“Updated 2024: This post has been updated to reflect the current information and tips for your 3 week Vietnam itinerary. Enjoy planning your adventure!”
Planning a trip to Vietnam is an adventure filled with excitement. However, with Vietnam’s vast landscapes and rich culture, it can be challenging to decide how long to spend in each place to truly experience its charm. The good news for you is that we’re here to help you organise your 3 week Vietnam itinerary.
With our guide, you’ll go from north to south, but you could start in the south if it works best for you, it’s not a problem at all. Worth mentioning, that we take our time when visiting places, as we don’t like visiting places just to put a tick on it.
How much money do I need?
The currency is the Vietnamese Dong. You’ll get about 23,000 Dongs for a Dollar.
Vietnam is a very cheap country, but it can also become expensive if you aren’t careful. Budget accommodations range between 15$ to 30$ per night, while food ranges between 2$ and 7$. If you take good care of your money, you can allocate a 30$ budget per day. A 50$ per day budget – or 1100$ for the 3 week trip – will make a great holiday though.
Visa information
An essential thing to double-check. Vietnam is more restrictive than other countries in South East Asia. Many nationalities get a 15-day visa on arrival, but others will need to apply for it before landing in Vietnam.
If for example, you want to follow our 3 week Vietnam itinerary, you’ll need to apply for a visa. You can do it online, taking 3 days and costing you 30$. If you don’t do your homework and you’re short on time, some companies will make a visa for you in even 15 minutes, but prepare the wallet…
Hanoi – 3 nights
Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, is the first stop on our 3-week Vietnam itinerary. While exploring the city’s highlights in 2 days is possible, taking it easy can offer a deeper appreciation of Hanoi’s bustling life.
The capital of Vietnam is one of the most lively cities we’ve ever been to. People just pass their day sitting on the street and sipping (amazing!) coffee. You will see the worst traffic you’ve ever witnessed, but don’t let that put you off. Hanoi is a beautiful city full of lovely quarters, things to do, and new food to experience.
For extended information, check our detailed guide to Hanoi.
Must do things in Hanoi
- Roam around Hoan Kiem Lake. Visit Ngoc Son, a small temple in the middle of the lake.
- Wander around the Old and French Quarters.
- Visit the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. It’s incredible how much respect the North Vietnamese have for their old leader.
- Visit Hoa Lo prison, colloquially known as “Hanoi Hilton”.
- See the train passing on the famous “Train Street”
- We did a free food tour of Hanoi Free Walking Tours and it was amazing. The guides are students and they will take you to places that you would not go on your own. Great way to get you started with Vietnamese food.
Other things you could do in Hanoi
- Don Xuan Market. You can find pretty much anything here.
- Museum of Anthropology is especially interesting if you’re into finding out about the different tribes that live in the North of Vietnam.
- Water puppet theatre.
- Opera house.
TIP: If you get to Hanoi via plane, don’t take a creepy taxi to go to your hotel. Download GRAB. It costs us 10$ to go to the city center, 3 times cheaper than the price the taxi drivers offer.
Where to stay in Hanoi
Budget option: Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, it is the perfect hostel for backpackers. Comfort and value at the same time, it has options for under 10$ a night, breakfast included.
Comfort option: Hanoi La Selva
Great facilities and lovely staff at a very reasonable price. Gorgeous rooms and located in the Old Quarter, next to Hoan Kiem Lake.
Sapa -2 nights
TIP: You can avoid paying for one night of accommodation by taking a very comfortable night bus.
The landscapes of the very north of Vietnam are a must-see and you shouldn’t miss them. The easiest place to visit is Sapa, this comes at a cost though. We’ve heard Sapa can be very touristic and a bit fake. However, if you’re clever and book the right trekking, your experience will have nothing to do with that.
Our Trekking
We booked a trek called “Off the beaten track” with Sapa O’Chau and it was one of the best experiences we’ve had when traveling.
Where to stay in Sapa
Budget option: Sapa OโChau
Sapa O’Chau is also a humble hotel. You can stay here the night before/after your trekking. The rooms are clean and quite cheap, so it has good value.
Comfort option: Eco Palms House Retreat
For those looking for an eco-retreat. Bungalows in the middle of rice fields with amazing views of the mountain. You can also appreciate the views while sipping wine in a bathtub.
Ha Long Bay – 1 or 2 nights
Our 3 week Vietnam itinerary would not be complete without a visit to Ha Long Bay, one of the highlights of every visitor to Vietnam. A boat cruise will take you around the Bay for 1 or 2 nights, depending on how long you choose to stay. We’re budget travelers, so we chose 1 night. Most of the companies will include transportation from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay in the price.
We’ve written this post about how to choose between Sapa or Ha Long Bay in case you’re short on time or budget.
TIP: Boats usually spend the night in Ha Long Bay, meaning you end up sharing the night with hundreds of boats. Some cruises take a slightly different route, sleeping in Bai Tu Long Bay. This will make your experience MUCH BETTER. Our sunset was unforgettable.
Our choice
We took the package called “Off the beaten track” offered by Indochina Junk. With this option, you’ll spend the night in Bai Tu Long Bay.
Ninh Binh – 2 nights
We get to Ninh Binh via a comfortable train from Hanoi. Riding a bike through the countryside rice fields of Ninh Binh – also called Ha Long Bay on land – will be one of the highlights of your trip and a must-stop on your itinerary.
