Who’s ready for an epic month in one of the most unique countries in Southeast Asia? Our one month Vietnam travel itinerary includes helpful information such as transportation, where to stay, and what to do in each place! Starting in the south, we’ll show you how to work your way up the coast to see all the most amazing towns, cities, and nature backpacking Vietnam. After five visits to this beautiful country, our guide combines the best of everything we’ve experienced to form one awesome Vietnam itinerary. Don’t have enough time to see the whole country? No worries! Check out our separate South and North Vietnam itineraries below.

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General Vietnam Travel Tips

One Month Vietnam Itinerary Breakdown

Our one month Vietnam itinerary moves extremely fast as you travel non-stop form Saigon to Hanoi. We recommended you use this Vietnam travel itinerary as a base for planning your own trip, but you don’t need to follow it literally. Remove some stops to slow down your travels, and even add some locations we haven’t been to yet. It doesn’t matter if you’re backpacking Vietnam or going for for an upscale holiday, this guide truly has something for everyone!

Saigon ⸰ 3 Nights

3 Nights Phu Quoc ⸰ 3 Nights

3 Nights Mui Ne ⸰ 2 Nights

2 Nights Da Lat ⸰ 2 Nights

2 Nights Da Nang ⸰ 2 Nights

2 Nights Hoi An ⸰ 3 Nights

3 Nights Phong Nha Ke Bang ⸰ 3 Nights

3 Nights Tam Coc ⸰ 1 Night

1 Night Hanoi ⸰ 3 Nights

3 Nights Ha Long Bay ⸰ 3 Nights

3 Nights Ha Giang Loop ⸰ 4 Nights

Ho Chi Minh City – 3 Nights

Also known as Saigon, this bustling major city is sure to overwhelm even the most experienced traveler backpacking Vietnam. Still, after spending a few days here you’ll see why it’s a popular spot to start a Vietnam travel itinerary. It might take little warming up to, but if you embrace and craziness of Saigon you’re sure to have a great time! Here’s all the best things to do in the city to begin your journey in Southern Vietnam.

Shop, eat, and get lost in Ben Thanh Market.

Try specialties such as Banh Mi, Bun Bo and much much more!

Explore the Cafe Apartments and have a cafe su da overlooking the city.

Take a photo At Tân Định Church (The Pink Church).

Visit the famous Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Pull up a stool and people watch late night on Bui Vien street.

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Where To Sleep

Vy Da Hostel – $ – Quiet area near Ben Thanh Market with fun decor, dorms, and private rooms.

– Quiet area near Ben Thanh Market with fun decor, dorms, and private rooms. Titi1guesthouse – $$ – Steps from Bui Vien street, clean and cheap rooms for backpacking Vietnam.

– Steps from Bui Vien street, clean and cheap rooms for backpacking Vietnam. Alagon D’antique Hotel & Spa – $$$ – Modern hotel with rooftop pool in district one.

– Modern hotel with rooftop pool in district one. Park Hyatt Saigon –$$$$– Luxury hotel near the Saigon Opera House. This would be a very plush addition to your one month Vietnam itinerary!

For more places to stay in Saigon you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Phu Quoc Island

How To Get There: 1 Hour Flight From Ho Chi Minh City or 12+ hour bus and ferry.

*Consider booking a flight in advance to Phu Quoc on your one month Vietnam Itinerary. It should similar price to the bus and ferry if you plan ahead!

Phu Quoc – 3 Nights

Phu Quoc is a large island in Southern Vietnam, and is known for having the best beaches in the country. If you have a few more days consider hopping on a round trip flight from Ho Chi Minh City which will get you to the islands in less than an hour. We’ve been there twice while backpacking Vietnam, and had an amazing time beach hopping, cruising around on motorbikes, and eating all the yummy food.

Jump on a motorbike and explore the island. It is massive, but you can see most of it in two days.

Beach hop up the coast from Long Beach to Starfish Beach.

Grab a local beer and watch the sunset on the rightfully named Sunset Beach.

