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Boats pass between steep, forested limestone islands in the green waters of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

Vietnam

Wander Hanoi's Old Quarter and lakes, walk Hoi An's lantern-lit Ancient Town, explore Da Nang's Marble Mountains, and eat your way through Ho Chi Minh City's markets.

Best timeMar to MayMoneyVietnam dong (VND)PlugsMostly two round-pin sockets, 220 VMain airportHo Chi Minh City (SGN)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
Channels weave between the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay in northeastern Vietnam.
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Overview

Most first trips run north to south: two days in Hanoi, a flight to Da Nang for Hoi An, My Son and the beaches, then Ho Chi Minh City. Trains between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City take about 32 to 36 hours, so most short trips fly the long legs.

The weather changes by region. Hanoi has cool, drizzly winters and hot, humid summers; Da Nang and Hoi An are rainy from about November to February; Ho Chi Minh City is hot all year, dry from December to April and showery the rest of the year.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janColdfebMildmarBestaprBestmayBestjunHotjulHotaugHotsepMildoctMildnovRainydecCold

On full-moon evenings, Hoi An's riverside is lit by lanterns and the moon on the Thu Bon River; check the lunar calendar if your dates are flexible.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Ho Chi Minh City]
Ho Chi Minh City in 2 daysJade Emperor Pagoda, Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market, Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Vinh Khanh, War Remnants Museum, Cho LonBalanced pace
Hoi An's Japanese Covered Bridge spans a narrow canal on stone piers between yellow houses.
The restored Japanese Covered Bridge stands between the ocher houses of Hoi An's old town. · Adapted from Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0
Hoi An in 2 daysHoi An Ancient Town, Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tra Que, An Bang Beach, My Son Sanctuary, Marble Mountains, Dragon BridgeBalanced pace
The red The Huc Bridge crosses Hoan Kiem Lake to the tiled entrance gate of Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi.
The Huc Bridge links the lakeshore to the island of Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi. · Adapted from JakobHosp · CC BY 4.0
Hanoi in 2 daysHoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoa Lo Prison, Dong Xuan Market, Old Quarter, Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature, Ta Hien StreetPacked pace
The red The Huc Bridge crosses Hoan Kiem Lake to the tiled entrance gate of Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi.
The Huc Bridge links the lakeshore to the island of Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi. · Adapted from JakobHosp · CC BY 4.0
Vietnam in 7 daysHanoi Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, Dragon Bridge, Hoi An Ancient Town, An Bang Beach, My Son Sanctuary, Independence Palace, War Remnants MuseumBalanced pace

Where to stay

HanoiThe Old Quarter for first-timers who want to walk everywhere; the Hoan Kiem lakeside and French Quarter for wider, calmer streets; Truc Bach and Ba Dinh for a quieter base near the citadel.Best areas to stay in HanoiHotels in Hanoi
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Ho Chi Minh CityDistrict 1 for first-timers near Ben Thanh and the palace; District 3 for leafier, calmer streets; District 4 for food streets close to the center.Best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh CityHotels in Ho Chi Minh City
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Hoi AnNear the Ancient Town for first-timers; An Hoi across the river for the night market; Tra Que and the countryside for quiet; An Bang for beach mornings.Best areas to stay in Hoi AnHotels in Hoi An
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Getting around

  • Flights: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways and other carriers link Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City several times a day.
  • Trains: The Reunification line runs the length of the country; the full Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City trip takes about 32 to 36 hours.
  • Ride-hailing: Grab, Be and Xanh SM work in the big cities; apps and metered taxis help you avoid taxi scams.
  • In Hoi An: Rent a bicycle from your hotel or a rental shop to reach Tra Que and An Bang Beach, about 7 km from the Ancient Town.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. If you plan to ride a motorbike, check that your policy covers it.
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Phone dataMobile data keeps ride-hailing apps, maps and your printed e-Visa details at hand between cities; a local SIM needs your passport to register.How a travel eSIM works
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