24 days in Vietnam & Japan 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 11th (Thu), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. There's lots more to do: get to know the fascinating history of Old Quarter, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, contemplate the long history of Memorial House - Ho Chi Minh, and look for gifts at Miranda's Jewelry.

For reviews, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Hanoi journey builder tool.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Hanoi is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Amsterdam to Hanoi due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sat) 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.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Sat): surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the activities along Hạ Long Bay, explore the fascinating underground world of Tien Ong Cave, then explore the fascinating underground world of Sung Sot Cave, and finally step off the mainland to explore Hon Ga Choi Island.

To see more things to do, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, use the Halong Bay online vacation planner.

Do a combination of bus and ferry from Hanoi to Halong Bay in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, car, and ferry; or do a combination of bus, flight, and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel 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.

When in Ninh Binh, make a side trip to see Bai Dinh Pagoda in Gia Sinh, approximately Gia Sinh away. And it doesn't end there: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, make a trip to Bich Dong Pagoda, tour the pleasant surroundings at Tam Coc, and Head underground at Mua Caves.

For ratings, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Ninh Binh trip planner.

Traveling by combination of ferry, car, and bus from Halong Bay to Ninh Binh takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. May in Ninh Binh sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 29°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) so you can travel to Da Nang.

A curious mix of developed beachfront tourism and untouched local city life, Da Nang presents an often-overlooked but authentic and welcoming picture of central Vietnam.

On the 18th (Thu), enjoy the sand and surf at My Khe Beach and then boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa.

To find more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Da Nang day trip planner.

Getting from Ninh Binh to Da Nang by combination of bus and flight takes about 6 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Fri): stop by Rubin Cloth Shop, then don't miss a visit to Japanese Covered Bridge, then make a trip to Hoi An Ancient Town, and finally indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

Make your Hoi An itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

You can drive from Da Nang to Hoi An in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Hoi An can reach 39°C, while at night they dip to 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) so you can go by car to Da Nang.

On the 20th (Sat), relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, take in the dramatic natural features at The Marble Mountains, and then take in the views from Dragon Bridge.

For other places to visit, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, use the Da Nang trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Hoi An to Da Nang in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Narita.

Pilgrims and aviators come to Narita, a town known during the Edo period for its temple, and now known primarily for its airport.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Narita trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Da Nang to Narita with the Route module. Traveling from Da Nang to Narita, you'll lose 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in May, and nighttime lows around 15°C. You'll set off for Tokyo on the 21st (Sun).

Tokyo holds the status of most populous metropolitan area in the world--a fact you'll find tangible as you walk the bustling streets and explore its diverse neighborhoods and cultures.

Tokyo is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, get your game on at Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou, take an in-depth tour of Edo-Tokyo Museum, and take a stroll through Odaiba District.

For where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Tokyo tour itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Narita to Tokyo takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Tokyo when traveling from Narita in May, with lows around 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Kyoto.

The national capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto retains much of the charm of old Japan, boasting numerous temples and shrines that seem completely untouched by the modern world.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Thu): steep yourself in history at Sanjusangendo Temple, contemplate the long history of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and then browse for treasures at Maiko Antiques Kyoto. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the historical opulence of Nijo Castle, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kinkaku-ji, then steep yourself in history at Heian Shrine, and finally steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Plan a Kyoto trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Traveling by flight from Tokyo to Kyoto takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In May, daytime highs in Kyoto are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sat) to allow enough time to take a train to Osaka.

Proud of their hometown's distinct culture and dialect, many natives of Osaka describe their city as "Japan's anti-capital." An antidote to Tokyo's hectic energy, Osaka marches to the beat of its own drum, serving as the country's longtime commercial and industrial hub.

Change things up with these side-trips from Osaka: Nara (Yoshikien, Kasuga Grand Shrine, &more). There's still lots to do: find something for the whole family at Universal Studios Japan, explore the historical opulence of Osaka Castle, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and take in panoramic vistas at Kuchu Teien Observatory.

To find where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Osaka day trip app.

Getting from Kyoto to Osaka by train takes about an hour. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In May in Osaka, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 18°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Tokyo.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Tue): find something for the whole family at Tokyo Disneyland. On the next day, stroll around Ueno Park, then find something for the whole family at Tokyo DisneySea, then don't miss a visit to Hachiko, and finally take a stroll through Takeshita Street.

To see photos, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Tokyo trip itinerary builder website.

Fly from Osaka to Tokyo in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) to allow time to drive to Narita.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Thu): steep yourself in history at Naritasan Omote Sando.

For maps, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Narita trip planner.

Traveling by car from Tokyo to Narita takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. You will have some time to spend on the 1st (Thu) before leaving for home.