Your diverse journey through Vietnam

Bustling cities with skyscrapers, rainforest-covered cliffs rising from the sea, rice paddies at an altitude of 1,600 metres – Vietnam is a country of impressive diversity. Every place tells its own story, delights all the senses and leaves you dreaming and marvelling.

To ensure you can soak up as many experiences as possible whilst also having the chance to switch off now and then, we’ve put together an itinerary for you. It takes you from the north of the country to the south and lasts around two to three weeks – depending on how much time you plan to spend in each place.

You don’t need to hire a car whilst you’re there. You can travel comfortably from one highlight to the next by plane and bus. So: suitcases packed, and you’re ready to set off on your trip to Vietnam!

Your journey through Vietnam begins

Before you can explore Vietnam’s hidden treasures in the interior, you’ll naturally need to get there first. The best way to do this is to fly to the capital, Hanoi. A direct flight from Frankfurt takes less than 12 hours. However, flights to the Vietnamese capital also depart regularly from Munich, Hamburg, Berlin and many other German cities.

6 highlights on your tour of Vietnam

Hanoi

Chaotic, hectic, and yet incredibly charming – welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and one of the most important cities in South-East Asia. Hanoi really is one of a kind. Amidst the jumble of 5 million motorbikes, mouth-watering aromas waft towards you from the many street food stalls; historic temples and pagodas emerge amidst the modern hustle and bustle; and everywhere you go, you’ll be greeted with warm smiles. From the countless museums, where you can gain a better understanding of the country’s history and the war, to the many sights - it won’t be long before you succumb to the unique charm of the ‘City of Lakes’.

You really shouldn’t miss these sights and places:

• Jade Mountain Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake
• Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Temple of Literature
• Presidential Palace
• 36 alleys in the old town
• Hanoi Train Street
• St Joseph’s Cathedral

Rice terraces of Sa Pa

Once you’ve taken in all the sights of the bustling capital, it’s time to reflect on them in a more peaceful setting. The idyllic mountain town of Sa Pa is ideal for this. Situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres amongst picturesque rice terraces, it attracts many hikers and trekking enthusiasts thanks to its unique landscape and relaxed atmosphere.

Halong Bay

There are places where you simply can’t believe that this breathtaking sight is actually real. On our first visit to Halong Bay, we had to rub our eyes to realise that the mesmerising panorama of sparkling turquoise water, azure skies and green cliffs wasn’t a dream.

1,969 rainforest-covered islands rise out of the sea here, traditional fishing boats are moored in idyllic bays and mystical caves invite you to explore them on little expeditions. Numerous boats will take you to the most incredible places. Nearly 500 set out into the bay every day.

From Hanoi, you can book a day trip or a trip lasting several days directly. Our tip: a kayaking trip with locals.

Hoi An

The flight from Hanoi to Da Nang takes just under an hour and a half. From there, you simply hop on a bus and in no time at all you’ll be in Hoi An, arguably Vietnam’s most enchanting little town. Somewhat sleepy, it lies on the coast of the South China Sea – roughly in the middle of the country.

As soon as you find yourself in the colourful alleyways lined with lanterns, cosy cafés and smiling people, you’ll be captivated by the charm of this special place. You won’t doubt for a second why the Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

But it’s not just the breathtaking architecture around the Japanese Bridge that’s so worth seeing. Bright sandy beaches invite you to relax and swim, street food tours will delight your taste buds, and you can cycle out into the lush green rice fields.

There’s so much to see in Hoi An that we ended up staying there for a whole week. A great place to stay: the Hoi An Chic.

Ho Chi Minh

From Dagang, you can fly to Ho Chi Minh City – also known as Saigon – in under four hours.

The city in the south is even busier than Hanoi. You may need to get used to the heat, the noise and all the new smells at first. But once you’ve embraced all these new experiences, you’ll hardly want to leave.

The best way to start your stay is with a visit to the ‘Saigon Skydeck’. From the 49th floor, you’ll have a 360° panoramic view of the whole city and can get a good overview of the area. You’ll look out over the Saigon River, see the City Hall, spot the Ben Thanh Market and can even catch a glimpse of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

These are the landmarks you really shouldn’t miss. Also worth seeing are:

• Main post office of Ho Chi Minh City
• Reunification Palace
• Nguyen Hue Street
• Backpacker Street
• Buu Long Pagoda
• Cao Đài Temple

Mekong Delta

The final destination on our journey through Vietnam is the Mekong Delta. There are plenty of daily tours departing from Saigon to take you to this fascinating region of countless canals and rivers. Whether it’s a two- or three-day trip, the panoramic cruises organised by Mekong Eyes – featuring short shore excursions to small villages, orchards and rice fields – are truly wonderful.

The Mekong Delta – also known as the ‘lifeline of Vietnam’ – captivates with its lush green colours, coconut palms, fascinating agriculture and a real sense of the jungle. At floating markets, you can sample exotic fruits; whilst hiking through the forests, you’ll encounter rare animals; and should you strike up a conversation with the locals, you’ll be struck by a warmth and friendliness unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere.

The Mekong Delta really is the perfect place to round off your trip to Vietnam in style before you fly back to Germany from Ho Chi Minh City.

Trip to Vietnam – this is the ideal luggage

It’s best to take a lightweight, large soft-sided wheeled suitcase and a lightweight rucksack with you on your trip through Vietnam.

A large suitcase gives you plenty of space to pack all your clothes and toiletries – without having to carry heavy luggage. After all, remember: you’ll be on the move with your suitcase time and time again.

The backpack is perfect for day trips. Given the high temperatures, always make sure you have plenty of water and pack some sun cream as well.

Conclusion: Vietnam in two to three weeks

FAQs on the Vietnam tour