Vietnam itinerary: Hanoi to the Mekong, north to south
Vietnam is long and thin, with three climates at once. When the north is cold and misty, the south is hot and dry, and the central coast can be in typhoon season. This prompt asks your todo.is agent for a north-to-south Vietnam route that fits your weeks and season, with flights, overnight trains, bay cruises and street food stops.
The prompt
- Plan a Vietnam itinerary for [NUMBER OF DAYS] days, [TRAVEL DATES], for [WHO IS TRAVELLING], from [START CITY] to [END CITY]. Include Hanoi's Old Quarter, a night on [BAY], Ninh Binh, Hue's citadel, the Hai Van Pass, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City with the Cu Chi tunnels and a Mekong Delta day. Add [EXTRAS]. Check the weather in each region for our dates and move things if a region is in its rainy season. Compare flights, the overnight train and private cars for each leg. Tell me how to get an e-visa. Our budget style is [BUDGET STYLE]. Send a PDF day by day with links, plus a street food list per city. Don't book anything.
What to change
- [NUMBER OF DAYS]: E.g. "14". Two weeks covers north to south; three adds Sapa, Ha Giang or Phu Quoc.
- [TRAVEL DATES]: E.g. "10 to 24 March". Spring is good everywhere; the central coast is wettest around October to December.
- [WHO IS TRAVELLING]: E.g. "couple", "family with teens", "solo backpacker".
- [START CITY]: E.g. "Hanoi" or "Ho Chi Minh City".
- [END CITY]: E.g. "Ho Chi Minh City", "Hanoi", "Phu Quoc".
- [BAY]: E.g. "Ha Long Bay", "Lan Ha Bay (quieter)", "Bai Tu Long Bay".
- [EXTRAS]: E.g. "Sapa rice terraces", "the Ha Giang loop", "a tailor in Hoi An", "Phu Quoc beaches".
- [BUDGET STYLE]: E.g. "budget", "mid-range", "boutique hotels".
Example result
- Vietnam in 14 days, couple, mid-range
- Food, landscapes, history · March · north to south
- Days 1 to 2: Hanoi
- • Old Quarter lanes, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son temple, the Temple of Literature, and egg coffee.
- • Eat: pho bo for breakfast, bun cha for lunch, a street food walk at night.
- Days 3 to 4: Lan Ha Bay
- • Overnight cruise from Hai Phong or Cat Ba. Kayaking between limestone karsts and quieter coves than central Ha Long Bay.
- Days 5 to 6: Ninh Binh
- • Rowing boat through caves at Trang An, the 500 steps up Hang Mua for the valley view, cycling past rice fields in Tam Coc.
- • Back to Hanoi for the flight south on day 6 evening, or the overnight train to Hue.
- Days 7 to 8: Hue
- • The Imperial City inside the citadel, the royal tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, Thien Mu Pagoda by the Perfume River.
- • Eat: bun bo Hue, the spicy beef noodle soup.
- Day 9: Hai Van Pass to Hoi An
- • Car or motorbike tour over the Hai Van Pass, with stops at the Lang Co lagoon and the Marble Mountains.
- Days 10 to 11: Hoi An
- • The lantern-lit old town (UNESCO), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a tailor fitting, cycling to An Bang beach.
- • Optional: My Son temple ruins early in the morning.
- • Eat: cao lau noodles, banh mi.
- Days 12 to 14: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong
- • Day 12: fly Da Nang to Saigon. War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh market.
- • Day 13: Cu Chi tunnels in the morning, then rooftop bars at night.
- • Day 14: Mekong Delta day: the Cai Rang floating market at dawn needs an overnight in Can Tho, or a day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre.
- Getting around
- • Domestic flights for long legs: Hanoi–Hue or Da Nang, Da Nang–Saigon.
- • Grab for city rides. Crossing the street: walk slowly and steadily.
- Good to know
- • Most visitors need an e-visa; apply on the official government site only.
- • Weather varies by region. Your agent's PDF has the forecast notes and all links.
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in your days, dates, group, start and end cities, bay, extras and budget.
- Paste it on the Today screen in todo.is, or text it to your agent on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Your agent checks the regional weather and transport, then emails a PDF with links and food lists.
- Reply with changes like "add Sapa" or "end on Phu Quoc". You book flights, cruises and hotels yourself.
Tips for a better result
- Choose Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay for a calmer cruise than the busiest Ha Long routes.
- Fly the long legs. Hanoi to Saigon overland is about 1,600 km.
- Check the central coast weather. From about October to December, rain and storms can hit Hue and Hoi An.
- Apply for the e-visa only on the official government site, and ask your agent to remind you two weeks before.
Vietnam itinerary: FAQ
- How many days do you need in Vietnam? Two weeks covers Hanoi, a bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. Three weeks lets you add Sapa, Ha Giang or a beach.
- When is the best time to visit Vietnam? February to April is good across most of the country. The north is cool in winter, the south is dry from about December to April, and the central coast is wettest around October to December.
- Is Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay better? Ha Long is the most famous and busiest. Lan Ha Bay, next to it, has the same scenery with fewer boats and good kayaking.
- Do I need a visa for Vietnam? Many nationalities need an e-visa, applied for online in advance. Check the official government site for your passport.
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