Essential Vietnam Self-Launched: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in 12 Days

Arrive in Hanoi and check into a guesthouse or budget hotel in the Old Quarter — this puts you right in the heart of the action. Spend the afternoon wandering the 36 Streets, soaking up the sensory overload of motorbikes, street vendors and fragrant food stalls. In the evening, pull up a tiny plastic stool at a bia hoi corner (fresh draught beer, often under 50p a glass) and watch the city buzz. Hanoi's Old Quarter is endlessly walkable after dark — follow your nose to a bowl of bun cha or banh mi.

🚌Airport bus 86 to Old Quarter (~£1) or Grab taxi (~£5-7)

🛏Old Quarter budget hotel or guesthouse (e.g. Hanoi Backpackers Hostel, Memory Hostel or similar) — ~£10-15/night

• →Arrive independently — Noi Bai International Airport to Old Quarter by airport bus (86 line, ~£1) or Grab taxi (~£5-7)
• →Self-guided walk through the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter
• →Bia hoi on Ta Hien Street (Beer Street) — budget ~£3-5 for drinks
• →Optional: Book Hanoi Street Food Experience on GetYourGuide (~£22)

A full free day to explore Hanoi at your own pace. Start with a morning stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple on its small island (entrance ~£1). Walk or take a Grab to the Temple of Literature — Vietnam's first university, dating to 1070 (~£2.50 entry). For lunch, seek out KOTO restaurant near the Temple of Literature, a social enterprise training disadvantaged youth in hospitality. In the afternoon, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (~£2.80 entry) or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (~£2). End the day with a street food crawl through the Old Quarter.

🚌Walking and Grab taxis within Hanoi (~£3-5 total)

🛏Old Quarter budget hotel or guesthouse — ~£10-15/night

• →Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple — entrance ~£1
• →Temple of Literature — entrance ~70,000 VND (~£2.50)
• →Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex — entrance ~80,000 VND (~£2.80)
• →Vietnam Museum of Ethnology — entrance ~£2
• →KOTO restaurant for lunch — ~£5-8
• →Optional: Hanoi Street Food Experience on GetYourGuide (~£22)

Take a morning bus from Hanoi's My Dinh bus station to Haiphong or the Cat Ba express bus direct from the Old Quarter (~3.5 hours total). Ferries connect the mainland to Cat Ba Island. Once on the island, book a day cruise on Lan Ha Bay independently through a local operator on the island's harbour — this is very easy to do on arrival or the night before. Most day tours include a seafood lunch cooked on board and kayaking through the limestone karsts, closely matching the included Intrepid activities. Watch the sunset over the bay from the harbour or a hillside viewpoint.

🚌Hung Thanh or Cat Ba Express bus from Hanoi Old Quarter to Cat Ba (~£8-12 one way)

🛏Cat Ba Town guesthouse or budget hotel (e.g. Cat Ba Dream Hotel, Noble House or similar) — ~£10-15/night

• →Bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island — Cat Ba Express or Hung Thanh bus (~£8-12 return leg only)
• →Lan Ha Bay day cruise with kayaking — book via local operators on Cat Ba harbour or Klook (~£18-25, includes seafood lunch)
• →Sunset viewpoint walk from Cat Ba Town
• →Seafood dinner at harbour-front restaurants — ~£6-10

Take the morning ferry back to the mainland then a bus to Ninh Binh (~3-4 hours total). Ninh Binh is easy to navigate independently — rent a bicycle in town for around £2-3/day and cycle the flat roads out to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. The temples of King Dinh and King Le are the highlight, set against a dramatic limestone backdrop. Entry is around 20,000 VND (~£0.60). Return to Ninh Binh Town for dinner — try bun bo Ninh Binh (local beef noodle soup) at a street stall.

🚌Ferry + bus from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh (~£8-12), bicycle rental (~£2-3)

🛏Ninh Binh guesthouse or lodge (e.g. Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel, Tam Coc Garden Resort or similar) — ~£12-18/night

• →Ferry from Cat Ba back to mainland, then local bus to Ninh Binh (~£8-12 combined)
• →Rent a bicycle in Ninh Binh town — ~£2-3/day
• →Hoa Lu Ancient Capital — Temples of King Dinh and King Le (~20,000 VND / ~£0.60 entry)
• →Cycle the scenic route through rice paddies between Ninh Binh and Hoa Lu
• →Dinner in Ninh Binh town — try bun bo Ninh Binh (~£3-5)

A full free day to explore Ninh Binh's natural wonders before boarding the overnight train to Hue. In the morning, head to Mua Cave — climb the famous 500 steps to the peak for sweeping views over Hoa Lu valley and the Ngo Dong River. Entry is around 100,000 VND (~£3) and a taxi or xe om (motorbike taxi) costs ~£3-4 return. In the afternoon, consider the Trang An Boat Trip — a UNESCO-listed ecological complex where you take a rowing boat through caves and past limestone karsts (~£8-10 entry plus boat). Head back to town for dinner and grab snacks for the overnight train. Book train tickets in advance at seat61.com or via 12go.asia. An SE or TN class train to Hue takes ~13 hours; a soft sleeper berth costs around £15-20.

