A Fascinating 3 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary

Relax on tropical Phu Quoc Island, discover historical Hoi An, enjoy delicous local food and be wowed by the extraordinary natural landscapes of Halong Bay and Phong Nha. This detailed 3 weeks in Vietnam itinerary will show the best of the country.

It’s a rich and varied itinerary with stunning scenery, history, culture, UNESCO World Heritage sites and some relaxing beach time on beautiful Phu Quoc Island. This Vietnam travel itinerary is ideal for first-timers who want an overview of Vietnam and is perfect for solo travellers like me.

I spent two amazing holidays exploring Vietnam and travelled alone throughout the country. Vietnam is a safe, interesting, inexpensive and beautiful destination that is ideal for solo travel.

I’ve compiled this article to help you find the very best things to see and do for a fascinating 3 weeks in Vietnam. Here’s an itinerary overview.

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3 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary Overview

This exciting 3 week itinerary in Vietnam begins in hectic Ho Chi Minh City in the humid tropical south.

After exploring the busy city, spend a few days relaxing on the beaches of tropical Phu Quoc Island, travel by ferry to the mainland to visit the colourful floating markets of the Mekong Delta, spend a night in Can Tho and return briefly to Ho Chi Minh City before taking a domestic flight to Central Vietnam to visit historic Hoi An and royal Hue.

Head inland to the awe inspiring caves of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, then take a sleeper train to Hanoi, Vietnam’s busy capital and join an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise where you can relax surrounded by the stunning karst scenery, returning to Hanoi to end your 21 days in Vietnam.

TIPS: Book your international flights to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and leave from Hanoi. Alternatively, book return flights to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and a domestic flight connection. Domestic flights are cheap in Vietnam, but allow extra time for schedule changes and delays.

Ease into your trip and reduce travel stress by booking an airport transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Your car and driver will be waiting for you at the airport and it’s a relief after a long-haul flight, especially if you arrive at night.

Book trains, buses and ferries in advance with 12Go Asia. I used this convenient online service when I was compiling my 3 week Vietnam itinerary and throughout Southeast Asia.

Vietnam Travel Itinerary 3 Weeks

Days 1 – 2 Ho Chi Minh City

My three-week Vietnam travel itinerary begins in bustling Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has crazy traffic, modern skyscrapers, French colonial architecture, and fresh, delicious food.

Ho Chi Minh City can be a bit overwhelming when you first arrive and I experienced a degree of culture shock while I adjusted to the hectic pace and the crazy traffic.

The city is huge, flat and walkable for shorter distances. But when you venture further afield, call a Grab car or Xe Om motorbike taxi and get around like a local or book a day tour to see the sites.

TIP: Explore the most famous places in the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh on a half-day tour. Visit the Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market, the Jade Emperor Pagoda, and more.

There are many things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City. Here are some of the best:

• Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon, a remnant of French colonial days.

• And the Saigon Central Post Office, a classic French Colonial Buildingnear the Notre Dame Cathedral

• Visit the impressive Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, the home of the South Vietnam president until the end of the civil war in 1975. The building is now a historical monument in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

• Spend an hour or two at the War Remnants Museum, a disturbing memorial to Vietnam’s tragic Civil War.

• Shop at the popular Ben Thanh Market for clothes, souvenirs and street food

• Visit the Taoist Jade Emperor Temple, a small traditional Chinese Temple

• Put aside a half day for a tour to the famous Cui Chi Tunnelsand see how the Viet Cong lived and fought during the civil war. You can go inside the tunnels and get first-hand experience.

• Visit the extraordinary Cao Dai Great Temple outside Ho Chi Minh City on a day trip. I loved visiting this temple and saw a service in progress. The Cao Dai followers wear white robes and kneel in lines as they worship. It’s a fascinating experience.

TIP: Visit the stunning Cao Dai Great Temple and the Cu Chi Tunnels on the same day. I enjoyed this full-day tour from Ho Chi Minh City.  

