Explore Vietnam: The Complete 13-Day Self-Launched Journey

Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). Take the public bus route 86 from the airport directly to the Old Quarter for around £1, or grab a metered Vinasun/Mai Linh taxi for around £8-10. Check into a hostel in the Old Quarter — try Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or La Siesta Premium. Spend the evening wandering Hoan Kiem Lake, grab a bia hoi (street beer) on Ta Hien Street, and pick up a local SIM card at the airport or a convenience store (~£5 for 30-day data plan).

🚌Bus route 86 from Noi Bai Airport to Old Quarter (~£1) or metered taxi (~£8-10)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or La Siesta Premium Hang Be — dorm from ~£8-10/night, private from ~£18-25/night

• →Arrive at Noi Bai Airport — take bus route 86 to Old Quarter (~£1) or metered taxi (~£8-10)
• →Check into a hostel in the Old Quarter
• →Evening stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
• →Street food dinner on Ta Hien Street — try bun cha and bia hoi (~£3-5)
• →Pick up a local SIM card for data (~£5)

Hanoi's big-hitting landmarks are all walkable or a short taxi/Grab ride apart, making this a highly manageable self-launched day. Start early at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (note: closed Monday and Friday afternoons). Visit the One Pillar Pagoda next door, then the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (£2 entry). Head to the Temple of Literature (£1.50 entry) and the haunting Hoa Lo Prison museum (£1.50). Wrap up at Tran Quoc Pagoda on the banks of West Lake. Book a guided walking tour of the Old Quarter via GetYourGuide if you'd like more context (~£10-15).

🚌Walking and Grab rides around the city (~£3-5 total)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or La Siesta Premium Hang Be

• →Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, embalmed body and gardens — free (closed Mon & Fri afternoons)
• →One Pillar Pagoda — free
• →Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or Vietnamese Women's Museum (~£2 entry)
• →Temple of Literature (~£1.50 entry)
• →Hoa Lo Prison Museum (~£1.50 entry)
• →Tran Quoc Pagoda — free
• →Lunch at a local com binh dan (rice plate restaurant) — ~£2-3
• →Optional: Old Quarter walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£10-15)

Take an early bus from Hanoi's My Dinh or Giap Bat bus station to Ninh Binh (~£3-4, 2 hours). Alternatively, book a day-trip from Hanoi via Klook (~£20-25 all-in) which saves on logistics. At Hoa Lu, explore the ancient capital's temples on foot (£1 entry). Head to Tam Coc for the famous 1.5-hour bamboo rowing boat trip through rice paddies and karst caves (~£4-5). Hire a bicycle in the afternoon and cycle around the surrounding villages (~£1.50/day). If staying overnight, Ninh Binh has excellent budget guesthouses; or return to Hanoi by bus in the evening for the Sapa night train.

🚌Bus Hanoi–Ninh Binh return (~£6-8 total)

🛏Return to Hanoi hostel or overnight in Ninh Binh — Nguyen Shack or Tam Coc Garden Resort from ~£10/night

• →Bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (~£3-4, ~2 hours)
• →Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital temples (~£1 entry)
• →1.5-hour bamboo boat trip through Tam Coc (~£4-5)
• →Bicycle hire and village cycling (~£1.50)
• →Buffet lunch with local food including goat meat (~£4-6)
• →Return bus to Hanoi in the evening (~£3-4)

Today is a travel day to Sapa. Book a sleeper train from Hanoi's train station to Lao Cai via the Reunification Express or dedicated Sapa trains (e.g. SP1, LC3). Soft sleeper berths cost around £18-25 and the journey takes 8-9 hours overnight — a classic backpacker experience. Book in advance via the Vietnam Railways website (dsvn.vn) or through 12go.asia. The train departs around 9-10pm and arrives in Lao Cai early morning, where you catch a minibus up to Sapa town (~£2-3, 45 mins). Use the afternoon to sort logistics, book your Sapa trek and relax.

🚌Overnight train Hanoi to Lao Cai (soft sleeper ~£18-25); minibus Lao Cai to Sapa (~£2-3)

🛏Overnight on the train — soft sleeper berth (~£18-25)

• →Free day in Hanoi — explore street food markets or the Old Quarter at leisure
• →Board overnight sleeper train Hanoi to Lao Cai (~£18-25 for soft sleeper)
• →Book Sapa trek with a local guide or guesthouse for following days (~£15-25)

Arrive into Lao Cai early morning, catch the minibus up to Sapa town (~£2-3). Check into a guesthouse, freshen up and meet your local trekking guide (book through your guesthouse or via GetYourGuide — many Hmong women guides offer brilliant community-led tours for ~£15-20). Trek 12km through terraced rice fields visiting Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages. Lunch at a local family's home in Lao Chai (~£3-4 included with trek or pay separately). Continue the hike down to Ta Van village. Overnight at a community homestay in Ta Van — an authentic experience with dinner included (~£8-12).

