If you don’t have the luxury of a long holiday, Vietnam can be explored in five days. But what do you see, and what can you skip? The country extends from the misty mountains of the north to tropical beaches in the south, so you cannot have it all at once. What you can do is concentrate on some of the most rewarding elements in a tight itinerary.
This Vietnam Itinerary for 5 Days combines the traditions of Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay and Ninh Bình nature, Hue heritage, and Da Nang’s coastal energy. Not so much about checking off landmarks, but savoring Vietnam’s rhythm while leaving space for serendipity.
Things You Should Know Before You Go
Before you head out on your 5-day Vietnam itinerary, here are just a few things you should consider preparing. Vietnam travel is a no-brainer for most people, but little bits of info about weather, visas, and daily needs can make your trip smooth.
Timing Your Trip
The climate in Vietnam varies greatly from one part of the country to another. The sweet spots are March to May and September to November. Days are warm but not sweltering, rains are lighter, and you avoid the thickest crowds. If you visit in late September, be prepared for brief monsoon showers but also quieter attractions.
Visa and Entry Steps
The majority of visitors require an e-visa, which is good for 30 days. Be sure to apply online at least two weeks before you fly in, and always have a printed copy with you. The cost is about 25 USD. Immigration can ask for your return ticket and hotel bookings, so keep those documents with you.
Staying Connected
Purchase a tourist SIM at Hanoi airport. Viettel and Vinaphone have reasonably priced packages, up to 4 GB daily for less than 10 USD. Grab is the go-to ride-hailing app in cities, and Zalo is used for messaging local friends.
Cash, Cards, and Currency
Only Vietnamese đồng is accepted. And bring small notes for taxis, cafés, and food stalls. ATMs are generally easy to find in urban areas, and large hotels or restaurants typically take credit cards.
Packing Tips
Just be sure to wear quick-dry clothes, lightweight pants, and a waterproof jacket.
For temple visits and hiking, a good pair of comfortable shoes is necessary.
Don’t forget sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a power bank, and a universal adapter.
Make sure you carry hard copies of your visa and booking details if you run out of phone battery.
Day 1: Hanoi – Temples, Trains, and Tastes
Morning: Lake Reflections and a Traditional Breakfast
Begin your journey at Hoàn Kiếm Lake, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Hanoi. If you arrive before sunrise, you can see people practicing Tai Chi, casting lines for fish, or jogging around the shore. Cross the red bridge to Ngọc Sơn Temple, where incense burns and soft bells chime. Breakfast with bánh cuốn, tender, rice-wrapped pork, and mushrooms, garnished with fried shallots and fish sauce at a family-run restaurant.
Afternoon: Cafés, Temples, and Hidden Art
Hanoi is a cafés city, with lots of cafés hidden in tiny alleys. Go for the renowned egg coffee at Giang Café and then climb up to a rooftop such as Secret Garden for a stellar view of the Old Quarter. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, with the stone steles praising scholars. A short walk away lies Hằng Mã Alley, hiding art studios where you can watch painters hunched over their works in progress and buy affordable lacquer postcards.
Evening: Music and Street Food Adventures
Visit Binh Minh’s Jazz Club, where live music kicks in about 8 p.m. When hunger strikes, venture out for bún chả, grilled pork with noodles, or a crunchy bánh mì stuffed with herbs and chili. If Ngọc Sơn Temple is packed with tourists, watching a sunset over Thanh Nien Street’s temples on West Lake may be one of the most tranquil alternatives.
Night: The Train Street Thrill
The Hanoi Train Street is as awesome as it sounds. The tracks cut through narrow alleyways alongside cafes, and when a train whistle blows, residents pull in their chairs until the train has sped past. Nearly all Hanoi tour packages include this. Order a coffee, sit down, and watch the train zoom by mere inches away.
Daily Highlights Recap – Day 1
- Sunrise at Hoàn Kiếm Lake
- Egg coffee at a hidden café
- Temple of Literature and Hằng Mã Alley art
- An evening at a jazz club with street food
- Night at Hanoi Train Street
Day 2: Cát Bà and Lan Ha Bay – Limestone Dreams
Morning: Ferry to Island Calm
The next day, take a bus to Gia Lâm port in Hanoi and catch a high-speed ferry to Cát Bà Island. Then cover 3 hours on the road, and you’ll have time for a small adventure before noon.
Afternoon: Kayaking Through Floating Villages
Go on a small-group excursion aboard a traditional boat, paddle through limestone karsts to fishing villages by kayak. Your guide will tell tales of families who have spent their entire lives in floating houses. A lunch of stir-fried veggies and fresh seafood is also served on board.
Evening: Exploring Glow Caves
Continue to Hang Sáng Tối (Dark and Bright Cave) on a wooden boat. There are natural holes inside in which you can see sunlight illuminating the rocks. Local guides describe shapes in the limestone as dragons and turtles, enriching your visit with folklore.
Night Market Flavors and Backup Plans
Vibrantly energetic, Cát Bà Night Market is a fun and happening spot. Do not skip the grilled squid skewers, crispy rice balls, and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. If your bay tour is cancelled because of the weather, consider paddleboarding in Tràng An’s waterways as a scenic alternative.
Daily Highlights Recap – Day 2
- Speed ferry to Cát Bà Island
- Kayaking among limestone karsts
- Dark and Bright Cave boat trip
- Dinner at Cát Bà Night Market
- Backup paddleboarding option
Day 3: Ninh Bình – Rice Fields and Pagodas
Morning: Climb to Dragon’s Tail
Private transfer to Ninh Bình. Begin at the Mua Caves, ascending 500 steps to the ridge called Dragon’s Tail. The view extends across rice paddies, rivers, and limestone cliffs. During sunrise, the fields are painted gold.
