Last checked: 21 September 2026. Travel times are typical and depend on traffic, weather and connections.
Most first-time visitors to Vietnam end up following the same shape of trip: a single line along the country, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or the other way round. It is popular for good reason. In two weeks you see three very different regions, and you never have to double back.
This guide shows the classic route, how long to spend in each place, how to travel between them, and how to decide which direction to go.
The short answer
- The classic route: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta
- Ideal length: 12–16 days
- Direction: let your cheapest international flight decide. The route works both ways
- Book an open-jaw ticket: fly into one end and out of the other, so you never repeat a journey
The classic route, region by region
North: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh (5–6 days)
Hanoi is the place to start or finish: the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, water puppets and some of Vietnam’s best street food. Allow 2–3 days.
Ha Long Bay is about 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi by road. An overnight cruise lets you wake up among the limestone islands. Allow 1–2 days.
Ninh Binh is about 2 hours from Hanoi: rice fields, caves and boat rides beneath the karsts at Trang An or Tam Coc. Allow 1–2 days.
Centre: Hue and Hoi An (4–5 days)
Fly from Hanoi to Hue or Da Nang, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Hue, the former imperial capital, has the Citadel and royal tombs along the Perfume River. Allow 1–2 days.
Hoi An is about 3 hours from Hue by road, over the Hai Van Pass, one of the country’s most scenic drives. Its lantern-lit old town, tailors and nearby beaches make it an easy place to slow down. Allow 2–3 days. Hoi An is about 45 minutes from Da Nang airport.
South: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta (3–4 days)
Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Ho Chi Minh City (still widely called Saigon) is fast, modern and energetic, with the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels nearby. Allow 2 days.
The Mekong Delta is 2–4 hours away depending on where you go. Floating markets, fruit orchards and river life. Allow 1–2 days.
Sample 14-day plan
| Days | Where | How you get there |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Hanoi | Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport |
| 4–5 | Ha Long Bay (overnight cruise) | Road, about 2.5–3 hours |
| 6 | Ninh Binh | Road, about 3 hours from Ha Long |
| 7 | Back to Hanoi, fly to Hue | Road 2 hours + flight 1 hour 15 |
| 8 | Hue | |
| 9–11 | Hoi An | Road via Hai Van Pass, about 3 hours |
| 12 | Fly to Ho Chi Minh City | Flight from Da Nang, about 1 hour 20 |
| 13 | Mekong Delta day trip | Road, 2–3 hours each way |
| 14 | Depart | Tan Son Nhat International Airport |
North to south, or south to north?
Honestly, it matters less than people think. The main deciding factors are:
- Flights: compare fares into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City with the reverse. Ho Chi Minh City sometimes has cheaper or more direct long-haul options.
- Weather: in winter, the north is cool and grey, so some travellers prefer to start in the warm south and finish in Hanoi. In autumn, starting in the north lets you catch clear skies there before heading south.
- Energy: ending with the beaches of Hoi An or Phu Quoc is a relaxing finish; ending in Hanoi puts a food-and-culture highlight last.
Short on time?
- 7–8 days: choose two regions only, for example Hanoi, Ha Long and Hoi An, or Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong and Phu Quoc
- 10 days: the full line is possible but brisk. Consider dropping Ninh Binh or the Mekong
- 3 weeks: add the northern mountains (Sapa or the Ha Giang Loop), Phong Nha’s caves, Da Lat or an island at the end
Three tips that make the route easier
- Book an open-jaw international ticket so you don’t waste a day flying back to where you started.
- Use the domestic flights for the long jumps (north to centre, centre to south) and the road for everything else, where the scenery is.
- Leave one flexible day, especially in central Vietnam from September to December, when storms can delay flights and cruises.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Vietnam north to south by train?
Yes. The North–South railway runs about 1,700 km between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The full journey takes over 30 hours, so most travellers take the train for scenic sections, such as Hue to Da Nang, and fly the long legs.
How many days do I need for Vietnam?
Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first visit covering all three regions. With one week, focus on one or two regions.
See this route as a full day-by-day itinerary: 14-Day Vietnam Discovery Tour: North to South, or explore each stop in our destination guides: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.