🚌Minibus Lao Cai to Sapa (~£2-3); trekking on foot

🛏Community homestay in Ta Van village (~£8-12/night including dinner)

• →Minibus from Lao Cai to Sapa (~£2-3, 45 mins)
• →12km guided trek: Y Linh Ho → Lao Chai → Ta Van villages (~£15-20 with local guide)
• →Lunch at a local family's home in Lao Chai (~£3-4)
• →Village life encounters with Black Hmong and Red Dao communities
• →Overnight homestay in Ta Van with dinner included (~£8-12)

Breakfast at the homestay, then an 8km morning trek visiting Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan villages, passing a waterfall and rattan bridge. Return to Sapa town by early afternoon. Catch a minibus back down to Lao Cai (~£2-3) and board an afternoon or evening train back to Hanoi (~£18-25 for sleeper, or £10-15 for a daytime seat). Arrive in Hanoi late evening and check back into your hostel.

🚌Minibus Sapa–Lao Cai (~£2-3); train Lao Cai–Hanoi (~£10-25 depending on class)

🛏Hanoi hostel — dorm from ~£8-10/night

• →Breakfast at homestay
• →8km trek: Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan villages (~free, included in guide fee)
• →Waterfall and rattan bridge visit
• →Lunch in Sapa town (~£3-5)
• →Minibus Sapa to Lao Cai (~£2-3)
• →Train Lao Cai to Hanoi (~£18-25 sleeper or £10-15 daytime seat)

Join a 2-day/1-night Halong Bay cruise — one of the most popular and competitive travel markets in Vietnam, so shop around. Budget cruises start from £60-80/person (2D1N), mid-range from £90-130. Book directly via operators like Castaway Islands, Grey Line, or through GetYourGuide or Klook. Shared minibus from Hanoi to Halong Bay is included with most cruise packages (~3.5 hours each way). Onboard: cruise through UNESCO-listed limestone karsts, kayaking, swimming (seasonal), cave visits, and all meals included. Spend the night on the boat.

🚌Shared minibus Hanoi–Halong Bay (usually included in cruise price)

🛏Halong Bay cruise cabin (budget 2D1N cruise ~£60-80/person including cabin and meals)

• →Shared minibus transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay (~3.5 hours, usually included in cruise price)
• →Board cruise — limestone karst sightseeing
• →Kayaking through caves and lagoons (included on most cruises)
• →Swimming off the boat (seasonal)
• →Cave visit (Sung Sot or Thien Cung caves)
• →Lunch and dinner on board (included in cruise price)
• →Overnight on cruise boat

Brunch served on board as the cruise returns to port. Shared minibus back to Hanoi (~3.5 hours). From Hanoi, catch a budget flight to Danang (book in advance with VietJet Air or Bamboo Airways — from ~£25-45 one way). The flight is ~1.5 hours. From Danang Airport, take a Grab taxi or a shared shuttle (~£5-8) to Hoi An, about 30km south. Check into a hostel in or near the Old Town. Hoi An Backpackers Hostel and Tribee Hoi An Hostel are well-rated options.

🚌Minibus Halong–Hanoi (included); budget flight Hanoi–Danang (~£25-45); taxi/shuttle to Hoi An (~£5-8)

🛏Hoi An Backpackers Hostel or Tribee Hoi An — dorm from ~£8-12/night

• →Morning brunch on Halong Bay cruise
• →Shared minibus return to Hanoi (~3.5 hours, included in cruise)
• →Budget flight Hanoi to Danang — VietJet or Bamboo Airways (~£25-45)
• →Grab taxi or shared shuttle Danang Airport to Hoi An (~£5-8, ~45 mins)
• →Check into hostel; evening wander through Hoi An Old Town lanterns

Hoi An is one of Southeast Asia's most beautiful towns — and very walkable. Hire a bicycle (~£1.50/day) and explore at your own pace. Wander the UNESCO-listed Old Town (combined ticket for 5 heritage sites ~£4), browse the famous tailor shops on Le Loi and Tran Phu streets (budget £20-40 for custom clothing). Cycle 4km out to An Bang or Cua Dai beach for an afternoon swim — free entry, sun loungers ~£1-2. In the evening, the Old Town is transformed by lanterns — head to the monthly Lantern Festival if the timing aligns, or just enjoy street food along the river (~£3-5 for a meal).

