Vietnam is long and thin, so the easiest way to see a lot of it is to travel in one direction. This route runs north to south, from Hanoi to Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, the same order as our hosted Vietnam trip. With around two weeks you can do it without rushing. With less time, drop a stop rather than squeezing everything in.
The route at a glance
- Hanoi: around 3 nights
- Da Nang: 2 to 3 nights
- Hoi An: 2 to 3 nights
- Ho Chi Minh City: around 3 nights
Hanoi: start with dinner
Hanoi is where the best meals come on tiny plastic stools. Spend your first evenings eating your way around the Old Quarter: pho, bun cha, banh mi and egg coffee are the classics. Walk the lake at Hoan Kiem, where the surrounding streets close to traffic on weekend evenings, and visit the Temple of Literature.
If you have an extra day, Ninh Binh is an easy trip south for rowing boats through limestone karsts and the climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint. Ha Long Bay is the other classic, usually done as an overnight cruise. Further north, the Ha Giang loop is part of our mountains-to-beach concept trip.
Getting from Hanoi to Da Nang
Flights take about an hour and a half and run many times a day. The train is far slower but scenic, and the stretch over the Hai Van Pass, north of Da Nang, is one of the prettiest on the line.
Da Nang: beach time
Da Nang is a modern city with a long beach, My Khe, right on its doorstep, which makes it a good place to slow down for a day or two. The Marble Mountains sit between Da Nang and Hoi An, and the Dragon Bridge puts on a fire and water show on weekend nights. If you like a view, the drive over the Hai Van Pass is worth the detour.
Hoi An: lanterns and the old town
Hoi An's Ancient Town is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, and it's at its best in the evening, when the lanterns come on and boats drift down the Thu Bon River. It's famous for tailors, so you can have clothes made in a day or two. By day, cycle out through the rice paddies or spend an afternoon at An Bang Beach. Hoi An is under an hour's drive from Da Nang, which is also the nearest airport.
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City
Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about an hour and a half.
Ho Chi Minh City: louder and later
Ho Chi Minh City, still widely called Saigon, is louder and later than anywhere else on the route. Base yourself in or near District 1 for Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum and late-night street food. Popular day trips include the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
Best time to visit Vietnam
Each region has its own seasons, so the north, the central coast and the south can feel like different trips:
- The north: cool and often grey in winter, roughly December to February, and hot and humid in summer.
- The central coast: wettest in autumn, roughly September to December, when typhoons are possible.
- The south: dry season roughly December to April, with a wet season from about May to November.
Roughly February to April is a good fit for the whole route.
Tips before you go
- Visas: Australians need a visa for Vietnam. Check the latest e-visa rules on Smartraveller before you book.
- Money: cash in Vietnamese dong is handy for street food and markets.
- Getting around town: ride-hailing apps such as Grab are widely used in the big cities.
- Crossing the road: walk at a slow, steady pace and let the traffic flow around you.
Want company on the way?
Our hosted Vietnam trip follows this route with a small group and a host the whole way. Dates and prices are coming soon, and club members hear first. Travelling with your own people? We also plan personalised holidays.
