North to south in two weeks

15 days · 7 stops · North, Central, South

If it is your first time in Vietnam and you want to see the whole length of the country, this is the route most people take — for good reason. It strings together the big-name sights with enough time in each place to slow down.

Weather is the catch: the north, centre and south are rarely all perfect at once. March and April are the best compromise; late autumn is lovely in the north but wet in the centre. Check the month ratings below before you book.

1. 1

   directionsFly into Noi Bai airport (45–60 min to the Old Quarter)

   

   Days 1–4

   Hanoi

   Great

   3 nights

   Walk the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, visit the Temple of Literature and the Imperial Citadel, and eat your way through pho, bun cha and egg coffee.

2. 2

   directions2.5–3 hours by road from Hanoi (most cruises include the transfer)

   Ha Long Bay

   Days 4–5

   Ha Long Bay

   Great

   1 night · full guide coming soon

   An overnight cruise with kayaking and a cave visit. Consider Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay for fewer boats.

3. 3

   directionsAbout 3 hours by road from Ha Long

   Ninh Binh

   Days 5–7

   Ninh Binh

   Great

   2 nights · full guide coming soon

   Row through the caves of Trang An or Tam Coc, climb Hang Mua at sunset, and cycle between rice paddies.

4. 4

   directionsOvernight sleeper train from Ninh Binh (about 11 hours), or fly Hanoi–Hue (1 hour 15 minutes)

   Hue

   Days 7–9

   Hue

   Wet / extreme

   2 nights · full guide coming soon

   The Imperial City, the royal tombs by bicycle, and a boat to Thien Mu Pagoda. Try bun bo Hue at its source.

5. 5

   directions2.5–3 hours by road over the Hai Van Pass — one of Vietnam's great drives

   Hoi An

   Days 9–12

   Hoi An

   Wet / extreme

   3 nights · full guide coming soon

   Old town at night, a cooking class, a bicycle through the vegetable villages, a beach afternoon. Da Nang is 40 minutes away.

6. 6

   directionsFly Da Nang–Saigon (about 1 hour 20 minutes)

   Ho Chi Minh City

   Days 12–14

   Ho Chi Minh City

   Great

   2 nights · full guide coming soon

   The War Remnants Museum, District 1's colonial landmarks, a street-food tour by motorbike, and the Cu Chi Tunnels if you have time.

7. 7

   directionsAbout 2 hours by road from Saigon

   

   Days 14–15

   Ben Tre

   Good

   1 night

   Sampans through water-palm canals, coconut-candy workshops and a homestay dinner, then back to Saigon for your flight.