8 days in Vietnam is a great amount of time for a tour. Travelers can explore key regions in depth or take a short trip covering many of the country’s top destinations
Are you planning to travel to Vietnam? An 8-day journey is ideal for soaking in the nation’s dynamic culture, breathtaking scenery, and deep-rooted heritage. Whether you’re drawn to lively urban hubs or peaceful rural charm, this well-rounded itinerary delivers a memorable blend of excitement and tranquility across Vietnam’s must-see destinations. This guide explains why 8 days is an ideal amount of time Vietnam, offers unique routes to match your vibe, shares practical travel tips, and covers estimated costs.
Why Choose 8 Days in Vietnam?
Vietnam’s long, S-shaped geography means travel takes time. A flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is a quick 2 hours, but a train ride stretches beyond 30 hours. A Vietnam tours in 8 days gives you an edge over shorter trips, offering room to explore more deeply or add an extra destination without the rush.
For 3-4 days in Vietnam, you can easily discover one city and perhaps its surroundings while a Vietnam itinerary of 10 days or more let you travel north to south at a leisurely pace. 8 days offer a balance: enough time to immerse yourself in 1-2 regions, but not so long it demands a big commitment. It’s ideal for:
- First-time visitors wanting a deeper taste of Vietnam’s culture and landscapes.
- Adventure seekers craving a mix of urban buzz and offbeat nature.
- Couples or friends looking for a memorable getaway with a relaxed pace.
Short-haul travelers often choose 5-8 day trips, and the extra days in an 8-day itinerary in Vietnam lets you stay longer or add in a unique stop, like a hidden cave or a highland market. These tours are flexible: you can choose to dive into one region with depth or combine two with flights for a trip that feels full and unforgettable.
Suggested Itineraries for 8 Days in Vietnam
Here are some options offer fresh perspectives, blending culture, nature, and food to suit your style. You don’t have to plan it rigidly, take it as inspiration, with the extra days adding depth or a new destination.
Option 1: Northern Vietnam adventure in 8 days
If you’re drawn to dramatic landscapes and cultural gems, northern Vietnam delivers an unforgettable mix of urban energy and rural serenity. Start in Hanoi, where the Old Quarter’s narrow streets hum with history and daily life. Stroll past ancient streets named after traditional trades: Hang Bong Street for shimmering fabrics, Hang Tre Street for bamboo handmade crafts, and savor a bowl of pho at a bustling stall. Spend 2 days exploring Hanoi’s heart: catch a traditional water puppet show at the Thang Long Theatre, where colorful figures dance on water to lively folk music, sip creamy egg coffee at a rooftop café overlooking the city, or stroll the peaceful Hoan Kiem lake watching locals start their day. For a deeper cultural dive, visit traditional villages around Hanoi, like the Bat Trang potteries or the Van Phuc silk to learn about the crafts and have a hand-on experience creating those handicrafts yourself.
Head to Mai Chau, a serene valley 3 hours from Hanoi, where lush rice paddies stretch under the karst mountains. Stay in a traditional stilt-house homestay run by White Thai families, waking to the sound of roosters and the scent of fresh rice. Cycle gently through the valley’s winding paths, stopping at weaving villages to watch artisans create intricate textiles on wooden looms, or join a local cooking session to learn how to make sticky rice in bamboo tubes over an open fire. The rolling hills and thatched-roof houses make it an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts, especially at sunrise when mist clings to the fields like a soft veil. For a hands-on experience, participate in traditional dance session with locals, moving to the rhythm of bamboo instruments.
Venture to Ninh Binh, often dubbed “Halong Bay on land” for its stunning limestone karsts. Glide through the rice fields on a traditional sampan boat, as you pass under ancient caves and pagodas perched on rocky outcrops. Use your extra day for a rewarding hike up Hang Mua’s 500 stone steps to a panoramic viewpoint, where the landscape unfolds: emerald paddies dotted with water buffalo and jagged peaks. Rent a bike to explore Trang An’s UNESCO-protected waterways or visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, with its massive golden Buddha statue. If you prefer island vibes, swap Mai Chau for Cat Ba Island, where you can hike through its National Park’s dense jungles to hidden viewpoints or kayak around secluded coves teeming with marine life.
