Places to visit in Vietnam for 15 days itinerary - High recommended (P3)
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Below is our recommended itinerary for you: A detailed schedule for 15 days in Vietnam Itinerary:
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However, who doesn’t get excited when they first come to a new country? We bet you would love to go out, see new things, and find out what’s interesting for you. Therefore, we recommend some activities you might enjoy on your first day in Vietnam. Other than sightseeing, there are some kinds of traditional performances that you cannot find anywhere else than in Vietnam.
The first one is the Water Puppet Show which plays in Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre or Lotus Water Puppet, both of them are near Hoan Kiem Lake. In this show, puppets are moved under the water with folk music in the background, presenting ancient tales in the Vietnamese countryside. After the show, you can buy souvenir puppets at the theater. The other show we recommend is the Tu Phu (Four Palaces) Show. This is about ritual spirit practiced in the Vietnamese religion. However, this show only runs on Thursday and Saturday every week.
Visiting the Temple of Literature you will see many turtle steles, courtyards, passageways, and pavilions along with historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties. These buildings now become a memorial to education and literature where you can find the names of successful graduates engraved on a stone stele.
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Leaving the Temple of Literature, you can come to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Uncle Ho, the most iconic leader of Vietnam. His body is preserved in a glass case inside the Mausoleum. It was constructed in 1973 and was first opened to the public in 1975. Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you should dress with respect, just like when you step into a pagoda. However, visitors are not allowed to bring their bags and cameras inside because of tight security. Additionally, you have to move quickly as the place is constantly busy. You also need to check with your hotel before getting there if it is open that day.
For lunch, we suggest you should try Bun cha, one of the most famous dishes in Hanoi. Then continue with Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda which is located next to West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda has a history of more than 1,500 years, so it is considered to be the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi. Visiting the pagoda, you can admire the beautiful architecture along with the picturesque West Lake.
Another destination that you cannot miss is Hoan Kiem Lake. This peaceful and quiet place is a perfect spot to observe the daily activities of Hanoians. Contrary to Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter right next to it is a bustling place with beer streets, bars, and pubs where you can find a lot of travelers as well as locals relaxing and having fun. It is definitely a great spot to enjoy the exciting nightlife in Hanoi.
Don't hesitate to take a Hanoi city tour to make your 15-day Vietnam itinerary amazing!
Mai Chau is about 140 km from Hanoi then it takes you about 3 hours on the bus to get there. If you are adventurous, you can rent a motorbike and ride there. Either way, you should get up early, have breakfast before starting your journey, and make sure to have a shortstop for refreshment. Once you get to Mai Chau, you might need a local guide and then ride to Xa Linh Village or Tra Day village, have lunch there and then head to Hang Kia, where you can start your exciting trek to beautiful villages.
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The first one you could do is a trek from Hang Kia to Van Village. Van Village is the home of a white Thai minority group, it is a beautiful village for you to explore. The first thing you do to get there is to spend one hour walking on the jungle trail. Then you will walk down the hill, passing beautiful farms and terraces while enjoying stunning mountain views with an expansive valley. Afterward, you will cross a small river and reach the village. You can spend some time observing the daily life of the locals here which will be exciting for you.
For the next trek from Van Village to Buoc Village, it will take you about 3 hours, so you can choose to do it the first day, or wait until the next day. Buoc Village is another home of White Thai minority people. To get to this scenic village, you will go uphill and downhill through farms, terraces, and bamboo forests. If you decide to do it the next day, you can spend the night in one of the local homes in Van Village.
Some tourist places in Ninh Binh are within 12 km of the city center, so bicycle or motorbike areas are also to get around between destinations.
Cycling activities is the best way to really appreciate the striking scenery along the roads.
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In the afternoon, take a boat trip to Trang An. Trang An is known for its scenic waterways and you can hire a boat here and float along the Sao Khe River.This will take you through other-worldly caves and you can take in the scenery and also visit the caves and temples at the same time.
Boat trips usually last around 2 hours and Trang An is around 7 kilometers from Ninh Binh town so you can easily visit for the day.
Based on your budget, you can book a luxurious cruise or a diesel-powered junk to explore Halong Bay. However, we recommend the cruise because it offers you the best experience in Halong Bay. You should stay overnight on the cruise to enjoy plenty of beautiful landscapes in this bay. Most cruises include English-speaking guides, meals, and onboard services. It makes your trip more convenient.
