After 2 years stop travelling due to Covid-19 pandemic now it’s time for you to get on the way again. Vietnam welcomes you. Thanks to amazing natural landscape, rich heritage culture, authentic cuisine and lovely beaches etc. it is truly a perfect destination for your long-haul holiday.

To discover Vietnam from north to south Travel Sense Asia would like to introduce to you a Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary. Within 21 days you can visit the most important highlights of the country.

Overview 

Brief itinerary

Day 1-2 Getting arround Hanoi

Your Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary shall start in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi offers you several classic sightseeings. For examples: Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Literature temple, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter etc.

Our insider’s tips: Get to know more about local life by riding cyclo around the Old Quarter and try a food tour by a classic vespa on the evening.

Day 3-4-5 Sapa

From Hanoi drive about 5-6 hours or get a night train to Sapa. For those who like to explore the natural beauty, Sapa is a right place for you. This foggy town offers stunning natural landscape and amazing trails for hiking and trekking. Upon arrival take a hiking tour to most visited hill tribes villages: Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van. Then visit Fansipan mountain by cable car. At the height of 3,147.3 m it is called “the Roof of Indochina”. Transfer back to Hanoi.

Day 6-7 Mai Chau & Ninh Binh

Mai Chau and Ninh Binh are two places near Hanoi, well-known by travellers.

Departure from Hanoi to Mai Chau. Mai Chau is famous for its local Thai people and their traditional stilt houses. Take a bike to discover the local villages and admire the peaceful mountainous landscape. Then in the evening enjoy a traditional performance of Thai people.

Then heading to Ninh Binh, 4 hours drive from Mai Chau. Coming to Ninh Binh you can visit some historical sites such as the ancient captial Hoa Lu, the old Bich Dong Pagode… In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat ride in Tam Coc on Ngo Dong river, which flows arround mountains.

Our insider’s tips: Overnight in a homestay in Mai Chau will be an extraodinary experience. Stay with the locals and get to know more about their daily life.

Day 8-9 Halong Bay

A UNESCO Heritage Site with significant landscape makes Halong a must to visit on your Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary. To discover the bay visitors usually join an overnight cruise with many interested activities during the trip. But please awared that the cruise depends much on weather. If the weather isn’t good cruises will no allowed to leave the pier!

Our insider’s tips: For those who want to avoid tourist crowds, take a cruise in Lan Ha Bay. This place has familiar scenery to Halong Bay but still far away from mass-tourism.

Day 9-10 Hue Sightseeings

From Hanoi take flight to Huel. By visiting Hue travellers will learn more about Vietnam history. Because it was the ancient captial of Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam. Most of Hue sightseeing tours will start with Imperial City, where the royal family have lived. Then you go on a boat trip along the Perfume River. During the trip you will stop over few places to visit such as:

• Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous Vietnamese landmarks.
• Tu Duc tomb, which is considered as one of the most beautiful and picturesque and largest works of architecture of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces

If you have time there are many beautiful other king tombs such as tomb of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh etc. After that stop at a handicraft village in Hue’s countryside.

Day 11-12 Hoi An Visits

From Hue travelling by car through Hai Van pass along the coast line to Hoi An, a small charming town. On the morning explore Bay Mau coconut water forest by boat – about 7 hectares, surrounded by mangrove forests, canals, houses covered by coconut water leaves.

In the afternoon stroll around the old town, visit local market. Then following small alleys to see the Chinese Assembly Hall, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge and some Ancient Houses.

Our insider’s tips: Hoi An has beaches. So if coming here in summer time you can plan few days more relaxing on the beach.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A “must” in your Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary.

First a half day city tour will take you to most visited landmarks of the city such as: Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Chineses Quarter with Jade Emperor Pagoda, Thien Hau Pagoda, Binh Tay Market and Ben Thanh Market – a colorful local market.

Then if having another day here you can visit Cu Chi tunnel system to get to know more about Vietnam war.

Day 14-15-16 Mekong Delta

From Ho Chi Minh City you go on an excursion to Mekong Delta, known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam.

Your first stop will be Ben Tre, home of coconut. Then you will take a boat trip along narrow water canals and explore the countryside of Mekong by bike or local transportation – motor cart.

After that drive to Can Tho for overnight and next day wake up early to visit the unique Cai Rang floating market.

Moving again towards Chau Doc. This place is famous for Tra Su mangrove forest – one of the most beautiful destinations in the Mekong Delta and rice paddy fields landscape. Then get back to Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 17-18-19-20-21 Phu Quoc

After more than 2 weeks travel along the country now it’s time to relax. From Saigon take flight to Phu Quoc, a perfect place for your beach vacation. The island offers you more than beaches. So take your time to get around the island:

• firstly visit pepper plantations, fish sauce factory and local fishing villages
• then explore the island nature, hiking to Suoi Tranh waterfall
• after that do the island hopping tour, diving & snorkeling

After few day relaxing on the beach flight back to Ho Chi Minh City and your Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary ends here.

Our insider’s tips: The best time to visit Phu Quoc is from November to March in dry season.

Vietnam has many things more to explore, many places to visits. Therefore it is recommended to spend at least 2-3 weeks to travel in Vietnam. Contact us to customize your Vietnam trip.