Culture guide
Hanoi · Vietnam
Vietnam Travel Guide
The Vietnam guide: the S-curve route, the street-food curriculum and the season split.
9 min read · 9 days · Updated September 12, 2026
- vietnam
- travel guide
- Destination
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Duration
- 9 days
- Best time
- Oct-Nov
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
- Daily budget
- 50 USD
Vietnam runs a thousand miles down a curve of coastline, and every region has its own season and its own food: Hanoi's pho, Hoi An's cao lau, Saigon's banh mi. Budgets run $50/day at the mid tier — the continent's best value.
The classic route: Hanoi (2) → Ha Long (1) → Da Nang/Hoi An (2–3) → Ho Chi Minh City (2) → the Mekong (1), flown between, trained where scenic.
What this guide covers
The Classic Route
North to south, flown between.
Day 1
Hanoi — Old Quarter
Pho at dawn, the 36 streets, bia hoi.
Day 2
Hanoi — history
The temples, egg coffee, cha ca.
Day 3
Ha Long — overnight
The karst cruise and the deck stars.
Day 4
Fly to Da Nang
The beach evening; Hoi An next.
Day 5
Hoi An — lanterns
The Ancient Town and the river candles.
Day 6
Hoi An — cooking
The herb-farm class.
Day 7
Fly to Saigon
The rooftops and the banh mi.
Day 8
HCMC — history
Cu Chi and the museum; the delta next.
Day 9
Mekong Delta
The channels by boat; the farewell.
Where to Go
Hanoi is the necessary capital; Ha Long's karsts the necessary water; Hoi An the lantern town; Ho Chi Minh City the engine; the Mekong the finale. Ninh Binh ('Ha Long on land') and Sapa's terraces are the insider adds.
- Classic: Hanoi 2 → Ha Long 1 → Hoi An 3 → HCMC 2 → Mekong 1.
- Food-first: the 8-day pho-and-fire trail.
- North-deep: Hanoi 2 → Ninh Binh 1 → Sapa 2.
The Season Split
The north is best October–December; the south December–April; February–March splits the difference across the whole country. Central Vietnam's typhoon season runs September–November.
Street Food Rules
Eat where the plastic stools are full, order what the table next door has, and learn two words: 'ngon' (delicious) earns smiles; 'cam on' (thank you) earns respect.
What to know before you go
Money
- About $50/day at the mid tier nationwide.
- Street meals $1–3; the Ha Long cruise is the big line.
When
- North: October–December. South: December–April.
- February–March splits the country honestly.
Turn this guide into a trip
The trip planner opens pre-filled with Hanoi — adjust the dates and interests to fit your trip.
Plan around this destination
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Frequently asked questions
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City first?
Hanoi — the food is more distinctive and Ha Long follows naturally.
Is Vietnam cheap?
The best value in Asia: about $50/day at the mid tier.
How many days for Vietnam?
Ten days does the classic north-to-south arc properly.