Vietnam Itinerary 7 Days - Best Routes for Every Budget

Traveling to Vietnam for just a week? You might be surprised by how much you can experience in seven short days. Whether you’re a backpacker on a shoestring, a comfort-seeker looking for mid-range charm, or someone who craves luxury wrapped in culture, there’s a Vietnam itinerary 7 days option tailored perfectly for you.

In this ultimate travel guide, we’ve compiled three distinct Vietnam itineraries - Budget, Mid-Range, and Luxury - each crafted to maximize your time and showcase the very best this beautiful country has to offer. From bustling Saigon to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and the historic charm of Hanoi, your dream week awaits.

Below, you’ll find brief overviews of each itinerary with direct links to full, detailed guides which are perfect for bookmarking and building your travel plan for Vietnam!

P.S If you just want to do one main thing in Vietnam, I would suggest you the best road trip of Vietnam - Ha giang loop!

Are 7 days enough for a Vietnam Trip?

Seven days might seem short, but Vietnam’s efficient transport network makes it surprisingly travel-friendly. Internal flights, night trains, and scenic buses mean you can cover a lot without feeling rushed. Whether you want to eat your way through the street markets, hike limestone cliffs, or relax by the beach - you’ll have time for it all. Plus, having just a week makes planning (and budgeting) simpler.
Obviously you can’t see all of Vietnam in 7 days so keep your expectations accordingly. But it is still almost enough to get a taste of Vietnam!

Hidden tour of Vietnam - If you are in the mood of doing something which very few travelers in Vietnam do then you can consider doing a 1 week Phong Nha tour. It's off the beaten path itinerary which is mostly for adventure travelers and hikers!

One more thing - these 7 days itineraries are catered for people who want to see as many places as possible in the least amount of and want to cover both the north and south part of the country. 
If you want a more relaxed and immersive approach, I would highly recommend you to focus only on one section of country i.e North (Hanoi, Ninh binh, Halong, Sapa), Central (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue) or South (Ho chi minh city, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang).
In the end it's up to you and what kind of traveler you are. Different strokes for different folks!

Vietnam Itinerary 7 Days Overview

Here’s a high-level view of the three customized itineraries, designed to cater to different travel styles:

• Budget Vietnam Itinerary: Hostel vibes, street food galore, and sleeper buses from Saigon to Hanoi.

• Mid-Range Vietnam Itinerary: Boutique hotels, domestic flights, and balanced cultural fun.

• Luxury Vietnam Itinerary: High-end resorts, private drivers, and five-star culinary experiences.

Each one is a full 7-day plan starting in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and ending in Hanoi, passing through key highlights like Hoi An and Ninh Bình.

Since each one week itinerary will be quite long and if we try to put them all in one article it might take you way too long to read through all of them, we have put the full detailed itinerary in 3 separate articles based on your budget and travel style.

Budget Explorer Itinerary Highlights

If you're chasing value, this is your golden ticket. You’ll travel like a local in night buses, motorbike taxis, and enjoy Vietnamese festivals. Despite the low cost, the itinerary is rich in experience where you get to explore ancient towns, take a boat through the Mekong Delta, and end your week wandering Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter.

Daily Cost Range: $25-$35

Accommodation Style: Hostels and homestays

Main Transport: Sleeper buses, public trains

Top Experiences: Hoi An lanterns, Tam Coc boat ride, Saigon free tours

Who Should Pick This Itinerary?

• Backpackers

• Solo travelers

• Digital nomads on a budget

• Students or recent grads

• Anyone looking to travel Vietnam under $300 total!

Mid-Range Adventurer Itinerary Highlights

Prefer a comfortable mattress but still love adventure? This itinerary strikes a perfect balance. You’ll fly between major regions to save time, stay in boutique hotels, enjoy guided experiences, and still get off the beaten path. Ride the Hai Van Pass, explore Imperial Hue, and take a sunset cruise in Hoi An.

Daily Cost Range: $70-$100

Accommodation Style: Boutique hotels, stylish homestays

Main Transport: Flights, private transfers, rented scooters

Top Experiences: Cu Chi by speedboat, Hai Van Pass motorbike, Hoi An food tours

Who Should Choose This Plan?

• Couples

• Working professionals

• Travel influencers and vloggers

• Anyone who wants more thrill with less stress

Luxury Seeker Itinerary Highlights

This indulgent route delivers premium experiences in Vietnam’s most iconic spots. Stay at lavish resorts, dine on chef-curated meals, and let private guides show you hidden gems. Imagine spa days in Da Nang, helicopter rides over Ha Long Bay, and sunset dinners in a heritage villa.

Daily Cost Range: $200+
Accommodation Style: 5-star hotels and resorts
Main Transport: Private cars, internal flights, cruise liners
Top Experiences: Private beach BBQ, wellness retreats, luxury Mekong cruise

Who Will Love This Itinerary?

