⚡ Before You Go — Essentials
🛂 Visa
Most nationalities can get an e-visa (25 USD, single entry, 30 days) online. Apply at least 5 business days before travel.
💵 Currency
Vietnamese Dong (VND). 1 USD ≈ 25,000 VND. ATMs widely available; carry cash for street food and markets.
🌦️ Weather
June is hot and humid (30–35°C) with occasional rain. Pack light clothes, a rain jacket, and sunscreen.
🚗 Getting Around
Domestic flights between cities (VietJet, Bamboo). Grab app for taxis. Trains on the Reunification Express.
📱 Connectivity
Buy a Viettel or Mobifone SIM at the airport (5–10 USD for 30 days, 4G). Wi-Fi at most hotels and cafes.
🏥 Health
Hep A/B and Typhoid recommended. Drink bottled water only. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
Arrive in Hanoi
Check into your hotel in the Old Quarter. Take a slow walk around Hoan Kiem Lake as jet lag settles.
Old Quarter Walking Tour
Wander the 36 ancient streets, each named after the goods once sold there. Soak in the energy of motorbikes, vendors, and lantern-lit alleys.
Temple of Literature
Vietnam's first university (1070 AD). Tranquil courtyards, bonsai gardens, and the famous tortoise stelae.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Complex
Visit the mausoleum, Presidential Palace grounds, and the humble stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived.
Transfer to Ha Long Bay
Depart Hanoi for Ha Long Bay (3.5 hrs). Board your overnight cruise by noon.
Kayaking & Cave Exploration
Paddle through emerald waters between towering karst formations. Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave.
Sunset on the Sundeck
Watch the sun set over thousands of limestone pillars. Fresh seafood dinner onboard.
Tai Chi & Lan Ha Bay
Sunrise tai chi on deck, then cruise through the quieter Lan Ha Bay. Swim at a secluded beach.
Return to Hanoi
Disembark and transfer back. Free evening to explore or relax.
Day Trip to Ninh Binh
Drive 2 hours south to "Ha Long Bay on land." Sampan boat through the Tam Coc caves along the Ngo Dong River.
Trang An Scenic Complex
UNESCO-listed caves, temples, and rice paddies. Row through grottos surrounded by lush karst peaks.
Fly Hanoi → Huế
Short 1-hour flight to Phu Bai Airport. Transfer to your hotel along the Perfume River.
Imperial City of Huế
Explore the vast walled citadel — the Forbidden Purple City, royal theaters, and ornate gates. Vietnam's last dynasty ruled from here until 1945.
Perfume River Sunset
Stroll along the riverbank as dragon boats glide past. Cross the iconic Trang Tien Bridge.
Thien Mu Pagoda
Vietnam's tallest pagoda, perched above the Perfume River. Serene grounds with bonsai gardens.
Royal Tombs of Tu Duc & Khai Dinh
Two contrasting royal tombs — Tu Duc's is poetic and garden-like, Khai Dinh's is ornate with European mosaics.
Hai Van Pass
Drive the legendary coastal mountain pass (Top Gear's "best road in the world"). Stunning ocean views.
Marble Mountains
Five limestone hills with caves, pagodas, and panoramic views. Climb through Am Phu Cave.
Arrive in Hoi An
Check in and walk to the Ancient Town as lanterns begin to glow.
Hoi An Ancient Town
Explore the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, and merchant houses.
Custom Tailoring
Get measured for custom suits, dresses, or ao dai at a fraction of Western prices.
Cooking Class
Shop at the central market, then learn to make phở, spring rolls, and bánh xèo.
An Bang Beach
Relax at Hoi An's best beach. Rent sunbeds, swim, or try paddleboarding.
Tra Que Herb Village
Cycle to this 300-year-old farming village. Farm tour and farm-to-table lunch.
Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge
World's longest cable car to Ba Na Hills. Walk across the Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands.
Fantasy Park & French Village
Amusement park, wax museum, and recreated French colonial village at 1,500m elevation.
Dragon Bridge Fire Show
Da Nang's Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water every weekend at 9PM.
