Vietnam is a huge country that offers many best things to people who come here. When you start listing the number of places to visit in your upcoming trip, it can exceed a hundred. With that kind of unorganised plan, how are you going to decide how many days in Vietnam you need?
As a tourist, you can spend 12 – 15 days in Vietnam. However, you need to have a plan with at least 70% clarity, because no one can achieve 100%.
As a traveller myself, I have struggled a lot, and the confusion of choosing a spot and leaving out the other, just because I don’t have more days on my hands, is the worst feeling to go through.
That’s why I’m going to explain what each part of Vietnam has to offer you. I will also list the places to visit and things to do so that you can create your own Vietnam itinerary.
For every individual, a vacation holds a different meaning. When you finish reading this blog, you will know how many days in Vietnam is enough.
Glimpse into Different Parts of Vietnam:
Let me make you understand each part of Vietnam. As someone who has travelled to that country, I was shocked to learn that the vibe varies in every part.
To start with, I’ll outline the major places from north to south and explain what makes each one special.
| Place | Specialty |
| Sapa | Spread out terraced rice fields & mountain life |
| Hanoi | Vietnam’s capital is best for touristy vibes and is filled with rich history |
| Da Nang | A coastal city blending modern vibes, sandy beaches, and a party lifestyle after sunset |
| Ho Chi Minh | The energy of Vietnam’s fast-paced metropolis is yet packed with tradition and coffee culture. |
| Phu Quoc | An island paradise with white-sand beaches, sunsets, and laid-back luxury and offers a mini-Europe. |
The places I mentioned earlier are popular travel destinations in Vietnam. I will describe each place in detail and also suggest nearby attractions.
How Many Days in Hanoi, Vietnam
You need to spend 3-4 days in Hanoi to cover all the historical landmarks and experience Hanoi’s nightlife. This is the capital city, where I landed and began my journey to experience Vietnam’s culture.
This is a place where the tourist flow never stops. I went alone and was surprised to see that this city pulls a lot of solo travellers like me.
You must have heard- the Old Quarters and it’s the best place to stay in Hanoi. It’s basically an area where all the newbies and budget travellers come.
When I stayed there, I was easily able to access so many places. Trust me, I liked trying different foods, but in a new country where I was roaming around, I wanted my favourite home food to comfort me.
And, of course, after a long day, I was tired and wanted my comfort food. So, I had my spicy food at the best Indian restaurants I found to satisfy my taste buds.
Do This When in Hanoi
Hanoi has many places, and if you don’t make a plan of where you’re going, your schedule will get messed up. So, here are the places you can absolutely choose to go-
Best food, drinks, markets & hangout spots: Ta Hien Street/Beer Street, Train Street, Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market, Quảng Bá Flower Market, Hoan Kiem Lake
Historical and spiritual places: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature
Vietnamese performances & experiences to try: Thang Long Puppet Theatre, Hanoi Opera House, Vietnamese coffee-making classes (exceptional egg coffee)
Day trips from Hanoi (half-day or full-day trip): Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay
You don’t have to choose both places, just one would do for a one-day trip.
Those mentioned above are the primary locations you will need to visit. And it just takes 2 hours for each place and experience. But you can easily spend half a day or a whole day in the markets and street food places.
However, for the one-day trip, they do have the option of a half-day trip. Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay are cruise types where you will not be taken care of with sightseeing by the cruise organisers.
There, you will visit caves and pagodas and enjoy water activities such as swimming, kayaking, and snorkelling.
How Many Days in Sapa, Vietnam
For Sapa, just 2 days is sufficient unless you want to stay for a longer duration. It is a quiet destination best suited for people seeking tranquillity.
I took a night bus from Hanoi and reached Sapa in 6 hours. You can either rent a motorbike or use Grab to book your rides.
And, of course, with the amount of time I had, I covered this place and had the best time ever. If I ever have the chance to stay in a destination for a month, this would be the one.
The homestays here are special; you can find many accommodations that offer the best views of lush green mountains and rice fields. Most of the time, the place is misty, and you barely see the sky or even the roads.
When planning, the essential thing to learn is the best time to visit Vietnam. So, you would miss all these amazing views.
Do This When in Sapa
Sapa is not a place where you rush things. It is a natural paradise that makes you see life in a different light. Mostly, the women here guide you through the treks and workshops, which are not the same in other Vietnamese cities.
The two days I spent here made me feel like one of them, and they patiently shared their culture and way of life with me.
Famous Places for Viewpoints:
- Fansipan (cable car experience + pagoda on top)
- Walk on the Glass Bridge (can do zipline, bungee jumping, & paragliding)
Adventure & Nature Experience:
- Trek in Ta Van Village
- Love Waterfall
- Hoang Lien National Park
Cultural Experience:
- Love Market of Sapa
- Sapa Culture Museum
- Ethnic Homestays
- Cat Cat Village
Try the specialities of Sapa with locals:
- Batik Workshop
- Herbal Bath in Ta Phin Village
How Many Days in Da Nang, Vietnam
Two days is an excellent plan to explore Da Nang. Book a domestic flight from Ha Noi and land in Da Nang within 1h 30 mins.
If your first destination is Da Nang, you can fly directly from India. Trust me, after enjoying the dry lands for days, I found my heaven here. The beach life I had here was awesome, and I stayed close to the beach.
It was easy for me to catch the sun’s rays quickly and simply sit by the beach, watching the waves. And there are more best stays in Da Nang that will suit everyone’s taste.
As I have established, there is peace; on the contrary, I came to know that nightlife in Da Nang is crazy.
