How to Plan a 12-Day Vietnam Itinerary (4 Unique Ideas)

12 days are perfect for traveling the length of Vietnam, covering the top highlights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, but also venturing into the lesser-beaten paths, like Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Son Doong Cave expedition.

Read further to explore the following 4 itineraries, specially crafted for various interests from first visits to outdoor adventures.

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Itinerary 1: Best of Vietnam in 12 Days from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

This 12-day Vietnam trip gives a glimpse of its top highlights for first-timers.

Start with the city exploration in its capital—Hanoi, experience the rural life in Ninh Binh, stay overnight on a Halong Bay cruise, discover the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, immerse yourself in Hoi An's ancient charm and hands-on experiences, and finally unwind on the beaches of Da Nang.

You could check out the following itinerary: 3 nights in Hanoi, 1 night in Halong Bay, 3 nights in Ho Chi Minh City, 2 nights in Hoi An, and 2 nights in Da Nang.

• Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
• Day 2: Hanoi city tour with Old Quarter cyclo ride and Water Puppet Show
• Day 3: An excursion trip to Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu + Trang An + Mua Cave
• Day 4: Take an overnight Halong Bay Cruise to Unspoiled Isles
• Day 5: Morning Kayaking in Halong Bay, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 6: Ho Chi Minh city tour and an evening A O Show
• Day 7: The Cu Chi Tunnels tour by speedboat
• Day 8: Fly to Da Nang, and take an evening foodie walk in Hoi An
• Day 9: Hoi An farming to fishing experience and cycling tour
• Days 10-11: Transfer to Da Nang and enjoy free beach time
• Day 12: Airport Transfer, Da Nang Departure

Your Vietnam trip would start from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. On Day 2, discover its landmarks of temples and museums, take a cyclo around Old Quarter, and watch a water puppet show. On Day 3, drive to Ninh Binh to visit the ancient capital Hoa Lu. Take a rowing boat through rice paddies and explore Mua Cave for a panoramic view of Tam Coc.

Next, continue your journey to the scenic Halong Bay. For a cozy and exclusive experience, we've specially arranged a smaller 2-day junk boat instead of the big usual group-tour cruises. Relax yourself with the breathtaking sunrises/ sunsets, interesting squid fishing, and exciting kayaking/ swimming before flying to Ho Chi Minh City.

On Day 6, tick off iconic attractions in Ho Chi Minh City: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Saigon Central Post Office, and Reunification Palace. Don't forget to take a cup of coffee in a street cafe and watch an impressive A O Show. On Day 7, hop on a speedboat to explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, squeezing through tight passages to experience the reality of the Vietnam War firsthand.

Then heading to ancient Hoi An. You could get up-close views of local life from daily farming and fishing activities, a countryside biking tour, and a culinary adventure with a guided walking tour.

Cap off your trip to Da Nang for the delightful beach fun. If you like, capture Instagram-worthy pictures of the Golden Bridge with its open palms.

Itinerary 2: 12-Day Vietnam Family Trip With Sapa

This 12-day family-oriented itinerary offers fun activities in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. You and your family could also venture into the mountainous Sapa for trekking adventures, hill-tribe market visits, and scenic rural scenery.

Moreover, you and your family would have diverse accommodations: overnight train, Topas Ecolodge with infinity pools in Sapa, Halong Bay cruise, and colonial-style boutique hotel in Hoi An.

