Three Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary: 21 days Travel Guide

Vietnam is my home country and I have been traveling to many places in Vietnam. In this article, I will share my Itinerary for three weeks in Vietnam to make the most of your visit. You either start from the north or the south, I will give you suggestions for all routes.

I personally think 3 weeks is a good amount of time to see the most famous destinations in Vietnam. Depending on your interests, you’ll have a chance to visit popular cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, Nha Trang, Dalat, and Phu Quoc.

Vietnam has numerous international airports, but the main ones are Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang international airport in Da Nang. Most cities in the world have flights to these airports in Vietnam

Hanoi is a transport hub and gateway to the northern region of Vietnam. From Hanoi, you can easily explore Sapa, Ha Giang, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh. Da Nang is the transport hub of central Vietnam. From Da Nang, you can easily explore Hoi An ancient town and Hue.

Ho Chi Minh city is the transport hub of South Vietnam. From Ho Chi Minh, you can easily use trains, buses, or airplanes to get to Phu Quoc, Da Lat, Nhat Trang, or Mui Ne.

Three Weeks in Vietnam Where to start? North or South?

You can either start your 21 days in Vietnam from North or South. If you can easily find the flight from your city to Hanoi, then fly into Hanoi and start from North Vietnam. And the other way around.

For example, I live in Melbourne. It is easy to find many direct flights from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City. Additionally, flight time is shorter and price is usually cheaper compared to Hanoi, so I chose to start my 3 weeks in Vietnam from the South.

You can also consider your interests to choose whether to start from the South or North:

Choose the North (starting from Hanoi) if you prefer the traditional atmosphere of Hanoi and breathtaking mountainous landscapes of Ha Giang, Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Halong Bay.
Choose the South (starting from Ho Chi Minh City) if you prefer more modern Vietnam with vibrant nightlife and western style atmosphere.

Three Weeks in Vietnam South to North route:

Three Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary South to North

Three Weeks in Vietnam North to South route:

Hanoi (2-3 days)
Halong bay (2-3 days)
Ninh Binh (1-2 days)
Sapa (2-3 days)
Hue (2-3 days)
Da Nang (2-3 days)
Hoi An (2-3 days)
Nha Trang (2-3 days)
Mui Ne (1-2 days)
Ho Chi Minh City (2-3 days)

Other popular tourist destination to consider in the 3 weeks in Vietnam:

Ha Giang (3-4 days) for scenic drive and breathtaking landscape (ADD this Loop to your itinerary if you are nature lovers and adventurous travelers).
Quy Nhon (1-2 days) for beaches
Phong Nha (2-3 days) for caves
Da Lat (2-3 days) for cool climate, waterfall, temples, night market
Phu Quoc (3-4 days) for beaches, cable cars, and relaxing at nice resorts

How Much Does It Cost for Three Weeks in Vietnam?

You’ll need to pay for accommodation, food & drink, transportations, and tours. Food and drink will range from 300,000 VND/ day if you dine in small restaurants and street food stalls.

Accommodations will range from 150,000VND/ night upwards. A hostel can cost around 150,000VND/ night. A normal 3-star guest house can cost 500,000VND/night. A good mid-range 4-star hotel can cost 800,000 to 1300,000 VND/night. A 5-star hotel will cost 1,300,000 upwards.

Transportation in Vietnam is quite affordable. Buses and trains are cheap to use. Grab is a convenient and safe way to get around in each city, especially if you don’t drive. You can hunt for cheap flights between each city using low cost airlines like Vietjet air.

You can explore most places by yourself but in some places, it is better by taking guided tours. For example, the Ha Giang Loop tour (185 USD for 3 days 2 nights for small groups), Da Lat 3 waterfalls tour (800,000 VND), or Phu Quoc south island tour (14USD).

How to spend 3 weeks in Vietnam – 21 days Itinerary (North to South)

This is my recommendation for 3 weeks in Vietnam starting from Hanoi, North vietnam. If you start from the South, you can reverse the itineraries based on my suggestions.

1. Hanoi (2-3 days) – old quarter, museums, food

Hanoi is the capital and cultural capital of Vietnam. It has quite a small city center, so you can easily explore most sights within 2-3 days. Many visitors use Hanoi as the first arrive point to explore northern Vietnam.

You can see most things in Hanoi’s old town within one day. You can take a stroll around the old quarter, exploring different streets, do some shopping, and visit several cultural and historical attractions. Highlights in Hanoi include Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Loa prison, Thang Long citadel, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the train street, and Tran Quoc pagoda in west lake.

You can shop for handicrafts, souvenirs, clothes at many shophouses in the old quarter. Hanoi weekend night market is also a great place to go for some cheap souvenirs and street food. For fancy shopping, you can check out Trang Tien Plaza in the French Quarter or Vincom Plaza on Ba Trieu street.

