17 days in Vietnam Itinerary

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.

On the 3rd (Fri), spend an adventurous day with a kayaking and canoeing tour. The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Cu Chi Tunnels, enjoy breathtaking views from Bitexco Financial Tower, hunt for treasures at Ben Thanh Market, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Emperor Jade Pagoda.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Ho Chi Minh City tour itinerary maker website.

Sydney, Australia to Ho Chi Minh City is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. You'll gain 3 hours traveling from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Sydney in February, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Ho Chi Minh City: temperatures range from 39°C by day to 26°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight 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.

Hoi An is known for shopping, sightseeing, and spas. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, look for gifts at Buffalo Leather Shop, indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink, and snap pictures at Japanese Covered Bridge.

You can plan Hoi An trip in no time by asking Klarna Trips to help create your itinerary.

You can fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City in February, things will get little chillier in Hoi An: highs are around 30°C and lows about 23°C. You'll set off for Ninh Binh on the 8th (Wed).

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.

Ninh Binh is known for nature, parks, and wildlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: look for gifts at Minh Trang Handmade, don't miss a visit to Hoa Lu Temples of the Dinh & Le Dynasties, stroll through Tam Coc, and Head underground at Mua Caves.

To find more things to do, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read our Ninh Binh trip itinerary tool.

Fly from Hoi An to Ninh Binh in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. Traveling from Hoi An in February, expect Ninh Binh to be a bit cooler, temps between 24°C and 18°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can go by car to Hanoi.

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 13th (Mon), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Old Quarter, indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, explore the activities along West Lake, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

For maps, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, go to the Hanoi online trip planner.

Drive from Ninh Binh to Hanoi in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight back home.