Would you like this itinerary optimized for:
- Family travel
- Luxury & comfort
- Backpacker budget
- Off-the-beaten-path adventurer
- Or something else?
- Let me know and I’ll tailor it perfectly for you.
See so many different sides of the country: buzzing cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, peaceful countryside in Ninh Binh, the magical beauty of Ha Long Bay, the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, and even an amazing 2 day tour by the Mekong Delta. From street food feasts and night markets to boat rides and motorbike adventures, every day had something new and unforgettable. If you’re thinking of visiting Vietnam or just want some inspiration for a future trip, feel free to message me! I’d be more than happy to share our full itinerary, tips, and all the little things that made our trip so special.
Here’s a well-balanced 16-day Vietnam adventure itinerary that combines cultural highlights, nature, local life, and off-the-beaten-path exploration — ideal for travelers seeking both iconic sites and authentic experiences:
16-Day Vietnam Adventure Itinerary
📍 Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
- Airport pickup, check-in at hotel in the Old Quarter.
- Evening: Explore Hanoi’s street food with a guided food tour.
- Optional: Water Puppet Show.
📍 Day 2: Explore Hanoi
- Morning: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature.
- Afternoon: Train Street, Egg coffee break, Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Evening: Free time or local craft beer tasting in Tay Ho.
- here is things to do in Hanoi
📍 Day 3: Hanoi → Ha Giang
- Depart early via private car or sleeper bus.
- Stay overnight in Ha Giang city or nearby village.
- Optional: Warm-up hike or ethnic culture museum visit.
Here is for Hagiang loop things to do
📍 Days 4–6: Ha Giang Loop Adventure (Motorbike or Car)
- Route: Ha Giang → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Du Gia.
- Highlights: Ma Pi Leng Pass, Hmong villages, Nho Que River boat trip, mountain trekking.
- Overnight in local homestays or hotels
📍 Day 7: Ha Giang → Ban Gioc Waterfall
- Drive through Cao Bang (scenic route).
- Visit the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall on the China border.
- Optional: Explore Nguom Ngao Cave.
here is a trip to ban gioc waterfall
📍 Day 8: Ban Gioc → Ba Be Lake
- Journey to Ba Be National Park.
- Boat trip on Ba Be Lake, waterfall and cave exploration.
- Overnight in a Tay ethnic homestay.
📍 Day 9: Ba Be → Hanoi
- Return to Hanoi (long drive).
- Free evening to rest or explore.
📍 Day 10: Hanoi → Ninh Binh
- Travel to Tam Coc or Trang An.
- Explore by boat, visit Bich Dong Pagoda & Mua Cave viewpoint.
- Overnight in a quiet countryside homestay or hotels
here is what to do in ninh binh
📍 Day 11: Ninh Binh → Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay
- Transfer to Halong/Lan Ha Bay.
- 1-night cruise: kayaking, cave visit, cooking class.
- Overnight onboard a traditional junk boat.
this is what looks like in Halong bay
📍 Day 12: Halong Bay → Hanoi → Flight to Da Nang → Hoi An
- Finish cruise, transfer to Hanoi airport.
- Evening flight to Da Nang.
- Transfer to Hoi An and check-in.
this is what to do in hoi an
📍 Day 13: Hoi An Exploration
- Morning: Walking tour of Ancient Town, Japanese Bridge, old houses.
- Afternoon: Lantern-making workshop or cycling to Tra Que village.
- Evening: Lantern-lit streets, river cruise.
📍 Day 14: Day Trip to My Son Sanctuary
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (Cham ruins).
- Optional: Sunset paddle boarding or beach time in An Bang.
📍 Day 15: Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
- Morning flight to Saigon.
- Afternoon: War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market.
- Night: Rooftop bar or Vespa street food tour.
here is things to see in ho chi minh city
📍 Day 16: Mekong Delta Day Trip
- Visit Cai Be or Ben Tre: boat ride, coconut workshop, local lunch.
- Return to Ho Chi Minh City for evening flight or next destination.
✨ Optional Add-ons:
- Phong Nha Caves (2 days): Replace Ninh Binh or Ba Be with cave exploration.
- Cu Chi Tunnels: Half-day trip from Saigon.
- Island Extension: Phu Quoc or Con Dao for relaxation.
Comprehensive more 2 weeks adventure itinerary (more options) across Vietnam
here are some top recommended options that cover iconic destinations, cultural experiences, and active excursions:
North to South Vietnam Adventure (16 Days)
- Start in Hanoi with street food tours and cultural sightseeing.
- Head to Ninh Binh to explore villages, grottoes, and bike rides.
- Trekking and village visits in Sapa, including Fansipan mountain.
- Overnight cruise in the stunning Ha Long Bay.
- Fly to Hue for full-day imperial city tours and countryside exploration.
- Transfer to Hoi An for biking, fishing village tours, cooking classes, and sunset boat rides.
- Fly to Ho Chi Minh City for city tours, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta excursions.
- End the trip with free time in Ho Chi Minh City before departure.
This itinerary combines nature, culture, and adventure with trekking, cycling, kayaking, and historic sites well balanced each day
2. Active Vietnam Adventure (16 Days)
- Features guided hikes in scenic Mai Chau villages and cycling tours in Ninh Binh.
- Includes an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay.
- Discover ancient sites such as My Son Sanctuary near Hoi An with traditional basket boat rides.
- Experience speedboat tours to Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City.
- Focus is on immersive active experiences like hiking, biking, kayaking, and cultural tours
3. Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure (16 Days)
- Explore lesser-known spots like Bai Tu Long Bay and fishing villages.
- Visit Phong Nha caves for guided tours of Paradise and Dark caves.
- Includes bike rides around charming villages near Hoi An and a scooter tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s backstreets.
- Day trips to Mekong Delta’s floating villages and rural culture.
- Balance between exploration, nature, and cultural immersion in vibrant and quiet spots alike
The core highlights included generally are:
- Hanoi’s Old Quarter and cultural sites
- Ninh Binh’s karst landscape and rural villages
- Trekking in Sapa or Mai Chau villages
- Ha Long Bay overnight cruise for spectacular limestone scenery
- Hue’s imperial citadel and countryside tours
- Cycling and fishing village tours in Hoi An
- Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant markets, tunnels, and Mekong Delta boat tours
These itineraries offer a great combination of adventure activities such as trekking, hiking, biking, kayaking, and cultural immersion across Vietnam’s diverse geography and history, ensuring an epic and well-rounded travel experience
💰 Budget Estimate (per person)
| Style | Budget Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Backpacker | $1000–$1300 |
| Comfort | $1500–$2100 |
| Premium | $2500–$3500+ |
Includes local flights, guide/driver, hotels, activities, transfers
✈️ Local Flights (Recommended):
- Hanoi → Da Nang
- Hue → Saigon
If you want, I can provide a detailed day-by-day breakdown for any of these options or help customize one based on specific interests like more trekking, cultural experiences, or culinary adventures.
Just let me know if you are in needs of a private driver, look at here Hire a private driver in Vietnam
More reviews of private tours in Vietnam here on tripadvisor 12 day individual guided tour of North Vietnam mountains