• Visit Saigon Square, Ho Chi Minh City’s largest shopping centre

• Stroll through the Saigon Botanical Gardens, a welcome green space in the city centre and an escape from the craziness of the city streets.

• Visit the Museum of Vietnamese History and discover the rich culture and history of Vietnam.

• Grab a bite to eat at the Ben Nghe Street Food Market and sample Banh Mi, a delicious fresh baguette with pork and pate that the locals love.

I bought a Banh Mi across the road from the Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s a popular spot for young locals to hang out in the city centre.

TIP: Crossing the road can be hard in Ho Chi Minh City. The traffic doesn’t stop for you, but the motorbikes will go around you if you walk slowly and don’t stop. Watch the locals and copy what they do.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Mid-Range: I stayed at the Duc Vuong Hotel in District 1 on Bui Vien Walking Street, a busy nightlife area with a good choice of bars and restaurants.  It’s a central location, and I loved the hotel’s excellent service and rooftop bar, which was decorated with colourful lanterns. The cheaper rooms are internal and have no windows.

Luxury: The Hotel Majestic offers elegant, upmarket accommodation and gets exceptional reviews for its excellent service and prime location near the Saigon River and restaurants.

The Myst Don Quoi is a five-star hotel with stunning river views and spacious, comfortable rooms. It gets exceptional reviews for its great location and service.

Days 3 – 5 Phu Quoc Island

Next on this 3 week Vietnam itinerary, take an early morning flight to Phu Quoc Island from Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive late morning and maximise your time on the island. I flew with Vietnam Airways.

Enjoy the change of pace and relax in a tropical paradise with stunning beaches and perfect beach sunsets.

The best things to do on Phu Quoc Island are:

• Swim and sunbathe at the beach

• Watch a beach sunset and enjoy a meal and a cocktail

• Go on an island hopping snorkelling day trip. I enjoyed this fun day out!

• Take a sight seeing tour from Duong Dong and discover the south of Phu Quoc Island. Learn about pearl cultivation at the Phu Quoc Pearl Farm, taste wine at the Sim Wine Factory, and visit Phu Quoc Prison.

• Ride on a Cable Car to Pineapple Island

TIP: This day trip from Phu Quoc Island takes you to the Hon Thom cable car, to the beach of Buom Island, snorkelling with tropical fish and relaxing on the white sandy shore of May Rut Island.

• Visit the Duong Dong Night Market and try the street food.

• Explore the island by motorbike.

• Visit an amusement park

Where to stay on Phu Quoc Island

Mid Range: Sunshine Bungalows These basic bungalows are set in a pretty tropical garden, close to the beach. I enjoyed my stay here. The bungalow had everything I needed, including a safe, and the reception arranged my onward travel and tours.

Luxury: If you’re after more luxury, try the Shells Resort & Spa.With a pool & its own private beach, it gets excellent reviews.

Days 6 -7 Mekong Delta / Can Tho

Catch the Superdong Ferry to Rach Gia on the mainland (2-3 hours) and travel through the Mekong Delta by bus to Can Tho (3 hours).

TIP: I bought a combined ferry and bus ticket from Phu Quoc Island to Can Tho (US$27). All transfers were included, and it was an easy trip. 

Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and it’s the perfect base for visiting the colourful floating markets, a highlight of the area. The city has a lively waterfront area with gardens and riverfront restaurants.

If you have time, I recommend visiting the tiny Ong Taoist Temple and the Truc Lam Buddhist Temple and Monastery in Can Tho. I enjoyed them both. 

TIP: I took an early morning boat from Can Tho to see the lively Cai Rang floating market at sunrise, soaking in its bustling vibe. A shuttle bus collected me from my hotel before dawn, and I joined a small group for the boat trip down the Mekong River to the Cai Rang market.

Catch an afternoon Futa bus back to Ho Chi Minh City. The trip takes around 3 – 4 hours.

