Is 5 days enough in Vietnam?

Is it worth going to Vietnam for 5 days?

Five days in Vietnam? Totally doable, and surprisingly impactful. You won’t see everything, obviously. That’s the beauty of it – you’ll get a strong taste, leaving you wanting more.

Northern Vietnam: Focus on Hanoi. Explore the Old Quarter, its chaotic energy is intoxicating. Sample street food— pho, bun cha, etc. Consider a day trip to Ha Long Bay; the limestone karsts are breathtaking. It’s a quintessential Vietnam experience.

Central Vietnam: A flight is efficient. Hoi An is a must; ancient town, tailor shops, lanterns at night. My wife and I loved it there in 2023. Da Nang offers beaches. Hue, the former imperial capital, boasts stunning palaces and pagodas.

Southern Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City – intense, vibrant. The War Remnants Museum is powerful, even unsettling. The Cu Chi Tunnels are a unique and somewhat claustrophobic experience. I found them memorable in a disturbing way. Perhaps skip if short on time.

Prioritizing is key. Five days necessitate choices. My suggestion: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in the north, then fly south to Hoi An. Skip Saigon if short on time.

• Hanoi: Old Quarter, street food, Temple of Literature.
• Ha Long Bay: Cruise, kayaking, stunning scenery.
• Hoi An: Ancient Town, tailoring, lanterns.
• Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City): War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels (optional).

It’s a whirlwind, yes. But the intensity leaves a mark. You’ll feel you experienced more than just a vacation; a journey. Think of it as an appetizer – making you crave a longer trip. The real question isn’t if it’s worth it, but what parts of Vietnam’s diverse tapestry you’ll choose to unravel. I personally would swap Saigon for more time in the Central region. It’s just my preference though.

Is 6 days enough for Vietnam?

Six days in Vietnam? Hah! That’s like trying to eat a whole durian in one bite – pungent and overwhelming! A month? More like you need a year, pal. Still, if you’re stuck with six days, pick one region. Seriously, one. Think of it like choosing between a spicy pho bowl, a delicately crafted spring roll, and a whole plate of banh mi – you can only have one, friend.

North: Best for mountain views that’ll make you weep with beauty, and ancient cities that whisper stories. Think Ha Long Bay, that stunning place that looks like a painting, or Sapa, a place where you hike with the Hmong people. Expect stunning scenery, but bring your hiking boots!

Center: Ancient towns, beaches that’d make a mermaid jealous, and enough sunshine to fry an egg on your head. Hoi An is a must, its tailor shops practically beg you for a visit. Da Nang is also nice, for a less intense experience.

South: Bustling Ho Chi Minh City – that’s basically a never-ending market on crack! It’s chaotic, wild, and a feast for your senses, like a Mardi Gras parade meets a food truck festival. Then you have the Mekong Delta; think floating markets and weird fruits— seriously, the weirdest fruits. The people are great, but bring your patience.

My cousin went to Vietnam, he stayed for three weeks and still felt rushed! It’s a huge country! My advice? Plan meticulously! It is worth doing!

• Flights: Book those NOW, seriously. 2024 is a popular year for travel.
• Visas: Check visa requirements way ahead. Don’t end up stranded in Bangkok.
• Accommodation: Book in advance, especially if you’re going during peak season. You don’t want to end up sleeping under a banana tree.
• Transportation: Figure out your transportation between cities. Buses can be adventurous.

Choose wisely. Your six days are precious! And don’t forget to try the coffee. It’s strong enough to kickstart a small engine.

How much would a 5 day trip to Vietnam cost?

$68 a day? Vietnam. Ha. Way more than that if you’re doing it right. Think I spent, like, $150 one day…Hoi An…silk. Lanterns. Beautiful. Food stalls. Crazy cheap beer though. Maybe $2 a beer. Flights, oof. Those add up. $1200? Round trip from JFK. Hotels, eh, can be cheap. $30 a night easy. Or splurge. $150. Worth it. Massages too. $10. Unreal. Street food. Best pho ever. $3 a bowl. Hanoi is different. More expensive? Nah. Just different vibe. Traffic. Motorbikes everywhere. Halong Bay. Boat trip. Couple hundred bucks. Totally worth it. Five days. Hmm. Plane ticket biggest expense. Then food, then…activities. $1000? Five days? Without the flight. Yeah, probably more. Forgot shopping. Silk. Paintings. So much stuff. Budget an extra $500 easy for that. $68 a day. Who are they kidding? Unless you’re, like, really roughing it. Don’t even think about internal flights. Add those in. Maybe $100 each. Depends where you go. Sapa? Rice terraces. Hiking. Amazing. Da Nang. Beach. Expensive resorts. Phu Quoc too. So $68. No way. Double it. Triple it. Then add the flight.

• Flights: $1200 (round trip from JFK, 2024 prices)
• Hotels: $30-$150/night
• Food: $3-$20/meal (street food to fancy restaurants)
• Beer: $2
• Massages: $10
• Halong Bay trip: $200
• Shopping: $500+
• Internal flights: $100 each
• Total (5 days, excluding flights): $1000 – $2000+ easily