Ultimate Travel Itinerary for Vietnam 8 Days

Vietnam always rings the bell of a place with bustling street food and ancient temples, and it does rightly so. But Vietnam has a lot more to offer—so much to offer that it is difficult to explore it even within eight days.

But, I have made due efforts to prepare an ultimate travel itinerary for Vietnam that can be covered in 8 days.

You can take a direct flight to Hanoi from Bangalore. We took an early morning flight on Indigo, which cost us around 25k INR (with return). Direct flights are recommended as they save time and aren't much pricier than connections.

I planned a budget trip this time, and hence, you will notice that most of the nights I spent travelling in bus, primarily because of the number of days and there was so much to explore, but also because I did not want to spend a lot in fancy accomodation, and rather wanted to invest in memorable adventures. Feel free to tweak this itinerary as suited, and you can always send an email to reachlettersbyjo@gmail.com for a personalised itinerary. So yeah, I could make it in 85-90k INR per person for 8 days, including flights, accommodation, food, and activities.

Day 1-2: Sapa - Mountain Paradise

Land in Hanoi early morning and take the direct bus to Sapa. It's a 5-hour journey. Reach Sapa around 11 AM and get mesmerized by the beauty of the lush green mountains. Sapa is so close to China, and you will be able to easily witness the cultural influence.

How did I spend my Day 1 in Sapa?

Check in to a lovely hotel, situated 3 km away from the city center but in a breathtaking valley. It's all worth it and highly recommended.

• Have lunch at Thong Dong Vegan Cafe - It's an Aesthetic Vegan cafe with a true Vietnamese vibe

• Experience local culture in the Cat Cat village the same day - and believe me, this is a haven for Instagrammers.

• Next, walk towards the heart of the town, Sapa Station. The streets are quite exquisite.

• Although I am always hesitant to shop in a country on the very first day, Sapa is your ultimate shopping paradise. All the souvenirs, beautiful handmade artifacts, umbrellas, and scarves, all in one place. One thing you will see on the streets are jackets and shoes- but GO and BUY THEM. They are prettiest and the cheapest here than anywhere else in Vietnam, surprisingly.

• Finally, to end your day, indulge in the best Coconut Coffee in Sapa.

  
  

Day 2: In SAPA

• Sapa is well known for its sunrise treks. And what's better than appreciating the beauty of Sapa with a local sherpa? If you plan well, you can leave early morning at 4 AM and easily return around 2 PM.

  Tip: You can speak to any of the locals at Sapa Station one day before, and they will naturally ask you to provide a homestay and plan your trek. Homestay is okayish, but the trek is beyond imagination

  
  

• Fansipan - Visit the Buddha statue on the hilltop. It is a house of clouds, extremely windy up there, so don't forget your jacket.

• Return to the Sapa station in the evening and enjoy the calmness of the city. There were fun Scooter rides when I went, go crazy and relive your childhood.

How to reach the next destination: Leave Sapa at night and head towards Hanoi. Take an overnight bus at 10 PM, which can drop you off early at 5 AM. The good thing is that buses are super comfortable with massage chairs, therefore you will not feel tired even after travelling overnight.

Day 3 -4: Capital of Vietnam, Hanoi

Hanoi - The city with old quarters, vibrant culture, and rich history. You take a walk in the narrow streets of Hanoi, both sides covered with wooden, old, rustic shops with tiny chairs and tables on both sides, and the smell of coffee. That's how I remember Hanoi.

Let's start the day.

Day 1 in Hanoi:

• We checked in at Mad Monkey Hostel at 5 AM

• Refreshed ourselves and had a great breakfast at the local croissant place.

• Spend the full day on a cruise trip to Ha Long Bay - This cruise trip entails island hopping, limestone caves, beaches, and scenic views of Ha Long Bay mini islands.

  Tip: If you have been on a cruise trip to any other Asian countries and also have Phong Nha planned in your itinerary, this is skippable.

• After coming back, have dinner at a Gujarati Indian Restaurant Place at the corner of the hostel - Authentic Indian food, but a bit spicy.

• Now comes the highlight of Hanoi. Hanoi is famous for its beer hopping at night. The entire city changes at night into a party monster. Hop from one place to another, and have a blurry night.

Day 2: Hanoi Exploration

• Start your morning late and directly head for Brunch at Met Restaurant - Try the famous Pho (Vegetarian also available)

• Shopping in Hanoi - Hang Gai Street is recommended

• Visit the famous train street in Vietnam and get ready for stunning pictures.

