immigration portal, valid for up to 90 days. The application is entirely online (scanned passport, passport photo), allow a few business days of processing, and always go through the official government site, not a middleman.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date
- Domestic flights: the most efficient way between Hanoi, Da Nang, and HCMC
- Cash (dong) still handy for markets and stalls
Budget: what to expect depending on your travel style
Vietnam remains one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, but the gap between a backpacker trip and a comfort-focused one widens fast once you add domestic flights, Ha Long Bay cruises, and resort nights on Phu Quoc.
- Backpacker: 25-40€/day, dorms or guesthouses, street food
- Mid-range: 60-100€/day, 3-star hotels, domestic flights
- Comfort: from 150-200€/day, 4- to 5-star hotels, a private cruise
In summary
Vietnam rewards travelers who take the time to build their route thoughtfully rather than checking cities off a map: three regions, three climates, a country to cross north to south at a pace that leaves room for the unplanned. If you'd like us to build an itinerary together that actually fits you, that's precisely the work I do.