The Perfect One Month Vietnam Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Planning Your Month in Vietnam: Itinerary Notes

For each destination, I’ve shared the top things to do and where to stay. I travelled Vietnam with my partner on a mid-range budget of around £1000 each for the month. I’ve tried to be mindful of a range of budgets and travel styles, so my accommodation recommendations include hostel, homestay and hotel options. I’ve also included free sightseeing opportunities and highlighted activities that are worth paying for.

The full itinerary takes around 4 weeks, but you can spend more time in certain destinations if you have longer than this to play with. I’ve also included a couple of additional suggestions for extensions at the end of your trip!

Transport in Vietnam

I’ve included various options for getting from place to place, which will depend on your budget and comfort levels. Sleeper buses in Vietnam are usually the cheapest option, but sometimes a private car can be worth the cost if you’re travelling as a small group. We took a combination of short-ish sleeper buses and one internal flight. Make sure you factor in your chosen transport when you’re planning out your days!

Not sure how the bus routes work? I’ve written a complete guide to Vietnam sleeper buses, including what to expect and how to book.

Which direction should you travel Vietnam in?

My one regret for how we planned our Vietnam itinerary was going from north to south, rather than the other way. We visited some gorgeous places in the South (hello, Dalat), but our biggest highlights were in Central and Northern Vietnam. By the time we reached Mui Ne and Saigon, we were pretty exhausted, which I think wouldn’t have happened if we’d gone the other way. Which is why I’ve created this itinerary with that in mind, and reversed our adventure!

Of course, we still saw the same things and made unforgettable memories, so if you need to travel North to South, you can reverse this itinerary!

Now I’ve cleared a few things up… time to get into the meat of your one month Vietnam itinerary!

3 Days: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Welcome to Vietnam!

Officially known as ‘Ho Chi Minh City’, Saigon is a city where past and present meet, combining traditional charm with modernity. Despite not being Vietnam’s actual capital (that’s Hanoi!), its a major metropolitan city with shopping malls, entertainment districts and restaurants. It’s also a great spot to get acquainted with some war history, which you’ll encounter remnants of throughout your trip.

I’d recommend giving yourself a good few days in Saigon to settle into Vietnam – and to get used to the chaotic Vietnamese traffic! One of the biggest culture shocks for me was the amount of motorbikes on the roads – there are estimated to be 8 million in Saigon alone! It can get exhausting, but by the end of the trip, I was dodging traffic like a pro. This article on crossing the road in Vietnam really helped!

Top Activities in Saigon:

• Visit the War Remnants Museum to discover the horrors of the Vietnam War. A harrowing but essential museum to set the context for the history you’ll learn about on the rest of your trip.
• Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels to experience the day-to-day life of guerrilla fighters during the Vietnam War, and crawl your way through a portion of the tunnels (if you’re claustrophobic, this part is optional!).
• Float along the Mekong Delta on a traditional sampong boat and learn about traditional ways of life in the Mekong. If you’re short on time, you can combine Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels on a one-day tour.
• Send a postcard at Saigon Central Post Office – we actually found the souvenir shop here offered better value and quality than some of the markets!
• See the Reunification Palace, the workplace and residence of the President of South Vietnam during the war.
• Visit a market – Ben Thanh Market and Binh Tay Market are popular with visitors. Go in prepared, as some of the stallholders can be pushy and as a tourist, you won’t always get the best value here.
• Join a guided street food tour, either on foot or on the back of a local guide’s scooter.
• Cruise along Sai Gon River to see the city from the water.
• Visit Nguyen Hue Walking Street for stalls, performances and nightlife.

1-2 Days: Mui Ne

After throwing yourself into the buzz of Saigon, take your foot off the gas a little with a trip to the seaside! Mui Ne is a coastal resort town in South Vietnam, with an enormous stretch of hotels, restaurants and shops

It was a last-minute addition to our Vietnam itinerary, but we loved having a couple of days to relax by the pool and recharge here. There aren’t loads of must-do attractions in Mui Ne, so you can easily tick them off in one day, and allow some extra time to chill out and enjoy the beach bars.

