Traveling across Vietnam is the dream of many people who love to explore, offering the opportunity to experience the diverse beauty of the country from the rice fields of the North, through the coastal routes of the Central region, to the fertile land of the South.
This article provides detailed plans, travel schedules, practical experiences and cost-saving tips, suitable for both beginners and experienced "backpackers".
- Why should you travel across Vietnam?
- Prepare before the cross-Vietnam trip
- Detailed itinerary for cross-country trip
- Day 1-2: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Son La (about 400km)
- Day 3-4: Son La – Dien Bien – Sa Pa (about 500km)
- Day 5-7: Sa Pa – Ha Giang – Cao Bang (about 600km)
- October 8: Cao Bang – Hanoi – Hue (about 800km)
- Day 11-13: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Quy Nhon (about 600km)
- Day 14-16: Quy Nhon – Nha Trang – Da Lat (about 500km)
- Day 17-20: Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City – Ca Mau (about 900km)
- Compare motorbike and car travel
- Tips to save money when traveling across Vietnam
- Frequently asked questions when backpacking across Vietnam
Why should you travel across Vietnam?
Backpacking across Vietnam is a great way to experience the country in all its beauty. From the breathtaking passes in the Northwest, the pristine beaches in the Central region, to the bustling floating markets in the West, each region offers unique experiences.
This journey not only helps you explore the landscape but also connects you with the local stories, people and culture. With a motorbike or car, you are free to stop anywhere, enjoy every moment without being bound by a fixed schedule.
Is backpacking across Vietnam difficult? Not at all, if you prepare carefully and have a clear plan. Let's explore the detailed itinerary below to start your journey!
Prepare before the cross-Vietnam trip
A successful cross-country trip requires careful preparation in terms of transportation, finances, and health. Here are the steps to take:
- Ideal time: February to April and September to November are the best times to travel across Vietnam, when the weather is cool and there is little rain. Avoid the rainy season (May to August in the North and October to December in the Central and South).
- Vehicle: Motorbike (Wave, Exciter, Winner) or car (4-7 seats) are two popular options. Carefully check the tires, brakes, engine oil, gas tank and bring spare tires and repair kits. Motorbike rental costs about 100,000-200,000 VND/day, car from 800,000-1,500,000 VND/day.
- Finance: Estimated cost from 10-15 million VND/person for 15-20 days (motorbike) or 20-30 million VND/person (car), including gas, food, accommodation, entrance tickets and incidental expenses.
- Documents: Bring ID, driver's license, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance. Keep copies of documents on your phone or email in case of loss.
- Luggage: Light clothes, raincoat, standard helmet, sports shoes, first aid kit, personal medicine, spare charger and cash (about 5 million VND/person).
- Supported applications: Use Google Maps, Vietmap for location. Download Foody, Traveloka to find restaurants and accommodations.
Detailed itinerary for cross-country trip
The journey across Vietnam from Hanoi to Ca Mau is about 2,500-3,000km, depending on the route. To ensure your health and enjoy the trip, you should divide the journey into 15-20 days, traveling 150-250km each day. Below is a suggested itinerary for the trip by motorbike or car.
Day 1-2: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Son La (about 400km)
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau (150km)
Depart Hanoi at 6:00 am, follow Highway 6 to Mai Chau (Hoa Binh). This route is quite easy to travel, taking about 4-5 hours. Stop at Thung Khe Pass to admire the majestic mountains and take photos. Arrive in Mai Chau, stay at the Lac village stilt house, enjoy bamboo rice, grilled pork (price about 100,000 VND/person). In the evening, join the Thai people in bamboo dance (ticket price about 50,000 VND).
Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La (250km)
Continue the journey to Son La through Pha Din Pass , one of the "four great mountain passes" with beautiful scenery. Stop for lunch at Muong La with dishes such as pa pinh top, sticky rice. Arrive in Son La, visit Son La prison or Ta Xua tea hill . Stay overnight at a motel or hotel (price from 200,000-400,000 VND/night).