🚌Xe om or Grab to Mua Cave and Trang An (~£5-8); overnight train Ninh Binh–Hue soft sleeper (~£15-20)

🛏Overnight sleeper train (soft sleeper 4-berth cabin recommended)

• →Mua Cave — entrance ~100,000 VND (~£3), taxi return ~£3-4
• →Trang An Boat Trip — entrance + boat ~£8-10
• →Grab snacks and food for overnight train journey
• →Board overnight train from Ninh Binh to Hue — soft sleeper ~£15-20, book via 12go.asia or baolau.com

Arrive in Hue in the morning and check in to your guesthouse. Formerly Vietnam's imperial capital, Hue rewards slow exploration. Head to the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City — the massive walled complex is a half-day in itself (entry ~£5). In the afternoon, hire a bicycle (~£2/day) or hop on a dragon boat to cruise up the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda (boat ~£4-6 return). Browse Dong Ba Market for local crafts, street snacks and the famous banh khoai royal pancake (~£1-2 at stalls). For dinner, replicate the included home-cooked meal by booking a cookery class with a local family through Klook or GetYourGuide (~£20-25), which includes dinner — or visit a local family restaurant in the lanes off Le Loi Street.

🚌Walk or bicycle from train station to guesthouse; bicycle hire ~£2/day

🛏Hue guesthouse or budget hotel (e.g. Hue Backpackers, Moonlight Hotel or similar) — ~£12-18/night

• →Hue Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City — entry ~135,000 VND (~£5)
• →Bicycle hire for the day — ~£2
• →Perfume River dragon boat cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda — ~£4-6 return
• →Dong Ba Market — free to browse, street food ~£2-4
• →Cycle to royal tombs (Emperor Tu Duc) — entry ~£4
• →Optional: Hue highlights by motorbike tour via GetYourGuide (~£20-25)
• →Dinner: local family restaurant or Hue cooking class with dinner via Klook (~£20-25)

Take a shared shuttle bus or open-tour bus from Hue to Hoi An (~3 hours, ~£5-8). The route crosses the spectacular Hai Van Pass — try to book a seat on the right side for views. Alternatively, the Hue to Da Nang leg by train is scenic and cheap (~£3-5), then a local bus or Grab from Da Nang to Hoi An (~£5-8). Arrive in Hoi An and check into the Ancient Town area. To replicate the included walking tour, either follow a free self-guided walking map (available at most guesthouses and tourist offices) or book a 2-3 hour guided Old Town walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£8-12). The Old Town ticket covers entry to five heritage sites including a historic merchant's house, the Japanese Covered Bridge and a Chinese assembly hall (~£4.50).

🚌Shared shuttle bus Hue to Hoi An (~£5-8)

🛏Hoi An guesthouse or budget hotel near Ancient Town (e.g. Hoi An Backpackers, Little Hoi An Boutique or similar) — ~£12-18/night

• →Shared shuttle bus Hue–Hoi An over Hai Van Pass (~£5-8, book at guesthouse)
• →Hoi An Old Town heritage ticket (5 sites including Japanese Covered Bridge, historic house, assembly hall) — ~120,000 VND (~£4.50)
• →Self-guided Old Town walk using free map from tourist office, or guided tour via GetYourGuide (~£8-12)
• →Evening: lantern-lit streets and riverside bars — budget ~£5-8 drinks and snacks
• →Optional: Food Adventure tour via GetYourGuide (~£30)

Hire a bicycle (~£2/day) and cycle 3km north to Tra Que Vegetable Village in the morning. The village charges a small entry fee (~£1) and you can walk the herb and vegetable gardens with a local farmer. To replicate the included garden-to-table lunch, book the Tra Que Cooking Class directly at the village or via Klook/GetYourGuide (~£18-25, includes garden tour and lunch using freshly picked ingredients). In the afternoon, browse Hoi An's Central Market for ceramics, lanterns and woodwork. Visit one of Hoi An's famous same-day tailors — budget £20-50 for a custom item. In the evening, buy a paper lantern (~£1), release it on the river and wander the glowing streets.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2/day)

🛏Hoi An guesthouse or budget hotel — ~£12-18/night

• →Bicycle hire — ~£2/day
• →Cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village (~3km from Ancient Town) — entry ~£1
• →Tra Que garden-to-table cooking class with lunch — book via Klook or directly at village (~£18-25)
• →Hoi An Central Market — browse lanterns, ceramics, paintings (free to enter)
• →Same-day tailor visit — budget £20-50 for a custom item
• →Evening lantern release on Thu Bon River — lanterns ~£1
• →Optional: My Son Sanctuary day trip via GetYourGuide (~£20-30 including transport)

Take the open-tour bus or a shared shuttle from Hoi An to Quy Nhon (~5-6 hours, ~£8-12). Quy Nhon is a refreshingly untouristy coastal city — a real hidden gem on the central coast. After checking in, explore the beach promenade and grab lunch at a local quan an (eating house). In the afternoon, visit Banh It Tower (~15,000 VND / ~£0.50 entry) or Canh Tien Tower (~15,000 VND / ~£0.50) — ancient Cham towers with great hilltop views. Take a local food tour on foot: seek out banh xeo tom nhay (crispy pancakes with fresh prawn) and bun ca (fish noodle soup) at market stalls.