Where to stay in Can Tho

Mid-Range: The KP Hotel is clean, modern and good value with comfortable rooms and an excellent location ten minutes from the pier and close to the night market. It’s ideal for an overnight stay in Can Tho.

Holiday One Hotel This comfortable hotel is a little bit out of town. I enjoyed relaxing by the pool and was a bit taken aback to find the entire street under a few inches of water when I returned to the hotel after dinner. The street floods with the King tides, and no one bats an eyelid.

Luxury: The five-star Sheraton Can Tho offers luxurious accommodations with spectacular river views and amazing service.

TIP: Explore Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s tropical south in 10 days or visit the country’s capital, Hanoi and enjoy the stunning karst mountains in North of Vietnam in 2 weeks.

Day 8 Ho Chi Minh City

The next stop on this Vietnam travel itinerary is Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay.

Then take a domestic flight to Da Nang and a taxi to Hoi An. I took an afternoon flight with Vietjet Air, and the taxi from Danang Airport to Hoi An took around 1 hour.

Days 9 – 10 Hoi An

Brimming with old-world charm, the historical town of Hoi An is a popular destination forsightseeing and shopping. During the day, you can visit traditional Vietnamese houses and Chinese Temples and shop for souvenirs or clothing.

At night, Hoi An lights up with colourful lanterns, and the night market is busy. Enjoy shopping for clothes, souvenirs and street food.

Visiting Hoi An Ancient Town is a highlight of this 3 week Vietnam itinerary. With an Old Town ticket, you can see 5 of the historical sites in the Hoi An Old Town.

• Wander the laneways of the Old Town and visit the Chinese Assembly rooms, Chinese and French colonial houses and shops

• Walk across the Japanese Covered Bridge

• Shop for souvenirs at the night market

• Take a boat ride out on the river at night

• Visit a local tailor and order some made-to-measure clothing

• Hoi An lights up at night, especially during the full moon festival held each month when the street lights are switched off and the Old Town is lit with colourful lanterns.

• Learn about the local food in an authentic Vietnamese cooking class. I loved this experience! We spent the day shopping at the local market, cooking and eating delicious traditional food.

• Visit the ancient Cham ruins at My Son. I got up before dawn for this and enjoyed watching the sunrise over the My Son ruins without the crowds of tourists that come later in the day.

Where to stay in Hoi An

Mid Range: Mid-Range: Volar de Faifo is a small boutique hotel with a pool and a great location on the river island in Hoi An, a hop, skip and a jump from the night market and the Old Town. My room was light, bright and spacious. I had a comfortable stay here.

The Green Apple Hotel in Hoi An offers spotless rooms, a pool and excellent service with a shuttle bus to the Old Town and on-site bicycle hire. I enjoyed staying here but didn’t love the location, a long walk from the Old Town.

Luxury: If you’re after something more upmarket, try the Allegro Hoi An. A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa Guests love the stunning rooms, the decor and the wonderful service.

Travelling to Hue via the Hai Van Pass

Travel from Hoi An to Hue over the scenic Hai Van Pass and stop to see the sights and viewpoints on the way. Explore Marble Mountain, Danang Beach, the Dragon Bridge, the WWII Fort, and Elephant Falls before arriving in Hue.

 I booked an Easy Rider motorbike tour from Hoi An to Hue (one way).  My driver, Henry, picked me up in Hoi An, strapped my backpack on the back of his motorbike, showed me the sights and delivered me to my hotel in Hue. It was a lot of fun!

The coastal scenery on the famous Hai Van Pass is stunning. But if riding on the back of a motorbike doesn’t appeal, book a private car or catch the train over the Hai Van Pass from Da Nang to Hue.

TIP: A day tour from Hoi An is another good way to see the local sights in Da Nang City, the stunning coastline and the mysterious caves of Marble Mountain. Travel over Vietnam’s longest suspension bridge, through Hai Van Pass and to Lang Co Beach.

Days 11 – 12 Hue

Hue is a pleasant regional city in Central Vietnam. In the 16^th century, Hue was the capital of Vietnam, ruled by the Nguyen family.

