North to South: Planning the Classic Vietnam Journey
Flying into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) is the most efficient way to see Vietnam. Here is how to build the trip around 2–3 beach resort stays.
Vietnam's geography is perfectly suited to the open-jaw flight: land at one end, work your way through the country, and fly home from the other. The main trunk — Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City — is 1,750 km but well-served by domestic flights, fast trains, and (increasingly) good highways. The question is how to build a satisfying journey around resort stays rather than forcing yourself through every attraction.
The 2-Week Template
- Days 1–2: Hanoi — Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Bun Cha, Egg Coffee.
- Days 3–5: Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh — Choose one. Ha Long for drama; Ninh Binh for serenity.
- Days 6–9: Hoi An — Based at a beach resort on An Bang or Cua Dai. Day trips into the Ancient Town by bicycle.
- Days 10–14: Phu Quoc or Nha Trang — Full beach and pool resort mode. No alarm clocks.
The 3-Week Upgrade
Add Hue between Ha Long and Hoi An (2 nights, train journey south from Da Nang), and insert a Da Nang beach stay before flying to Phu Quoc. The Sapa option — a night train from Hanoi each way — works beautifully as a first-or-last addition for mountain contrast.
Domestic Flights vs. Train
Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and VietJet serve the main tourist routes with frequency and low prices. The Reunification Express train is slower but considerably more scenic and comfortable on the Da Nang–Hue section, which winds through mountain passes with the East Sea far below. Book train seats early; soft sleeper cabins sell out weeks ahead in high season.
What to Skip
Ho Chi Minh City deserves more than one night as a transit hub but most resort-focused travellers find two days adequate. Mui Ne is a detour from the main route unless kite surfing is the purpose. The Mekong Delta is fascinating but adds complexity — save it for a return trip.
The single biggest mistake on a north-to-south trip is over-scheduling the cultural stops and leaving too little time for the resorts. You can always do more temples on the next trip. A five-star pool overlooking the South China Sea at sunset is harder to recreate.
