How to spend 7 nights in Vietnam?

How to plan 7 days in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? Seven days? I gotchu. Thinking North, cos thats where its at… sorta.

Hanoi, for like, two days. Old Quarter is a must, gets really crowded tho. Hoan Kiem Lake? Sure, whatever floats your boat. Street food! Eat ALL the street food! Banh mi, pho, all of it.

Then, two days on Halong Bay, on a boat. Its beautiful, like, postcard beautiful. Kayaking is cool. Defo worth seeing.

Three days in Sapa – trekking time! Rice terraces that will blow your mind. Ethnic villages too. Be respectful, okay?

Or… and hear me out, swap Sapa for Ninh Binh. Its closer to Hanoi. Loads of temples, also gorgeous landscapes. Less trekky, more chill vibe. Just pick which one sounds best, ya know?

How many days do you need to spend in Vietnam?

Ten to fourteen days? That’s a bare minimum. Honestly, I spent three weeks last year and still felt rushed. Vietnam is huge, man. Think diverse landscapes:

• Bustling cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City – easily swallow a week between them. Seriously.
• Stunning beaches: Nha Trang, Phu Quoc – need at least a long weekend each. My personal preference is Phu Quoc, much calmer.
• Incredible rice paddies: Sapa, Mui Ne – these regions alone require dedicated time. The views are breathtaking.
• Historical sites: My Son Sanctuary, Hue Imperial City – history buffs could happily spend days exploring these alone. I’m more of a beach guy, myself.

You need to prioritize. What are you really into? Adventure? Relaxation? History? That dictates your itinerary. A two-week trip lets you scratch the surface. A month? That’s more realistic for a proper exploration. Three weeks allows some breathing room. Anything less feels utterly inadequate. It’s a shame to rush Vietnam. It’s a deeply rewarding experience, but a slow one. Think carefully. Prioritize.

Perhaps a better question is: What do you want to miss? Because you will miss things. Even with three weeks, I missed tons of stuff. Like, a whole bunch of lesser-known temples. And that amazing street food cart I saw on Instagram… Ah, well.

Is a holiday in Vietnam expensive?

Ugh, Vietnam. Twenty to forty bucks a day? For tours? Sure, maybe. But that’s just tours, right? Food’s cheap, though. I ate pho for like, three bucks a bowl last time. In Hanoi. Amazing.

My friend went on a Halong Bay cruise, a three-day thing. Cost him a fortune, over $300. Luxury, I guess. But you can find cheaper options. Definitely.

Two or three weeks? Easily $1000, maybe more. Depends on your style. Backpacking? Probably less. Five-star hotels? Way more. Flights are a killer. I paid $800 round trip from NYC, this year. Ouch.

Is it overpriced? Nah. It’s relative. Compared to Europe, super cheap. Compared to Thailand? A bit more. Depends what you’re doing. Shopping’s surprisingly reasonable.

Things to consider:

• Flights: Biggest cost. Book in advance for better deals.
• Accommodation: Hostels are cheap. Hotels can be pricey.
• Food: Incredibly affordable street food.
• Activities: Tours vary wildly in price. Negotiate!
• Transportation: Local buses are the cheapest. Grab is convenient but more expensive.

I spent $1500 for a ten-day trip, last year. Includes flights, mind you. Good food. Nice hotels. Some tours. Could’ve been cheaper, but… I like nice things.

People complain about scams. But that’s anywhere, you know? Just be smart. Don’t be a total tourist. Learn some basic Vietnamese phrases. It goes a long way.

Seriously, don’t trust everything you read online. Go experience it yourself. You might be surprised. Or maybe not. Whatever.

What things are cheap in Vietnam?

Street food. Dirt cheap. Pho for pennies. Custom clothes. Ridiculously inexpensive. Scooters. Get a used Honda Win. Knock-off everything. But quality varies wildly. My North Face backpack from Ben Thanh Market? Lasted two years. Cigarettes. If you smoke. Local beer. Bia Saigon. 333. Expect to pay under a dollar. Electronics? Hit or miss. Warranty is a joke. Bought a fake iPhone. Worked for a month. Lesson learned.

• Street food: Pho, banh mi, spring rolls. Think dollars, not tens.
• Custom clothing: Tailors everywhere. Suits, dresses, shirts.
• Transportation: Motorbikes, especially used. Negotiate hard.
• Counterfeit goods: Bags, watches, clothes. Buyer beware.
• Local alcohol & tobacco: Heavily taxed elsewhere.
• Coffee: Vietnam is a major coffee producer. Robusta beans are cheap.
• Handicrafts: Silk, lacquerware, ceramics. Touristy but often good value.
• Local produce: Tropical fruits. Jackfruit, mango, durian.
• Electronics (sometimes): Check prices carefully. Warranty is usually non-existent.

Went to Hanoi last year. Same story. Everything cheap. Except for imported stuff. Like iPhones. Stick to the local goods. You’ll save a fortune. Sapa was great, btw. Hiked Fansipan. Tough but worth it.