The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, although it is commonly referred to as Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia. It is a coastal country with the South China Sea to the right, Cambodia and Laos to the west and China to the north. The capital city is Hanoi, although this 1 week in Vietnam itinerary doesn’t explore there.

I spent 8 days in Vietnam with my son and this itinerary is based on what we did. This itinerary is jam-packed to be as efficient as possible to maximise our experience in the short time we are there.

There are some activities outlined here that you could add to your own south Vietnam itinerary. Alternatively, you might be looking for ideas to add to your central Vietnam itinerary. Or these ideas can be added to a much longer itinerary, such as a six month long south-east Asia itinerary.

Either way, if you’re planning a trip to Vietnam and you only have a limited amount of time, then hopefully this 1 week Vietnam itinerary can help!

Table of Contents

• My 1 week in Vietnam itinerary
  • Day 1 – Ho Chi Minh City
  • Day 2 – Hoi An
  • Day 3 – Hoi An
  • Day 4 – Hoi An to Hue
  • Day 5 – Day trip from Hue to Dong Ha
  • Day 6 – Hue half day tour
  • Day 7 – Da Nang
  • Day 8 – Mekong Delta day trip
• Things to know about Vietnam
• 1 week in Vietnam cost
• Final Thoughts
• What to take for 1 week in Vietnam

My 1 week in Vietnam itinerary

If you’re wondering how many days in Vietnam you will need to explore, just let me say now that one week in Vietnam simply wasn’t enough. But it did give me a taste of Vietnam and I can’t wait to go back again! So for those of us who don’t have a lot of leave time up our sleeves, it’s a fantastic introduction.

When putting an itinerary together, I first ask myself the lower level questions of where to go in Vietnam. As in, what regions do you think you can comfortably get to in the time frame that you have. This should guide you in working out the general area to which you want to travel to.

Next, drill down a bit further to look at what are the places to visit in Vietnam that pique your interest. Are there any UNESCO World Heritage site locations that you really want to visit? Is there a natural wonder that you would like to visit? That kind of thing.

Then, start looking at what are the interesting activities to do in Vietnam that looks good to you. Is there something that you can only experience while you’re in Vietnam?

The next thing to look at is how to travel around Vietnam easily. Should you catch the Reunification Express train, or a bus, or fly?

These steps are what I used to come up with the best Vietnam itinerary that is full of adventure, given the time constraints I have.

Day 1 – Ho Chi Minh City

I only had 1 day in Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of my trip due to a visa issue before leaving Australia. I had the incorrect date on my visa, and even though it was my fault, Jetstar was absolutely amazing and put me on the next available flight.

If you’re wondering how many days in Ho Chi Minh City you need, one is enough to see the main sites, but a second day would probably allow you to go at a slower pace and see a few more things.

Ho Chi Minh City would have to be one of the best cities to visit in Vietnam.

The War Remnants Museum

After succumbing to a cyclo scam (more on that later), we arrive at the War Remnants Museum.

This would have to be the most famous Vietnam War museum in Vietnam. It doesn’t cost much to enter the museum, only 15k VND each.

The museum is a real eye-opener and it is a very sombre place. My heart hurts a little while looking through each room and gallery. There is much to learn by visiting the museum, and not all of it is good.

Here you will find displays of captured helicopters, planes and tanks of the US Army outside of the main building. Once inside, there are many photos and horrendous stories that accompany them. There are even some baby specimens that have been affected by Agent Orange. It is a very sobering place.

In a smaller building on the grounds, there are torture devices on display, including a guillotine that the French brought with them. Be warned, this place will give you a heavy heart, but it is necessary to visit.

The Independence Palace

The Independence Palace is a short and easy walk from the War Remnants Museum. Make sure you turn left when getting back to the main road, otherwise you’ll be in for a long walk around the block.

The entrance fee to enter the palace grounds is very reasonable for travellers on a smaller budget. Here you will find beautifully manicured lawns and a glamorous building. It is designed so that it is a very open building and fresh air blows through the big louvred windows.

Underneath the opulent main floor, there is a bunker area that houses a command centre that was used during the Vietnam War. It is fascinating to see all the maps and equipment left over from the war. There’s even a shooting range that you will see.

