This blog post is all about a 3 week Vietnam itinerary.
After 10 whirlwind days exploring Cambodia (we crossed the border by bus from Phnom Penh), my boyfriend and I made our way into Vietnam, ready to dive head-first into what would become one of our favourite countries in Southeast Asia.
We spent three incredible weeks travelling from the south all the way up north, soaking in everything from chaotic cities and peaceful countryside to golden beaches and misty mountains.
This blog post will walk you through our full 3 week Vietnam itinerary, including where we stayed, what we ate, how long to spend in each place, how we travelled between destinations, and the best things to do.
If you’re planning your own adventure through Vietnam, I hope this travel guide gives you some inspiration (and maybe saves you from a few of the travel mistakes we made along the way!).
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This blog post is all about a 3 week Vietnam itinerary.
3 Week Vietnam Itinerary: South to North
If you’re planning a trip through Vietnam and wondering where to start, this 3 week Vietnam itinerary is based on the exact route my boyfriend and I took after leaving Cambodia.
Each stop along the way offered something totally different, and this guide includes all our tips on where to stay, what to eat, how to get around, and the best things to do.
Let’s start in the south, in Ho Chi Minh City.
1. Ho Chi Minh City (2–3 Days)
We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City via a long but surprisingly smooth bus ride from Phnom Penh.
The energy hit us instantly. Motorbikes whizzing past from every direction, street vendors shouting over sizzling pans, and skyscrapers towering over French colonial buildings.
This city is loud, chaotic, a little overwhelming, but absolutely addictive.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
We stayed at My Hotel in District 1: affordable, clean, and walking distance to most attractions. District 1 is perfect for first-time visitors because it’s packed with restaurants, markets, and historical sites.
Where to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City
- Pho Hoa Pasteur – one of the best bowls of pho we had in all of Vietnam
- Banh Mi Huynh Hoa – giant banh mi sandwiches filled with pate, meats, and pickled veg
- The Lunch Lady – rotating daily soups and a must-visit for any foodie
- Ben Thanh Street Food Market – touristy but convenient with a variety of options
What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit the War Remnants Museum – impactful and thought-provoking
- Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels – a fascinating (and slightly claustrophobic) look at wartime history
- Check out the Independence Palace
- Walk through Ben Thanh Market and sample local street food
- Visit the Bitexco Tower Skydeck for skyline views
How to Travel to from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang
We booked an overnight sleeper bus to Nha Trang, which took about 8 hours. The sleeper buses in Vietnam are comfortable, and this one was clean and pretty quiet.
Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak season. We booked all of our Southeast Asia travel via 12Go Asia and would highly recommend doing the same!
RELATED Ho Chi Minh blog posts to read:
2. Nha Trang (2 Days)
After the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang felt like a welcome change. This coastal city is known for its beach resorts, scuba diving, and fresh seafood. While some parts feel a bit commercial, it’s easy to find hidden gems that still feel authentic.
Where to Stay in Nha Trang
We stayed at Golden Panorama which was right near the beachfront with great views and close to restaurants and local markets. It was definitely the most modern room we stayed in during our Vietnam travels and I really wish we’d stayed here longer.
Where to Eat in Nha Trang
- Lac Canh Restaurant – a local favourite for DIY grilled meat
- Banh Xeo Chao – huge Vietnamese savoury pancakes with shrimp and pork
- Nha Trang Seafoods – pick your fish from the tank and enjoy right by the beach
What to Do in Nha Trang
- Relax on Nha Trang Beach
- Take a boat tour to nearby islands for swimming and snorkelling
- Visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers – ancient Hindu temples with beautiful views
- Spend an afternoon at Thap Ba Hot Springs & Mud Baths – very popular with locals
- Go for a sunset walk along Tran Phu Street
How to Travel from Nha Trang to Hoi An
From Nha Trang, we another sleeper bus to arrive in Hoi An. This was a lengthy journey, taking 11 hours in total but thankfully I was able to get a little sleep during the night.
Sleeper buses in Vietnam are definitely something to experience while you’re backpacking Vietnam!
RELATED Nha Trang blog posts to read:
3. Hoi An (4 Days)
Hoi An completely stole our hearts. The ancient town is filled with colourful buildings, charming cafes, and riverside lanterns. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down and really take it all in. This was one of the highlights of our 3 week Vietnam itinerary.