Once your cruise is booked, you just need to get ready in the morning, and then you will be picked up for the adventure at about 8 am. Visiting Halong Bay, you will be able to discover the beautiful scenery of many islets, beaches, grottoes, and villages. Also, the cruise will offer stops for outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing, snorkeling, or kayaking.
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There are some islands on the list of stops, and the most popular one is Cat Ba Island. This island is famous for its floating villages, hotels, restaurants, and bars. It is also where you can find some endangered animals, such as black giant squirrels and civet cats. Another beautiful island is Dau Be Island which is a prominent swimming and diving spot. Bo Hon Island is where you can find the most famous caves in Halong Bay. To visit these stunning caves, you need to row a boat at low tide.
The most exciting experience for you on this trip is an overnight stay on the cruise in the middle of the Bay. You can have dinner on the cruise and then enjoy the rest of your night in a peaceful quiet place.
See more:
Places to visit in Vietnam for 15 days itinerary - High recommended (P2)
Places to visit in Vietnam for 15 days itinerary - High recommended (P3)
Cao Bang Vietnam with 11 admiring places to discover
- Day 1: Arrive at Hanoi
- Day 2: Hanoi one-day tour
- Day 3: Hanoi -Mai Chau -Trekking/ Biking to village
- Day 4: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Trang An
- Day 5: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Overnight on cruise
- Day 6: Bai Tu Long Bay - Hanoi
- Day 7: Flight to Hue
- Day 8: Hue one-day tour
- Day 9: Hue - Danang - Hoi An
- Day 10: Hoi An one-day tour
- Day 11: Explore Hoi An
- Day 12: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 13: Discover Mekong Delta
- Day 14: Explore Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 15: Ho Chi Minh departure and finish your trip
Day 1: Arrive at Hanoi
15 days Vietnam itinerary - First day Hanoi. Depending on what time you arrive in Hanoi, you will know how to arrange your schedule for the first day here. To transfer from Noi Bai airport to the city center, you have several options. The first one is that you can take a bus at the bus stop at the airport. The second one, you can take a taxi right outside of the gate. If you land in the morning, you can transfer to your hotel, check-in, and then explore Hanoi in the afternoon. If you land late in the afternoon or in the evening, you don’t have many options other than relaxing and getting ready for the next day.
However, who doesn’t get excited when they first come to a new country? We bet you would love to go out, see new things, and find out what’s interesting for you. Therefore, we recommend some activities you might enjoy on your first day in Vietnam. Other than sightseeing, there are some kinds of traditional performances that you cannot find anywhere else than in Vietnam.The first one is the Water Puppet Show which plays in Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre or Lotus Water Puppet, both of them are near Hoan Kiem Lake. In this show, puppets are moved under the water with folk music in the background, presenting ancient tales in the Vietnamese countryside. After the show, you can buy souvenir puppets at the theater. The other show we recommend is the Tu Phu (Four Palaces) Show. This is about ritual spirit practiced in the Vietnamese religion. However, this show only runs on Thursday and Saturday every week.
Day 2: Hanoi one-day tour
To start the second day in Vietnam, you should have the famous Vietnamese beef noodle soup (pho bo) for breakfast. Next, there are many tourist attractions in Hanoi that you would love to visit. You can begin with the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam). This is the first university in Vietnam which was founded in 1076 to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins, and also the members of the elite. The Temple of Literature is one of Hanoi’s most picturesque attractions with an excellent example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.Visiting the Temple of Literature you will see many turtle steles, courtyards, passageways, and pavilions along with historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties. These buildings now become a memorial to education and literature where you can find the names of successful graduates engraved on a stone stele.
Leaving the Temple of Literature, you can come to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Uncle Ho, the most iconic leader of Vietnam. His body is preserved in a glass case inside the Mausoleum. It was constructed in 1973 and was first opened to the public in 1975. Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you should dress with respect, just like when you step into a pagoda. However, visitors are not allowed to bring their bags and cameras inside because of tight security. Additionally, you have to move quickly as the place is constantly busy. You also need to check with your hotel before getting there if it is open that day.For lunch, we suggest you should try Bun cha, one of the most famous dishes in Hanoi. Then continue with Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda which is located next to West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda has a history of more than 1,500 years, so it is considered to be the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi. Visiting the pagoda, you can admire the beautiful architecture along with the picturesque West Lake.
Another destination that you cannot miss is Hoan Kiem Lake. This peaceful and quiet place is a perfect spot to observe the daily activities of Hanoians. Contrary to Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter right next to it is a bustling place with beer streets, bars, and pubs where you can find a lot of travelers as well as locals relaxing and having fun. It is definitely a great spot to enjoy the exciting nightlife in Hanoi.