Take a boat trip through rice fields and limestone mountains in Ninh Binh
Suggested 8-day itinerary in Northern Vietnam
- Day 1: Hanoi arrival
- Day 2: Hanoi Old Quarter and cyclo tour
- Day 3: Hanoi traditional villages
- Day 4: Mai Chau homestay and village walk
- Day 5: Mai Chau cycling and weaving workshop
- Day 6: Ninh Binh sampan boat tour
- Day 7: Ninh Binh hike and cycling
- Day 8: Hanoi departure
Option 2: Central Vietnam heritage in 8 days
Central Vietnam is rich in history, and eight days lets you explore its heritage, from imperial palaces to cultural wonders. Begin in Hue, the former imperial capital, where the Citadel’s imposing dragon-emblazoned gates and moats transport you back to the Nguyen dynasty’s golden age. Wander the sprawling complex, climbing to the Thai Hoa Palace for views of manicured gardens, or hiring a cyclo to pedal you through the peaceful backstreets. Take a gentle boat ride along the Perfume River, as the water mirrors the silhouettes of royal tombs. Don’t miss tasting Hue’s royal cuisine: delicate banh khoai pancakes filled with shrimp and bean sprouts, paired with a fresh cocktail in a garden restaurant overlooking the river.
Ngo Mon gate at Hue Imperial Citadel.
Next, head to Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed gem where mustard-yellow shophouses and lantern-lit streets. Spend three days strolling the Ancient Town’s cobblestone paths, browsing tailor shops for a custom silk costume or popping into a lantern workshop to paint your own vibrant creation. Evenings come alive as the Thu Bon River glows with thousands of floating lanterns, join locals to release one with your wish. Take a hands-on cooking class to master cao lau noodles, rolling dough with fresh herbs, or cycle to An Bang Beach for a seafood lunch of grilled prawns and tamarind dipping sauce. For a unique experience, visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village to shape clay on a spinning wheel, or join a basket boat tour through coconut groves.
Wrap up in Da Nang, a modern coastal city with a relaxed edge. Spend 2 days exploring: one to marvel at the Golden Bridge, its golden ribbon cradled by giant stone hands amid misty hills, one to lounge on My Khe Beach with a fresh smoothie. Visit the Marble Mountains, climbing limestone caves filled with Buddhist shrines and hidden alcoves, or take a food tour to sample banh trang cuon thit heo, pork rolled in rice paper with fragrant herbs. For a memorable evening, stroll the Dragon Bridge, which lights up with colorful LEDs and breathes fire on weekend nights, or find a rooftop bar to get a view of the city’s twinkling skyline.
Suggested 8-day itinerary in Central Vietnam
- Day 1: Hue arrival
- Day 2: Hue city tour and river trip
- Day 3: Hoi An Ancient Town and tailoring session
- Day 4: Hoi An cooking class and An Bang beach
- Day 5: Hoi An villages and basket boat tour
- Day 6: Da Nang city and beach
- Day 7: Da Nang Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge day trip
- Day 8: Da Nang departure
Option 3: 8-day coastal and highland in Southern Vietnam
For a mix of vibrant cities, cool highlands, and pristine beaches, southern Vietnam blends urban pulse and natural retreats. Start in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), a metropolis pulsing with energy and endless discoveries. Explore Ben Thanh Market’s labyrinth of stalls, haggling for spices or trying sizzling banh xeo pancakes straight from the wok. Spend 3 days immersing yourself: visit the Notre Dame Basilica and the nearby Central Post Office, with its soaring Gustave Eiffel-designed arches, then head to the War Remnants Museum for a poignant look at history through exhibits. For a thrilling twist, join a food tour at night, zipping through neon-lit streets to hidden spots for steaming hu tieu or creamy avocado ice cream. Evenings are perfect for a rooftop bar perch, cocktail in hand, and the city’s skyline twinkles below. For a cultural dive, visit the Jade Emperor pagoda, where incense swirls around intricate dragon carvings.
Travel to Nha Trang, a coastal gem with golden beaches and turquoise waters. Spend 2 days soaking up its laid-back vibe: lounge on Nha Trang Beach, sipping fresh coconut water as waves crash softly, or take a boat to Hon Mun Island for snorkeling among coral reefs teeming with clownfish and sea anemones. Visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, ancient red-brick temples perched on a hill with sweeping ocean views, where locals offer incense to the goddess Yan Po Nagar. For a fun twist, spend a day at Vinpearl Amusement Park, riding rollercoasters or relaxing in the waterpark’s lazy river, or explore the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute to marvel at colorful marine life, from seahorses to giant groupers. In the evening, stroll the night market for grilled squid skewers and handmade seashell crafts, or join a sunset cruise with live music, the horizon glowing in hues of orange and pink.
Finish in Dalat, a highland retreat known for its cool climate, pine-scented air, and French colonial charm. Spend 3 days exploring its romantic landscapes: wander the vibrant flower gardens, bursting with cartesias and lavenders, or sip Vietnamese robust at a café by misty Xuan Huong Lake. Rent a scooter to chase Pongour Waterfall, its cascades thundering over mossy rocks, or tour a coffee plantation to learn about weasel coffee, tasting its earthy, chocolatey notes straight from the source. Visit Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, an Art Deco gem with faded grandeur, or take a cable car to Truc Lam Monastery, a spiritual site with blooming gardens. At night, join the central market tour to sample Dalat’s artichoke tea and hot crispy banh trang nuong. The extra day lets you linger in Dalat’s serene hills and hiking Lang Biang Mountain for panoramic views of the highland sceneries.