Enjoy walking through the building and looking at the gigantic wardrobe of the president, or the luxurious cinema. You may even spot a helicopter on the roof of the building.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral is only a few blocks away from the Independence Palace and an easy walk. When we visited it was unfortunately closed for renovations so we aren’t able to go inside. But we still took the opportunity to take a few photos from the outside as it is a truly beautiful piece of architecture.

Central Post Office

The Central Post Office is right next door to the Cathedral, which is very convenient if your feet are starting to get sore. Outside the post office, there are people selling souvenirs and other wares.

Once inside the Central Post Office, you may find it a little overwhelming as there are a lot of people in the enclosed space. And at the same time, it is still a working post office!

Inside there are ATMs in repurposed wooden cubicles, as well as huge clocks showing the time from places around the world. It is an impressive building, but just really busy.

Ho Chi Minh City Walk

After lunch (yes we had packed all that into one morning!), we decided to wander around the city to find a few famous locations.

The People’s Committee Building

Only a short distance from the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral is the People’s Committee Building. You literally cannot miss this building as it’s huge! It takes up a whole block and it is majestic. The building is not open to visitors, so you won’t be able to go inside. But the outside is something special to see.

Now, one thing I missed doing was going to the end of the park in front of the People’s Committee Building and taking a photo of Ho Chi Minh with the building in the background. So make sure you walk through the park and then look back. You won’t be disappointed.

Ho Chi Min City Opera House

The Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, or the Saigon Municipal Opera House, is quite close to the People’s Committee Building. It is another beautiful building in the French Colonial style. In this area, there are many buildings in this style and it is really lovely just walking around and admiring the architecture.

Saigon River

The Saigon River is within walking distance of the Opera House. In order to get to the river, you will need to cross the busiest street yet. Even though we’ve only been walking around for a day, we’ve got it down pat and cross the street like a pro.

The Saigon River is not particularly pretty, because rivers generally aren’t due to the colour of the riverbed. However, you can walk along the foreshore for a while though and soak up the city’s atmosphere.

Ben Thanh Markets

Ben Thanh Markets was actually a little harder to find than I thought it would be. I was following Google Maps, but I walked right past the building because I wasn’t expecting it to just be a big white building on the outside. We found it eventually, though, which was great as I really wanted to visit.

If you are looking for souvenirs, you can definitely buy them here, but they will be more expensive than in other parts of the city or country. Also, the restaurants in the buildings that are across the road from the markets also appear more expensive. After all, it is a tourist area.

There is a small food court area within the markets. By now you are probable exhausted and have sore feet, so grab a drink and maybe some food here is a nice way to soak up the atmosphere of the markets.

Flight from Ho Chi Min City to Da Nang

So that was one day in Ho Chi Minh City. If you follow this itinerary you’ll agree that it will be a very adventurous day. While there is still much more to do in Ho Chi Minh City, there are other parts of Vietnam that are just as amazing and fascinating. So that evening, we head to the airport to catch our flight from Hi Chi Minh City to Da Nang. The flight is with Jetstar and it is only a little bit delayed.

Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue are the 3 major cities in Vietnam’s central region that are included in this itinerary.

From the airport, Hoi An is about a 45-minute drive from the Airport. It was easier to organise a driver from the hotel I had booked in Hoi An to pick us up from the airport. It was a cheaper and easier option than trying to work out the transfer myself.

Day 2 – Hoi An

The following is a brief Hoi An travel guide for if you are visiting the Ancient Town.

Accommodation in Hoi An Vietnam is plentiful. Where you choose to stay will depend on what you are planning on doing while visiting. Because I was all about adventure and sightseeing, I chose the Nova Villa in Hoi An as it was close to Hoi An Ancient Town.

The receptionist gave a warning that people in the street will be extremely nice to you and encourage you to go to their shop. So if that happens then just politely decline the invitation and walk on.

You will need to find one of the little booths selling books of tickets to Hoi An Ancient Town. The booklets have five tickets to use at different attractions within the Ancient Town.

Once you cross the An Hoi Bridge and we are suddenly plunged into an amazing area full of colour and beautiful scenes. The buildings are really old, but they are so pretty. The trees are so greens and the flowers are so bright and plentiful. There are also lanterns hanging everywhere. Hoi An Ancient Town is simply stunning.

Walking along the riverfront you will be asked if you would like to go for a boat ride. The boats are colourful and cheery and are certainly a good photo opportunity.

Attractions you can visit on your Hoi An Ancient Town tickets include the following.