A personal foodie tip: As a vegetarian, I struggled a bit with some of the menus here, but Pit Stop and Dong Vui food courts have loads of options, including vegetarian-only stalls.

Top Activities in Mui Ne:

• Visit the Mui Ne sand dunes at sunrise or sunset on a guided jeep tour.
• Hang out at the beach bars – Pineapple Mũi Né is a little more upmarket, but we preferred the laid-back vibes of NEMO Beach Bar.
• Explore Mui Ne fishing village and see the vibrant fishing boats along the coast.

2-3 Days: Dalat

The mountain city of Dalat stole my heart a little. Located 1500m above sea level, Dalat is a unique city outpost in Vietnam with a noticeably different climate and unique French Colonial architecture. Honestly, I felt like I’d landed right back in a European alpine resort.

During the 1900s, French colonists developed Dalat into a resort area – which explains why the buildings look like a chocolate box town in the Alps! The temperatures here are cooler and less tropical than in the lower areas of Vietnam. Although we still saw plenty of sun during the day, the degrees dropped at night – so make sure you bring a jacket!

There are loads of fun things to do in Dalat, so I’d recommend spending at least two days here like we did!

Getting to Dalat from Mui Ne

• By bus: The sleeper bus ride from Mui Ne to Dalat takes around 5-6 hours.
• Private driver: You can book a private taxi from Mui Ne to Dalat, which can cost between US$70-$120 (for up to four passengers), and takes around 4 hours.

Top Activities in Dalat:

• Walk around Xuan Huong Lake to get a feel for Dalat’s unique European colonial aesthetic.
• Check out Crazy House – an eccentric, sprawling attraction that feels like a twisted fairytale village.
• Head to Datanla Waterfalls for some adventure and adrenaline! As well as seeing the waterfalls themselves, you can ride alpine coasters and zip line through the gorgeous forest. Alpine Coaster 3 is the newer, longer coaster and it was SO much fun to ride!
• Hire a pedalo or SUP at Tuyen Lam Lake, a large reservoir surrounded by lush pine forest.
• See the surreal sculptures at The Clay Tunnel.
• Ride the Dalat Cable Car to Truc Lam Zen Monastery for a peaceful, spiritual escape.
• Visit one of the oldest railway stations in Vietnam! You can take the 7km tourist train from Dalat Railway Station to Trai Mat, and visit the Linh Phuoc Pagoda.
• Go hiking on Lang Biang Mountain and learn about local life.
• If you loved Crazy House, don’t miss Maze Bar. Work your way through the maze of levels to reach the roof garden, for amazing city views. Well worth the price of one drink to enter!
• Studio Ghibli fans will love Still Cafe – a Japanese inspired cafe garden inspired by your favourite Ghibli movies.

1-2 Days: Da Nang

Da Nang was the place on our Vietnam itinerary that surprised me the most! Modern skyscrapers and towering bridges sit alongside My Khe Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. There’s also plenty of lively bars and restaurants, and the nearby Son Tra Peninsula offers nature and stunning views of the coast.

We’d actually incorporated a day in Da Nang as a last minute addition before flying to Dalat, and I’m really glad we did. We only spent a day here, with minimal activity other than wandering around, but with two days you can visit all the main attractions and have some downtime at the beach.

Getting to Da Nang from Dalat

This section was the longest distance to cover on our month-long Vietnam itinerary, so we decided to save time (and be more comfortable!) by booking an internal flight from between Da Nang and Dalat.

Lien Khuong International Airport airport is around 40 minutes from Dalat – you can book a private transfer for around $17. Our flight took around an hour, and cost £45 each including one checked bag per person. There’s a sleeper bus route, but it takes around 14 hours and doesn’t cost too much less than a flight. For us, the small saving in cost wasn’t worth it!

