Hanoi
Old quarter on foot, and the food is the itinerary.
- Day 1: arrive, walk the lake at dusk, bun cha for dinner
- Day 2: morning food walk, museum in the heat of the afternoon
- Day 3: train street coffee, then the ceramic village or a slow day
Vietnam. North to south, by rail and river.
Hanoi, a night on the water, the old town lanes of Hoi An, then the noise and food of Saigon.
- Nights
- 14
- Party
- Two people
- Budget
- A$9,500 for two, flights in
- Best months
- February to April
The facts behind this trip.
Estimates say estimate. Forecasts say risk. Every line carries where it came from and the day it was read.
Entry
E-visa
Ninety day e-visa available to Australian passport holders
Vietnam Immigration Department · checked 05/09/2026
Price
Four star double, Hanoi
A$150 a night, estimate not a quote
Planning estimate · checked 05/09/2026
Weather
North and south differ
Hanoi is cool and damp in February, Saigon is dry and hot
Vietnam National Authority of Tourism · checked 05/09/2026
Fly the long legs, ride the short ones
The north to south railway is wonderful in pieces and punishing end to end. Take the coastal stretch by train, fly the rest, and keep the days for the places.
Hanoi3nHalong or Lan Ha Bay1nHoi An4nHue by rail2nHo Chi Minh City4n
Halong or Lan Ha Bay
One night on the water is enough. Two nights repeats itself.
- Day 4: transfer, kayak in the late afternoon, dinner on deck
Hoi An
The middle of the trip, and the place to stop moving. Tailors, beach, and the lanes after the day trippers leave.
- Day 5: fly to Da Nang, transfer, evening in the lanterns
- Day 6: tailor fitting, beach afternoon
- Day 7: My Son at opening, back before the heat
- Day 8: cooking class on the river, second fitting
Hue by rail
The Hai Van Pass by train is the best three hours of the trip.
- Day 9: coastal train north, citadel in the late afternoon
- Day 10: royal tombs by boat and bike
Ho Chi Minh City
Noise, coffee, and the Mekong within reach for one day.
- Day 11: fly south, rooftop for the first night
- Day 12: war remnants museum in the morning, District 3 food at night
- Day 13: Mekong day, back late
- Day 14: last coffee crawl, evening flight