Is 1 day in Ho Chi Minh enough?
One day in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers a taste of its highlights. While longer stays (3-4 days) are common, allowing for day trips to Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, a single day suffices for a quick overview of Saigon's key attractions. Prioritize must-sees to maximize your time.
Is One Day in Ho Chi Minh City Enough?
Okay, lemme tell ya ’bout Ho Chi Minh City. One day? Hmm, that’s tight.
You CAN see the main bits, tho. Like, the real quick tourist speed-run.
Backpackers hang around longer. Cu Chi Tunnels (mindblowing, went there April ’18, paid like 150k VND for entry). Mekong Delta… wish I’d stayed longer then, seriously.
Honestly, I squeezed Saigon’s biggest hits into a single day once when my flight was delayed. Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace – BAM, BAM, BAM. Did it cost me a fair bit of sweat and a slightly burnt banh mi from a street vendor? Yeah, probably.
So, is it enough? Depends if you want a taste or a full meal, y’know? One day’s a taste. Enough to make you hungry for more!
How long should you stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City? 3-5 days, darling. Less, and you’ll only skim the surface! Think of it as speed dating…but with history and pho.
Two days? A highlights reel! Okay if you’re REALLY pressed for time. Like, escaping a particularly persistent ex.
A week? Ah, now you’re getting into the real stuff. Explore, relax. Maybe learn to haggle like a pro. I did. Once. Sort of.
Key Considerations:
- Major Attractions: War Remnants Museum is a must-see. Brace yourself, though. And Cu Chi Tunnels? Claustrophobia test!
- Street Food Scene:Pho is basic. Banh Mi, though…oh, banh mi!
- Nightlife: Rooftop bars are gorgeous. Prepare for sticker shock. Cocktails aren’t cheap, surprisingly!
- Day Trips: Mekong Delta is stunning. Book a tour, or rent a scooter if you dare. Avoid getting lost. Seriously.
Honestly? Five days is the sweet spot. You can see the sights, eat all the things, and not feel utterly exhausted. Trust me. My feet still haven’t forgiven me for that one trip.
What is the ideal duration for a trip to Vietnam?
Vietnam… hmm, how long should you go? 7-10 days seems like enough. Yeah, that hits the sweet spot. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City… Ha Long Bay, obviously.
Two weeks? That’s a long time. What would I even do? More pho? Wait, is 10 days too rushed? Should I just stick to one area? Like, focus on the North?
Okay, so 7-10 days for the highlights, basically a taste of everything. South to North dash, go, go, go.
- Ho Chi Minh – gotta see the war remnants. Brutal history.
- Hanoi – Old Quarter, egg coffee. Yes, egg coffee!
- Ha Long Bay – touristy but worth it, right?
Two weeks though… okay, Northern Vietnam could be amazing for two weeks. Sapa trekking! Maybe even a motorbike trip?
Wait, I need to factor in travel time between places. That eats into the “fun” days. 7 days might be too rushed. Damn. Back to the drawing board.
Longer = better. Generally. But my bank account, lol. I would love to see central Vietnam also. Hue imperial city! My Dads name is Hue.
- Central Vietnam – Hue, Da Nang. Beaches? Temples? I dont know.
- Sapa – rice terraces, minority villages.
Maybe just Hanoi and Ha Long Bay for a week? Short and sweet? Nah, feels incomplete. I should also consider flights. Expensive! 7 days in Vietnam, would I really enjoy it? I’d probably be too tired to do anything. 7-10 days is the sweet spot.
How many days is ideal for Vietnam trip?
Ten days? Nah, seven’s better, unless you’re, like, super into it. I did ten last year, and honestly, it was too much. Got kinda burnt out. Seven days is perfect for a good balance, you know?
You could totally cram in Hanoi, which is amazing, and Ho Chi Minh City – it’s totally different, crazy busy. And definitely Ha Long Bay, it’s stunning. Seriously, breathtaking views. Just incredible. My pictures don’t even do it justice!
Two weeks? Only if you wanna really chill out somewhere, maybe go island hopping or something. Otherwise, it’s overkill. You’ll spend more time traveling than actually experiencing things. It felt rushed even with 10 days. I was exhausted. Seriously.
Key things to consider:
- Flight times: Factor in those travel days, they eat into your actual time in Vietnam.
- Transportation: Internal travel takes time. Buses, trains—it all adds up.
- Activities: You need time to actually do stuff, not just zoom between places. I nearly missed my flight home because I spent too long in a market in Hoi An! It was worth it though.