Top Activities in Da Nang:

• Go to the beach! Da Nang’s seemingly endless stretch of sand is calling, with beach bars and loungers dotting the strip.
• Visit the Marble Mountains, a group of five limestone peaks that tower over the surrounding suburbs. Amongst the mountains, you’ll find caves, viewpoints, temples and carvings.
• Ba Na Hills is a theme park just outside of Da Nang, home to the Golden Hands Bridge, which has become an icon of Da Nang. We didn’t visit ourselves as we ran out of time, but you can explore the French Village, take in the cable car views and enjoy the beautiful landscaped gardens.
• Head up to the Son Tra Peninsula – referred to as ‘Monkey Mountain’ – to see the enormous Lady Buddha Statue and spot a rare species of monkey.
• If you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, don’t miss the Da Nang Dragon Bride fire show! Crowds gather to witness the fire and water display alongside the river, but a rooftop bar offers the best view. We headed to Dragon Ball Bar around 90 minutes before the show at 9pm, and enjoyed some happy hour drinks first.

Where to stay in Da Nang:

Hostel: Check out Seahouse Tropical and its rooftop pool for Da Nang modern living on a budget!
Hotel: We actually stayed next door to Chi House Hotel in a cheaper accommodation, but gazed lustily through the windows at its boutique interiors! (I wouldn’t recommend where we actually stayed, as the air conditioning leaked)

3-4 Days: Hoi An

By this point in your trip, you might be in need of some chill time (we defintely were!), and Hoi An is a great place to relax your pace a little. Unfortunately, we had a lot of rain during our time there so we didn’t get to use the pool as much as we’d liked, but we still had a great time unwinding and exploring the Ancient Town.

From the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An was an active trading port town. Nowadays, it’s a hotspot for Vietnam visitors with a beautifully preserved centre. The Ancient Town is a is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the bank of the Thu Bon river. One one side of the river, you’ll find colourful colonial buildings and wooden shop fronts; with lively bars on the other.

Hoi An is also great place to join a traditional craft workshop – from lantern making to woodworking, you’ll have a fun handmade souvenir to take home with you!

Getting to Hoi An from Da Nang

This one is super easy, as Da Nang is less than an hour’s drive up the coast from Hoi An!

We paid 450,000 VND (around £15) to get a private taxi from our hotel in Hoi An to our hotel in Da Nang. Some companies charge up to 600,000, but we actually got our deal by speaking to one of our Grab drivers who sorted a private trip for us. If you’re doing this, be careful to agree to the price to your exact destination in writing via WhatsApp beforehand). You can also contact local cab companies, or use the Grab app itself.

The shared shuttle transfer is cheaper, however bear in mind you’ll need to get to and from the shuttle drop off points!

Top Activities in Hoi An:

• Explore Hoi An’s Ancient Town – see the traditional architecture alongside the river, lit by charming traditional lanterns at night.
• Ride along the river in a unique basket boat.
• Take a trip to the magnificent My Son Sanctuary. We hired a motorbike to get there, but you can book a private driver or join a guided tour to learn more about the site’s history.
• Enjoy some beach time at Cua Dai Beach.
• Try your hand at some local crafts! I had hours of fun at this traditional Vietnamese lantern making class. Don’t worry, it folds down to fit into limited luggage space! For other Vietnamese craft experiences, you could have a go at pottery making, painting, calligraphy or wood crafting.
• Love to get your caffeine fix? Learn how to make the perfect Vietnamese coffee!

Where to stay in Hoi An:

• Hostel: SnapStay Hoi An is a great place to socialise with other travellers, just a stone’s throw from the Ancient Town.
• Homestay: If you’re happy to stay a little further out, Herbal Tea Homestay is perfectly located between the town and beach, with bicycle hire and a pool.
• Hotel: We absolutely LOVED our accommodation at Hoi An Palmy Villa. Quiet and peaceful, with an enormous pool and spacious room. It felt like a bit of a luxury after hostels and homestays, and cost around £20 per night.

1-2 Days: Hue

The former capital of Hue is a fascinating place to visit, and absolutely worth adding to your Vietnam itinerary. It’s also easy to hit the highlights in just one day. I’d recommend spending two nights in Hue like we did, so you can have a full day exploring in-between!

