📍 Vietnam

VIETNAM CLASSIC: HALONG BAY, ANCIENT TOWNS AND MEKONG DELTA

Sail among Halong Bay's karsts, wander lantern-lit ancient streets and wake at dawn on a floating market. Vietnam will enchant you from north to south.

≈ 19
Days
2224
Km
7
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Discover Vietnam north to south: Hanoi and its history-scented streets, Ha Long Bay and its karsts rising from water, Hue and its imperial heritage, Hoi An and its lanterns. End in the Mekong Delta, floating markets and river life, where the country beats to water's rhythm.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Hanoi

old quarter french colonial pho mornings

Hanoi - Photo 1Hanoi - Photo 2Hanoi - Photo 3Hanoi - Photo 4Hanoi - Photo 5Hanoi - Photo 6Hanoi - Photo 7Hanoi - Photo 8Hanoi - Photo 9Hanoi - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake
2
Ngoc Son Temple and Red Bridge
3
Temple of Literature
4
One Pillar Pagoda
🎯

Activities

→
Cyclo ride in the Old Quarter
→
Water puppet show (Thang Long)
2
Day

Hanoi

old quarter french colonial pho mornings

Hanoi - Photo 1Hanoi - Photo 2Hanoi - Photo 3Hanoi - Photo 4Hanoi - Photo 5Hanoi - Photo 6Hanoi - Photo 7Hanoi - Photo 8Hanoi - Photo 9Hanoi - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Colonial Quarter (Opera House, Trang Tien Street)
2
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
3
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (UNESCO site)
🎯

Activities

→
Vietnamese coffee tasting (ca phe sua da) and street-food tour
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 155 km
Travel time: 2h45
3
Day

Halong Bay

Halong Bay - Photo 1Halong Bay - Photo 2Halong Bay - Photo 3Halong Bay - Photo 4Halong Bay - Photo 5Halong Bay - Photo 6Halong Bay - Photo 7Halong Bay - Photo 8Halong Bay - Photo 9Halong Bay - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Halong Bay cruise boarding from Tuan Chau
2
Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)
3
Titop Island (viewpoint)
🎯

Activities

→
Kayak or boat around Luon Cave
→
Sunset over the bay from the boat deck
→
Lantern walk at dusk in the Ancient Town
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 803 km
Travel time: 10h
4
Day

Hoi An

lantern lit tailors ancient port japanese

Hoi An - Photo 1Hoi An - Photo 2Hoi An - Photo 3Hoi An - Photo 4Hoi An - Photo 5Hoi An - Photo 6Hoi An - Photo 7Hoi An - Photo 8Hoi An - Photo 9Hoi An - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Hoi An Old Town (Chinese houses, assembly halls, Japanese covered bridge)
🎯

Activities

→
Vietnamese cooking class or round basket boat ride (thung chai) in the Cam Thanh coconut forest
5
Day

Hoi An

lantern lit tailors ancient port japanese

Hoi An - Photo 1Hoi An - Photo 2Hoi An - Photo 3Hoi An - Photo 4Hoi An - Photo 5Hoi An - Photo 6Hoi An - Photo 7Hoi An - Photo 8Hoi An - Photo 9Hoi An - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
An Bang Beach (beach)
2
Hoi An Central Market
🎯

Activities

→
Bicycle ride in the countryside (Tra Que, rice fields)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 40 km
Travel time: 1h10
6
Day

Hoi An

lantern lit tailors ancient port japanese

Hoi An - Photo 1Hoi An - Photo 2Hoi An - Photo 3Hoi An - Photo 4Hoi An - Photo 5Hoi An - Photo 6Hoi An - Photo 7Hoi An - Photo 8Hoi An - Photo 9Hoi An - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
My Son Sanctuary (UNESCO)
🎯

Activities

→
Short cruise on the Perfume River at sunset
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 120 km
Travel time: 3h
7
Day

Hue

imperial citadel tombs perfume river boats

Hue - Photo 1Hue - Photo 2Hue - Photo 3Hue - Photo 4Hue - Photo 5Hue - Photo 6Hue - Photo 7Hue - Photo 8Hue - Photo 9Hue - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Hai Van Pass (viewpoints) en route
2
Lang Co Beach (photo stop)
🎯

Activities

→
Walk through Dong Ba Market
8
Day

Hue

imperial citadel tombs perfume river boats

Hue - Photo 1Hue - Photo 2Hue - Photo 3Hue - Photo 4Hue - Photo 5Hue - Photo 6Hue - Photo 7Hue - Photo 8Hue - Photo 9Hue - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Citadel and Imperial City of Hue (UNESCO)
2
Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda)
3
Tomb of Khai Dinh or Minh Mang
🎯

