Multiple Epic 7-Day Vietnam Itinerary Routes for Shorter Trips
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 28 Aug 2024
Read on for a selection of one week Vietnam itineraries that are perfect for short trips to the country, including maps and accommodation recommendations – packing a lot into little time!
Vietnam is a 1650-kilometre-long slither of curiosities and marvels – so how can you see it all on just a 7-day itinerary? Well, truthfully, you can’t, not even close!
Realistically, a month is the minimum time we would recommend traversing the country from top to bottom. However, we know many who, understandably, do not have a month available, so we’ve picked out three options for visitors who only have around a week to check out this magnificent country.
After travelling for more than two months in Vietnam, we’ve chosen three varied 7-day itineraries to suit difference styles of travel and interests. These are flexible, have no domestic flights and are great for seeing a lot in a shorter time while only travelling overland. One of the more adventurous routes involves a few sleeper buses. These buses save a lot of time and reduce your accommodation budget – we’ll mention any instances where they are a good choice.
These three itineraries can also be easily linked together to create a longer two- or three-week Vietnam itinerary. Check out the map for details. We really hope these Vietnam itineraries help you organise your trip!
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Itinerary One
Classic Hightlights of the North
〈 Route: Hanoi → Halong Bay → Ninh Binh → Hanoi 〉
This 7-day Vietnam itinerary will likely appeal to anyone with the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay on their wish list. It also includes some classic limestone karst scenery, nature and temples at Ninh Binh, a stunning agricultural region several hours south of Hanoi.
This itinerary is relatively easy going, in that there are no overnight buses and places are only a few hours drive apart. This allows for some extra time in Hanoi to get acquainted with the hectic but beautiful Vietnamese capital!
If you have several extra days, we recommend adding a day to both the Halong Bay area and Ninh Binh. Both these regions deserve as many days as you can throw at them!
Days 1-2: Hanoi
This whistlestop stay in Hanoi gives you time to explore the Old Quarter and check out a few sunsets before heading off to see the famed Halong Bay.
Two nights is a decent amount of time to do a street food motorbike tour, check out the lakes, wander around the beautiful (but hectic) Old and French Quarters, grab a beverage on the Hanoi beer corner and maybe pop into a museum. If you want some more ideas, check out our suggestions for your Hanoi itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN HANOI
Hanoi accommodation – these are all very centrally located in the Old Quarter, plus we have either stayed in them or know people who have:
Budget | Tabalo Hostel Hanoi. Great hostel facilities, comfortable beds, laundry service, cool design, very helpful staff.
Mid-Range | Hanoi Center Silk Boutique Hotel & Travel. Staff members speak great English and French, good location, fantastic communication generally including tour options, comfortable, well-equipped rooms, quiet.
Upper Budget | La Sinfonia Majesty Hotel and Spa. Classy, exceptionally comfortable (for the Old Quarter), superb food including vegetarian options, ideal location, beautiful sky bar.
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Days 3-4: Halong/Cat Ba Island
Most people spend a night or two on a boat, cruising around Halong Bay. If this is something you are interested in (and can afford!) then check Get Your Guide for a cruise that suits your budget and accommodation needs. These overnight boat options often include transfers from your hotel in Hanoi – check in advance for what is included.
We do not advise taking a day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi. Between the several hours of transfers either way and only accessing the busiest and most polluted part of the bay, this would be our absolute last resort option.
Our personal recommendation would be several nights on Cat Ba Island, with a day or overnight cruise (including kayaking) around Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. If this is something that might interest you, check out our Lan Ha Bay budget cruise post.
Cat Ba Island is easily accessible by bus from Hanoi and has stunning sunsets, decent accommodation and restaurants, minimal pollution and much more affordable trips. There is also a national park for some hiking if you have the time and some interesting caves. It’s such a great place, we ended up spending five days here.
Transport | from your accommodation in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, get an organised transfer (this can be arranged through your hotel or 12GoAsia) over to Halong Bay or Cat Ba Island.