Minh Huong Communal House

The building is blue and it is stunning. Against the blue, there are large red spirals hanging from the roof and these are actually giant incense coils!

Old House of Quan Thang

This is a small and narrow house with a courtyard in the middle of it. The wood panelling inside the house is incredibly detailed. There is a team of people in the back room that look to be making dumplings by hand.

Phuc Kien Assembly Hall

The grounds are simply stunning and you could stay here for a long time admiring and soaking up the view. The buildings are very intricate and detailed. The buildings are designed to be cool, even in such a warm and humid environment.

Tran Family’s Chapel

This location is on the outskirts of the Ancient Town. The owners give guests a small tour and during it is told that the house is a blend of different styles of architecture, including Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese. There is a shop located within the house where guests are encouraged to purchase souvenirs.

Quang Trieu Assembly Hall

Luke decides he needs to sit again, it must be hard being an active 13 year old! Anyway, I head in further to explore the assembly hall. The buildings are, once again, amazing. And the level of detail is incredible.

I wander around taking photos until I see a sign for the toilet. It’s good timing, so I head out towards the back of the building to use the facilities. Once I get to the back of the building, I find the most incredible mural that is almost the length of the wall.

I go and get Luke so he can see the mural as well. In addition to that, there’s also a gigantic dragon fountain. I think Luke is suitably impressed.

Japanese Covered Bridge

This bridge was constructed in the 16th century and it really is so pretty. There is a smaller bridge in front of it where you can take some front photos. There’s a small river that runs underneath that you may be lucky to spot people fishing in.

Inside the bridge, there is a room off the side. The bridge doesn’t necessarily feel sturdy and at one stage I took a step back and thought I put my foot through the bridge as the floor was very uneven.

Cam Pho Communal House

This attraction is outside the main tourist streets of Hoi An Ancient Town. This hall is much smaller than the others that have been visited today and it isn’t as detailed either. It is still very pretty though, but it doesn’t take us long to walk around the grounds.

Night Markets

Hoi An Ancient Town has night markets that are simply fascinating. The markets are a great place to browse if you are looking for souvenirs. I decided against the snake whisky as I didn’t think it would pass Australian customs!

Dinner is amazing. Is there anything better than Vietnamese food?! The restaurants here are very busy as there are a lot of tourists at the markets, but the food is delivered quickly. I ordered a white rose, omelette and barbeque, not that I know what any of these things are, but the pictures sure looked good! The wait staff show us how to roll up the omelettes in the rice paper as we had no idea and it must have been obvious!

Before heading back into the Ancient Town proper to view the lanterns at night, you can buy a floating candle to place on the river. It is supposed to bring good luck.

Day 3 – Hoi An

The hotel reception was able to book a My Son Sanctuary tour. I was going to make my own way there, but this was so cheap and I didn’t have to make any effort besides turning up at the right time. A minibus picks us up and we are transferred to a larger bus for the hour-long drive out to My Son Sanctuary.

My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site contains a number of Hindu temples that were built between the 4th and 13th centuries. They were built as part of the Champa Kingdom and it is one place that needs to be on your Vietnam itinerary. The name My Son means Beautiful Mountain.

My Son Sanctuary Tour

Upon arrival at My Son Sanctuary, after you walk through the entrance and down a path, you will reach a line of electric carts that are waiting to take tourists further into the sanctuary. This is fortunate, otherwise, it is a 2km walk uphill!

Once the carts stop it is then a 10-minute walk to the first lot of temples. These are the most popular ones that appear in all the photos online. These temples are mostly intact after the bombing during the Vietnam War. They are intricate and detailed.

The guide taking the tour group said that the older parts of the temples have lasted longer than the restored parts as they were built differently. Also, there are different temples for males and females.

Listening to another guide, he said that the heads of the statues were decapitated by the French before they left the country. They are now on display at the Louvre.

The rest of the temples aren’t as impressive as the first section. Don’t get me wrong, they are still impressive though! However, some of the temples were severely damaged in the war by bombing. There are five bomb craters around the last group of temples.

Thu Bon River Cruise

The My Son Sanctuary tour includes a Thu Bon River cruise on a colourful wooden boat. Lunch is included in the cruise.

Along the way back to Hoi An, the cruise stops at an island called Cam Kim which is a woodworking and boat-building village. The cruise passengers are free to walk around the village and check out the stores. There are wood carvers and people cutting mother of pearl to inlay into wood carvings.

