Vietnam Tours Guide: Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Phong Nha and Beyond
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Vietnam is long and thin, about 1,650 km from the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta, and that shape decides how you plan it. Most visitors fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, travel the length of the country in two to three weeks, and fly out of the other end. This guide follows that route from north to south and links to the tours we list on JetlyGo’s Vietnam tours page.
Northern Vietnam: Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with close to 2,000 limestone islands rising out of green water. A day trip from Hanoi is possible but rushed, since the drive is around two and a half hours each way. An overnight boat is the better choice: you see the bay at sunset and early morning, when the day boats have not yet arrived.
There are two common lengths. The 2 day 1 night Ha Long cruises suit a tight schedule, while 3 day 2 night bay cruises reach further into quieter waters and leave time for kayaking and cave visits.
Lan Ha Bay sits just south of Ha Long and shares the same scenery with fewer boats. If crowds bother you, look at Lan Ha Bay boat trips first.
For longer journeys in the north, the Hanoi, Sapa and Ninh Binh 9 day tour covers rice terraces and the river caves of Ninh Binh. Riders can join the Ha Giang loop motorbike tour, one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Asia.
Central Vietnam: Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha holds some of the largest cave systems on Earth, including Son Doong, the biggest known cave passage in the world. Tours range from an easy afternoon to a multi-day expedition with camping underground.
If you are unsure where to start, the Phong Nha caving tours page groups trips by difficulty. A popular first step is the Hang En cave adventure, an overnight trek to camp beside an underground river. The once-in-a-lifetime option is the Son Doong cave expedition, which sells out many months ahead and requires real fitness.
Hue
Hue was Vietnam’s imperial capital from 1802 to 1945. The walled Citadel, royal tombs and pagodas along the Perfume River can fill a full day. A private Hue city tour avoids the large coach groups, and nature lovers can head into the hills for the Bach Ma National Park discovery trip.
Hoi An
Hoi An’s Ancient Town is another UNESCO site, a former trading port of yellow shophouses and lantern-lit lanes. It is the easiest base in the country for half-day trips, and you could stay a week without repeating one.
Three are worth singling out. The Cam Thanh basket boat and cooking class pairs a paddle through the coconut palms with a market visit and lunch you cook yourself. The My Son sunset tour visits the Cham temple ruins after the heat and crowds have gone. And the Cham Island snorkeling trip is the best beach day in the area. Browse the full list of Hoi An day tours.
Da Nang
Da Nang has the region’s airport and a long city beach. The headline sight is the Golden Bridge held up by giant stone hands at Ba Na Hills. Our page on Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge tours explains the timing, since it is far more pleasant before 10am. The scenic Hai Van Pass to Hue day tour turns the transfer north into a sightseeing day.
If you want the whole region arranged for you, the Hue, Phong Nha and Hoi An 6 day tour links caves, the former DMZ and the old town in one trip.
Southern Vietnam: Nha Trang, Saigon and the Mekong
Nha Trang is Vietnam’s main diving town, with calm conditions from roughly February to September. Beginners can try a discover scuba dive in Nha Trang without a certificate, or commit to a full PADI Open Water course in Nha Trang.
Further south, the Saigon, Cu Chi and Mekong Delta 4 day tour covers the war tunnels and the floating markets of the delta.
When to visit Vietnam
Vietnam has three climates, so there is always somewhere dry.
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| North (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa) | October to April | Ha Long can be misty in February and March |
| Centre (Hue, Hoi An, Phong Nha) | February to August | September to December brings heavy rain and floods |
| South (Saigon, Mekong) | December to April | Daily downpours from May to October, though short |
Going further
- Heading west from Saigon? The Cambodia tours guide picks up in Siem Reap.
- Want one tour from Hanoi all the way to Angkor? See the Hanoi to Angkor 14 day tour.
- Combining several countries? Read the multi-country itineraries.
- Before you book, check the trip planning checklist for visa rules.
All Vietnam listings, including the Vietnam multi-day trips, are on jetlygo.com.