WHERE TO STAY IN CAT BA
Cat Ba Island accommodation recommendations: (we stayed or know people who have stayed at all of these):
Budget | Luna’s House Hostel. Great value, decent shared facilities, social, multi-lingual staff, very affordable, popular restaurant on-site – we spent most nights here.
Mid-Range | Cat Ba Green Hotel. Comfortable and modern, with clean rooms at a fantastic price, well-priced motorbike rental, excellent breakfast, exceptionally friendly staff. We’d happily stay here again.
Upper Range | Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba (super-posh, private location, beachfront, incredible views, beautiful architecture and great price-point for the quality). We visited and wished we could stay here!
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Days 5-6: Ninh Binh
Although this region is gradually gaining in popularity, many tourists miss it off their Vietnam itineraries, or just visit on a short, organised day trip. That would be a huge error!
The countryside is covered in beautiful limestone karsts, meandering rivers and sunset vistas, and there are stupendously friendly residents.
We spent six days here, but would suggest that in two days, you take a river cruise at either Trang An or Tam Coc (our recommendation would be Trang An), visit the temple of Bich Dong, rent a bicycle or scooter, explore the countryside and of course, hike up the hundreds of steps to the Hang Mua Viewpoint.
The best region to stay for several nights is the super-charming little village of Tam Coc, a short distance outside of the main Ninh Binh town. Bus transport will normally drop you off in Tam Coc directly. Another option is a small homestay in nearby Trang An, although this is better if you have a bicycle or motorbike (it’s beautiful but a little more remote).
Transport: From Halong Bay or Cat Ba Island, it is easy to arrange an onward bus ticket via your accommodation or any local travel agent. Just pop in to several and chose the time that suits you best. This is the same in Tam Coc – arrange your bus back to Hanoi when you arrive via your accommodation or any local agency. If you’d prefer to reserve in advance, check out all the buses on 12GoAsia.
Another classic option for travelling to Ninh Binh is via train from Hanoi. This is far more time consuming though so we wouldn’t suggest it unless you have a little more flexibility with your schedule. It’s a cool journey though, very cheap and only a few hours long. We’ve done the route by bus and train, and preferred the latter!
For a full guide on Ninh Binh, check out our dedicated Ninh Binh itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN NINH BINH
Tam Coc accommodation recommendations: (we have stayed at both these hotels on different trips)
Budget | Della Luna Tam Coc. Lovely owner, great location, personal service (the owner bought be yogurt whe I was sick), perfect WiFi. Incredible value for clean, simple, modern rooms.
Mid/Upper-Range | Nam Hoa Hotel. Amazing location, great breakfast, exceptionally professional staff, pool, spacious rooms, more western feel, often used by tour groups.
Day 7: Hanoi
Spend some time before your flight checking out anything you missed in Hanoi the first time around. Maybe try out a local craft beer? Check out Pasteur Street Brewing in the Old Quarter and ask for a table on the upstairs balcony. They also have a western food menu if you need a break from Vietnamese food by this point.
Itinerary Two
Northern Adventures – Ha Giang and Sapa
〈 Route: Hanoi → Ha Giang → Sapa → Hanoi 〉
This 7-day Vietnam itinerary is a bit more adventurous, involving a bunch of motorbiking, hiking and overnight buses. If the idea of this excites you, then the far north of Vietnam is ideal.
There are several options on this itinerary. Either split your time between Ha Giang and Sapa, travelling between all the locations on overnight buses (if you have strict time constraints), or just stick with Ha Giang and spend the week split between there and Hanoi.
We personally did not enjoy Sapa at all, however many people have it on their bucket list, so we’ve included it here as an option. Our recommendation would be to spend as much time as you’re able in the Ha Giang region completing the Ha Giang Loop.
Day 1: Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and check out any of the many options available for sightseeing in the city. As mentioned in the classic route above, the Old Quarter of Hanoi is relatively compact and it’s easy to see a lot in little time. Check out our list of unmissable things to do on your Hanoi itinerary.
