How long should I stay in Vietnam?

Vietnam is known as one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia attracting million of international tourists each year. If you have been travelling a little bit before, you will know how long enough to spend your holiday is. But if you have just little experience or limited time, we would like to advise you the major places that you can visit when you plan to travel to Vietnam.

In order to travel to Vietnam, you should need to know where to start first. Travelers will normally start from the North (Hanoi city)- Noi Bai International Airport and end in the South of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh city)- Tan Son Nhat International Airport. You will need to consider which way is convenient for your plan and your budget as well.

As sharing that it depends on how many days you will have for the Vietnam holiday. Let ‘s start from 1 week in Vietnam, you will visit just the highlights of this beautiful country. The longer you have, the slower pace you can do. Based on our experience, we would like to recommend you should spend at least 2 weeks traveling in Vietnam from North to South. During this time, you can visit:

1. Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnamese capital city giving tourist a various options not only historical and cultural but natural beauty as well. Normally, Ha Noi is only considered as a bridge to connect to the other places such as Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh but if you have more than 2 weeks, you can spend a day in Hanoi wandering the Old Town to go shopping, visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum then drink fresh beer (called Bia Hoi) when the night comes.

2. Ha Long Bay

From Hanoi, you can travel to Halong Bay, Sapa and Ninh Binh which are major attractions in the Northern of Vietnam and must be on your to do list. Traveling to Ha Long Bay, you will need at least 2 Days 1 Night and highly recommended staying on cruise which is the spot lights of your trip. There are so many cruises from basic standard to luxury star that you can choose for your lifetime journey. It will take about 4 hours driving on car with normal way but only 2.5 hours by highway. Apart from Halong Bay path, Vietnamese tour operators have other journey which is operated in Lan Ha Bay, just as beautiful as those of Ha Long Bay and have the additional attraction of numerous white-sand beaches, not so many tourist boats venture here, meaning Lan Ha Bay has a more isolated appeal. Visiting Halong Bay will not make you disappointed by its gorgeous nature beauty.

3. Sapa

Sapa is a mountainous area up to the North from Ha Noi taking about 6 hours travelling on normal bus, limousine or sleeping bus. The length of your staying is at least 2 days 1 night. Reaching there, you will be amazed by the rolling mountains, stunning rice paddy which is much more beautiful at the end of August and beginning of September. Besides, the beauty of H’Mong ethnic minority with colorful clothes and different culture and lifestyle will impress you to see the other side of beautiful Vietnam. Travelling to Sapa, many tourists choose to do the hiking to Cat Cat Village instead of just staying at the Sapa town to do shopping. The others will travel to Fansipan Mountain – the highest mountain in Indochinese Penisuala by taking cable car or renting private guide to do the hiking. There are plenty of choices regarding to your staying in which you can choose to at a Homestay, or Hotel with different kind of service standards and fit with your budget.

4. Ninh Binh

The other place that you can reach from Hanoi is travelling to Hoa Lu Tam Coc located in Ninh Binh province with about 2.5 hours driving on car. Travelers can do this site within a day following a guided tour and return Hanoi about 6.30pm. Hoa Lu Tam Coc is also called Ha Long Bay in land thanks to its kind of the same sightseeing. Visiting Hoa Lu Tam Coc, you will visit 2 famous temples with strong historical study, sailing along river through caves and rice fields and escape to the countryside by bike.

5. Hoi An

Hoi An is located right at the heart of Vietnam map in which you can not travel straight to by plane or train since there is no airport or train station. You can take flight or train to Da Nang then transfer to Hoi An by car or bus taking about 45 minutes driving. The old town in Hoi An is recognized as the Worth Heritage by UNESCO and things make such a great values because of its well- preserved architecture. Anyone who has been to Hoi An had a great time by not only its beauty but by various option when choosing to do tours in Hoi An which not only bring tourist closer to Vietnamese culture and lifestyle but giving them a chance to experience on hand. To visit Hoi An, you will need about 3 days at least so that you can cover all highlights of Hoi An such as temples, My Son Holly Land, Golden Bridge and extra tours to the countryside.

6. Ho Chi Minh City

Considered as the biggest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city has so much offers for tourists such as the War Remnants museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace in which you can consider to take a full day city tour followed by your guide. Otherwise, you can travel on your own way to those highlighted places. With the speedy and energetic pace, Ho Chi Minh will provide tourists a colorful, bustling and completely fascinating life that you will make you unforgettable.

7. Cu Chi Tunnel

Cu Chi Tunnel will be the next highlights when you are in Ho Chi Minh which is located away from Ho Chi Minh about 60km and you can travel there by car within one day. This area played an important role during the American War in Vietnam at that time. Until now, it becomes a legend and still keeps the evidence for tourist to prove how dire the war was. Not only providing tourist a historical things but also give them a chance to experience a lots of fun through the tunnels and its surroundings by joining some activities.

8. Mekong Delta

Touring the Mekong Delta is along with the other recommended places considered as the highlight of Vietnam and touring 1 day to Mekong Delta is an essential trip when you are in Ho Chi Minh city. This place is located in the Southwest of Vietnam which is also well known as the biggest rice paddy providing rice not only for Vietnam but other countries in the world. Thanks to its topographic, travelling to Mekong Delta, tourist will have chance to escape from the chaotic Ho Chi Minh city to not only visit the local family who are well presented for the rural lifestyle but taste the delicious fresh fruits when wandering the fruit plantation and also experience a new journey by sailing along the river through the coconut trees. Mekong Delta will give you such an incisive insight about the daily life in Mekong Delta and make sure that you will bring your own valuable memories.

In order to travel to from Hanoi to Da Nang, Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh, you can take night train or flight which depends on your interests. It is believed that Vietnam is one of the most attracting, fascinating and beautiful countries that you must visit one time in your life. No matter how long you have, just advise us then we can tailor your trip based on your request and we will also provide you valuable advices. These above places are the very standard and common sightseeing that are now well known among tourist. Even if you want to discover the other parts of Vietnam, we can also organize for you, just contact us anytime.