Getting to Hue from Hoi An

• By motorbike: Hue is around 4 hours straight drive from Hoi An, however the most fun way to experience the journey is by crossing the Hai Van Pass on a motorbike! Allow a full day for this, as there are loads of cool places to stop en route. If you’re not confident on a motorbike, you can book an easy rider one-way tour, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery!
• With a private driver: You can book a private driver to take you from Hoi An to Hue from around £40pp, stopping at multiple sightseeing points along the way.
• By bus: To head straight to Hue from Hoi An, direct bus services are available. These take around 4 hours, and prices start at $8 per adult. I wouldn’t recommend skipping Hai Van Pass though – the views are absolutely worth it!

Top Activities in Hue:

• Get to know Hue’s history at the Imperial City, a huge maze-like complex of palaces, temples and royal quarters. A citadel walking tour with a local guide is a great way to get all the info on what you’re seeing!
• Sail down one of Vietnam’s most important waterways on a Sunset Perfume River Cruise.
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, a peaceful Buddhist temple with a seven-story pagoda tower.
• Explore some of the country’s most impressive mausoleums: Emperor Tu Duc Tomb and Emperor Khai Dinh Tomb.
• Try some delicious local cuisine – Hue is well-regarded for it’s food scene. I recommend Cơm Niêu Bánh Gánh 2 or Madam Thu 2 for dinner, and Nook Eatery for breakfast/brunch.

Where to stay in Hue:

• Hostel: Bunk up at Shark Hostel, a cosy hostel in downtown Hue.
• Homestay: We spent two nights at ký ức tươi đẹp homestay, a charming home in a more locals-focused neighbourhood. The room was clean and comfortable, and worth the stay alone for the two adorable dogs!
• Hotel: Enjoy the pool at Jade Scene Hotel, or treat yourself to a 5* stay at Melia Vinpearl Hue.

2-3 Days: Phong Nha

Phong Nha was possibly one of my favourite places on our month-long Vietnam trip. It’s been a staple on the Vietnam backpacker trail for decades, and I absolutely understand why.

Phong Nha is a small town in Central Vietnam, and the gateway to the stunning Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Surrounded by mountains, it’s an adventurer’s paradise famous for its enormous cave systems and towering limestone karst rocks.

We spent three full days in Phong Nha, with the first being a total chill-by-the-pool day. You can easily hit Phong Nha’s big attractions in two days , however it’s a gorgeous place to relax and soak up the scenery.

Getting from Hue to Phong Nha

• Sleeper bus: A sleeper bus from Hue to Phong Nha takes around 4-5 hours, with prices starting at $11 per person.
• Train: Take the train from Hue to Dong Hoi (around 3 hours), then take the public bus or book a private driver to Phong Nha (around an hour).
• Private driver: A private car from Hue to Phong Nha takes around 4 hours, costing around 50 per person. You can also pay an extra fee to visit other attractions en route.

Top Activities in Phong Nha:

• Visit the caves! There are three caves in Phong Nha that are easy to visit. If you don’t have your own transport or are travelling solo, I’d recommend combining Paradise Cave and Dark Cave on a tour, and doing Phong Nha Cave separately. For a taste of what to expect, check out my post on visiting Paradise Cave!
• Hire a kayak from Chay Lap Riverside and paddle your way along the river! This was such a relaxing and beautiful experience, made extra special by the fact we were the only ones doing it.
• Try the Monkey Bridge Challenge or the Crazy Swing at Monkey Bridge Farm.
• Have a drink at the Pub With Cold Beer, a backpacker institution in Phong Nha. We loved the view and atmosphere so much, we went back two days in a row!
• Become a ‘Duck Leader’ and feed the ducks at The Duck Stop. We didn’t do this one as I’m scared of ducks (yes, really), but everyone we met LOVED it.
• For a more challenging full-day experience, spend a day trekking through the jungle to Elephant Cave and Ma Da Valley.

