Vietnam in 3 weeks: My travel itinerary
As I have already mentioned, I visited Vietnam from north to south, since it was cheaper to fly to Hanoi than to Ho Chi Minh City. It was a trip that I did not organize in advance but rather improvised as I went along, although I did have an idea of the places I wanted to visit. It is a good country to improvise, but there are certain things you will have to do before traveling to Vietnam on your own.
Finally, on my trip to Vietnam in 3 weeks, I visited: Hanoi, Halong Bay (via Cat Ba Island), Tam Coc (Ninh Binh), Hue, Hoi An, Da Lat, and Ho Chi Minh, in that order. If you want to book transfers in advance, I recommend the 12Go Asia platform. I used it several times during my Southeast Asia trip, and it worked well.
Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary summary:
- Hanoi: 3 nights.
- Halong City: 1 night.
- Cat Ba Island: 3 nights.
- Ninh Binh: 3 nights.
- Bus from Tam Coc to Hue: 1 night.
- Hue: 2 nights.
- Hoi An: 3 nights.
- Bus from Hoi An to Da Lat: 1 night.
- Da Lat: 2 nights.
- Ho Chi Minh City: 2 nights.
Hanoi, first stop on my Vietnam in 3 weeks route
- Hanoi: 3 nights (view hotels in Hanoi).
To go from the airport to the center of Hanoi, I recommend you take bus number 86. It is not very well signposted, so make sure you get on the bus with the number 86 on the front and not any other. The ticket costs about 1,3€ and drops you off in the Old Quarter.
I am not going to deceive you. When I took my first walk in Hanoi, specifically in the Old Quarter, I said to myself, Where have I gotten myself into? It is a chaotic city, with lots of motorcycles (like all big cities in Vietnam) and noise. But, to be honest, I ended up liking it, and I left the city delighted. I wouldn’t describe it as a beautiful city, but beautiful isn’t always beautiful.
Some of the must-sees in Hanoi are strolling through the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Thang Long Imperial City, and the and the Temple of Literature. Also, don’t miss the views from the Lotte Center observation deck and watching the train go by on Hanoi Train Street.
The best area to sleep is the Old Quarter. These are some of the best hotels:
- Hostel: Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel.
- $: Maison d’Orient Hotel.
- $$: Hanoi La Storia Hotel.
- $$$: La Mejor Hotel & Sky Bar.
Halong City
- Halong City: 1 night (view hotels in Halong).
My next stop was Halong City. To get to Halong City from Hanoi, I went by public bus to the My Dinh bus station, where I bought the bus ticket directly to Halong. It cost me a little less than 5 euros. You can probably hire the bus at your accommodation, but it was cheaper this way.
Before visiting Halong Bay via Cat Ba Island, I decided to stay one night in Halong City to go up to the viewpoint of Bai Tho Mountain. I visited this place in October 2018, and it was already quite difficult to access. For some reason unknown to me, it is getting more and more difficult to enter this place. Because of this, I don’t know if, when you go, it will still be possible to access it. My advice is to contact someone who has been there recently to ask about the current conditions.
As I said, I only visited Halong City to enjoy these views from the top of Bai Tho Mountain. You may be wondering if it’s worth it to stay overnight here to visit this viewpoint at sunrise. My answer is a resounding yes. It was one of my favorite moments of the trip.
The hotel I stayed at no longer exists, but below, I recommend two other hotels:
- $$: Ha Long Essence Hotel.
- $$: Grand Fleuve Boutique.
🏥 Remember that it is very important to travel with travel insurance to Vietnam because you never know when you are going to have any inconvenience. Without adding much money to the final budget of the trip, you can go with the peace of mind that if something happens to you, all your expenses will be covered, in addition to having a team of people who will help you in everything they can. I always use and recommend the company Heymondo, where I can offer you a 5% discount on your travel insurance.
Cat Ba Island (Halong Bay)
- Cat Ba Island: 3 nights (view hotels in Cat Ba).