Accommodation recommendations | see above
Days 2-4 or 2-6: Ha Giang
The Ha Giang region is fantastic. Ha Giang province and the Dong Van district are our favourite areas of Vietnam. If the thought of a less touristy, exhilarating mountain adventure with the most spectacular views in southeast Asia energises you, then this would be the perfect choice.
The Ha Giang loop is a circuit through the most northernmost Vietnamese mountains, on the border with China. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty inhabited by numerous extremely welcoming ethnic hill tribes. Traditionally, the adventurous traveller traverses this circuit independently by motorbike. However, with the recent option of using an Easy Rider (you are a passenger on somebody else’s bike) or even private car driver, anybody can now visit this area and get around.
Many travellers check out the Ha Giang loop in a rushed one or two nights, which you can do within this itinerary, then get an overnight bus to Sapa and do some hill trekking. However, we believe that Ha Giang deserves five days to do it justice.
Our mammoth, up-to-date itinerary and guide describes absolutely everything you need to know to plan your own adventure in this most spectacular region. If you’re interested or want to figure out how many nights is best for you, check out our Ha Giang Loop guide.
Ha Giang accommodation suggestions | see the Ha Giang guide for in-depth reviews.
Days 4-6: Sapa
Ok, so Sapa is not our cup of tea.
However, it is on many people’s must-see lists and I’m aware that just because we weren’t keen, people won’t stop visiting! It is, after all, a famed hiking region for a reason. We would suggest you read other reviews and posts before you decide to visit though – just because it’s famous, does not necessarily make it worthwhile.
So, if you fancy cutting the Ha Giang Loop short, two days in Sapa would give you a decent amount of time to do some hill trekking and visit some local villages. Ensure you organise your overnight stops outside of Sapa Town in a homestay where you are more likely to have an agreeable experience. Avoid Cat Cat Village like the plague.
Transport: there are direct buses that run from Ha Giang to Sapa (and vice-versa) and take around 6-7 hours. To save time, organise an overnight option which will also spare up a little bit of accommodation money too.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAPA
Sapa accommodation suggestions: (we have stayed at these or are recommended them by people we know)
Budget | Sapa’s Soul. Comfortable homestay, incredible value for money, lovely hosts, outstanding food, picturesque mountain location, far away from the misery of central Sapa, local hiking opportunities.
Mid-range | Sapa Eco Bungalows & Spa. Amazing value for comfortable rooms, good motorbike rental, pretty mountain location, very local hiking, pool, English-speaking staff. Such a great deal in a lovely location – we’d return.
Upper | Laxsik Ecolodge. Stunning panoramic mountain views, local trekking options, pool, great breakfast, fireplaces, exceptional service, lovely hotel design.
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Day 7: Hanoi
Spend the last day checking out anything you missed on your way in. If you have a couple of spare days, grab a bus straight to Halong Bay or Ninh Binh!
SAVE FOR LATER
The Truth About the Tam Coc Boat Tour
A Complete Guide to Riding the Ha Giang Loop
An insurance company for people with no motorbike license
Scooters in Vietnam – Are You Insured?
Ha Long Bay on a Budget
A Complete One Month Vietnam Backpacker Budget
Vietnamese Sleeper Buses: What Are They Like?
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Itinerary Three
Central Vietnam: Beaches, Cities, History
〈 Route: Danang → Hoi An → (Hue) → Danang 〉
Relatively recently, Danang started welcoming international flights, making access to central Vietnam easier than ever! Direct flights from places like Chiang Mai make passing through Saigon a thing of the past (for some people anyway).
Central Vietnam welcomes less visitors than the more famous northern and southern areas, but, in our opinion, has some of the more spectacular towns and scenery in the country. This itinerary is based around Hoi An, the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, an unmissable gem in central Vietnam.