🚌Bicycle hire (~£1.50/day)

🛏Hoi An Backpackers Hostel or Tribee Hoi An — dorm from ~£8-12/night

• →Bicycle hire for the day (~£1.50)
• →Old Town heritage site visits — combined ticket ~£4
• →Browse tailor shops for custom clothing (budget £20-40 if ordering)
• →Cycle to An Bang or Cua Dai Beach — swimming and relaxing
• →Evening street food along the Thu Bon River (~£3-5)
• →Evening walk through lantern-lit Old Town
• →Optional: watch traditional street performances

Today is flexible — the original tour includes an optional day trip to Ba Na Hills and the famous Golden Bridge (~£55-65 self-booked vs $75 on the tour). Book via Klook or GetYourGuide for the best rates — look for shared group day trips from Hoi An or Danang that include return transport and cable car rides. Alternatively, spend a second relaxed day in Hoi An exploring the countryside by bicycle, visiting the nearby Tra Que vegetable village, taking a Vietnamese cooking class (~£20-25 via GetYourGuide), or heading back to the beach.

🚌Shared day-trip shuttle to Ba Na Hills included in tour price (~£55-65); or bicycle locally (~£1.50)

🛏Hoi An Backpackers Hostel or Tribee Hoi An — dorm from ~£8-12/night

• →Option A: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge day trip via Klook/GetYourGuide (~£55-65 including transport and cable cars)
• →— Two cable car rides, Golden Bridge, Linh Ung Pagoda, French Village, Fantasy Park
• →Option B: Stay in Hoi An — cycle to Tra Que vegetable village (~£1.50 bike hire)
• →Option B: Vietnamese cooking class in Hoi An (~£20-25 via GetYourGuide)
• →Option B: Afternoon at An Bang Beach

Catch a budget flight from Danang (DAN) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) — book with VietJet or Bamboo Airways well in advance for ~£25-40. Take a Grab or metered taxi from the airport to your hostel in District 1 (~£5-7). In the afternoon, join a shared Cu Chi Tunnels tour — book via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£12-18 including return transport from HCMC), a far cheaper option than a private guide. The tunnels are about 1.5 hours from the city. The visit includes an introductory video, crawling through tunnel sections, tea and cassava tasting. Optional gun shooting is available on-site (~£8-12 extra). Return by shared transport in the evening.

🚌Budget flight Danang–HCMC (~£25-40); Grab from airport (~£5-7); shared shuttle to Cu Chi Tunnels (included in tour)

🛏The Common Room Project or Saigon Backpackers Hostel, District 1 — dorm from ~£8-12/night

• →Budget flight Danang to Ho Chi Minh City — VietJet/Bamboo (~£25-40)
• →Grab taxi from Tan Son Nhat Airport to District 1 hostel (~£5-7)
• →Shared Cu Chi Tunnels tour via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£12-18 including transport)
• →Introductory video, tunnel exploration, tea and cassava tasting
• →Optional: gun shooting at tunnels (~£8-12 extra)
• →Evening: explore Ben Thanh Market and District 1 street food

Book a shared Mekong Delta day trip from HCMC via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£18-25 including transport and lunch). This takes you to My Tho and surrounds, covering the same highlights as the original tour: Vinh Trang Pagoda, sampan cruise around the four islands (Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, Tortoise), walking through Unicorn Island's country lanes, tropical fruit tasting, folk song performance, honey bee farm, coconut candy workshop, and cycling around Tan Thach village. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by early evening, leaving time to explore the city's famous rooftop bars, Bui Vien walking street, or the War Remnants Museum.

🚌Shared day-trip shuttle HCMC–Mekong Delta return (included in tour price)

🛏The Common Room Project or Saigon Backpackers Hostel, District 1 — dorm from ~£8-12/night

• →Shared Mekong Delta day trip via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£18-25 including transport and lunch)
• →Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
• →Sampan cruise around Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise Islands
• →Walking through Unicorn Island orchards and country lanes
• →Tropical fruit tasting
• →Folk song performance by local musicians
• →Honey bee farm and honey tea tasting
• →Coconut candy workshop
• →Cycling around Tan Thach village
• →Return to HCMC — evening at Bui Vien or rooftop bar

Final morning in Vietnam! Grab a classic Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da) and spend a few hours ticking off any remaining HCMC sights — the War Remnants Museum (£2 entry) and Reunification Palace (£2 entry) are both superb and close to District 1. Browse Ben Thanh Market or the surrounding streets for souvenirs. Grab a Grab taxi or metered cab to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (~£5-7) in plenty of time for your flight. Safe travels!

🚌Grab taxi to Tan Son Nhat Airport (~£5-7)

🛏Check out of hostel

• →Vietnamese iced coffee breakfast at a local cafe (~£0.50-1)
• →Visit War Remnants Museum (~£2 entry)
• →Visit Reunification Palace (~£2 entry)
• →Browse Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs
• →Lunch at a local com binh dan (~£2-3)
• →Grab taxi to Tan Son Nhat Airport (~£5-7)