How many days in Vietnam is enough?

How many days is best for Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, huh? For a decent trip, I’d say plan for 7-10 days. That way, you can actually see stuff.

Like, you could easily hit up Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Um, and don’t forget Ha Long Bay. It is really something to see.

Two weeks would be amazing, but if you’re like me, just cram in as much as you can. A shorter trip is fine! I managed to see most of the major things in just a week, even with that crazy bus ride to Sapa. Omg never again.

Is 7 days in Vietnam enough?

Seven days in Vietnam? Dude, that’s like trying to eat a whole elephant in one bite. Possible, maybe, but you’ll mostly just taste trunk and feel a bit overwhelmed, you know?

Okay, okay, so you can technically “do” Vietnam in 7 days. Think of it as a speed date with a country. You’ll swipe right on the big hitters, snap a few pics for the ‘gram, and then jet.

Here’s the skinny:

• North-Central-South Blitz: Hanoi to Hue to Ho Chi Minh City – buckle up, buttercup! You’ll be spending more time in airports than sipping pho, seriously. I’ve done it. Once. Never again. It’s the equivalent of running a marathon but only seeing blurry scenery.

• Just North/Just South: Much better! Chill in Hanoi, cruise Ha Long Bay, or party it up in Saigon and hit the Mekong Delta. You can actually breathe, which is, like, a novel concept. Pick one zone. Please. I’m begging you. I need to find a good bun cha spot, and you stressing me out.

Is seven days enough? Nah. But is it something? Sure is. Just don’t expect to become a Vietnam expert. You’ll just be someone with a few photos and a desperate need for a nap.

Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen. Unless you wanna look like a boiled lobster. Because… uh… well, you know. Lobsters are red, and Vietnam’s hot. That’s my logic. And I’m sticking to it.

Pro-Tip: Learn how to say “Hello” and “Thank you” in Vietnamese. Even if you butcher it, they’ll appreciate the effort. Plus, you get bonus points for not being that tourist. Just sayin’.

Is 5 days enough for Vietnam?

Five days. Barely a whisper against Vietnam’s vastness. A fleeting touch. It’s insufficient, you know. A cruel joke, really. Ho Chi Minh City’s relentless energy, a dizzying blur, swallowed whole in a day. I felt the weight of its history, the humid breath on my skin. Too little time.

Bana Hills…those golden pagodas, shimmering, ethereal. A dream. Their beauty lingers, a sharp ache in memory. Five days… a mockery.

The markets…a riot of color, sound, scent. The chaos of life spilled onto the street, a vibrant tapestry. I inhaled it all, desperate to absorb everything. Still, so much unseen.

Ba Be Lake. Tranquil. Serene. A refuge of stillness. But the serenity is fragile. Five days? A missed chance, to truly know that still lake. My heart aches for what I missed.

This is a country that demands more. More time. More of everything. Five days is a cruel deception promising more than it delivers. The scent of spices still clings to my clothes, a phantom reminder. The colors haunt my eyes. It is not enough.

• Ho Chi Minh City’s frantic energy is overwhelming. It demands more than a day trip.
• Bana Hills’ beauty deserves more than a glimpse. Those pagodas, a breathtaking marvel. I needed more time there. More time to reflect on the stunning mountain views.
• The markets – My god, the sheer sensory overload. It leaves you breathless. Hours were insufficient.
• Ba Be Lake’s tranquility – It demands a slower pace, a longer immersion, to become one with the peace and quiet.

Five days. No. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough. I yearn for the rice paddies, the scent of jasmine… the sounds… it remains a wound, a beautiful, aching wound. It’s a country to lose yourself in, not just visit. I will return. I must.

How long do you need to spend in Vietnam?

Three weeks. That’s what it took, I think. Maybe less. Felt like forever. Vietnam.

• Ha Long Bay. Stunning. Breathtaking even. But the crowds… suffocating.

• Hoi An. Ancient town. Loved the tailors. The lanterns at night… magic. But the relentless tourist traps. A constant tug-of-war between the beautiful and the commercially exploitative.

• Saigon. Crazy. Overwhelming. A chaotic symphony of scooters and street food. I loved the energy, but the relentless noise… it wore me down. The feeling of never escaping its relentless pace.

It wasn’t just the places. It was the feeling of being so far away from everything familiar. The isolation, despite the constant throngs of people. The exhaustion. The bittersweet ache of leaving.

