Vietnam Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Weeks in Vietnam
Wondering how to spend 3 weeks in Vietnam? Then this is the perfect Vietnam Itinerary. I spent a whole month solo in Vietnam and it was one of the most incredible experiences. This amount of time will allow you to cover most of the country’s highlights.
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Before you go:
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🛂 Americans, Australians, among many other nationalities need to apply for the required visa here to enter Vietnam ahead of time.
🏨 You will want to pick a few bases for your 3 weeks in Vietnam so you can move across the country and explore properly. I’d recommend a base in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.
🧷 Travel Insurance with SafetyWing in case of any accidents. Better safe than sorry!
📱Mobile E-sim card with Airalo to stay connected while traveling without the hassle of changing out your sim card!
💜 Best time to visit Vietnam: The best time to visit Vietnam is from November to April when the weather is generally dry and cool in the north and warm and sunny in the south.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam
One thing I didn’t realize is how variable the weather is from North to South! So be sure to plan your trip accordingly. It can be cooler in places like Sapa and weather can be hit or miss if you go to places like Halong Bay and Ha Giang Loop. you will want to ensure optimal weather for these places to or they really aren’t the same! I’ve heard stories where the weather can be insanely foggy and gorgeous places like the Sapa or the Ha Giang Loop don’t have any visibility.
With that being said, North Vietnam is best visited from October to April for cooler, drier weather. South Vietnam is best visited from December to April for warm, dry conditions.
Avoid the wet season from May to November in the South. Also, avoid summer from May to September as it becomes extremely hot, humid, and rainy.
I visited in April and really thought this was a great time to explore Vietnam!
Where to Stay in Vietnam
You will want to pick a few bases for your 3 weeks in Vietnam so you can move across the country and explore properly. I’d recommend a base in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Here are the perfect hotels to base yourself during your 3 weeks in Vietnam.
| City | Hotel | Nightly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | * Sunline Hotel * Soleil Boutique Hotel | $50-60 |
| Ninh Binh | * Tam Coc Lion Kings * Hang Mua Village | $25 |
| Hue | * Pisces Hotel | $25 |
| Hoi An | * Rockmouse Centre * Alsahar Boutique Villa | $30 |
| Da nang | * FIVITEL King | $27 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | * Homestay TITO | $30 |
Read my full guide on where to stay in Hoi An & Where to stay in Hue
Visa in Vietnam
You need to apply for a visa to enter Vietnam. I made a huge mistake when I visited Vietnam. And that was assuming I could get a visa on arrival as an American. That is absolutely not the case! My trip start date was delayed because of this, sadly.
I couldn’t believe I made this mistake as a seasoned traveler! If you’re ever in a situation where you need to get a rush Vietnam visa in less than a day, I hear Emily Visa can come to the rescue. You can contact her via WhatsApp: +84 93 633 39 58.
So be sure to apply for your visa a minimum of 10 days ahead of your trip. The processing times generally take 3-5 days but it doesn’t include weekends. So, don’t risk it!
Americans, Australians, and many other nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam.
The website I used to apply for my visa is linked below:
ATMS in Vietnam
Mistake number 2 in Vietnam – really wasn’t my luck this trip but I still love Vietnam! The cash comes out before the card. Silly me made the mistake of forgetting my card at the ATM, and it almost happened a second time. So, don’t forget if you’re used to countries where the card comes before the cash. That’s my fair warning for ATMs in Vietnam.
How to Get to Vietnam
You can fly into one of the main airports servicing Vietnam.
Those include:
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang International Airport (DAD) in Da Nang
Be sure to check if you’re required to have a visa. Americans and Australians for sure need one. Don’t make the mistake of not applying a minimum of 10 days ahead.
The correct place to apply for the visa is linked here and the cost is $25.
Once you arrive, you can use a ride-sharing app called Grab (similar to Uber). It’s super affordable to get around this way. You can travel by taxi or on the back of a motorbike.
The Best 3 Week Vietnam Itinerary
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 1 & 2 – Explore Hanoi
Hanoi is an absolute must – if you don’t go anywhere else in Vietnam, I’d definitely not miss Hanoi. With its busy atmosphere, delicious street food, and iconic train street, Hanoi was one of my favorite places. I absolutely loved the coffee scene here too. There are so many cute hidden cafes with my obsession – iced salted coffee.
Watch this Instagram reel for a visual of your time in Hanoi.
Day 1: Hanoi
- Write a note at The Note Coffee. This famous cafe is full of post it notes and is one of the most instagrammable cafes in the world!