My next stop was Cat Ba Island, from which I explored Halong Bay. To get there from Halong City, I first went by Grab (Uber type) to Tuan Chau port. There, I took a ferry to Cat Ba. It cost me a little less than $4. Once you get to the island, you have to take a public bus that takes you to the main town.
The purpose of my visit to Cat Ba Island was to be able to explore Halong Bay in a more affordable way, as both day tours and cruises from Cat Ba are cheaper. I took a day tour with a company called Cat Ba Local. I liked it very much, so I highly recommend it. You can also book the tour to Halong and Lan Ha bays here in advance.
Other places to see in Cat Ba are Cannon Fort, Cat Ba National Park, and Hospital Cave. You can also visit some beaches. They are not much, but for a dip, they are not bad at all.
Don’t miss my guide on where to stay in Cat Ba to choose your accommodation. I recommend you stay in Cat Ba town itself. Below, you can see some hotels with very good reviews:
- $: Cat Ba Green Hotel.
- $$: Secret Garden Cat Ba.
- $$$: Cat Ba Paradise Pool & Spa.
Tam Coc (Ninh Binh), a must in your Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary
- Ninh Binh: 3 nights (view hotels in Ninh Binh).
My next stop was Tam Coc, in the Ninh Binh region. To get here from Cat Ba, I went by bus. I bought the ticket at the same agency where I booked the Halong Bay tour (Cat Ba Local).
Tam Coc was my big favorite in Vietnam. Surprisingly, I met several people who skipped this place on their Vietnam route, probably out of ignorance. Big mistake. Please, whether you visit Vietnam in three weeks, two weeks, or one week, you have to visit the Ninh Binh region. A must-stop!
My days there were very special, not only for the wonder of its landscapes but also for the peaceful atmosphere surrounding Tam Coc and the number of friends I made. I would come back with my eyes closed, and I would stay for more days to be infected by its tranquility and to hallucinate again with its incredible corners.
Something highly recommended to do in Tam Coc is to rent a bike and get lost in the surroundings. I did it, and I liked it very much. To visit places like Trang An or Bai Dinh, you can rent a motorcycle, as they are further away from Tam Coc. Other things to see and do in Ninh Binh are to visit the Mua Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda, Bai Dinh, and take a boat ride on Tam Coc or Trang An.
During my visit, I stayed in Tam Coc, the best area to stay in Ninh Binh. I stayed at Tam Coc River View Homestay; it was my favorite accommodation in Vietnam! I highly recommend it. Other accommodations I recommend in Tam Coc are:
- $: Phi Hung’s Unique Homestay.
- $$: Tam Coc Dibi Villa.
- $$$: Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow.
Hue
- Hue: 2 nights (view hotels in Hue).
To go from Tam Coc to Hue, I took a night bus, so here you have to add a night between cities. The ticket cost me about 11 euros.
Hue is the former imperial capital of Vietnam, so visiting this city will be like going back to the past of the country. If it is true that Hue was not one of my favorite places in Vietnam, I recommend you include it in your list of places to see in Vietnam in 3 weeks.
Something I really enjoyed was cycling around the city and its surroundings, which I highly recommend doing. Another thing I really liked about Hue was walking around the city at night, as there is a more special atmosphere than during the day.
Some of the places to see in Hue are Hue Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, Khai Dinh Tomb, and the abandoned water park. If you want, you can book this complete Hue city tour, which visits most of these places.
During my stay in the city, I stayed at Shark Homestay. I highly recommend it! Don’t miss my guide on where to stay in Hue to discover other accommodations. Other recommended hotels are:
- $: Jade Hotel.
- $$: Orchid Hotel.
- $$$: Indochine Palace.
Hoi An, the most beautiful city in Vietnam
- Hoi An: 3 nights (view hotels in Hoi An).
From Hue to Hoi An, I went by bus. I hired it at my hostel in Hue. As you can see, all my trips in Vietnam were by bus. It is the easiest and cheapest way to travel around the country.
