3-Week Itinerary in Vietnam

Hi there,

Here’s the itinerary I’ve planned for May with my partner—what do you think? I’m not entirely sure if my choices are the best. We’re traveling independently, no guide, no agency, and using public transport.

- Hanoi: Arrival at 10 AM – 1 day (05/09) - Mai Chau: 2 days (including visits to the Pa Co and Mai Chau markets) (05/10 and 05/11) - Pu Luong (Lang Bang): 2 days (05/12 and 05/13) - Tam Coc: 2 days (05/14 and 05/15) - Tu Long Bay: 2 days (05/16 and 05/17) - Hanoi: 1 day – Night train (05/18) - Hue: 2 days (05/19 and 05/20) - Hoi An: 2 days (05/21 and 05/22) - Da Nang: 1 day (05/23) - Flight from Da Nang to Can Tho (05/24 and 05/25) - Ben Tre: 2 days (05/26 and 05/27) - Ho Chi Minh City: 2 days (05/28 and 05/29)

Thanks for your feedback! Have a great day.

Hi,

What do you think? I’m still not sure if my choices are the best. We’re traveling independently—no guide, no agency, and using public transport.

Before questioning your choices, I think you should first consider the number of stops. Here, you’re averaging less than a full day per stop—does that seem reasonable to you? Skipping an agency is, in my opinion, a great decision... as long as you’re not traveling at the same crazy pace.

Hi there, I also think that’s too many stops.

I’d switch up the order at the start: Hanoi – Tu Long Bay (great choice) – Mai Chau – Tam Coc. Then take an overnight bus from Tam Coc or an overnight train from Ninh Binh (check with the guesthouse manager who’ll handle the booking) to Hue.

Hoi An deserves more than 2 nights—it’s a gorgeous little town with art galleries, shops, lovely cafés and restaurants, rice fields, river islands you can bike around, and huge beaches.

You can skip Da Nang; you’ll see the Marble Mountains on the way to Hoi An.

Ho Chi Minh City might also be worth more than 2 nights… but you’ve got to make choices. We regretted not staying longer.

Same for Hanoi: you need at least 3 nights—there’s so much to discover!

Extend your trip to a month or stick to the northern part of the country.

Hi there! Not enough vacation time to spend a whole month in Vietnam 😢