The area around Danang and Hoi An has some pretty decent beaches too, so if you fancy a day or two by the sea then this 7-day Vietnam itinerary might be the one for you.
Danang, often known in the west from Vietnam/American War films, is one of our favourite cities in Vietnam and is surrounded by great beaches, temples and outstanding scenery. We love it despite relatively few tourists spending significant time here.
Days 1-4: Hoi An
Just a 30-minute, 30-kilometre drive from Danang is the spectacular UNESCO designated town of Hoi An.
This town is often a favourite of visitors to Vietnam. With historic buildings, famous cuisine, cheap tailors, nearby beaches and lively night time events, it’s an easy town to love.
Beach | from the city, you can choose to spend a day at An Bang Beach, with epic views of the Danang coastline.
My Son | we would also highly recommend a day trip to the Hindu My Son Temple complex too (150k entry). It’s an hour or so drive from Hoi An.
Shopping | if you need any new clothes, whether it’s linen trousers, a brand-new suit jacket or any other fabric item you can think of, pay a visit to the tailors of Hoi An. Their turnaround is famously quick and incredible value! If you’re after any other kind of crafty souvenir, this is also the city for it.
Food | try the Cau Lau noodle dish – it’s a famous Hoi An speciality. Or, go a little bit further and join a cooking class!
Lanterns | join a lantern making group – it’s super fun and a perfect souvenir!
Transport | most people just jump in a taxi or Grab from the airport in Danang – they’re quite affordable and should cost no more than 400-500k dong. Getting a bus is the cheaper option, which takes around an hour and costs about 18k dong. It is bus number 1 and leaves frequently throughout the day from Danang Central Bus Station. (Google maps has the slightly wrong location – it is at around 16.055838, 108.173082, but you’ll likely get a taxi to here anyway and your driver will know where the bus station is).
WHERE TO STAY IN HOI AN
Hoi An accommodation suggestions: (all very close to the old town area)
Budget | Quynh Chau Homestay Hoi An. Great prices, friendly homestay vibes with a wonderful host. It’s quiet, clean, with well-equipped rooms and a top location.
Mid-Range | Emerald Hoi An Riverside Resort. Large pool, very near the old town, decent breakfast, quiet, pretty river views, idyllic green resort grounds. We stayed here and were super surprised by how nice it was considering how much we paid!
Upper | Anantara Hoi An Resort. Standard Anantara quality resort, with insanely beautiful colonial villa vibes, stunning pool, bicycles available, nearly riverfront location. We didn’t stay here because $$$ but did sneak in and have a look around. It’s perfection.
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Days 4-7: Around Danang
Back in the city of Danang, there is a tonne of stuff to do.
City | check out Danang, including the famous fire-breathing Dragon Bridge. Set along the Han River, this booming city is surrounded by epic scenery, including some of our favourite beaches in Vietnam.
Beach | take a day to hang out by the ocean, either in a posh resort if you’re not on a budget (make sure you check out the sunrise) or just hang out for the day via a Grab from the city. The beach affords amazing views of Ban Co Peak and the peninsula.
Hai Van Pass | another epic activity from Danang is riding the Hai Van Pass. Do this either on a rented motorbike or, as in Ha Giang, take an Easy Rider option if you’re not comfortable riding yourself. This route is absolutely spectacular and is a can’t-miss activity when in the Danang region.
Ba Na Hills | is very close to Danang and lots of people recommend it as a day trip. This is definitely not our kind of activity, as it seems a bit odd, expensive and excessively touristy. However, if the beautiful ‘hand bridge’ in the hills is calling you, we hope you have clear weather (to date, not a single person we’ve known has had clear weather!). For some excellent, organised day trips, check out Get Your Guide.
Hue | with a little spare time on this 7-day Vietnam itinerary (or by taking a day off either Danang or Hoi An), it is also possible to include the historical imperial city of Hue, about two hours drive north. We really enjoyed this stop and would recommend it if you have an additional day or two. The train from Danang to Hue is particularly scenic (and quite cheap, but slow!).
