18 days in Vietnam Itinerary

Formerly known in the West as Saigon and affectionately referred to as the "Pearl of the Far East," Ho Chi Minh City is a study of old and new, woven and piled together in a fast-paced urban hub.

Do some cultural sightseeing at War Remnants Museum and Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. Head to Ben Thanh Market and Villa Royale Antiques and Tea Roomfor some retail therapy. It doesn't end there: look for gifts at Hand Embroidery Ninh Khương and admire the landmark architecture of The Independence Palace.

Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City fast, fun, and easy.

Edmonton, Canada to Ho Chi Minh City is an approximately 23.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference moving from Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Indochina Time (ICT) is 14 hours. Prepare for warmer weather when traveling from Edmonton in February: high temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City hover around 39°C and lows are around 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can travel to Hanoi.

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has bounded back from the effects of war, and today serves as a bustling commercial and cultural hub bursting at the seams.

On the 1st (Thu), explore the activities along West Lake, then stop by The Bookworm Hanoi, then take an in-depth tour of Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Old Quarter. Here are some ideas for day two: steep yourself in history at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, contemplate the long history of Hoa Lo Prison, explore the activities along Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), stop by Phúc Lợi Shop, then stop by 54 Traditions Gallery, and finally contemplate the long history of Temple of Literature & National University.

To find maps, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read Hanoi itinerary planner .

Do a combination of flight and bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Halong Bay.

Halong Bay encompasses a cluster of verdant limestone islets that jut out from the sea and make up an enchanting setting recognized as a World Heritage Site.

On the 4th (Sun), wander the streets of Cua Van Floating Village and then contemplate the waterfront views at Halong Bay.

Planning Halong Bay trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.

Traveling by combination of bus, flight, and ferry from Hanoi to Halong Bay takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 4th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Da Lat.

While often referred to as "City of a Thousand Flowers," "City of a Thousand Pines," and "City of a Thousand Palms," you'd be right in thinking that numbers far greater than a thousand have given Da Lat its reputation as a fertile agricultural heartland.

On the 5th (Mon), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Linh Phuoc Pagoda, skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, then explore the activities along Xuan Huong Lake, and finally hunt for treasures at Dalat Market.

To see traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Da Lat online sightseeing planner .

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Halong Bay to Da Lat takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and taxi; or do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in March, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) so you can travel to Hue.

Nestled on the banks of the Perfume River, the city of Hue remains most famous as the former home of the Nguyen Dynasty, the influence of which remains evident in local palaces, temples, forts, and museums.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Tue): contemplate the long history of The Flag Tower, then take in the spiritual surroundings of The Mieu Temple, then explore the ancient world of Nine Dynastic Urns, and finally steep yourself in history at Hue Imperial City (The Citadel). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: steep yourself in history at Tomb of Tu Duc, steep yourself in history at Tomb of Minh Mang, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Thien Mu Pagoda, and finally look for gifts at Healing the Wounded Heart Shop.

To see ratings, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Hue trip itinerary site .

Traveling by flight from Da Lat to Hue takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or drive. When traveling from Da Lat in March, plan for slightly colder days in Hue, with highs around 32°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 24°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Marked by underground rivers, famous caves, limestone cliffs, and tropical rainforests, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park wows visitors with a spectacular range of landscapes and wildlife.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Thu): explore the fascinating underground world of Hang Toi (Dark Cave), explore the fascinating underground world of Paradise Cave, and then explore the fascinating underground world of Phong Nha Caves.

To find ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park travel itinerary planner .

You can drive from Hue to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Hoi An.

Indisputably one of Vietnam's most atmospheric destinations, Hoi An contains a World Heritage-listed old town boasting over 2,000 years of culture and history.

Head to Rubin Cloth Shop and Trang Cloth Shopfor plenty of shopping. There's still lots to do: browse the eclectic array of goods at Central Market, stop by Linh Chi Shop, and stroll through The Marble Mountains.

To find traveler tips, maps, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Hoi An trip site .

You can drive from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Hoi An in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and taxi; or do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. In March, daytime highs in Hoi An are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. You will have some time to spend on the 13th (Tue) before leaving for home.