Afternoon: Boats and Temples
Drift along the water in a traditional wooden rowboat steered by women who row with their feet. You’ll be passing grottoes and fields of lotus flowers on the two-hour ride. Then hike up to Bích Động Pagoda, a series of temples cut into a cliff face where monks still chant in hidden chambers.
Evening: Birdlife at Sunset
Visit Thung Nham Bird Garden, where thousands of storks, herons, and egrets flock into the trees as darkness falls. The sight is dramatic, and with their calls ringing across the wetlands, it can be exhilarating.
Night: Goat Noodles and Rural Charm
For dinner, consider goat meat vermicelli in Trường Yên village. A robust local specialty served with herbs and tangy broth, best enjoyed at a stall by the side of the road, with rice paddies all around you.
Daily Highlights Recap – Day 3
- Sunrise climb at Mua Caves
- Boat ride through Tam Cốc grottoes
- Visit Bích Động Pagoda in the cliffs
- Sunset birdwatching at Thung Nham
- Goat meat vermicelli dinner
Day 4: Hue – Imperial Echoes and River Rhythms
Morning: The Citadel’s Grand History
Travel by night to Hue and visit the Imperial Citadel on arrival. Go through the East Gate to escape from the tour buses. Stroll past dragon-adorned courtyards, ancient palaces, and shrines. Rent an audio-guide tablet to learn about Vietnam’s emperors and their dynasties.
Afternoon: Cooking Class in Thủy Biều Village
Hue is known around the country for its refined cuisine, so take a cooking class in Thủy Biều. Walk to the market to buy herbs and vegetables first, and then prepare pancakes and spring rolls.
Evening: Sunset on the Perfume River
Cross the Perfume River on a bamboo basket boat at sunset. The colors shift from orange to purple as you’re skimming along the water. Afterward, look for chè Huế, a sweet soup of beans and fruit jellies in coconut milk that is sold at roadside stalls.
Night: Beyond the Citadel
If you are looking to get away from city life, Thanh Toàn Tile Bridge is your destination. There, pottery workshops in the tiny village teach traditional methods. It is a peaceful, night experience free from tourist hordes.
Daily Highlights Recap – Day 4
- Walk through the Imperial Citadel
- Cooking class with a local family
- Sunset basket boat on the Perfume River
- Sweet chè Huế dessert
- Pottery workshops in Thanh Toàn village
Day 5: Da Nang – Coasts, Mountains, and Seafood
Morning: The Hai Van Pass Ride
From Hue, drive to Da Nang over the stunning Hai Van Pass, one of Asia’s most spectacular coast roads. If you’re up for it, rent a scooter; if not, get a car. Those who leave early are treated to sweeping vistas of the ocean unencumbered by traffic.
Afternoon: Pagodas and Monkeys on Son Tra Peninsula
Stop at Linh Ung Pagoda, where a huge Lady Buddha statue gazes out over the bay. From here, make your way inland through the jungle to Bai Bac beach, a secluded cove where you may see monkeys high in the trees.
Evening: Marble Mountains After the Rush
Visit Marble Mountains after 4 p.m. when the tour buses have left. Wander into caves adorned with Buddhist shrines, then galleries where marble statues are carved by hand.
Night: Seafood at the Lagoon
End your day with dinner at Lăng Cô Lagoon. Fresh grilled fish or steamed clams with local spices come alongside leafy greens. Hang out for a bit, wake before dawn to see fishermen throw their nets or kayak in the lagoon.
Daily Highlights Recap – Day 5
- Scenic Hai Van Pass drive
- Visit Linh Ung Pagoda and walk down to Bai Bac beach
- Explore Marble Mountains caves
- A fish dinner in Lăng Cô Lagoon
- Optional dawn fishing with locals
Budget and Logistics Snapshot
- Overnight options are boutique hotel/homestay stays, including breakfast, that will cost from 400,000-600,000 VND per night.
- The food and drink will run between 200,000 and 400,000 VND a day, with street meals costing significantly less than dining in.
- Shuttle bus and private transport will cost 150,000 to 1,200,000 VND.
- Activities and entrance fees vary between 100,000 and 600,000 VND (kayaking and cooking classes costing the most).
So, be prepared to spend 7.5-8.5 million VND per person for five days on the ground (about $300-350 USD). This would entail food, local transportation, and housing, but doesn’t cover the cost of flights.
Etiquette and Safety Essentials
- You may greet with a smile and nod. Handshakes are fine in cities
- Wear clothes with a modest sleeve length and shorts that cover your knees in temples, and remove your shoes when entering shrines.
- Tipping isn’t obligatory, but guides and wait staff certainly appreciate a few bucks here or there.
- Drink bottled water and pack medicine for stomach bugs.
Insider Advice for a Smooth Trip
- Start your sightseeing as early as possible to escape the heat and tour groups
- Build up a trust relationship with your homestay hosts, they usually share some local stuff or even invite you to a family dinner.
- “Learn a couple of words: “Xin chào,” for hello; “Cảm ơn” for thank you; “Bao nhiêu?” (how much)
- Keep flexibility in your schedule. The best memories are often of the spontaneous things you stumble upon, such as a wedding parade or a street performance.
Conclusion
Your 5-day Vietnam itinerary offers something new about Vietnam, making it an adventurous and compact trip. With good planning and a lively mindset, you can enjoy five days in Vietnam and feel as though nothing has been left out, trust me!