Do This When in Da Nang
To enjoy the list I have given below, you just need 2 days, but I have mentioned 3 above. That is because there is a town, Hoi An, located 25 km away, which offers a distinct vibe from Da Nang.
The roads there are lined with lanterns, and the atmosphere itself offers a laid-back experience. The best thing about Hoi An is the opportunity I had to try the lantern-making process, including selecting a fabric and having it custom-made.
I just stepped into Ancient Town, where I spent my entire evening looking at unique souvenirs. And standing on the Japanese bridge and taking a short boat ride on the river was a magical experience, especially at times.
Must-Visit Sightseeing:
- Dragon Bridge
- Ba Na Hills
- Golden Bridge
- Lady Buddha
- The Marble Mountains
Best Nightclubs:
- SKY36 Da Nang
- New Phuong Dong Nightclub
- X.O Karaoke
- ADM CLUB
For Leisure Time:
- My Khe Beach (Plus water activities in the daytime)
- Bach Dang Walking Street
How Many Days in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
All the way to the south, there is Ho Chi Minh City, which needs 2 days to cover all the places. Among all the Vietnamese towns and cities I have been to, this city was altogether different.
It is the financial capital, which has a little bit of chaotic charm with tall buildings and endless things to do.
Ho Chi Minh was previously known as Saigon, and it is still called by that name. Although it boasts a full-blown modern skyline, you can still find touches of French and traditional Vietnamese architecture.
What I personally felt was that it’s a place that grows on you. From the outside, it looks like just another busy metro, but once you settle into its pace, you’ll realise there’s culture hidden in every corner.
Do This When in Ho Chi Minh
Honestly, Ho Chi Minh was the least recommended city to me. When I was planning my trip and discussing it with many people, they all said that visiting Hanoi and Da Nang was enough. And these cities will give you the best time.
Then I asked, Why? Did you not like Ho Chi Minh? Most of them said they had never been there. They all hurried to two cities, got tired, and returned home. But I took things slow and one hundred per cent enjoyed Ho Chi Minh.
Historical Sites to Explore:
- War Remnants Museum
- Independence Palace
- Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office
Local Vibes & Nightlife:
- Bùi Viện Walking Street
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- Ben Thanh Market
Cultural & Coffee Experiences:
- Ao Dai Museum
- Café Apartment
Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh (half-day or full-day)
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- Mekong Delta
How Many Days in Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Phu Quoc needs a full 2-3 nights. However, this is an island that offers a distinct experience from Vietnam’s mainland, such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and others. This is an island destination, so you can totally skip other cities and spend 4-5 days here if you want to.
More importantly, the visa process differs if you reach Phu Quoc from India, and you don’t require a visa if you land in Phu Quoc, rather than on the mainland. However, it is essential to learn about the requirements before travelling.
When you can’t afford European trips, Phu Quoc just gives you that for a budget. The town here is created for tourism purposes, which gives an exact Venice vibe.
Since it’s an island, the weather can be quite different from that of the cities. It’s evident that you will be surrounded by water, with numerous water activities and island tours available.
What I am saying is that if you know the best time to visit Phu Quoc, it makes things easier in terms of the activities to do there.
Do This When in Phu Quoc
For all the things I have mentioned below, the minimum is 4 days, but you can also make it in 2 days. For me, Phu Quoc is a divine place where I stayed for a few days and did not rush things.
If you plan to visit Vietnam for 10-12 days, it’s challenging to cover Hanoi, Da Nang, Sapa, Ho Chi Minh and lastly Phu Quoc. If you did, well, that’s good. But vacations are meant to be relaxing and not end up like you’re hurrying to go to the next stop.
In the end, it’s totally up to every individual’s budget and the number of days they can spend. So, let’s see how you can spend your days here-
Theme Park Experiences to Try:
- VinWonders
- SunWorld Aquatopia Water Park
- The longest cable car ride
For a European-style holiday:
- Grand World – European style
- Sunset Town
- Do a Venice boat ride
Unique Island experience:
- Dinh Cau Temple
- Try Pearl & Pepper farming
- Island hopping tours
For a nature experience, go to:
- Vinpearl Safari
- Suoi Tranh Water Fall
Conclusion
After the trip, I was totally satisfied. What doesn’t Vietnam have? It’s as if the whole world is confined to this small country. As a solo traveller, I was alone but not lonely at all.
Still, I had to be aware of my surroundings and take care of myself responsibly. And I enjoyed the best of Vietnam’s nightlife, surrounded by so many people I had just met there.
The bars I hopped into alone made me come out of it with a group of people. Then we just randomly started trying all the Vietnamese street food and ended up talking about our life stories.
Even if travel isn’t usually your thing, give it a shot. But stop overthinking about making any trips that can give you the best memories of your life.
I know planning a vacation in a different country can be hectic. So, unlike me, you don’t have to figure out everything by yourself. You can always look for a trustworthy travel partner who arranges your trips. All you need to do is free up your schedule for Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions: How Many Days in Vietnam is Enough?
Is Vietnam a budget-friendly destination for Indians?
Yes, Vietnam is a budget-friendly tourist destination that offers a lot for the money you spend. On average, a 7-day trip will only cost you 60,000 INR, which includes flights.
However, the cost is based on your lifestyle, and it can increase if you eat at a fancy restaurant or stay in a star hotel. Even if you are doing that, it still comes out to around a lakh per person.
How many days in Hanoi, Vietnam?
4 to 5 days is a good amount of time if you want to experience the depth of Hanoi. In this, you can also fit in a full-day Halong Bay trip as well.
Which is better, North, Central or South Vietnam?
Each part has a different experience. The north has Hanoi, which is often overhyped and easily recognised by many people. However, there are many hidden gems; if you have the time, be sure to explore all the parts.