The boat will then make its way back to Hoi An to drop all the passengers off. Hoi An definitely needs to be on your 1 week in Vietnam itinerary.

Day 4 – Hoi An to Hue

There is a bus service that is available to take tourists between Hoi An and Hue. The hotel reception booked it and surprisingly it made a few unexpected stops along the way.

Marble Mountains, Da Nang

Marble Mountains in Da Nang are a group of mountains that consist of marble and limestone. The mountain has an excellent feature which includes a lift that goes up 5 stories to the top. That certainly saves a lot of time and effort getting to the top! It is such a unique attraction in Vietnam.

There are many caves and Buddha statues to explore on the mountain. There are people selling incense to burn at the Buddha statues. Although you may just be given some and then payment is expected.

There are two caves that are exceptional and worth visiting and they are the Tang Chon Cave and the Huyen Khong Cave. The views looking over Da Nang from the top of the mountain are beautiful.

Hai Van Pass, Da Nang

The next stop on the bus is Hai Van Pass. Hai Van Pass was a strategic location during the Vietnam War. It is at the top of the Annamite Range which separates the Da Nang and Thua Thien Hue provinces.

There are some derelict buildings and some ruins at Hai Van Pass. Some even have what appear to be bullet holes in them. There’s also a shrine here.

Thanh Toan Covered Bridge, Hue

The Thanh Toan Covered Bridge is another old but very beautiful bridge. It is only a short distance from the city centre of Hue. A number of locals are lying on the benches located within the bridge because there is a cool breeze that blows through. It helps to reduce the stifling heat.

Forbidden Purple City, Hue

After you arrive in Hue and have settled into your hotel, you may be excited to head back out again and visit the Forbidden Purple City, also known as the Imperial City or Citadel.

The Forbidden Purple City is another UNESCO World Heritage site. It was established in the early 1800s and it was the capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. The site is 2km by 2km and has been affected by numerous wars over the years.

There are many different things to see within the Forbidden Purple City, although it’s mostly architecture. The buildings are in various conditions. Some are in a state of disrepair, some are being restored, while others are simply ruined. There are so many different structures here to look at. Expect to walk around the grounds for around 2 hours.

Day 5 – Day trip from Hue to Dong Ha

Dong Ha is the capital of the Quang Tri Province and it is a 2-hour drive from Hue. This is where the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) is from the Vietnam War. The reception in the hotel organises a car and guide for the day to visit the DMZ in Vietnam.

Vinh Moc Tunnels

The Vinh Moc Tunnels are part of a system that was built to shelter the local community from American bombing. There is a small museum on the grounds also. It is very informative to read the displays in the museum.

The tunnels are very fascinating also. Walking through the tunnels, the guide explains how they work and point out interesting things along the way, such as a birthing room, toilets, new board, and the bomb shelters.

The earth is red and it is perfect to build the tunnels out of as it holds its shape. The tunnels are not reinforced at all. They open out onto the beach which means they are very well ventilated. It is quite cool within the tunnels and you can feel the ocean breeze blowing through.

History Museum Hien Luong Bridge

This is a small museum on the banks of the Ben Hai River. At the entrance, you are greeted by a large Ho Chi Minh statue. Inside, there are interesting artefacts in the museum, all war memorabilia. Outside there are large speakers which were used to distribute propaganda material across the DMZ. Across the road is a Reunification Monument.

Hien Luong Bridge

Next to the museum is the bridge that spans the Ben Hai River. It was an important structure in the Vietnam War. The bridge is painted in two different colours and each colour either denotes North Vietnam or South Vietnam. At the end of the bridge, there is a monument for women and children. This is to signify the husbands and fathers who were sent to the north while the French were regrouping and couldn’t return to the south until after the war had finished, some 21 years later.

Day 6 – Hue half day tour

The accommodation in Hue, Vietnam, came through with the goods again and helped to book a half-day tour that would take us to three different tombs around the city. A tomb tour does seem a bit morbid, but if you’re into architecture and building, you will really enjoy this tour.

Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda is also known as the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. It is a seven-story pagoda and was founded in 1601. On the grounds of the complex, there is a working monastery. It is on the banks of the Perfume River and is not too far out of the city centre.

In 1963 there was a monk from this monastery drove to Saigon and set himself on fire as a protest against the discrimination toward Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. The car that the monk drove is enshrined within the complex.

