Two weeks is enough to travel Vietnam from north to south: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, using two domestic flights. With 7 days, pick the north or the south; with 10, skip the Mekong. Citizens of 25 countries, including Spain, the UK, France, Germany and Italy, can visit visa-free for up to 45 days; most other travelers, including US citizens, need a visa (a few countries have separate bilateral agreements, so check yours), which you can get as an e-visa on the official government portal. The US State Department rates Vietnam Level 1, "exercise normal precautions".
Photo: Freysteinn G. Jonsson on Unsplash
Key facts before you book
- Visa exemption: 45 days visa-free for 25 countries. For the first group (Spain, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Belarus and the Nordic countries) it applies until March 14, 2028; for the second group (Benelux, Switzerland and several Central European countries) until August 14, 2028.
- E-visa: open to all nationalities, single or multiple entry, for up to 90 days. Apply only on the official portal (evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn), allow 3 to 5 working days, and print it. It cannot be extended inside Vietnam.
- US citizens: a visa is required, except for stays of up to 30 days on Phu Quoc island. If you arrive by air, complete the pre-arrival declaration no earlier than 3 days before landing.
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months on arrival.
- Advisories: US State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions). Spain's Foreign Ministry (MAEC) advises traveling with caution.
- Getting around: riding a motorbike without a Vietnamese license is illegal, so use Grab or a driver. Flying a drone is also illegal. Don't drink tap water.
The 14-day Vietnam itinerary, north to south
Hanoi
- MorningArrive and walk the Old Quarter.
- AfternoonHoan Kiem Lake.
- EveningStreet food for dinner.
- Morning
Hanoi
- MorningThe Temple of Literature.
- AfternoonThe Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area.
- EveningThe West Lake.
- Morning
Ha Long Bay
- MorningTravel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay.
- AfternoonBoard an overnight boat among the limestone islands.
- EveningNight on the boat. Sailings can be canceled in storms, so keep a buffer day.
- Morning
Back to Hanoi
- MorningStay on the bay after the overnight sailing.
- AfternoonReturn to Hanoi.
- EveningOvernight in Hanoi.
- Morning
Ninh Binh
- MorningDay trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
- AfternoonBoat ride through rice fields and karst at Trang An.
- EveningBack in Hanoi to sleep.
- Morning
Fly to Hue
- MorningFly from Hanoi to Hue.
- AfternoonThe Imperial City.
- EveningOvernight in Hue.
- Morning
Hue
- MorningThe royal tombs along the Perfume River.
- AfternoonContinue along the Perfume River.
- EveningOvernight in Hue.
- Morning
Hue to Hoi An
- MorningLeave Hue by car with a driver over the Hai Van Pass.
- AfternoonStop in Da Nang, then continue to Hoi An.
- EveningOvernight in Hoi An.
- Morning
Hoi An
- MorningThe old town.
- AfternoonA bike ride to the rice fields.
- EveningThe old town and its lanterns by night.
- Morning
Hoi An and My Son
- MorningDay trip to My Son.
- AfternoonReturn to Hoi An.
- EveningAnother evening in the old town.
- Morning
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
- MorningFly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
- AfternoonDistrict 1, Ben Thanh Market and the War Remnants Museum.
- EveningStay in District 1.
- Morning
Cu Chi Tunnels
- MorningHalf a day at the Cu Chi Tunnels.
- AfternoonReturn to the city.
- EveningEvening in the city.
- Morning
Mekong Delta
- MorningLeave for the Mekong Delta.
- AfternoonA boat through the canals and orchards.
- EveningReturn to Ho Chi Minh City, or stay overnight to see a floating market at dawn.
- Morning
Departure from Ho Chi Minh City
- MorningLast hours in Ho Chi Minh City, or a dawn floating market if you stayed in the delta.
- AfternoonDeparture from Ho Chi Minh City.
- EveningYou are on the way home.
- Morning
| Length | Focus |
|---|---|
| 7 days | Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh (north), or Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong (center and south). |
| 10 days | Follow days 1 to 11 and fly out of Ho Chi Minh City. |
| 3 weeks | Add Sapa in the north and a few beach days on Phu Quoc. |
Best time to visit Vietnam
Vietnam's tourism board says there is no bad time to visit, but March to May has the best weather across the whole country. By region:
- Hanoi and Ha Long Bay: April to June or September to November; December to March is cool to cold.
- Hue and Hoi An: the rainy season runs from about September to January or February; March is an excellent month.
- Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong: dry from December to April, wet from May to November.
- Phu Quoc: avoid July to September.
Typhoons hit the central and northern coasts from June to December, worst from September to November, and floods are common in the south from May to October and on the central coast from September to December. Follow local weather alerts and keep your plans flexible.
Practical tips
- Book the two domestic flights early: Hanoi to Hue and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City save two long overland days.
- Check opening days yourself: confirm hours for museums and sites on their official pages before you go, especially around Tet (Lunar New Year).
- Add another country: Vietnam pairs well with 3 days in Singapore, 5 days in Seoul or a Japan itinerary.
- Plan with AI: see how to plan a trip with AI.
FAQ
How many days do I need to visit Vietnam?
Two weeks lets you travel from Hanoi and Ha Long Bay through Hue and Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. With 10 days you can cover the north and center, and with 7 days it is better to choose one region.
What is a must-see itinerary for Vietnam?
A classic first route is Hanoi, an overnight boat in Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, flying Hanoi to Hue and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
March to May has the best weather across the country. The north is best from April to June or September to November, the center is rainy from about September to January, and the south is dry from December to April.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of 25 countries, including Spain, the UK, France, Germany and Italy, get 45 days visa-free. Most other travelers, including US citizens, need a visa; the official e-visa is open to all nationalities for up to 90 days and should be requested only on evisa.gov.vn.
Plan your Vietnam itinerary with Lets2Go
Tell Lets2Go how many days you have, your pace and the season, and it builds a day-by-day route through Vietnam you can adjust: north only, a 10-day loop, or a full north-to-south trip. Plan your Vietnam itinerary with Lets2Go, or download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
Sources
- Vietnam e-visa portal: evisa.gov.vn
- U.S. Department of State, Vietnam travel advisory: travel.state.gov
- Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC), Vietnam: exteriores.gob.es
- Vietnam National Authority of Tourism: vietnam.travel
