Vietnam – 17-Day Itinerary (March 2026)
A Return to Asia
After our trip to Bali in March 2025, something had changed.
It wasn’t just a beautiful memory or a simple travel crush. It went much deeper than that. I felt a strong desire to experience that kind of journey again, to reconnect with what I had felt there… and most importantly, not to wait.
Because at some point, I realized something very simple: life goes by quickly. And as long as I have the health, energy, and opportunity to do it, I want to make the most of it. I don’t want to keep postponing these dreams until retirement.
With that mindset, I chose my vacation weeks for 2025–2026 very intentionally. Not randomly, but based on the travel opportunities they could offer me. I then traveled to Greece in September 2025 and to Morocco in November 2025.
For March 2026, when I realized I had a possible window of about three weeks, I immediately knew it was the perfect opportunity to return to Asia.
All that was left was choosing the exact destination.
I was looking for a trip that could make me feel something similar to Bali: a mix of culture, nature, complete change of scenery… and that feeling that’s hard to explain, but unmistakable once you experience it.
Several destinations quickly stood out, including Thailand, Sri Lanka… and Vietnam.
And after a lot of research, blog reading, and vlog watching, Vietnam was ultimately the destination that felt right.
That’s how this 17-day journey was born.
🎥 On Video: A Glimpse of Our Vietnam Trip
Before diving into the details of this itinerary, I’ll leave you with a short preview of our journey. A few images, a few moments… just enough to give you a taste of what’s waiting for you.
Over the next few weeks, a full series of videos (and blog articles) about the different stages of my Vietnam trip — including my stopovers in Bangkok and Japan — will be published every Friday at 12 PM on my YouTube channel (and here on my blog).
Feel free to subscribe if you don’t want to miss anything. 😉
⚠️ The prices mentioned in this article reflect our visit in March 2026 and may vary over time.
In addition, some links are affiliate links: this doesn’t change anything for you, but it allows me to support the blog if you choose to purchase or book through these links. Thank you for supporting my work as a travel blogger 🌎🩵
Our 17-Day Itinerary
Vietnam stretches over more than 1,600 kilometers from north to south, which means long distances and very different realities from one region to another. Between the north, the center, and the south, the landscapes, atmosphere… and even the weather can vary greatly.
Right from the planning stage, we knew it would be impossible to see everything in a single trip. So we made a thoughtful decision: to focus only on the central and northern parts of the country, allowing us to experience a beautiful variety of landscapes while limiting long travel days.
In our way of traveling, it was also important not to be constantly on the move. After our travel experiences over the past year, we realized that staying at least three nights in each place made a huge difference when it came to truly experiencing a destination. That’s the mindset that shaped our 17-day itinerary – finding the right balance between discovery, variety… and moments to simply slow down and enjoy where we were.
Da Nang – 2 Nights
A modern coastal city located in central Vietnam, Da Nang offers a great balance between urban life and seaside relaxation. With its long easily accessible beach and a calmer atmosphere than many other major Asian cities, it was the perfect place to gently begin our journey.
After many long hours of flying, those first nights gave us the chance to settle in, recover from the trip… and slowly start soaking in Vietnam without any pressure.
👉 Read the detailed article about Da Nang (coming soon)
Hoi An – 3 Nights
A UNESCO World Heritage city, Hoi An is undoubtedly one of the most charming destinations in Vietnam. Despite its touristy side, it has a truly unique atmosphere, with colorful lanterns, ancient streets, and a slower pace of life.
It’s here that we really started to slow down and settle into the rhythm of the trip, taking the time to wander through the old town… and explore the surrounding areas, including the My Son Sanctuary at sunrise.
👉 Read the detailed article about Hoi An (coming soon)
Hué – 3 Nights
Former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue immerses you directly in the country’s history, during the era of the Nguyen Dynasty. Between the majestic Imperial City of Hue, the emperors’ tombs, and peaceful pagodas, the atmosphere here feels more cultural and contemplative.
This stop added a beautiful sense of depth to our journey, allowing us to better understand Vietnam’s history and traditions.
