Vietnam Travel Itinerary 3 Weeks (North to South + Map)
TL;DR
Efficient Vietnam itinerary for 21 days including a map, activities for every day, and transport options.
We have travelled Vietnam from North to South to compile the perfect three week itinerary for you. Our efficient 21 day Vietnam itinerary covers 8 stops meaning our schedule is pretty fast-paced with an average of 2.5 days per stop. We have listed detailed daily activities so you won’t miss any of Vietnam’s highlights. We have also included efficient transport options (spoiler: sleeper buses will be involved).
- 3 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary
- 3 Week Vietnam Itinerary Map
- Vietnam North to South Itinerary
- 2 Days in Hanoi
- 2 Days in Sapa
- 4 Days Ha Giang Loop
- 2 Days in Halong Bay
- 2 Days in Ninh Binh
- 2 Days in Hue
- 3 Days in Hoi An
- 3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City
- Where to Stay for Your Three Week Vietnam Itinerary
- How to Get Around for Your Vietnam 21 Day Itinerary
3 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary
3 Week Vietnam Itinerary Map
Vietnam North to South Itinerary
2 Days in Hanoi
Day 1 – Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, French Quarter, Street Food
Start your day with an egg coffee (we recommend Cafe Giang, the birthplace of egg coffee in 1946).
Explore Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter. Wander through colourful streets and visit small temples.
Savour street food or shop at Dong Xuan Market, one of the city’s largest markets.
Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and cross the red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple. Wander into the French Quarter to see the Opera House, Tonkin Palace, and Saint Joseph Cathedral.
Day 2 – Train Street, Ho Chi Minh-Mausoleum, West Lake & Truc Bach Lake
Start your day at Train Street, where you can enjoy a drink in a trackside cafe while the train rushes by. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university, featured on the 100k VND note.
Continue to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, which includes the Mausoleum, Museum, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda.
Stroll along Phan Dinh Phung Street, known for its tree-lined roads, grand mansions, and charming cafes.
Head to West Lake (Tay Ho) and visit the historic Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Rent a swan boat on Truc Bach Lake and enjoy your dinner on Pearl Island (Ngu Xa).
We have written a 3 day Hanoi itinerary. You can combine days 1 and 3 and get an itinerary for 2 days 🙂
Itinerary
3 Day Hanoi Itinerary + Map
You have 3 days in Hanoi, we have the perfect itinerary for you.
Carina
2 Days in Sapa
Day 3 – Nightbus, Trekking, and Homestay
The easiest way to explore Sapa is by joining a guided tour which includes trekking and a stay in a homestay.
Arrive in Sapa in the morning after a smooth night bus ride.
Begin hiking through the rice paddies. Along the way, your guide will tell you stories about the local hill tribes, with the indigo demonstration being a highlight.
If you want to, you can help to prepare a delicious dinner at your homestay.
This is the Sapa tour we did:
We have written a full review of our Sapa trekking tour:
Day 4 – More Trekking
Start your second day in Sapa with a local breakfast. Afterwards, trek through more rice fields and a bamboo forest.
The highlight of the day will be the waterfall in Giang Ta Chai.
Back in Sapa, enjoy some free time to explore the town.
4 Days Ha Giang Loop
Day 5 – Nightbus, Start of the Ha Giang Loop
We did the Motorcycle Tour of Ha Giang Loop, 4D/3N all-inclusive group tour by QT Motorbikes and Tours because of their amazing reviews.
We have written a full review about our Ha Giang Loop tour if you want more details:
After another night bus ride from Sapa to Ha Giang, we jumped on the back of our motorbikes and our easy rider adventure began.
Be aware that the itinerary is subject to change and we will describe the itinerary we did.
Day 6 – Thầm Lín Cave
We spent the second day of our Ha Giang Loop tour driving to Hang Thầm Lín Cave where we took a bamboo raft into the cave and could also swim in the cave.
Day 7 –Meo Vac, Sky Path, and Dong Van
On day three of the Ha Giang Loop, we drove to the beautiful town of Dong Van.
On the way, we drove past Meo Vac and stopped at a viewpoint overlooking the Nho Que River.
The highlight of the day was hiking the Sky Path to a super scenic viewpoint. The brave ones who made it to the top were rewarded with 360-degree views – all the way to China.
Day 8 –Dong Van Karst Plateau and Back to Hanoi
On our way back to Ha Giang, we stopped at Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark. The scenery here was otherworldly!
We arrived back in Hanoi late in the evening.
2 Days in Halong Bay
Day 9 – Getting to Halong Bay & Start of the Cruise
If you decide to book a tour, you will be picked up in Hanoi in the morning and transferred to your boat.
In the afternoon, there will be activities like visiting an islet where you can enjoy some beach time and swim in the sea.
This is the Halong Bay cruise we did:
We have written a review about our Halong Bay overnight cruise for more details:
Day 10 – Relaxing on the Cruise Ship and Getting to Ninh Bihn
After a light breakfast, there are more optional activities like kayaking.
Depending on your cruise, you can also spend some much-needed time relaxing in your Jacuzzi.
In the afternoon, jump on a smooth transfer to Ninh Binh.
2 Days in Ninh Binh
Day 11 – Boat Trip, Bich Dong Pagoda, and Thung Nham Bird Valley
In Ninh Binh, we recommend exploring with your own bicycle (or scooter if you’re brave enough).
Start your day with a serene boat ride along the waterways and caves of Ninh Binh. Skip the crowds at Tam Coc by heading to Linh Coc instead.
Cycle to Bich Dong Pagoda, a stunning series of mountain and cave temples.
If time allows, visit Thung Nham Bird Valley to spot over 45 bird species and explore more caves.
