17 days in Vietnam Itinerary

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has bounded back from the effects of war, and today serves as a bustling commercial and cultural hub bursting at the seams.

On the 2nd (Wed), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. Next up on the itinerary: explore the activities along Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), contemplate the long history of Temple of Literature & National University, appreciate the extensive heritage of Old Quarter, and relax and rejuvenate at Lessence De La Vie Spa.

To see traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Hanoi road trip app.

Madrid, Spain to Hanoi is an approximately 19.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time to Indochina Time, which is usually a 6 hour difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Sapa.

A hub of tourism in the country's northwestern mountainous region, Sapa represents home for a large number of ethnic minorities from the hill tribes of the region, and acts as a base for explorations of the surrounding area's wealth of natural sights.

On the 5th (Sat), take in the awesome beauty at Fansipan Mountain and then hike along Si Trekking Sa Pa.

To see where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Sapa trip maker tool.

Drive from Hanoi to Sapa in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Ninh Binh.

A fairly nondescript town, Ninh Binh acts as a base for explorations of the province of the same name, with the karst landscape and lush valleys that surround the town offering a wealth of scenic vistas of rice paddies and rugged rocks.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Sun): surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour and then indulge in some personalized pampering at Mai Spa.

To find reviews, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Ninh Binh holiday planning website.

Drive from Sapa to Ninh Binh in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of car, flight, and bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 38°C, and evening lows to 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) so you can travel to Halong Bay.

Halong Bay encompasses a cluster of verdant limestone islets that jut out from the sea and make up an enchanting setting recognized as a World Heritage Site.

On the 7th (Mon), contemplate the waterfront views at Hạ Long Bay and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

For ratings, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read our Halong Bay trip planning website.

You can do a combination of bus, car, and ferry from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay in 6 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) so you can travel to Duong Dong.

A holiday in Duong Dong offers cultural diversity, great nature experiences, and a variety of educational and kid-friendly attractions.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Tue): indulge in some personalized pampering at LunaThaiSpa, surround yourself with nature on Phu Quoc Jeep Tour, and then indulge your taste buds at Beer Fridge.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Duong Dong trip itinerary planning app.

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Halong Bay to Duong Dong takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and flight. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can fly to Ho Chi Minh City.

Formerly known in the West as Saigon and affectionately referred to as the "Pearl of the Far East," Ho Chi Minh City is a study of old and new, woven and piled together in a fast-paced urban hub.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Wed): take an in-depth tour of War Remnants Museum, stop by Yen Lam Pottery, and then make a trip to Cu Chi Tunnels. On your second day here, add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

For traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Ho Chi Minh City tour website.

Getting from Duong Dong to Ho Chi Minh City by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. In August, daily temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Marked by underground rivers, famous caves, limestone cliffs, and tropical rainforests, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park wows visitors with a spectacular range of landscapes and wildlife.

On the 11th (Fri), Head underground at Son Doong Cave and then indulge in some personalized pampering at Magic Fingers. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the fascinating underground world of Phong Nha Caves and then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to drive to Hue.

Nestled on the banks of the Perfume River, the city of Hue remains most famous as the former home of the Nguyen Dynasty, the influence of which remains evident in local palaces, temples, forts, and museums.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Sun): steep yourself in history at Tomb of Minh Mang, then steep yourself in history at Thien Mu Pagoda, and then contemplate the long history of Imperial City.

To see photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Hue sightseeing planner.

Drive from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Hue in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. August in Hue sees daily highs of 40°C and lows of 29°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) so you can go by car to Hoi An.

Indisputably one of Vietnam's most atmospheric destinations, Hoi An contains a World Heritage-listed old town boasting over 2,000 years of culture and history.

Change things up with a short trip to Tran Thi Ly Bridge in Da Nang (about 52 minutes away). There's much more to do: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, tour the pleasant surroundings at The Marble Mountains, enjoy the sand and surf at Cua Dai Beach, and stop by Rubin Cloth Shop.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Hoi An online vacation planner.

You can drive from Hue to Hoi An in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Hoi An can reach 40°C, while at night they dip to 30°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly back home.