Must do things in Ninh Binh
- Tam Coc Lake tour. One hour stroll in a small boat. The landscape is very similar to Ha Long Bay but a hundred percent worth it.
- Bich Dong Pagoda
- Bird Valley
- Mua cave. The cave is the least important thing, make sure you hike the mountain to get the perfect views!
TIP: Rent a bike and cycle everywhere. The roads are very safe and the views deserve to be appreciated. You won’t get the same experience using Tuk Tuks or motorbikes.
For extended information, check out our detailed Ninh Binh Travel Guide.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh
Comfort option: Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow
Outstanding bungalows surrounded by amazing landscapes. The atmosphere and the staff are both simply incredible. Probably one of the best places to stay in Ninh Binh.
Hue – 1 night
We got to Hue by night bus from Ninh Binh. Be aware the bus wasn’t particularly safe, nothing to do with the one we took to go to Sapa.
Hue is the city of the Citadel. While the Citadel is impressive and very interesting from a historical point of view, if we had to cut down one day from our itinerary it would be Hue. Still, we had a nice day and enjoyed the city. During the night there is a nice market by the river and many nice options for dinner.
Must do things in Hue
- Hue Citadel and Forbidden City
- Walk stroll next to the river. There are many markets and restaurants
Where to stay in Hue
Budget option: Bonjour Hostel
Well located, very clean, and offers rooms under 10$ the night depending on the dates. Delicious breakfast included! Just has tremendous value.
Comfort option: The Scarlett Boutique Hotel
Very affordable luxury rooms (about 50$ the night). One of the most visited and prestigious hotels in Hue, you can’t go wrong with it.
Hoi An – 6 nights
Continuing our 3 week Vietnam itinerary, we’ll get to Hoi An. To get to this gem town, we strongly recommend the train if you come from Hue. It goes next to the Hai Van Pass, a 21 km mountain pass with beautiful views of the sea.
Without a doubt, Hoi An is our favorite city in Vietnam. With its pristine beaches, lush rice fields, and a beautiful old town illuminated by lanterns, Hoi An offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage that we found truly captivating.
Must do things in Hoi An
- An Bang beach. A relaxing beach with very good and tasty restaurants. Also, you can go parasailing for 30$ 2 people. Unique experience.
- The old town at night. Have a stroll in the old town at night, when all the lanterns are on. Simply beautiful.
- No better city to buy souvenirs. We bought a few too many lanterns (but we don’t regret it!).
- Ride a motorbike around Hoi An. We’ll never forget the joy of riding the motorbike from the city center to the beach, passing next to the rice fields.
Other things you could do in Hoi An
- Ancient town tour. Old houses, museums, Japanese covered bridge, etc.
- Marble Mountains, halfway between Da Nang and Hoi An.
TIP: Motorbike is a must in Hoi An. The roads are good and traffic is more “western” than in other places of the country. Another plus: you won’t have to deal with tuk-tuk or taxi drivers.
Where to stay in Hoi An
Budget option: Melody Boutique Villa Hoi An
Modern construction, clean, fresh, and very comfortable. The staff is amazing and will help you with anything you need. Bicycles and scooters are available for rental at very affordable prices. Amazing value (rooms under 15$ the night).
Comfort option: Little Town Villa
Luxury but affordable villa in the old town. Spacious rooms and tasteful decoration. The breakfast is great, with both local and international options. Swimming pool to cool down after a long walk around the old town.
Da Lat – 3 nights
As we continue our 3-week Vietnam itinerary, it’s time for an exhilarating adventure! Da Lat, renowned for its rolling hills, verdant forests, and stunning waterfalls, is an unmissable destination for nature lovers.
Must do things:
- Rapelling waterfalls
- Visiting Pongour Falls
Where to stay in Da Lat
Budget option: Gia Pham Hotel
Very comfortable private room for under 8$ per night. Value doesn’t get better than this. Extremely helpful staff and a very good location.
Comfort option: Doc May Boutique Villa
A little boutique place at an exceptional price. The villa location is great and you can walk or cycle pretty much anywhere, including the night market.
Ho Chi Minh – 2 nights
The last stop of our 3 week Vietnam itinerary is Ho Chi Minh, also known as Saigon. We stayed 2 nights but 1 night-2 days works well too.
The capital of what it was “South Vietnam”, it is as vibrant or more than Hanoi. Also, it is a great city to learn more about Vietnam’s war with the Americans.
Must do things in Ho Chi Minh
- Walk around District 1.
- Memorial War Museum.
- Cu Chi Tunnels.
TIP: If you want to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, check out our post on how to visit them on your own.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Budget option: Couchsurfing with Saigon English Adventures
We did Couchsurfing with Saigon English Adventures English Academy and loved it. You get to stay for free in exchange for being part of some English classes, where you will meet amazing locals. Honestly, this was the nicest experience we’ve had in Vietnam.
Other places you could visit in Vietnam
- Ha Giang. Not including this one in our 3 week Vietnam itinerary hurt. This province is in the North of Vietnam, next to the Chinese border. This is a less touristic alternative to Sapa. Unfortunately, you should do it only if you have around 4-5 days, as it is very remote and takes some time to get there.
- Nha Trang. A coastal resort city in Southern Vietnam known for its beaches. From what we read, it is very touristy in a bad way (dirty beaches, parties, etc).
- Phong Nha national park. Mountains, forests, rivers, and caves. Good trekking and good adventures from our friends’ experiences!
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