Vietnam on a Shoestring Budget: 7-Day Itinerary for December 2023

1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
   30 minutes (5.6 km) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport

   Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War and its impact on the country. Then, explore the Ben Thanh Market for local street food and souvenirs.

2. Day 2: Mekong Delta
   2 hours (120 km) from Ho Chi Minh City

   Take a day trip to the Mekong Delta to experience the local lifestyle and visit the Cai Rang Floating Market for fresh fruits and seafood. Stop at the Vinh Trang Pagoda for a glimpse of Buddhist culture.

3. Day 3: Da Lat
   7 hours (305 km) from Mekong Delta

   Travel to the highlands to explore Da Lat. Visit the Crazy House for its unique architecture and the Xuan Huong Lake for a peaceful stroll. End the day with a cup of Dalat coffee.

4. Day 4: Nha Trang
   3.5 hours (140 km) from Da Lat

   Head to the coastal city of Nha Trang for some beach time and snorkeling at Hon Mun Island. Visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers to learn about the ancient Cham civilization.

5. Day 5: Hoi An
   10 hours (500 km) from Nha Trang

   Take a long bus ride to the charming town of Hoi An. Explore the Old Town with its colorful lanterns and unique architecture. Don't miss the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Tan Ky Old House.

6. Day 6: Hue
   3 hours (120 km) from Hoi An

   Visit the ancient capital of Hue to learn about Vietnamese history. Explore the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. End the day with a scenic boat ride on the Perfume River.

7. Day 7: Hanoi
   1 hour (30 km) from Noi Bai International Airport

   Finally, travel to the bustling city of Hanoi. Explore the Old Quarter with its narrow streets and traditional houses. Don't miss the Hanoi Opera House and the Hoan Kiem Lake.

Time and Costs Estimates

• War Remnants Museum (2 hours, 40,000 VND)
• Ben Thanh Market (2 hours, 100,000 VND)
• Mekong Delta day trip (10 hours, 500,000 VND)
• Cai Rang Floating Market (2 hours, 50,000 VND)
• Vinh Trang Pagoda (1 hour, 20,000 VND)
• Crazy House (1 hour, 50,000 VND)
• Xuan Huong Lake (1 hour, free)
• Hon Mun Island snorkeling (4 hours, 200,000 VND)
• Po Nagar Cham Towers (1 hour, 22,000 VND)
• Hoi An Old Town (4 hours, 120,000 VND)
• Japanese Covered Bridge (1 hour, 20,000 VND)
• Tan Ky Old House (1 hour, 20,000 VND)
• Imperial Citadel (2 hours, 150,000 VND)
• Forbidden Purple City (1 hour, 150,000 VND)
• Perfume River boat ride (2 hours, 220,000 VND)
• Old Quarter (3 hours, free)
• Hanoi Opera House (1 hour, 100,000 VND)
• Hoan Kiem Lake (1 hour, free)

Total Estimated Costs: 1,752,000 VND