How Long Should You Spend in Vietnam? A Complete Guide
How Long Should You Spend in Vietnam? A Complete Guide
This guide breaks down ideal trip lengths based on different travel personalities — perfect for customizing your itinerary.
Nature & Adventure Travelers (2–3 weeks)Highlights: Trekking, mountain scenery, caves, motorbike loops.
• Days 1–3: Hanoi – Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, street food tour.
• Days 4–6: Sa Pa – Rice terraces, ethnic minority villages, Fansipan Mountain.
• Days 7–9: Ha Giang Loop – Motorbike through Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ma Pi Leng Pass.
• Days 10–11: Ninh Binh – Trang An boat ride, Mua Cave viewpoint, Hoa Lu temples.
• Days 12–14: Phong Nha – Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, optional Son Doong expedition (if booked far in advance).
• Days 15–17: Hue – Imperial Citadel, royal tombs, local cuisine.
• Days 18–20: Hoi An & My Son Sanctuary – Ancient town, countryside cycling, Cham ruins.
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Beach & Relaxation Lovers (7–14 days)Highlights: Relaxation, luxury resorts, calm exploration.
• Days 1–3: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City – Quick cultural introduction.
• Days 4–7: Hoi An / Da Nang – Ancient Town, beach resorts, lantern nights, cooking classes.
• Days 8–11: Nha Trang or Quy Nhon – Island hopping, snorkeling, spa treatments.
• Days 12–14 (optional): Phu Quoc – White-sand beaches, night market, sunset cruises.
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Foodies (10–14 days)Highlights: Culinary journey from North to South.
• Days 1–3: Hanoi – Pho, bun cha, egg coffee, food walking tour.
• Days 4–5: Ninh Binh – Goat meat specialties, countryside village meals.
• Days 6–7: Hue – Imperial cuisine, banh khoai, bun bo Hue.
• Days 8–9: Hoi An – Cao lau, white rose dumplings, cooking class.
• Days 10–11: Ho Chi Minh City – Com tam, banh xeo, modern fusion spots.
• Days 12–14 (optional): Mekong Delta – Floating markets, coconut candy, tropical fruits.
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Fast-Paced Travelers (7–10 days)Highlights: Quick overview of Vietnam’s big names.
• Days 1–2: Hanoi – City tour, street food.
• Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Overnight cruise.
• Days 4–5: Hoi An – Ancient town, quick countryside visit.
• Day 6: Hue – Imperial Citadel.
• Days 7–8: Ho Chi Minh City – War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels.
• Day 9–10 (optional): Mekong Delta – Day trip before flying home.
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Slow Travelers (Flexible: 9–15 days)Highlights: Fewer places, deeper experiences.
Example:
• Days 1–5: Hanoi – Take a coffee workshop, art galleries, day trip to rural villages.
• Days 6–9: Ninh Binh – Bike through rice fields, boat trips, stay in a homestay.
• Optional extension: Spend a week in Hoi An or Da Lat soaking in local culture, markets, and hidden cafés.
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Balanced Approach (10–14 days)Highlights: Good mix of culture, scenery, and downtime.
• Days 1–2: Hanoi – Old Quarter, water puppet show.
• Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Overnight cruise.
• Days 4–5: Ninh Binh – Scenic boat rides and ancient temples.
• Days 6–8: Hoi An – Ancient Town, countryside, beach day.
• Days 9–10: Hue – Royal palaces, boat on Perfume River.
• Days 11–13: Ho Chi Minh City – City tour, Cu Chi Tunnels, street food.
• Day 14 (optional): Mekong Delta – Floating market day trip.
