7 days Vietnam itinerary - The Epitome of the finest tours

Is 7 days in Vietnam enough time?

Is 7 days in Vietnam enough time

We cannot say that 7 days is enough to visit all the tourist sites in Vietnam, however, 7 days is definitely enough to briefly visit the major tourist sites there are in Vietnam. Once you plan and prepare a potent 7 days Vietnam itinerary, you can be good to go with no worries.

What’s the best way to travel around Vietnam in a week?

The best way to travel around Vietnam in a week

There are quite a number of ways you can get around in Vietnam within your 7 days visit to Vietnam. These include by flight, car, bus, motorbike, taxi, and train. Flights are usually the fastest ways to get around and the most expensive of all, especially if you’re moving between major cities. Motorbikes are also the most common of all as you would find them all over in the streets.

However, when it comes to the best way to get around, we consider convenience as well as cost, and the most convenient and cost effective way to move around is by train, followed by bus.

Vietnam one week itinerary: when is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Vietnam in 7 days

Vietnam has different weather conditions in various regions of the country. The major rainy season in both the North and the South spans from May to September but the central part has more rainy days which are from September through to December.

During winter, the weather in the far North gets very cold which is not an appropriate time to visit. Ultimately, if we want to construe the weather in its entirety, the Spring time would be the most appropriate time to Visit across all parts of the country. It doesn’t really matter which part of the country you are visiting, Spring is the most appropriate time to visit.

Suggested 5 best 7-day Vietnam Itinerary

Itinerary 1

Day 1: Hanoi

Hanoi

Start your 7-day Vietnam Itinerary in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, as you explore the lively nature with its roots deep in history and culture. Begin by exploring the city’s intricate architecture, street markets, as well as a plethora of delicious meals.

Take a stroll to see the many historical and cultural landmarks including the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi Opera House. It is very important that you go and see the water puppet show, to learn more about Vietnamese culture and tradition.

Go on to experience the amazing dishes in the city like Bun Cha (Barbecued pork with vermicelli), Cha cha (Grilled fish with turmeric and dill), Bun cha (fish soup and noodle)etc.

Day 2: HaLong Bay cruise

Journey on to a UNESCO World Heritage site within the Northern part of Vietnam which is also famous and attracts millions of tourists yearly. HaLong Bay possesses more than 1,600 limestone Islands with beautiful and natural emerald green waters forming a peculiar captivating landscape.

Explore parts or all the sceneries around the islands and caves as you take a nice cruise in a boat . As a tourist, you get the chance to also engage in activities like hiking, swimming, kayaking etc, hence providing you with first hand experience of the beauty and captivating nature of the calm bay.

Some of the islands and caves in HaLong Bay include Titov island, Cat Ba island, Sung Sot cave, Thien Cung cave, Dau Go cave etc.

Day 3: Ninh Binh

Get acquainted with the place that has over the years gained the title “HaLong Bay on land” due to its amazing karsts and other breathtaking landscapes. Aside from the fact that Ninh Binh offers you as a tourist the chance at hiking, rock climbing, as well as biking, it also embodies some amount of history as highlighted in its ancient buildings and other relics.

Ninh Binh has a very large bosom with enough for everyone, where you’re an adventurous tourist, or one who is heavily fascinated by history and culture, or rather a true fan of beautiful and serene landscapes. Some notable places in Ninh Binh include Trang An Temple complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda, the Ancient Hoa Lu Capital, Hang Mua cave, Bich Dong Pagoda, etc.

Day 4: Mai Chau - Pu Luong

Mai Chau and Pu Luong

Re-energize your trip with a visit to these two astonishing destinations of Mai Chau and Pu Luong located in the Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa Province. It is even an understatement to say that these regions are quite popular for their amazing natural beauty featuring ever green rice paddies with a number of traditionally motivated ethnic minority villages.

Mai Chau is typically characterized by a rich traditional culture specific to the locals of the White Thai ethnic minority group with opportunities for tourists to enjoy sumptuous local meals, homestays, as well as watch and even partake in traditional performances like music and dance.

Pu Luong is quite notable for its Stilt and Bamboo house that encourage stay-ins for tourists as they engage in exciting activities like trekking, cycling as well as kayaking.

Day 5: Hue city

There is absolutely no shred of doubt that Hue is a must see place in Vietnam. If you are a tourist who has quite some interest in history and culture, this central Vietnam based destination is for you. Hue, which was the imperial capital of the then Nguyen Dynasty and was its political and cultural center.

This place is a great highlight and reflection of Vietnam’s intricate architectural masterpiece and also an embodiment of great history and rich culture. It shouldn’t also come as a surprise that Hue city has some good culinary fortitude with a range of fantastic cuisine areas, traditional and local restaurants and markets, for an unforgettable experience. Places to visit in Hue include Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, the Perfume River etc.

