Plan a Trip Itinerary to Vietnam: Top 4 Must-see Tips

Imagine yourself walking through the Old Quarter of Hanoi and enjoying its mouth-watering street food one day, and the next day sitting on a 5-star luxury cruise sailing on crystal clear waters of Halong Bay. Hanoi – Halong Bay is just one of many itineraries to discover the diverse cultural, historical, and architectural sceneries of Vietnam.

As Vietnam is climbing on top of the list for tourism hotspots, many travelers are considering Vietnam as their next getaway destination. Have you been planning to pay Vietnam a visit but unsure where to hit on your getaway trip? If so, stay tuned as we are about to walk through step-by-step on how to plan a trip itinerary to Vietnam so you can enjoy your adventures to the fullest in this beautiful Southeast Asian country!

Where to Research to Plan Your Itinerary to Vietnam

Before planning the logistical details of travelling to Vietnam, doing your diligent research on Vietnam, its famous destinations, and must-know facts is the first crucial step to plan your trip itinerary to Vietnam. Reading posts from travel influencers who have done familiarisation visits to Vietnam could be a great way to get an authentic view on what your itineraries could look like for certain locations here.

Blogposts from trustworthy tour providers, such as Ambassador DMC, in Vietnam are also great resources to learn more about what Vietnam has to offer, best times to visit the country, and price ranges to expect depending on where you want to go and how long you want to stay.

Websites like tripadvisor and Klook are great places to search for popular itineraries offered to travelers as these plans have been carefully drafted by experts with knowledge about Vietnam. If you want to plan a trip itinerary to Vietnam on your own, doing so with references to these pre-planned itineraries would ensure you hit the must-see spots with reasonable time and smooth transportations between different sites.

Step-to-Step on How to Plan a Trip Itinerary to Vietnam

Step 1: Research on Vietnamese immigration laws for your country. The first important thing to consider when you plan a trip itinerary to Vietnam is whether you need a VISA to get into Vietnam. You can research about Vietnamese immigration laws on the country’s government website. And, if you do need to apply for a visa, knowing how to apply and applying far in advance of your travel would ensure there is room for emergencies before your departure day.

Step 2: Determine which destinations you want to hit. After reading about Vietnam and knowing which destinations you want to hit, it would make your planning easier to take notes of these destinations and where they are located on the map. Using tools such as Google map pins as well as travel planner could prove helpful when you plan a trip itinerary to Vietnam! Knowing where you want to go would also help in planning when to go as different destinations have different most beautiful time in the year to visit!

Step 3: Book plane tickets and hotels. When you have all the spots you want to hit lined up, you can determine how many days you want to come to Vietnam for, when you want to go, and the specific locations where you are staying. When all of these details are figured out, you can book plane tickets and hotels! Booking these in bundles on sites such as agoda, traveloka, or klook can save you some money, and you can see customer’s reviews as well to make sure you are getting the best quality of service.

Step 4: Book local transportations, restaurants, and activities. If you are planning to hit multiple cities (which you should!), booking transportations between different sites well in-advance will make sure your travel is smooth. Main modes of transportations within Vietnam are sleeper bus, train, plane, and private limousines.

If there are popular restaurants you want to dine at, it is best to call in advance for reservations as the wait time can get long during tourism peak! Entrances to museums, kayaking trips, boat tours are a couple of examples of activities that you need to book in advance. So, take those into considerations as well when you plan a trip itinerary to Vietnam!

Top Popular Itineraries for Vietnam

Hanoi – Halong Bay – Ninh Binh: Discover Natural Beauty in Northern Vietnam

If it is your first time visiting Vietnam, this 5-day itinerary would allow you to hit famous destinations in the northern part of the country. This itinerary starts in Hanoi and leaves you two days for exploring the city. Known for its rich cultural history and vibrant culinary delights, Hanoi, Vietnamese capital city, is one of the must-visit destinations in Vietnam. The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake are just two of many popular tourist destinations in the city.

After enjoying the perfect harmony of the past and the present in Hanoi, you can set out to go on a luxury overnight cruise on Halong Bay, which is only a two hour ride from Hanoi. A UNESCO World Heritage, Halong Bay is a must-visit spot on your trip. Cruising through the teal crystal clear waters, gazing at mesmerizing limestone islands, and spending the night on a luxury ship would be a perfect relaxation day to immerse yourself in nature.

On the fourth and fifth day, you will be exploring Ninh Binh and Trang An, where King Kong’s many famous scenes were shot. In Trang An, you will be taken on a boat ride with true local people, engage in conversations with them, while looking at mesmerizing mountainous ranges.

Da Nang – Ba Na Hills – Hue – Hoi An: Immerse in Vibrant Culture of Central Vietnam

This itinerary is 7 days long, and it takes you through the central part of Vietnam. On the first day, when landing in Da Nang, you would spend an entire day here enjoying sunshine on the beach while looking out at seemingly endless mountain peaks. It is rare to see a combination of such natural sceneries!

The next day, you will be riding the longest and largest-change-in-altitude cable car in Asia up to Ba Na Hills and enjoy the beautiful mountainous sceneries. Ba Na Hills have many outdoor activities, indoor entertainment, shopping centers, and authentic seafood for you to enjoy in very comfortable weather.

On the third and fourth day, you will be spending time in the citadel of Hue, a place full of rich and long-standing historical as well as cultural sights. Some destinations to hit here include Minh Mang tomb, Thuy Bieu village, Thien Mu pagoda, and Hue Citadel. Finally, on the fifth and sixth day, you will be going to the famous Old Town of Hoi An and experiencing the past weaved into the presence here. And, on the seventh day, you will be departing from Da Nang back to your home country.

The itineraries above are just some of many that you can plan and choose from! Vietnam indeed has many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Being a country with diverse cultural and natural sceneries, rich culinary delights, and hospitable people, Vietnam has proven many times to be a place worth visiting over and over. Do yourself a favor and plan a trip itinerary to Vietnam, a beautiful Southeast Asian country. I promise you will be making unforgettable memories to cherish for a lifetime here!