21 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.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Old Quarter and Vietnamese Women's Museum. Your inner history buff will appreciate Temple of Literature & National University and Truc Lam An Tam Zen Monastery. There's lots more to do: get engrossed in the history at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, take in the exciting artwork at Empty Wall Gallery, explore the galleries of Klimt Art Gallery, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

For other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Hanoi itinerary planner.

Warsaw, Poland to Hanoi is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Warsaw to Hanoi due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) so you can travel 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.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Yaly Couture - Nguyen Thai Hoc branch and Precious Heritage by Rehahn. Step off the beaten path and head to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Ginkgo T-Shirts Store Le Loi. Change things up with a short trip to My Khe Beach in Da Nang (about 36 minutes away). There's still lots to do: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, make a trip to Hoi An Ancient Town, kick back and relax at Non Nuoc Beach, and tour the pleasant surroundings at The Marble Mountains.

To find maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Hoi An travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Hanoi to Hoi An takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. In October in Hoi An, expect temperatures between 35°C during the day and 28°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Nature & Wildlife Tours and Tomb of Minh Mang. Your inner history buff will appreciate Royal Tombs and Imperial City. There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Imperial Tomb of Dong Khanh, stop by Tinh Hoa Art Shop, view the masterpieces at Green Bamboo Art Gallery, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Thien Mu Pagoda.

For maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read Hue trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Hoi An to Hue takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or take a bus. October in Hue sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 26°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) early enough to drive 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.

Get outdoors at Nature & Wildlife Tours and Phong Nha Caves. There's still lots to do: Head underground at Hang Toi (Dark Cave), experience rural life at The Duck Stop, admire the natural beauty at Phong Nha Botanic Garden, and relax and rejuvenate at Lemon Tree Nail & Spa.

To find maps, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park itinerary planner.

Getting from Hue to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sat) early enough to travel 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.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Sun): paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour. Keep things going the next day: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, take an in-depth tour of War Remnants Museum, ponder the world of politics at The Independence Palace, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, then admire the landmark architecture of Central Post Office, and finally browse the eclectic array of goods at Ben Thanh Market.

To see ratings, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Ho Chi Minh City trip planner.

Getting from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Ho Chi Minh City by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 38°C in October, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Duong Dong.

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

Explore hidden gems such as Bai Tắm Sao and Fingernail Island. Get some cultural insight at Coi Nguon Museum and Cao Dai Temple. There's much more to do: indulge in some personalized pampering at Luna Thai Spa, learn the secrets of beer at Beer Fridge, enjoy the sand and surf at Ong Lang Beach, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Mui Ganh Dau Beach.

For more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, use the Duong Dong online trip maker.

You can fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Duong Dong in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. You'll have a few hours on the 31st (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling home.