One month in Vietnam Itinerary: 4 Weeks Travel Guide

If you plan to spend one month in Vietnam, congratulations! You will have a chance to see the whole country. In this travel guide about 4 weeks in Vietnam, I will share with you my Itinerary for one month in Vietnam to see the country as much as possible, starting either from the south or the north. 

Of course, your Itinerary will depend on your travel style and interests. Some people love to see as much as possible from south to north, while others choose to stay in only one to two cities. Through my itinerary, you can have a general idea of how you can spend 30 days in this beautiful country. 

Vietnam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in SouthEast Asia. It is a long and narrow country with plenty of things to do and see; From stunning natural landscapes of beaches and mountains, to delicious food and impressive historical and cultural attractions, Vietnam has it all!

You’ll have bustling metropolitan cities with lots of nightlife and shopping such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. There are beautiful mountainous areas in northern Vietnam in Sapa or Ha Giang. You can explore UNESCO Heritage wonders in Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay. Cave explorers can explore Phong Nha. 

Hoi An ancient town is a must-see in central Vietnam. Hue is the must-visit for history buffs. For beautiful beaches, head to Da Nang, Nha Trang, or Phu Quoc. For stunning sand dunes like the Sahara desert, head to Mui Ne. Dalat is known for its cool climate, impressive waterfalls, and stunning pagodas.

Getting to Vietnam is easy by air. The country has several major international airports in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. You can easily get to other major tourist destinations in Vietnam by domestic flights, trains, sleeper buses. Taking Grab is a favorite way to get around in each city of many visitors.

One Month in Vietnam starting from South or North?

You can start by flying into either Hanoi in the North or Ho Chi Minh City in the South. Which city you choose depends on the available flights and the distance from your starting location to each one. Once you arrive in either city, you can easily travel to other parts of the country by plane, train, or bus!

I recommend starting from the North if you want to explore the traditional side of Vietnam, with stunning natural landscape and rich cultural attractions.

If you want to explore the modern side of Vietnam, warm weather, urban life with vibrant nightlife scene and great shopping, start from Ho Chi Minh City and the South of Vietnam.

Hanoi is the major transport hub of North Vietnam, home to a Noi Bai international airport, located 30 km from the old quarter. Most visitors use Hanoi as a base to explore Sapa, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, and Halong Bay.

Ho Chi Minh City is a major transport hub of South Vietnam, home to Tan Son Nhat airport, located 7km from district 1. From Ho Chi Minh City, You can easily make trips to Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong delta, Mui Ne, Da Lat, and Nha Trang.

Da Nang is a transport hub of Central Vietnam. It has an international airport, and is only a 1.5 hours flight from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang is a great base to visit nearby destinations such as Hoi An, Hue, and My Son sanctuary.

One month in Vietnam South to North route

One month in Vietnam North to South route

• Hanoi (2-3 days)
• Halong bay (1-2 days)
• Ninh Binh (1-2 days)
• Ha Giang (3-4 days)
• Sapa (2-3 days)
• Phong Nha (2-3 days)
• Hue (2-3 days)
• Da Nang (2-3 days)
• Hoi An (2-3 days)
• Quy Nhon (1-2 days)
• Nha Trang (2-3 days)
• Da Lat (2-3 days)
• Mui Ne (1-2 days)
• Ho Chi Minh City (2-3 days)
• Phu Quoc (3-4 days)

What are the budgets for One month in Vietnam?

The budget for one month in Vietnam really depends on travel styles. You will need to spend money on accommodation, food, tour, shopping, and transport. Accommodation is the most important factor of your budget. 

Accommodations tend to be more expensive in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It might be cheaper in smaller cities. If you stay in a backpacker hostel, you’ll need to spend around 150,000 NVD/night. 

The 3-star hotel, guest houses, and homestay can cost around 500,000 VND/ night. It will give you basic facilities such as beds, tables, showers. The quality of these accommodations are not always good.

