Things to Do for 15 Day Itinerary in Vietnam

Why Should You Have A 15-Day Trip To Vietnam?

During 15 days, you will be able to explore a lot of city attractions in Hanoi, experience an overnight cruise in Halong Bay, and discover beautiful beaches in Da Nang and the best things in Hue, Hoi An ancient town.

Also, head to the Southern part of Vietnam, where you can discover amazing things in the Mekong Delta area as well as Ho Chi Minh City.

Detailed Schedule For The 15-Day Vietnam Itinerary

Now, let’s see what is waiting for you to explore this beautiful country. Below is our detailed itinerary to recommend how to spend 15 days in Vietnam:

Day 1: Welcome To The Ancient Hanoi City

Who doesn’t get excited when they first come to a new country? We bet you would love to go out, see new things, and find out what’s interesting for you. Therefore, we recommend some activities you might enjoy on your first day in Vietnam.

First, you can learn more about the capital of Vietnam by sightseeing. You can go outside to small alleys and narrow backroads of Hanoi Old Quater, and explore the city at your own pace. However, for newcomers, you should join a city tour with an experienced guide.

• Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour - From US $29/ pax
• Hanoi By Night Foodie Vespa Tours - From US $85/ pax
• Hanoi Cyclo and Water Puppet Show With Dinner - From US $44 /pax

Hanoi Night Tour At The Opera House

If you are a cultural seeker, consider some kinds of traditional performances below that you cannot find anywhere else than in Vietnam:

• The first one is The Quintessence of Tonkin Show held in the Da Phuc Village, it takes about 1 hour to transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter by car. Seeing the Quintessence of Tonkin Show, you will have a chance to witness the various sides of Vietnam culture.
• The second one is the Water Puppet Show which plays at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre or Lotus Water Puppet, both of them near Hoan Kiem Lake. In this show, puppets are moved under the water with folk music in the background, presenting ancient tales in the Vietnamese countryside. After the show, you can buy souvenir puppets at the theatre.

The Water Puppet Show presents ancient tales

• The other show we recommend is the Tu Phu (Four Palaces) Show. This is about ritual spirit practiced in the Vietnamese religion. However, this show only runs on Thursday and Saturday every week.

Day 2: Explore Hanoi For One Day

To start the second day in Vietnam, you should have the famous Vietnamese beef noodle soup (Pho Bo) for breakfast. Next, there are many tourist attractions in Hanoi that you would love to visit.

You can begin with the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam). This is the first university in Vietnam which was founded in 1076 to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins, and also the members of the elite. The Temple of Literature is one of Hanoi’s most picturesque attractions with an excellent example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.

The Temple of Literature Hanoi

Visiting the Temple of Literature you will see many turtle steles, courtyards, passageways, and pavilions along with historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties. These buildings now become a memorial to education and literature where you can find the names of successful graduates engraved on a stone stele.

Leaving the Temple of Literature, you can come to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Uncle Ho, the most iconic leader of Vietnam. His body is preserved in a glass case inside the Mausoleum. It was constructed in 1973 and was first opened to the public in 1975.

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum In The Morning

Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you should dress with respect, just like when you step into a pagoda. However, visitors are not allowed to bring their bags and cameras inside because of tight security. Additionally, you have to move quickly as the place is constantly busy. You also need to check with your hotel before getting there if it is open that day.

For lunch, we suggest you should try Bun Cha (Kebab Rice Noodles), one of the most famous dishes in Hanoi. Then continue with Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda which is located next to West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda has a history of more than 1,500 years, so it is considered to be the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi. Visiting the pagoda, you can admire the beautiful architecture along with the picturesque West Lake.

After the Hanoi full-day tour, you can go to Hoan Kiem Lake - another destination that you cannot miss. This peaceful and quiet place is a perfect spot to observe the daily activities of Hanoians.

Selfie At The Hanoi's Train Street

Contrary to Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter right next to it is a bustling place with beer streets, bars, and pubs where you can find a lot of travelers as well as locals relaxing and having fun. It is definitely a great spot to enjoy the exciting nightlife in Hanoi.