🚌Open-tour bus Hoi An to Quy Nhon (~£8-12)

🛏Quy Nhon budget hotel or guesthouse (e.g. Seagull Hotel, Quy Nhon Backpacker Hostel or similar) — ~£10-15/night

• →Open-tour bus or Phuong Trang/FUTA bus from Hoi An to Quy Nhon (~£8-12)
• →Banh It Tower — entry ~15,000 VND (~£0.50)
• →Canh Tien Tower (Bronze Tower) — entry ~15,000 VND (~£0.50)
• →Self-guided street food walk — try banh xeo tom nhay and bun ca (~£5-8)
• →Optional: Eo Gio coastal hike — entry ~22,000 VND (~£0.80) plus Grab taxi (~£3-4)

A free day to explore Quy Nhon's coastline before boarding the overnight train south. In the morning (dry season: March–September), book a boat to Hon Kho Island (~£5-8 return, arrange at the harbour) for swimming in clear blue-green water, or head to Ky Co Beach via a local boat service (~£5-8 return). Alternatively, visit the Con Chim Ecological Zone for stand-up paddleboarding or fishing (~£15-20 for activities). Grab snacks and a packed dinner for the overnight train from a local market. The Quy Nhon to Ho Chi Minh City train takes ~12-13 hours — book a soft sleeper berth in advance at 12go.asia or baolau.com (~£15-22).

🚌Local boats to islands (~£5-8); overnight train Quy Nhon–Ho Chi Minh City (~£15-22)

🛏Overnight sleeper train (soft sleeper 4-berth cabin recommended)

• →Hon Kho Island boat day trip (dry season only, Mar–Sep) — ~£5-8 return from harbour
• →Ky Co Beach boat trip (dry season only) — ~£5-8 return
• →Con Chim Ecological Zone — fishing or SUP (~£15-20)
• →Eo Gio coastal hike if not done yesterday — ~£0.80 entry + £3-4 Grab
• →Stock up on train snacks at local market
• →Board overnight train Quy Nhon–Ho Chi Minh City — soft sleeper ~£15-22, book via 12go.asia

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the morning at Saigon Railway Station, then Grab to your guesthouse in Pham Ngu Lao (the backpacker district, ~£3-5). Check in and head out early to catch the morning market energy — visit Ben Thanh Market or the nearby Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon (Chinatown) for street food and local produce. Grab a ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk) at a street-side cafe for ~£0.80-1.50. Replicate the included market visit and coffee experience for free by simply showing up — these are public markets. In the afternoon, visit the War Remnants Museum (~40,000 VND / ~£1.50) or Reunification Palace (~40,000 VND / ~£1.50). Tonight, dinner and drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street — budget ~£8-12.

🚌Grab taxi from train station (~£3-5); walking within Pham Ngu Lao

🛏Pham Ngu Lao budget hotel or guesthouse (e.g. Bui Vien Backpackers, The Common Room or similar) — ~£10-15/night

• →Grab taxi from Saigon Railway Station to Pham Ngu Lao guesthouse (~£3-5)
• →Ben Thanh Market or Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon) — free entry, street food ~£3-5
• →Ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) at a street cafe — ~£0.80-1.50
• →War Remnants Museum — entry ~40,000 VND (~£1.50)
• →Reunification Palace — entry ~40,000 VND (~£1.50)
• →Dinner and drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street — ~£8-12
• →Optional: Saigon Street Food by Night tour via GetYourGuide (~£22)

Your final morning in Vietnam — check out and store luggage at your guesthouse. If time allows, head out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the vast underground network used by Viet Cong guerrillas — book via GetYourGuide (~£20-25 including transport) or take a local bus for a DIY visit (~£5-8 transport + £5 entry). Alternatively, book a Mekong Delta day trip via Klook (~£25-35) or simply explore the French Quarter's elegant colonial architecture and street food one last time. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport by Grab (~£5-8) or airport bus 109 (~£1).

🚌Grab taxi or bus 109 to airport (~£1-8)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Cu Chi Tunnels day trip via GetYourGuide or local bus (~£20-25 guided, or ~£10-13 DIY)
• →Or: Mekong Delta day trip via Klook (~£25-35)
• →Or: Final wander through the French Quarter and Notre Dame Cathedral (free)
• →Grab taxi or bus 109 to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (~£1-8)