ITINERARY - One week

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If you only have a week in Vietnam, consider sticking with a single region. Generally winter’s better in the south, where you can spend a couple days in Saigon, take a two- or three-day Mekong Delta tour, then fly to Phu Quoc or Nha Trang for a couple beach days.

Day 1 Arrive in Saigon
Day 2 Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour, War Remnants Museum
Day 3 Mekong Delta Tour (day one)
Day 4 Mekong Delta tour (day two), return to Saigon
Day 5 Fly to Nha Trang, take a mud bath
Day 6 Take a snorkel trip, or sit on beach and see Cham site
Day 7 Fly to Saigon

Another potential one – best September to November – would be to spend a couple days in Hanoi, take a two-day trip to Halong Bay, then either spend a couple days on your own around Ninh Binh, or the overnight train for a couple days trekking in the mountains in Sapa.

Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi, arrange Halong Bay cruise
Day 2 Walk around Old Quarter, see Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Day 3 Halong Bay cruise (day one)
Day 4 Halong Bay cruise (day two), return to Hanoi
Day 5 Bus to Ninh Binh, see Cuc Phuong National Park
Day 6 Early boat trip to Tam Coc, see Hoa Lu, return to Hanoi
Day 7 Leave Hanoi

If you just want sand, it’s best to start in Saigon, and fly to either Nha Trang or Phu Quoc, or taking the bus to Mui Ne. The first two have clearer water, the latter is good far fall kite-surfing.