Welcome to Vietnam, the precious gem of Southeast Asia! Over the course of 13 days, you can fully immerse yourself in the chaotic charm of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the emerald rice fields of the Northern highlands, the ancient lantern-lit streets of Central Vietnam, and the vibrant floating markets of the Mekong Delta.
With nearly two weeks to spare, you even have the flexibility to blend in a cross-border extension to Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand. Discover the best places to visit, expertly crafted day-by-day itineraries, and estimated budgets for your upcoming adventure.
Our 4 best 13-days itineraries in Vietnam
Why Spend 13 Days in Vietnam?
Because Vietnam spans vast mountains, deltas, and coastlines, traveling across the country requires careful pacing. While a 7-day trip only touches on a few key spots, a 13-day itinerary allows you to explore the main destinations of all three major regions (North, Central, and South) without feeling rushed.
It also builds in highly valuable “free days” so you can enjoy interactive experiences—like a local cooking class or a cycling tour—or simply relax on the beach.
A 13-day itinerary is perfect for:
First-timers wanting a comprehensive dive into Vietnam’s culture, nature, and history.
Adventurers looking to balance urban energy with rural hikes, cave explorations, or cross-border temple runs.
Couples and families seeking a balanced mix of sightseeing and downtime
4 Best 13-Day Vietnam Itineraries
📍 Option 1: The Classic Vietnam Cross-Country Tour
A balanced North-to-South journey blending culture, history, and beach relaxation.
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival. Settle into the Old Quarter and take a relaxing evening stroll.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour. Visit historical relics, colonial buildings, and take a traditional cyclo ride through the narrow lanes.
Days 3-4: Ha Long Bay Cruise. Board an overnight eco-cruise. Swim, kayak, and enjoy a spectacular sunset over the limestone karsts. Return to Hanoi and fly to Hue on Day 4.
Day 5: Hue Imperial City. Discover the ancient capital’s poetic beauty, the Citadel, and royal tombs.
Days 6-7: Da Nang & Hoi An. Transfer via the scenic Hai Van Pass. Spend two leisurely days in Hoi An walking the lantern-lit streets, visiting the beach, or exploring the My Son Sanctuary.
Days 8-10: Nha Trang Beach Escape. Fly to the coastal city of Nha Trang. Enjoy two days of pure beach relaxation, seafood dining, and a scenic island-hopping boat trip.
Day 11: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Discover District 1, French-influenced landmarks, and the city’s lively nightlife.
Day 12: The Mekong Delta. Take a day trip to visit vibrant floating markets, lush fruit gardens, and experience rural river life.
Day 13: Departure. Final souvenir shopping at Ben Thanh Market and departure from HCMC.
River side in Hoi An old town
📍 Option 2: The Adventure & Highland Tour
Packed with thrills, mountain treks, and deep cultural dives.
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival. Catch a Water Puppet show and sample street food in the Old Quarter.
Day 2: Hanoi Highlights. Tour ancient streets, museums, and pagodas.
Days 3-4: Ha Long Bay Cruise. Spend a night on the UNESCO Heritage waters. Disembark on Day 4 and take the overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai.
Days 5-6: Sapa Trekking. Arrive in Sapa. Trek to Cat Cat, Lao Chai, and Ta Van villages to admire spectacular rice terraces. Take the overnight train back to Hanoi on Day 6.
Day 7: Fly to Hue. Arrive in the afternoon. Take a leisure walk along the Perfume River and try spicy Bun bo Hue.
Day 8: Hue City Tour. Explore the Citadel and shop at Dong Ba Market for a traditional conical hat.
Day 9: Hoi An Ancient Town. Drive over the Hai Van Pass. Explore the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and join a lantern-making class.
Day 10: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Dive into the dynamic energy of Vietnam’s largest metropolis.
Day 11: Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover the fascinating underground hideouts used during the Vietnam War.
Day 12: Mekong Delta. Learn the coconut candy-making process and navigate the river canals.