Minh Mang Tomb

King Minh Mang was the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1820 to 1840. He governed both southern and central Vietnam. Some of the buildings were damaged during the war, but it has been repaired since. It is a lovely complex to spend time at. There is a beautiful lake area and you are able to buy food to feed the fish.

Khai Dinh Tomb

King Khai Dinh was the twelfth ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1816 to 1825. The tomb was completed in 1931 and took 11 years to complete. It is a unique blend of architecture. One of the interesting things at the tomb is the life-sized statues that are placed so that it looks like a chessboard.

Hue is an amazing city with so much more to see. If you want to know how many days in Hue Vietnam you need, I’d recommend more than just the 2 1/2 days. There are so many things I wasn’t able to see like the Thuy Tien Lake abandoned water park.

The hotel then arranged for a bus to take us back to Da Nang. It was a sleeper bus and it’s a fantastic idea with seat-beds that you can lie down in.

Dragon Bridge, Da Nang

The Dragon Bridge is a medium length walk from the beach area. Although it doesn’t feel too far because the sights will keep your mind occupied. The Dragon Bridge is great during the day, but it is fantastic at night as it is lit up. The colour of the lights is constantly changing and if you’re lucky, the dragon may even breathe fire.

Day 7 – Da Nang

Ba Nah Hills

I booked a Ba Na Hills tour through the accommodation in Da Nang that we were staying at. The tour to Ba Na Hills was the most expensive tour I booked on this holiday. The cost includes the entrance ticket and a private car to take us there and pick us up.

Ba Na Hills is about a 45-minute drive outside of Da Nang. Ba Na Hills is a resort in the Truong Son Mountains and was built in 1919. It was built as a summer destination to escape the heat. It has French Colonial architecture. At one time the cable car was the longest in the world at over 5.8kms long.

Once up the top of the mountain, there are many restaurants, there’s also a Buddhist temple to look at. Additionally, there is a games area and a roller coaster ride. It’s an interesting way to spend a day. I’m not sure I can 100% recommend Ba Na Hills, but I haven’t worked out a suitable alternative yet.

My Khe Beach

From the accommodation we are staying in, it is a short walk to My Khe Beach. There are markets near the beach to browse through. Sitting on the beach, relaxing and reflecting on an amazing holiday is a great way to spend an afternoon before catching a flight back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8 – Mekong Delta day trip

Through the hotel reception again, I organised a tour of the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City. It was very cheap and consisted of a bus to My Tho, stopping along the way at Vinh Tran Pagoda, a boat ride across the Mekong Delta, a tour of a small island, and a traditional wooden boat ride on Ben Tre, and lunch on Con Phung island.

Vinh Trang Pagoda

Two hours after the tour left Ho Chi Minh City, the bus arrived at the Vinh Trang Pagoda complex. There are some amazing Buddha statues to view here.

Ben Tre Cruise

The Mekong River in Vietnam is a famous river that runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia before it reaches Vietnam. The tour takes you across the wider part of the river and onto Ben Tre Island. Upon landing it is obvious that the area is set up for tourists. Firstly, the group is taken to an area where we are given honey drinks to try.

Afterwards, the group is taken to another area where singers perform songs while the tour group is given different fruits to try. The group is also taken to a toffee lolly making business to purchase lollies.

Finally, the group are taken on a small river cruise in traditional wooden boats, wearing the traditional Vietnamese farmer hat also. If the person rowing your boat is being particularly chatty, it’s because they work for tips. Don’t be like us Australians and not realise until you’re off the boat and are unable to give them money. Tipping doesn’t come naturally to us.

Con Phung Island

After the cruise, the tour group is taken to Nha Hang Con Phung where lunch is served. The island has activities to participate in, such as bikes. It also has sights to see, such as crocodiles. It’s an interesting place full of unexpected things.

Things to know about Vietnam

Vietnam culture shock can be a real thing! If you’re visiting for the first time, you may find the experience overwhelming. I really want to tell you to embrace the chaos.

How to cross the road in Vietnam

Crossing the road in Vietnam can be very daunting at first. The main thing you need to keep clear of is cars. No one pays attention to pedestrian signs, so if there is a pedestrian crossing, don’t expect people to stop for you.