👉 Read the detailed article about Hué (coming soon)
Ninh Binh (Tam Coc) – 4 Nights
To reach the Ninh Binh region, we took a long sleeper bus ride of about 10 to 11 hours during the day. It was definitely one of the more demanding parts of the trip, but absolutely worth it.
Often referred to as the “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is known for its spectacular landscapes of karst mountains, rice fields, and winding rivers. It was without a doubt one of the biggest highlights of our journey, both for the beauty of the scenery and the peaceful atmosphere we found there.
👉 Read the detailed article about Ninh Binh (coming soon)
Pu Luong – 2 Nights
Added to our itinerary at the very last minute, the Pu Luong region answered a very specific desire: to discover a more rural, authentic, and less touristy side of Vietnam than some of the more popular destinations — like Sapa, for example.
Surrounded by rice terraces and lush green landscapes, this stop became a true favorite of ours. Quieter and more intimate, it gave us the perfect opportunity to slow down and fully enjoy the moment in an almost magical setting.
👉 Read the detailed article about Pu Luong (coming soon)
Hanoi – 3 Nights
Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi offers a completely different experience from the rest of the trip. Vibrant, lively, and sometimes overwhelming, the city reveals itself through its busy streets… and its countless scooters moving in what feels like a true urban choreography.
Despite the intensity, we still found many beautiful moments there, between cultural discoveries and quieter little escapes away from the crowds.
During our stay, we also took a day trip to the stunning Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island, a more peaceful alternative to the famous Halong Bay.
👉 Read the detailed article about Hanoi (coming soon)
👉 Read the detailed article about Cruise in Lan Ha Bay (coming soon)
✈️ Our Stopovers
Before and after our stay in Vietnam, we took advantage of our flights to add two short stopovers that truly enriched the overall travel experience.
On the way there, we had a roughly 10-hour layover in Bangkok, giving us enough time to discover a few major highlights and get a first glimpse of Thailand.
On the way back, we decided to extend the journey with a three-night stopover in Japan, including two nights in Tokyo and one in Narita. It was a wonderful way to gently end the trip after the intensity of our final days in Vietnam.
These stopovers brought a really nice balance to the journey, blending discovery with smoother transitions between destinations.
👉 Read the detailed article about Bangkok (coming soon)
👉 Read the detailed article about Tokyo/Narita (coming soon)
While planning this itinerary, we had also considered several other northern destinations such as Mai Chau, Sapa, and the Ha Giang region. At first, we thought we would have more time, which would have allowed us to explore even more. But once we adjusted the trip to fit the reality of our schedule, we made more focused choices.
Looking back, this 17-day itinerary turned out to be perfectly balanced. It allowed us to experience a beautiful variety of landscapes – from lively cities and beaches to rice fields and spectacular nature – while still taking the time to slow down and truly settle into each place. A rich and diverse journey, without ever feeling rushed.
When to Go to Vietnam
Vietnam stretches over more than 1,600 km from north to south, which means weather conditions can vary greatly depending on the region. There isn’t one single “best time” to visit the entire country, but rather ideal periods depending on the areas you plan to explore.
North Vietnam (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa)
- Best time to visit: October to April
- Cooler and drier weather
- Summer (May to September): hot, humid, with a higher chance of rain
👉 A beautiful region known for its rice terraces and spectacular landscapes, but be prepared for intense heat during the summer months.
Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue)
- Best time to visit: February to August
- Generally dry and sunny weather
- Rainy season: September to November (with possible flooding)
👉 A perfect region to visit in spring and summer, but best avoided in the fall.
South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta)
- Best time to visit: December to April
- Dry season with high temperatures
- Rainy season: May to November (rain showers are often short)
👉 The climate is generally more stable, but it stays hot year-round.
🌿 Our expérience
We traveled to Vietnam in March, and it turned out to be a great time for the itinerary we had planned. In central Vietnam, we mostly enjoyed sunny and warm weather, which was perfect for making the most of the activities and landscapes.
In the north, around Hanoi and the Ninh Binh region, the weather was a bit more variable, with more cloudy skies and a few rainy periods. Still, nothing that negatively affected our experience – just a different atmosphere, sometimes a little mistier and moodier.