Hanoi’s old quarter is more bustling at night, especially the area around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ta Hien beer street. You can try bia Hoi (fresh beer) at one of the many bars with the street side-sitting on Ta Hien street and people watching. The nightlife is quieter after 12pm due to the city’s curfew policy.

If you are a fan of museums, there are many places to visit. They include the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, National Museum of Vietnamese History, Vietnamese Women’s Museum, or Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts.

In addition to cultural and historical attractions, Hanoi is also known for its authentic food scene. Be sure to try Pho, Banh Cuon, Banh My, Bun Cha. If you love coffee, have a look at some local specialties such as egg coffee or coconut coffee.

The best district to stay in Hanoi for tourists is Hoan Kiem district, particularly the old quarter. This is the heart and soul of Hanoi and is home of many accommodation options for all budgets.

I stayed at the mid-range The Rex Hanoi and highly recommend it. The hotel is in a prime location on Gia Ngu street, steps away from Hoan Kiem Lake, Ta Hien and Hang Buom street. The room is comfortable and clean. They have a very nice rooftop area with a sky bar and sweeping views of the city. The swimming pool is small but it is normal in the old quarter.

With a smaller budget, you can consider the West Hotel & Spa or Little charming hostel Hanoi. I stayed in both and would stay again. Little Charming Hanoi is best suited for solo travelers and backpackers who want a safe and quiet atmosphere to work and sleep (not a party hostel).

2. Halong Bay (2-3 days) – overnight cruises

I wrote a letter with Halong Bay post card for my friend

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural wonder of the world. The best way to explore Halong Bay is to take the overnight cruise tour. You can take day trips to Halong Bay from Hanoi but it can be rushed because the tracking time between Hanoi and Halong bay is already 3-4 hours.

You can take a one night, two days cruise if your time is limited and you want to save money. The two nights three days cruise allows you to explore the bay at a more leisure pace. You’ll have a chance to explore Cat Ba island in a 2 nights trip.

You can ask your hotel about Halong Bay cruises. Most tours include pick up and drop off from Hanoi Old quarter, so you don’t have to worry about transportation. You can also book your own cruise on booking.com or Agoda and organize transportation by yourself. There are buses, limousines, and private cars to travel between Hanoi and Tuan Chau pier where most cruises depart.

During the tour, you’ll see thousands of striking karsts rising above the emerald water, visit several caves, fishing villages, and enjoy water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

3. Ninh Binh (1-2 days) – boat tours, pagodas, cycling

Ninh Bình, aka Halong Bay on land, is one of the top attractions in North Vietnam. It is located only a 2 hour drive from Hanoi, making it a popular day trip from the capital city of Vietnam.

If your time is limited, you can take a one day trip: otherwise, it is recommended to spend at least one to two nights here. Ninh Bình (Hoa Lu) was the ancient capital of Vietnam before King Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (now Hanoi) in the 11th century. Hoa Lu ancient capital is surrounded by limestone mountains and rivers, protecting it from invasions.

Popular places to visit and things to do in Ninh Binh include the boat tour on either Trang An or Tam Coc, climbing Hang Mua caves, explore Hoa Lu, as well as some pagodas such as Bai Dinh pagoda and Bich Dong pagoda. You can rent a motorbike or cycle to explore the countryside with beautiful rice fields and thousands of limestone mountains.

The best place to stay in Ninh Binh is Tam Coc, which is the tourist heart of the city. You can find lots of hotels, homestays, and resorts in these areas. It also has a high concentration of restaurants, bars, cafes, travel agencies, and massage shops.

I stayed 2 nights at the Tam Coc Catalina Hotel. It is within walking distance from all tourist facilities on the main road. I recommend it for those looking for a budget, clean, and family-run hotel in central Tam Coc. Lots of nice cafes and restaurants can be found on the same alley where this hotel is located. Be sure to try goat meals which are local specialities in Ninh Binh. Goat meats are fresh and raised in town.

4. Sapa (2-3 days) – relaxing, trekking, rice terraces

Sapa is a beautiful mountainous area in north Vietnam, located 5-6 hours drive from Hanoi. It is known for its pleasant climate, breathtaking landscapes, rice terraces, and many opportunities for trekking and visiting ethnic minority villages.

From Hanoi, you can choose to take trains to Lao Cai station then organize another transfer to Sapa town center, which is a 45 minutes drive away. You can take sleeper buses which take you directly to Sapa town. Many visitors take overnight trains/ buses to save money for a night accommodation but you can opt to take many day buses/trains.

The best area to stay in Sapa is the town center as it offers easy access to all tourist amenities. You can choose a budget hostel, homestay, guest house, or a luxury 5-star hotel.

