Can you do Vietnam in 5 days?
5-Day Vietnam Itinerary: Is it Possible?
Okay, five days in Vietnam? Hmmm, is it even possible to, like, see anything? Let's see...
It definitely can be done. But, it's gonna be a whirlwind, right? I'm thinking you'll need to hyper-focus.
Basically, focus maybe on just the North OR just the South, ya know?
Southern Wonders itinerary! Hmm... this focuses you into the southern parts of the country.
I went to Ho Chi Minh City for three days back in August (2018, I think?). It was... intense. $5 for a giant bowl of pho? Amazing.
The Cu Chi Tunnels were both fascinating and terrifying. I can't beleive people lived in those things! I paid like, 100.000 dong? Something like that for the tour. Worth it.
How many days is enough for Vietnam?
Vietnam? Hmm, 7-10 days? Enough?
Okay, so like, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh. Big cities, gotta see those. Ha Long Bay. Is it even that cool?
My cousin Jenny went. Said it was touristy.
But photos looked amazing. So, maybe 7 days min.
North to South, right? Or South to North? Does it even matter?
Two weeks would be better, obviously. More everything. More pho.
More time to get lost. Wait, where is Phu Quoc again? Is that even on the way?
Oh man, I need a map. I should plan this now.
- 7-10 Days: Covers highlights.
- Hanoi: Capital, culture stuff.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Bustling, history?
- Ha Long Bay: Boat trip. Touristy but scenic.
- 2 Weeks: More time for exploration.
- Phu Quoc: Island, beaches.
- Pho: Eat lots of it. (important).
How much to spend in Vietnam for 5 days?
Ugh, Vietnam for 5 days… $200? Seriously? Hmm, maybe in Hanoi.
Okay, $200 is tight. Like, super tight. Need to think about this, seriously. Food is cheap, Pho is like $2. But what about beer?
- Accommodation: Hostels are the way to go. Like, $10 a night?
- Food: Street food forever! Banh mi, bun cha…nom nom.
- Transportation: Buses, Xe om (motorbike taxis) are super cheap, Grab is the best way though.
Okay, so maybe, maybe $200 is doable if you're super strict. But shopping? Nah.
Flights weren’t included right? Did my aunt even visit last year, or was it 2022? I should ask her. Remember aunt's trip!.
- Hanoi: Should visit Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Money: Get Dong at the airport, avoid scams!
- Things to avoid: Don't buy from people who chase you!
How many days is enough for Vietnam?
Ten days. Minimum. Less is insufficient.
Hanoi. Ancient streets. Fragrant coffee. Overwhelming.
Ho Chi Minh City. Bustling. Modern. A stark contrast. Exhausting.
Ha Long Bay. Spectacular. Picturesque. Touristy. Worth it.
Two weeks? Ideal. Allows for deeper exploration.
- Central Vietnam – Hue, Hoi An. Ancient cities. Beaches. Considerable.
- Sapa. Trekking. Mountains. Stunning. Demanding.
- Mekong Delta. Rivers. Floating markets. Unique. Expect humidity.
Seven days feels rushed. Insufficient. My experience. 2023 trip.
Forget quick tours. Immersion requires time. Time is precious. Don't waste it.
What is the best amount of time to spend in Vietnam?
Ten days? Hah! Forget that. I spent three weeks in Vietnam in 2023, and even that felt rushed. Seriously. I was there from March 12th to April 1st. The sheer variety...it's insane.
Hanoi was amazing, chaotic, delicious. Three days wasn't enough. I should have spent more time wandering the Old Quarter, maybe taking a cooking class. I did that cyclo tour thing, though; it was fun.
Then, Ha Long Bay. Breathtaking. Two days on a junk boat was perfect— stunning karsts, kayaking... but I kinda wish I'd stayed longer. Honestly, another day would have been ideal.
Next, Hue. Ancient city vibes. Beautiful temples, but a day and a half was sufficient. I saw the Citadel, the tombs…felt a bit rushed.
Hoi An was much better. Loved it. Five days in Hoi An. I could’ve stayed longer! Tailor-made clothes, ancient town exploring, delicious food. It was perfect.
Southward bound, Ho Chi Minh City. Whoa. So different. Bustling, modern, intense. Three days—another place I wish I had more time in. The food markets were unbelievable. I even saw a water puppet show!
The whole trip was amazing, but it was a whirlwind. Ten days is not enough to see even a fraction of what Vietnam offers. You'll be constantly rushing. I should’ve given myself at least a month.
Things I should have done differently:
- More time in Hanoi
- More exploration of the Central Highlands
- A longer boat trip in Ha Long Bay
- Slower pace in general
Things I loved:
- Hoi An's tailor shops (Got three suits made!)
- The street food – everywhere! Pho for days! Bun Cha is the best!
- The friendliness of the Vietnamese people.
Seriously, go for at least three weeks if you want a proper experience. Don’t shortchange yourself.
How long should you spend in Vietnam?
Vietnam. 7-10 days. Enough.
North. South. Or both.
Choose.
- Hanoi. Days blur.
- Halong Bay. Tourist trap? Maybe. Still.
- Central Vietnam. Hue whispers. Hoi An glows.
