11 days in Vietnam

With 11 days in Vietnam, you can explore many landmarks of our country. From a culture tour around the quaint capital city, Hanoi to the UNESCO Heritage site Halong Bay, then head to Central Vietnam to the imperial capital Hue, beaches in Da Nang and Nha Trang, ancient town Hoi An, and finish with bustling Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta, let’s be amazed by the hidden charm of Vietnam.

11 days in Vietnam is good enough for tours across the country from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi or vice versa.

11 days in Vietnam – Itinerary suggestions

Destinations in Vietnam with suitable time to visit in 11 days

• Ho Chi Minh City: 1-2 days
• Cu Chi Tunnels + Cao Dai Holy See: 1 day
• Mekong Delta: 1-2 days
• Phu Quoc Island – Beach relax: 2-5 days
• Vung Tau Beach: 1-3 days
• Mui Ne Beach: 2-3 days
• Da Lat: 1-2 days
• Nha Trang Beach: 2-5 days
• Da Nang – Hoi An: 2-3 days
• Hue Ancient Citadel: 1-2 days
• Hanoi: 1-2 days
• Ha Long – 1-2 days
• Ninh Binh: 1-2 days
• Mai Chau: 1-2 days
• Sapa: 3-4 days
• Ha Giang: 3-5 days

Want to know the best ways to spend your time in Vietnam? Check out our articles about Vietnam seasons and Vietnam itinerary suggestions.

Budget for 11 days in Vietnam

Budget for 11 days in Vietnam

It is important to calculate the cost for 11 days in Vietnam before booking any service. Since the tourism and hospitality industry is developing in our country, you can find high-quality services at relatively affordable prices:

• Accommodations: It is easy to find a 2 or 3-star hotel at US $20-50/night in tourist destinations like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. For luxurious options, you can seek for a 5-star hotel and resort at US $200-500/ night. For backpackers, you can choose a hostel from US $4-5/night and share your rooms with other travelers.
• Transportation: In downtown, you can easily book a taxi or use Grab. If you want to travel to another town, you can have several options from bus, train to domestic flight.
• Since our country is famous for its culinary art, the meal cost in Vietnam is actually lower compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. You can have Pho, Bun cha or Banh mi with only US $1.5-4.

Suggested itineraries for 11 days in Vietnam

The highlights for every tourist in their first time to Vietnam are Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and Mekong Delta. You can customize your tours to Vietnam with our expert team of travel consultants who can understand every customer’s requirement and arrange a perfect vacation for you.

Do not forget to spend time in Hanoi when traveling to Vietnam. Taking a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter, attending Hanoi Night Market, visiting historical relics, and enjoying delicious street food such as Pho and Bun cha are must-do things in the capital city.

Some attractions nearby Hanoi include Sapa, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, and Mai Chau. For an 11-day tour in Vietnam, you cannot miss a Halong Bay cruise to swim in the emerald water, admire glorious caves and grottoes, and relax on a beautiful vessel.

A beach lover will find Central Vietnam a paradise because of its crystal-clear beaches, white sand and swaying coconut rows. Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Mui Ne, which are internationally awarded for their mesmerizing beaches, should be on your bucket list.

Southern Vietnam is famous for dynamic Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon), stunning Phu Quoc, and exciting floating markets in the Mekong Delta.

Itinerary 1: 11 days in Vietnam from North to South

• Day 1: Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Check in hotel in the Old Quarter
• Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
• Day 3: Cruise to Halong Bay
• Day 4: Halong Bay – Hue via Hanoi
• Day 5: Hue City Tour
• Day 6: Transfer to Da Nang. Visit beaches in Da Nang and leisure in Hoi An
• Day 7: Free time in Da Nang. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.
• Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
• Day 9: Home-stay in My Tho
• Day 10: Floating market in Can Tho. Back to Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 11: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

Itinerary 2: 11 days in Vietnam from South to North

• Day 1: Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour: visit colonial buildings and war museum
• Day 3: Visit floating markets in Cai Be and Vinh Long. Spend time on a sampan and enjoy tropical fruits (rambutan, jackfruit, pomelo,…) sold by local people.
• Day 4: Back to Ho Chi Minh City. Take a half-day Cu Chi Tunnel tour.
• Day 5: Fly to Da Nang. Leisure time in Hoi An
• Day 6: Hoi An cycling tour and visit Tra Que Village for a cooking class
• Day 7: Back to Da Nang and fly to Hanoi
• Day 8: Visit ancient streets, pagodas, museums, and colonial landmarks in Hanoi
• Day 9: 2 days 1 night cruise to Halong Bay. Enjoy swimming and kayaking at the bay.
• Day 10: Discover gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites in the caves. Embark cruise and back to Hanoi.
• Day 11: Souvenir shopping in the Old Quarter and depart in the evening.