Hit the night market that overtakes the streets of the main town.

Take the world’s longest overwater cable car to Pineapple Island.

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Where To Sleep

For more places to stay on Phu Quoc Island you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Mui Ne

How To Get There: After your flight back to Saigon take the train to Mui Ne. Tickets can be purchased from any tourist information center and most hotels. Unfortunately, there is only one train that leaves daily. Get ready for an early start on this portion of your one month Vietnam itinerary!

*When you arrive at Mui Ne train station you’ll have to take a taxi 45 minutes to town. It’s around $15 USD so we recommend finding other travelers who are heading that way to share.

Mui Ne – 2 Nights

Mui Ne has grown in popularity over the years mostly due to the fact that it’s the closest beach town from Ho Chi Minh City. Wind surfing is the most popular draw along with visiting the red and white colored sand dunes! There is a lot to explore in this little ocean town so it will be an action packed two days in your Vietnam travel itinerary.

Watch the kite surfers from Sun Rise Bay.

Explore the early morning fish and fruit market.

Take a jeep tour of the White Sand Dunes.

Visit downtown Mui Ne and the Red Sand Dunes.

Walk The Mui Ne Fairy Stream.

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Where To Sleep

Mui Ne Hills Backpackers – $ – Backpacking Vietnam party vibe with upscale decor.

– Backpacking Vietnam party vibe with upscale decor. Hiep Hoa Resort – $$ – Where we stayed for 2 days! Nice budget rooms, motorbike rentals, swimming pool, and on the ocean.

– Where we stayed for 2 days! Nice budget rooms, motorbike rentals, swimming pool, and on the ocean. Sunsea Resort – $$$ – 2 outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant, and the perfect location right on the beach.

– 2 outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant, and the perfect location right on the beach. Mia Mui Ne Resort –$$$$– Upscale Luxury hotel with privacy and beautiful views.

For more places to stay in Mui Ne you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Da Lat

How To Get There: Bus transfer can be booked from any tourist center and most hotels. Be aware the ride will be very bumpy at parts due to road conditions.

Da Lat – 2 Nights

Da Lat has actually been one of the biggest surprises of our many trips backpacking Vietnam. While many travelers choose to leave it off their Vietnam itinerary, you should know that it’s not to be missed! After the hot weather of Southern Vietnam, we welcomed the cooler air of the gorgeous mountains heading north. The food is amazing, and this small city has some of the best markets we’ve seen in Asia.

Grab breakfast at the local Central Market.

Visit the strawberry farms and coffee plantations.

Take a swan boat ride on the lake.

Eat the best Bò Né plate in Vietnam.

Enjoy a bottle of Da Lat wine.

Get lost in the craziness of the night market.

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Where To Sleep

Da Lat Happy Hostel – $ – Private rooms and dorm beds. Central location in the city and a great place to meet others backpacking Vietnam.

– Private rooms and dorm beds. Central location in the city and a great place to meet others backpacking Vietnam. Sugar Land Villa Hotel – $$ – Family run, clean rooms, and quick walk to the market and city center.

– Family run, clean rooms, and quick walk to the market and city center. Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa –$$$– Just outside Da Lat. Quiet luxury stay in the mountains, and a wonderful stop on your one month Vietnam itinerary.

For more places to stay in Da Lat you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Da Nang (Via Nha Trang)

How To Get There: Bus to Nha Trang can be booked with your hotel. Then take an overnight train/bus to Da Nang, or quick flight from the Nha Trang Airport. Depending on the transfer times you may have to spend one night in Da Nang.

Da Nang – 2 Nights

Over the years we’ve found ourselves in, or passing through Da Nang quite a few times. This up and coming city is perfect for a night or two of hitting the beach and eating some delicious street food. Also, it’s a great jump off location for some of the best day trips in the entire country. This is where your Central Vietnam itinerary begins!

Day trip to Ba Na Hills.

Ride the Hai Van Pass by motorbike.