Fly Da Nang → Nha Trang
Short flight to Cam Ranh Airport. Transfer to beachfront hotel.
Nha Trang Beach
Afternoon on the famous 6km city beach. Crystal-clear water and calm waves.
Island Hopping Tour
Boat tour to islands — snorkel at Mun Island, swim at Mot Island, floating bar lunch.
VinWonders (optional)
Cable car to theme park on Hon Tre Island. Aquarium, water park, rides.
Transfer to Da Lat
Scenic 4-hour drive up into the Central Highlands. Coast to pine forests at 1,500m.
Explore Da Lat Town
Stroll around Xuan Huong Lake, the Crazy House, and French colonial villas. Cool, misty, romantic.
Datanla Waterfall & Canyoning
Alpine coaster to Datanla Falls. Canyoning: rappel waterfalls, cliff jump, natural slides.
Coffee Farm Tour
Da Lat's best arabica. Learn about weasel coffee, taste single-origin brews, buy beans.
Fly Da Lat → Ho Chi Minh City
Short flight to Tan Son Nhat. Welcome to Saigon — Vietnam's electric southern capital.
District 1 Walking Tour
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, and War Remnants Museum.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Explore the incredible tunnel network. Crawl through tunnels, see booby traps, optional AK-47 range.
Cholon (Chinatown)
Chinese temples, traditional medicine shops, and the massive Binh Tay Market.
Ben Thanh Market
Saigon's most famous market — haggle for lacquerware, ao dai fabric, coffee, souvenirs.
Jade Emperor Pagoda & Apartment Cafes
Visit the atmospheric pagoda, then explore Saigon's hidden apartment building cafes.
Rooftop Drinks
Saigon Saigon, Chill Skybar, or Air 360 for panoramic city lights.
Drive to the Mekong Delta
Depart HCMC (2 hrs). Board a boat into the maze of palm-fringed canals.
Ben Tre: Coconut Kingdom
Sampan to Ben Tre island. Coconut candy workshops, beekeeping, tropical orchards.
Cai Rang Floating Market
Wake at 5AM for hundreds of boats selling fruits, vegetables, and phở from the water.
Explore Can Tho
Binh Thuy Ancient House, Ong Pagoda, riverside promenade. Vietnam at its most laid-back.
Return to HCMC
Drive back (3.5 hrs). Final night in Saigon.
Last Morning in Saigon
Final Vietnamese coffee, last souvenirs. Visit Tao Dan Park for birdcage enthusiasts.
Departure
Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport. Hẹn gặp lại, Vietnam — until next time. 🇻🇳
💰 Budget Breakdown
| Category | Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (Hanoi in, HCMC out) | $400 | $600 | $900 | |
| Domestic flights (3) | $120 | $180 | $250 | |
| Accommodation (20 nights) | $400 | $800 | $1,600 | |
| Ha Long Bay Cruise (2D/1N) | $120 | $250 | $500 | |
| Food & Drinks | $300 | $500 | $800 | |
| Activities & Entry Fees | $150 | $300 | $500 | |
| Transport (Grab, transfers) | $100 | $200 | $350 | |
| Shopping & Tailoring | $50 | $200 | $500 | |
| Total per person | $1,640 | $3,030 | $5,400 |
⚡ Power & Water
- Type A/C plugs, 220V — bring a universal adapter
- Never drink tap water — bottled water is 5,000–10,000 VND everywhere
🗣️ Language & Communication
- Vietnamese is the official language
- English spoken in tourist areas but limited elsewhere
- Download Google Translate offline Vietnamese pack
💰 Money Tips
- Tipping not expected but appreciated — round up at restaurants
- 50,000–100,000 VND for guides/drivers per day
- ATMs widely available — Vietcombank and BIDV have lowest fees
- Max withdrawal usually 2–5 million VND
🛡️ Safety & Etiquette
- Vietnam is very safe for tourists
- Watch for petty theft in crowded areas
- Crossing streets: walk steadily and motorbikes go around you
- Ask permission before photographing people
- No photos at military installations