“A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling.” (Lonely Planet, 2018). I couldn’t agree more with this quote. Vietnam has amazed me in many ways and was a trip into a completely different world. In this blog post about my 3 weeks in Vietnam, I’m summing up all my impressions of the country, the best things to do in each city, how to get from one place to another, and many other tips. My Vietnam Itinerary for 3 weeks reveals everything you’ll need to know for a Backpacking Vietnam Route from North to South.
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Quick Facts about Vietnam
| Capital | Hanoi |
| Population | 98 million |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (1 USD = 23,000 VND) |
| Language | Vietnamese |
| Best time to visit | March – April; September – November |
Backpacking Vietnam Route: North to South
1. Hanoi
2. Cat Ba Island
3. Ha Long Bay
4. Ninh Binh
5. Hue
6. Hoi An
7. Cham Islands
8. Ho Chi Minh City
3 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary
Day 1-2: Hanoi
The best place to start your 3 weeks in Vietnam is in the lively capital city of Hanoi. Here you will be welcomed by the friendly locals and their colorful markets, small temples, little coffee shops, and thousands of scooters. Hanoi is shaped by Chinese, French, and Southeast Asian influences that can be recognized not only by different types of food but also in the architecture of the city’s buildings. The most iconic and authentic area of Hanoi is the Old Quarter where you will stumble upon little coffee shops and food stalls on narrow streets.
There are numerous interesting and fun things to do in Hanoi that you will not get bored of so easily. Read my 2-Day Hanoi Itinerary to know which things you should add to your Vietnam Bucket List.
How to get from Hanoi Airport to the City Center:
Take the Hanoi Airport Bus 86 that departs from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) to the city center. The bus leaves every 25 minutes from 6:20 AM to 11 PM and takes about 45 minutes to the last stop, Hanoi Railway Station. The ticket price is 40,000 VND (less than 2 USD) and you can pay directly on the bus. If you don’t have any cash yet, make sure to withdraw money from an ATM inside the airport first.
Where to stay in Hanoi: Soleil Boutique Hotel
Best things to do in Hanoi:
- Walk along Train Street
- Visit the Temple of Literature & National University
- Explore Hoan Kiem District
- Dive into Vietnamese Coffee Culture
- Attend the Thang-Long Water Puppet Show
- Try Banh Mi Sandwich at “Banh Mi 25” restaurant
- Visit Hoa Lo Prison
- Stop by the Presidential Palace
- Take photos of Tran-Quoc Pagoda
Day 3-5: Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay
The UNESCO world heritage site Ha Long Bay definitely belongs on your Vietnam Bucket List. Here you can spot more than 300 limestone karsts, authentic floating fisherman villages, and numerous hidden caves. It’s no surprise that Ha Long Bay might be Vietnam’s number one tourist draw and that you have to visit it during your 3 weeks in Vietnam.
To explore the beauty of both Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay, I chose to embark on a 2-day/1-night cruise with a local tour operator. The boat trip included sightseeing in the less touristy areas, two kayaking tours to the caves, several swimming stops as well as all meals and a comfortable private cabin (with a private bathroom). If you want to learn more about the life of the fishermen in Ha Long Bay, the limestone islands, and the most beautiful areas, I can recommend taking a tour with a local guide.
How to get to Cat Ba Island:
There are two options to get from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island. The first one is to take the train from Hanoi to Haiphong, take a taxi or bus to get to the port of Haiphong, and then get to the island by speedboat or ferry. The second option is to take a private bus (which can be booked in the hotel) that brings you directly from your hotel in Hanoi to the port in Tuan Chau from where you will take the ferry to Cat Ba Island.
Where to stay on Cat Ba Islands: Cannon Fort Cat Ba Hotel
Day 6-8 Ninh Binh and Tam Coc
Displaying Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes and the life of Vietnamese people in the rural areas of the country, Ninh Binh was one of my favorite places to visit during my 3 weeks in Vietnam. Green mountains, huge rice fields, and tiny boats along the river – nature in this area of Vietnam looked exactly how I imagined it.