Visit the local and tourist markets of Da Nang.

Spend the afternoon swimming in the waves at Da Nang Beach.

Take a self-guided street food tour (Full foodie post below!).

Visit the giant Lady Buddha that overlooks the city.

Hike Marble Mountain. This is one of our favorite short hikes from this one month Vietnam itinerary.

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Where To Sleep

The Vietnam Hostel – $ – Right in the heart of Da Nang. New and upscale hostel with many others backpacking Vietnam.

– Right in the heart of Da Nang. New and upscale hostel with many others backpacking Vietnam. Prana Boutique Hotel and Apartments – $$ – One and two bedroom apartments with kitchen and washing machines. Amazing rooftop pool and very friendly family.

– One and two bedroom apartments with kitchen and washing machines. Amazing rooftop pool and very friendly family. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort –$$$– Ultra luxury resort just outside of Da Nang. One of the nicest hotels in all of Vietnam!

For more places to stay in Da Nang you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Hoi An

How To Get There: 45 min taxi or shuttle ride from Da Nang.

Hoi An – 3 Nights

Hoi An is one of our favorite towns in Vietnam, and the perfect place to spend a relaxing few days. From old town to the rice paddies and the ancient temples, there is so much to see and do. Also, with all the wonderful shopping you’ll be able to stuff your bags before you leave.

To be fully transparent, the first time we visited Hoi An was planned for 3 nights, and we ended up staying a whole week! So if one of the other places on our Vietnam travel itinerary don’t interest you, consider adding more days in Hoi An.

Get lost in the charming back streets of old town.

Visit the Central Market and eat local Cao Lau noodles.

Marvel at the silk lanterns at the night market.

Get a custom outfit made.

Visit My Son Sanctuary.

Bicycle or motorbike around the countryside and through the rice paddies.

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Where To Sleep

Tribee Bana – $ – Cute local hostel in the heart of the city with buffet breakfast included. You can’t do much better than this place backpacking Vietnam.

– Cute local hostel in the heart of the city with buffet breakfast included. You can’t do much better than this place backpacking Vietnam. Minh Tran Apartment and Hotel Hoi An – $$ – Our home away from home for every visit. Bright rooms, wonderful rooftop pool, and quick walk to the town center!

– Our home away from home for every visit. Bright rooms, wonderful rooftop pool, and quick walk to the town center! Pho Hoi Riverside Resort– $$$ – Villas overlooking the river and just across the bridge from Hoi An’s old town.

– Villas overlooking the river and just across the bridge from Hoi An’s old town. Silk Luxury Hotel & Spa –$$$$– Beautiful high end hotel right on the river and close to town.

For more places to stay in Hoi An you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Hue then Phong Nha Ke Bang via Hai Van Pass

How To Get There: Hire a motorbike and ride from Hoi An to Hue on the famous road called Hai Van Pass. You can plan so your luggage is transferred for you. From Hue spend all day exploring before hopping on a train or bus to Phong Nha Ke Bang. If you have the time on your Vietnam travel itinerary try to plan for at least 1 night in Hue.

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Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – 3 Nights

Phong Nha Ke Bang is hands down the most magical place in Vietnam! It it slightly secluded and not on the typical travel route, but the stories of its beauty are quickly spreading. Made famous by the discovery of the world’s largest cave, this UNESCO National Park is filled with everything from blue rivers, to wet caves, and endless rice paddies.

Hire a boat and visit Phong Nha Cave and Dong Tien Son.

Go deep underground and make the steep climb down to Paradise Cave.

Jump on a motorbike and circle the national park.

Watch the sunset over the beautiful rice paddies.

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Where To Sleep

Diep Le Homestay – $ – Diep Le gives you a front row view at breakfast to the gorgeous river, and also has rooms facing the mountainside to the back.

– Diep Le gives you a front row view at breakfast to the gorgeous river, and also has rooms facing the mountainside to the back. Central Backpackers Hostel – $ -The property features hammocks, a pool, full bar, and is the perfect jump off point to all the famous caves when backpacking Vietnam.