Day 13: Departure. Depart from Ho Chi Minh City.
Beautiful rice terraces in Sapa.
📍 Option 3: Vietnam & Laos Cultural Crossroads
Blends the bustling energy of Vietnam with the serene, spiritual heritage of Laos.
Days 1-2: Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive in District 1. Tour historic buildings, colonial architecture, and the vibrant local markets.
Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai. Take a day tour to the underground tunnels and the strikingly colorful Cao Dai Holy See.
Days 4-5: Hoi An Ancient Town. Fly to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An. Enjoy free time strolling the streets or relaxing on the beach.
Day 6: Hue City Tour. Transfer north to explore the Imperial Citadel and royal tombs.
Day 7: Fly to Hanoi. Arrive in the capital and take a cyclo ride around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Day 8: Fly to Luang Prabang (Laos). Spend the morning in Hanoi before taking an afternoon flight to this UNESCO gem.
Day 9: Luang Prabang Tour. Visit famous golden temples and enjoy sunset views from Mount Phousi.
Day 10: Kuang Si Waterfalls. Trek and swim in the stunning turquoise pools of Kuang Si.
Days 11-12: Vientiane. Transfer to the capital of Laos to visit iconic Buddhist landmarks like Pha That Luang.
Day 13: Departure. Depart from Vientiane.
Kuang Si falls in Laos
📍 Option 4: Vietnam & Cambodia Heritage Run
Combines Vietnam’s major highlights with the ancient wonders of the Khmer Empire.
Days 1-2: Hanoi. Discover the vibrant Night Market and tour the city’s ancient temples and roaming vendor streets.
Days 3-4: Ha Long Bay Cruise. Enjoy an overnight cruise before returning to Hanoi to fly to Hue.
Day 5: Hue Imperial City. Discover the history of the last imperial family of Vietnam.
Days 6-7: Da Nang & Hoi An. Relax at Lang Co Beach en route to Da Nang, then explore the nostalgic charm of Hoi An Ancient Town.
Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Discover Chinatown (Cho Lon) and the modern nightlife of Saigon.
Days 9-10: Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Fly to the Cambodian capital. Tour the National Museum, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom.
Day 11: Fly to Siem Reap. Arrive and visit the imposing North Gate of Angkor Thom.
Day 12: Angkor Wat. Spend a full day exploring the majestic, sprawling temple complex of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm.
Day 13: Departure. Depart from Siem Reap.
Ancient temple in Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
Cost & Estimated Budget for 13 Days
Vietnam’s tourism industry offers top-notch services at highly budget-friendly prices, making it a standout destination in Southeast Asia. Depending on your travel style, expect to spend between $15 to $200+ per day (excluding international flights).
Daily Expenses Breakdown:
Accommodations: Social backpacker hostels start at just $5/night. Comfortable 2 to 4-star boutique hotels range from $20 – $80/night (often including breakfast).
Transportation: Inner-city ride-hailing apps (like Grab) cost $2 – $5 per ride. Intercity travel is highly affordable: sleeper buses ($20 – $30), overnight trains ($20 – $40), and domestic flights ($30 – $60). Regional flights to Laos or Cambodia average $100 – $150.
Meals: World-class street food (Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Cha) costs $1.50 – $4 per meal. Fine dining at top resorts ranges from $50 – $100+.
Average Total Cost (13-Day Tour):
Backpacker / Budget: ~$1,000 – $1,300
Mid-Range (Recommended): ~$1,500 – $2,500
Luxury: $3,000+
Multi-Country (Vietnam + Cambodia/Laos): ~$1,400 – $2,400 (Mid-Range)
Expert Tip: Teaming up with a local tour operator allows you to bundle flights, lodging, and excursions (like overnight Ha Long cruises), often cutting 10% to 20% off independent booking costs.
Transportation expense in Vietnam
What to do for 13 days in Vietnam
13 days in Vietnam to enough to see every highlight of our country from north to south or vice versa. Let’s take a look at this itinerary to arrange a suitable time for each destination on your tour.