You can also join an extra night tour below to the must-see historical attractions to learn more about the history of Vietnam during the Ly dynasty and the Vietnam War.

Day 3: Mai Chau Trekking Tour To Local Village

Mai Chau is a mountainous area in Vietnam that is famous for its green rice paddies and the outstanding beauty of nature. This place is home to Thai and H'mong ethnic minority groups. Visiting Mai Chau, you will be able to explore the spectacular scenery, visit remote areas and experience the life of these hospitable villages.

Stunning Mountainous Area In Mai Chau

Once you get to Mai Chau, you might need a local guide and then go to Lac village, which is home to the Thai ethnic minority after having lunch, and when you come to this local village, you can enjoy the impressive scenery of high mountains and green terraced fields.

The thing you should do when getting there is to spend time walking along beautiful farms while enjoying stunning mountain views with an expansive valley. You can spend some time observing the daily life of the locals here, which will be exciting for you.

After the trek, you will have dinner with special cuisine from mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam, then stay overnight in the homestay.

Day 4: Light Trek In Mai Chau Before Returning To Hanoi

On the second day in Mai Chau, you should get up early and enjoy the sunrise over the mountain tops while local farmers do their early morning activities. You can have breakfast with the local family you are staying with, before spending several hours trekking around Mai Chau Valley.

Trekking to rural villages in Mai Chau

There you can walk around to see the peaceful surrounding of the village and watch their daily activities to understand more about their culture and customs. You can also spend time shopping and buying local souvenirs. Afterward, enjoy traditional lunch at a local restaurant before getting back to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Day 5: Overnight On A Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay was declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and was also voted a Wonder of Nature by the New7Wonders Foundation. This is definitely a place worth visiting and you should spend at least one night in this world-famous bay.

Explore Halong Bay On A Bamboo Boat

Visiting Halong Bay, you will be able to discover the beautiful scenery of many islets, beaches, grottoes, and villages. Also, you can take part in outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing, snorkeling, or kayaking.

There are some islands on the list of stops, and the most popular one is Cat Ba Island. This island is famous for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem. You can come to the Cat Ba national park and find some endangered animals, such as black giant squirrels and civet cats.

Another thing to do in Cat Ba is visit floating villages such as Cai Beo village and Viet Hai village, the two most famous local villages of Halong Bay. In addition, you can also explore Trung Trang Cave, one of the most beautiful dry caves, which is usually included in the Cat Ba cruise itineraries.

Day 6: Transfer Back To Hanoi

Waking up early in the morning by the sounds of the sea, you will be able to see the beautiful sunrise in the bay. After a light breakfast, you continue to visit the last destination on the cruise itinerary.

Delicious desserts on the Capella cruise

The disembarkation will be at noon. Then you are transferred back to your hotel in Hanoi. Leaving Halong, you will need to have a good sleep before the exciting adventure to Central Vietnam on the 7th day of the Vietnam journey.

Day 7: Take A Flight To Da Nang - Hoi An

You should catch a morning flight to Da Nang from Noi Bai international airport. It will take about 1 hour and 25 minutes to get there. After you land in this coastal city, you will be transferred to Hoi An, check in your hotel, and list the things you should do while you are here, so you will not miss and regret anything.

Once you get to Hoi An, you will be amazed at this World Heritage Site. Hoi An Old Town is a well-preserved example of a trading port in Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 19th century. It is said to be a living museum of old-town architecture with notable heritage buildings such as Chinese temples, a Japanese design bridge with some pagodas, wooden shophouses, and old canals. Not only the buildings but also the streets reflect the influences of both indigenous and foreign architecture.

Hoi An Old Town is a World Heritage Site

Hoi An has been preserving and restoring its charming roots successfully even though large-scale trading had been moved. One of the best destinations to spend the night in Hoi An Riverside which is lit by old-fashioned lanterns. Visiting Hoi An, you can enjoy its great food, have fun shopping, meet friendly people, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.

The rest of the day is free, we would suggest you join a half-day tour to learn more about this lovely town.