Where to Stay in Hoi An
We stayed at Mavina Villa in Hoi An – a quiet and peaceful boutique stay with a pool, lovely staff, and free bike rentals.
Where to Eat in Hoi An
- Banh Mi Phuong – famous thanks to Anthony Bourdain, and rightly so
- Morning Glory Restaurant – try the white rose dumplings and cao lau noodles
- Com Ga Ba Buoi – for traditional chicken rice
- Streets Restaurant – delicious food and supports a great cause (training local youth)
What to Do in Hoi An
- Wander through Hoi An Ancient Town (especially at night when the lanterns light up)
- Get custom clothes made – I had two dresses tailored in 24 hours
- Join a cooking class (we loved the one we took in Hanoi)
- Take a bicycle ride through the rice paddies to An Bang Beach
- Visit My Son Sanctuary – ancient temple ruins set in the jungle
How to Travel from Hoi An to Da Nang
A short 45-minute drive or taxi from Hoi An. You can book a Grab or arrange a transfer with your hotel. It’s easy and affordable.
RELATED Hoi An blog posts to read:
4. Da Nang (1–2 Days)
Da Nang is Vietnam’s third-largest city but still feels laid-back. It’s clean, modern, and boasts beautiful beaches and fun attractions. While we didn’t stay long, it was a refreshing stop.
Where to Stay in Da Nang
We stayed at Benzen Boutique Hotel near My Khe Beach – affordable, stylish, and perfect for a beachside stay.
Where to Eat in Da Nang
- Mi Quang Ba Mua – for Da Nang’s signature turmeric noodle dish
- Banh Xeo Ba Duong – tucked down a narrow alley but worth the hunt
- Cong Caphe – quirky Vietnamese coffee chain with retro decor
What to Do in Da Nang
- Visit Marble Mountains – you can climb them and explore caves and pagodas
- Snap a photo of the Dragon Bridge
- Day trip to Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
- Enjoy a beach day on My Khe or Non Nuoc
How to Travel from Da Nang to Hue
We took a minivan transfer from Da Nang to Hue. It was only a short 2-3 hour journey and we were dropped off directly at our hotel.
A smooth transfer to our next destination!
5. Hue (2 Days)
Hue felt different from the other cities. Slower, quieter, and packed with history. This former imperial capital has impressive ruins and peaceful riverside spots.
Where to Stay in Hue
We stayed at Pisces Hotel – clean, comfortable, and within walking distance of the Perfume River.
The hotel was styled just like a hotel in Marrakech which made it a very cool location to stay for one night in Hue. You can read my full hotel review blog post here.
Where to Eat in Hue
- Hanh & Ken Restaurant – the best Bun Bo Hue and savoury pancakes
- Les Jardins de La Carambole – perfect for a more upscale meal in a colonial villa
- Dong Ba Market – great for trying a little bit of everything
What to Do in Hue
- Explore the Imperial City (Citadel)
- Take a boat ride down the Perfume River
- Visit the Tombs of the Emperors (Khai Dinh’s was our favourite)
- Climb the steps to Thien Mu Pagoda
How to Travel from Hue to Ninh Binh
We booked another night sleeper bus for our journey to Ninh Binh.
It was one of our most memorable as Steff had stomach cramps the entire way and our bus arrived much earlier than expected at 4.30am when nothing was open.
Thankfully our guest house answered our call and our room was already available so we could get a few hours rest for our next few days in Ninh Binh.
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6. Ninh Binh (2 Days)
If you’re after peaceful vibes and jaw-dropping landscapes, Ninh Binh is it. Often called the “Halong Bay on land,” this region is perfect for slowing down and soaking in the scenery.
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh
We stayed at Tam Coc Friendly Home Stay – family-run, welcoming, and surrounded by lush rice fields. The hosts were also incredibly kind to give us a room at 4.30am when we arrived much earlier than expected via the sleeper bus.
Where to Eat in Ninh Binh
- Trung Tuyet Restaurant – small, family-run with generous portions
- Thao Linh Restaurant – cheap, tasty, and great for sunset drinks
What to Do in Ninh Binh
- Boat ride at Trang An or Tam Coc
- Hike up to Hang Mua Peak for panoramic views
- Explore Bich Dong Pagoda – a temple built into the side of a mountain
- Rent a bicycle and ride around the countryside
How to Travel from Ninh Binh to Hanoi
We took a taxi to Hanoi – very scenic and much more relaxing than the bus as the journey was around 90 minutes long.
