15-Day City Experience Itinerary in Vietnam

  • Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
    30 minutes (7 miles) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport

    Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and is the economic powerhouse of the country. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office for a glimpse of the city’s French colonial past. Take a stroll around the Bến Thành Market for a taste of the local cuisine and a chance to shop for souvenirs.

  • Day 2: Da Lat
    1 hour 15 minutes (162 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City

    Known as the "City of Eternal Spring,” Da Lat's cool climate makes it the perfect place to escape the heat of the southern cities. Visit the Valley of Love for romantic scenery and the Linh Phuoc Pagoda for its unique mosaic architecture. The Crazy House is another must-visit attraction for its whimsical and unique design.

  • Day 3: Nha Trang
    4 hours 30 minutes (266 miles) from Da Lat

    Nha Trang is a coastal resort city with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Visit the Long Son Pagoda for its giant Buddha statue and the Po Nagar Cham Towers for a glimpse of the city’s rich history. Take a mud bath at the Thap Ba Hot Springs Center for a unique relaxation experience.

  • Day 4: Hoi An
    9 hours (350 miles) from Nha Trang

    Explore the historic town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Hoi An Ancient Town, and the Museum of Folklore for a rich cultural experience. Take a boat tour of the Thu Bon River to see the city from a different perspective.

  • Day 5: Da Nang
    30 minutes (19 miles) from Hoi An

    Da Nang is a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Visit the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone and marble hills, for scenic views and the Dragon Bridge for a memorable light show at night.

  • Day 6: Hue
    3 hours (73 miles) from Da Nang

    Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty and is home to many historical sites. Visit the Imperial City and the Thien Mu Pagoda for a glimpse of the country’s rich history. Take a boat tour of the Perfume River for a scenic view of the city.

  • Day 7: Hanoi
    1 hour 45 minutes (454 miles) from Hue

    Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and is home to many historical sites and delicious street food. Visit the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for a glimpse of the country’s rich history. Take a stroll around the Old Quarter for a chance to taste the local cuisine and shop for souvenirs.

  • Day 8: Ha Long Bay
    3 hours (103 miles) from Hanoi

    Ha Long Bay is a stunning natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a cruise tour around the bay for a chance to see the beautiful limestone formations and enjoy swimming, kayaking or cave exploring.

  • Day 9: Cat Ba Island
    3 hours (70 miles) from Ha Long Bay

    Cat Ba Island is the largest island in Ha Long Bay and is home to many natural and cultural attractions. Visit the Cat Ba National Park for a chance to see the diverse flora and fauna of the island. Take a boat tour of the Lan Ha Bay for panoramic views and a chance to swim and snorkel in the clear water.

  • Day 10: Hue
    3 hours (70 miles) from Ha Long Bay

    Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty and is home to many historical sites. Visit the Imperial City and the Thien Mu Pagoda for a glimpse of the country’s rich history. Take a boat tour of the Perfume River for a scenic view of the city.

  • Day 11: Hoi An
    14 hours (650 miles) from Hue

    Explore the historic town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Hoi An Ancient Town, and the Museum of Folklore for a rich cultural experience. Take a boat tour of the Thu Bon River to see the city from a different perspective.

  • Day 12: Nha Trang
    9 hours (350 miles) from Hoi An

    Nha Trang is a coastal resort city with beautiful beaches and clear waters. Visit the Long Son Pagoda for its giant Buddha statue and the Po Nagar Cham Towers for a glimpse of the city’s rich history. Take a mud bath at the Thap Ba Hot Springs Center for a unique relaxation experience.

  • Day 13: Da Lat
    4 hours 30 minutes (266 miles) from Nha Trang

    Known as the "City of Eternal Spring,” Da Lat's cool climate makes it the perfect place to escape the heat of the southern cities. Visit the Valley of Love for romantic scenery and the Linh Phuoc Pagoda for its unique mosaic architecture. The Crazy House is another must-visit attraction for its whimsical and unique design.

  • Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City
    1 hour 15 minutes (162 miles) from Da Lat

    Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and is the economic powerhouse of the country. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office for a glimpse of the city’s French colonial past. Take a stroll around the Bến Thành Market for a taste of the local cuisine and a chance to shop for souvenirs.

  • Day 15: Departure
    30 minutes (7 miles) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport

    Depart from Ho Chi Minh City and head home, bringing with you unforgettable memories of your 15-day city experience trip in Vietnam.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Notre Dame Cathedral (2 hours, Free)
  • Central Post Office (1 hour, Free)
  • Bến Thành Market (2-3 hours, vary on spending)
  • Valley of Love (2-3 hours, 50,000 VND)
  • Linh Phuoc Pagoda (1 hour, 20,000 VND)
  • Crazy House (1-2 hours, 50,000 VND)
  • Long Son Pagoda (1 hour, Free)
  • Po Nagar Cham Towers (1 hour, 22,000 VND)
  • Thap Ba Hot Springs Center (2-4 hours, 250,000 VND)
  • Japanese Covered Bridge (1 hour, 150,000 VND)
  • Hoi An Ancient Town (3 hours, 120,000 VND)
  • Museum of Folklore (1-2 hours, 60,000 VND)
  • Imperial City (3 hours, 200,000 VND)
  • Thien Mu Pagoda (1 hour, Free)
  • Temple of Literature (1 hour, 30,000 VND)
  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (1 hour, 75,000 VND)
  • Ha Long Bay Cruise (4-6 hours, 300,000 VND)
  • Cat Ba National Park (4-6 hours, 40,000 VND)
  • Lan Ha Bay Boat Tour (4-6 hours, 300,000 VND)

Total Estimated Costs: 1,347,000 VND (approx. £43, €50, $59) per person excluding transport, accommodation, and food expenses.

Transportation

Travelers can get around Vietnam by domestic flights, buses, trains, or private car hire. Domestic airlines like Vietnamese Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and VietJet provide daily flights between cities. Long-distance buses and trains are also an affordable way to travel, but can take longer time. Private car hire offers convenience and flexibility, however, can be more expensive. Estimated transport cost for 15-day city experience trip in Vietnam varies at around £400 to £600 per person depending on modes of transportation and travel itinerary.

Useful Tips

If you have more or less time, consider following suggestions:

  • If you have more time, add a visit to the Mekong Delta or the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
  • If you have less time, skip Da Lat and Nha Trang to spend more time in both Hoi An and Hue.

Airports

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is the main airport of Ho Chi Minh City, located 30 minutes from the city center. Other airports in the country include Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, Da Nang International Airport (DAD) in Da Nang, and Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) in Hue.

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