Should you travel from Vietnam south to north?

Should I travel north or south in Vietnam?

North or South? It is your choice.

North Vietnam. Mountains. History. Cooler months exist. Hanoi, Halong. Done.

• Mountains. Sapa’s rice terraces. Worth the knee pain.
• Hanoi. Old Quarter. Ca Phe Trung. Egg coffee. Try it or regret.
• Halong Bay. Tourist trap? Yes. Still impressive. Maybe.

South Vietnam. Beaches. Heat. Mekong Delta. Ho Chi Minh City exists.

• Mekong. Floating markets. Souvenirs aplenty. Haggle hard.
• Ho Chi Minh. Chaos. Motorbikes. Eat pho. You must eat pho.
• Beaches. Phu Quoc. Nha Trang. Sand and sun. What else?

Both? Perhaps. Depends how long you stay. My sister loves Hoi An. I don’t get it. Too many tailors.

• Time of year. This is the thing. Really. It’s just obvious.
• Preferences matter. Clearly. Like it’s your life.
• Culture shock guaranteed. Either way. Buckle up!

Yeah, just go.

Which direction should I travel in Vietnam?

Okay, so like, Vietnam, right? You’re wondering which way to travel, north to south or the other way around. Most people just do either or, ya know?

We went North to South, mainly ’cause the flights to Hanoi were, like, cheaper. Bad move! Seriously.

I totally think you should go South to North. Like start in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, whatever, and then make your way up.

Why South to North is better:

• The weather. It’s usually better that way around. Trust me on this.
• Hanoi’s just… more intense, maybe? Easier to ease into it after the south’s chilled vibes.
• The food gets better as you go north, but it’s a more gradual shift. A soft landing in culinary experience.
• Ending in Hanoi gives you a big finish. More memorable.

Okay, so hear me out. Imagine this. You start in Saigon, get your motorbike legs, explore the Mekong Delta, super chill, right? Nha Trang for beaches, Da Nang for the Dragon Bridge, then Hue with all the history. And finally, boom, Hanoi. It’s like a story arch. And by that time you will already know how to haggle for your little souvenirs and stuff. Don’t start in Hanoi. Just don’t.

Can you travel from Vietnam south to north?

Yes, absolutely! Vietnam’s a vertical rollercoaster of culture, a delicious climb from south to north. Four weeks? Perfect. Think of it as a culinary and scenic marathon, not a sprint.

Starting in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is brilliant if you’re already in Southeast Asia. It’s like beginning a symphony with a bang – a vibrant, chaotic overture before the quieter movements. Or, Hanoi’s international airport offers a smoother, more “classical” entrance, if you prefer.

Either way, here’s the beauty:

• South: HCMC’s a concrete jungle teeming with motorbikes and pho. Delve into the Mekong Delta, a watery maze that feels like another planet. Think floating markets, lush rice paddies, and enough noodles to sink a small boat.

• Central: Hue’s imperial city is a regal flashback, a stunning contrast to the south’s dynamism. The beaches are a welcome respite – a chance to do nothing but stare at the endless blue. Hoi An’s tailor shops and ancient town are a must-see. This part of the trip is a gentle shift from chaos to calm.

• North: Hanoi is old-world charm; a refined elder sister to HCMC’s boisterous younger sibling. Ha Long Bay is breathtaking; think Jurassic Park meets a Chinese painting. Sapa’s rice terraces are like a giant emerald staircase, reaching for the heavens.

My friend Sarah did this last year, and she swore she gained five pounds just from all the amazing food. Honestly, the food alone makes it worth the trip. Plus, I heard the train journeys are epic. Long, but scenic. Much like my dating life… long, and sometimes scenic.

Important Considerations for 2024:

• Visa requirements: Check visa needs based on your nationality well in advance. Don’t be that person stuck at the airport.
• Transportation: Domestic flights, trains (sleepers are legendary!), and buses are your options. Research thoroughly. Don’t just wing it like I did that one time in Thailand (long story).
• Accommodation: Book in advance, especially during peak season. Hostels are great for budget travelers and meeting people – unless you’re particularly introverted like my cousin.
• Health: Consult your doctor about necessary vaccinations and precautions. Malaria isn’t a joke.

Is it better to travel North or south Vietnam?

South Vietnam, hands down. I went in 2023, and man, the energy! Ho Chi Minh City was insane—a total sensory overload in the best way. Scooters everywhere, crazy delicious street food on every corner, the air thick with the smell of incense and exhaust fumes. I loved it. Absolutely loved it.

The Mekong Delta was next. Seriously peaceful, though hot as hell. Those floating markets… unforgettable. Saw this family making rice noodles right there on their little boat. Crazy skill. Phu Quoc afterward was total chill. Gorgeous beaches, fresh seafood. Needed that after the chaos of HCMC.

North Vietnam? Nah, I’ve heard it’s more about mountains and trekking. Not my scene. I’m a city girl, need that buzz. Plus, the food in the south was phenomenal. So much fresher.

• Ho Chi Minh City: Crazy busy, amazing street food, scooters everywhere. Stay in District 1 for easy access to everything.
• Mekong Delta: Relaxing boat trips, floating markets, authentic Vietnamese life. Hire a guide; it’s worth it.
• Phu Quoc: Beaches, snorkeling, delicious seafood. Less touristy than other places I visited.

I spent two weeks there. Could easily have stayed longer. South Vietnam is just electric. Totally worth the trip. Seriously consider it. It was the best part of my 2023 travels.