  Tip: Check train times and local rules with locals, as regulations change frequently.

• Do visit a coffee place in Hanoi called Cafe Giant - They are famous for the egg coffee.

• And that's how we bid goodbye to Hanoi and take an overnight bus to the next destination - Phong Nha

Day 5: Phong Nha - Cave Exploration

Hold your breath because you are about to witness something rare - the largest and most magnificent caves in the world - Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave, and Dark Cave. This was the reason that attracted me the most to Vietnam, and that's why it is the highlight of this trip.

Reach early morning to Phong Nha. This is important as the exploration for the Dark cave and limestone cave starts early morning, around 8 AM. So do ensure to sleep well in the bus.

Tip: Pre-book cave exploration - Last-minute bookings can cause cancellations.

• Start your day with coffee and leave for cave exploration (sorry, but by this time, I am having coffee at almost every stop)

• Visit the beautiful and largest limestone caves of the world in Phong Nha, and cherish the adventures of the Dark Cave. It's something rare and everyone should experience atleast once in their lifetime.

• Son Doong Cave - I didn't cover this as it's a separate week-long expedition. I will go here on my next trip to Vietnam

• Come back to Phong Nha at 4 PM and explore the village on cycles.

Day 6 -8: Da Nang - The Coastal City

Now our next stop is Da Nang. This is the most likable city of Vietnam with so much to do and with such extreme vibes that you might end up spending time in this city, more than you planned. We liked this so much that we cancelled Ho Chi Minh and spent the last days of our trip in Da Nang. Feel free to change the course here.

What to do in Da Nang

Day 1: Explore the coastline of Da Nang

• Explore the city on a bike, easily available for rental, and take a round of the city.

• On your way to the Lady Buddha statue, cherish the beautiful coastline of Vietnam with endless blue waters up and below, drizzles on your face, and refreshing wind. For a moment, your life will be nothing less than a movie shot.

• Stop by for sipping a hot Salt coffee by the sea, and give your tastebuds something to remember forever.

• After returning from the Buddha statue, head towards the city and savour a Pizza place called 4Ps. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on something so good and so cheesy.

• Now time for another hyped thing - 8 PM Dragon Bridge show - Watch the fire show on the Da Nang Dragon Bridge.

  Tip: The Best spot is right under the bridge. Not only can you take the good shots, but also feel the heat. Do not stand on the bridge.

Day 7: Hoi An - Lantern Town

Get excited for the next day as you are about to head for the most beautiful lantern town in the world, Hoi An.

This is just one hour from Da Nang. You can take a grab or also go by bike.

Cherish the beauty of this town, explore aesthetic cafes, and the colorful streets of Hoi An. Stop for Banh Mi (the best French bread of Vietnam) and, of course, coffee. And while you watch the sun go down, you will find yourself magically surrounded by glowing lanterns. The whole city is floating with lanterns, and you are walking in the middle of it. I have never seen anything this beautiful, so romantic.

Tip: I couldn't do it as I had bookings already made, but if possible, do plan to spend overnight in Hoi An. This would be the most romantic place on your entire Vietnam trip

Day 8: Ba Na Hills and the French Village

The next day, take a cab to Ba Na Hills, it's 2 hours away from Da Nang. Take a cable car to the top of the Ba Na Hills and wander through the beautiful French village.

• This is an adventure hub with rides and beauty at heart. This is the place to experience your first self-driven roller coaster ride.

• If you are on a trip with your kids or family, you can also spend the evening in the French village enjoying the cultural shows.

Ba Na Hills is also famous for the Golden Bridge - A Famous hand-sculpture bridge which has a spectacular view. It's super crowded, like any other hyped place, but worth visiting.

The End

By the time you reach the end of this 8-day trip, I can bet you have had the best time of your life in Vietnam. From the misty mountains of Sapa to the romantic lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, Vietnam offers experiences that will stay with you long after you return home. The country's perfect blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality makes every moment worth cherishing.

Planning a trip can become overwhelming, and that's why I have tried my best to create an ultimate travel itinerary and list down everything in one place for Vietnam in just 8 days. For detailed budget breakdowns, booking tips, and insider hacks that can make your Vietnam adventure smooth and hassle-free, check out our comprehensive Vietnam Travel Tips and Hacks guides, releasing soon.