2 days in Hanoi
The vibrant capital city has plenty of things to enjoy, from mouthwatering street food, traditional art performances, to glorious history and culture of a place which remains intact after wars and colonial era.
Watch a Water Puppet show in Hanoi.
Having endured Chinese and French colonization, together with the American War, Hanoi is rich in historical heritage. Spending 2 or 3 days in Hanoi, travelers can have a chance to see all highlights of the city as well as some attractions in the rural area like Duong Lam Ancient Village and Van Phuc Silk Village.
Where to stay in Hanoi
You can find plenty of hotels and hostels around the capital city. We recommend these three places for its high-quality service and utmost attention to detail:
- Apricot Hotel (136 Hang Trong Street): This is a luxurious hotel, very close to the center of Hanoi. This hotel offers splendid view to Hoan Kiem Lake from its rooftop bar and swimming pool.
- Sunline Paon Hotel (27 Hang Thung Street): This hotel promises you a comfortable accommodation with 49 twin and double rooms and excellent amenities.
- Quoc Hoa Premier Hotel (10 Bat Dan Street): Located on one of the renowned 36 ancient streets in Hanoi, Quoc Hoa Premier Hotel is surrounded by local restaurants, sightseeing spots, and entertainment.
What to eat in Hanoi
Banh mi.
Vietnam is famous for its diverse and balanced cuisine, and Hanoi is where you can try some most delicious dishes in our country. Here are some addresses you should note on your travel wishlist:
- Pho: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street
- Bun cha Huong Lien (or Bun cha Obama): 24 Le Van Huu Street
- Cha ca (grilled fish): 14 Cha Ca Street
- Banh cuon Thanh Van: 12 Hang Ga Street
- Sticky rice (xoi): Xoi Cat Lam 24B Duong Thanh Street
- Mien luon (eel vermicelli): 87 Hang Dieu Street
- Banh mi Nguyen Sinh (Vietnamese baguette): 17 -19 Ly Quoc Su Street. For a more luxurious option, you can try this food at Sofitel Metropole Hotel, 15 Ngo Quyen Street.
- Egg coffee: Café Dinh at 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street
2 days in Ha Long Bay
Halong Bay in North Vietnam is a place that can help in giving your senses a treat. This place is bestowed with breathtaking natural wonders and is dotted with 1600 limestone islands and islets covering a 1500-square-meter area.
Ha Long Bay.
Some tips for your perfect cruise to Halong Bay:
- Book via a prestigious channel; do not just randomly choose a travel agent! They cannot promise you a high-quality vessel and suitable cruise activities.
- The best times to visit Halong are spring (from March to early May) and autumn (late September to November). However, many cruises have promotion during off-season (May to September).
- Remember to wear life jackets when kayaking.
- Save our planet, do not litter into the water.
2 days – 3 nights in Sapa
Sapa is a paradise for adventurous tourists and culture lovers thanks to its spectacular sceneries, natural spots and ethnic tribe communities. Especially, if you desire to conquer the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 m, Sapa is your starting point.
Sapa – one of the most beautiful destinations in Northern Vietnam.
You can include these places on your Sapa tour:
- Ethnic villages: Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Giang Ta Chai, Ta Van, Sin Chai
- Ham Rong Mountain
- Sapa Church
- Mount Fansipan
- Muong Hoa Valley
- Silver Waterfall
2 days in Da Nang and Hoi An
On the way from Hue to Da Nang, you will definitely pass Hai Van Pass, the highest pass in Vietnam. Spend time at My Khe Beach and Marble Mountain and get an amazing view of the city.
Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills.
42 km from the city center, Ba Na is the mountaintop resort complex which contains many luxury restaurants, world-class accommodations and entertainment. Taking a cable car to Ba Na, you can admire the magnificent view of misty mountains and escape from the heat of summers. Especially, do not miss a chance to admire the gorgeous Golden Bridge (Cau Vang) that was praised on CNN for its unique architecture.