One of the best ways to explore the landscapes of Tam Coc is to take a boat tour that takes you along the river in between the rice fields. During the ride, you will pass 3 caves, admire the scenery, and observe locals working in the rice fields. The 1.5-hour boat tour costs 390,000 VND for two people.
Another must-do activity during your 3 weeks in Vietnam is to climb the stairs to Mua Cave Viewpoint. While climbing upstairs in the hot and humid climate of Vietnam doesn’t sound like the best idea in the first place, I promise you the views will convince you of the opposite. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water and take some pauses along the way. In about 15- 20 minutes you will reach the top and Hang Mua Mountain and can enjoy the (literally) breathtaking view over Tam Coc’s stunning rice fields and Ngo Dong River. If you still have some time left in Ninh Binh, you can take a walk along the lotus pond, explore the city center, or book a relaxing massage in the Spa of Mua Caves Ecolodge.
How to get to Ninh Binh:
Take the bus from Cat Ba Island (ferry included) which takes about 4 hours to get to Ninh Binh.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh: Mua Caves Ecolodge
Day 9-10: Hue
Hue is Vietnam’s ancient capital of the 19th and early 20th centuries and was once the center of the imperial Nguyen dynasty. Located on the Perfume River, Hue is one of the most historic cities in Vietnam. Here you will find the country’s most impressive pagodas and royal tombs. On your Backpacking Vietnam route, do not miss visiting the famous Citadel and the Forbidden City which were announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Check out my 2-Day Itinerary for Hue to discover more unique things to do in Hue. To see the most important sights Hue has to offer, I can also recommend taking a guided tour through the city. Thereby, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide who will teach you everything you need to know about the historic and modern side of the fascinating city.
How to get to Hue:
The best way to get to Hue is to take the night train from Ninh Binh. The ride takes you about 11 hours and tickets can be booked via the platform Baolau.
Where to stay in Hue: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel
Best things to do in Hue:
- Visit the Imperial City with a half-day tour
- Take a dragon boat along the Perfume River
- Explore Thien Mu Pagoda
- Go shopping at Dong Ba Market
- Visit the royal tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh
- Take photos in Ho Thuy Tien Abandoned Waterpark
- Take part in a Hue Specialty Food Cooking Class
- Stroll around the Night Walking Street
Day 11-14: Hoi An
The ancient port city of Hoi An was one of my favorite places to visit during my 3 weeks in Vietnam. It was the perfect place to unwind and enjoy Vietnam at its best. You can find numerous cute bars, coffee shops, and restaurants on every corner of the town. If you’re planning to go shopping during your Vietnam trip, here’s the best place to do so! Several little boutiques and tailors line up in the streets waiting to dress you.
Hoi An is picturesque at every time of the day, however, the true beauty of the little town shows up as soon as the sun has set. Hundreds of beautiful lanterns of all colors and sizes light up the night and embellish the riverside. If you’re lucky to visit Hoi An during the full moon, you can witness the Lantern Festival where the Old Town is pedestrianized, and traditional performances are held all over the town.
With so many things to do in Hoi An and the surroundings, it’s easy to stay for several days without getting bored. If you’re planning to visit this charming little town (which I hope), make sure to read my 3-Day Hoi An Itinerary to prepare for your stay.
How to get to Hoi An:
There are many options to get from Hue to Hoi An. One option is to either take the bus or the train. Consider that the train only stops in Da Nang and you will need to get a taxi to get from Da Nang to Hoi An. Another option, which I have chosen, is to rent a scooter and drive over the famous Hai Van Pass by yourself. The views are unbeatable! Just make sure to leave Hue early to have enough time for a few stops along the way and to make it to Hoi An before the sun sets.