Day 6: Hoi An

Along the central coast of the country is this UNESCO World Heritage site which hosts a great deal of tourists from all over the globe. A major feature of Hoi An is its unique cosmopolitan architecture featuring Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese combination of individual influences for quite ornate temples, edge-cutting traditional houses as well as ancient merchant and trading buildings.

As a tourist, your visit to Hoi An wouldn’t be complete if you don't witness the Lantern festival where the place comes alive with all sizes of lanterns at night, a beautiful sight to behold. Places to see in Hoi An include Cau Temple, Cam Pho Communal House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Old House etc. You can also try a few of their local dishes including Banh Mi, Cao Lau, Banh Beo etc

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh city

Saigon, as it was formally called, Ho Chi Minh city is the largest city in Vietnam and is within the Southern part. It possesses quite some history with a number of ancient architecture and relatively diverse culture.

Ho Chi Minh city has galleries, museums as well as theaters that reflect the artistic wing and advanced modernity of the country. This place also has quite some reputation when it comes to food, especially street food.

There is no doubt that the city has some delicious delicacies but is absolutely heavy on street foods like food stalls, and a range of Vietnamese local and international cuisine. Places to see in this city include the War Remnant Museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House etc.

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Highlight of North & South Vietnam 7 Days

Hanoi - Halong Bay - Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre+1 more

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• Depart Time:Daily
• Starts/Ends:Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh
• Tour type:Small Group Tour
• Travel Style:Culture & History
• Activities:Local culture tours
• Suitable for:Group
• Age range:5 To 80 Years, 1 To 90 Years

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Itinerary 2

Day 1-2: Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam and explore places like the Old Quarter, Hoa Lo prison, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Hanoi Opera House etc, and make sure to see the water puppet show to boost your engagement and knowledge of Vietnamese culture and heritage.

Day 3-4: HaLong Bay

Halong Bay

Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site which has gigantic limestone islands and caves, where you can cruise around in boats to see the beautiful scenic karsts and intricate landscapes.

Day 5-6: Hoi An

Experience a unique feature of mixed culture and architecture of Chinese, Japanese as well as Vietnamese intricate designs and buildings that will captivate you. Also, explore alleyways and buildings filled with lanterns of all sizes in a festive and lively night lighting occasion.

Day 7: Da Nang

Da Nang

Along Vietnam’s central coastline is the city of Da Nang with beautiful landscapes and beaches that overall form stunning and unique landmarks for tourists.

Itinerary 3

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh city tour

Experience a very intriguing tour in the largest city in Vietnam which was previously known as Saigon. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, Thien Hau Pagoda etc, and enjoy the historical and cultural exuberance of Vietnam.

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels

Your next destination is the Cu Chi Tunnels, a very historical site which consists of a series of underground tunnels that stretch to about 220 km and consist of living chambers, kitchens, work stations etc. These tunnels were used by Vietnamese soldiers during the war against the United States of America.

Day 3: Da Nang and Hoi An

Start your day 3 trip in Da Nang as you visit the Linh Ung Pagoda and then move about 30 kilometers to Hoi An ancient town. Here, you will get the chance to explore the Japanese Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Fujian Assembly Hall etc.

Day 4: Non Nuoc Beach, Han Market and Marble Mountain

Enjoy the breezy moments at Non Nuoc Beach and relax to view wonderful expressions of nature. Head to Han Market after that to witness a stunning approach to buying and selling as you get one or two souvenirs. After that, you can visit the Marble Mountain for a good mountainous and breathtaking experience.

Day 5: Son Tra Peninsula and Nam Hoi An

Son Tra Peninsula and Nam Hoi An

Experience this glamorous peninsula as well as its fantastic landscapes, and then head to Nam Hoi An. At Nam Hoi An, you are open to a thrilling experience of a safari park complex where you can engage in all sorts of entertainments like cruise along the river, water slides, etc.

Day 6: Hanoi

The nation’s capital city has a lot to offer as you engage with its nieces and captivating sites like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Hoa Kiem Lake, Hanoi Old Quarter, etc You can then go later to get a bit of history at the Hoa Lo Prison and then go later to see the Water puppet show.

Day 7: HaLong Bay

Get in touch with this UNESCO World Heritage site that has a lot of limestone Islands, Karsts and caves. Go round the place as you cruise in a boat to see the various islands and engage in other activities like kayaking, hiking etc.

Itinerary 4

Day 1-2 : Phu Quoc Island

This is a place with wonderfully calm and beautiful beaches with white fine white sands and colorful coral reefs. Enjoy yourself as you calm your nerves with beach side relaxation and beach side cuisine.