How to travel between North and South Vietnam?

Holy moly, getting from North to South Vietnam? Piece of cake, or should I say, a piece of incredibly long cake. Think of it like a ridiculously winding rollercoaster that takes forever but offers stunning views. Forget speeding bullets, these trains are more like determined turtles.

The main artery? Vietnam Railways, your friendly neighborhood train company, runs a single track network spanning a whopping 2600 km. It’s like they took a giant rubber band and flung it across the entire country.

• Speed? Ha! 40km/h, roughly the speed of a particularly motivated snail on a caffeine high. Pack snacks. Many snacks.
• Scenery? Breathtaking! Seriously, you’ll see rice paddies that’ll make you weep with joy, mountains that’ll make you feel tiny, and roadside stalls that’ll make your stomach rumble like a monster truck rally.
• Comfort? Meh. Think uncomfortable airline seats, but for longer. Bring your own neck pillow; I’m not kidding. Last time I went, I used my travel guide, it worked surprisingly well.
• Route? It’s basically one long line from Ho Chi Minh City all the way to the Chinese border. Think about it. That’s a seriously epic trip. Like a marathon, only much slower and with better views.

My buddy, Mark, took this journey last year. He said he saw a water buffalo that looked like it was judging him. I know this sounds ridiculous, but this trip is long enough for a lot to happen. Just sayin’.

How do I plan a Vietnam itinerary?

Okay, so you wanna go to Vietnam for 14 days, right? Sounds awesome! Here’s what I did, kinda sorta. It was amazing.

First, Hanoi. Landed, jet lag was a killer. Spent the next day exploring, the Old Quarter is nuts, so many motorbikes! Seriously, crazy busy. Ate pho, obviously. Best pho ever.

Then, Ha Long Bay. Seriously gorgeous, those limestone karsts. We took a boat tour, kayaked, slept on the boat. It was incredible, totally worth the overnight. Got back to Hanoi, super tired but happy.

Next up, Sapa. Long bus ride, but Sapa was beautiful, the rice paddies were insane. We trekked to those villages, Lao Chai and Ta Van, stunning views, totally worth the effort, even if my legs ached. We climbed Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina — that was tough, but the view from the top? Unbelievable! Remember to pack layers tho. It gets cold up there. Then, back to Hanoi again, for a short time before heading home.

Here’s the breakdown of my trip, more or less:

• Hanoi (Days 1-2, 4, 8): Explore the Old Quarter, eat ALL the pho, maybe a cooking class.
• Ha Long Bay (Days 3): Book a cruise, kayak, swim, enjoy the scenery. Don’t forget sunscreen!
• Sapa (Days 5-7): Trekking is a must! Lao Chai and Ta Van are beautiful, Fansipan is challenging but rewarding. Pack good shoes!

I’d recommend booking flights and accommodation in advance, especially if you are going during peak season, which is roughly November to April. You might want to consider getting a local SIM card to avoid international roaming fees. Plus, you can use ride-hailing apps like Grab. And, bring lots of small bills for tips and smaller purchases. Oh, and learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases, it’ll help! I wish I had done that more.

What is the best route to travel in Vietnam?

Hanoi. Sapa. Hoi An. Repeat.

Vietnam? North to South. Or don’t.

• Day 1: Land. Breathe. Hanoi exists.
• Day 2: Old Quarter? Sure. Crowds. Souvenirs. My grandma had better.
• Day 3: Sapa’s calling. Trains, buses, your call. Prepare.
• Day 4: Sapa treks. Mud. Views. Like postcards.
• Day 5: Ethnic villages. Respect is free.
• Day 6: Ninh Binh next. Another bus ride. Fun.
• Day 7: Boats. Caves. Tam Coc? Trang An? Both are waters. Decisions, ugh.
• Day 8: Hoi An or death. Kidding. Hoi An it is. Flights, trains.
• Day 9: Tailors. Lanterns. I hate yellow.
• Day 10: Beach day. Tan time. Bye Viet Nam.

Consider Phong Nha if you can escape the masses. Beaches are optional. Always haggle. Or don’t.

How to travel down the coast of Vietnam?

Okay, so you wanna, like, travel down the coast of Vietnam, huh? Listen up!

Okay, so totally mix it up, right? Trains, buses, the whole shabang.

Sleeper trains? Yaassss! They’re cheep and great for long distances. Plus, you wake up somewhere new! I took one from Da Nang to Nha Trang last spring – totally worth it.

Buses, man, like, the local buses. Perfect for shorter distances and seeing the lil’ towns. Just be prepared for, uh, interesting driving, lol. I tried one bus to My Tho last summer, but missed it haha.

But for real, if you wanna, like, stop and take pics, rent a motorbike, dude! Or a taxi! It’s way more chill and you can go wherever. The Hai Van Pass, omg!

And ferries! Don’t forget the ferries! They connect a bunch of coastal spots, and the views are bomb, like, seriously bomb. I will plan a trip with my family to Ha Long Bay on a ferry next year.

Oh, and pro tip: book stuff ahead if you’re going during their summer or some holiday. Places fill up fast!

• Sleeper trains: Budget-friendly, long distances
• Local buses: Short trips, small towns
• Motorbikes/taxis: Flexibility, scenic routes
• Ferries: Connect coastal towns, great views

Where to go?

• Hoi An: Super cute, tailor shops everywhere.
• Nha Trang: Beaches!
• Mui Ne: Sand dunes! It is an awesome place.
• Phu Quoc: Island vibes! You’re gonna love it.