When the budget burns in your back pocket and 28-day’s worth of holiday has to last you the year, sometimes traveling in 8 days can be the only option. But it can be done, and it can be done well. You will sample the rural jungle, the hectic cities, history, architecture, culture and of course, food.
You can either begin in Hanoi, the Capital of Vietnam in the North, or Ho Chi Minh City in the South. This itinerary will be exploring from Ho Chi Minh City all the way to the north from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island and lastly Tam Coc, Ninh Binh.
Ideally this amount of travelling would be easier with a backpack, rather than a suitcase. I would recommend no more than a 50L backpack, unless you're looking to travel elsewhere after, then look into getting at least 65L, maybe more.
Firstly, you'll be visiting Vietnam's most visited city Ho Chi Minh, formerly Saigon.
Ho Chi Minh city is bursting at the seams with 20th Century history, art, architecture, coffee, food and the national delicacy Phở (noodle soup).
Ho Chi Minh City
Day one:
Cu Chi Tunnels and Backpacker Strip.
Vietnam is abundant with history, and the Cu Chi Tunnels are a perfect example of that. The tunnels make up part of the Ho Chi Minh war trails, active during the Vietnam war from 1959 – 1975. A half a day tour will begin with an hours coach journey from the city center itself. At the trails you will be guided through the jungle, with an opportunity to crawl along 100m of the trail – granted it is now a lot wider that it used to be, due to the ever-growing size of tourists. You can taste the traditional, delicate taste of Vietnamese Jasmine tea and have many photos next to booby traps and tanks. It is perfect mix between the information of museum, but with an interactive experience.
After the tour I would recommend hitting the famous backpacker street located in Bui Vien street. The nightlife here is crazy; with neon lights, lanterns and street food EVERYWHERE. It’s a must if you have gathered all your hostel roommates together. Don't expect it to be a quiet, cultured walk.
Day two:
War Remnants Museum, Landmarks, Bitexco Tower.
In the evening you will be traveling to Hanoi, so take this day slowly. If you are eager to learn more about Vietnam and its history, the War Remnants Museum should not be overlooked. The museum does not hide the truths of the war and it does a haunting, yet beautiful depiction of the struggles through the eyes of the Vietnamese.
Explore the city and famous land marks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post office, whilst enjoying street food and market stalls in between.
Ben Thanh market is also very popular, it is worth touring the abundance of stalls – just be wary of pickpockets and do not pay the asking price for anything!
In the evening try and catch the sunset from Bitexco Tower. It is Ho Chi Minh’s equivalent of the London’s Shard – with the sunset and the whole of Ho Chi Minh at your feet, it has to be a bucket list ticker.
After, savor Ho Chi Minh in all its glory with an artisan coffee, in the Café Apartments across the street.
The travel to the airport is around a 20 minute taxi ride from the city center itself. The flight to Hanoi is around 2 hrs. Or, you can decided to take an overnight sleeper bus from around 45 hrs. But being on a time schedule, you can do the maths.
Hanoi
Day Three:
Train Track Street, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Weekend Night Market
You’re tired from the night before but you’re eager to explore the Capital of Vietnam. Use this time to sample the traditional dish, Pho, from quirky backstreet diners. Wander through the Old Quarter, with the markets holding a great spot for knockoff western fashion.
The Train Track Street is also a must, although the tracks are still in use, you’ll be in plenty of time to get a pic for the ‘gram. Alongside it runs independent art shops and residential homes.
In the afternoon take a seat and sip a smoothie overlooking the Hoan Kiem Lake with the Turtle tower at its center.
Go to bed early! Treat yourself to an evening of wifi and Netflix. Or, if you managed to plan so you’re in Hanoi over the weekend, you can catch the Hanoi Weekend Night Market. The atmosphere of the busy streets at 11pm is a well earned culture shock.
Cat Ba Island
Day Four:
Renting a Scooter, Exploring.
You can take a coach and ferry ride, all within around 5 hours, from your accommodation in Hanoi to Cat Ba Island. These tickets can be purchased at your hotel or hostel. Cat Ba Island is located outside of the well traveled, Ha Long Bay. However, Cat Ba is still very preserved with many tourists not venturing outside of Ha Long Bay.
The main town of Cat Ba is situated in the south of the island. The town is still very local and minimal, with the awareness that tourists are starting to put Cat Ba on the map, as more and more hotels and hostels are popping up. So catch Cat Ba before the rest of the western world does. It's a beautiful change from the flurry of Hanoi.
Once arriving I would recommend renting scooters – you can snag one for around $3 a day, and perhaps a little more for petrol. You can moped across the entire main road that runs vertically along the island. These views can be some of the best out of this trip. Valleys, mountains, jungles, rural towns – everything Vietnam has to offer lives among these mountains.
Day Five:
Excursion Tour, Kayaking, Monkey Island, Snorkeling.
Book an excursion tour. These tours normally start from 8am and bring you back around 5pm – lunch included. Here you will be taken by boat, along with a handful of other tourists, weaving in and out of the beautifully famous Limestone rocks. You will have an opportunity to kayak through caves, snorkel and roam up and across Monkey Island. This tour breaks down everything you could have done in three days into one. Utilising those precious hours and minutes.
Day Six:
Sunrise, Travel to Ninh Binh REST!
Wake up before sunrise and make the walk, or moped, up to Cannon Fort where you can have breakfast and watch the orange sunrise. It's tranquility and views are incomparable.
You now have the rest of the morning and afternoon to travel onto the next destination. Tam Coc, Ninh Binh is about 5 journey, including the ferry and coach from Cat Ba Island. Most hostels and accommodations can organise this for you the night before.
Tam Coc, Ninh Binh
Day Seven:
Renting bicycles, exploring, Bich Dong Pagoda.
The reason for staying in Tam Coc, which is around a 15-minute ride from the bustle of Ninh Binh, is that Tam Coc is swimming in hushed natural beauty, as opposed to its hectic neighbor.
I would recommend renting pedal bikes in Tam Coc as there are gorgeous rice paddies and secret, narrow path and cycle ways which are all mud-pie territory.
Take a cycle down the peaceful roads to visit Bich Dong Pagoda.
This Pagoda (a tiered tower) is an enchanting tower build along and within mountain caves. It is a mysterious walk up through the winding pathways and ancient buildings. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning spot over-looking Ninh Binh and the vibrant jungle.
Day Eight:
Day Markets, Cycling into the centre of Ninh Binh, Travel back home.
This day depends on what time your flight is. If you have a late flight make use of the last taste of the Vietnamese cuisine, or if you can, cycle into the center of Ninh Binh.
I did not end up visiting Ninh Binh as, you guessed it, I ran out of time... But enjoy the final flavors of Vietnam and hope it was enough to visit again when the budget is slightly larger and the holidays are slightly longer.
So, it can be done. Everything in this itinerary has been traveled and approved. Your timings were tight, but you tried and tested North and South.
With this short snippet of Vietnam, you have seen both major cities, experienced rural countryside, cycled through rice fields, rode through jungle dressed valleys and sampled the sought after cuisine, all in just over one week.
Watch below my Vlog on my entire trip, including Thailand.