Day 8: Wander Around Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An’s Old Town is a small town so you can get around it on foot. The traffic here is very light too. That’s why Hoi An is very attractive and inviting for most travelers to Vietnam, especially for those who want to escape from the bustling and vibrating big cities.

Only bikes and motorbikes are allowed on some streets, while some others even allow only pedestrians, so we would recommend you explore the beauty of the town by getting a Hoi An walking tour.

Hoi An is a small and serene town

A lot of buildings in this Old Town were built more than 100 years ago and they feature strong Chinese influences. If you take a look at the wooden signboards, you can see them bearing the company names which are carved and gilded in Chinese characters.

Many of the old shops have been converted to modern businesses with care to preserve the past. All the businesses today include tailors, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and art galleries aimed at tourists. All the major attractions or landmarks of Hoi An are located near each other, so you can easily walk there while looking around the streets.

Learn how to make Hoi An cuisine

If you are a food lover, some restaurants also offer Hoi An Cooking Class Tour in English. You will be taught to cook 3 to 5 dishes and eat them afterward. 

Day 9: Discover Champa In My Son Sanctuary

On the 11th day, you can discover My Son Sanctuary in Hoi An, which is well-known as a collection of Champa ruins. It used to be a political center and royal burial ground with a complex of structures devoted to Hindu gods, built by the Champa Kingdom. Similar to other historic sites, My Son Sanctuary was destroyed by wars and then renovated by the French in 1898.

My Son Sanctuary is famous for its architecture

What makes My Son attractive to tourists is its architecture. The first Hindu temple was made of wood and then rebuilt with red bricks and sandstone. The most important constructions here are the monuments. All the temples were inspired by the conception of Mount Meru, the home of Hindu gods at the center of the universe. Taking a My Son Sanctuary tour, you will be able to see insight into Cham's religious and political thought through the technological sophistication of engineering skills. Also, it will remind you of the great Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

It is fun to visit Cam Thanh coconut village

Another option for you is Cam Thanh Village, which is located about 5km from Hoi An Old Town. This village is famous for its water coconut forest and the craft of making coconut paintings. Also, Cam Thanh is a peaceful village that provides seafood products to the region.

Visiting the village, tourists will easily join the farmers in preparing and fertilizing the land, get to know the village's traditions and daily life, then have a local lunch at a local family. Finish day 11, you should get back to the hotel and get ready for another flight the next day.

Day 10: Transfer To Hue City

Hue was not only the national capital but also the political, cultural, and religious center of Vietnam under the Nguyen dynasty. This city has an elegant setting on the bank of the Huong River (Perfume River) and is one of the World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO.

Visiting Hue, you will be amazed at how small and quiet this city is along with the magnificent architecture of the historical destinations such as citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas, and temples. All of them were built under the Nguyen dynasty.

The romantic Huong River

Additionally, Hue has preserved its cultural heritage which includes music, the arts, and other traditions. This is considered to be the best place in Vietnam to get a sense of imperial life because of its well-known historic values.

If you are a history-lover, a Hue city tour is the perfect idea for you. It represents the outstanding demonstration of the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire’s power. There is a complex of monuments, tombs, and pagodas in the city that has attracted tourists from all around the world.

The Imperial City of Hue From High Position

Another thing that you cannot miss when you visit Hue is the food. Hue is famous for a diversity of traditional food which you cannot find anywhere else with the same flavor. All the dishes are not only to satisfy basic needs but also they are forms of art. One of the popular dishes in Hue is rice with baby clams rice (Com Hen).

Com Hen is one of the most famous dishes in Hue

It is very simple and cheap but offers the delicious flavor of rice and herbs, mixed with buttery, sour, spices, grease, and baby clams. You should also try other famous dishes such as Bun Bo Hue (Hue style Beef Noodles) and Che (Vietnamese sweet soup) while you are here.

Day 11: Have A One Day Tour In Hue City

You can start to explore Hue by a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady). Thien Mu Pagoda was built on a hill overlooking the Perfume River. It is only 5km from the city center, not too far for visitors to approach. You can get there by boat, by car or by motorbike.