Itinerary 3: 11 days in Vietnam and Cambodia

• Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap
• Day 2: Visit Angkor Wat
• Day 3: Explore Tonle Sap Lake
• Day 4: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and relax at your hotel
• Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
• Day 6: Visit floating markets in Cai Be and Vinh Long. Back to Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 7: Fly to Hanoi. Spend time in the evening around the Old Quarter
• Day 8: Hanoi City Tour
• Day 9: Visit Halong Bay on a 2 days 1 night cruise
• Day 10: Enjoy your lunch on boat. Say good time to Halong and come back to Hanoi
• Day 11: Depart from Hanoi

Itinerary 4: 11 days in Vietnam and Laos

• Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
• Day 2: Discover the main highlights of the capital city: Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter area, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and so on
• Day 3: Transfer to Ninh Binh and spend time on a boat tour in Tam Coc. Overnight in Ninh Binh
• Day 4: Transfer to Halong Bay and enjoy a 2 days 1 night cruise.
• Day 5: Capture the view of Halong Bay in the morning. Back to Hanoi at noon.
• Day 6: Fly to Luang Prabang.
• Day 7: Luang Prabang City Tour
• Day 8: Trek to Kwangsi Waterfalls and swim in the turquoise water.
• Day 9: Fly to Vientiane
• Day 10: Vientiane City Tour
• Day 11: Depart from Vientiane

Things to do in 11 days in Vietnam

11 days in Vietnam are enough for foreign travelers to understand Vietnam’s history and culture, as well as experience every aspect of our beautiful country like a local.

Hanoi City Tour

Some interesting places to include on your Hanoi City Tours are:

• Hoan Kiem Lake
• Old Quarter area
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday)
• Temple of Literature
• Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

For better understanding of Vietnamese culture, we recommend you watching a Water Puppet Show or participating in a Hanoi cooking class.

Other ancient villages in the suburban Hanoi you can visit:

• Duong Lam Ancient Village
• Van Phuc Silk Village
• Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Hanoi is also the place to find the highest quality handicrafts. Some addresses we recommend to purchase souvenirs and gifts in Hanoi:

• Key chains, magnets and silks: at Dinh Tien Hoang and Hang Gai Street
• Dong Ho Folk Painting: Zo Project at 10 Dien Bien Phu street (near Hanoi Train Street, an exotic place to take photos)
• Coffee: Highlands Café opposite KFC in the Hoan Kiem Lake area
• O mai (Sugared Dried Fruits): Van Loi at 24 Hang Da Street

For more information: 17 Best Vietnam Souvenirs Ideas for Kids and Adults

Food in Hanoi

In Hanoi, you can go around Old Quarter area, observe local life and try some local dishes. Some food and drink in Hanoi we recommend for your trip here:

• Pho: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street
• Bun cha Huong Lien (or Bun cha Obama): 24 Le Van Huu Street
• Cha ca (grilled fish): 14 Cha Ca Street
• Banh cuon Thanh Van: 12 Hang Ga Street
• Egg coffee: Café Dinh at 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street
• Che Ba Thin: 1 Bat Dan Street
• Bia hoi (craft beer): at Ta Hien Street

Halong Bay Cruise – The best thing to do for 11 days in Vietnam

Recognized as a UNESCO Heritage site in 1994, Halong Bay becomes one of the most well-known destinations in Vietnam. This emerald bay is the home to 1,969 islands, of which only 989 have been named. The formation of these islands could be dated back to 250 or 280 million years ago.

Here are some interesting activities you can do on a Halong Bay cruise:

Cave Exploring

Halong Bay area features a lot of mysterious and amazing caves. Formed by stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and sizes, the cave system here is one of the Kong’s filming destinations in our country besides Ninh Binh. Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Palace Cave), and Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes Cave) are cannot-miss places in the area.