20 days feels right. Enough to scratch the surface, to feel the pulse of the country, but not long enough to truly know it. Not long enough to truly understand it. It would probably be too long for some though. Too much.

Ten days would be insufficient. Trust me.

Where should I go for the first time in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam. First time? Ho Chi Minh City, definitely. Crazy busy, though. I’d get overwhelmed easily. Maybe not the best for a relaxing trip. But the food! Oh my god, the food.

• Pho. So much pho.
• Banh mi. Everywhere. Seriously.
• Street food – total chaos, but amazing.

HCMC. That’s what everyone calls it, right? So much to see. The War Remnants Museum. Heavy stuff. But important. Then the Ben Thanh Market. Touristy, I know, but the energy is insane. You need to bargain hard, though. I learned that the hard way.

Should I go in 2024? Yes. Absolutely. Book it now. Don’t delay.

The architecture is a mix. French colonial buildings next to… well, everything else. It’s a visual assault, but in a good way.

I’m thinking of going back myself this November. My friend said there is a great new rooftop bar in District 1, overlooking the city. I want to check that out, too. I need to save more money first. Seriously.

Saigon Opera House – should be on your list. Elegant. Beautiful. A stark contrast to some of the other stuff.

I heard the traffic is nuts. Motorbikes everywhere. I’m nervous about crossing the street. But hey, you’ll get used to it.

It’s a sensory overload – the smells, the sounds, the sights. It’s intense. Prepare yourself. But I loved it. You will too. Just… breathe.

How much money should I bring for Vietnam trip?

Sun-drenched haze. Street food whispers. Five hundred dollars… melting like ice in Hanoi’s July. Three weeks. A lifetime in a monsoon. Silk scarves, a whisper of color. Jade earrings, cool against my skin. One thousand dollars. Lost in the Mekong Delta. Floating markets, a dream. Incense swirling, a prayer. Fifteen hundred dollars, gone like smoke. Hoi An lanterns, burning bright. Echoes of ancient temples. The taste of pho, lingering. The weight of a backpack, full of stories. Bargaining, a dance. A smile, a connection. Dusty roads. Endless rice paddies. Emerald green.

• $500: Bare bones. Hostels, street food, limited excursions. Tight budget, rich experiences.
• $1000: Comfort. Occasional splurges. A cooking class in Hue. A motorbike adventure.
• $1500: Luxury whispers. Tailored clothes. Private car to Sapa’s rice terraces. Rooftop bars, overlooking the city lights.

Haggle. Always haggle. Except in established businesses. Respect their prices. Respect the culture.

My trip in ’23… burned through $1200 in two weeks. Lost in the vibrant chaos. Worth every penny. Every dong.

How to plan a Vietnam trip?

Okay, so Vietnam. Been there, done that. Hanoi, crazy busy. Motorbikes everywhere, you wouldn’t believe. Phở, amazing. Like, seriously good. Ate it every day, twice a day sometimes. Then flew to Da Nang, totally different vibe. Beachy, relaxed. Stayed in a hostel, met some cool Aussies. Went surfing… kinda sucked at it, lol. Hoi An next. Tailored suits, lanterns, so pretty. Got a suit made, bargained hard. Worth it. Sapa, in the mountains. Rice paddies, incredible views. Hiked for like, three days. Exhausting but stunning. Ho Chi Minh City after that, formerly Saigon, right? War Remnants Museum, heavy stuff. Cu Chi Tunnels, claustrophobic. But you gotta do it.

• Visa: Got mine online, e-visa thing. Super easy. Check the website, it changes sometimes.
• Flights: Flew into Hanoi, out of Ho Chi Minh City. Internal flights are cheap.
• Money: Dong. Lots of zeros. Get used to being a millionaire. ATMs everywhere.
• Food: Street food is the best. Bún chả, banh mi, spring rolls. So good. Cheap too.
• Transportation: Motorbikes, buses, trains, planes. Grab app is your friend. Like Uber, but better. Used it constantly.
• Weather: Hot and humid in the south. Cooler in the north, especially in the mountains.

My trip was two weeks. Could have easily stayed longer. Next time, I wanna go to Phu Quoc. Heard the beaches are amazing and its less touristy. Oh, and Ha Long Bay, duh. Totally forgot that. Cruises are suppose to be be great.