15-Day Adventure Itinerary in Vietnam

  • Day 1: Ho Cho Minh City
    30 minutes (7.5 miles) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport

    Explore the bustling Ho Cho Minh City, known for its rich culture, history, and vibrant street life. Visit the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. End the day by taking a cyclo ride through the city.

  • Day 2-3: Mekong Delta
    3 hours (105 miles) from Ho Cho Minh City

    Embark on a two-day adventure tour through the Mekong Delta. Cruise through the floating markets, visit local villages, and learn about the traditional way of life in the region. Spend the night on a homestay and enjoy a local dinner with the host family.

  • Day 4-5: Hoi An
    14 hours (590 miles) from Mekong Delta

    Discover the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved architecture, lanterns, and local cuisine. Take a bike tour to the surrounding countryside and visit the My Son Sanctuary, an archaeological site of the Cham Empire. Learn how to make traditional lanterns at a local workshop.

  • Day 6-7: Hue
    3 hours (81 miles) from Hoi An

    Visit the former imperial capital of Hue and explore the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors, the Imperial Citadel, and the Perfume River. Take a boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda and enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery. End the day with a sunset view from the top of the Hai Van Pass.

  • Day 8-10: Tam Coc Ninh Binh
    10 hours (295 miles) from Hue

    Discover the natural beauty of Tam Coc Ninh Binh by boat, passing through caves and rice paddies. Hike up to the top of the Mua Caves for panoramic views of the area. Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and explore the temples of Dinh and Le Dynasties. Take a bicycle ride to the Bich Dong Pagoda and the Van Long Nature Reserve.

  • Day 11-13: Halong Bay
    5 hours (108 miles) from Tam Coc Ninh Binh

    Cruise through the turquoise waters of Halong Bay and witness the majestic limestone formations. Kayak through hidden lagoons, visit floating villages, and enjoy a seafood feast on board. Spend a night on a private island, swim and relax on the beach.

  • Day 14-15: Hanoi
    3 hours (102 miles) from Halong Bay

    Discover the charming capital of Hanoi and explore its colonial architecture, temples, and museums. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. End the day by enjoying the famous egg coffee and watching a water puppet show.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • War Remnants Museum (2,000 VND, 2 hours)
  • Reunification Palace (30,000 VND, 2 hours)
  • Notre-Dame Cathedral (Free, 1 hour)
  • Mekong Delta Adventure Tour (1,400,000 VND, 2 days)
  • My Son Sanctuary (150,000 VND, 3 hours)
  • Thien Mu Pagoda (Free, 2 hours)
  • Tam Coc Ninh Binh Tour (1,500,000 VND, 3 days)
  • Halong Bay Cruise (2,500,000 VND, 3 days)
  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Free, 1 hour)
  • One Pillar Pagoda (Free, 1 hour)
  • Temple of Literature (30,000 VND, 1 hour)
  • Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (40,000 VND, 2 hours)
  • Egg Coffee and Water Puppet Show (200,000 VND, 2 hours)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 7,850,000 VND ($345 USD)

Transportation

Most of the transportation during the trip will be by bus or private car. Domestic flights are also available between the main cities. Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Grab are convenient for short trips. A round-trip flight from Ho Cho Minh City to Hanoi costs around 2,000,000 VND ($87 USD) per person, and a private car rental with a driver costs around 3,000,000 VND ($131 USD) per day.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Sapa, or the beaches of Nha Trang. If you have less time, shorten your stay in Hoi An or Hue. October and November are the best months to visit Vietnam, with cool and dry weather. Be prepared for crowded and noisy streets, and bring comfortable shoes for walking and biking.

Airports

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is the main international gateway to Vietnam, located in Ho Cho Minh City. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) serves Hanoi and is the second busiest airport in the country. Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is the third largest airport and serves Hoi An, Hue, and Tam Coc Ninh Binh. The airports are located around 30 minutes to 2 hours from the city centers by car or taxi.

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