Day 3-4: Da Lat city

Da Lat city

Here, you will get the chance to explore the beautiful Da Lat flower garden which has a lot of flowers that have blossomed with very nice fragrance. After that, you can head to the Prenn waterfalls, a very calm and peaceful place to relax, calm your mind and then enjoy the scene.

Day 5: Hue city

Take the chance to explore the Imperial city as you visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and then you move along the perfume river. Again, you must not miss the sight of the Hue Citadel, a historical and cultural relic.

Day 6: Hanoi

Explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to witness the flag raising ceremony. Take a stroll to see the Hoan Kiem Lake as well as the St. Joseph’s Cathedral. See the museum of fine arts and also the temple of literature.

Day 7: Ha Giang

Ha Giang

A beautiful scene created by the green nature of the mountain and the yellowish sunlight forms a beautiful template that will blow your mind. Move on to sail at the Nho Que River, as you rent a kayak or buy a boat ticket.

Itinerary 5

Day 1-2: Hanoi

Begin with a stroll along the Hoa Kiem lake to experience solemn calmness and freshness before heading to the temple of literature which was built in the 11th century.Make your way also to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex in Ba Dinh Square, where the body of Ho Chi Minh is being preserved.

Day 3: Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

In Ninh Binh, you get to visit Trang An with beautiful landscapes like caves, limestone mountains etc. Explore the caves and karsts by booking a boat to cruise round the caves and other landscapes.

Day 4: HaLong Bay

This UNESCO World Heritage site is absolutely the best as it has numerous islands and caves to explore, talk less of limestone mountains and karsts. Get a boat to cruise around the island to see the rest of the site, quite a beautiful and breathtaking adventure. You can engage in activities like kayaking, hiking etc.

Day 5: Da Nang

Explore the amazing nature of the Ba Na Hill Mountain resort, and also enter the cable car while you enjoy the spectacular view from the top. You can also navigate the French Village and also walk through the captivating Golden Bridge, as you are marveled by the aesthetics of nature.

Day 6: Hoi An

Hoi An

This UNESCO World Heritage site is one that is characterized by numerous activities like praying at the Ong Pagoda, visiting the Chinese Assembly Halls as well as visiting the Old House of Tan Ky. You can also pass by to explore the Japanese bridge for a nice experience.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh city

Explore the largest city in Vietnam with the hustling and bustling in the street with numerous unending activities. Get to see the Ben Thanh Market, the Saigon Opera House, and also enjoy a calm and relaxing evening at Xien Khe in Phu Nhuan District.

FAQs about Vietnam one week itinerary

How much does one week in Vietnam cost?

The cost of every trip or tour varies, and so there cannot be a definite figure to represent it. Ideally, the cost of going on a 1 week tour in Vietnam because everyone will differ from person to person, and also people live differently and want different things.

However, we can only make projections, for example, if you are a backpacker and you want to comfortably tour Vietnam for 1 week, you would need to spend around $40-$50 per day. With this kind of budget, you will have enough to spend on food, drinks, tour activities as well as accommodation.

SIM cards in Vietnam

SIM cards in Vietnam

Arriving in a country like Vietnam, you need to have a good sim card that will enable you to communicate properly. There are about 4 top Vietnam sim card service providers including Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone and Vietnamobile.

When you arrive at any of the 3 international airports in Vietnam be it Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Ho Chi Minh city Airport (Ho Chi Minh city) or Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang City, I suggest you get in touch with the representative offices of any of the mentioned 4 major top sim card service providers to get and activate your sim card before you even enter into the country.

After getting your sim card, you will find that there will be a lot of benefits that come with it. These benefits include staying connected with family and friends at any time without any expensive roaming charges or interruptions.

Again, the communication is cost effective in that local sim cards usually give the customer good and affordable rates for calls, internet, text messages etc. When you have a local sim card, you will be able to avoid expensive international roaming plans and all the charges that come with it.

With the local sim cards, there is absolute convenience and also it helps in navigation and transportation. As a tourist, the local sim helps you get easy navigation to get to your destinations because you have access to very affordable internet connection etc. You are also able to access ride sharing apps like Grab, for reliable transportation options.

What to eat in Vietnam

In Vietnam, food has a serious value and also the way it is served and even eaten. Their style is very amazing as it reflects the typical Asian style (family setting) with everyone getting a plate or bowl of rice and any other foods like chicken, pork, fish, vegetables, noodles etc being at the center to be shared by everyone. In the past few years, Vietnamese food has gained quite some popularity and reputation for its health and uniqueness, making it very craveable by many.