7. Hanoi (3 Days)
Hanoi is full-on in the best way. Motorbikes, honking, smells, street food stalls, and endless energy. It’s the kind of city where every street corner has something happening.
We actually spent two full weeks in Hanoi and I could easily see myself living here for a month or so at a time. There’s so much to do, so much life, great working cafes for digital nomads like myself and endless cheap but delicious food options.
If you can spend longer than 3 days in Hanoi, then I’d highly recommend it to get the full experience of the bustling city.
Where to Stay in Hanoi
We stayed at Silk Lullaby Hotel in the Old Quarter – comfortable, stylish, and walking distance to all the main attractions.
As I mentioned, we spent two full weeks here and it became our second home very quickly. The staff here are incredible and the location couldn’t be better. You can read my full blog post review of Silk Lullaby Hotel here.
Where to Eat in Hanoi
- Bun Cha Huong Lien – where Obama and Bourdain ate
- Pho Gia Truyen – classic pho spot that’s always packed
- Banh Cuon Gia Truyen – thin rice rolls stuffed with pork and mushroom
- Egg coffee at Giang Cafe – a Hanoi staple
- The Note Cafe – an Instagram must!
What to Do in Hanoi
- Explore the Old Quarter’s maze of streets
- Watch a traditional show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
- See the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda
- Try a traditional Vietnamese cooking class – we loved this one, and you can see a recap of what we did here on TikTok
How to Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
We booked a 2-day, 1-night cruise with GetYourGuide. They picked us up directly from our Hanoi hotel and drove us to the boat – super easy.
And they offered the same transport on return, so we were dropped directly back at our hotel in Hanoi.
RELATED Hanoi blog posts to read:
- Hanoi Train Street: Everything You Need to Know
- The Best Traditional Cooking Class in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hanoi Hotels: The Best 13 From Budget to Luxury
- 13 Best and Unique Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam
- 15 of the Best Places to Eat in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Silk Lullaby: The Best Budget Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter
8. Ha Long Bay (2 Days, 1 Night)
Cruising Ha Long Bay was one of the most magical moments of our 3 week Vietnam itinerary. The limestone karsts rising out of the water are like something from another planet.
Where to Stay in Ha Long Bay
We chose a mid-range overnight cruise via GetYourGuide. The cabins were comfy, the food was delicious, and kayaking was included.
The whole experience was so luxury and one of my highlights of our entire tour of Vietnam – I’d highly recommend the cruise we went with here!
What to Do in Ha Long Bay
- Kayak through caves and around floating villages
- Explore Surprise Cave
- Watch the sunrise from the boat deck
- Take a dip or relax on the sundeck with a book
How to Travel Back to Hanoi from Ha Long Bay
Transport back to Hanoi was included in our cruise package. We were dropped off at our original hotel.
RELATED Ha Long Bay blog posts to read:
9. Ha Giang Loop (3 Days)
We had planned to finish our 3 week Vietnam itinerary with the famous Ha Giang Loop – a remote mountain road adventure by motorbike through Northern Vietnam.
Why We Skipped It
Unfortunately, torrential rainstorms caused mudslides, making the roads unsafe. We made the tough decision to skip it, but it’s absolutely still on our bucket list.
What We Would Have Done
- Started in Ha Giang town
- Rented a semi-automatic motorbike
- Rode a 3–4 day loop through Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and Meo Vac
- Stayed in homestays and met local ethnic minority groups
Leaving Vietnam for Laos
From Hanoi, we flew to Vientiane, Laos, to continue our Southeast Asia adventure.
If you’re planning a similar trip, this 3 week Vietnam itinerary gives you the perfect mix of cities, history, beaches, and nature.
Let me know if you have any questions or want help planning your own Vietnam route!
RELATED Vietnam blog posts to read:
- Vietnam Hotels: The Best 8 Hotels We Stayed In
- 13 Best and Unique Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam
- The Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
- Luxury 2-Day Ha Long Bay Cruise Review: How to Book
- Ho Chi Minh City: The Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Saigon
By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and move to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.