Some highlights in Sapa include the night market, cable car to Fansipan summit, Ham Rong Mountain, waterfalls, rice terraces, Muong Hoa valley, and Cat Cat village.

5. Hue (2-3 days) – royal palace, tombs, pagodas, food, trekking

Hue is the ancient capital of Vietnam, located just a few hours drive from Da Bang. It is one of the must-see cities in Central Vietnam and is known for its royal palace, tombs, pagodas, and delicious regional cuisines.

You can reach Hue from major cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh by air. Phu Bai airport is located 30 minutes drive from Hue city center by Grab or Taxi. Hue also has a train station located right in the downtown area. You can take a train ride from many cities to Hue such as Da Nang, Hanoi, or HCMC.

In my experience, one day is enough to explore Hue city center. You can use the combination of walking, guided tours, private drivers, or Grab to visit Hue imperial Palace, Minh Mang tomb, Khai Dinh tomb, Tu Duc tomb, and Thien Mu pagoda.

The city has quite a lively nightlife scene, especially in the walking streets area on Vo Thi Sau street. Lots of bars and restaurants where you can grab fresh beer, try local food, and people watching. Be sure to try Bun bo Hue and Banh Hue (Hue cake).

If you have extra days in Hue, it is great for a day trip to Bach Ma National Park (for nature lovers, a bit of trekking), DMZ (for history lovers), or Phong Nha (for cave lovers).

I stayed in Hue city center, in Phu Hoi ward. Lots of hotels and homestays are centered around Nguyen Cong Tru street. I highly recommend the 4-star staying at White Lotus for its quality bed facilities, delicious breakfast, and a nice swimming pool area. You can consider Four Season if you are after a small cozy homestay and Jade Scene for friendly staff, central locations, and clean rooms.

6. Da Nang (2-3 days) – beaches, cultural attractions, Ba Na Hill

Da Nang is the major city and the transport hub in central Vietnam. It is known for its beautiful beaches, cultural attractions, warm hospitality, and affordable cost of living.

Da Nang has an international airport, so it is easily accessible from some foreign countries. It has many daily flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. You can also reach Da Nang by train. The train station is located very close to the city center and the beach area.

Popular attractions in Da Nang city center are My Khe Beach, Han River, Dragon Bridge, Son Tra night market, Han market, and Con market. A bit outside of the city center, you can visit Ba Na hill, Marble Mountains, and Lady Buddha. You can see most things in Da Nang within 2-3 days.

From Da Nang, you can take day trips to Hue, Hoi An, My Son sanctuary, or Cham islands.

Must try food in Da Nang are thit heo banh cuon, My Quang, and com ga. The city has many nice rooftop bars and nightclubs where you can enjoy a night out. The An Thuong/ My An area is a popular neighborhood for expats, packed with international restaurants, supermarkets, and bars catering for foreigners.

The best area to stay in Da Nang is either the city center along Han River or Along My Khe beach. The city center offers a more authentic atmosphere while the beach offers easy access to the sea. I stayed in Vanda Hotel and Mandila Beach Hotel. I think they are good based in Da Nang for those looking for mid-range 4-star hotels.

7. Hoi An (2-3 days) – ancient town, beaches, coconut boat ride

Hoi An, located only 40km away from Da Nang, is a very popular destination in Vietnam. It is best known for its ancient town packed with old wooden shophouses, featuring a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and French architecture.

The closest airport and train station to Hoi An is in Da Nang, so to reach Hoi An by these transportation, you’ll need to arrive at Da nang first then transfer to Hoi An. There are plenty of taxi options as well as Grab work very well between these two cities.

Hoi An is a small town. The ancient town and the beach area can be easily explored in one day. You can explore on foot, by bicycle, motorbike rentals, or Grab.

Wandering around the old town, you can admire its architecture, visit old houses, temples, and museums. Major sights are the Japanese Bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall, Old House of Tan Ky, or the Central Market. You can rent a bike to explore the countryside, traditional craft villages, and rice fields.

An Bang Beach and Cua Dai beach are located only 10 minutes drive from the old town. It has beautiful sandy beaches for relaxing and swimming. It is much less crowded than My Khe Beach in Da Nang. You can find many beach bars and cafes along the coastline.

Be sure to check out Hoi An at night when all the streets light up with lanterns. You can take a lantern boat ride along the Thu Bon river, shop at the night market, and watch a cultural show on An Hoi island. You can sit at many bars and restaurants along Hoai River to enjoy the meals and people watch.

Hoi An is a shopper’s paradise. There are many nice boutiques and family-run tailor shops where you can find unique souvenirs, have your custom leather bags/shoes made as well as custom clothes.