WHERE TO STAY IN DANANG
Danang suggested accommodations (these are by the beach, but the city is nice to stay in too):
Budget | Rom Casa Hostel Da Nang. This one is kind of cool, with quirky shipping container rooms, modern facilities, little pool, a few minutes from the beach, social but not super party, great host.
Mid-range | Sala Danang Beach Hotel. We think this one is crazy value for money. It’s a high-rise hotel with ocean views and a rooftop pool, close to the beach and a very nice breakfast.
Upper | Minh Boutique. Outstanding design and ambiance, great personal service, quality personalised breakfast, very helpful staff, nearby beach, rooftop pool. Proper high end, this one.
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Combining For a Two-Three Week Itinerary
〈 Route: Hanoi → Ha Giang → Sapa → Halong → Ninh Binh → Hue → Hoi An → Danang 〉
These 7-day Vietnam itineraries can easily be combined into either a two-week itinerary just covering northern Vietnam, or a three-week Vietnam itinerary that covers the central region too.
Map | the map below details each Vietnam itinerary combined. If you have three weeks and are combining itineraries, we’d recommend getting a night bus or even better, the train between Ninh Binh and Hue. It’s a scenic, fun experience and much better for the environment than getting a short-haul flight.
Order | combining itineraries would dictate the order in which you visit these locations – so leave Ninh Binh until last on the northern loop and visit Hue first on your way to Danang.
Saigon | it is also easy to tack on Saigon, if that is something that interests you as a lot of international flights arrive there anyway. Southern Vietnam is not as awesome as the centre and north (busier, louder, dirtier, scammier, less pretty etc.), however there are still very interesting things to see there too. We’ve never been that enthusiastic about Saigon and southern Vietnam so have yet to write a guide for it!
Itinerary Map
The artist’s rendition below shows the best way to combine all the sites mentioned in this 7 day Vietnam itinerary. Obviously, it can be travelled in either direction.
Below the art is a savable Google Map marking all the main hubs above, along with accommodation options and points of interest mentioned in these itineraries. To save it, select the star next to the title.
Where to Next?
There’s absolutely loads of stuff to see, all along the length of Vietnam. These 7-day itineraries are not by any means exhaustive but would give you a decent sense of a small part of Vietnam on a short visit.
Although many people try to fit the entire of Vietnam into a just few weeks, we love northern Vietnam and it’s definitely worthy of several weeks alone. Our most recent visit saw us spend an entire month only in the north.
We hope these 7-day Vietnam itineraries help you plan for a short trip. Shorter holidays are definitely the most difficult to organise as it is tricky prioritising what to do!
(We’ll get around to writing about southern Vietnam at some point too).
We hope you have a fabulous trip!
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Thank you, Claire + Nick
We’re tied to visiting Vietnam last two weeks in October which I know isn’t ideal for weather. We’re wondering about giving Sapa a miss as heard it’s overwhelmed with tourists now and a bit of a circus. We love the sound of Cat Ba and Ninh Binh and Tam Coc and wondering if we should just focus on those areas but worried that is narrowing it down too much. Do you think that time of year is too risky weather wise to fly to Da Nang as well? Thanks
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for your question.
We’re a bit biased, but we didn’t enjoy Sapa when we went (in early November) – it didn’t help that the weather was abysmal! If you’re considering Sapa, maybe you could try Ha Giang instead? We escaped Sapa’s rain by heading there and renting a scooter to explore. Unlike Sapa, it was warm and sunny, mostly. If you’re not keen on renting a scooter for Ha Giang, self-driving and buses are also an option.
October is in the very rainy season for Da Nang and we wouldn’t recommend it within your two week trip (I’ve seen my friend’s pictures of the entire of Hoi An underwater!). Assuming you’re arriving into/leaving from Hanoi, visiting Ninh Binh, Cat Ba Island, and the north will be fine without feeling rushed.
I hope this helps 😊