How many days do I need for a north-to-south trip in Vietnam?

Ten to twelve days is where a north-to-south trip stops feeling rushed: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City with the Mekong Delta, and the 12-day route is our best-selling classic. Seven days is possible if you keep to the main highlights and accept short stops. Two weeks adds Sapa or a beach stay, and three weeks adds the northern mountains at a slower pace. You can read more details in Vietnam in 12 Days.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

It depends on your passport. Travelers from countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain can enter visa-free for up to 45 days; US, Canadian and Australian passport holders need an e-visa from the official government portal. Your passport should be valid for six months after your return, and travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is required. Rules change, so confirm your own passport before booking flights. For application steps and current rules, see our Vietnam visa guide.

How do payment and cancellation work?

A 25% deposit confirms your booking, and the 75% balance is paid before departure or on arrival in Vietnam. We accept bank transfer, online card payment, Wise, Western Union and MoneyGram. If you cancel, the fee is 5% of the trip price more than 60 days before departure, rising in steps to 50% within the last seven days. Full terms are on our Terms & Conditions page. To check any operator before paying a deposit, see how to spot a bad tour operator in Vietnam.

Are these tours private, and can they suit families or older travelers?

Every trip is private, never a fixed group departure, so the itineraries here are starting points. You can change the cities, hotel level and pace, set drive lengths and walking around children or grandparents, or add a beach stay such as Phu Quoc. Browse our family and seniors itineraries for ready-made examples, then ask a consultant to adapt them. Still weighing private against group travel? Read why travel privately in Vietnam.

What does the “from” price include, and what changes it?

The “from” price is per person, based on four travelers in standard hotels, and excludes international flights. Sample itineraries include accommodation, private transport, an English-speaking guide, the listed activities and domestic flights where needed. Your final price depends on dates, hotel category, group size and activities; a couple pays more per person than a group of six. Quotes are free through our tour request form, with a reply within one business day. To plan your daily spending on top of the tour, see our Vietnam travel cost guide.

How do we get between cities?

Long legs, such as Hanoi to Da Nang (the airport for Hoi An) or on to Ho Chi Minh City, are usually flown; most domestic flights take 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours. Shorter transfers, such as Hanoi to Ninh Binh or Ha Long, are by private car with a driver. If you would like a train section, for example Hue to Da Nang over the Hai Van Pass, ask your consultant. For routes, timings and tips on every option, see our guide to getting around Vietnam.

Should I start in the north or the south?

Both directions work, and we run each. Let your flights and dates decide: fly into one end and out of the other to avoid backtracking. From December to February, starting in the south gives warmer, sunnier weather first. From March to May either way is fine, and in September or early October starting in the north lets you see golden rice terraces before harvest. Share your dates through our tour request form and we’ll recommend one. To see how the two ends feel different, read Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City.

When is the best time of year for a classic Vietnam tour?

March and April are the most balanced months for a full north-to-south route: the north is warming up, central Vietnam is mostly dry and sunny, and the south is still in its dry season. October and November suit the north and south well, but Hue and Hoi An can see storms and flooding from September to December, so we keep those itineraries flexible. For weather by region and by month, read our best time to visit Vietnam guide.