shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates · File:A view of Ha Long Bay from the high point of Sun Sot cave (31520203451).jpg · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_view_of_Ha_Long_Bay_from_the_high_point_of_Sun_Sot_cave_(31520203451).jpg
Vietnam first trip: north, central or south?
What Vietnam’s north, centre and south each offer, which two regions suit a first trip, and sample 6 and 8 night routes with the journey times between them.
The short answer
Vietnam is long and thin, so regions are joined by domestic flights. With six or seven nights, take two regions: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, then Da Nang and Hoi An; or Ho Chi Minh City, then Da Nang and Hoi An. From eight nights you can see all three, as our classic route does, but with short stays and two internal flights. Add nights rather than stops if you dislike packing.
What each region gives you
Season details are on our Vietnam guide, which owns “when to go”.
| Region | Core stops | Often suits | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Hanoi, Ha Long Bay | Old Quarter, street food, a night on the bay | Winters are cool, roughly December to March, according to Vietnam’s official tourism site; April to May and September to October are described as pleasant |
| Central | Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An | Beaches, the old town of Hoi An, an easy pace, families | Heavy rain and typhoons can hit from about September to November on the central coast, so check your dates |
| South | Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta | City life, markets, a day on the river | The dry season runs roughly December to April; May to November brings short afternoon showers |
Choose by trip type
Couples: north plus central. Our honeymoon route spends a night in Hanoi and a night on Ha Long Bay, then two nights in Da Nang and two in Hoi An.
Families with children: south plus central. Our family route spends three nights in Ho Chi Minh City, with a Mekong day, then three on Da Nang’s beach.
Food and city lovers: north and south, with a domestic flight between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. We have not built a route of exactly that shape, so ask us.
A beach add-on: Phu Quoc is an island extension. The Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City says Phu Quoc currently offers visa-free entry to certain foreign nationals, including Indian citizens, subject to conditions, for travel to and stay on the island only, not mainland Vietnam. Since 1 June 2026, travellers entering through Phu Quoc International Airport must also complete an online pre-arrival declaration. The Consulate still advises Indian nationals to get a Vietnam visa before travelling to Phu Quoc, because a medical emergency or flight disruption can force a trip to the mainland. Do not assume that connecting through a mainland airport qualifies. Checked 24 October 2026.
How our routes link the regions
Our routes use domestic flights, not long drives. Journey times from our package itineraries:
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by road: about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Hanoi to Da Nang by air: about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City by air: about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Da Nang to Hoi An by road: about 45 minutes.
Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi or My Tho (the Mekong day): about 1 hour 30 minutes each way.
Place heavy sightseeing days either side of a flight.
Sample routes
6 nights, couple: 1 Hanoi, 1 night on Ha Long Bay, fly, 2 Da Nang, 2 Hoi An (the shape of our honeymoon route).
6 nights, family: 3 Ho Chi Minh City with a Mekong day, fly, 3 Da Nang with Hoi An (our family route).
8 nights, all three regions: 2 Hanoi, 1 night on Ha Long Bay, fly, 2 Hoi An, fly, 3 Ho Chi Minh City (our classic route).
Mistakes to avoid
Trying three regions in six nights, or three in eight without accepting short stops.
Choosing a Ha Long cruise on price alone. It is a two-day, one-night format. The cruise boards around midday, about 2.5 hours’ drive from Hanoi, and returns to harbour at about 11 the next morning. Allow another 2.5 hours or so by road back to Hanoi, so book an onward flight for late afternoon (around 4 pm or later) rather than early afternoon. Timings vary by cruise operator, season and traffic. Our honeymoon route uses a balcony cabin. Compare boarding and return times and the cabin type before you book.
Booking an international flight into one city and out of another without checking the domestic leg.
Skipping buffer time for weather on the central coast.
Before you book
Indian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam, and the e-visa is the practical route. Check fees and validity on the official portal; our Vietnam guide explains the process.
How many nights do you need?
Our six-night routes cover two regions, and our classic route covers all three in eight nights.
Which region first for a first trip?
Our couples’ route pairs the north with the centre; our family route pairs the south with the centre. The centre appears in both because it combines beaches with Hoi An.
Do I need domestic flights?
For more than one region, our routes use them, with flights of about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Plan your Vietnam trip
See our Vietnam holidays, or tell us your dates and what you would like to see.
Photo credit
Hero photo: A view of Ha Long Bay from the high point of Sung Sot cave. Photo: shankar s. from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized.
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Sources
- Advisory for Indian Nationals Travelling to Vietnam — Consulate General of India, Ho Chi Minh City
- Advisory for Indian Nationals Travelling to Phu Quoc, Vietnam — Consulate General of India, Ho Chi Minh City
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