If you have more time, consider these options:
- Exploring the central coast. Hoi An is a must! Amazing food.
- More time in the mountains. Sapa is gorgeous. Stunning rice terraces.
- Southern islands like Phu Quoc. Beaches. Relaxation. I’m dying to go back.
Seriously, seven days is plenty for a taste of the good stuff. Anything more than ten, you’re pushing it. Unless you’re, like, a super traveler person. Then, whatever. Go nuts.
Is 10 days in Vietnam enough?
Ten days in Vietnam? Piece of cake! Unless you’re a snail. Seriously, you’ll barely scratch the surface, but you’ll have some fun. Think of it like trying to eat an entire pizza in one sitting: possible, but you’ll regret it later.
Highlights you might squeeze in:
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Hanoi’s Old Quarter: Get lost, buy knock-off designer sunglasses, eat pho until you’re ready to burst. It’s a chaotic joyride. Think Times Square on acid, but with better food.
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Ha Long Bay: Stunning, duh. Picture postcards come to life, only slightly less crowded than my aunt’s Christmas party. Lots of boats.
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Hoi An: Tailor-made clothes! Seriously, this place is a fashionista’s wet dream. My friend got a suit made in three hours!
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Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Motorbike madness! Be prepared to dodge scooters like you’re playing Frogger, but with actual death as a consequence. Lots of delicious street food, though. Worth it.
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Hue: Imperial city, boring temples, a bit of a snooze-fest, unless you’re a history buff. I found it a tad underwhelming, to be honest.
But 10 days? That’s like trying to read War and Peace in one weekend. It’s ambitious, insane, even. Expect to feel rushed, like a toddler in a marathon.
What you’ll miss: Everything else. Seriously. Think all the amazing beaches, other breathtaking landscapes, and countless cultural experiences. Basically, 90% of Vietnam.
My advice? 2024 was my first trip; I wish I’d had three weeks, maybe a month. So add more time to your itinerary unless you enjoy feeling stressed and utterly incomplete. And pack antacids. Seriously.
Pro-tip: Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. It’ll make things less awkward. And carry lots of cash, small bills. Credit cards are not always widely accepted.
How many days are needed for Vietnam?
Vietnam? Seven to ten days, darling. Rushing through? Sure, go south-to-north; check the Insta-hotspots, Hanoi, that Ho Chi Minh charmer, and Ha Long Bay. Two weeks? Alright, showoff, you can really pretend to be cultured.
Honestly, a week feels like speed-dating a country.
- Seven days?: Vietnam speedrun achieved.
- Ten days?: Now, we’re talking… slightly less rushed, maybe?
- Two weeks?: Sigh, okay, finally, you might absorb something more than just pho.
Ha Long Bay is pretty, yeah. Think of it as nature’s attempt at modern art; it’s stunning, if you don’t mind the tour boats and selfie sticks. Hanoi is great, or so I hear, I just got lost there! Ho Chi Minh? It’s intense, like someone poured caffeine into a city.
Oh, and pho? Overrated (don’t tell anyone I said that). Seriously tho, try something else.
Is 12 days in Vietnam enough?
Twelve days? Barely scratched the surface! I spent two weeks in Vietnam in 2023, and it felt rushed. Crazy crowded, beautiful, chaotic, delicious – all at once.
Hanoi was intense. The Old Quarter? A sensory overload. Motorbikes everywhere! I loved the food, though. Pho for breakfast, bun cha for lunch, street food heaven all day long! The Temple of Literature was peaceful, a nice change of pace.
Ha Long Bay. Wow. The pictures don’t do it justice. Stunning karsts rising from emerald water. Kayaking was amazing. I wish I’d spent more time there.
Hoi An, next. Tailor-made clothes, ancient town, beautiful lanterns at night. Totally charming, but again, felt shortchanged.
I should have planned better. Phu Quoc was a last-minute addition. Relaxing beaches, but the travel time ate into my sightseeing. I needed more time, seriously.
Key takeaways:
- 12 days is insufficient. You’ll be constantly on the go.
- Prioritize. Choose a region or two to explore thoroughly.
- Factor in travel time. Vietnam is large; internal travel takes time.
- More days are better. A month would be ideal but 21 days would be perfect.
- Consider slower travel. Less rushing equals more enjoyment.
My biggest regret? Not enough time on the beach. Seriously needed a longer beach stay, maybe even separate trips to North and South Vietnam. Next time for sure. Maybe I’ll do a month-long trip next year, focusing on the south.
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