• Honeymooners

• Luxury travelers

• Older travelers who value comfort

• Photographers seeking aesthetic gems

How to Choose the Best Itinerary

Confused between the options? Here's a decision matrix:

Weather & Best Travel Months

Vietnam’s long vertical geography means varying climates by region. Here's a simplified cheat sheet:

What to Pack for 7 Days in Vietnam

• Lightweight, breathable clothes

• Travel-size sunscreen & bug spray

• Swimwear and flip-flops

• Travel insurance (seriously!)

• Power bank (buses don’t always have plugs)

• Reusable water bottle

• A scarf or shawl (temples require cover-ups)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating travel times between regions

• Not pre-booking flights (they fill up! Especially cheap Vietjet flights)

• Forgetting visa requirements (apply online)

• Packing too much - you’ll buy things there anyway!

• Avoiding street food - it’s part of the charm!

Vietnamese Phrases That Help

• Xin chao - Hello

• Cam on - Thank you

• Bao nhieu tien? - How much?

• Ngon qua! - So delicious!

• Nhà ve sinh o dau? - Where is the bathroom?

How to Use Sleeper Buses & Trains

If you’re choosing Budget or Mid-Range plans:

• Sleeper Buses: Cheap but bumpy. Bring earplugs.

• Trains: More comfortable. Book early for soft sleepers.
  
  Tip: Use the app Vexere for all bus bookings and reviews.

Do You Need a SIM Card in Vietnam?

Yes, and it’s super easy! Get a Vietnamobile or Viettel SIM at the airport. For ~100,000 VND ($4), you’ll get 5-10GB of data - plenty for maps, rideshares, and booking apps.
I like Viettel more due to wider coverage and better internet speeds.
Yes, you can get the sim card cheaper outside the airport but you have to consider if it's worth the hassle in a foreign country.

Safety Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Vietnam is very safe, but petty theft happens in crowded areas

• Don’t flash valuables in night markets

• Cross roads slowly and confidently

• Tap water is not drinkable at most places - use bottled

Food to Try Along the Way

• Phở - Hanoi breakfast classic

• Bánh mì - Vietnamese sandwich (try Hoi An!)

• Cao lau - Only found in Hoi An

• Bun cha - Hanoi grilled pork noodles

• Egg coffee - Sweet, foamy, and strong

Visa & Entry Requirements

Most travelers can get an eVisa online. Processing time is 3-5 working days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and print your visa just in case.

Some countries from Asean such as Indonesia, Thailand etc & some European countries like Norway, Germany etc are visa exempt for a period of 30-45 days. You can check if your country is Visa exempt in this list here as of April 2025.

If you need a visa I would highly recommend you to apply for it yourself from the official Vietnam government visa website since it's super easy. Why give some third party agent 50% to 200% extra to fill a form online which will not take you more than 20 minutes!

Currency & Budget Planning

• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

• Exchange Rate: $1 = 26,000 VND (approx. as of April 2025)

• ATMs are everywhere, but carry cash for rural areas

• Tipping isn’t expected, but always appreciated

Read More: Full 7-Day Itinerary Blogs

Budget Explorer Vietnam Itinerary (7 Days)
Mid-Range Adventurer Vietnam Itinerary (7 Days)
Luxury Vietnam Itinerary (7 Days)

Each post includes detailed day-by-day breakdowns, transportation options, food spots, and insider tips.

Suggested Internal Travel Tools

• Apps: Grab (rides), Maps.me (offline maps), Google Translate (voice mode)

• Websites: 12Go Asia (transport), Booking.com (hotels), Klook (tours)

• Facebook Groups: Vietnam Travel Tips, Backpackers Vietnam

FAQs

Are 7 days enough to see Vietnam?

Yes! With smart planning and internal travel options, you can explore major highlights from south to north in a week. But do not expect to get an immersive experience since Vietnam is a pretty ‘long’ country from south to north. 

Can I customize these itineraries?

Absolutely. These itineraries are flexible. Mix and match cities or adjust the pace to fit your vibe. Just keep in mind you only have 7 days so don’t get overly excited and add too much to your travel plate haha

What’s the cheapest way to get around Vietnam?

Sleeper buses and trains are the most affordable for long distances. For cities, use Grab or rent a scooter.

Is Vietnam safe for solo female travelers?

Yes. Vietnam is considered one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. Just take basic precautions like anywhere.

When’s the best time to visit Vietnam?

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are ideal for pleasant weather across all regions.

Can I use USD in Vietnam?

In some hotels and shops, yes. But most places prefer Dong (VND). Exchange or withdraw once you land. Cash is still king in Vietnam. Also, learn to have a basic calculation for Dong to your country currency conversion since Dong has way too many zeros!