Kayaking

It is beneficial to build your muscles when traveling to a pristine destination like Halong Bay. There is no better workout than kayaking in fresh air at a beautiful bay, at the same time interacting with other friends on your cruise.

Cooking Class

Normally, nem (spring rolls), either fried or fresh, is included in a cooking demonstration class on board. The cooking process is actually easy, but you will need to purchase rice papers in Vietnam if you wish to try making this food when returning home. It is an opportunity for you to understand local gastronomy and make Vietnamese food with other foreign friends.

Hue City tour

Hue used to be the capital city of Vietnam under the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945. This was the last imperial family in Vietnam before our country being proclaimed independence by President Ho Chi Minh.

Nowadays, Hue is known as one of the most poetic cities in Vietnam. Travelers can have a chance to go through a glorious period of Vietnam’s history as well as immerse in mesmerizing natural sceneries when traveling to Hue. Do not forget to visit these places in this city:

• Imperial Citadel
• Purple Forbidden City
• Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
• Royal Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh
• Perfume River
• Thien Mu Pagoda
• Dong Ba Market

Hoi An Ancient Town

Although Hoi An is a small town with a total area of 60 square kilometers, there is no lack of fun in this town. Dating from the 15^th to 19^th century, Hoi An was a bustling trading port. Nowadays, the architecture of this town, which is the combination of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese traditional styles, is still relatively well-preserved.

Most attractions in Hoi An concentrates on main streets like Phan Chau Trinh, Nguyen Hue, and Le Loi streets. Japanese Covered Bridge is a precious gem of Hoi An Old Town. It was used to link the Japanese community on the western side of the town and the Chinese community on the east.

Taking pictures in front of ancient houses is must-do thing in Hoi An. Out of three old houses in Hoi An (Tan Ky, Phung Hung and Duc An), Tan Ky is the most famous one. This is a 200-year-old house which was passed through seven generations of a Vietnamese family.

Da Nang

Da Nang is praised as the ‘most liveable city in Vietnam’. Compared to quaint Hoi An, Da Nang is more exciting and dynamic; you can find a lot of fancy restaurants, bars, clubs, and pubs here. You can note down these activities on your trip to Da Nang:

• Trek to Marble Mountain
• Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture
• Watch sunrises and sunsets at My Khe Beach
• Pray at Linh Ung Pagoda
• Spend time at Ba Na Hills, 42 kilometers from Da Nang, and visit the gorgeous Golden Bridge
• Shopping at Han Market near Han River

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) is the most dynamic and bustling city in Vietnam. It is remarkable for the harmonious blending of traditional values with northern and western cultural features. Skyscrapers dot the city and everywhere are the signs of growing status cars, mobile phones, upscale cafes, fine dining and trendy nightlife. This city will be an ideal destination for history buffs who love to discover our colonial era. There are many colonial architecture and museums for your tour to Ho Chi Minh City: Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Museum of Vietnamese History, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Saigon Opera House. For shopaholics, don’t forget to check out Ben Thanh Market and many other shopping malls.

Some souvenirs you can purchase in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Trung Nguyen coffee
• Phuc Long tea
• Marou chocolate
• Silk
• Non la (conial hat)
• Lacquerware

Cu Chi Tunnels

After discovering Ho Chi Minh City, you can gain more knowledge about the Vietnam War by visiting Cu Chi Tunnels.

60 kilometers from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi was used to be the hiding spot of our soldiers during the Vietnam War. This network of 200-kilometer tunnel has become the symbol of the Vietnamese army’s bravery and boldness. Cu Chi Tunnels were specially constructed with many traps integrated with an underground city consisting of living areas, kitchens, field hospitals and weapon storage.

Visit floating markets in the Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is praised as the most prosperous region in our country. This place is famous for the abundance of agricultural products and bucolic rural landscape.

Floating market is an essential part of every Mekong Delta tour. Travelers can see an exotic and exciting local life with vendors riding boats, selling succulent tropical fruits, and amazing local dishes.

Besides, tourists often enjoy observing the process of making traditional products such as coconut candies, rice paste and rice popcorn in this region.

So what do you think about 11 days in Vietnam itineraries? Check out our Vietnam tours or please let us know on the comment box below and we will contact you immediately.