If you’re planning a Vietnam tour, or even just thinking about one, sometimes it can get overwhelming when you see all of the things you can do and see. To help you decide where you should go, keep reading to see a sample itinerary that will take you to explore some of the very best places the country has to offer, from Hanoi in the north to The Mekong Delta in the south, and several places in between.
1. Saigon and the Mekong Delta
Start your trip off right by wandering Saigon, which is now called Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk along Dong Khoi Street with its colonial buildings telling a story of the city’s past. At the War Remnants Museum you can see a little insight to the country’s plight during the Vietnam War, like the living conditions the soldiers endured. Here you can also do a tour in the Cu Chi tunnel network.
After you come out of the tunnels, head to the Mekong Delta to try some locally grown product from floating markets where vendors ply their trade as generations have done. Here you will also see the sounds, sights, tastes, and smells of the traditional Vietnamese life.
2. Hue
For this next leg of your journey you will need to get on a plane to Hue, an amazing city that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue was once the imperial capital and although a lot of its architectural masterpieces were lost in the war, you can still see a lot if you go wander through the city’s huge and ancient Citadel. Other things you can see in the city are the Tombs of the Emperors and the peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda.
3. Hoi An
If you have time, check out the Spiral Foundation, which is where you can buy eco-friendly crafts made by mute and deaf artisans; if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even have some of them show you how to make your own souvenir.
The trip to Hoi An from Hue will show you some fantastic views of the coastline and some lovely Vietnamese countryside. When you get to Hoi An, which is a former trading port town which has been amazingly well-preserved, wander around the old streets and see what you find. One highlight of any tour of this town is the famous Japanese Bridge.
4. Halong Bay
By this time you’ve seen a lot of Vietnam’s amazing architecture and what the cities have to offer, so now it’s time to see Halong Bay. You will fly from Danang to Haiphong and then drive to reach Halong Bay. The very best way to enjoy this area is by boat. This Bay has thousands of limestone islands so go for an overnight cruise and you will not only have amazing views but you will also be treated to a delicious meal of fish caught that day.
5. Hanoi
At the exotic Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, you will have the opportunity to walk down the tree-lined streets of the Old Quarter and see things like the mystical Hoan Kiem Lake and the ancient Temple of Literature. Hanoi is one of the best places in the world to sample wide variety of delicious street food.
Once your days in Vietnam are over, you will be amazed at how much you have had the opportunity to see, including all the beautiful places designed by nature as you travel from one place to another.