Don't hesitate to take a Hanoi city tour to make your 15-day Vietnam itinerary amazing!
Day 3: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Trekking/ Biking to village
Mai Chau is a mountainous area in Vietnam that is famous for its green rice paddies and the outstanding beauty of nature. This place is home to Thai and Hmong ethnic minority groups. Visiting Mai Chau, you will be able to explore the spectacular scenery, visit remote areas and experience the life of these hospitable villages (Lac village).Mai Chau is about 140 km from Hanoi then it takes you about 3 hours on the bus to get there. If you are adventurous, you can rent a motorbike and ride there. Either way, you should get up early, have breakfast before starting your journey, and make sure to have a shortstop for refreshment. Once you get to Mai Chau, you might need a local guide and then ride to Xa Linh Village or Tra Day village, have lunch there and then head to Hang Kia, where you can start your exciting trek to beautiful villages.
The first one you could do is a trek from Hang Kia to Van Village. Van Village is the home of a white Thai minority group, it is a beautiful village for you to explore. The first thing you do to get there is to spend one hour walking on the jungle trail. Then you will walk down the hill, passing beautiful farms and terraces while enjoying stunning mountain views with an expansive valley. Afterward, you will cross a small river and reach the village. You can spend some time observing the daily life of the locals here which will be exciting for you.For the next trek from Van Village to Buoc Village, it will take you about 3 hours, so you can choose to do it the first day, or wait until the next day. Buoc Village is another home of White Thai minority people. To get to this scenic village, you will go uphill and downhill through farms, terraces, and bamboo forests. If you decide to do it the next day, you can spend the night in one of the local homes in Van Village.
Day 4: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh (another name is Halong Bay on Land)
After breakfast, transfer to Ninh Binh (150km from Mai Chau). Ninh Binh is surrounded by a stunning landscape of lush green paddy fields and striking limestone outcrops with main tourist sites including Tam Coc, Trang An, Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda – The biggest Pagoda in Vietnam, Van Long Nature Reserve, and Cuc Phuong National Park, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Oldest Capital of Vietnam, Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, Thung Nham Bird Garden…Some tourist places in Ninh Binh are within 12 km of the city center, so bicycle or motorbike areas are also to get around between destinations.
Cycling activities is the best way to really appreciate the striking scenery along the roads.
In the afternoon, take a boat trip to Trang An. Trang An is known for its scenic waterways and you can hire a boat here and float along the Sao Khe River.This will take you through other-worldly caves and you can take in the scenery and also visit the caves and temples at the same time.Boat trips usually last around 2 hours and Trang An is around 7 kilometers from Ninh Binh town so you can easily visit for the day.
Day 5: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Overnight on cruise
After breakfast, the transfer to Halong Bay was declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and also voted a Wonder of Nature by the New7Wonders Foundation. This is definitely a place worth visiting and you should spend one night in this world-famous bay. The best way to experience this picturesque landscape is by boat or cruise. As Halong is a popular destination for travelers, booking a Halong Bay cruise is easy and available at every hotel and travel agency in Vietnam.Based on your budget, you can book a luxurious cruise or a diesel-powered junk to explore Halong Bay. However, we recommend the cruise because it offers you the best experience in Halong Bay. You should stay overnight on the cruise to enjoy plenty of beautiful landscapes in this bay. Most cruises include English-speaking guides, meals, and onboard services. It makes your trip more convenient.
Once your cruise is booked, you just need to get ready in the morning, and then you will be picked up for the adventure at about 8 am. Visiting Halong Bay, you will be able to discover the beautiful scenery of many islets, beaches, grottoes, and villages. Also, the cruise will offer stops for outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing, snorkeling, or kayaking.
There are some islands on the list of stops, and the most popular one is Cat Ba Island. This island is famous for its floating villages, hotels, restaurants, and bars. It is also where you can find some endangered animals, such as black giant squirrels and civet cats. Another beautiful island is Dau Be Island which is a prominent swimming and diving spot. Bo Hon Island is where you can find the most famous caves in Halong Bay. To visit these stunning caves, you need to row a boat at low tide.The most exciting experience for you on this trip is an overnight stay on the cruise in the middle of the Bay. You can have dinner on the cruise and then enjoy the rest of your night in a peaceful quiet place.
See more:
Places to visit in Vietnam for 15 days itinerary - High recommended (P2)
Places to visit in Vietnam for 15 days itinerary - High recommended (P3)
Cao Bang Vietnam with 11 admiring places to discover
