Exploring Vietnam's Best In A Month

How to Travel Vietnam in 30 Days

Introduction

If you're looking for a unique travel experience, Vietnam is the place to go. With its lush rice fields in the north and tropical islands in the south, it offers a diverse range of sights and activities. From stunning limestone mountains to colourful temples, historic sites, and interesting cities, Vietnam has something for everyone.

This 30-day itinerary will take you on a journey through the country, showcasing the best it has to offer. From the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquil Perfume Pagoda, and from the ancient Imperial City of Hue to the beautiful beaches of Phu Quoc Island, you'll get a true taste of Vietnamese culture and natural beauty.

So, get ready to explore, relax, and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Vietnam!

Hanoi

• Explore the markets, shops and restaurants around Hoan Kiem Lake
• Go to a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
• Coffee shop hop around Hanoi's buzzing cafe scene
• Visit the Ngoc Son Temple
• Take a Vietnamese cooking class
• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum
• Visit the Temple of Literature
• Wander around the Old Quarter
• Watch the trains go by on Train Street
• Take a stroll by Hoan Kiem Lake
• Visit the Hanoi Hoa Lo Prison Museum
• See the Bach Ma Temple
• Visit the National Museum of Vietnamese History

Halong Bay

The bay is known for its towering limestone karsts and crystal-clear waters. It's a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, with plenty of activities like kayaking and boat trips to keep you entertained. The seafood here is some of the best in Vietnam, and the locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming.

There are many luxurious cruises available, which offer the perfect way to explore the bay and its incredible rock formations. You can also explore the stunning caves and grottos, such as Sung Sot Cave and Dau Go Cave. Try the seafood: Halong Bay is known for its delicious seafood, so make sure to indulge in a seafood feast while you're there.

Kayak: Kayaking is a great way to get up close and personal with the scenery. You can even kayak to some of the hidden lagoons and caves.

• Visit the floating villages: There are several floating villages in Halong Bay, such as Cua Van, where you can immerse yourself in the local way of life.
• Enjoy the sunsets: Halong Bay is known for its breathtaking sunsets, so make sure to find a spot to watch the sky light up in hues of orange and pink.
• Hike to the viewpoints: There are several viewpoints in Halong Bay that offer panoramic views of the bay, such as the top of Titop Island.
• Relax on the beaches: While swimming is not recommended due to pollution, there are still some nice beaches in Halong Bay where you can relax and soak up the sun.

Overall, Halong Bay is a must-visit destination in Vietnam, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. With its breathtaking scenery, friendly locals, and abundance of activities, you're sure to have a memorable time.

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Historical Landmarks

Start your day by visiting the War Remnants Museum, which provides a sad yet essential insight into the country's history. From there, you can walk to the Reunification Palace, which was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Next, admire the stunning Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, constructed with materials imported from France, and the Gothic/Renaissance-style Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Day 2: Pagodas and Nature

Spend the day exploring the city's vast pagoda system, starting with the Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (Jade Emperor). This temple is over 100 years old and houses over 300 ancient statues.

Then, visit the Thien Hau Temple, famous for its traditional curvy roof and porcelain figures. After that, head to the Giac Lam Pagoda, where you'll find three main areas: the ceremonial hall, the chanting hall, and the refectory, as well as wooden pillars carved with Chinese characters and a white statue of the Goddess of Mercy.

In the afternoon, visit the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, home to a variety of wild animals and flora, including trees dating back over 100 years.

Day 3: Bitexco Tower and Can Gio Island

Get a 360-degree view of the city from the Bitexco Financial Tower & Sky Deck, one of the world's tallest skyscrapers.

Then, take a trip to Can Gio Crocodiles & Monkey Island, part of the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. Here, you can see funny monkeys, visit the former Rung Sac Guerrilla base, and even feed crocodiles!

Day 4: Cu Chi Tunnels

Just 60km from Ho Chi Minh City lies the Cu Chi Tunnels, a massive tunnel network that served as the Viet Cong's base during the Vietnam War. This underground city once sheltered over 16,000 guerrillas and included living areas, kitchens, hospitals, and storage facilities.

Day 5: Binh Quoi Village

Spend your last day in Ho Chi Minh City at the peaceful Binh Quoi Village, where you can experience the rustic and idyllic atmosphere of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy the green spaces, lotus ponds, thatched cottages, and traditional activities like fishing and folk games.

Where to Eat and Stay

For vegetarian and vegan options, try Sen Vegan Restaurant, Veggie Castle, and Veggie Bahn Mi. For local dishes, check out Pho Cong and Ba Ba for Pho, and Baba Restaurant for Bun Bo Nam Bo.

For accommodation, the Pullman Saigon Centre Hotel and Winsuites Saigon are great options, offering comfortable rooms and convenient locations.

Hoi An

The city is also known for its food. Hoi An is one of Vietnam's best destinations for dining. It is the perfect place to grab a seat at an outdoor cafe, have a drink, and watch the sunset. One of Hoi An's famous dishes is Cao Lau, a bowl filled with thick rice noodles, pork, and local greens.

At night, the Ancient Town comes into its own. Thousands of brightly lit lanterns illuminate the streets and set the Thu Bon River aglow with twinkling reflections.

If you are looking for a beach, An Bang Beach is just 7km outside the Ancient Town. It is one of the most pleasant stretches of sand anywhere in Vietnam.

For accommodation, Vietnam Backpackers Hostel has a branch in Hoi An, with a swimming pool, a lively bar, and daily activities. There is also the nearby Tribee Hostel, or if you prefer to be by the beach, Under The Coconut Tree Homestay is a good choice.

Dalat

• Visit the Crazy House – One of the things Dalat is famous for, the Crazy House is a guest house designed by local architect Dr Dang Viet Nga. The building is designed to bring people closer to nature, with a structure centred around a tree. The house features vines, stalagmites, plants, animals and spider veins, as well as some stranger elements, like a wall with monster hands and an 'under the sea' themed events space featuring a giant octopus.
• Stroll around Xuon Huong Lake – This picturesque lake sits in the centre of the city and is a great place to spend an hour or two. You can rent swan pedalo boats, or enjoy a picnic and take in the views. There are also cafes on either side of the lake, and walking paths around the edge.
• Ride the Dalat Cable Car – The cable car connects Robin Hill in Dalat with Truc Lam Buddhist Monastery, with a station at each location. The cable car travels 2.2km across the forest, offering great views of Dalat city, Truc Lam lake and the monastery.
• Visit Truc Lam Buddhist Monastery – The Truc Lam Monastery complex sits above Truc Lam lake, surrounded by 23 hectares of protected forest. Visitors can stroll around the tranquil landscaped grounds, but must be appropriately dressed, with knees and shoulders covered. Entry is free, and there are sarongs available to borrow at the entrance.
• Explore the waterfalls – There are many waterfalls in and around Dalat, including the famous Datanla Waterfall, which is just 6km from the city centre. Here, you can ride the alpine coaster, which twists and turns through the forest down to the base of the first two waterfalls. There are also hiking trails to the third waterfall, which is much quieter and less touristy. Other waterfalls in the area include Pongour Waterfall, Elephant Waterfall, Bao Dai Waterfall, Prenn Waterfall and Tiger Waterfall.
• Hike Lang Biang Mountain – This mountain offers incredible views of the Vietnamese highlands. At over 7,000ft above sea level, you can see for miles over fields of wildflowers, far-off mountain summits, and grassy balds, lakes and fields.
• Visit the night market – Dalat's night market is one of the main attractions in the city, particularly at the weekend when large groups of local tourists arrive to shop and socialise. It's a lively scene, with music, food stalls and a great atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions