9 days in Vietnam

9 days in Vietnam are fine to have interesting tour itineraries for travelers visiting Vietnam for the first time and also good for those who return.

With 9 days, travelers can visit the whole Vietnam, more in deep in each part of the country or combine with nearby countries Cambodia or Laos. How to spend 9 days in Vietnam? This guide skips rigid schedules for flexible exploration: cultural dives, natural beauty, foodie quests and wellness retreats. Building on our Vietnam itinerary inspirations, we dive deeper multi-region adventures. Explore themes, practical hacks, and suggested itineraries to spark your wanderlust.

Why spend 9 days in Vietnam?

9 days during Vietnam tours is long enough to visit two or three regions, short enough to keep your energy high. You can explore Hanoi’s vibrant streets, sail Ha Long’s calm waters, or wander the Mekong’s lively markets without hurrying. While a 3-4 day tour covers one city and nearby gems, and a 12-day itinerary allow multi-country travel, 9 days offer a balance: enough time to immerse in 2-3 regions or linger in one with unique experiences, like Phu Yen’s basalt shores or Mai Chau’s serene valleys. Flights make multi-region hops easy, while the upcoming high-speed rail promises smoother connections. 9 days in Vietnam suit:

• First-timers travelers craving a rich mix of Vietnam’s culture, history, and landscapes.
• Travelers returning to visit other destinations from their previous travel
• Adventure seekers blending urban energy with offbeat nature, like coastal cliffs or highland treks.
• Couples or groups seeking a memorable escape with free time to relax.

Trekking trails in Mai Chau.

Key themes to shape your journey

Vietnam offers diverse experiences for your 9 days. Here are some themes to inspire your adventure, tied to recent travel trends.

Cultural Exploration

Vietnam’s 4,000-year history shines in Hue’s grand citadels and Hoi An’s charming streets. Spend nine days visiting Hanoi’s historic temples, navigating ancient alleyways in Hoi An, or exploring Hue’s royal tombs. Combine these experience with museum visit, where AR-guided tour bring history to life.

Nature Adventures

Vietnam’s landscapes invite to discover. From Sapa’s green rice terraces to Phong Nha’s glowing caves and tropical beaches in Phu Quoc. With nine days, kayak Ha Long’s quiet bays or hike Cat Ba’s wildlife trails. Eco-tours in Mai Chau offer low-impact treks with local guides sharing herbal tea recipes. Enjoy fresh air in the highlands or a cool dip in Dalat’s waterfalls – perfect for adventure lovers.

Foodie Journey

Vietnam’s cuisine is a highlight. Discover the famous street food culture: Hanoi’s creamy egg coffee, Mekong’s fresh prawns, or Hoi An’s savory cao lau noodles. Nine days let you join a cooking class in Hanoi, explore Phu Quoc’s pepper farms, or dine at Dalat’s markets and browse for fresh ingredients in Mekong Delta. Discover the recent trend in Vietnam: vegan street food and sustainable farm-to-table spots.

Wellness and adventure mix

Balance exploration with relaxation: practice yoga on Da Nang’s golden beach or unwind in Dalat’s pine-scented spas. 9 days in Vietnam allow cycling by Hue’s rivers or soaking in Sapa’s herbal baths. Wellness retreats in Northern highland blend meditation and local traditions, ideal for recharging after treks or cave adventures.

Suggested itineraries for 9 days in Vietnam

Below are our flexible itinerary ideas for 9 days in Vietnam, not fixed schedules. You can mix and match to suit your style: add a beach day or swap a trek for a cooking class.

Option 1: Northern culture & Central charm in 9 days

Begin in Hanoi, where historic sites set a welcoming tone. Stroll through the Temple of Literature’s quiet courtyards, lined with ancient stone tablets, and sip creamy egg coffee at a cozy café in the Old Quarter. Next, head to Ha Long Bay for a family-friendly cruise among towering limestone islands. Paddle a kayak through calm coves, visit floating fishing villages, and enjoy fresh seafood like grilled squid with tangy dipping sauce. A train ride south takes you to Hue, where the Imperial Citadel and royal tombs offer a glimpse into Vietnam’s imperial past. Cruise the Perfume River on a dragon boat, stopping to taste lemongrass pork skewers at local stalls. End in Hoi An, where lantern-lit streets create a magical vibe. Browse silk shops for custom clothes, join a lantern-making class, or savor cao lau noodles by the riverside. This itinerary blends rich history with scenic beauty, is perfect for cultural explorers. You can add a side trip to My Son’s ancient Cham ruins for extra depth or Cat Ba’s trails after Ha Long Bay to spot wildlife like langurs. It’s a 9-day journey that balances vibrant cities with tranquil moments, leaving you inspired and refreshed.

