12 Days in Vietnam: Best 4 Itineraries for Choice

12 days in Vietnam is enough to cover the highlights from south to north. This guide offers 4 distinct itineraries: classic highlights, family-friendly stays with kid-approved activities, the scenic Ha Giang loop for nature lovers, or luxury experiences with selected hotels and private cruises. Read the following to find a route that fits your Vietnam trip.

Itinerary #1: Vietnam Highlights for First-Timers

This classic Vietnam 12-day itinerary is perfect for first-timers, covering its iconic destinations from south to north. From vibrant cities, peaceful countryside, to coastal landscapes, it offers a basic introduction to the country.

Day	Highlights	Place
1-2	Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion, Evening Foodie Tour	Ho Chi Minh City
3-4	Mekong Delta, Cai Rang Floating Market, Canoe Experience	My Tho - Can Tho
5-8	Hue: Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Perfume River Hoi An: Vietnamese Cooking Class, Tra Que Vegetable Village	Hue, Hoi An
9	Ho Chi Minh's House on Sites, Old Quarter Cyclo Ride	Hanoi
10-11	2-Day Cruise, Morning Tai Chi Practice	Halong Bay Cruise
12	Departure	Hanoi

Your journey begins in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest metropolis. Here, you'll visit highlights such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market to gain a glance into history. The evening experience allows you to steep into local life, savoring authentic Vietnamese food and riding a Vespa scooper through the lively streets.

Next, go to the Mekong Delta for a slow, rural experience. You will explore the waterways by long tail boat and travel between villages by traditional means, while in Can Tho, the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market shows the local daily life on the river.

On the 5th day, continue to central Vietnam with a flight to Hue, the former imperial capital. The Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc will allow you to learn about the Nguyen Dynasty and Vietnam's royal heritage.

Then, travel along the mountainous and coastal roads to Hoi An. The final day here is a free day, during which you can freely engage in activities, such as making bamboo lanterns or exploring historical relics at My Son Sanctuary.

Your final stop is in the capital city Hanoi and ends your trip with a leisurely way. The highlight is an overnight cruise in Halong Bay, where you'll sail among limestone karsts and enjoy activities, like kayaking, cooking lessons, or simply relaxing on board.

Itinerary #2: Vietnam Family Vacation With Phu Quoc Island

If you're planning a trip with kids, this itinerary of 12 days in Vietnam caters to the needs of families of all ages, offering kid-friendly experiences and cultural landscapes that appeal to adults.

Day	Highlights	Place
1-2	Rickshaw Ride through the Old Quarter, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Water Puppet Show	Hanoi
3-4	Cave Exploration, Cooking Demonstration, Squid Fishing	Halong Bay Cruise
5-8	Hue: Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Perfume River Hoi An: Hands-on Lantern Making, Bamboo Basket Boat Ride, Family Cooking Class	Hue, Hoi An
9-10	VinWonders Phu Quoc, Beach Relaxation	Phu Quoc Island
12	Departure	Ho Chi Minh City

Starting from the capital city of Hanoi, it allows children to form an initial impression of Vietnam. In the Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology, kids can enter traditional stilt houses and boat houses for exploration. Subsequently, your trip is continued in a relaxed manner: taking a rickshaw through the Old Quarter, walking along Hoan Kiem Lake after dusk, and watching a Water Puppet Show at night.

After leaving Hanoi, you'll have an overnight cruise along Halong Bay. Besides admiring limestone karsts, the cruise offers various activities suitable for families, such as cooking class experiences, night fishing for squid, and kayaking or taking a traditional bamboo boat to explore the nearby cave.

Then fly to Hue, an ancient capital that retains the royal city of the Nguyen Dynasty and the imperial tombs. Taking a dragon boat ride along the Perfume River is a relaxing way of touring.

Hoi An offers local and handmade experiences. Children can make traditional lanterns under the guidance of local artisans as a souvenir. In addition, you can enjoy the interactive joy with family by taking a bamboo basket boat through the coconut groves, catching small crabs, and learning to make Vietnamese dishes.

On the 7th day, Phu Quoc Island serves as a rest stop for the latter part of the itinerary. You can focus on beach vacations during the free day. It also offers visits to the VinWonders Phu Quoc and VinPearl Safari park for the whole family to relax.