Mid-range 4-star hotel can cost from 800,000 to 1,300,000 VND/night. I usually stay in this option as a solo and couples. It is safe and has good quality facilities. Sometimes, I choose to stay in 5-star hotels which cost from 1,300,000 VND upwards. 

The price of food and drinks also depends on where you eat and drink. For example, you can have a bowl of Pho on a street food stall for 30,000 VND, but if you dine in a restaurant with air-conditioning on Nguyen Hue street, it’ll cost 80,000 VND. Similar to the drink, a can of Tiger beer in a bar in Saigon Japan Town can cost 140,000 VND, but only 25,000VND on Bui Vien street.

Guided tours are also an important factor in your budget. With the same tour, you can pay less if you don’t mind the size of the group; If you want a small group or private group, you’ll need to pay more. For example, a Cu Chi tour with a group of up to 25 people costs only 400,000 VND while a small group of 9 people can cost double that price.

For transportation, the cheapest way to get to each destination is probably using sleeper bus or train. You can find cheap flights on Vietjet air. Consider renting a motorbike to get around if you can drive. Many adventurous travelers buy a bike from HCM, travel around the country, and sell it in Hanoi.

How to spend one month in Vietnam – 4 weeks itinerary (South to North)

These are my recommendations for 4 weeks in Vietnam starting from the South to the North. If you start from North to South, you can adjust the itinerary based on my core suggestions.

The suggested length to stay is only the minimum amount of days to spend in each city to be able to get an introduction of each destination and see major attractions. Feel free to add more days based on your pace and interests. 

1. Ho Chi Minh City: 2-3 days

Ho Chi Minh City is the first arrival point for many visitors to explore the country. Tan Son Nhat airport is one of the busiest airports in Vietnam, with flights from all over the world. You can easily get to the city center by Grab taxi, official taxi, or hotel’s shuttle car.  

Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling city known for its vibrant nightlife, great shopping, and lots of cultural attractions. I recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days in HCMC to visit major sights and get to know a bit about the city. Some visitors just spend weeks and weeks here just bar hopping.

Within 2-3 days, you can explore the city itself with attractions like the War Museum, Ben Thanh market, Independence Palace, Central Post Office, and Chinatown. You can enjoy the nightlife at Bui Vien walking street, Nguyen Hue walking street, and Saigon Japan town.

From Ho Chi Minh, you can take half/ full day trips to Cu Chi tunnel, to learn more about the Vietnam- American war. You can combine Cu Chi Tunnel tour with the Mekong delta tour or do the Mekong Delta tour on a separate day to have more time for exploration than traveling.

Most first-time visitors to Ho Chi Minh City stay either in District 1 or 3. These are the tourist heart of the city, where you can find many restaurants, bars, and shops. You’ll be walking distance or a short Grab ride from major sights and activities.

2. Phu Quoc: 3-4 days

Phu Quoc is a popular beach destination in South Vietnam. You can reach the island by ferry or by airplane. Taking an airplane is the most comfortable and fastest way to get to Phu Quoc. You can find cheap flights from the Vietjet air website. A flight journey is only 45 minutes. 

The central west coast, particularly Duong Dong and Long Beach, is the place to stay in Phu Quoc. This is because it has a central location and a wide range of tourist amenities such as restaurants, bars, and shops. 

Phu Quoc is known for its 5-star luxury beach resorts, you can find many nice accommodations all around the island. Staying in resorts in the east coast and far north means you will spend most of your time at your resort’s facilities and beaches.

From the airport, you can easily use Grab taxi to your destination. A trip from the airport to Sea Star Resort between Long Beach and Duong Dong town only cost me 100,000VND. 

I recommend spending at least 3-4 days on Phu Quoc. The best things to do on this island is perhaps just enjoy the beaches, sunset views, and watersport activities. You can do island hopping, diving, and snorkeling. Popular beaches are Sao Beach, Long Beach, and Khem beach.