- Visit Train Street where a train will pass inches away from you as you sip a coffee in a cafe. Read my guide on how to visit the train street as it can be tricky to know where to watch the train and when.
- Try Bahn Mi for lunch at Bahn Mi 25 or An Cafe.
- Stroll along the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
- Watch the Water Puppet Show which is a must when visiting Vietnam! Buy tickets ahead here.
- Take an evening street food tour. This. is the best way to try a lot of Vietnamese dishes and you’ll be taken to some hole-in-the-wall places. All are so tasty! I’ve done the same tour and it also takes you to the train street too! Book here!
- Enjoy a drink on the rooftop with views of Hanoi
- Shop at the Night Market
Day 2: Hanoi
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
- Try Bún chả for lunch at Bún chả Dac Kim which is Michelin rated.
- Go to the Temple of Literature. This is Vietnam’s first university.
- Check out the amazing coffee scene. Try Egg Coffee, Coconut Coffee, and my favorite, Salt Coffee! Find out my what my favorite coffee shops in Hanoi are.
- Admire St. Joseph’s Cathedral
- Have dinner at Pizza 4P’s. I know, it’s not Vietnamese food but its really good pizza and if you go in the evening you must get a reservation as it gets full.
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 3 & 4 – Ninh Binh
While you can definitely visit Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi, I’d consider staying overnight to really get a feel for the area. It was one of my favorite places in Vietnam and I visited for 2 nights staying at a gorgeous hotel for only $25 a night which is a lot cheaper than the hotel prices in Hanoi.
Book your transfer from Hanoi for around $20/per person ahead here.
Day 3: Ninh Binh
- Grab a bike from your hotel or a rental agency and ride through the scenic countryside.
- Take the boat ride, route 3 at Trang An and admire the landscapes. I loved this relaxing and scenic trip.
- At night see the light show at Pho Co Hoa Lu. This light show is really cool and a bit of a hidden gem!
Day 4: Ninh Binh
- For beautiful panoramic views, climb the 500 steps at Mua Cave
- Tam Coc Boat ride
- Visit Bich Dong Pagoda which is a picturesque ancient Buddhist temple.
Read my full guide on Things to do in Ninh Binh
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 5 & 6 – Halong Bay
- Travel from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay by bus or private transfer (approximately 3-4 hours).
- The cruise will take you through the most stunning scenery in Halong Bay.
- You’ll have the chance to go into caves, kayak, and relax on the beaches.
- Dinners will be included and you can admire the views at sunset straight from the cruise.
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 7, 8, & 9 – Ha Giang Loop
Visiting the Ha Giang Loop is one of the most unique and authentic things to do during your 3 weeks in Vietnam.
The Ha Giang Loop is a scenic motorbike route in Northern Vietnam, known for its stunning landscapes and rugged mountains. It spans approximately 350 kilometers. The loop takes you through the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and picturesque rice terraces.
You can start in Ha Giang city, which can be reached by bus from Hanoi. The roads can be quite dangerous so I’d recommend going on a group tour with an Easy Rider. You’ll be riding on the back of a motorbike with an experienced driver. It’s essential to bring proper gear and be prepared for changing weather.
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 10 & 11 – Back to Hanoi
You will have to head back to Hanoi for a day or two to transit back to your next stop, which is Hue.
You can choose to have a relax day in Hanoi visiting all the hidden coffee shops or take another amazing day trip not far from Hanoi. And that would be to the the Incense Village! You can book a tour to get there and learn about incense making while taking instagram-worthy photos.
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 12 & 13 – Hue
Day 12: Hue
- The Imperial City: Allocate a minimum of 3 hours to explore the Imperial City, one of the main highlights of visiting Hue. It’s truly more impressive than the photos. The place is HUGE spanning over 500 hectares and you will love walking all the grounds as every corner is so gorgeous. This walled fortress and palace complex dates back to the 19th century. It served as the religious center of the Nguyen Dynasty.
- Lunch at Nook Eatery: This was a break from Vietnamese food. While I love it, I really enjoyed having a burger and fries here! They also have really nice smoothies.
- Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc
- Sunset at Thien Mu Pagoda
- Dinner at Madam Thu Restaurant
Day 13: Hue
- Tour the Royal Tombs: The Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh and the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang are both impressive tombs. You can book a tour to see both here.
- Abandoned Dragon Waterpark at Thuy Tien Lake: This unique waterpark is abandoned! It’s a bit creepy with garbage inside but super cool to see. Last I heard, they said they’d abolish this place soon due to the belief that its bad luck. I don’t think it’s happened yet.
