How many days to spend in southern Vietnam?

How long do you need in South Vietnam?

Two weeks? Nah, a week is enough, maybe ten days tops. Unless you’re, like, obsessed with temples. Then, sure, two weeks. But I’d rather hit the beaches sooner. Phu Quoc, that’s the goal. Crystal clear water, I’m picturing it already. The sand… so fine.

Seriously though, Ho Chi Minh City – one day is enough to see the main sights, maybe two if you’re a museum nerd. Ugh, museums. I need more beach time.

• Ho Chi Minh City: One or two days, max. War Remnants Museum is a must-see, depressing but important. Ben Thanh Market? Tourist trap. Avoid unless you need cheap souvenirs.
• My Tho: Skip it. Seriously. Overrated. I heard it’s all about the Mekong Delta tours, but that sounds boring.
• Phu Quoc: This is where the magic happens. At least four days. Diving, beaches, seafood… amazing sunsets. Got to try that local fish sauce. Heard it’s potent.

Okay, so that’s five days already. What to do with the rest? Hmm… Should I spend it exploring the central highlands? Nah. Too much hiking, I think. Prefer chilling on a beach with a cocktail. Definitely need to learn to say “another beer, please” in Vietnamese. I’m already practicing.

Maybe a day trip somewhere nearby Phu Quoc? I saw some cool islands online, smaller ones. Need to look it up. This trip is costing a bomb, by the way. My credit card is screaming. Ugh.

I really don’t want to waste any time. Ten days would be perfect. Absolutely perfect. Maybe eleven, to be safe. The flight alone takes a whole day, you know?

Phu Quoc – prioritize this. Absolutely. The rest can be flexible. I’ll just wing it.

What is the best month to visit southern Vietnam?

November to April, definitely. Dry season, duh. Think sunshine, not rain. Phu Quoc then? That beach is calling my name. Ugh, gotta book flights. Jet lag sucks. Next year’s budget? Already overspent on that stupid concert. Need more money.

Ho Chi Minh City, so crowded. Mekong Delta, beautiful, right? Those floating markets… I’d rather kayak than take a tourist boat. More authentic, you know? I saw a documentry about it. Got to learn more about the culture, explore some temples.

Best months: November, December, January, February, March, April. Got it? Got to find a good deal. Expedia? Skyscanner? Ugh, price comparisons are annoying. Maybe I’ll go in March. Spring break crowd, yikes! But, March it is!

Phu Quoc is my main focus. Snorkeling, scuba diving… I need that Vitamin Sea. Heard the diving is phenomenal. Plus, the seafood. OMG, fresh seafood! I love oysters and fresh mussels, grilled perfectly! I will gain weight for sure.

Ho Chi Minh City will be a quick trip. War Remnants Museum – gotta see it. Cu Chi Tunnels – intense but necessary. Street food! So much food. I’ll try everything.

Mekong Delta, three days maybe? Need to research tours. Hoping to find a small group tour. Too many tourists on big boats. I’m also thinking of visiting my aunt in Can Tho. It’s been years. I hope she’s doing fine.

How long do you need in South Vietnam?

Two weeks. Minimum. South Vietnam. Insufficient. More ideal? A month.

Ho Chi Minh City: three days, max. Exhausting. Overwhelming. But necessary.

Hoi An: Ancient Town. Tailors. Lanterns. Five days. Easy. Relaxing.

Hue: Imperial City. Tombs. One day. Enough. Brutal history. Heavy.

Central Highlands: Trekking. Coffee plantations. Three days. Challenging. Rewarding.

Phu Quoc Island: Beaches. Seafood. Four days. Paradise. Escapism. Necessary counterpoint.

Consider: Travel time. Internal flights. Buses. Exhausting. Factor it in.

• Flights: Expensive. Internal travel. Time-consuming. Book early. 2023 prices outrageous.
• Accommodation: Budget. Luxury. Your choice. Price variation vast. My last trip: average $50/night. Crazy.
• Food: Delicious. Cheap. Street food. High-end restaurants. Variety immense. Avoid dodgy stalls. Learned that the hard way.

Ultimately: Your experience. Your choice. Two weeks? Scratching the surface. My opinion. Unwavering.

How long to spend in South Vietnam?

To really get under the skin of South Vietnam, allocate at least two weeks. Anything less feels like a fleeting visit.

That gives you time to, for example, explore Ho Chi Minh City’s buzzing streets. After that, drift down the Mekong Delta. The Delta reminds me of watching the sunrise with my grandfather; the world is so full of life.

Consider this itinerary:

• Ho Chi Minh City (3 days): History, food, vibrant nightlife. The War Remnants Museum is tough but essential.
• Mekong Delta (3 days): Floating markets, boat trips, and the sheer beauty of the waterways.
• Mui Ne (2 days): Sand dunes, beaches; transition from city to coast. The sunsets here? Unbeatable.
• Phu Quoc Island (4 days): Relaxation, beaches, seafood. I can imagine my cat loved to relax on this island.
• Transit Days (2 days): Travel eats up time, factor it in.