Enjoy lakeside coffee in Da Lat.
Suggested 8-Day Itinerary in Southern Vietnam
- Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival
- Day 2: Ben Thanh Market and motorbike food tour
- Day 3: Saigon historical landmarks and China town
- Day 4: Nha Trang beach and Po Nagar Cham Towers
- Day 5: Nha Trang island trip and Vinpearl Amusement Park
- Day 6: Dalat flower gardens and coffee tasting
- Day 7: Dalat waterfalls and Truc Lam Monastery
- Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City departure
Option 4: North-to-South Vietnam itinerary in 8 days
If you want a taste of Vietnam’s contrasts: Combine the north’s heritage with central Vietnam’s charm for a journey through ancient streets and coastal wonders. Start in Hanoi, where the narrow alleys buzz with life. Spend 2 days exploring the Old Quarter: sip frothy egg coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake, watching locals weave through motorbike-filled streets, or catch a water puppet show. Visit the Temple of Literature, its tranquil courtyards lined with a lotus ponds and ancient steles, or take a walk through chaotic streets to discover boutique shop and street food vendors.
Then, take a one-night cruise in Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone karsts rise from the sea. Kayak into hidden lagoons or climb to a sundeck for a seafood feast of grilled squid. In the morning, visit a floating village, chatting with fishermen mending nets from colorful boats, or try Tai Chi on deck at dawn, the mist-shrouded peaks creating a meditative backdrop. For a special touch, join a squid fishing excursion at night, casting nets under lantern light, or explore Sung Sot Cave’s massive chambers, where stalactites form eerie shapes overhead.
Luxury cruise in Halong Bay.
Fly to Da Nang to spend 2 days in Hoi An, a UNESCO gem where yellow shophouses and glowing lanterns create a nostalgic vibe. Stroll the Ancient Town’s cobblestone paths, browsing tailor shops or joining a lantern workshop to paint your own keepsake. Evenings call for a riverside dinner of cao lau noodles, chewy and garnished with fresh herbs, as the Thu Bon glows with floating lights.
Spend a day lounging on My Khe Beach with a fresh pineapple smoothie, and to discover the vibrant night life. The extra day lets you add a Hue day trip, delving into the Citadel’s forbidden city or cruising the Perfume River to royal tombs, where dragon motifs and lotus ponds whisper of imperial splendor. Alternatively, try a Da Nang food tour, sampling banh trang cuon thit heo (pork rice paper rolls) at local stalls, or take one-day trip to Ba Na Hills to witness the iconic Golden Bridge.
Suggested 8-Day Itinerary in North-to-South Vietnam
- Day 1: Hanoi arrival
- Day 2: Hanoi Old Quarter and cyclo tour
- Day 3: Halong Bay cruise and kayaking
- Day 4: Halong Bay floating village – Flight to Da Nang
- Day 5: Hoi An Ancient Town and lantern workshop
- Day 6: Da Nang beach and food tour
- Day 7: Da Nang Golden Bridge / Hue day trip
- Day 8: Da Nang departure
Cost & practical info
Vietnam itinerary in 7 days suits all budgets:
- Backpackers can spend $40-50 per day staying in hostels, eating street food, and using public transport like buses, taxis and metro.
- Mid-range travelers usually spend $70-100 per day, staying in boutique hotels, and get transfered by domestic flights, private car with driver and guided day trips.
- Luxury travelers spend more than $200 per day for resorts, private tours, and upscale dining.
Other expenses include domestic flights $60-120, a Halong Bay cruise $100-200 for a cabin, a Mekong boat trip $20-50, or a cooking class for about $30. Book early for peak seasons like Tet (Jan-Feb). ATMs are widespread, but carry small VND notes for markets. Tipping isn’t mandatory, but a small tip in restaurants is appreciated.
Local experts’ opinion about 8 days in Vietnam
8 days in Vietnam is your chance to immerse yourself for its beauty. Whether you’re hiking Mai Chau’s rice fields, sipping coffee in Dalat’s hills, relaxing on Nha Trang’s beaches, or wandering Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, each region offers a unique charm. The extra day lets you freely discover: a peaceful morrning by a river or an unexpected detour to other hidden gems.
Whichever destination you pick, your Vietnam itinerary in 8 days will feel vibrant and refreshing. You might even start dreaming of your next Vietnam adventure. Ready to bring it to life? Explore our customizable tours in Vietnam and let us help you plan your route. Let Vietnam surprise you: In just eight days, you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