We have written a complete 2 day Ninh Binh itinerary if you want more details:
Day 12 – Mua Cave, Trang An and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Bike to Mua Cave and climb to the famous dragon viewpoint. Explore Hang Mua and capture photos at the Lotus Lake Boardwalk.
Cycle to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to visit temples and tombs of former emperors.
We have written a full Ninh Binh travel guide including everything you need to know about Ninh Binh:
2 Days in Hue
Day 13 – Imperial City, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Perfume River Cruise
Hop on a night bus to Hue and start to check out the main sights:
Hue’s main attraction is the Imperial City, a vast fortified area within the citadel that served as Vietnam’s imperial capital during the Nguyen dynasty.
The Royal Tombs are the resting places of Nguyen emperors, with the tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc being the most popular.
The Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s unofficial symbol, stands out for housing the car featured in the iconic photo of the burning monk, Thích Quảng Đức.
A dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River is a popular activity and a scenic way to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda.
If your time is limited, it’s best to explore Hue with a guided tour or private driver.
Hue was one of our favourite places in Vietnam. We might have gone a bit overboard with the Hue content but here are a full Hue travel guide, the 14 best things to do in Hue and a self-guided bicycle tour:
Travel Guides
14 Amazing Things to Do in Hue Vietnam + Map
The 14 best things to do and things to see in Hue Vietnam.
Carina
Day 14 – DMZ Tour
When you’re interested in Vietnamese history, touring the DMZ is an absolute must.
You’ll visit loads of sights connected to the Vietnam War and the separation of Vietnam. The highlight might be the Vinh Moc Tunnels which have been constructed to shelter people from the intense bombing.
This is the DMZ tour we did:
We have written a full review of our DMZ tour. Spoiler: We 100% recommend it 😉
3 Days in Hoi An
Day 15 – Sightseeing Transfer from Hue to Hoi An
Why just travel when you can explore? A sightseeing bus tour is the perfect way to make the most of your journey from Hue to Hoi An. You’ll stop at:
- Thanh Toan Bridge – A historic masterpiece with intricate dragon carvings.
- Lap An Lagoon – A stunning mirror-like lagoon for dreamy photos.
- Hai Van Pass – Breathtaking mountain roads with ocean views.
- Marble Mountains – Discover caves, temples, and peaks with unbeatable panoramas.
We have written a full review of our Hue to Hoi An tour:
Day 16 – Old Town, Tailor, and Lanterns
Explore the charming old town of Hoi An, with its cafes, alleys, and historical sites.
Don’t miss:
- A 30-minute performance at the Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House
- The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum (free entry)
Hoi An is famous for its tailors. If you want to get clothes tailored, we can recommend 45 Tailor inside Hoi An Market.
At night, Hoi An glows with lanterns. Stroll the riverside, release a lantern, or book a scenic lantern boat trip.
We have written a full 2 day Hoi An itinerary:
Itinerary
2 Day Hoi An Itinerary + Map
You have 2 days in Hoi An, we have the perfect itinerary for you!
Carina
Day 17 – Bike, Beach, and Food
Rent a bike and explore the Hoi An countryside. Start at Tra Que Vegetable Village, an island of organic farms growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In the afternoon, relax at An Bang Beach or try a Basket Boat Ride in the Coconut Forest. Hoi An’s street food scene is incredible. Follow our self-guided street food tour to discover the best local dishes.
Day 18 – Make Your Way to Ho Chi Minh City
You have three main options to get from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City:
- Take a direct bus from Hoi An
- Fly from Da Nang
- Take the train from Da Nang
You can compare your options on 12Go:
We strongly recommend options 1 or 2. Here’s our sleeper train review to learn why:
3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 19 – War Remnants Museum, Downtown, and Nightlife
The War Remnants Museum is a must-visit for its powerful exhibitions on the Vietnam War.
For your downtown sightseeing check out:
- Book Street
- Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Opera House – iconic French colonial landmarks
- Ho Chi Minh City Hall & Statue and stroll down Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street.
Don’t miss the HCMC nightlife: Check out the night market at Ben Thanh Market, visit a rooftop bar and check out the lively Bui Vien Street.
You can follow our complete 3 day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary:
Day 20 – Chinatown and Hidden Gems
Start your day in Cholon which is also known as the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the markets, temples, and assembly halls.
We strongly recommend you make time to explore some of the city’s hidden gems. How about a Secret Weapon Bunker or a flower market?
Day 21 – Mekong Delta Tour
Last but not least, check out the Mekong Delta. A day trip is the most convenient way to do so. You’ll visit Unicorn Island where you’ll enjoy local fruit, music, and a sampan ride through coconut tree-lined canals. At Ben Tre Coconut Farm you’ll learn about coconut candy production while sampling treats. The tour ends at the stunning Vinh Trang Pagoda, featuring giant Buddhas and a unique blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese architecture.
This is the Mekong Delta tour we did:
We have written a full review of our Mekong Delta tour:
Travel Guides
Our Review – Is a Mekong Delta Day Trip Worth It?
Is a Mekong Delta tour is worth it? Spoiler: It depends.
Carina
Where to Stay for Your Three Week Vietnam Itinerary
In Vietnam, we loved staying in homestays both to save money and to enjoy a more local experience. We have written a full guide on how to find your perfect Vietnam homestay:
Travel Planing
How to Find your Perfect Vietnam Homestay
Homestay Vietnam Guide - including the best places to stay!
Carina
How to Get Around for Your Vietnam 21 Day Itinerary
Many guided tours include transfers.
For night buses and trains, we recommend you check out 12Go. We used them to book our tickets and have zero complaints.
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