Updated for 2026 · Independent Vietnam Travel Guides

Plan a trip to Vietnam that feels effortless, authentic, and unhurried.

VietnamStarter: Independent 2026 travel guide and 15 interactive calculators for Vietnam — Reunification Express Sleeper Train (SE1–SE20) vs. Domestic Flight Calculator, 1,000x VND (₫) Mental-Math Shield, 90-Day E-Visa Checklist, and 916 Vietnamese cities & islands.

Where to Go in Vietnam

Iconic Destinations & Regional Gateways

Interactive Planning Suite

15 Free Interactive Vietnam Travel Calculators & Planners

Vietnam Trip Budget Calculator (VND & USD)

Calculate realistic daily and total trip costs in VND (₫) (₫) and USD.

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Vietnam Travel Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards

Interactive phrasebook with phonetic pronunciation and full-screen kitchen allergy show-cards.

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Vietnam Custom Day-by-Day Itinerary Generator

Generate a custom route across Vietnam matched to your trip duration and arrival airport.

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Interactive Vietnam Packing Checklist

Customizable seasonal packing checklist with plug adapter and document reminders.

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VND (₫) (₫) Converter & Tipping Guide

Instant VND to USD converter plus regional tipping and payment etiquette.

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Day-by-Day Routes

Proven Vietnam Itineraries With Realistic Transit Timing

7 Days · Balanced · High-Speed Transit

7 Days in Vietnam: The Essential First-Timer Route (Hanoi & Ninh Binh & Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba)

A streamlined 1-week itinerary pairing Hanoi & Ninh Binh (Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple & The Old Quarter (36 Streets) — Walk the car-free weekend promenade around Turtle Tower and explore Hang Gai (silk), Hang Bac (silver), and Ma May Heritage House.) and Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba (Overnight Cruise Through Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay — Wake up to mist drifting between karst pinnacles, kayak through Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sáng Tối), and practice sunrise Tai Chi on the sundeck (2.5 hours from Hanoi via the new Haiphong–Ha Long Expressway).), linked via Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam) Reunification Express (SE1/SE2, SE3/SE4, SE19/SE20) & Chapa/Lotus VIP Sleepers with a day trip to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Budget: ₫28750000–₫48750000 ($1,150–$1,950 USD per person excl. long-haul flights)

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10 Days · Comprehensive · 3 Base Cities

10 Days in Vietnam: Hanoi & Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba, Hoi An Ancient Town & Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Our most popular 10-day route combining Hanoi & Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba, and Hoi An Ancient Town, optimized for Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam) Reunification Express (SE1/SE2, SE3/SE4, SE19/SE20) & Chapa/Lotus VIP Sleepers schedules and open-jaw flights.

Budget: ₫41250000–₫71250000 ($1,650–$2,850 USD per person)

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14 Days · In-Depth · 5 Regional Bases

14 Days in Vietnam: The Grand Panorama (Hanoi & Ninh Binh to Da Nang & Hue Imperial City & Phu Quoc Island)

A two-week grand tour spanning Hanoi & Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba, Phu Quoc Island, Hoi An Ancient Town, and Da Nang & Hue Imperial City.

Budget: ₫57500000–₫97500000 ($2,300–$3,900 USD per person)

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