The map at a glance
We do not reproduce any publisher or tourist-board map: the official rail map is on the national railway's site, dsvn.vn, and the airports are listed below.
| Region | Cities and sights | Suggested base | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Hanoi, Ha Long, Cat Ba, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Ha Giang | Hanoi | October to April |
| Centre | Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Phong Nha | Da Nang or Hoi An | February to August |
| South | Saigon, Mekong Delta, Da Lat, Phu Quoc | Saigon | November to April |
Distances and times from Hanoi
| Destination | Distance | Time | Best way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ha Long Bay | 170 to 180 km | 2 to 3 h | expressway: bus or limousine van, see Hanoi to Ha Long |
| Ninh Binh | about 95 km | 2 h | train or car, see Hanoi to Ninh Binh |
| Cat Ba | about 150 km | 3 to 4 h | bus and boat, see Hanoi to Cat Ba |
| Sapa | about 320 km | 5 to 8 h | night bus or train, see Hanoi to Sapa |
| Ha Giang | about 300 km | 6 to 7 h | sleeper bus, see Hanoi to Ha Giang |
| Hue | 688 km | 12 h 30 to 15 h by train | night train or plane (about 1 h 15), see Hanoi to Hue |
| Da Nang and Hoi An | about 800 km | about 16 h by train | plane (about 1 h 20), see Hanoi to Hoi An |
| Ho Chi Minh City | about 1,700 km | 33 to 41 h by train | plane (about 2 h), see Hanoi to Saigon |
The North from Hanoi
Hanoi is the starting point for the whole North. The classic triangle combines Ha Long Bay (one- or two-day cruise), Ninh Binh and its karst landscapes, and Sapa and its rice terraces. For a 7-day stay, follow Northern Vietnam in 7 days from Hanoi. Motorbike fans go to Ha Giang by sleeper bus.
Centre and South
The Centre is reached mostly by plane or night train: Hue and its citadel, Da Nang and its beach, Hoi An and its old town. The South starts at Saigon, from where excursions leave for the Mekong Delta. To choose between the two big cities, read Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Airports
Hanoi (HAN, Noi Bai), Da Nang (DAD), Saigon (SGN, Tan Son Nhat), Hue (HUI), Nha Trang (CXR, Cam Ranh) and Phu Quoc (PQC) are the most useful gateways. To get from the airport to central Hanoi, see Hanoi airport and the centre.
Sample itineraries
- 1 week: Hanoi, Ha Long and Ninh Binh.
- 2 weeks: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon.
- 3 weeks: add Sapa, Phong Nha, Da Lat and the Mekong Delta. See the Vietnam itinerary.
Formalities and season
The electronic visa is described on our page on the Vietnam e-visa. Typhoons and floods disrupt mainly the North and Centre from July to October: see typhoons and disruptions in Vietnam.
Further reading
To stay connected: SIM card and eSIM in Vietnam. To book your first night, see the arrival in Hanoi.