Cat Ba island.

Suggested itinerary for 9 days in the North and Central Vietnam:

• Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, explore Old Quarter, visit Temple of Literature.
• Day 2: Hanoi markets, cultural sites and street food tour.
• Day 3-4: Ha Long Bay night cruise, kayak coves, village visits.
• Day 5-6: Train to Hue, explore Citadel, river boats.
• Day 7: Hue Imperial Citadel, tombs, travel to Hoi An.
• Day 8: Hoi An lantern-making, Ancient Town strolls.
• Day 9: Depart from Da Nang.

Option 2: 9 days of Southern beaches & Mekong Delta

Kick off in Ho Chi Minh City’s lively District 1, where bustling markets offer fresh banh mi sandwiches and rooftop bars overlook the twinkling Saigon River. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels for a dose of wartime history, crawling through narrow passages, then unwind with a drink at a trendy café. Take a bus south to the Mekong Delta’s Cai Be floating market, where boats brim with colorful fruits and vendors in conical hats glide through the water. Cycle through Vinh Long’s lush orchards, tasting sweet rambutan, and spend a night in a homestay, sharing fish hotpot with locals. Fly to Phu Quoc for pristine beaches and coral reefs ideal for snorkeling. Explore a fish sauce factory or enjoy grilled seafood at sunset. Alternatively, you can choose Con Dao’s quiet shores to see turtle hatcheries and historic prisons turned into a lively museum. Add a night market visit in Ben Thanh for extra southern flavor. This itinerary is great for those who love beaches with a side of adventure and culture.

Snorkeling in Phu Quoc.

Suggested itinerary for Southern Vietnam in 9 days:

• Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, explore District 1, rooftop bars.
• Day 2: Discover Cu Chi Tunnels, continue exploring evening city vibes.
• Day 3-4: Transfer to Mekong Delta, river and canals boat tour, cycles through villages and orchards.
• Day 5: Early visit to Cai Be floating market, prepare ingredients for a local cooking sessions.
• Day 6-8: Fly to Phu Quoc, snorkel reefs, free beach days.
• Day 9: Return to Ho Chi Minh City and departure.

Option 3: Vietnam highland and cave exploration in 9 days

Start with a day trip in Hanoi to visit the Old Quarter and ease into the trip, then take a sleeper train to Sapa’s cool highlands. Trek through green rice terraces, meet Hmong villagers, and try hearty thang co stew at a local market. Move to Mai Chau for peaceful valley views, rafting on calm rivers and staying in stilt-house homestays with sticky rice meals. Fly to Dalat, where pine forests and waterfalls invite hikes or relaxing coffee tastings at local farms. End in Phong Nha, home to stunning caves like Paradise Cave, where zip-lining and kayaking offer thrills. Especially, eco-friendly treks in Mai Chau and Phong Nha support conservation efforts, adding a natural touch. This itinerary suits nature lovers seeking peace and excitement off the tourist trail.

Explore the Paradise Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Suggested itinerary for 9-day Vietnam highland and cave exploration:

• Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, visit the Old Quarter.
• Day 2-3: Sleeper train to Sapa, trek through lush jungle, terraces, visit Hmong villages.
• Day 4: Mai Chau rafting, homestay experience.
• Day 5: Mai Chau valley exploration.
• Day 6-7: Fly to Dalat, hike hills, pine forrest, waterfalls, flower gardens.
• Day 8: Visit Phong Nha caves, zip-line adventures.
• Day 9: Return to Hanoi for departure flight.

Option 4: Central Vietnam coast and Cham culture in 9 days

Begin in Da Nang, where My Khe Beach and the fiery Dragon Bridge create a lively start. Climb Marble Mountains to see cave temples and ocean views, then dine on mi quang noodles at a seaside stall. Spend a day in Hoi An’s ancient town, browsing silk shops and cruising the Thu Bon River. Transfer by private car to Quy Nhon for rugged cliffs and historic Cham towers, plus fresh seafood on the beach. Explore Phu Yen’s unique basalt rock formations and quiet shores, then end in Nha Trang with Cham ruins and soothing mud baths. Opt for an island trip to Hon Mun island for its colorful coral reefs and Hon Tre island for the exciting Vinpearl amusement park. Or for a more historical and cultural touch, you can add a visit to My Son ruins. This itinerary blends coastal beauty with cultural gems for explorers.