-The property features hammocks, a pool, full bar, and is the perfect jump off point to all the famous caves when backpacking Vietnam. Phong Nha Farmstay – $ $ -This one of a kind accommodation is located away from everything in a secluded part of Phong Nha. Beautiful scenery, on-site restaurant, and free bicycles.

-This one of a kind accommodation is located away from everything in a secluded part of Phong Nha. Beautiful scenery, on-site restaurant, and free bicycles. Victory Road Villas –$$$-Beautiful villas which are the most luxurious place to stay in Phong Nha.

For more places to stay in Phong Nha National Park you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Tam Coc

How To Get There: Overnight Bus from Phong Nha to Tam Coc.

Tam Coc – 1 Night

Tam Coc is is a small town in the Ninh Binh region. While many travelers make a day trip here from Hanoi by arriving from the south via overnight bus, you can actually stop and see it without having to backtrack. This area is called the Ha Long Bay of the land for the massive limestone mountains that rise from the ground. Whether you choose to explore by motorbike, bicycle, or boat tour, this is 100% a place to add to your one month Vietnam itinerary!

Hike above Mua Caves to the Laying Dragon Mountain for the best view.

Jump on a Tam Coc River Boat UNESCO tour.

Cruise by bicycle through the river paddies and small dirt roads.

Go for Dinner in Town where they prepare traditional goat.

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Where To Sleep

The Banana Tree Hostel – $ – Banana tree is an awesome place to make friends, hang out by the pool, and plan your next adventures backpacking Vietnam.

– Banana tree is an awesome place to make friends, hang out by the pool, and plan your next adventures backpacking Vietnam. Tam Coc Nature Lodge -$$- Where we stayed on this part of our Vietnam travel itinerary. The rooms are surrounded by rocks and mountains which gives you a one of a kind intimate feel in nature.

Where we stayed on this part of our Vietnam travel itinerary. The rooms are surrounded by rocks and mountains which gives you a one of a kind intimate feel in nature. Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort -$$- Hidden Charm is also complete with restaurant, gym, and pool for you to enjoy during your stay.

Hidden Charm is also complete with restaurant, gym, and pool for you to enjoy during your stay. Tam Coc Garden Resort -$$$-This Tam Coc resort is located out in the rice paddy fields which makes it the perfect place to relax in Ninh Binh. The secluded property includes large bungalows and a beautiful pool area.

For more places to stay near the Tam Coc you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Hanoi

How To Get There: 2 Hour Bus, Train, or Private Transfer

Hanoi – 3 Nights

As both the capital and our favorite city in Vietnam, Hanoi will be an amazing place to start your adventure in the north. Explore the back streets of the old quarter, take a spin around the lake, and soak in the views from the epic cafes and rooftop bars. Hanoi is the type of city that you’ll be happy to get lost in as you dive deeper and deeper into the real Vietnam.

Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the Temple of Jade Mountain.

Get lost in the Old Quarter where each street takes on its own theme.

Eat your way through the Hanoi specialties (Check out our food lovers post below!)

Drink fresh beer and take in the night life on Ta Hien Street.

Shop for warm clothing in the stores and night markets.

Try an egg coffee on Hanoi’s famous railroad tracks.

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Where To Sleep

Little Charm Hanoi Hostel – $- Clean rooms, soft beds, and in the heart of Hanoi. Great budget option for your one month Vietnam Itinerary.

Clean rooms, soft beds, and in the heart of Hanoi. Great budget option for your one month Vietnam Itinerary. Nova Luxury Hotel – $$- Right next to the Hanoi Old Quarter with a beautifully chic design.

Right next to the Hanoi Old Quarter with a beautifully chic design. Hanoi Trendy Hotel & Spa – $$$- Brand new air conditioned rooms, and just a 10 minute walk from the main square.