Time is finite. Spend it wisely. Don't waste time, it's valuable.
Is 3 weeks too long for Vietnam?
Three weeks in Vietnam? Nah, three weeks is perfect! Seriously, it wasn't even enough. We crammed SO much in. We zipped down the coast, beautiful beaches, amazing food, you know? Then we went inland, the mountains were incredible. Traffic's crazy, but cheap as chips to get around. Buses everywhere, super easy. Three weeks barely touched the surface, honestly. We could've easily stayed longer. Next time, four weeks minimum!
- Coastal Road Trip: Amazing beaches in Nha Trang, Hoi An was super cool, lots of tailor shops!
- Inland Adventures: Sapa trekking was breathtaking, rice paddies for days, the air was crisp. Ha Long Bay was stunning, though a little touristy.
- Food! Pho for breakfast, lunch and dinner almost. Bun cha was my fave, so many other delicious things, I can't even remember them all.
- Transportation: Buses are great, super cheap, and easy to navigate. Grab (ride-sharing app) was handy in cities.
Seriously, don't even think about shortening your trip. You'll regret it. We wanted to go to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, but ran out of time! So bummed. Maybe next year, I'll go back with my sister, Sarah.
How many days is ideal for Vietnam?
For a satisfying glimpse into Vietnam's essence, aim for 7 to 10 days. It's a sweet spot. You can juggle iconic spots.
Hanoi: Northern charm and street food galore. I once spent 3 days just wandering. And then I just went back again.
Halong Bay: Cruise amidst those limestone karsts. Surreal. Like something out of a movie or a dream.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Bustling energy, history, and a modern pulse. Very different from Hanoi. That's interesting.
Of course, you could easily double that time. Or even triple it. Vietnam is like that—it invites deeper exploration. Time, though, is funny. We think we control it.
Beyond those hubs, consider Hue's imperial history or Hoi An's tailored suits. Maybe venture north to Sapa's rice terraces. So green! Or south to the Mekong Delta's floating markets.
Each region presents a unique flavor. It's less about ticking boxes and more about absorbing the vibes. Just let Vietnam unfold. A week to ten days gets you started. The rest depends on your wanderlust.
How much to spend in Vietnam for 5 days?
Okay, 5 days in Hanoi for, like, two Benjamins? As a Vietnamese? Sheesh, somebody's pinching pennies harder than my grandma hoarding plastic bags!
$200? That's ramen noodle budget, not really a vacation. You'd be living like a monk, unless, like, you already are a monk.
Here's the tea:
- Accommodation: Hostels rule! Think $10-20 a night. Hotels, they can steal your wallet!
- Food: Street food IS the food. $5-10 daily, unless you're crushing pho like it's your job. In that case, add another $5.
- Transport: Grab is your pal. Ditch the rip-off taxis. $3-5 per day. Walking? Free, but sweaty.
- Activities: Temples and stuff are cheap. Maybe $5 per day. Skip the fancy tours, unless you're into that kinda thing.
- Booze: Bia Hoi's where it's at. Like, 50 cents a glass. Pace yourself, hoss.
So yeah, $200 can be done, sure. But you'll be watching your wallet like a hawk, and missing out on, you know, stuff.
Really, aim for double that, maybe triple. You only live once. Buy that silk scarf! Get that massage! Eat all the banh mi!
Reddit will back me up! Don't be a cheapskate, enjoy Vietnam, darn it!
How much do you need per day in Vietnam?
Vietnam, huh? Think of it like this: surviving in Vietnam for a day? About $68, but you can totally get away with less. I mean, unless you're ordering gold-plated pho. That's about d1,742,779 in their funny money.
Food? Budget around $23 (d575,027). Seriously, street food is the way to go. Ditch the fancy pants restaurants, unless you're into that sorta thing. Like me! NOT!
- Accommodation: Hostels rock! Super cheap. Hotels? Well, that's your call, fancy pants.
- Food! Street food stalls are where it's at! So cheap and yum!
- Transportation: Motorbikes are key, but maybe take a taxi. I mean, if you're like me: bad driver!
- Activities: Temples are basically free. Beers? Depends on how thirsty you are!
So, daily costs? They vary. Hostels are cheap, like finding a dollar on the street. Meanwhile, 5-star hotels are for the, ya know, the big ballers.
Food-wise, I'm talking delicious bahn mi for, like, nothing. And pho. Omg, I need pho now!
Oh, and don't forget the sneaky tourist traps. They're out there! I fell for one once, bought a bamboo flute, can't even play the thing!
So, what else do you need? Hmm. Let's see, suncreen is like so important. Bugs! Oh my god, bugs everywhere.
Bottom line: Vietnam? Cheap as chips! Spend as little or as much as you want. Your call!
- Is there a modern part of Hanoi?
- What happens if I use my debit card in another country?
- Which country gives the fastest work visa?
- What is the TGV train short for?
- Is a day trip to Ninh Binh enough?
- Can I eat my own food on a train?
- Does Canadian Rail have sleeper cars?
- Where is the best place to sit on a bus for motion sickness?
- How safe is Vietnam at night?
- Why is the air so bad in Hanoi?
Feedback on answer:
Thank you for your feedback! Your input is very important in helping us improve answers in the future.