- Thuy Xuan Incense-making Village: Here you’ll find a few stalls with incense in them. It’s not as cool as the Incense village near Hanoi but still worth a quick stop.
- Lunch at Nina’s Cafe: A nice cafe with great Vietnamese food.
- An Dinh Palace: A beautiful hidden gem. This palace is less explored than the tombs and other attractions in Hue. The interiors are gorgeous!
- Evening: Transfer to Hoi An (Book shared limousine tickets here or this tour which has stops along the way to the Golden Hands Bridge and Hai Van Pass)
Read more: Where to stay in Hue
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 14 & 15 Hoi An
Day 14: Hoi An
- Get tailor-made clothes. The amazing thing is you can design any piece you have in mind and they will make it for you! Be sure to do this right when you get to Hoi An as it takes 2-3 days. I went to NY Central Tailor and highly recommend it.
- Have a tea at Reaching Out Tea House
- Take a Lantern-Making Class. It was actually so much fun and a great activity for friends traveling or solo travelers like myself. I met a few other solo travelers during the class!
- Have lunch at White Rose Restaurant or Bahn Mi Queen
- Take a sunset boat ride and release lanterns
- Have dinner at Heart Restaurant
Day 15: Hoi An
- Grab a coffee in front of a rice paddy like Roving Chillhouse, Cafe Slow, and Xom Chieu. Read my full post on even more great coffee shops in Hoi An!
- Ride bikes through the Hoi An countryside. I stayed at Alsahar Boutique Villa and they had free bikes there.
- Relax at An Bang Beach
- Overlooking the beach, you can enjoy dinner at The DeckHouse.
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 16 & 17 Da nang
Day 16: Da nang
- Morning: visit Ba Na Hills where the famous Golden Hands Bridge is. It is actually in an amusement park believe it or not.
- Visit the nearby Marble Mountains: Here you can explore the caves, pagodas, and enjoy panoramic views from the top.
Book this tour which will take you to both experiences and transfer you from either Hoi An or Da nang!
Day 17: Da nang
- Relax at My Khe Beach
- Have a coffee at Son Trà Marina one of the best cafes in Da Nang. You’ll feel like you’re in Greece in this hidden part of Da nang.
- See the Fire Breathing Dragon show (Google Maps Location). The dragon bridge blows fire and water every every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm for 3 minutes long.
- Have dinner at Thìa Gỗ Restaurant Da Nang. Don’t miss trying Vietnamese pancakes – they were incredible!
Vietnam Itinerary: Day 18: Mekong River Delta
Read my full review of the Cai Rang Floating Market.
You can fly from Da Nang directly to Can Tho and visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market. Alternatively, you can do it as a day trip tour from Ho Chi Minh City. However, it’s best to stay overnight in Can Tho so you can wake up early and be at the market during the height of the activity. This is typically at 7am so you will have an early start.
I highly recommend taking a private tour at the Cai Rang Floating Market for a more authentic experience.
Here’s some of the things you may do on the tour!
- Watch how local life is at the Floating Market
- Enjoy breakfast on the boat. You will just ask the locals where Mrs. 7 is for some amazing soup. They even make coffee.
- Learn how noodles are made at Chin Cua.
- Visit the Land Market. It’s located directly above the Cai Rang Floating Market.
- Visit the Temple within the Land Market
Day 19, 20, & 21: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City:
Read my full 3 day itinerary to Ho Chi Minh City!
- Cafe hop at the Cafe Apartments
- Visit the book street: a cute street full of book shops.
- Send a postcard at the famous post office
- Have lunch at Bánh Mì Huynh Ho
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
- Visit the War Remnants Museum
- Watch the sunset at Bitexco Financial Tower – Saigon Skydeck for views of the city
Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City
- Take a half-day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels are located about an hour and a half from the city. They were used by Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War and you can even hop inside the small tunnels yourself!
- Shop at the markets: Ben Thanh is overly touristy but there are others like Tan Binh Market.
- Visit the pink church
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street: Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street. It’s a great place to people-watch and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
- Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River: Enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the city lights and riverside views.
Day 21: Departure.
You may also like these posts!
🗺️
🇻🇳 Hanoi 4 Day Itinerary
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City 3 Day Itinerary
🚂 Hanoi Train Street
☕ Best Hanoi Coffee Shops
☕ Best Hoi An Coffee Shops
💰 How Much to Budget for a Vietnam Trip
🏞️ The best things to do in Ninh Binh
🏮 The Best Things to Do in Hoi An
🚤 Guide to the Mekong River Delta
🏨 Where to Stay in Hoi An
💖 Solo Travel Guide to Vietnam