The reality is that I spent 5 nights in Hoi An, but in this route of Vietnam in 3 weeks, I am going to dedicate 3 nights, since it is enough. I decided to stay for more days because it seemed like the perfect place to have a good rest. I visited the city in a very quiet way, and I also took the opportunity to organize a bit what would be my next destination.
What can I tell you about Hoi An? Despite being a very touristy city, strolling through its historic center is a treat for the eyes, as you will marvel at its yellow houses, lanterns, and charming corners. Although the best of Hoi An appears when night falls, The city is illuminated, and the atmosphere is magical.
Strolling through the historic center, crossing the Japanese bridge (Chua Cau), visiting the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum, taking a swim at An Bang Beach, or visiting the central market are just some of the essential things to do in Hoi An.
I recommend the following hotels:
- $: La Terrazza.
- $$: D Central Hoi An Homestay.
- $$$: Hotel Royal Hoi An.
Da Lat
- Da Lat: 2 nights (view hotels in Da Lat).
To go from Hoi An to Da Lat, I took a night bus again, so you have to add a night between the two cities. It cost me $12.
I liked Da Lat quite a lot, as it is a completely different city from everything I have seen in Vietnam so far. The great role played by nature in the city and its European influence make Da Lat a city with a different charm and worth visiting in Vietnam.
Something funny is that, due to its slopes and the architecture of some of its houses, sometimes I felt in San Francisco. It was very curious. I focused on visiting the city itself, but around Da Lat there are quite a few waterfalls popular with tourists; the most notable is Pongour Waterfall.
Other places to see in Da Lat are Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat Night Market, Truc Lam Zen Pagoda, Domaine de Marie Convent, Hang Nga Crazy House, and Pongour Waterfall.
See below for recommended hotels in Da Lat:
- $: Pretty Backpackers House.
- $$: Feliz Dalat Homestay.
- $$$: The Note Dalat.
Ho Chi Minh, last stop on my Vietnam itinerary
- Ho Chi Minh: 2 nights (view hotels in Ho Chi Minh).
From Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City I arrived by bus. It took quite a long time—about 8 hours. I hired the bus at my hostel in Da Lat.
In Ho Chi Minh City, I spent 3 nights, but with 2 nights, I consider that to be enough. If I found Hanoi chaotic, Ho Chi Minh City is even more so. Although it is not a city that drove me crazy, I enjoyed my visit very much as I took the opportunity to go to museums and learn more about the history of the country. I also took a tour of the Mekong Delta, which I quite enjoyed.
Other essential things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City are the Notre Dame de Saigon Basilica, Independence Palace, Tan Dinh Church, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market.
The Cu Chi Tunnels tour is also very popular activity. You can also choose to do both activities (Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels tour) in one day. You can book it here.
Below are some recommended hotels in Ho Chi Minh City:
- $: Long Hostel.
- $$: Hoang Lan Hotel.
- $$$: Fusion Suites Saigon.
Other places to add to your Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary
There are many beautiful places to see in Vietnam. On my trip through the country, I skipped places like Sapa (popular for its rice fields) because it was having very bad weather, or Ha Giang. The latter place I discarded because I don’t drive a motorcycle and my budget was too low to hire a driver. I am saving both places for an upcoming visit to northern Vietnam.
I also did not visit other popular places such as Phong Nha Grotto, Mui Ne, known for its incredible sand dunes, or Phu Quoc, an island with the best beaches in Vietnam. The fact that I did not include them in my route does not mean that they are not worth visiting; on the contrary, I simply discarded them for various reasons.
If you would like to add one or more of these places to your Vietnam in 3 weeks itinerary, you can replace it with cities like Hue or Da Lat (both of which I found nice but not essential) or do it by removing one night to Hanoi, Cat Ba, Da Lat, or Hue.
Map to visit Vietnam in 3 weeks
On the following map, you can see the route that I took during my visit to this Asian country. I have also pointed out other places you can visit in Vietnam.
I hope this Vietnam 3 weeks itinerary has been very useful for you to organize your trip to Vietnam. If you want to share your experience or have any questions, I encourage you to leave a comment or contact me by email. See you next time!