Day 3-4: Son La – Dien Bien – Sa Pa (about 500km)
Day 3: Son La – Dien Bien (200km)
Travel from Son La to Dien Bien via Highway 6 and 279. Stop at Muong Thanh field to see the vast rice fields. Visit the historical site of Dien Bien Phu (ticket price 50,000 VND/person) and have lunch with dishes such as grilled chicken with mac khen, dried buffalo meat. Stay overnight at Muong Thanh hotel (price from 500,000 VND/night).
Day 4: Dien Bien – Sa Pa (300km)
Journey to Sa Pa via O Quy Ho Pass , the most beautiful pass in the Northwest. Stop at Bac Waterfall to take photos. Arrive in Sa Pa, check-in at a hotel or homestay (price from 300,000-600,000 VND/night). Enjoy salmon hotpot, grilled pork at restaurants like A Phu (price about 150,000 VND/person). In the evening, stroll around Sa Pa night market .
Day 5-7: Sa Pa – Ha Giang – Cao Bang (about 600km)
Day 5: Sa Pa – Ha Giang (250km)
Travel from Sa Pa to Ha Giang via National Highway 4D. Stop at Quan Ba to see the Heaven Gate and Twin Mountains. Arrive in Ha Giang, visit Lung Cu cultural village and Lung Cu flagpole (ticket price 25,000 VND/person). Stay overnight at a homestay in Dong Van (price from 150,000 VND/person).
Day 6: Ha Giang – Cao Bang (200km)
Explore Ma Pi Leng Pass and Nho Que River before continuing to Cao Bang. Stop for lunch in Meo Vac with egg rolls and tam duong pork. Arrive in Cao Bang, stay overnight at a motel (from 200,000 VND/night).
Day 7: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall
Visit Ban Gioc waterfall , one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam (ticket price 50,000 VND/person), and Nguom Ngao cave . Have lunch with Cao Bang roasted duck. Return to Cao Bang for overnight stay.
October 8: Cao Bang – Hanoi – Hue (about 800km)
Day 8: Cao Bang – Hanoi (280km)
Return to Hanoi via Highway 3. Stop at Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan) to relax. Arrive in Hanoi, stay overnight at a hotel (from 300,000 VND/night) and have dinner with pho or bun cha.
Day 9: Hanoi – Vinh (300km)
Travel from Hanoi to Vinh (Nghe An) via National Highway 1A. Stop at Cua Lo beach to swim. Enjoy eel porridge and wet rice cakes at Ba Lan restaurant (about 80,000 VND/person). Stay overnight in Vinh.
Day 10: Vinh – Hue (250km)
Continue to Hue via Hai Van Pass . Stop at Lang Co to eat seafood. Arrive in Hue, visit Hue Citadel (ticket price 150,000 VND/person) and have dinner with Hue beef noodle soup, banh beo (price about 100,000 VND/person). Stay overnight at hotel (price from 400,000 VND/night).
Day 11-13: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Quy Nhon (about 600km)
Day 11: Hue – Da Nang (100km)
Travel to Da Nang, stop at My Khe beach and Dragon Bridge . Enjoy Quang noodles, rice paper rolls with pork (price around 100,000 VND/person). Stay overnight in Da Nang (price from 500,000 VND/night).
Day 12: Da Nang – Hoi An – Quy Nhon (100km + 300km)
In the morning, visit Hoi An ancient town (ticket price 120,000 VND/person) and eat Cao Lau and chicken rice. In the afternoon, continue to Quy Nhon via National Highway 1A. Stay overnight in Quy Nhon (price from 400,000 VND/night).
Day 13: Quy Nhon – Eo Gio, Ky Co
Visit Eo Gio and Ky Co beach , the two most beautiful beach destinations in Quy Nhon (tour price 500,000 VND/person). Enjoy fresh seafood (price about 150,000 VND/person). Overnight in Quy Nhon.
