12 Days Vietnam Itinerary – 2023

In 2023, I embarked on a 12-day solo trip to Vietnam. Here’s a breakdown of my itinerary and some of the highlights from my journey.

Days 1-3: Hanoi

I started my trip in Hanoi, where I spent three days exploring the city. I enjoyed trying out the local street food, especially bánh mì and phở. I also sampled some of the local beers, including the popular Bia Hơi. In between meals, I visited landmarks such as the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Temple of Literature.

Day 4: Halong Bay

I took a day trip to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning limestone karsts. I went on a boat cruise, explored the Sung Sot Cave, and enjoyed a bamboo boat ride.

Day 5: Ninh Binh

In Ninh Binh, I took a boat ride through the Trang An Grottoes and hiked to the top of the Mua Caves for incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

Days 6-8: Hoi An & Da Nang

I traveled from Hanoi to Da Nang by bus. In Da Nang, I visited the Marble Mountains and the iconic Dragon Bridge. I also took a day trip to Ba Na Hills to see the Golden Bridge.

In Hoi An, I fell in love with the charming Ancient Town. One of the highlights of my time there was a cycling trip where I rode 40km to the top of a mountain. The cycle was arranged by the dude who also rented me a 2 wheeler. This is the first time I rode a Kona Sutra Bike. Hoi An is also known for its custom-made leather goods, and I had a backpack, wallet, and bag stitched for just 5,000 INR.

Days 9-12: Ho Chi Minh City

I flew from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City for the final leg of my trip. I visited the War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Thanh Market, and other iconic landmarks.

Although I usually prefer to travel light with just one backpack, I couldn’t resist the temptation to shop in Ho Chi Minh City. The markets were filled with great deals, and I ended up leaving the city with two additional bags filled with Nike sneakers, jackets, jumpers, and other clothing items. It was a bit out of character for me, but the shopping opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City were too good to pass up.

In addition to shopping, I also enjoyed exploring the city’s thriving café culture. I spent time in various coffee shops, savoring the delicious Vietnamese coffee and Specialty coffee culture.

One of the highlights of my time in Ho Chi Minh City was meeting up with friends who happened to be in the city at the same time, and ex-colleagues. I also had the chance to connect with a group of Instagram influencers from South America who were visiting Vietnam. We ended up exploring the city together for two days. These unexpected encounters added an extra layer of excitement to my solo travel experience.

Vietnam is a beautiful country with friendly people, delicious food, and stunning scenery. I highly recommend it as a travel destination.

Here’s the link of the itinerary on Google Mymaps