The best area to stay in Hoi An is either old town or An Bang beach. I stayed in both areas. I recommend AIRA Boutique if you want to stay in An Bang beach, and Hoi An Historic Hotel if you want to stay in the old town.

8. Nha Trang (2-3 days) – beaches, island hopping, cable car ride

Nha Trang is a popular beach city in South Vietnam. It has a train station and an international airport, making it easily reachable by road and air. A flight from Hanoi and Saigon to Cam Ranh airport is just more than an hour. From Cam Ranh airport, you’ll need to catch a taxi to get to Nha Trang city, 40km away.

Nha Trang is known for its beaches and island. You can swim and sunbathe at the beaches in the city like Tran Phu beach or Hon Chong Beach. There are lots of water activities such as snorkeling and diving.

You can consider taking island hopping tours for more beach-related cities. Popular islands in Nha Trang are Monkey island, Hon Tre island, Hon tam island, and Hon Mun island.

In addition to beach activities, you can spend a day exploring cultural attractions and shopping. You can check out Long Son pagoda, Nha Trang Cathedral, Ponagar Cham Temple, and Dam market. Located a bit outside of the city center, Ba Ho Waterfall is also well worth a visit.

If you are traveling with kids, you can take them to Vinwonder theme park where you can play many games. The ride on the cable car with views of the ocean is also stunning.

Nha Trang is also known for its mud baths, so you can consider taking a day or half relaxing at one of the many popular spots like Thap Ba, 100 Egg Mud Bath, and I-Resort.

Tran Phu Beach and Nha Trang City center is the best area to stay in Nha Trang. It is lined with highrise hotels, resorts, and apartments that have stunning ocean views. You can consider staying at many resorts on Hon Tre island, Hon Tam island for a more relaxing and luxurious holiday.

I stayed at the Liberty Central in Nha Trang city center, just steps away from Tran Phu Beach, and Vinpearl Resort on Hon Tre island. I would highly recommend these accommodations and would stay again.

9. Mui Ne (1-2 days) – sand dunes, fairy stream, fishing village

Mui Ne is located only 3-4 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City. It is known for its sand dunes, authentic fishing village, warm weather, beaches, and a fairy stream. You can consider spending a day or two in Mui Ne to explore these attractions.

If you have time in Mui ne and want to venture a bit, you can visit Ta Cu Mountain. It is located 1 hour drive away and has panoramic views of the sea and the city. You can climb up or take a cable car to its top. Even taking a cable car, you still need to hike to the big lying Buddha.

The center of Mui ne is Ham Tien ward where you find many tourist amenities such as seafood restaurants, cafes, and beach bars. The main tourist strips are Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Huynh Thuc Khang Street.

You can choose fresh seafood from the tank and ask the restaurant to cook it for you. Be sure to try local grow Dragon fruits. Very delicious, you will love it! Dong Vui food court is a great place for good and reasonably priced meals.

I stayed at May Bungalow, which is a nice budget-friendly accommodation near the town center. You can choose many other nice resorts and hotels in town. My homestay’s owner is very friendly, organizing sand dunes trips and transports to Da Lat for me.

10. Ho Chi Minh City (2-3 days) – nightlife, shopping, museums, Cu Chi tunnels

Ho Chi Minh is a must-see city during your 3 weeks in Vietnam. It is a bustling modern city in South Vietnam, known for its lively nightlife and shopping. It is home to Tan Son Nhat airport, which is one of the gateways to explore Vietnam.

Within 1-2 days in Ho Chi Minh, you can see major sights in the city. They include Ben Thanh market, the War museum, Independence Palace, and Central Post Office. You can also go shopping at the Central Market, Saigon Centre, Vincom Plaza.

For nightlife, you can check out the Bui Vien walking street, Nguyen Hue/ Dong Khoi area (for trendy and more high-end bars and clubs), and Japan Town.

With extra days in Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a guided day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta. Cu Chi Tunnels have a huge underground system where you can learn more about the history during the Vietnam American War. Mekong Delta is known for its floating market, tropical fruits, and delicious cuisines.

The best districts to stay in Ho Chi Minh City are district 1 and district 3. These districts are in the heart of HCMC, so you’ll be surrounded by many tourist facilities and attractions.

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These are my suggestions for three weeks in Vietnam. Basically, within 21 days, you can cover the most popular destinations in the country, especially if you want to see as many places as possible. They include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Nha Trang.

Within 3 weeks, you’ll explore the beaches, the mountains, and the urban cities in Vietnam. You can try many authentic Vietnamese foods, do some shopping, enjoy the nightlife, and visit lots of cultural and historical attractions.

With my detailed suggestions of where to go and the time to stay in Each destination, I hope you will have created your own 21 days itineraries in Vietnam that suit your interests and pace.