How many days are enough for a Vietnam trip?

Is 15 days enough for Vietnam?

Fifteen days. A whisper of time, really. Not enough. Never enough for Vietnam. The scent of pho, clinging to the humid air, a memory already fading. Each city a jewel, sharp and bright against the jade green rice paddies.

Hanoi's ancient charm, a slow unfolding. The cyclo, a gentle rocking. Those narrow streets, swallowing me whole. The chaotic energy of the markets, a delightful assault. My heart ached a little, leaving.

Ho Chi Minh City, a pulsing, vibrant beast. Skyscrapers stabbing the sky, a stark contrast to the quiet temples. The war, a shadow that stretches long. I felt its weight. The Mekong Delta, a hypnotic maze of waterways. Time stopped there, suspended in the humid air.

Hue, the imperial city, echoes of emperors and forgotten dynasties. The Perfume River, a ribbon of silver, winding its way through time. The tombs, grandiose and haunting. My breath caught in my throat.

Da Nang, a different kind of beauty, stunning beaches. My toes in the warm sand. The sun, a relentless, golden eye. Five cities. Five fleeting glimpses. I tasted the spicy food, felt the rough silk against my skin. Heard the distant rumble of motorbikes. Saw the smiles of children, bright as the morning sun.

• Hanoi: Old Quarter charm, overwhelming energy.
• Ho Chi Minh City: Modernity juxtaposed with history, a chaotic beauty.
• Hue: Imperial majesty, lingering ghosts of the past.
• Da Nang: Coastal paradise, sun-drenched beaches, relaxing escape.
• (Unspecified city): The Mekong Delta. It needs a spot all its own.

More time. I needed more time. Vietnam, a country that breathes, a land that sings. Fifteen days was a brutal curtailment. The feeling of incompletion lingers. Still.

Is 2 weeks too long in Vietnam?

Two weeks in Vietnam? Nah, mate. That's barely enough time to unpack your suitcase! You'll be zooming around like a caffeinated squirrel. Think of it like trying to eat an entire pizza in one sitting - you'll be stuffed, but you won't truly appreciate the flavour.

Forget "covering the whole country." Vietnam's bigger than my uncle's ego, and that's saying something. Seriously, it's massive.

A better plan: pick a region. North? South? Central? They're all wildly different.

• North: Think misty mountains, rice paddies that look like a Monet painting gone wild, and enough pho to swim in. Two weeks here? Perfect.
• South: Bustling cities, crazy motorbike traffic (like a swarm of angry bees), and beaches that’ll make you question why you ever even considered a holiday in Blackpool. Another two weeks minimum needed.
• Central: Ancient towns, stunning beaches, and enough sunshine to make you question your sunscreen choices. Two weeks would be a good starting point, but more is always better.

My advice? Go for at least three weeks. Or a month. Maybe even longer. Who am I kidding, I could happily spend a year in Vietnam, maybe two, exploring those hidden waterfalls I found near Dalat last year and eating all the banh mi until my pants fall down. I spent nearly 3 months there last year, exploring a bit of everything, but I still missed stuff.

Seriously though, two weeks isn't enough. It's like trying to paint the Sistine Chapel with a crayon - you might get something vaguely resembling a ceiling but you won’t get the masterpieces. You'll need more time to really soak it all in. Unless you like rushing around like a headless chicken. But then, who does?

How long is a good amount of time in Vietnam?

Okay, Vietnam... Last summer, July 2024, hot as anything, I went with Liam. We were there...oh gosh, almost three weeks. 18 days exactly, because Liam insisted on the 7:15 AM flight back.

Initially, I thought "two weeks is PLENTY" right? Wrong!

Okay, details. We landed in Hanoi, immediately got scammed on a taxi (ugh, rookie mistake). Still, Hanoi was insane... motorbikes everywhere!

The food though... chef's kiss. Pho on the street for like, two bucks? Amazing! We then went to Ha Long Bay. Stunning.

We took a cruise, kayak, saw all those islands... breathtaking. Afterward, down to Hoi An. Tailors everywhere. Liam got a suit made. Looked ridiculous but he loved it.

Then Ho Chi Minh City. So different from the north. More modern, frantic. We went to the War Remnants Museum. Intense.

Honestly? Two and a half weeks felt rushed. I could have easily spent another week just chilling in Hoi An, eating banh mi and getting clothes made. 20 days minimum. Trust me.