Here is a brief itinerary for your inspiration: 3 nights in Hanoi, 1 night on the train, 3 nights in Sapa, 1 night on the Halong Bay cruise, 2 nights in Hoi An, and 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
• Day 2: A day to Moon Garden & Duong Lam village
• Day 3: Hanoi city tour with Old Quarter cyclo ride and water puppet show, take an overnight train to Sapa
• Day 4: Train station pickup and discover hill tribe markets
• Day 5: A hiking tour to Nam Sai and Nam Cang (the quiet and remote villages offering more authentic experiences)
• Day 6: Embark on a half-day trekking tour with a home visit, transfer back to Hanoi
• Day 7: Transfer to Halong Bay and take an overnight cruise
• Day 8: Morning kayaking or Taichi exercise, then return to Hanoi for an afternoon flight to Hoi An.
• Day 9: Half-day local fishing life experience and evening foodie walk
• Day 10: Make lanterns together and take an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 11: Half-day Ho Chi Minh City tour by Vespa, including Central Post Office, the Nhi Phu Temple, and Ho Thi Ky flower market
• Day 12: Departure

In Hanoi, Day 2 unfolds with the exploration of the Moon Garden and Duong Lam Village. Take a short bike ride along countryside roads, partake in a cooking class, and then indulge in the relaxing hand spa and foot bath. Day 3 brings a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter followed by an intriguing water puppet show at a local family's home. For extra fun, manipulate the puppets and practice your own show together with your kids.

After the city tour, take an overnight train to Sapa. If you're a light sleeper, contact us to arrange a private transfer instead. In Sapa, encounter different ethnic groups in a local hill-tribe market, go on a 2-day trekking tour via both classic and off-beat routes in Sapa, and dress up in colorful ethnic costumes for a family photo.

After energetic hiking in Sapa, treat your family to a 2-day Halong Bay tour aboard a luxury junk boat. Parents could enjoy a sunset drink while children burn off their energy in kayaking and swimming.

Continue your tour to Hoi An. On Day 9, take a basket boat ride through the tunnels and cast the traditional fishing net with your hand. When night falls, take a guided walk through the lantern-lit streets, savor the authentic street food and admire the night views from a boat ride. You and your kids could create your own lanterns together with the help of a local workshop owner on Day 10.

The final leg of your family trip would be Ho Chi Minh City. Take the typical transport, Vespa, go through the streets and explore the city highlights.

Itinerary 3: 12-Day Vietnam Classic Wonders with Mekong Delta

This 12-day tour is curated with top-rated experiences and idyllic landscapes. Beyond the must-sees of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Hanoi, you would delve deeper into the Mekong Delta for 2 days and embark on a 3-day Halong Bay cruise for untouched views.

You could check out the following itinerary: 3 nights in Ho Chi Minh City, 1 night in Can Tho, 3 nights in Hoi An, 2 nights in Hanoi, and 2 nights in Halong Bay.

• Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival, Vietnam
• Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City tour with Cyclo tour
• Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels visit
• Day 4: Transfer to Mekong Delta, visit the local village and take a sampan ride in Ben Tra, then stay overnight at Can Tho
• Day 5: Explore Cai Rang Floating Market and fly to Hoi An in the afternoon
• Day 6: Hoi An walking tour and a sunset boat ride experience
• Day 7: A cooking class at a local family
• Day 8: Enjoy a free morning in Hoi An, and fly to Hanoi
• Day 9: Hanoi city tour
• Day 10: Transfer to Halong Bay, and stay overnight at the cruise
• Day 11: Halong Bay cruise
• Day 12: Departure

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, take a 2-day guided tour to see iconic highlights and explore Cu Chi Tunnels.

Afterwards, venture into the Mekong Delta to see the disappearing floating markets of Can Tho and glide through the delta's waterways on a traditional sampan ride.

While in Hoi An, you would have ample chances to interact with locals. Chat with skilled craftsmen amid a lantern-filled ancient town, catch fish with local fishermen on a basket boat ride, and cook Vietnamese dishes together with a local family.

Next, make your way to Hanoi for a classic city tour before transferring to Halong Bay. Escape the day-trippers and group crowds by unwinding on our carefully selected 3-day Halong Bay cruise. In addition to the usual cruise activities, you would also have the opportunity to cycle around Viet Hai village and explore the surrounding rainforest.

If you're interested in exploring the Mekong Delta more deeply, consider an 8-day Mekong Cruise from Vietnam to Cambodia. For more details, check out our 2-Week Vietnam-Cambodia Tour with a Luxurious Mekong Cruise.

