21 days
Vietnam in 3 weeks: the complete itinerary with Sapa and Phu Quoc
In short
Three weeks is the ideal length for Vietnam: you add the mountains (Sapa) in the North and a real beach finale (Phu Quoc) without rushing. Plan two domestic flights.
- Who and when
- A complete, unhurried trip, March to April.
The route
Days 1 to 3 · 2 nights
Hanoi
Arrival, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and an evening street food tour. Next day: Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and a water puppet show.
Hanoi: guided food tour with Train Street4.9 · 8,499 reviewsSee and book Days 3 to 5 · 2 nights
Sapa
Getting there: Sleeper bus or limousine van from Hanoi, about 5-6 hours, or night train to Lao Cai then 1 hour by road. Hanoi to Sapa
A day trek through the Muong Hoa Valley with a homestay night, then Fansipan by cable car if the sky is clear.
From Sapa: guided day trek to Lao Chai and Ta Van with lunch4.9 · 524 reviewsSee and book Days 5 to 6 · 1 night
Hanoi
A transit night in Hanoi, a chance to try the bun cha or egg coffee you missed.
Hanoi: incense village, conical hat village and lacquer craft tour4.7 · 1,902 reviewsSee and book Days 6 to 7 · 1 night
Ha Long Bay
Getting there: Cruise shuttle from Hanoi, about 2.5 hours on the expressway. Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
2-day / 1-night cruise in Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay: kayaking, a cave, sunset on deck.
Hanoi: 2-day 5-star cruise in Ha Long and Lan Ha Bays with balcony4.8 · 6,215 reviewsSee and book Days 7 to 9 · 2 nights
Ninh Binh
Getting there: Direct transfer by car or limousine van, about 3 hours. Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh
Early-morning boat ride at Trang An or Tam Coc, cycling through rice fields, climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint at sunset.
Ninh Binh: Cuc Phuong jungle trek and wildlife day trip4.5 · 590 reviewsSee and book Days 9 to 11 · 2 nights
Hue
Getting there: Night train from Ninh Binh (about 11-12 hours), or back to Hanoi and a flight to Hue (about 1h15). Ninh Binh to Hue
Imperial City in the morning, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh tombs in the afternoon, dinner by the Perfume River.
Hue: private tour of the 3 best royal tombs and the pagoda4.9 · 300 reviewsSee and book Days 11 to 14 · 3 nights
Hoi An
Getting there: Private car over the Hai Van Pass, about 4 hours with stops. Hue to Hoi An
Old town early morning and at night under the lanterns, cooking class with a basket-boat ride, cycling to An Bang beach, half a day at My Son Sanctuary.
Hoi An: boat tour in the coconut forest4.9 · 7,128 reviewsSee and book Days 14 to 16 · 2 nights
Ho Chi Minh City
Getting there: Da Nang-Ho Chi Minh City flight, about 1h20 (Da Nang is 45 minutes from Hoi An). Hoi An to Saigon
City centre (War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market) and half a day at the Cu Chi Tunnels. Street food by motorbike in the evening.
Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta and coconut village4.8 · 7,918 reviewsSee and book Days 16 to 17 · 1 night
Mekong Delta
Getting there: Road to Can Tho, about 3.5 hours. Saigon to Can Tho (Mekong Delta)
Night in Can Tho, Cai Rang floating market at sunrise, then a sampan through canals and orchards.
2-day tour: Mekong Delta and Cai Rang floating market4.6 · 1,934 reviewsSee and book Days 17 to 21 · 4 nights
Phu Quoc
Getting there: Flight to Phu Quoc, about 1 hour from Ho Chi Minh City (flights also from Can Tho).
Beach time, snorkelling in the An Thoi islands, Hon Thom cable car and sunset on the west coast.
Phu Quoc: guided 3-island boat adventureNewSee and book
End of the trip
Phu Quoc-Ho Chi Minh City flight (about 1 hour) for your international flight home, or a direct international flight from Phu Quoc depending on the airline.
Book activities in Vietnam
Cruises, day trips and guided tours — free cancellation up to 24 hours before on most offers.
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