Finding yourself in this Southeast Asian country, you will readily appreciate and get used to the fact that the people do not joke with their rice and noodles, as they can be found in almost every Vietnamese dish. These are some typical Vietnamese dishes that must be explored by all means necessary, as a tourist.

Pho. This is one of the best Vietnamese dishes and is known all around the world.

Banh mi. This is also a Vietnamese dish that is loved from all walks of life. Banh mi is like the country's famous sandwich.

Goi cuon, Banh xeo, Mi quang, Cha ca, Cao lau, Bo kho.

What’s the best season to visit Vietnam?

Best season to visit Vietnam

Vietnam has different weather conditions in various regions of the country. The major rainy season in both the North and the South spans from May to September but the central part has more rainy days which are from September through to December.

During winter, the weather in the far North gets very cold which is not an appropriate time to visit. Ultimately, if we want to construe the weather in its entirety, the Spring time would be the most appropriate time to Visit across all parts of the country. It doesn’t really matter which part of the country you are visiting, Spring is the most appropriate time to visit.

Customs, language and safety

In Vietnam, the people really take their customs, traditions and practices very seriously, this means that as a tourist, you need to accord them the needed respect and courtesy. It does not matter whether or not you believe in whatever it is they do or practice, you just need to tag along.

One of the things you need to know about Vietnamese customs and traditions is that they do not like public display of affection. This means that as much as possible, you should try and keep public displays of affection very minimal, and so you shouldn’t be seen touching and kissing your girlfriend in public or in front of others.

You need to be cautious when entering temples or homes. When entering other peoples’ homes, you need to take off your shoes outside, and also since Vietnamese people keep altars at their homes and shops, you should do well not to cross over them or step on them, always be mindful. This certainly applies also to temples, as you are to dress modestly when visiting temples and Pagodas, and also remember to take off your shoes, hats etc.

In order to optimize your safety in Vietnam and avoid looking over your shoulders while on tour in the country, you should take some measures very seriously. Your personal safety is paramount and comes first and so you need to be very vigilant especially in crowded areas and also limit the display of very expensive gadgets and jewelry, while you protect your bags and other valuables. You should also normalize using debit or credit cards especially for heavy transactions to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Again, you must engage only with official and verified modes of transportation like mobile app transportation like Grab, as well as metered taxis to avoid being cheated or scammed. You should also ensure that before coming to Vietnam, you have secured a very potent medical insurance to take care of all your medical needs as well as fully cover you whether rain or shine.

While you have secured medical insurance, you still must make sure to take safety health measures such as taking recommended or suggested vaccinations, drinking very safe bottled water, as well as taking serious measures against mosquitoes to prevent malaria. Going by most, if not all of these measures and precautions will suffice to say that your trip to Vietnam will be quite amazing and devoid of any safety anomalies.

Do you need a visa to enter Vietnam?

Do you need a visa to enter Vietnam?

When traveling to Vietnam on holidays or for tourist purposes, you definitely need a visa unless your country has a visa free agreement with Vietnam. As of 2024, 25 countries can travel to Vietnam without a visa.

Those countries include; Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama. For these countries, the only requirement is to have a valid passport with at least two blank pages for immigration processes and stamping.

Nonetheless, for countries that do not fall within these 25 countries, their citizens need to apply to obtain a valid visa before they can visit Vietnam. The good news is that, as of August, 2023, nationals of every country are eligible for the Vietnam E-visa grant with a 90-day stay duration.

Learn some Vietnamese phrases to use when traveling to Vietnam for a week

Xin chào (sin chow) – Hello

Cám ơn (kam’ on) – Thank you

Xin lỗi (sin loi) – Excuse me/I’m sorry

Tôi không hiểu (toy kong hew) – I don’t understand

Bao nhiêu tiền? (bah-oh nyew tee-un) – How much does it cost?

Tôi muốn (toy mwuhn) – I want

Có phòng trống không? (koh fohng trawng kohng) – Do you have any available rooms?

Cho tôi một bản đồ (cho toy mot ban do) – Please give me a map

Tôi cần một tài xế (toy kahn mot tai say) – I need a driver

Nơi nào là địa điểm du lịch phổ biến? (noy nao lah dee-uh dyuhm doo lich phuh-bian) – Where are the popular tourist attractions?

Conclusion

I presuppose that you have gotten more clarity and understanding on how to go about your trip to Vietnam should you decide on it today! Vietnam is a really good country and so being able to have an ideal 7 days Vietnam itinerary is a very pleasant way to a perfect trip.

Don’t hesitate to contact Asia tour advisor for tips and suggestions about anything concerning tour and traveling that you may need. Thank you.