You can spend a day taking the cable ride, exploring Sunset Town, and Hon Thom island. You can spend a day taking the south island tour, a day for the north island tour, or combine the both regions in one tour. 

The South island tour is a must-do where you can visit most major attractions on the island including Sao Beach, Ho Quoc pagoda, Phu Quoc prison, as well as numerous farms such as the Pearl Farm, Fish Sauce Factory, Pepper Farm, and Sim wine farm.

3. Mui Ne: 1-2 days

Mui Ne is a great beach destination in South Vietnam, located 3-4 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City. You can take a sleeper bus to Mui Ne as well as the limousine bus, which is my favorite option to choose.

Mui Ne is known for its warm weather, Sahara-like sand dunes, authentic fishing village, and the lovely fairy stream. The beaches here have good conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. 

The tourist area of Mui Ne is in Ham Tien ward. You’ll find many beachfront resorts, cafes, and seafood restaurants along Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Huynh Thuc Khang tourist strips. 

I stayed in the budget-friendly May bungalow. It has a small swimming pool area and a nice restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. It is within walking distance to the several beach bars and restaurants complex such as Pineapple cafe and Dong Vui foot court. The hotel’s owner can help organize tours to sand dunes and transportation to other cities in Vietnam.

I recommend spending at least one to two days in Mui Ne. Within one day you can visit major attractions like the white / red sand dunes, Mui Ne fishing village, the fairy stream, and the Po Sah Inu Cham Towers.

You can consider taking a day trip to Ta Cu Mountain, located 1 hour drive from Mui Ne. It’s a nice place for hiking, but you can use a cable car to get to the top of the mountain. From here you can explore different temples, Buddha Statues, and viewpoints. You can encounter some wildlife here such as colorful lizards and monkeys.

Otherwise, you can relax at the beach or enjoy water activities such as swimming, and surfing. There are several surfing schools along the beach if you want to learn a surfing lesson.

4. Da Lat: 2-3 days

Da Lat is one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam. It is a popular city in the highland center of Vietnam and is known for its cool weather, beautiful natural landscapes and stunning cultural attractions. 

Da Lat has an airport called Lien Khương airport,  located 30 km away from the city center. It has frequent flights from major cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Lat is also well connected by road. It is only a 4-5 hour drive from Mui Ne, 3-4 hours drive from Nha Trang by limousine or sleeper bus.

I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Da Lat to check out all major waterfalls, pagodas, temples, palaces, coffee plantations, enjoy local food, and the night markets. The city is known as a retreat destination, so if you come to Da Lat just for relaxing, you can spend as much time as you want.

You can easily spend half a day or one full day exploring attractions in the city center like Xuan Huong Lake, Crazy House, Bao Dai Palace, and Linh Phuoc pagoda. Getting around easily by walking and using Grab.

 From the city center, you can use Grab to get to Da Lat cable car station and take cable car rides to Truc Lam monasteries. You can explore the complex on foot and check out the peaceful Tuyen Lam lake nearby.

You can also visit Dalanta waterfall by taking a Grab taxi/ bike. It is only located 5km from the city center. Here you can buy a ticket at the entrance and choose to walk or take a roller coaster ride to the waterfall. 

For the other waterfalls and coffee plantations outside of the city center, I recommend taking a guided tour or renting a motorbike (if you are a confident driver as the road can be windy and dangerous). I took the three waterfalls day tour and highly recommend it.

The full day tour will take you to various attractions that are located outside of the city center. They include Elephant waterfall, Dalanta waterfall, Pongour waterfall, as well as coffee plantation, silk factory, cricket farm, flower village, and Linh An Pagoda.

Be sure to check out delicious cuisine at many nice restaurants such as Goc Ha Thanh or Nem Nuong Phuong. There are many nice trendy cafes to check out such as An Cafe. For nightlife, don’t miss Maze Bar and the night market. You can try lots of street food here like grilled sweet potatoes and corn; buy local specialities and listen to street performers.

