Travelers to Vietnam typically plan a trip for nine to 10 days when combining Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay with Hoi An or Hue. For travelers wanting to visit Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay exclusively, plan six to seven days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five days. Check out our favorite Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay trips below.

How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay?

  • Most travelers spend 6-7 days in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay combined
  • Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay in 5 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
  • With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
  • The most common extensions are Hoi An and Hue

How Many Days to Spend in Vietnam

Recommended Itineraries for Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days

Transfer to Ha Long Bay and board an overnight cruise
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, City Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 Mekong Delta Day Trip Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3 Transfer to Hanoi, City Tour Hanoi
Day 4 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Junk Boat Overnight Cruise Ha Long Bay
Day 5 Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay, Return to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 6 Depart Hanoi  


Discover Vietnam's highlights on this compact six-day tour. Start by exploring the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City before escaping to the lush Mekong Delta to sail along peaceful waterways and visit local villages. Continue to the capital, Hanoi, where tasty street food, colonial architecture, and water puppet shows await. The adventure ends with an overnight cruise on the emerald waters of UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. Read more

Plan your trip to Vietnam
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Extended Itineraries

9-Day Itinerary Including Hoi An

Spend two nights in Hoi An with this itinerary
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi Full-Day City Tour & Water Puppet Show Hanoi
Day 3 Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class Hanoi
Day 4 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise Ha Long Bay
Day 5 Visit Dark & Light Cave, Transfer to Hoi An Hoi An
Day 6 Hoi An Countryside Tour & Food Walk Hoi An
Day 7 Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Guided Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8 Day Trip to Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh City
Day 9 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


Travel the length of Vietnam on an epic nine-day highlights tour you won't soon forget. In the capital of Hanoi, you'll dive into the culture, cuisine, and history with walking tours and cooking classes. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll experience the ancient culture of Hoi An before continuing south to Ho Chi Minh City, which will be your base for one final adventure to the Mekong Delta. Read more

10-Day Itinerary Including Hoi An & Hue

Take a tour of the Imperial City in Hue
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, Explore Hanoi
Day 2 Cycling Tour of Rural Villages, Cultural Tour of Hanoi Hanoi
Day 3 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise Ha Long Bay
Day 4 Ha Long Bay Kayaking, Fly to Hanoi & Transfer to Hue Hue
Day 5 Imperial City Tour, Boat & Bike Ride to Rural Villages Hue
Day 6 Transfer to Hoi An via Da Nang, Explore the Ancient Town Hoi An
Day 7 Visit Fishing Villages, Basket River Ride & Cycling Hoi An
Day 8 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vespa Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 9 Boat Trip & Cycling Tour on the Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


You can't see all of Vietnam in 10 days—but this itinerary gives it a good go! Starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll thread your way down the country, getting the most out of the trip on a diverse set of guided tours. Collect the memories of a lifetime, from an overnight cruise on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to discovering the ancient sites of Hoi An and Hue and floating down a river in giant baskets. Read more

How to travel between Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

How to get from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
If you're looking to make the 108-mile (174 km) journey from Hanoi to scenic Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone pillars and small, verdant islands—you have three efficient options. Read more

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
Vietnam's two major cities, Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the north are about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) apart. The easiest way to get to Hanoi is a direct two-hour flight, and there are multiple flights out of Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport each day. Read more

Map

Map of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay: Best Itinerary Ideas
Map of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay: Best Itinerary Ideas