Entry Requirements for Vietnam
Entry requirements for Vietnam vary depending on the traveler’s nationality. The information below applies to Canadian travelers, like us.
To enter Vietnam, Canadian citizens are required to obtain a visa. The process is done online through an e-visa application, which is generally straightforward to complete, but still requires careful attention.
👉 Apply for a Vietnam visa → Vietnam National Electronic Visa system
👉 Helpful video tutorial (in English) for the e-visa application → Vietnam eVisa 2026 🇻🇳 | How to Apply Step-by-Step (NEW Official Website)
I strongly recommend applying for the visa as soon as your itinerary is confirmed (flights booked and first accommodations arranged) in order to avoid any last-minute stress. Since processing times can vary, it’s best to leave yourself a safety margin of at least a few weeks.
For travelers from other countries, entry requirements may be different. It’s therefore essential to verify the conditions specific to your nationality through official sources, such as your government’s travel website (for example, the Government of Canada via travel.gc.ca).
💡 Important: make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Vietnam.
How to Get to Vietnam
From Canada, there are no direct flights to Vietnam. You should therefore expect at least one stopover, and sometimes two, depending on the itinerary and airline you choose.
Several routing options are available, including connections through Asia (such as Japan or Thailand) or through Europe. The best choice will mostly depend on your budget, how much flight time you are willing to tolerate… and whether or not you want to take advantage of a stopover along the way.
For our trip, we chose a multi-destination itinerary, combining several flights in order to include stopovers in Bangkok and Japan. We arrived in Vietnam through Da Nang, which turned out to be an ideal gateway for exploring central Vietnam.
💡 Important Tips
- Take the time to compare different itineraries: sometimes, a longer layover can turn the journey itself into part of the travel experience.
- Consider booking tickets with some flexibility or purchasing travel insurance, especially for long international trips.
👉 During our trip, some global airline disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East led to cancellations and itinerary changes for many travelers. Even though we were not directly affected, it was a good reminder of how important it is to leave yourself some flexibility and avoid overly tight connections when possible.
How to Get Around Vietnam
Getting around Vietnam is relatively easy, thanks to the wide variety of transportation options available for all types of travelers. Depending on the distances involved and your travel style, it’s very common to combine different modes of transportation throughout the trip.
🚕 Taxis, Private Drivers and Grab
For short distances or getting around in cities, taxis and the Grab app are practical, affordable, and very easy to use. In fact, these were the transportation options we used the most during our trip.
We also used private drivers once or twice through our accommodations, which turned out to be a very comfortable option for certain longer transfers or full-day excursions.
🚌 Buses and Sleeper Buses
For long-distance travel, buses are very common in Vietnam and offer excellent value for money.
We also experienced the sleeper bus, which is a very typical way of traveling in the country. These buses allow passengers to lie down during the journey, making them a great option for optimizing long transfers. Sleeper buses are often booked overnight to save both time and accommodation costs.
✈️ Domestic Flights
For covering long distances quickly, domestic flights can be a very good option in Vietnam. Since the country stretches a long way from north to south, flying can save a significant amount of time compared to ground transportation.
Several local airlines, such as Vietnam Airlines and VietJetAir, efficiently connect the country’s main cities, making domestic flights an excellent option for optimizing a busier itinerary.
🛵 Scooter Rental (Use Caution)
Renting a scooter is very popular in Vietnam, but it also comes with significant risks, especially for foreign travelers.
Contrary to what many people believe, the international driver’s permit issued in Quebec is not recognized in Vietnam for this type of vehicle (as of 2025), due to differences in international agreements. In addition, a motorcycle license is normally required to legally drive higher-powered scooters.
⚠️ In the event of an accident, your insurance coverage may be invalid, which could potentially result in very high costs.
In Summary
By combining these different transportation options, it’s absolutely possible to build a smooth itinerary that matches your own travel pace and style.
For our part, we chose to prioritize ground transportation in order to enjoy the landscapes more fully and avoid too many rushed transitions. During the trip, we used taxis, Grab, regular buses, and even a sleeper bus for one long journey.
