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A north-to-south adventure of emerald bays, ancient towns, mountain passes, and the best street food on earth.
Vietnam is long, cheap and endlessly varied — the classic north-to-south trail from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh takes 3 weeks and feels like three different countries. Genuinely one of the best backpacker routes in the world.
Each region has a completely different character. Here's what to expect from each area.
Start in the north. The Old Quarter is genuinely fascinating — 36 ancient trading streets, each named for the commodity once sold there (some still are). The hoan Kiem Lake area is beautiful at dawn before the tourists arrive. Vietnamese coffee culture (ca phe trung, egg coffee, is a Hanoi speciality) is worth exploring properly.
2-night cruise rather than a day trip — the boats that stay out overnight go further, the views at dawn are extraordinary, and you'll kayak through lagoons the day-trippers never reach. Bai Tu Long Bay (east of the main area) has equally spectacular scenery with far fewer boats. Book through your hostel in Hanoi.
The most beautiful town in Southeast Asia. Cycle to the beach at An Bang (4km, local hire £2/day), eat white rose dumplings and cao lau noodles made with water from a single local well, watch the lanterns on the river at night. Get up at 6am and have the old town to yourself for an hour.
Often skipped — don't. The Imperial Citadel, the royal tombs scattered through the forested hills (hire a motorbike for the day to reach them), and a food scene that's distinct from the rest of Vietnam. Bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) is the dish. Rent a bicycle and cross the Truong Tien Bridge at sunrise.
Fly or train in from the north. The War Remnants Museum requires a full morning and will affect you for days. Cu Chi tunnels (half day, best with a smaller tour group) provide essential context. Then eat: banh mi from a street cart, fresh spring rolls in District 3, and the best Vietnamese coffee in the country at Cong Ca Phe.
Fly into Hanoi → Ha Long Bay cruise (2 nights) → Train to Hue (1 night) → Hoi An (3 nights) → Train or bus to HCMC → fly out. 2–3 weeks. The Reunification Express train is the backbone — buy tickets online at least 3 days ahead.
£20–35/day including accommodation.
Street food: £1–3 per meal.
Banh mi: 50p–£1.50.
Local restaurant lunch: £2–4.
Hostel dorm: £5–10.
The train is always better than flying between cities — the Reunification Express runs the full length of the country. Choose homestays in Sapa and the Mekong Delta rather than tour company accommodation. Ha Long Bay cruise operators vary hugely in environmental standards — choose companies that are members of responsible tourism groups.
Tell us where you want to go and your budget — we'll build a personalised quote with routes, hostels, and transport sorted.
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