28 days · Solo
7 Days in Vietnam — Budget Solo Itinerary (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City)
A practical 7-day snapshot of Vietnam's full north-to-south route, prioritizing overland travel and budget options. This itinerary covers Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Da Lat (by bus), and the Mekong Delta as a realistic first-timer's foundation. This preview covers the first 7 days of a 28-day trip — claim it to build the full itinerary with Voyaige.
Built for a solo spending 28 days in Vietnam — multi-city itinerary (Hanoi, Ha Giang, Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Da Lat, Mekong Delta, Hon Son, Ho Chi Minh City)
Budget Estimate
$210
~$30/day for 28 days · USD
Before You Go
Book FUTA (Phuong Trang) sleeper buses online at futabus.vn — popular routes sell out 2–3 days ahead.
Get an e-visa before departure at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — processing takes 3 business days.
Download the Grab app before arrival — it works across all Vietnamese cities for taxis and food.
Notify your bank about Vietnam travel to avoid card blocks; carry some USD cash for exchange on arrival.
If adding Ha Giang or Sa Pa, arrange a motorbike rental or Easy Rider guide from Hanoi in advance.
Good to Know
Phuong Trang (FUTA) sleeper buses are the budget backbone of the south — reliable, bookable online, and air-conditioned.
Da Lat airport closures are common; the overnight sleeper bus from Hoi An or HCMC is the standard workaround, not a compromise.
The SE1/SE3 trains between Hanoi and Da Nang are slower than buses but scenic through Hai Van Pass — worth it once.
Negotiate motorbike rentals at your guesthouse rather than street touts — you get better rates and accountability.
Cash in VND is essential outside major cities; ATMs in Hanoi and HCMC work well but charge 50,000–85,000 VND fees per withdrawal.
Cai Rang floating market is genuinely worthwhile only before 8 AM — if you can't do early, skip it and save the boat fare.
A 7-day itinerary for a 28-day route means you're skipping Ha Giang, Sa Pa, and Hon Son entirely — plan a return trip.
Day by Day
Arrive Hanoi — Old Quarter Orientation
Walk Hoan Kiem Lake
Circle the lake, cross to Ngoc Son Temple for lake views and context.
Free (temple ~25,000 VND)Wander the 36 Streets
Explore the Old Quarter's historic merchant streets on foot.
FreeHo Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
Visit the Ba Dinh Square complex including the mausoleum exterior and One Pillar Pagoda.
FreeBia Hoi Corner
Sit on a plastic stool at Hanoi's famous street beer corner at Ly Quoc Su.
5,000–10,000 VND per beerWhere to eat
Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama spot)
Bun cha — the dish, not the fame.
Pho Thin, Old Quarter
Bowl of pho, ~50,000 VND.
Ninh Binh — Tam Coc Boat & Trang An
Bus Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Take the 7 AM bus from Giap Bat station; journey is roughly 2 hours.
~80,000 VNDTrang An Boat Tour
Hire a rowboat through the UNESCO limestone karst waterways at Trang An.
~200,000 VNDCycle to Tam Coc
Rent a bicycle and ride 5 km from Trang An to Tam Coc village.
~50,000 VND bike rentalMua Cave Viewpoint Climb
Climb 500 steps to the dragon-spine ridge for panoramic karst views.
~100,000 VND entryReturn to Hanoi or overnight Ninh Binh
Last bus back to Hanoi departs ~6 PM; or sleep local for ~$8.
~80,000 VND busWhere to eat
Com Rang near Trang An gate
Fried rice sets for ~40,000 VND.
Ninh Binh town market stalls
Goat hot pot, local specialty.
Ready to make it yours?
Save this Vietnam — multi-city itinerary itinerary, swap activities, add hotels and flights — free to start.
Free · no credit card needed
Hue — Imperial City & Street Food
Overnight train or sleeper bus arrives Hue
The SE1 train from Hanoi takes ~14 hours; book the prior evening for this arrival.
~250,000–400,000 VNDHue Imperial Citadel
Explore the 19th-century Nguyen Dynasty walled palace complex on the Perfume River.
~200,000 VNDDong Ba Market
Browse Hue's central market for street snacks and local produce.
Free to browseThien Mu Pagoda by motorbike
Rent a scooter and ride 5 km along the Perfume River to this iconic pagoda.
