The Ultimate Vietnam Backpacking Route

If you’re looking for the best backpacking Vietnam route, you have come to the right place!

Vietnam is an essential stop for most people who are backpacking across Southeast Asia. If you want a destination where your money will go far, that has a rich history, and where you can get access to jungles, beaches, and gorgeous natural areas with ease, then this is an excellent choice.

Vietnam is also very special when it comes to food. It’s interesting to see the way that the cuisine changes from region to region — and yet how cheap and delicious it is, and generally healthy too!

Here’s my guide to many of the best spots in Vietnam, in the direction that I took from south to north (this can easily be reversed if you’re coming from the other direction).

Ho Chi Minh City

Formerly called Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a common first stop in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis is where I first indulged in delicious Vietnamese cuisine. Make sure to try banh mi, a sandwich that is said to have originated here.

My favorite thing about HCMC is that you can learn a lot about Vietnam’s history, for example at sights such as the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels, which teach about the Vietnam War (called “the American War” here).

Apart from that, Ho Chi Minh City is also home to some beautiful French colonial buildings. And if you like reading, it’s good to know that there’s an entire street lined with bookstores (Book Street).

Budget stay: Convent Garden Hotel
Midrange stay: Woody House Boutique

Mekong Delta

Located south of Ho Chi Minh, the Mekong Delta can be visited as a day trip, though I opted to stay in the city of Can Tho for a couple of days, because there’s a lot to see in the region.

The Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia, and the region surrounding it is beautiful. You can take a boat cruise, visit floating markets, explore small villages, and taste delicious local food.

One of my favorite things to do in the Mekong Delta was to cycle around villages and rice fields. This region is completely different from bustling HCMC!

Budget stay: Chill Guesthouse
Midrange stay: Mekong Daniel Homestay

Mui Ne

Mui Ne is a higher-end beach destination with oceanfront resorts. It’s a popular place for kite surfers and has sand dunes to play on as well.

This is a resort town with less of the debauchery that you’ll find in Nha Trang (see below). If you’re looking for a spot to unwind, Mui Ne is one of the nicer beachy areas in Vietnam.

Budget stay: N’T Homestay
Midrange stay: MAY Bungalow

Da Lat

Beautiful and quirky, Da Lat is actually somewhere you will find more Vietnamese tourists than Western ones. It’s a popular local destination, which is part of what makes it so cool.

Some of the best things to do are visiting the Crazy House (which is indeed crazy), strolling along Xuan Huong Lake, and making excursions to the Truc Lam Buddhist monastery, Elephant Falls, and the Linh An Pagoda.

I rented a scooter here for a day to explore the surroundings and, although I got caught in the rain, I had an amazing time.

Budget stay: Mr Peace Backpacker’s
Midrange stay: Carita Hotel

Nha Trang

This is another popular beach destination, but it tends to have more of a party vibe. There are some nice beaches around Nha Trang, but for the most part, I thought it was a pretty touristy, somewhat seedy alternative to the much nicer Mui Ne and Hoi An.

Budget stay: Bondi Backpackers
Midrange stay: Mojzo Inn Boutique Hotel

Yok Don

I ended up at Yok Don National Park simply because I wanted to find one place in Vietnam that was truly off the beaten path. I can say that Yok Don fits the bill, as it receives very few tourists each year. 

It’s a little tricky to get to, but once you do, you can get some peace and solitude, away from the backpacker crowd.

Stay: The accommodation is tied to the park, so ask at the HQ when you arrive. It is slightly expensive for a solo backpacker, so bring a friend!

Hoi An

I really loved Hoi An! With thousands of colorful lanterns decorating its streets, this tranquil city is incredibly picturesque.

Apart from exploring the Old Town and checking out Chinese temples, you can also get custom-made clothes and accessories in Hoi An, something the city is famous for. You will find hundreds of tailor shops that make anything you can dream of from scratch.

Another thing I loved doing here was renting a bicycle and exploring the surroundings. The beach, for example, is just 0.6 mi (4 km) from the city center.

Budget stay: Hy
Midrange stay: TNT Villa

Hue

Hue primarily entered my itinerary because of bun bo Hue, a soup I was very keen to try. What I found was a quiet city, full of ancient history. It was almost haunting in a way.

This town is most famous for being home to the Imperial City, which was constructed in 1803 and served as the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen dynasty. There’s a lot to see here, and if you’re a history buff, this is a place you cannot miss!

Budget stay: Nam Phương Riverside Villa
Midrange stay: Soleil Boutique

Phong Nha

While Hoi An was my favorite city, Phong Nha was my favorite non-urban area in Vietnam.

The undulating, unique rock formations and the idyllic rice patties all around this tiny town make it all so dreamy. And there were caves to play and swim in too. The locals were friendly and welcoming, flashing peace signs. It’s a little slice of paradise.

Not as many backpackers make it here, and that has positively made all the difference. If you love nature, definitely stop in this park, rent a motorbike for a few days, and go have adventures.

