Why 12 days works in Vietnam
With 12 days, you can cover North, Central, and South with logical flight connections and comfortable overland days. There’s enough time for a 2-day/1-night Ha Long Bay cruise, a deeper stay in Hoi An, and one full day in the Mekong Delta. This duration also leaves room for add-ons like trekking in Sapa, visiting Cham ruins at My Son, or simply adding extra beach time.
Option 1: Classic North - Central -South (12 days)
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi – Gentle welcome to Vietnam
Touch down in Vietnam’s capital and settle into a hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake. Take a slow walk through the lively Old Quarter, where scooters weave past street vendors and shopfronts that have stood for generations. Visit Ngoc Son Temple on the lake, then enjoy your first taste of Vietnamese cuisine with a plate of bún chả (grilled pork with noodles). End your evening with a creamy egg coffee, a Hanoi specialty.
Day 2: Hanoi’s heritage & flavors
Spend your morning exploring the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, the modest stilt house where “Uncle Ho” lived, and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, built in the 11th century. In the afternoon, choose between museums like the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the Fine Arts Museum. After sunset, join a guided street food tour, tasting Hanoi classics such as bún thang, chả cá Lã Vọng, and coconut ice cream.
Day 3: Ninh Binh – Limestone peaks & rural charm
Journey a few hours south to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land.” Board a sampan to glide through the karst-studded waterways of Trang An or Tam Coc, where caves and rice fields stretch in every direction. Hike the 500 stone steps up to Hang Múa Peak for sweeping views of the valley. Stay overnight in a countryside lodge surrounded by rice paddies for a peaceful rural experience.
Day 4–5: Ha Long Bay cruise
Travel east to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and board an overnight cruise. Drift among limestone pillars rising from emerald waters. Activities include kayaking into hidden lagoons, swimming, and visiting Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave. Onboard, enjoy a seafood feast and perhaps a Vietnamese cooking class. Begin Day 5 with Tai Chi at sunrise before brunch on deck. Disembark and return to Hanoi in time for an evening flight to Da Nang.
Day 6–7: Hoi An – Lanterns, traditions & beaches
Settle into a boutique hotel in Hoi An Ancient Town.
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Day 6: Explore the well-preserved merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and local temples. Shop for silk or get measured for a custom suit or dress at one of Hoi An’s many tailors. At dusk, take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River, lighting a floating lantern for good luck.
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Day 7: Begin with a market-to-table cooking class, then cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village to meet farmers. In the afternoon, relax at An Bang Beach with a cocktail in hand. If your trip coincides with the Full Moon Lantern Festival, experience the town glowing with candlelight and cultural performances.
Day 8: Hue via the Hai Van Pass
Take the famous Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal roads, with breathtaking views of mountains and sea. Arrive in Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Spend your afternoon exploring the Imperial Citadel, then visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. As evening falls, take a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River, accompanied by traditional folk music.
Day 9: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Fly south to bustling Ho Chi Minh City, a place where French colonial architecture meets soaring skyscrapers. Visit landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Reunification Palace. Pause for coffee in a retro apartment café before enjoying sunset views from a rooftop bar overlooking the city.
Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels & Saigon life
Venture out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used during wartime. Crawl through preserved sections and learn about Vietnam’s resilience. Return to Saigon for an afternoon at the War Remnants Museum or shopping along Dong Khoi Street. End your day with a street food tour, tasting specialties like bánh xèo and broken rice.
Day 11: Mekong Delta day trip
Head to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta, famous for coconut groves and stilt villages. Cruise narrow canals, visit family workshops producing coconut candy and rice paper, and sample seasonal tropical fruits. After a rustic lunch in a riverside garden, return to Saigon in the evening.
Day 12: Departure
Spend your final morning picking up souvenirs at local markets or relaxing with one last cà phê sữa đá before heading to the airport.
Option 2: Cultural immersion with countryside nights (12 days)
Day 1–2: Hanoi deep dive
Start your journey in Hanoi with a walking tour of the Old Quarter, exploring its centuries-old guild streets. Watch a traditional water puppet show, a performing art unique to Vietnam. Between sightseeing, try the city’s diverse café culture — from lakeside cafés to hidden tea houses. For an added cultural touch, take a day trip to nearby craft villages like Bat Trang, known for its ceramics, or Van Phuc, famous for silk weaving.
Day 3–4: Mai Chau Valley stay
Travel west into the serene Mai Chau Valley, surrounded by rice fields and dotted with stilt-house villages of the Thai ethnic minority. Spend your days cycling or walking between fields and villages, pausing to chat with locals. Stay in a traditional stilt house homestay, enjoy home-cooked meals flavored with garden herbs, and perhaps try a sip of local rice wine. Evenings often include cultural performances of traditional dance and music.
Day 5–6: Ha Long Bay cruise
Return to Hanoi and transfer to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise. Enjoy kayaking, cave visits, and a chance to swim in the emerald waters. Sunset on the deck is unforgettable, as is the quiet morning Tai Chi session. After disembarking, fly south to Da Nang.
Day 7–8: Hoi An traditions & beach time
Dive into the charm of Hoi An. Participate in a lantern-making workshop to create your own colorful souvenir, then wander through the town’s ancient houses, assembly halls, and riverside cafés. In the evening, take golden-hour photos as the lanterns light up the streets. Join a cooking class with a market visit, learning to prepare dishes like fresh spring rolls or claypot fish. Spend the afternoon swimming or relaxing at An Bang Beach.
Day 9: Hai Van Pass to Hue
Journey over the Hai Van Pass, stopping at panoramic viewpoints before reaching Hue. Here, explore imperial tombs set in tranquil gardens, visit quiet riverside pagodas, and dine on Hue’s royal cuisine, which features delicate small dishes once served to emperors.
Day 10–12: Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, where historic colonial buildings sit beside bustling markets and lively streets. Visit the Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, and sample the city’s famous street food. On Day 11, head to the Mekong Delta for an authentic homestay: cook alongside your hosts, cycle through the village at dawn, and learn about traditional farming and fishing. On your final day, return to Saigon for last-minute shopping or a relaxing coffee before departure.
Travel tips for your 12 days in Vietnam itinerary
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Best time to travel: October to April offers mild weather across most regions, with March–May especially pleasant.
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Transport: Domestic flights save time, while the Hai Van Pass drive is worth taking for the views. Local taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy for short trips.
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Packing: Light clothes for tropical weather, with layers for northern winters or mountain areas. Comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent are essential.
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Guides: Local guides enrich the experience with stories, cultural context, and access to hidden gems.
Conclusion
A 12 days Vietnam itinerary gives you enough time to see the country’s icons while leaving space for authentic encounters. Whether you choose the classic highlights or the cultural immersion route, expect lantern-lit streets, breathtaking seascapes, and warm local hospitality.
Ready to design your own trip? Contact Custom Asia Travel today and let us craft the best Vietnam itinerary for your journey.
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