I stayed at the cozy Feliz Homestay located in ward 1 very close to the night market and other attractions. The owner is very friendly and helped me organize transport to Nha Trang. They have a nice list of places to eat and things to do in Dalat.

5. Nha Trang: 2-3 days

Nha Trang is a popular beach destination in Vietnam. It is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, cheap seafood, and lots of high rise apartments and hotel options. 

Nha Trang has an airport called Cam Ranh airport, located 40 km away from Tran Phu street which is the tourist center of Nha Trang. You can easily take flights from big cities like Saigon or Hanoi to Nha Trang.

Nha Trang also has a train station located in the city center, so you can take trains from other cities such as Da Nang or Quy Nhon to Nha Trang. 

I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Nha Trang. This will allow you to visit important cultural sights, enjoy the beaches, island hopping, do some shopping, and try fresh seafood.

With one day in Nha Trang, you can explore highlights such as the Cathedral, Long Son Pagoda, Dam Market, Po Nagar Cham tower, Monkey island, and Hon Chong Promontory. You can enjoy swimming at Tran Phu Beach, take a stroll around the city’s main square, check out the night market, and many nice seafood restaurants.

You can consider taking an island hopping tour if you love water activities. You will visit several islands and enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Famous islands on the tour are Hon Tre island, Hon Tam island, or Hon Mieu island.

Taking a cable car ride to Hon Tre island is highly recommended. You’ll cross the sea on the cable car and have stunning views of the ocean and the city skyscrapers. If you have kids, you should take them to VinWonders themed park where they can try many games.

I stayed in several hotels and resorts in Nha Trang and had a good experience with Liberty Central Nha Trang in the city center and Vinpearl Resort on Hon Tre island. Both accommodations have top notch service and quality amenities.

6. Quy Nhon: 1-2 days

Quy Nhon is a lesser-known destination for foreign tourists but a popular holiday for Vietnamese. It is a beach city located between Nha Trang and Da Nang. It has an airport and a train station, so it is easily accessible by road and by air.

I recommend spending at least 1-2 days in Quy Nhon. This allows you to enjoy the beaches as well as visit some attractions such as Ky Co, Eo Giờ, Twin Cham Towers, Linh Phong – Ong Nui Temple, and Nhon Ly Fishing Village.

The best way to get around in Quy Nhon is by renting a motorbike. There are Grab in the city center but it is difficult to get one in the more remote locations. Taking a guided tour is also a good option if you don’t drive and don’t want to worry about transportation.

The best places to stay in Quy Nhon is the city center or Bai Xep area. I stayed at the L’amor Boutique Hotel in the city center. It is a clean and safe hotel located within walking distance to the city main beach. Lots of restaurants and cafes within walking distance nearby.

7. Da Nang: 2-3 days

Da Nang is a major city and the transportation hub in central Vietnam. It is known for its beautiful natural landscapes including beaches, rivers, mountains, as well as stunning cultural attractions and delicious food.

Due to its affordable cost of living and beautiful beaches, Da Nang is becoming one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia for digital nomads. It has an expat area in An Thuong/ My An near My Khe Beach.

I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Da Nang to be able to see most highlights in the city. Of course, many visitors choose to come back to this city again and again; and there are many long term visitors in Da Nang.

You can spend half or full day wandering around the city center, exploring Han River and its bridges like Dragon Bridge and Love Bridge. You can check out Han Market, con Market or Son Tra night market. For a bit of high end shopping, you can have a look at the Vincom Plaza.

My Khe Beach is located only a few minutes Grab ride from the city center of Da Nang. You can spend morning or afternoon here sunbathing, swimming, or surfing. The beach has plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. Lots of cafes and bars along the beach. Sunset and sunrise time are the most busy times on the beach and packed with people doing different things like walking, running, exercising, doing yoga…

I suggest spending one full day exploring sights a bit outside of the city center such as the Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha, Son Tra peninsula, and Ba Na Hill. 

You can consider taking a trip to Hai Van Pass, Hoi An, My Son sanctuary, or Hue from Da Nang.