Itinerary 4: 12-Day Vietnam Trip With Son Doong Cave Expedition

This 12-day adventure itinerary is customized for active travelers and nature lovers. You would go through iconic highlights of Vietnam from the south to the north. The pinnacle of the journey would be trekking and camping in the Son Doong Cave, the largest cave system in the world, followed by a 3-day Halong Bay cruise.

Check out the fully customizable itinerary for inspiration: 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City, 5 nights in Dong Hoi, 2 nights in Hanoi and 2 nights in Halong Bay.

• Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 2: Half-day Ho Chi Minh City tour by Vespa and A O show
• Day 3: Fly to Dong Hoi, Safety Briefing for Son Doong Cave Expedition, and Welcome Dinner.
• Day 4: Son Doong Cave Expedition (Doong Village–Hang En Cave)
• Day 5: Son Doong Cave Expedition (Son Doong Entrance–Doline 1 Campsite)
• Day 6: Son Doong Cave Expedition (Garden of Edam–Doline 2 Campsite)
• Day 7: Son Doong Cave Expedition (The Great Wall of Vietnam–Son Doong Exit– Chay Lap Farmstay)
• Day 8: Fly from Dong Hoi to Hanoi
• Day 9: Hanoi city tour
• Day 10: Halong Bay Cruise
• Day 11: Halong Bay Cruise
• Day 12: Departure

In this 12-day tour, you would travel at a winding-down tour pace, starting with a Vespa tour of Ho Chi Minh City upon arrival.

Then, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you dive into the wonders of Son Doong Cave from Day 3 to Day 9! You would explore the entire length of Son Doong Cave, Hang En Cave, and visit Ban Doong ethnic minority village.

During this adventurous and rewarding expedition, you would trek between jungles and mountains, and engage in thrilling activities like abseiling and rope climbing. Most impressively, take a refreshing dip in the cave pools and sleep overnight in the completely dark cave! To capture once-in-a-lifetime moments, your professional guides would also show you the best photo spots for the coolest and most surreal pictures.

Then head up to Hanoi for a city tour and then escape the city for tranquility as you sail to the untouched areas of Halong Bay on your 3-day cruise.

Insider's tips:

• The Son Doong Cave Expedition is open to adventurers aged 18 to 70. Good physical fitness and prior trekking experiences are requested. If you're travelling with younger kids or prefer an easy to moderate cave expedition, a 2/3-day Tu Lan Cave Adventure is more suggested.
• Only 1,000 visitors a year are allowed in the cave, so booking one year in advance is necessary.
• Son Doong Cave Expedition is only operated from January to the end of August every year.

Want More Itinerary Options?

In addition to the four itineraries mentioned above, you could also explore neighboring countries to experience the diverse facets of Southeast Asia. Here are two popular destinations:

• 12-Day Cambodia and Vietnam Tour: Phnom Penh (2 nights)- Siem Reap, Cambodia (2 nights)-Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights)- Hoi An (2 nights)-Hanoi (2 nights)-Halong Bay (1 night)
• 12-Day Laos to Vietnam Tour: Luang Prabang, Laos (3 nights)-Hanoi (2 nights)-Halong Bay (1 night)- Hoi An (3 nights)- Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights)

You could also contact us to tailor-make your Southeast Asia trip with your preferred destinations.

How Much Is a 12-Day Vietnam Tour?

A 12-day Vietnam tour usually costs US$200–250 per person per day on a private basis. Our tailored private tours include 4/5-star hotels, all transport within the itinerary, private guides/drivers and vehicles, and all your chosen attractions and activities. Costs vary seasonally and with requirements.

Travel with us to enjoy our exclusive customized private tours. Save yourself from overwhelming planning logistics and discover Vietnam in a worry-free way with our highly-praised private guides and drivers, and surprise your loved one(s) with our special arrangements on big days! Additionally, inviting family or friends to share costs can result in more savings per person.