~100,000 VND scooter rentalPerfume River Sunset Walk
Walk the riverside promenade at Le Loi Street as the light fades.
FreeWhere to eat
Banh Mi stall near station
Banh mi, ~15,000–20,000 VND.
Quan Bun Bo Hue O Ngu Binh
Bun bo Hue — spicy, essential.
Dong Ba Night Market area
Banh khoai (crispy pancake), 40,000 VND.
Hoi An — Ancient Town & Beach
Sleeper bus or open-tour bus to Hoi An
Hue to Hoi An bus crosses Hai Van Pass; ~3.5 hours, scenic route.
~100,000–150,000 VNDHoi An Ancient Town Walk
Walk the UNESCO-listed old town, visiting Japanese Covered Bridge and merchant houses.
~120,000 VND combo ticketAn Bang Beach
Cycle 4 km to An Bang — quieter and cheaper than Cua Dai.
Free (bicycle ~50,000 VND)Lantern-lit evening in Ancient Town
Return at dusk when lanterns illuminate the riverside — best photo window.
FreeWhere to eat
Banh Mi Phuong
The original Anthony Bourdain banh mi.
Morning Glory Restaurant
White rose dumplings, cao lau noodles.
Da Lat — Overland from Hoi An (Sleeper Bus)
Board sleeper bus Hoi An → Da Lat
The Phuong Trang (FUTA) sleeper bus takes ~10–11 hours; book via counter or app.
~200,000–280,000 VNDArrive Da Lat, settle in
Check into a hostel near Xuan Huong Lake — Da Lat center is walkable.
Hostel ~100,000–150,000 VNDDa Lat Night Market
Browse the covered night market for snacks, strawberries, and hot corn.
Free to browseWhere to eat
Hoi An cafe before departure
Grab coffee and banh mi early.
Da Lat Night Market stalls
Banh trang nuong, ~20,000 VND.
Da Lat — Highlands, Waterfalls & Coffee
Xuan Huong Lake Morning Walk
Walk the 7 km perimeter of the lake as the city wakes up.
FreeDatanla Waterfall
Take the alpine coaster down to the waterfall — kitsch but fun.
~80,000 VND entry + coasterCrazy House (Hang Nga Guesthouse)
Tour the surrealist Gaudi-inspired building still functioning as a guesthouse.
~50,000 VNDLocal coffee farm visit
Visit a working weasel-coffee (ca phe chon) farm on the city outskirts.
~50,000–100,000 VNDBoard overnight sleeper bus to Can Tho
FUTA runs a direct or one-change route Da Lat → Can Tho (~9–10 hours).
~200,000–260,000 VNDWhere to eat
Cafe near Xuan Huong Lake
Ca phe trung (egg coffee) is local.
Banh Mi 37 Da Lat
Grilled pork banh mi, famous locally.
Mekong Delta — Can Tho & Floating Market
Arrive Can Tho, freshen up
Drop bags at a guesthouse near Ninh Kieu Wharf — most open for early check-in.
Hostel ~120,000–200,000 VNDCai Rang Floating Market
Hire a boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf to see wholesale floating market at dawn.
~150,000–200,000 VND boat hireBinh Thuy Ancient House
Visit a 19th-century French-Vietnamese merchant home, filmed in The Lover (1992).
~20,000 VNDNinh Kieu Riverside Walk
Walk the waterfront promenade past temples, vendors, and river traffic.
FreeBus or minivan to Ho Chi Minh City
Frequent buses run Can Tho → HCMC in ~3.5 hours; departs Ben Xe Mien Tay.
~100,000–150,000 VNDArrive Ho Chi Minh City — Pham Ngu Lao area
Check into a budget hostel in the backpacker district near Bui Vien Street.
Hostel ~100,000–180,000 VNDWhere to eat
Hot soup on the boat, Cai Rang Market
Vendors paddle to you — bun rieu.
Com Tam stall, Ninh Kieu area
Broken rice with grilled pork, ~40,000 VND.
Bui Vien Street, HCMC
Eat before the street goes full tourist-bar.
This is just the beginning
You've seen 7 days of Vietnam — multi-city itinerary (Hanoi, Ha Giang, Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Da Lat, Mekong Delta, Hon Son, Ho Chi Minh City). Save it and Scout will help you make it your own — swap activities, add flights, book lodging, and plan the parts this preview didn't cover.
or start fresh with any destination
Free to start — no credit card needed