On my 3 week Vietnam itinerary I had only one full day in Hue and I saw the best of Hue on a day tour that included included entry tickets to the Imperial Citadel, the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh and a Perfume River Cruise on a colourful Dragon Boat to the Thien Mu Pagoda.

Where to stay in Hue

Mid Range:  I enjoyed staying at the Chum Boutique Hotel. I loved the cool jazz playing in the foyer and the comfortable room with a free-standing bath. This hotel is close to the river, with coffee shops and restaurants nearby.

Vina Spa is clean, quiet and spacious with a central location beside the river. My room was comfortable and I had a lovely water view from my window.

Luxury: The Melia Vinpearl Hotel Hue has an exceptional location and spectacular city views and gets great reviews.

Travelling to Phong Nha from Hue

Catching a bus is the most direct route from Hue to Phong Nha, and the trip takes 4 -5 hours. The local bus was very cramped and uncomfortable, but it dropped me right on the doorstep of the Lake House Resort, where I was staying.

Make sure you arrange the drop-off in advance with the bus driver.

Alternatively, you can catch the train from Hue to Dong Hoi (a comfortable3 hour trip) and then a local bus or taxi to Phong Nha (1 hour).  Buses to Phong Nha leave every hour from outside the Dong Hoi Post Office.

Days 13 – 16 Phong Nha-Ke Bang

The next stop on my 3 week Vietnam itinerary is the spectacular Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, ahidden gem in Vietnam. The area has the largest limestone cave system in the world and is UNESCO World Heritage-listed.

The stunning karst scenery and phenomenal caves make Phong Nha a superb place to visit in rural Vietnam. Phong Nha is not on the main tourist trail, but it’s a wonderful addition to a Vietnam travel itinerary.

The best things to do in Phong Nha are:

• Take a boat ride from Son Trach to stunning Phong Nha Cave. It takes only a few hours to motor up the river and explore the cave by boat.

• Visit Paradise Cave. I was awed by the sheer size of this incredible cave

TIP: Book a tour to see Phong Nha Cave and stunning Paradise Cave on the same day.

• Explore Son Trach Village

• Visit the Phong Nha Botanical Gardens and hike through the forest to a pretty waterfall

• Kayak on the lake or the river

• Explore the countryside on a bicycle and enjoy the stunning river and mountains.

Visiting “Dark Cave” is more adventurous and involves a zipline across the river, swimming into the entrance and climbing through the muddy cave.

Where to stay in Phong Nha

Mid-Range: The Lake House Resort has a scenic lakeside location, and I loved staying here! My bungalow was huge and had a private balcony right on the water.

The service was wonderful, and the resort has a swimming pool and a convenient on-site restaurant. It’s a few kilometres outside the village, but the bus stops right at the front door,and the friendly owner was very helpful in arranging local transport.

Upper Mid-Range: Victory Road Villas also gets exceptional reviews for its beautiful surroundings. It’s a gorgeous villa with fabulous views.

Getting to Hanoi from Phong Nha

To get to Hanoi from Phong Nha, catch a local bus to Dong Hoi (1 hour), then an overnight train to Hanoi. My train left Dong Hoi around 4:30 pm and arrived in Hanoi around 5 am. I had a pleasant trip in a 1^st class sleeper carriage and can also recommend the private Livitrain.

Days 17 – 18 Hanoi  

Hanoi is a vibrant capital city with charm and character and almost the end of this 3 week Vietnam itinerary.

The peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, at the centre of Hanoi, is surrounded by trees, ancient temples and French colonial buildings.  Hanoi’s historical Old Quarter is full of colour and character, with traditional Chinese shops, temples, street stalls and flower sellers on bicycles.

 It’s easy to get lost in the maze of laneways that change names according to what is sold there.

