Overview
Vietnam stretches about 1,650 kilometers from the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta, and that length shapes every trip. The north, center and south have different weather at the same time of year, so there is almost always somewhere good to be, and rarely a month when everywhere is perfect. Most first-timers travel north to south (or the reverse) over two to three weeks, flying the long stretches and taking the train or a car for the scenic ones. With ten days, choose two regions rather than racing the whole length.
Main regions
The north. Hanoi is the starting point for most trips. Begin with our Hanoi destination page and the 4-day Hanoi itinerary. From the capital: Ha Long Bay and the quieter Lan Ha Bay by overnight cruise, the limestone river valleys of Ninh Binh (about two hours south), and the mountains of Sapa and the Ha Giang loop for trekking and motorbike trips.
The center. Hue, the old imperial capital, with its citadel and royal tombs; Da Nang, a modern beach city with the main central airport; and Hoi An, a lantern-lit trading port 45 minutes south of Da Nang and the best place in the country to get clothes tailored. Phong Nha, further north, has some of the world's largest caves.
The south. Ho Chi Minh City (still widely called Saigon) is the country's energetic commercial hub, with the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta's floating markets and canals as day or overnight trips. Phu Quoc and the Con Dao islands are the main beach escapes.
The central highlands. Da Lat, at 1,500 meters, is cool year-round, with pine forests, coffee farms and waterfalls; a good break from the heat of the coast.
Best time to visit
- North (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa): October to December and March to May are best. January and February are cool and damp in Hanoi (often around 15°C). June to September is hot and wet, and typhoons can cancel Ha Long Bay cruises, mainly from July to September.
- Center (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang): February to August is dry and sunny, getting very hot by June. September to December brings heavy rain, and Hoi An's old town floods most years in October and November.
- South (Saigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc): dry season runs December to April. From May to November expect short, heavy afternoon downpours, which rarely ruin a whole day.
If you have one window for the whole country, February to April works best. Avoid traveling around Tết, the Lunar New Year (late January or February): transport sells out, prices jump and many businesses close for up to a week.
Getting around
- Domestic flights: Vietnam Airlines and VietJet cover the long hops cheaply. Hanoi to Da Nang takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City just over 2 hours.
- Trains: the north–south line is slow (the full Hanoi–Saigon run takes 31–34 hours) but great for shorter sections. The overnight sleeper from Hanoi to Hue is a classic, and the Hue–Da Nang stretch over the Hai Van Pass is one of the most scenic rail journeys in Asia.
- Grab: the ride-hailing app works in every major city for cars and motorbike taxis, with fixed prices, and is the easiest way to avoid taxi overcharging.
- Sleeper buses: cheap and extensive, but cramped for taller travelers.
- Motorbikes: hugely popular for the Ha Giang loop, but you legally need a license valid in Vietnam. Vietnam only recognizes international driving permits issued under the 1968 convention, which rules out US permits, and travel insurance often won't pay out without one. Hiring a local "easy rider" driver solves both problems.
Visa basics
Citizens of the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Nordic countries, Japan, South Korea and a growing list of other European countries (including the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Czechia and Switzerland) can visit visa-free for up to 45 days. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and most other countries need an e-visa: up to 90 days, $25 single entry or $50 multiple entry. Apply only on the official government portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn), since many lookalike agency sites charge several times more, and allow a week for processing. Phu Quoc island allows 30 days visa-free for anyone who flies there directly from abroad.
Typical daily costs
Prices as of September 2026, at about 26,000 dong to the US dollar:
- Budget (700,000–1,000,000 dong, about $27–38): hostel dorm or basic guesthouse, street food (pho at 40,000–70,000 dong, banh mi at 25,000–40,000), local beer, Grab bikes.
- Mid-range (1.5–2.5 million dong, about $58–95): a good 3-star hotel or boutique homestay, restaurant meals, Grab cars, a day tour.
- Comfort (4 million+ dong, about $155+): 4–5 star hotels, private drivers, beach resorts.
The biggest single expense for most visitors is a Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay cruise: overnight trips typically cost $120–300 per person, including the bay entrance fee of 260,000–310,000 dong. The Hoi An old town ticket is 120,000 dong and covers five heritage sites. Carry cash for street food and markets; cards work in hotels and larger restaurants.
Top destinations
- Hanoi: start with the Hanoi destination guide and the full Hanoi travel guide for the Old Quarter, street food and day trips.
- Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay: thousands of limestone islands, best seen on an overnight cruise.
- Hoi An: lantern-lit streets, tailors, An Bang beach and the ruins at My Son.
- Hue: imperial citadel, royal tombs and the best bun bo Hue in the country.
- Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta: street life, war history and river markets.
Vietnam combines easily with the rest of Southeast Asia: Bangkok and Singapore are two to three hours from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City by direct flight. Or let our trip planner build a day-by-day Vietnam route around your dates.