Budget stay: Village House
Midrange stay: Memory Homestay

Ninh Binh

Located two hours south of Hanoi, the province of Ninh Binh is most famous for its natural beauty. Some of the best things to do here are taking a boat ride in Trang An, climbing up Han Mua Peak, and cycling across the countryside.

It’s good to know that most travelers stay in Tam Coc and not in the city of Ninh Binh, which isn’t very nice. This is something I didn’t know when I was there; after comparing both cities, I can confirm that Tam Coc is nicer.

Budget stay: Tam Coc Bungalow
Midrange stay: Tam Coc Westlake Homestay

Hanoi

One of my favorite things about Hanoi is the city’s cozy cafés and restaurants. Café Giang, for example, is famous for its egg coffee, a local specialty. I have to admit I didn’t like it myself, but many people love it, so make sure to try it when you’re in town.

Hanoi is also known for its shopping, in both high-end stores and excellent markets all around town, as well as its interesting mix of east and west, as the French influence is also still present along the quaint, tree-lined streets and in colonial-era buildings.

It’s also the jumping-off point for Ha Long Bay and Sapa in the north, two places that cannot be missed on a backpacking route through the country.

Budget stay: Old Quarter View Hostel
Midrange stay: Little Diamond Hotel

Ha Long Bay

All around Hanoi, you’re bound to see signs advertising 2-3-day trips out to Ha Long Bay, which is famous for its magical landscape of limestone rocks shooting right up out of the water. The trips usually involve at least one night on a boat and one on an island and can vary in luxury and price point.

The party option is the Oasis Bay Party Cruise, which will allow you to visit Ha Long Bay during the day and party at night. For something higher-end, visit a few tour operators in Hanoi and see which can give you the best price on the tour that suits your desires. Get a few different prices and negotiate.

Budget stay: Starlight Hostel
Midrange stay: Phoenix Flower Hotel

Sapa

Spending the night in a Hmong village and trekking in Sapa is kind of a must when in Vietnam. It’s a chance to get a local experience, as well as see some of the most beautiful rice paddies.

Apart from the Hmong, Sapa is also home to other ethnic minorities, like the Red Dao, the Tay, the Giay, and the Xa Pho. These all have their unique culture and traditions, which are pretty interesting.

I took the overnight bus from Hanoi with a friend, and we rented a scooter in Sapa for a couple of days. We went on hikes and visited Hmong villages, but we weren’t very lucky with the January weather and ended up soaking wet! (If you’re visiting Sapa during the harvest season (September to early October), however, the weather will be better and you will see beautiful golden rice fields.)

Many people also opt for a guided tour of Sapa, which usually include hikes and home stays.

Budget stay: Mega View Homestay
Midrange stay: En Hotel

Ha Giang

The city of Ha Giang is the place where the eponymous three-day motorbike loop starts, in the far north of Vietnam, on the border with China. With its mesmerizing landscapes, traditional mountain villages, and friendly locals, this part of the country is truly amazing.

If you don’t feel comfortable riding a bike yourself, you can also hire a so-called “easyrider,” meaning a local tour guide will take you on the back of his bike.

Budget stay: Ha Giang Hostel
Midrange stay: The Palm Ecolodge

Extra: Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is an island in the south of Vietnam, closer to Cambodia. I haven’t been, which is why I can’t wholeheartedly recommend it.

However, I want to add it here, because it’s apparently very laid-back, and probably has the best beaches in Vietnam. Judging how close it is to Cambodia and how incredible that coastline is, if you have time, add it to your itinerary (then please come back and comment on your experience!).

Budget stay: Lana Land Homestay
Midrange stay: Leaf Hotel

Transport Tips

Vietnam requires that most tourists have a visa. For Americans and most other nationalities, the best way is to obtain an e-visa, which costs $25 USD for a single entry or $50 USD for a multiple-entry visa.

Transport-wise, there are several easy ways to get around Vietnam:

• Buses: I mostly took buses, which usually provide a snack and are quite comfortable, with flat beds for longer or overnight journeys. They are also easier than the train to book on short notice during Lunar New Year.
• Trains: This is the most popular method for getting around Vietnam. They’re also quite comfortable, but it’s important to book them in advance during holidays like Lunar New Year.
• Motorbike: It’s also popular to buy a motorbike and take it from the top to the bottom of Vietnam, or vice versa. The upsides are, of course, the adventure and the freedom. It’s also impossible to imagine coming out of an experience like that without more than a few good stories. However, you can also plan on hanging out at the mechanic, spending a lot of time in Vietnam, and potentially crashing. Sometimes people give up and sell their bikes partway through, so you might get lucky and be able to buy a bike in Hoi An, in the middle of the country.
• Taxis: In cities, taxis are a good option if and only if you take the right companies. I recommend using Grab to avoid scams. It works just like Uber and you can also order a bike instead of a car, which is cheaper.

Vietnam is an adventure, and it can be a ton of fun — and delicious too. Plus, with the ease of getting around and the inexpensiveness of the country for visitors, it’s a no-brainer for those backpacking around Southeast Asia.