TIP: Take a Hanoi street food tour that ends at Train Street, explore the Old Quarter with a local guide and discover the delicious dishes like Pho (beef noodle soup) and Banh Mi (a fresh baguette with pork and pate filling). I recommend this tour. For me, it was a wonderful introduction to Hanoi and a fun way to spend New Years Eve!

Here are some of the best things to see and do in Hanoi:

• Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. Stop for lunch or a coffee and watch the passersby

• The Ngoc Son Temple on an island in Haon Kiem Lake

• Wander around the Hanoi Old Quarter

• Enjoy Hanoi’s Coffee scene. Hang out at Café Lam with the locals and sample the local Vietnamese salted coffee, a creamy egg coffee, or coconut coffee. They’re all delicious.

• Watch the local trains pass very close to the shops and cafes in the narrow Hanoi Train Street.

• Shop at the Hanoi Night Market, a bustling weekend market in the Old Quarter where street stalls selling clothing, souvenirs, food and lots more take over the street.

• Visit the ancient Temple of Literature, a peaceful escape from the busy streets of Hanoi.

• Imperial Citadel of Tanh Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Listed fortress.

• St Joseph Cathedral, a Gothic French colonial Cathedral near Hoan Kiem Lake.

• Join a long queue of Vietnamese people at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to view the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, a sombre, fascinating and strange experience.

• The Presidential Palace, the residence of the President of Vietnam.

There is no shortage of fun things to do in Hanoi. On this Vietnam itinerary, you’ll have 2 days to explore before heading to the famous Ha Long Bay to cruise amongst the stunning karst mountains on a traditional Vietnamese junk boat.

TIP: Transfers from Hanoi to and from Halong Bay are included in many cruise packages.

Days 19 – 20 Halong Bay

Visiting stunning Ha Long Bay is a trip highlight and a wonderfult way to end this 3 week Vietnam itinerary.  Halong Bay is famous for its remarkable landscape where thousands of small jungle-covered islands rise from the calm water of the bay.

Among the islands are untouched beaches, lookout points and limestone caves. Halong Bay lies off the coast of North Vietnam, around 3 hours by road from Hanoi and the stunning landscape is UNESCO World Heritage listed.

The most popular way to see Halong Bay is on an overnight cruise. I booked a cabin on a traditional wooden Vietnamese junk, and the cruise package included transfers by bus from Hanoi to the cruise port (3 hours).

In a typical cruise package, all meals and activities are included. There’s an English-speaking guide, sightseeing stops at caves and viewpoints, kayaking, swimming, and morning Tai Chi.

TIP: Ha Long Bay sees millions of tourists and is overcrowded with cruise boats. Instead, I suggest visiting Bai Tu Long Bay with Renea Cruises. Bai Tu Long Bay neighbours Ha Long Bay but sees far fewer tourists. It’s just as beautiful but much quieter. The scenery and activities are very similar to the Halong Bay cruise and the junk boat is also very similar. I enjoyed this cruise!

TIP: Leave your luggage in storage at your Hanoi hotel and take a small overnight bag on the cruise. The cabins on the junk boat are very compact with little room for large bags.

Day 21 Hanoi

Return to Hanoi for the last day of this 3 week Vietnam itinerary before flying home.

If you have a few extra days you can spend more time in stunning Halong Bay and visit Cat Ba Island, take an overnight train to Sapa for hiking in the mountains, stunning scenery, beautiful rice fields, & colourful markets.

Or visit beautiful Ninh Binh, another stunning UNESCO World Heritage area just 2 hours away from Hanoi.

When to go

The best time to visit Vietnam is in spring from March to April. There’s less rain and temperatures are milder throughout the country.

Vietnam is 1600 kilometres long, and the weather patterns vary considerably from the north to the south of the country. It’s hot humid and tropical in the south of Vietnam while the weather in the north is more temperate. This variety makes Vietnam a good destination to visit year-round.

TIP: Learn more about what it’s like to visit Vietnam in January, the best and the worst months to go to Vietnam and when to travel to Cambodia and Vietnam.

FAQs

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