Brand new air conditioned rooms, and just a 10 minute walk from the main square. Apricot Hotel –$$$$- Amazing luxury property with a rooftop swimming pool overlooking Hanoi.

For more places to stay in Hanoi you can explore the latest prices here!

Next Stop: Ha Long Bay

How To Get There: Book a 3 Night Ha Long Bay Cruise with transfer to and from Hanoi included.

Ha Long Bay – 3 Nights

Here it is! The nature of Ha Long Bay is what many people come to Vietnam for to begin with. This will be a highlight of your Vietnam travel itinerary, so we recommend spending a little more on a boat to enhance the experience. Two nights on the boat and one night in a hotel on Cat Ba island will give you the perfect mix of land and sea. If you only have limited time in Vietnam you should book a company that combines everything. This will include when you leave Hanoi, to the boat and hotel on Cat Ba, and your eventual return to the city.

Spend two nights at sea sleeping in your water view cabin and sailing through Ha Long Bay.

Buy snacks from the boat vendors.

Sit on the top deck and take in the massive rock mountains that shoot up from the water.

Go kayaking through Ha Long Bay.

Hike Cat Ba Island.

Spend one night on the island away from the boat to see a different side of Ha Long Bay on your One month Vietnam itinerary.

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Next Stop: Ha Giang Loop via Hanoi

How To Get There: Limousine bus to Ha Giang that can be booked at any hotel or tourist center in Hanoi. You may want to spend one night in Hanoi in between to rest before this next part of your Vietnam travel itinerary.

Ha Giang Loop – 4 Nights

4 days driving the Ha Giang Loop will be a highlight of your northern Vietnam travel itinerary, and it was the best thing we did during any of our four visits backpacking Vietnam! Each day the scenery became more and more dramatic and mind blowing to the point where we still question if what we saw was real. You might have thought that places like this only exists in movies, but it’s right here in Northern Vietnam! You just have to jump on a motorbike and travel to the far reaches of the country to find it.

Warning: The Ha Giang Loop is for the adventurous traveler who might be looking for something more than a relaxing vacation in Vietnam. If this isn’t for you consider switching Ha Giang for Sapa, which you can can easily reach by train from the city.

Grab a coffee at Heaven’s Gate for a spectacular view.

Climb the Lung Cu Flag Tower on the border of China.

Plan extra time for lots of photo stops and viewpoints.

Participate in a family dinner at your homestay.

Ride through the rice paddies in Du Gia

Sample the local “happy water” (rice wine) if you dare!

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Where To Sleep

Night 1 (Ha Giang) – LiLa Inn -$- Private rooms and dorm beds. Lila Inn also rents bikes, helps with route planning and book transfers back to Hanoi.

– Private rooms and dorm beds. Lila Inn also rents bikes, helps with route planning and book transfers back to Hanoi. Night 2 ( Yen Minh )- 2A Homestay and Coffee -$- Private rooms and dorm beds. Serves a great family dinner for a small fee.

2A Homestay and Coffee Private rooms and dorm beds. Serves a great family dinner for a small fee. Night 3 (Dong Van) – Green Karst Hostel & Bar – $- Private rooms and dorm beds. Delicious local and western food available.

– Green Karst Hostel & Bar – Private rooms and dorm beds. Delicious local and western food available. Night 4 (Du Gia) – Du Gia Backpacker Hostel & Trekking –$- Private rooms and dorm beds. Located in the center of town. Serves large family dinner as well.

*By booking through our website we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows us to continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! You can also bookmark this link for all your future stays*

Next Stop: Hanoi

How To Get There: Book your transfer back to the Hanoi with your guesthouse in Ha Giang.

Overwhelmed yet? Don’t be! Wherever you decide to go on your one month Vietnam itinerary it’s sure to be an amazing experience. Have questions about our trip, or anything to add to make this the best Vietnam itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte and Jake

If you’re looking for hotels while planning a Vietnam travel itinerary you can explore prices here!

***By booking through our website we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows us continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! You can also bookmark this link for all your future stays***