I stayed both along the Han River and near My Khe Beach. Vanda Hotel and Mandila Beach Hotel are good mid-range options in Da Nang, featuring a nice rooftop bar area with stunning views of the city, river, and the ocean.

8. Hoi An: 2-3 days

Hoi An is located only 40km away from Da Nang and is another popular tourist destination in central Vietnam. It is known for its ancient town with many old wooden shop houses and the beautiful peaceful beaches. 

2-3 days is generally enough to explore the old town, the countryside, and the beaches of Hoi An. It is a small town and is easily explored on foot and by bicycle.

You can spend a day wandering around the old town visiting different historical and cultural buildings. Other neighborhoods such as An Hoi, Cam Nam, and Cam Pho are also very close by for exploring either on foot or bike. 

You can try regional dishes like Cao Lau or chicken rice. You can shop for unique handicraft souvenirs, leather bags/ shoes, or have your custom clothes made here. There are interesting activities such as taking coconut boat rides or lantern boat rides on the Hoai River to release paper lanterns.

Be sure to check out the night market on An Hoi island where you can try lots of street food and hunt for some nice souvenirs to bring home to your friends and families.

To have a break from the hustle and bustle of the old town, you can head to the beach. An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach are only 10 minute drive away. It is less crowded than My Khe beach, making it great for relaxing.

On An Bang Beach, I love my stay at AIRA Boutique Hotel, and in the old town, I had good time at Hoi An historic Hotel and Square Villa. 

9. Hue: 2-3 days

Hue is located 2 hours drive away from Da Nang and is another popular destination in central Vietnam. It was the ancient capital of Vietnam for nearly 2 centuries. Nguyen dynasties, the last feudal family in Vietnam lived here from 1802-1945.

2-3 days is recommended time to spend in Hue. You can spend one full day exploring the city itself and extra days for day trips to nearby attractions such as the DMZ, Bach Ma National Park, or Hai Van Pass.

With one full day in Hue, you can explore the royal citadel, royal tombs (Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc), and Thien Mu pagoda. You can try local food like Bun Bo Hue and Hue cake. Don’t miss out on taking a stroll along Huong River, crossing Trang Tien bridge, visiting Dong Ba market, and enjoy the nightlife on walking streets like Vo Thi Sau and Pham Ngu Lao.

I had a good experience staying at White Lotus, Hue Four Season, and Jade Scene Hotel.

10. Phong Nha: 2-3 days

Phong Nha is the cave capital of Vietnam and is a must-visit destination for natural lovers. The nearest train station and airport to Phong Nha is in Dong Hoi, which is located around one hour drive away. 

From big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, you can take trains and flights to Dong Hoi then transfer to Phong Nha. There are also sleeper bus options from nearby cities. You can book a private taxi or ask your hotel to organize transportation for you.

Once in Phong Nha, you can get around by renting a bike, walking, cycling, taking a guided tour, or using easy rider services. 

Highlights in Phong Nha are Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, Dark Cave, Hang en Caves.

11. Hanoi: 2-3 days

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is a great base to explore northern Vietnam. It is home to one of the most busy airports in the country.  Noi Bai international airport is located around 40 km from the downtown area of Hanoi. 

I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Hanoi to explore the old quarter, do some shopping, try authentic Vietnamese food, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

You can spend a day or two exploring the old quarter and its surrounding attractions. Wandering around the old town, you can admire old shop houses, lots of cultural and historical attractions. 

Popular places to check out include Hoan Kiem Lake, The Huc bridge, Hoa Loa prison, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Thang Long Imperial Palace, the night market, the train streets, and Ta Hien Beer street. The city also has many museums to explore if you are interested in the Vietnam war.

With extra days, you can take day trips to Ninh Binh, Bat Trang ceramic village, Van Phuc silk village, Duong Lam ancient village.