Where to Stay in Phong Nha:

• Hostel: Central Backpackers is the go-to hostel in Phong Nha, with a gorgeous rocky backdrop, refreshing pool and free beers during happy hour. They also offer private rooms and bungalows. We stayed in one of the private rooms, which cost around £15 per night.
• Homestay: Enjoy cosy rooms with a river view and a private beach at Phong Nha Memory Homestay.
• Bungalows: Relax in a private bungalow with views of the river and mountains at Carambola Bungalow.

2 Days: Ninh Binh (Tam Coc & Trang An)

Another regret from our trip was only spending one day in the Ninh Binh province! Described as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’, Ninh Binh has exploded in popularity during recent years – in particular, the areas Tam Coc and Trang An.

To get between locations, either hire a scooter, rent a bicycle or join a guided day tour of Ninh Binh’s highlights.

Getting from Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

As we only took a day trip to Ninh Binh, we travelled via Hanoi. There are multiple options for getting between Phong Nha and Ninh Binh:

• By bus: The sleeper bus to Ninh Binh from Phong Nha takes around 8 hours.
• By train: Take the hourly B4 public bus or book a private driver to Dong Hoi, then the sleeper train to Ninh Binh, which takes around 8-9 hours.
• By air & train/bus: If you’d prefer to travel by air, you can get a flight to Hanoi from Dong Hoi. From here, you’ll need to get a train, bus or taxi for around 2-3 hours to Ninh Binh. There are buses that depart from Hanoi Airport, which would make this journey easier.

This will likely be one of the longest journeys on your trip, so be prepared with some entertainment. I’d also recommend booking sleeper buses at least a week in advance on this route. Trust me, Ninh Binh is worth the effort…

Top Activities in Ninh Binh:

• Take a Trang An boat trip – this was one of the absolute highlights of our entire Vietnam trip! Float through movie backdrop landscapes and magical caves.
• Climb 500 steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for some of the most spectacular views I’ve seen in my life. We went later in the day and it was absolutely heaving – so head there first thing in the morning (it opens at 7am) to avoid the day trip crowds.
• Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, a historical site dating back to the 10th century.
• Hire a bike in Tam Coc and ride around the paddy fields and mountain landscapes. Head to the serene Bich Dong Pagoda and Thung Nham Bird Valley.

2-3 Days: Hanoi

Hanoi is the perfect place to finish up your month in Vietnam, with an international airport linked to major transfer cities worldwide. It’s also a great city to get your final taste of Vietnamese culture, with plenty of sightseeing and entertainment options.

Vietnam’s capital city blends ancient history with modern living, from the French colonial buildings of the Old Quarter to more modern hotels and shopping complexes.

Getting from Ninh Binh to Hanoi

Getting from Ninh Binh to Hanoi is pretty easy! Direct trains take around 2hrs 30mins, or you can get a bus which takes a similar amount of time. You could also book a shared van transfer or private driver.

Top Activities in Hanoi:

• Explore Hanoi Old Quarter‘s historic architecture, shops and restaurants.
• Head to Train Street, where the active train line snakes through the city, surrounded by cafes filled with curious travellers. It gets really busy, so head to one of the cafes at least an hour before the train’s due to get your spot.
• One of the first things we did in Hanoi was visit the Water Puppet Theatre! A charming 50 minute traditional Vietnamese water puppet show, with music and effects. Book in advance to guarantee tickets, or head to the ticket office first thing.
• Browse Hanoi’s weekend night market for souvenirs and street food.
• Visit Hoa Lo Prison to explore Vietnam’s war history.
• See the final resting place of Vietnam’s most revolutionary leader at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
• Take a Vietnamese cooking class to replicate favourite dishes from your Vietnam trip at home! (the one I’ve picked is vegetarian-friendly)
• Discover Hanoi’s best vegan food finds on a vegan street food tour (I wish I’d seen this one before I went!), or join a vegan Vietnamese cooking class.
• Take a day trip to the scenic Mai Chau Valley.