Activities

→
Shopping at Ben Thanh market and stroll on Nguyen Hue
→
Street-food tour or coffee/robusta workshop
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 660 km
Travel time: 10h
9
Day

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh - Photo 1Ho Chi Minh - Photo 2Ho Chi Minh - Photo 3Ho Chi Minh - Photo 4Ho Chi Minh - Photo 5Ho Chi Minh - Photo 6Ho Chi Minh - Photo 7Ho Chi Minh - Photo 8Ho Chi Minh - Photo 9Ho Chi Minh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon & Central Post Office
2
Reunification Palace
3
War Remnants Museum
🎯

Activities

→
Sampan ride on the waterways
10
Day

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh - Photo 1Ho Chi Minh - Photo 2Ho Chi Minh - Photo 3Ho Chi Minh - Photo 4Ho Chi Minh - Photo 5Ho Chi Minh - Photo 6Ho Chi Minh - Photo 7Ho Chi Minh - Photo 8Ho Chi Minh - Photo 9Ho Chi Minh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Chinatown (Cholon) and Thien Hau pagoda
2
Vietnam History Museum (option)
🎯

Activities

→
Bike ride through the orchards + boat on the canal
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 170 km
Travel time: 3h30
11
Day

Can Tho

cai rang floating market mekong hub

Can Tho - Photo 1Can Tho - Photo 2Can Tho - Photo 3Can Tho - Photo 4Can Tho - Photo 5Can Tho - Photo 6Can Tho - Photo 7Can Tho - Photo 8Can Tho - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Cai Rang (floating market) early in the morning
2
Ancient house of Binh Thuy (option)
🎯

Activities

→
Traditional Vietnamese massage (relaxation option)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 120 km
Travel time: 2h30
12
Day

Ben Tre

coconut kingdom sampan mekong canals quiet

Ben Tre - Photo 1Ben Tre - Photo 2Ben Tre - Photo 3Ben Tre - Photo 4Ben Tre - Photo 5Ben Tre - Photo 6Ben Tre - Photo 7Ben Tre - Photo 8Ben Tre - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Ben Tre islets (coconut groves, local workshops)
🎯

Activities

→
Last shopping and evening stroll (Nguyen Hue pedestrian street)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 86 km
Travel time: 2h
13
Day

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh - Photo 1Ho Chi Minh - Photo 2Ho Chi Minh - Photo 3Ho Chi Minh - Photo 4Ho Chi Minh - Photo 5Ho Chi Minh - Photo 6Ho Chi Minh - Photo 7Ho Chi Minh - Photo 8Ho Chi Minh - Photo 9Ho Chi Minh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Fine Arts Museum or Art Deco/colonial architectural walk
🎯

Activities

→
Traditional Vietnamese massage (relaxation option)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 70 km
Travel time: 2h
14
Day

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh - Photo 1Ho Chi Minh - Photo 2Ho Chi Minh - Photo 3Ho Chi Minh - Photo 4Ho Chi Minh - Photo 5Ho Chi Minh - Photo 6Ho Chi Minh - Photo 7Ho Chi Minh - Photo 8Ho Chi Minh - Photo 9Ho Chi Minh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh)
🎯

Activities

→
Last shopping and evening stroll (Nguyen Hue pedestrian street)
15
Day

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh - Photo 1Ho Chi Minh - Photo 2Ho Chi Minh - Photo 3Ho Chi Minh - Photo 4Ho Chi Minh - Photo 5Ho Chi Minh - Photo 6Ho Chi Minh - Photo 7Ho Chi Minh - Photo 8Ho Chi Minh - Photo 9Ho Chi Minh - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Free time according to flight (Tao Dan / 23/9 parks)

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🛡️ Travel advice - Vietnam

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (February-April): Perfect weather with comfortable temperatures (18-25°C), minimal rainfall, and ideal conditions for exploring diverse regions. Excellent balance of pleasant weather throughout country, blooming landscapes, moderate tourist numbers.

Autumn (September-November): Comfortable temperatures (20-28°C) with clear skies, perfect outdoor conditions, and harvest season beauty. Second-best season with excellent weather nationwide, reasonable prices, cultural festivals.

Winter (December-January): Cool temperatures in north (10-20°C), warm in south (25-30°C), dry season with regional variations. Northern mountains cold, central coast pleasant, southern regions ideal, diverse regional experiences.

Summer (May-August): Hot, humid weather (28-35°C) with rainy season affecting travel plans but lush landscapes. Monsoon rains, flooding possible, but fewer crowds, lower prices, and authentic local experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 15 and 23 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Vietnam?

Southeast Asian authenticity with incredible history, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes. Experience Ho Chi Minh City energy, Halong Bay beauty, and traditional Vietnamese culture. The country offers cultural immersion with natural wonders and culinary excellence. Vietnam provides transformative Southeast Asian experiences with historical depth and natural beauty.