Diving deep, if you can swing it, three weeks offers even more. The additional time allows for more immersion, perhaps a homestay or two. Maybe even a detour to the Con Dao Islands. These islands? Hauntingly beautiful. It’s funny; the more you travel, the more you realize how much more there is to see.

How to spend a week in South Vietnam?

Okay, South Vietnam…a week. Hmm.

Ho Chi Minh City first, yeah. Two, maybe three days there. Ben Thanh Market’s a must! Bargain hard. And the War Remnants Museum. Heavy stuff, but important. Pho…gotta have pho. Street food is king.

Then, Mekong Delta… two days seems right. Floating markets – Cai Be or Phong Dien. So colourful! Is it hot or what? Bring sunscreen. So much sunscreen!

Phu Quoc. Ah, the beach. Two or three days to just chill. Bai Sao beach is supposed to be amazing. Seafood. Cocktails. Need a good book. Oh! Pack bug spray. Mosquitos are vicious.

• Ho Chi Minh City:
  • Ben Thanh Market
  • War Remnants Museum
  • Street Food (pho!)
• Mekong Delta:
  • Floating Markets (Cai Be, Phong Dien)
  • Boat trips
• Phu Quoc:
  • Bai Sao Beach
  • Seafood
  • Relaxing!

Oh, wait! Visas? Check visa requirements before you even book anything. seriously.

Also, traffic in HCMC. Madness. Just… prepare yourself. And be careful crossing the street. Just walk slowly and steadily. Don’t stop. Don’t run. Let them go around you. It’s scary, but it works.

Where should I stay? Probably airbnb. Or a small boutique hotel. Near district one. Easy access to everything.

What about money? US dollars! And change some into dong when you get there. Smaller bills. Always have small bills.

It’s a long way to travel, I need to be prepared.

How to spend 7 days in Vietnam?

Vietnam. Seven days. North to South.

• Day 1: Hanoi. Land. Devour street food. Live. The Old Quarter pulses. My cousin lives there.

• Day 2: Ha Long Bay. Junk boat. Limestone cliffs. Tourist trap? Maybe.

• Day 3: Phong Nha. Caves beckon. Dark. Humid. Adventure calls and echoes. I hate bats though.

• Day 4: Tan Hoa. Rural. Quiet. Nature breathes. A necessary escape from the noise.

  This sounds ok, I guess. Is it tho?

Which month is best to visit Hanoi and Sapa?

March to May. Sapa whispers promises then, a gentle caress of spring. Sunlight, a hazy memory on rice terraces. The air, alive.

September to November. Autumn paints Sapa in fiery hues. Crisp. Clear. Perfect. Hiking trails beckon. A different kind of beauty. More profound.

Hanoi? Anytime. But maybe avoid the summer. July, August, sticky, suffocating. Not the Hanoi I love.

Sapa’s soul reveals itself most fully in spring and autumn. These months, a gift. The mountains, unveiled.

• March-May: Blooming flowers. Lush green. The scent of damp earth. New beginnings.
• September-November: Golden rice paddies. Cool breezes. The earthy smell of falling leaves. An ending, but full of hope.

Hanoi, though… Hanoi’s a year-round affair. Its energy never sleeps. It’s always there. Always something new, something to uncover. A different vibrancy every season.

Which month is best to visit Hanoi?

Autumn in Hanoi? Oh, honey, August to October is when Hanoi’s showin’ off. Forget sweaty summer face! Think crisp air, like a freshly ironed dollar bill.

• Weather is chef’s kiss. Humidity takes a hike. Finally!
• It’s picture-perfect, yo. Think Instagram gold, not “heatstroke red.”
• Less swamp monster feel. More strolls by Hoan Kiem Lake. Big difference.

Seriously, I once went in July. Felt like I was bathing in someone’s armpit. Autumn? It’s like Hanoi put on its Sunday best.

Plus, I swear the pho tastes better when it’s not 100 degrees out. Maybe it’s just me.

Okay, so extra deets if you’re still on the fence about a trip:

• Shoulder season perks: Fewer tourists snapping selfies with every turtle they see.
• Festivals galore!: Check local listings. Probably something involving dragons. Always dragons.
• Street food heaven: Temperatures are bearable, so you can actually enjoy slurp soup.
• That fall foliage, though: Okay, it’s not New England, but still pretty darn gorgeous. Who knew?
• Pro Tip: Pack a light jacket. Hanoi thinks it’s being clever with the “cool” breeze. It’s got plans.

So yeah, ditch the summer sauna, and hit up Hanoi in the fall. You won’t regret it. Unless you hate awesome things. In which case, stay home, I don’t care. Whatever!