And although renting a scooter can seem very appealing because of the freedom it offers, we personally decided against it due to the dense and sometimes chaotic traffic, as well as the insurance-related concerns.
Budget & Travel Costs
Vietnam is often considered a relatively affordable destination, especially when compared to many other trips in Asia or elsewhere in the world. That said, the overall budget can vary greatly depending on your travel style, the level of comfort you’re looking for, the activities you choose… and the pace of your itinerary.
For our part, we opted for a comfortable trip without going into luxury travel. We generally enjoy staying in clean, well-located accommodations, treating ourselves to a few special experiences here and there, while still maintaining a reasonable balance in our spending.
The budget presented below reflects only the Vietnam portion of our trip and does not include expenses related to our stopovers in Bangkok and Japan. Those additional costs will be covered in the articles dedicated to those stopovers.
- ✈️ Flights: 4 200$
- 🚌 Other Transportation (buses, taxis): 240$
- 🏨 Accommodations: 1 280$
- 🍔 Food: 555$*
- 🎟️ Activities: 1 085$
- 💆♀️ Couple Massages: 335$ (5 couple massages)
- 💲 Visa : 70$
*Please note that we generally did not eat three full meals per day, but rather two meals with snacks in between. Breakfast was also included with our accommodations.
👉Total: 4 785$ for 2 people in march 2026.
In the end, we found that Vietnam offered excellent value for money for the type of trip we wanted to experience. Even with a fairly full 17-day itinerary that included multiple transfers, activities, and a few extras like massages, it was absolutely possible to travel comfortably without completely blowing the budget.
Of course, it would be possible to reduce costs even further by choosing simpler accommodations, doing fewer activities, or eating more street food. On the other hand, some travelers could also easily increase the budget with more luxurious hotels or additional domestic flights.
As always, it all depends on the type of travel experience you’re looking for. But one thing is certain: Vietnam makes it possible to enjoy an incredibly rich and diverse experience at a cost that remains, in our opinion, very reasonable.
Currency
The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND). There is no real need to obtain any before your trip, as it is generally very easy to access once you arrive in the country.
🏧 Withdrawing or Exchanging Money
The easiest and most common way to get Vietnamese dong is by using ATMs, which are easy to find in most cities.
It is also possible to exchange money at certain exchange offices, often located in larger cities or tourist areas. This option can sometimes offer good exchange rates, but it is generally a little less convenient than withdrawing cash directly from ATMs.
For our part, we mainly used ATMs, which turned out to be the simplest option for accessing cash during the trip.
Some ATMs charge withdrawal fees while others do not, depending on the bank and location. Even though we encountered a few fees in certain places, they remained fairly reasonable overall.
👉 As a reference, our average exchange rate during the trip was approximately 17,800 VND for $1 CAD.
💳 Card Payments or Cash?
Card payments are becoming increasingly common in Vietnam, especially in hotels, restaurants, and tourist-oriented businesses. However, cash is still widely used, particularly in small shops and local restaurants.
Because of this, we ended up using a mix of both during the trip.
⚠️ Good to know: many businesses add a 3% to 5% surcharge for card payments.
In Conclusion
This trip to Vietnam was truly a heartfelt favorite 🩵
After Bali, which had already awakened in me a deep desire to discover the world in a different way, Vietnam came along and confirmed — and even amplified — that desire to travel more immersively.
In 17 days, we obviously didn’t see everything. But this itinerary allowed us to experience many different sides of the country, from lively cities and beaches to rice fields and spectacular landscapes. That diversity is what makes Vietnam such a rich and fascinating destination.
Most importantly, this trip taught us something essential: to slow down. To take the time to truly settle into a place and experience it, rather than simply checking it off a list. It’s a way of traveling that feels much more aligned with who we are today.
Vietnam is an incredibly beautiful country that deserves to be experienced at a slower pace. If you’re thinking about going, I can only recommend choosing a balanced itinerary instead of trying to see everything at all costs.
And for us… this is definitely not goodbye, but rather, see you again soon.
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