I would still recommend crossing at crossings because drivers are more aware of people crossing, but remember, they won’t stop! As long as there are no cars coming, when there is a lull in the traffic commence walking across the road in a slow, but steady, pace. Do not hesitate and do not turn back. Be confident with walking directly across the road. Motorcyclists and scooter riders will go around you. They are able to judge your speed and drive appropriately.

It won’t take long until you are crossing the busiest of roads like a pro.

Common Vietnamese scams

I need to start this section by saying that I felt perfectly safe in Vietnam. Not once did I feel unsafe. But there were a couple of scams that we did experience or find out about and I’ll share them here so you know what to look out for. I’m not sure if the following are actual scams by definition, but they are definitely things to be looking out for.

Cars at the airport

When you land at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City you will be overwhelmed by the chaos. So keep your wits about you. When you make your way to the taxi line, many people will come up to you and ask you where you are going so they can get you a car. If you engage, the next thing you know, they are carrying your bag and you are being shuffled into someone’s car. The fee is slightly more than the taxi.

Cyclo in Ho Chi Minh City

I did read about this one prior to going to Ho Chi Minh City, and yet the alarm bells didn’t go off in my head. The first morning we were in the city, we walked outside and a cyclo driver started up a conversation. Not wanting to be rude, I chatted with him for a bit. Then he asked if we wanted a ride, which I politely declined. He kept talking to us and named his price for the trip to the War Remnants Museum. It was only a couple of AUD, so I accepted the ride. When we finished the trip, the price was suddenly $50 AUD. That was absolutely not what we agreed upon, but I paid for it. So be warned, the price you are quoted is not the real price.

Friendly people

The people are so friendly in Vietnam, but as soon as strangers start up a conversation with you and ask you what country you are from, be wary of what you may be getting yourself into. I didn’t get caught out by this one as I was warned by one hotel receptionist about it, but what happens is the people in the street are trying to get you to visit a store they are affiliated with. Which is perfectly fine if you are in the market to buy things. But as a tourist, I just wanted to walk and look at incredible things.

Fruit carriers

You will find women walking around tourist areas carrying large baskets of fruit across their shoulders. They will offer the baskets to you to try on for a photo opportunity. Then once you’re holding the baskets, they load up a bag of fruit for you to buy. Not sure if it’s a scam or just a genius marketing strategy. And yes, the fruit was delicious. Haha!

Not so free food

In some restaurants, when you sit down, food will be automatically brought to the table. In one particular place in Da Nang we had soybeans and balut (egg embryo) put on the table. We didn’t eat them as we didn’t want them, but when we were given the bill, we had been charged for them. Make sure when food is put on the table that you won’t be required to pay for it.

Electrical adapters for Vietnam

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There are three different electrical adapters for Vietnam, A, C and F. When travelling to Vietnam, it will be most convenient to get a universal adapter. This way you won’t need multiple adapters depending on what your accommodation is using.

Accommodation in Vietnam

Choosing accommodation is a very personal thing. When looking for a hotel, I try to find the best I can get for the lowest price I want to pay.

These are the locations I stayed at while in Vietnam:

Blue Diamond Hotel Ho Chi Minh City
Nova Villa Hoi An
Holiday Diamond Hotel Hue
Adaline Hotel and Suite Da Nang

1 week in Vietnam cost

One week in Vietnam cost about $1400 AUD for myself and my 13-year-old son. This included international flights on Jetstar, domestic flights on Jetstar Asia, accommodation, tours, entry fees, tours, transfers and food. This also included long term parking at Sydney Airport while we were away. This is probably a mid-range budget and as you can see from the itinerary, we did a lot.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Vietnam trip itinerary has helped you decide what to do in Vietnam. It is a handy guide to help you decide upon how many days to spend in Vietnam and to show you just how much you can pack into a short trip.

Overall, this trip was just a taste of Vietnam. I would love to go back and explore Vietnam in more depth. In the meantime, I do hope you’ve enjoyed this 1 week in Vietnam itinerary.

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What to take for 1 week in Vietnam

Water filter – the Sawyer Mini is the best filter as it cleans and filters the water.
Water bottle – Insulated stainless steel water bottle to keep your hydration up as you sweat a lot in Vietnam.
Rain jacket – Lightweight raincoat because you just never know if there’ll be a tropical downpour.
Handy towel – Microfibre travel towel to have handy.
Camera gear – the Olympus OM-D is what I’m currently using.

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