Add My Son Sanctuary to your 9 days in Vietnam itinerary.

Suggested itinerary for 9-day Central Vietnam beaches and Cham’s relic:

• Day 1-2: Arrive Da Nang, Marble Mountains, beach time.
• Day 3: Hoi An day-trip, explore ancient town, river cruise.
• Day 4-5: Transfer to Quy Nhon, Cham towers, cliff walks.
• Day 6-7: Phu Yen basalt rocks, beach relaxation.
• Day 8: Nha Trang Cham ruins, mud baths.
• Day 9: Snorkel Hon Mun, depart from Nha Trang.

Option 5: Vietnam & Laos Cultural Crossroads

Start in Hanoi, where a visit to the Old Quarter sets a cultural tone. Sip egg coffee at a cozy café, then take a night train to Sapa’s highlands for rice terrace treks and Hmong village visits, tasting hearty thang co stew. Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos, a UNESCO gem, to explore golden temples like Wat Xieng Thong and join a morning alms ceremony, watching monks in saffron robes collect rice offerings. Stroll the Mekong River’s banks, sampling tam mak hong (spicy papaya salad) at night markets. Cruise to Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues, and visit local weaving villages for handmade scarves. Return to Vietnam’s Hue for its Imperial Citadel and royal tombs, cruising the Perfume River to taste lemongrass pork skewers. This itinerary blends Vietnam’s vibrant history with Laos’ serene spirituality, perfect for cultural explorers. Add a Kuang Si Falls visit in Laos for a refreshing dip or a Hoi An day trip for lantern-lit charm. This itinerary blends Vietnam’s vibrant history with Laos’ serene spirituality.

Suggested itinerary for 9 days in Vietnam and Laos

• Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, visit the Old Quarter, explore street food.
• Day 2-3: Sleeper bus to Sapa, trek terraces, Hmong villages.
• Day 4: Fly to Luang Prabang, explore Wat Xieng Thong, night market.
• Day 5-6: Luang Prabang alms ceremony, Pak Ou Caves, weaving villages.
• Day 7: Fly to Hue, explore Citadel, river cruise.
• Day 8: Hue tombs, local dining.
• Day 9: Depart from Hue.

How much does it cost for 9 days in Vietnam?

A 9-day tour in Vietnam averages $720-1,350 per person, covering accommodation, meals, transport, and activities. For a multi-country tour including Laos or Thailand, expect $820-1,500, factoring in international flights. Costs may vary by travel style, and here’s our estimated budget for 9 days in Vietnam:

• Backpacker tour: ~$720-900, focusing on hostels or homestays ($20), street food ($10), public transports and sites entrance tickets ($10-20).
• Mid-range tour: ~$1,000-1,350, with boutique hotels ($50), local restaurants ($20), and flights ($30-50).
• Luxury tour: ~$2,700-4,500, with 5-star resorts ($150-300), fine dining ($50-100), and premium experiences like yacht charters or spa retreats.
• Multi-country tour: ~$820-1,500 for budget and midrange, or $3000-5000 for luxury tour,  including flights to Laos/Thailand (~$100), transport and guided tours ($20-50/day).

At Paradise Travel, we can bundle flights, stays, and eco-friendly activities (e.g., Ha Long cruises, Luang Prabang homestays), often saving 10-20% compared to sellf planning.

Local experts’ opinion about

9 days in Vietnam, or paired with Laos, Thailand, or Cambodia, offer a vibrant mix of experiences. From Sapa’s tranquil highlands to Phu Quoc’s sunny beaches, Hue’s historic charm and expand to Luang Prabang’s serene temples. The itineraries for 9 days in Vietnam are flexible. You can easily swap a trek for a market visit or pivot to Hue’s museums if it rains. Discover a hidden café or join a local family for dinner, the region’s magic lies in these surprises. If you need help planning your upcoming travel like that, check our Indochina country tours a custom trip across Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, or Cambodia.

For deeper preparation and local experiences about traveling in Vietnam, see our detailed Travel to Vietnam 2026 guide.