Inside The Thien Mu Pagoda

By the time, with the development, prosperity, and spread of Buddhism, the Thien Mu pagoda was rebuilt on a larger scale with many great architectural structures. In 1710, a big bell was installed here. With its enlarged scale and natural landscape, Thien Mu pagoda was said to be the most beautiful one in the area at that time.

Visit the Pagoda today, you can see its unique architecture surrounded by a garden of flowers and plants. At the end of the garden, you will see the Tower of the Superior Buddhist monk Thich Don Hau. He is the most famous head of Thien Mu Pagoda who devoted his whole life to promoting Buddhism.

 The charming beauty of Hue's Imperial City

Next stop, we recommend the Imperial City of Hue (the Hue Citadel). Famous for its poetic and charming beauty, Hue was chosen to place the Citadel where royal families can live. The Imperial City of Hue is an enormous complex of executive bureaucracy. It is enclosed within a square fortress. Each of the four walls is about 2 kilometers long and there is a wide moat on the outside.

There are temples, palaces, offices, gardens, and residences inside the Citadel. It takes about 2 hours to walk through the Imperial City because of the sheer size and also, and there are quite a few different sections that are worth looking at.

The ancient interior of Hue Citadel

The most important bit is the Purple Forbidden City which is located in the middle of the Citadel. It was where the emperor and his closest confidants lived and worked. No one could access the place at the time. Today, of course, tourists can walk through and see what remains in it.

All the buildings in the Imperial City of Hue have been restored over the years. Visiting the Hue Citadel, there are plenty of historical marks for you to see, you will also be told about the history of the Nguyen dynasty while taking a tour around it.

Day 12: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

We suggest that you take a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh, check in at the hotel after landing, and then enjoy the attractions and sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

An impressive scene of the A O Show

Additionally, there are some popular traditional performances that you might be interested in, such as the A O Show. Otherwise, you can also take part in a Sai Gon city tour to explore this bustling city.

Day 13: Discover The Local Life In Mekong Delta

Ho Chi Minh City is so close to the Mekong Delta which is famous for the region’s diversity. There are many towns in the delta with facilities for tourists, but most travelers choose to visit Can Tho as it is the delta’s biggest settlement. You need to get up early in the morning to take an early bus to Can Tho. The best way to explore this area is to take a boat ride in the river and see the daily activities of the locals.

Cai Rang is the most famous floating market in Vietnam

Can Tho also has the most famous floating market in Southern Vietnam which is Cai Rang market. The market is 6 km from Can Tho city.  Once you get here, you’ll see the extremely crowded trading atmosphere of the Cai Rang floating market. As the market is one of the main trading centers in the Mekong Delta, this is where you can find a wide range of products catering to the local daily lives.

Day 14: Explore The Vibrant Sai Gon City

Many Ho Chi Minh City attractions have French colonial architecture, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral. This is a mini version of the Notre Dame de Paris-a cathedral church in Paris and is located in a quiet corner of this bustling city.

Visiting the Cathedral, you can see a Virgin Mary statue standing in front. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is not only a tourist attraction but also serves as a religious institution for the local people. Be aware that when you visit here, dress appropriately and try not to disturb the worshippers.

The distinctive neo-Romanesque and Gothic style of Notre Dame Cathedral

Right next to the Notre Dame Cathedral is the Reunification Palace which was the base of Ngo Dinh Diem-the first President of the Republic of Vietnam. This Palace has five levels.

The basement has a war room that has original maps on the walls, tunnels, and a telecommunications center where the equipment is still on display today along with the war propaganda materials. Also, there's a card-playing room on the third floor and a casino on the fourth floor. Especially, the rooftop was designed to be a heliport.

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh Departure

For the last day of your trip to Vietnam, you can just walk around the city, taste Vietnamese food and enjoy every last moment that you have before leaving. Or participate in a last tour in Sai Gon with our Good Morning Saigon! tour.

Pho and Ca Phe Sua Da are must-try dishes in Sai Gon

With the detailed plan for your 15 days tour in Vietnam, we hope you can have the best experience in every land of Vietnam and enjoy the beauty of our country. Have a wonderful holiday trip to Vietnam!

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(Images source: Internet)