Where to stay in Hanoi:

We actually stayed in two different places in Hanoi. One was a lovely 4* hotel, and one was an apartment where we had to walk through a restaurant kitchen to get in, saw a rat run out in front of my foot and got locked into the building when we had a tour to join. Obviously, I won’t recommend the second one.

Hostel: Downtown Hostel describe themselves as ‘sociable but not a party hostel’. If that’s what you’re looking for, it’s in a great Old Quarter location.
Homestay: Hanoi Old Quarter Homestay offers clean, comfortable rooms and great hospitality from the extended family.
Hotel: We loved the room we had at Luxe Paradise Premium. It’s a short walk out of the historic centre, but worth it for the ridiculously comfortable bed. If you want to treat yourself at the end of your trip, check out La Mejor Hotel and Sky Bar.

1-3 Days: Ha Long Bay

Taking an overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay was a HUGE bucket list activity for me, and it should be on any first-time Vietnam visitor’s itinerary! It’s a great way to end your month in Vietnam, and can slot in either before or after your final days in Hanoi.

There are day cruises and overnight cruises (1-2 nights) available. We chose the overnight cruise rather than a day cruise to give ourselves more time in Ha Long Bay. And to be able to wake up to an incredible view! I’d absolutely recommend the cruise we took – a one night Halong Bay Cruise with Sunlight Travel, which cost £103.12 each.

For a comprehensive look at what cruises are available and a review of the cruise we chose, check out my guide to choosing your perfect Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.

After your overnight cruise, you can head back into Hanoi, ready to head home or out on the next adventure!

The above one month Vietnam itinerary should get you through roughly four weeks of travel. If you have a couple of extra days, these are some ideas to extend your trip from Hanoi:

2-4 Days: Ha Giang Loop

The Ha Giang Loop was something we heard EVERYONE on our trip talking about, but unfortunately didn’t get time to do!

There are various options for the Ha Giang loop, from 2-4 day itineraries. If you’re a confident rider, you can plan your own trip or self-drive with a small group. Those with little or no experience riding can choose an ‘easy rider’ option, where a local guide does the driving and you can enjoy the views from the back of the bike.

There are tours suited to solo travellers looking to make new friends, as well as smaller group tours with luxury accommodation. Most will include all accommodation, meals and transportation from Hanoi.

Lots of companies offer fully planned Ha Giang Loop tours – here are a selection of the best-rated:

2 Days: Sapa

Sapa is a hiker’s haven in northern Vietnam, loved by adventurous travellers for decades. This mountain town is a popular trekking base for exploring the Hoang Lien Son Mountains and iconic rice field terraces of Muong Hoa Valley.

As well as trekking in Sapa, you can also ride the cable car to Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam, for incredible summit views; and visit Cat Cat Village to learn about local ways of life.

To make it easy on yourself, you can book a 2 Day Sapa Tour from Hanoi, with homestay accommodation and meals included.

If you’d prefer to go DIY, you can take a bus to Sapa (with a journey time of around 6 hours), book accommodation in town, and either join a motorbike tour or hire your own scooter to explore.

Budgeting for a month in Vietnam

Budget guides are something I’m not a huge fan of writing, as they can vary wildly based on your comfort levels, and whether you’re travelling solo or with others. However, I’m aware it’s something that can be helpful. I’m not great at counting the beans on a trip, but in total we spent around £1000 each during our month in Vietnam.

Accommodation

We set our accommodation budget at £20 per night (shared between two of us). We comfortably stayed within this budget, with some places coming in well below this.

Transportation

We spent around £45 per person for our four sleeper bus journeys; £45 each for our internal flight; and £71 total on taxis across the month (according to my Grab transactions on Monzo).

Tours and Activities

We spent around £300 each in total on activities, admission fees and tours – including our Ha Long Bay Cruise, which counts for a third of that.

Food & Drink

Making up the rest of our budget, we spent around £500 each on food and drink. I didn’t add this up as we paid everything by cash, but the average cost for a mid-range restaurant meal in Vietnam is around £10-12 per person. You’ll pay less for street food and casual dining.