Finally, end your family trip and have a short stay in Ho Chi Minh City. If time permits, extend your trip to visit the Mekong Delta, or the Cu Chi Tunnel to gain a deeper understanding of Ho Chi Minh City's history.

Itinerary #3: Vietnam Ha Giang Loop Trip

Nature lovers are suitable for this Vietnam 12-day itinerary. The Ha Giang Loop trip focuses on the river network and mountainous ethnic minority villages in the north. Also, you'll not miss the old city of Hanoi and the Halong Bay Cruise.

Day	Highlights	Place
1-2	Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, Old Quarter by Cyclo	Hanoi
3-5	Nam Dam Village of Dao minority, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Dong Van Old Town, Nho Que River Boat Cruise, Ma Pi Leng Pass	Ha Giang
6-8	Me Pia Pass, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave	Cao Bang
9-11	Kayak into Floating Village, Tai Chi Practice, Optional Water Activities	Halong Bay Cruise
12	Departure	Hanoi

Begin your trip to Hanoi, the capital city. You'll get acquainted with Vietnamese history by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda. The Old Quarter's lively streets beckon with the promise of unique souvenirs and delicious street food.

Next, shift gears as you enter Ha Giang. Here are stunning landscapes and rich culture. Visit Nam Dam Village, you can learn about the Dao minority and their unique clay homes. The UNESCO-recognized Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and Ma Pi Leng Pass promise views that you'll never forget.

After arriving in Cao Bang, your adventurous dream will come ture in Me Pia Pass and the Ban Gioc Waterfall. This area offers Vietnam's breathtaking natral attractions, including the Nguom Ngao Cave.

Then, return to Hanoi and have a Halong Bay cruise. You can kayak to floating villages, practice Tai Chi on the deck, or simply relax and admire the karst peaks.

Wrap up your journey where you began, perhaps taking a little extra time to souvenir shop or revisit a favorite site from earlier in your trip.

Itinerary #4: Vietnam Luxury Tour With Lan Ha Bay

This 12-day itinerary in Vietnam is designed for travelers seeking a high-quality experience. It connects the classic attractions privately and comfortably.

Day	Highlights	Place
1-2	Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office	Ho Chi Minh City
3-4	Private Houseboat Cruise, Cai Rang Floating Market	Mekong Delta
5-6	Ancient Town, Basket Boat Cruise, Bamboo Raft Dinner	Hoi An
7-9	Old Quarter, Family Visit to a Water Puppetry Artist	Hanoi
10-11	Optional: Kayaking, Cooking Demonstration, Night Squid Fishing	Lan Ha Bay
12	Departure	Hanoi

In Ho Chi Minh City, you will stay at the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon in the city center. The landmarks such as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Post Office are all within walking distance, saving you the time spent commuting and allowing you to explore leisurely.

Then, go to the Mekong Delta and stay overnight in a private houseboat, which is equipped with crew members for dedicated service. Also, go ashore to visit temples, markets, or ancient houses at any time. In the next morning, go to the Cai Rang Floating Market, where you can watch the scene of hundreds of boats trading on the river.

The ancient city of Hoi An is not very large, and you can wander around in the early morning or late afternoon when there are fewer people. The evening arrangements are distinctive: take a basket boat through the coconut groves, and enjoy a candlelight dinner on a private bamboo raft. The 6th day is your free day, and even just staying in the hotel is comfortable.

In addition to enjoying the relics and scenes, here is a special experience in Hanoi: visiting a family of water puppetry artisans to see how they make and control the puppets. You'll stay at a hotel on the water of the West Lake, close to the old city but very quiet, offering an opportunity to see the local life.

On the 10th day, board the 5-star Orchid Premium Cruise to Lan Ha Bay, and enjoy the panoramic view of the karst landscape in the comfortable cabins. Additionally, you can go kayaking through small caves, try fishing for squid at night, or just enjoy the scenery. Finally, you will take a flight to leave Vietnam from Hanoi.

Start Your Vietnam Trip With Odynovo

Wow, what a journey through Vietnam's stunning vistas and rich culture, right? But guess what? The adventure doesn't have to stop here. If you're yearning for more, whether you're interested in just Vietnam for a shorter or longer duration, we've got you covered. Don't wait, contact us to start your Vietnam tour!