I had a wonderful stay in the old quarter at the 4-star The Rex Hanoi Hotel. For a smaller budget, you can consider the West Hotel & Spa or  Little Charm Hanoi Hostel if you are solo travelers or backpackers.

12. Ha Giang: 3-4 days

Ha Giang is in the top of my favorite places to visit in Vietnam. It is known for stunning mountainous landscapes and scenic drive. Ha Giang city center is located around 5-6 hours drive from Hanoi Old quarter. There are many sleeper buses running daily between Hanoi and Ha Giang.

The best way to explore Ha Giang is by motorbike. Take note that the road is very windy and dangerous, so make sure that you are an experienced and confident driver to drive by yourself. Another way to explore the Loop is using tour and easy rider services where you sit back the local experienced driver and enjoy the views.

I recommend spending at least 2-3 nights touring to see most sights on the Loop. The agency will organize homestay and hotels for you in different stops. Be sure to bring insect repellent to protect you from Mostique. Also always put your safety on first by wearing a helmet and protection gear.

13. Sapa: 2-3 days

Sapa is a beautiful mountainous area in the north of Vietnam, 5-6 hours drive away from Hanoi. Sapa is known for its rice terrace, pleasant weather, diverse hill tribes, and breath-taking landscapes.

From Hanoi, you can take trains, sleeper buses, and vans to Sapa. The train station is located in Lao Cai, 40 minutes drive from Sapa. From Lao Cai train station, you’ll book a transfer to Sapa. If you take buses or limousines, they will drop you off at the town center of Sapa.

I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Sapa to relax, do some trekking, enjoy the cool mountain atmosphere, explore the summit Mount Fanxipan, and visit an ethnic minority market.

Sapa has many homestays and nice hotels. The best place to stay is the town center, where you will have easy access to all tourist amenities such as restaurants, cafes, massage shops, and souvenir shops.

14. Halong Bay: 1-2 days

Ha Long Bay is the World Heritage Site and is one of the top attractions in Vietnam. It is only around 3-4 hours drive from Hanoi by vans, buses, or private cars. 

I recommend taking the 1 night 2 days cruise or 2 night 3 days cruise to experience all of Ha Long. You can take a day trip from Hanoi but it can be rushed. With overnight cruise trips, you will have more time to explore many limestone mountains, beaches, caves, and fishing villages.

15. Ninh Binh: 1-2 days

Ninh Binh, aka HaLong Bay on land, is a famous destination located only 2 hours drive from Hanoi. You can take a day trip from Hanoi or stay overnight in Ninh Binh.

There are trains, vans, private transfers, even Grab taxis between Hanoi and Ninh Binh. You can easily ask your hotel to organize transportation for you. Taking a private car is the best option if you travel in a group or with family as you can share The fares.

Highlights in Ninh Binh are boat tours on Trang An/ Tam Coc, Hang Mua Caves, Bai Dinh Temple, and Hoa Lu ancient town. You can try local meals such as goat meals. The nightlife in Tam Coc is also very lively with lots of bars and restaurants on the main road.

I stayed in Tam Coc, which is a major tourist area of Ninh Binh. You can choose from many homestays and resorts in this area. I had a good stay in the family-run Tam Coc Catalina Hotel. It has a very convenient location a short walk away from the action of Tam Coc. Lots of nice cafes, restaurants, and bars nearby.

See more: 

• Three Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary
• Two Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary
• One Week in Vietnam Itinerary
• How to Apply for Vietnam E-visa 
• Where to stay in Vietnam for tourists
• Best ways to Get Around in Vietnam
• Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in Vietnam

You can watch my youtube video here:

These are my recommended itinerary for one month in Vietnam. My favorite destinations are Ha Giang (for stunning mountainous landscape), Ho Chi Minh City (for its vibrant nightlife and shopping scene), Da Lat (for its cool climate and stunning waterfalls), Da Nang (for beautiful beaches), and Nha Trang (for cheap and nice accommodations). 

What are your favorite cities in Vietnam? Feel free to share in the comment section below.