Your trip to Vietnam cannot be complete without visiting Hoi An. From the Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient houses to street food vendors and lantern shops, Hoi An has everything you need for a perfect trip. See this map for some landmarks in Hoi An:
Hoi An Travel Map.
2 days in Nha Trang
Thanks to its turquoise beaches, Nha Trang is a paradise for water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing.
Nha Trang.
Tourists can find a variety of entertainment from fancy restaurants, bars, and clubs along Tran Phu Beach on your 13 days in Vietnam. For more off-the-beaten-track options, take a boat trip to Hon Mun (Mun Island), Hon Tre (Bamboo Island), and Hon Tam (Tam Island).
Apart from the beaches, you can discover Cham culture and architecture in this city. Known as Kauthara under the Champa, Nha Trang is the home to the famous Po Nagar Tower from the ancient kingdom of Champa.
2 days in Ho Chi Minh City
With 2 or 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City, you can see several picturesque spots as well as interact with light-hearted and friendly people here.
Saigon at night.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
- Silverland Jolie Hotel & Spa: This 3-star hotel offers travelers a fantastic view of the Saigon River and Bach Dang Pier. You can walk to some attractions from the hotel for about 10 minutes.
- Hotel Continental Saigon: Featuring French colonial décor, all rooms in this hotel promise you a comfortable stay with high-quality amenities.
- Sofitel Saigon Plaza: This hotel features luxurious accommodation, a fitness centre and swimming pool at the heart of Saigon.
What to eat in Ho Chi Minh City
Banh xeo
As a metropolitan city, you can find every regional food in Ho Chi Minh City. On your 13 days in Vietnam, we suggest some addresses to ‘eat like a local’ in this vibrant city:
- Banh mi: Banh mi Huynh Hoa at 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
- Pho: You will find Pho in the south of Vietnam will taste differently from what you try in Hanoi. We recommend trying this dish at Pho Phuong, 25 Hoang Sa Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1.
- Bun mam (Noodle soup with fermented fish sauce): 144 Khanh Hoi Street, Ward 6, District 4.
- Hu tieu: Hu tieu Nam Vang Nhan Quan, 488 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 2, District 3.
- Bun thit nuong (Rice noodle with grilled pork): 195 Co Giang Street, District 1.
- Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake): 46 Dinh Cong Trang Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1.
- Com tam (Broken rice): 77 Bui Vien Street, District 1
Cu Chi Tunnels + Cao Dai Holy See Itinerary: 1 Day
Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Holy See are two must-see attractions nearby Ho Chi Minh City.
The Great Holy See Temple, built in 1926, is considered one of the most striking structures in all of South-East Asia. It is the headquarters of the unique Cao Dai sect, a religion with a hybrid of Buddhism, Christianity & Confucianism.
After that, let’s prepare for the coolest and the most ingenious place ever – Cu Chi underground tunnels. The network of over 200 km of tunnels was used during the Vietnam War for Viet Cong to hide. Going down the tunnel, you will be amazed at how interconnected the tunnels were, just like a spider web! After your discovery time here, do not forget to try cassava, guerrilla’s food in the wartime.
Watch this video for the exhilarating experience when crawling Cu Chi Tunnels:
Local experts’ opinion on 13 days in Vietnam
13 days in Vietnam, or paired with Cambodia or Laos, offer a vibrant mix of cities, beaches, and ancient ruins. These Vietnam itinerary 13 days options are flexible. You can swap a trek for a market visit or relax in Hoi An’s cafés if temples aren’t your vibe. Discover a hidden Mekong village or share a meal with locals – the region’s charm lies in these moments. Are you ready to plan your Vietnam tours and beyond? Contact us for a custom adventure for you and your family.
In addition, if you have more time to explore Vietnam and its neighboring countries, we invite you to check out our latest guide on how to spend 15 days in Vietnam.
FAQs: 13 days in Vietnam and nearby countries