Day 14-16: Quy Nhon – Nha Trang – Da Lat (about 500km)
Day 14: Quy Nhon – Nha Trang (250km)
Travel to Nha Trang, stop at Doc Let beach . Visit Vinpearl Nha Trang (ticket price 800,000 VND/person) or swim freely. Enjoy jellyfish noodles, Ninh Hoa grilled spring rolls (price about 100,000 VND/person). Stay overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 15: Nha Trang – Da Lat (150km)
Continue to Da Lat via Ngoan Muc Pass . Visit Xuan Huong Lake , Da Lat night market and enjoy grilled rice paper, hot soy milk (price about 50,000 VND/person). Stay overnight at homestay (price from 300,000 VND/night).
Day 16: Da Lat
Explore Truc Lam Zen Monastery and Cau Dat tea hill . Overnight in Da Lat.
Day 17-20: Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City – Ca Mau (about 900km)
Day 17: Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City (300km)
Travel to Ho Chi Minh City via Highway 20. Visit Independence Palace or Ben Thanh Market . Enjoy banh mi and Nam Vang noodles (about 100,000 VND/person). Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 18: Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho (200km)
Continue to Can Tho, visit Cai Rang floating market and enjoy banh xeo, hotpot with fish sauce (price about 100,000 VND/person). Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 19-20: Can Tho – Ca Mau (250km)
Travel to Ca Mau, stop at Dat Mui , the southernmost point of the country. Visit the mangrove forest and eat Ca Mau crab, snakehead fish hotpot (price about 150,000 VND/person). End the journey in Ca Mau or return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Compare motorbike and car travel
To choose the right vehicle, here is a comparison table between motorbikes and cars:
| Criteria | Motorbike | Car |
|---|---|---|
| Expense | 10-15 million VND/person (gas, food, accommodation) | 20-30 million VND/person (gas, road fees, accommodation) |
| Flexible | High, easy to move on small roads, passes | Low, difficult on narrow roads |
| Experience | Close to nature, sense of adventure | More comfortable, safer |
| Suitable for | Young, healthy, adventurous person | Family, group, priority amenities |
Motorbikes are suitable for those who want to experience freedom and have experience traveling long distances. Cars are a good choice for families or groups of friends who want comfort and safety.
Tips to save money when traveling across Vietnam
To reduce costs, you can apply the following tips:
- Make a detailed plan: Calculate the route and stops to save gas. A motorbike needs about 150-200 liters of gas (4-5 million VND), a car needs 300-400 liters (8-10 million VND).
- Choose cheap accommodation: Prioritize homestays and motels (150,000-300,000 VND/night) instead of luxury hotels.
- Local food: Choose a cheap restaurant to enjoy specialties such as Hue beef noodle soup, Quang noodles (price 50,000-100,000 VND/meal).
- Travel in a group: Share the cost of gas, accommodation and food to reduce costs by about 30-40%.
Frequently asked questions when backpacking across Vietnam
1. How long does it take to travel across Vietnam?
Typically 15-30 days, depending on travel speed and stopovers. A 20-day itinerary is optimal for full exploration.
2. Is it safe for beginners?
It is safe if you check your vehicle carefully, obey traffic laws and travel in groups. Avoid driving at night or when tired.
3. How much money should I bring?
10-15 million VND/person for motorbike, 20-30 million VND/person for car, not including additional costs.
4. What to do if the car has a problem?
Bring the phone number of a reputable auto repair shop in a major city. Save the traffic rescue hotline (113) for support.
Cross-Vietnam backpacking is a memorable journey, taking you through beautiful roads, culturally rich destinations and unforgettable specialties.
With detailed plans, tips and shared itineraries, you will be ready to conquer your dream of exploring Vietnam. Check your car, plan and start your trip today!
Source: https://baonghean.vn/du-lich-xuyen-viet-hanh-trinh-kham-pha-viet-nam-tron-ven-mot-lan-va-mai-mai-10302175.html
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