Vietnam is over 1,600 kilometres long, and there’s no such thing as a typical Vietnam stop. Which is fantastic news for diversity but can make deciding where to go pretty complicated. So if you’ve been wondering where to go in Vietnam, here are 4 destinations that encompass most of what we love about it.
This guide tells you what each place has to offer, who it’s for, and how to pack them into one trip.
Quick Answer: Where to Go in Vietnam
- Hanoi: history, street food and a bustling Old Quarter
- Hoi An: Lantern streets, tailors and a short journey to the beaches
- Ho Chi Minh City: vibrant, food-mad and full of war stories
- Phu Quoc: Island Beaches to Spend the Last Few Days of Relaxation
Travel north to south on your first visit and then complete on the beach. They are well connected via cheap and short flights.
Hanoi: Historic capital of Vietnam
Hanoi loves to walk around. The Old Quarter squeezes pubs, narrow roads, parking bikes, little shops and booths into a few square kilometers. This is a place to be noisy and lively. After a while, you’ll get used to it.
Things to do in Hanoi
- Take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake first thing in the morning when people are working out, and the city is very tranquil.
- Go street food hopping. Pho, bun cha, and egg coffee, of course!
- See the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, and the Hoa Lo Prison Museum.
- Join an overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Take a day trip to one of the two.
This activity is designed for the food lover in you or for the one who enjoys discovering new cultures or simply for the first-time traveler.
Time spent in transit: three nights plus, if taking a bay cruise one night.
Hoi An: Lanterns, Tailors and Easy Days
The most relaxing stop on the road. Ancient Town is a compact, beautiful pedestrian area that comes alive at night with thousands of paper lanterns, and the most popular visitor destination in the area. Most people fly to Da Nang, then change over for a short journey to Hoi An.
What to do in Hoi An
- Schedule your fittings. Your local gear stores usually take a day or two to order new gear, so start your fitting schedule within your first day or two.
- Join a Market Cooking Class.
- Rental bikes and snacks. Ride a bike through the rice paddy to the beach of An Bang.
- For larger groups, give golf a try. Schedule a Day Trip to Marble Mountains or My Son Ruins.
Ideal for: couples, slow travellers and those in need of a mini break from the big city.
Time of the stay: two to three nights.
Ho Chi Minh City: Fast, Food-Filled and Fascinating
The city, which many locals still refer to as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city. The city is modern with French-colonial buildings, glass high-rises, and bustling markets.
Activities In Ho Chi Minh City
Discover Vietnamese history at the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace. Visit Ben Thanh Market, and we provide all your meals in District 1 and District 4.
ONE DAY TOUR TO THE CI CHI TUNNELS OR MEKONG DELTA.
- When darkness falls: An actually really popular item.
- Who is it for: history lovers, food and drink enthusiasts, partiers.
- Number of nights: three nights with a day trip.
- Phu Quoc: Beaches to Finish Your Trip
Enjoy a slower pace after several hectic city days. The island in the Gulf of Thailand has long beaches and restaurants serving seafood and resorts at a range of prices. There are direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that last around one to two hours.
Activities in Phu Quoc
- Have fun sunbathing and visiting family farms. Enjoy a swim or sunbathing there.
- Take a snorkelling tour or island-hopping tour to the islands to the south.
- Dawn: fresh fish, sunset at Duong Dong Night Market.
- Check out a fish sauce factory or a pepper farm and get a glimpse into the local economy.
Great for: couples, honeymooners, and anyone who just needs a good rest. Three to five nights.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?
There is no single month that is suitable for all of Vietnam because the weather is different depending on the region.
- Hanoi and the north: March to April and October to November have lovely weather. It’s sometimes quite cool and grey in winter.
- Hoi An and central Vietnam: This is generally the driest time from February to May. Typhoons and flooding are more prevalent from September to November.
- Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc: The dry season is from around November to April. The wet season sees short, sharp showers and choppy seas around the island.
If you want to do the four places, then springtime (March-May) is great for many visitors. But always check the weather first – it varies from year to year.
In a rush? Eliminate the bay cruise and stay two nights on Phu Quoc on the 9- or 10-night itinerary. If you have three weeks or more, throw in some of the cooler destinations-Hue, Sapa, or Da Lat.
How To Get There From Australia
Getting from both Sydney and Melbourne direct into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City takes about nine hours. Cities like Brisbane, Perth and anywhere else in the world will find the best way is through one of the major hub airports. There are seasons to fly, and that means booking early in the northern winter and school holidays.
Australians require a visa for Vietnam. There are online applications for an e-visa, but new regulations and fees are always being introduced, so check the official Vietnamese government immigration portal before you pay anyone to avoid scams.
Is a Vietnam Holiday Package Worth It?
Travelling independently around Vietnam is easy, but Vietnam holiday packages can make your life a lot easier on a multi-destination trip. A good package normally includes:
- International and domestic flights
- Hotels in each city
- Airport transfers
Tours included: one of the selected tours, for example: a Ha Long Bay cruise or a Mekong Delta day trip.
Packages are a good option if you have limited annual leave, you’re travelling with family, or you don’t want to organise all your transfers and domestic flights yourself. Do compare what’s included in each package before you book: Does the price include meals? Does the price include an entry fee? The quality of the guide and whether you can change the dates? Prefer a package with some free time (some of Vietnam’s most memorable moments are when you’re just wandering around).
Helpful Tips Before you leave
- Price: Vietnam is cheap. Food, public transport and hotels in mid-range accommodation are a fraction of the price if you compared to the same quality here in Australia.
- Currency: Carry Vietnamese dong with you for markets and street vendors. Cards are widely accepted at all hotels and at several of the larger restaurants.
- Getting around: Take a ride-hailing app such as Grab while in the cities. It takes the stress out of having to deal with fare negotiations.
- Crossing the road: Walk carefully at a steady pace across the road while the bikes and cars pass you. Do not hurry across or run.
- Before departure: Coverage reimburses you for any delays or cancellations of a flight.
- Luggage: Light warm clothes, casuals, raincoat, and conservative clothing while going to temples.
Final Thoughts
Hanoi provides you with culture and cuisine, Hoi An charms and relaxes, Ho Chi Minh City provides vibrance and history, and Phu Quoc winds up the journey on the beach. The number of different activities throughout the journey makes this one of the best routes in SE Asia, and this route will satisfy first-time and returning tourists alike.
Are you planning your trip? Explore all-inclusive Vietnam travel packages with EaseOnTrip to find the best packages and customize your trip.