Where to stay in Hoi An: Little Town Villa
Best things to do in Hoi An:
- Wander around the Old Town
- Stroll along the riverside
- Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge
- Relax on Cua Dai Beach or An Bang Beach
- Take part in a Cooking Class
- Visit the temples and pagodas
- See the Hoi An Memories Show
- Discover the area with a private bike tour
Day 15-17: Cham Islands
Just 15 kilometers offshore from Hoi An, you will find the Cham Islands archipelago. It consists of eight granite islands of which Hon Lao is the largest and the only inhabited one. Being officially protected as a UNESCO marine park, the area is home to various species of fishes, corals, and mollusks.
While many tourists choose to visit Cham Islands as part of a day trip from Hoi An, I believe you can experience the beauty of the islands much better when staying there for at least one night. Even though day trips offer the opportunity for snorkeling or diving, you are usually only given little time to set foot on Hon Lao and enjoy the beaches. With one or two overnight stays, on the other hand, you will have plenty of time to discover the heavenly beaches, swim in turquoise water, watch the sunset, and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner. As soon as the day-trip tourists disappear from the island in the late afternoon, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere at empty beaches and enjoy a beautiful sunset. The best beaches that are easily accessible from the center are Bai Ong and Bai Xep.
There wasn’t any other place during my 3 weeks in Vietnam where I felt more connected to the locals. Even though most of them don’t know any English words, they have always tried to communicate with you and have always been happy to help. Being one of the less touristy places in Vietnam, there are no big hotels or resorts on Hon Lao Island. Instead, you can find many Homestays. A great way to learn more about the daily life of the people who call this small island their home.
How to get to Cham Islands:
Take the speedboat from Hoi An to Hon Lao Island. The boat departs in Hoi An daily at 8 AM and 2 PM and leaves the island daily at 7 AM and 1 PM.
Where to stay on Cham Islands: Gia Than Homestay
Day 18-20: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, was the capital of Southern Vietnam until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Nowadays, it’s the economic center of Vietnam and, with over 9 million inhabitants, the largest city in Vietnam. From skyscrapers, shopping centers, and modern office buildings to ancient French colonial buildings – the city combines old and modern Vietnam.
If you’re traveling from North to South on your Backpacking Vietnam route, you will easily notice that Ho Chi Minh City is completely different from other cities in Vietnam. Buildings are taller, architecture is more modern, and streets are wider. Even the Vietnamese people in Ho Chi Minh City seem to have a different mentality and way of living than the locals in Northern Vietnam. Here, in the vibrant metropolis, everyone seems to be more open-minded, business-oriented, and extroverted.
For me, Ho Chi Minh was a little too much. Too much traffic, too many people, too much noise. I simply enjoyed the authenticity of other parts of Vietnam more and felt more connected to the friendly locals in Northern Vietnam. However, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss visiting Ho Chi Minh City and was happy to experience what life is like in a Southeast-Asian metropolis. Try to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the city and form your own opinion about Ho Chi Minh City.
How to get to Ho Chi Minh City:
Take the boat from the Cham Islands back to Hoi An. To travel further south, you first need to get a taxi to Da Nang, the fifth biggest city in Vietnam. From here, you can choose to either take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (1.5 hours) or travel by night train (16 hours).
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Alagon d’antique Hotel & Spa
Best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Visit the Independence Palace
- Buy souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market
- Take photos of the City Hall
- Stop by the Cathedral Notre-Dame Saigon
- Discover the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Have Lunch in Little Japan District
- Visit the Central Post Office
- Learn about the Vietnam War in the War Remnant Museum
- Enjoy the view from the Skydeck of Bitexo Financial Tower
- Embark on a Mekong Delta Tour
I hope you enjoyed reading my 3 weeks in Vietnam itinerary and that it helped you plan your Backpacking Vietnam route. If you need more inspiration about traveling to Asia, feel free to check out my Thailand Bucket List and my ultimate Backpacking Packing List.
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