How about a vacation in Vietnam where not only do you get to see all the must visit destinations but also have a beach break for a few days to recharge yourself and experience the hospitality that this beautiful country offers?
Our specially crafted 12 days Vietnam itinerary does exactly that!
Letโs dive in and I am sure you will find it hard to beat what we all we have been able to pack inside 12 days.
Day 1: Hanoi
- Morning: Arrive in Hanoi, check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Visit Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy the bustling street life
- Evening: Watch a traditional water puppet show and sample street food such as Pho or Bun Cha.
There is a multi level restaurant in Hanoi by the name of Bรบn chแบฃ Hฦฐฦกng Liรชn, also known as โBun Cha Obamaโ, made famous by Barack Obama who ate Bun Cha here on his visit to Vietnam in 2016.
Along with the Bun Cha, the food he tried here now finds its place as โObama Comboโ on their menu.
Check out and book any of these water puppet show activities:
Day 2: Hanoi
- Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Presidential Palace.
- Afternoon: Explore the Temple of Literature and take a stroll through the French Quarter. Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
- Evening: Relax with a coffee at a rooftop cafรฉ and enjoy Hanoiโs vibrant atmosphere.
Check out and book from these local street food activities that include the train street experience, which is such a unique experience where you sit right next to the train tracks and enjoy a Vietnamese coffee while a train passes by just about half a meter from your face!
See also: Hanoi nightlife guide
Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay
- Morning: Drive to Halong Bay (about 4 hours from Hanoi).
- Afternoon: Board a cruise to explore the majestic limestone islands, visit Sung Sot Cave, and enjoy kayaking.
- Evening: Watch the sunset over the bay, enjoy dinner on board, and stay overnight on the cruise.
There are plenty of overnight cruises run by different operators ranging from affordable to luxurious cruises with 5 star amenities. Youโd be onboard for 24 hrs.
It is only the accommodation that is really different among these options.
Most of the on-the-deck activities like Tai-chi classes, sightseeing spots around the Halong Bay and offshore activities these cruises take you to, are the same.
A couple of my favorites sights were going to the Sung Sot Cave and the Ti Top Islands!
The cruise moves in closer to these islands but does not go all the way and a smaller boat takes you to these historic landmarks.
As you approach Ti Top Island, it looks like straight from a movie, a small island with a beach and a hike up the karst hill. You get the best views of Halong bay from the top of the hill!
Pro tip: Book the overnight cruise package in advance. Most of the packages have a coach pick-up from your hotel at Hanoi to the cruise base at Halong Bay.
Day 4: Halong Bay to Hoi An (viaย Da Nang)
- Morning: Continue cruising Halong Bay, with optional activities like visiting a floating village.
- Afternoon: Return to Hanoi, then catch an evening flight to Da Nang.
- Evening: Transfer to Hoi An (45-minute drive) and check into your hotel. Explore the lantern-lit streets and dine by the river.
Day 5: Hoi An
- Morning: Take an excursion to My Son Sanctuary or enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the countryside to Tra Que Vegetable Village
- Afternoon: Take a walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Tan Ky House
- Evening: Explore the night market and indulge in local specialties like Cao Lau and White Rose Dumplingsย and experience a romantic date on a boat lit with lanterns.
Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site where parts of Hoi An have been preserved from as far back 15th century when the historic city was a hub for commerce and a trading port.
You could also take a guided tour of the Hoi An Ancient town combined with a night street food tour. Iโd recommend the one that also has the boat trip with the lantern release experience!
See also: Hoi An nightlife guide
Day 6: Hoi An
- Morning: Start early morning drive back to Da Nang (1.5 hrs drive) and visit the Ba Na Hills SunWorld and the Golden Bridge.
- Afternoon: Come back to Hoi An. Enjoy a relaxing beach day at An Bang beach
- Evening: Enjoy a quiet evening strolling along the Thu Bon River, taking in the peaceful ambiance of Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
- Morning: Afford yourself a lazy morning on the poolside in your resort or take a fordable lantern making classย that usually takes about 2 hours.
- Afternoon: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check into your hotel and get a feel for the city by visiting Ben Thanh Market and trying local delicacies.
- Evening: Explore the vibrant nightlife, with rooftop bars offering panoramic views of the city.
If you are single and ready to mingle then you are at the right place as Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best cities for singles to party and have fun well into the dark!
The nightlife in Ho Chi Minh city is amazing and it is very safe city to roam around in the night
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
- Morning: Head out for a full-day tour of the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip through the deltaโs narrow canals, visit local villages, and explore the Cai Be Floating Market.
- Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at a local orchard, and visit workshops producing traditional goods like coconut candy.
- Evening: Return to Ho Chi Minh City and relax or enjoy dinner at a fine restaurant.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City
- Morning: Visit historical landmarks like the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. Explore Reunification Palace for a glimpse into Vietnamโs recent history.
- Afternoon: Take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Vietnam War from a unique perspective.
- Evening: End your day with a romantic dinner with your partner on a Saigon river cruise or check out a truly unique show at Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnamese Bamboo Circus โ ร แป Show at the Saigon Opera House is a very popular and unique performance arts and theatre show where the performers use Bamboo props to perform circus like acrobatics.
Recommended Cu Chi Tunnel half day tours:
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang
- Morning: Catch a flight to Nha Trang, Vietnamโs premier beach destination.
- Afternoon: Check into a beach resort on Nha Trang Beach or Cam Ranh Beach
- Evening: Walk along the Nha Trang promenade, enjoy fresh seafood, or visit the lively night market.
I stayed at a beach resort in Cam Ranh, which is 50 minutes drive south of the Nha Trang and is less busy and has bigger resort styles hotels perfect for that relaxing beach break!
Day 11: Nha Trang
- Morning: Spend a relaxing day at Long Beach or Bai Dai Beach, renowned for their soft sands and clear waters.
- Afternoon: Optionally, take a boat trip to the Hon Mun Island for snorkeling or scuba diving.
- Evening: Enjoy a spa treatment at your resort, pamper yourself to a Vietnamese massage or enjoy a sunset cruise.
Day 12: Nha Trang
- Morning: Embark on an island-hopping tour around Nha Trang. Visit Hon Tam and Hon Tre, enjoy water activities like snorkeling, and relax at island beaches.
- Afternoon: Visit Po Nagar Cham Towers to explore ancient Cham architecture.
- Evening: Say goodbye to Nha Trang and head toย the airport for your departure..
Vietnam Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: October to January are generally pleasant, cooler and drier.
- Currency: Vietnamโs currency is Vietnam Dong. Withdraw around 5 Million VND from TP Bank or VP Bank ATMs at the airport as these banks do not charge fee up to that amount. This should be sufficient to cover you for 3-4 days travelling and eating expenses.
- Visa: You could get an e-Visa in 3 days by paying a nominal amount. Check whether you qualify for a Visa exemption.
- Internal Flights: Book flights between Hanoi-Da Nang and Da Nang-Ho Chi Minh City in advance. I personally recommend Vietnam Airlines flights as their planes are clean, spacious and better.
- Transport: Use Grab (similar to Uber), or hotel-arranged transportation for convenience.
What say?!
Canโt spare 12 days? No worries โ check out these other shorter itineraries:
