Ultimate 5-Day Vietnam Travel Itinerary: The Best Guide

Vietnam, It never fails to light a fire in my soul. A country rich in history, epic scenery, and a zest for life that’s nothing short of contagious. 

As an experienced traveler and your virtual tour guide, I can’t wait to take you through five days in this captivating nation. 

In this guide, I’ll lay out an itinerary that packs in as much culture and natural beauty as possible. If you’re ready for a journey that will move you and excite you, read on. Let’s explore Vietnam!

1. Considerations When Planning Your Vietnam Travel Itinerary

There’s more to planning a trip to Vietnam than just booking flights – although that’s a very good start! For the smoothest trip, here are some of the key things to keep in mind:

• Budget: Be sure to account for regular costs, any emergencies that arise, and even a splurge or two just for you.

• Accommodation Options: Take safety, location, and overall comfort into account as you book your lodgings. Opting to reserve ahead of time is a good idea.

• Time of Year: The best time to visit depends on the regions you plan to explore. Please note that the central and southern regions have a tropical climate with a rainy season and a dry season.

• Interests and Activities: Vietnam is rich with history, culture, sights, and adventure, be it ancient temples, colonial cities, well-worn hiking routes, karst caves, or simply pristine beaches.

• Health and Safety: You should never travel to a region, Vietnam included, without carrying a basic first aid kit and any necessary medications. 

• Travel Restrictions and Visas: Stay abreast of travel warnings, and – a general travel tip – bring copies of everything, including your passport and visa.

2. The Ultimate 5-Day Vietnam Itinerary

Without further ado, let’s take a look at this meticulous journey！

Itinerary Overview

Over five days, you’ll have the chance to explore preserved cultural sites, bustling local markets, serene coastlines, historic landscapes, and the raw beauty of the natural scene. 

Vietnam 5 Days Trip Table

Detailed Itinerary for Day 1 to Day 5

Day 1: Arrive in Hoi An

Arrive in the beautiful and historic town of Hoi An. Spend today exploring nearby Da Nang before heading back to Hoi An for a good dose of history and local life.

Where to Go Today

Han Market Da Nang: A lively market selling just about everything you can imagine, Han Market is a great introduction to local life, as well as a good place to stock up on souvenirs.

Hoi An Ancient Town: With its history dating backed centuries, the streets of Hoi An are a living museum. Cast your eyes skywards for some of the most eye-catching architecture, or step inside some of the well-preserved houses and public buildings.

Mot Hoi An: A local legend, this cafe serves fresh lotus tea, a supposedly cooling drink. Explore the grounds and sip the good stuff.

Morning Glory Original: A highly regarded restaurant offering a range of Vietnamese and Western dishes, plain yet appealing cuisine and inviting surroundings have won this place many fans.

Hoi An Night Market: Open only in the evenings, the night market is a hotchpotch collection of street vendors selling everything from crafts to delicious street food. Well worth a visit as the lanterns light up the streets.

Japanese Bridge: A striking wooden bridge dating back more than three centuries, the Japanese Bridge was built to connect the town’s Japanese and Chinese communities.

Colorful Lanterns: Hoi An is famous for its lanterns (and having its streets lit entirely by untreated flames must once have been quite a sight!). 

Where to Stay: Choose a central hotel in Hoi An for easy access to attractions.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a reusable water bottle.

Day 2: Explore Hoi An

Now, to discover Hoi An's cultural and culinary essence, let's visit animated attractions for a fun-filled, varied day.

Where to Go Today

Banh Mi Phuong: A famed purveyor of Vietnamese baguette sandwiches, Banh Mi Phuong is celebrated for its creative and delicious fillings. 

Cam Nam Island: A place of peace, Cam Nam Island offers gentle views and an insight into local life. This quiet isle makes for a blissful day escape from the city. 

Hong Pho Restaurant: Cashing in on local specialties, Hong Pho Restaurant is an inviting setting for lunch. Lovely for its authentic Vietnamese food and pleasant surroundings, the real draw here is the familiar, Eastern flavors mixed with the cozy comfort of the setting.

Da Nang Cathedral: This candy pink, Gothic church, also known as the Rooster Church, is a step back in design time. Stunning for its unique beauty and venerable age, gaze upon the stained glass windows and wonder at the construction.

Woody Spa: A place of serene leisure, Woody Spa offers relaxing treatments to take the edge off sightseeing.

Helio Center: An entertainment complex, Helio Center is brimming with food stalls and activities. Informal for its jovial atmosphere and range of activities, round off your day feasting on snacks, playing games, and enjoying the energetic mood.

Where to Stay: Have another night at Hoi An to fully absorb the town's allure.

Book your spa treatments in advance and rent a bicycle to zip around the town.

Day 3: Da Nang Dalliance

Journey on to Da Nang and its picturesque union of culturally rich sights and nearby natural splendor, from historic points of interest to stunning shorelines, giving all an ample travel experience.

Where to Visit Today

Bun Cha Ca: A favorite with locals, this eatery is renowned for its signature fish cake noodle soup breakfast, known for its delectable broth and fresh produce. 

Chua Linh Ung: This tranquil pagoda boasts beautiful sea views, plus the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam. It's a serene locale for spiritual reflection. 

The Marble Mountains: A series of limestone outcrops riddled with caves, tunnels, and pagodas offer a day's worth of exploration. A hike to the summit affords panoramic vistas. 

Han Market Da Nang: A shopping hotspot full of local snacks, Han Market is sure to cater for all tastes. With a range of vendors, seek out unique keepsakes and sample small bites to eat.

Bep Cuon Da Nang: This dining spot is famed for Vietnamese rolls. Simple and delicious, it's all about the freshness of the ingredients.

My Khe Beach: This attractive stretch of sand and surf brings a chance to relax. Opt for a swim, perfect your tan, or simply lounge in the ocean breeze. 

Cho Dem Son Tra Market: An evening market filled with street food and local wares. Bright and buzzing, it's a window into local life. Pick up bites to eat or browse the curios for sale.

Dragon Bridge: A photo opportunity, and a spectacle, as this bridge's dragonhead breathes fire and water below. It only happens on the weekends, and is a must (as the throngs of visitors will bear testament). 

Where to Stay: Opt for a beachfront hotel and awaken to the sea at your window.

Sturdy footwear will be needed for clambering over the Marble Mountains.

Day 4: Explore Ba Na Hills

Experience Da Nang's blend of culture and beauty on a day that takes you from ancient sites to modern wonders for a well-rounded experience.

Where to Visit Today

Ba Na Hills: Famed for its incredible cable car ride, Ba Na Hills is home to a quaint French village and the famous Golden Bridge, held aloft by the oversized hands of a sculpted god; a theme park, it also features lush gardens and tranquil pagodas.

GO! Supermarket Da Nang: A modern shopping center, GO! Supermarket stocks a variety of local products, snacks, and souvenirs. 

An Thoi Restaurant: A lovely eatery, An Thoi Restaurant offers local dishes in a cozy atmosphere, a great way to round off your day after exploring

Where to Stay: Spend one more night in Da Nang, and bask in the city's attractions.

Arrive early to Ba Na Hills to beat the crowds, and bring along a jacket as it can be cooler up in the hills.

Day 5: Departure from Da Nang

Wrap up your Da Nang trip with a relaxing morning, enjoying local tastes and doing some final housekeeping before you head home.

Where to Visit Today

Banh Mi AA Happy Bread: Popular for breakfast, Banh Mi AA Happy Bread serves up delicious Vietnamese sandwiches quickly.

Departure: After breakfast, get your final bits and pieces together for the trip home. 

Where to Stay: Check out of your hotel and head to the airport.

Ensure you have your travel information to hand and have your transport to the airport in place.

How to Shorten/Extend the 5-Day Itinerary

• Shortening: Skip Cam Nam Island and Da Nang Cathedral on Day 2 or reduce time at Ba Na Hills on Day 4.

• Extending: Add visits to nearby attractions like the Cham Islands or My Son Sanctuary for a richer experience.

3. Top 10 Vietnamese foods and drinks

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for the complexity of its flavors, combining salty, sweet, sour, and hot tastes, as well as a focus on healthful, fresh ingredients.

1. Pho: 

A noodle soup fragrant with stock, typically of beef or chicken, and served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and sides of lime, chili, basil, and bean sprouts.

2. Banh Mi: 

A crispy baguette filled with a range of meats, pate, pickled vegetables, coriander and either mayonnaise or chili sauce. The perfect fusion of Vietnamese and French cooking.

3. Goi Cuon (spring rolls): 

Fresh rolls of shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles and herbs wrapped in rice paper and served with a peanut dipping sauce.

4. Bun Cha: 

A Hanoi specialty, with grilled pork patties and pork slices served over a bed of vermicelli noodles and herbs, with a side of dipping sauce.

5. Cao Lau: 

A unique noodle dish from Hoi An, consisting of thick rice noodles, slices of barbecued pork, and a mix of herbs, salad leaves and crispy rice crackers in a tasty broth.

6. Banh Xeo:

Vietnamese savory pancakes made from rice flour, turmeric and coconut milk, cooked with minced prawn, pork and bean sprouts and served with salad and herbs with a dipping sauce.

7. Com Tam (broken rice):

A meal of fractured grains often served with grilled pork chop and pork skin, egg and pickled vegetables with fish sauce.

8. Che: 

Any number of varieties of sweet dessert soup made with jellies, beans, fruit and a base of coconut milk, served cold and usually over ice.

9. Ca Phe Sua Da: 

Traditional strong Vietnamese coffee filtered through a drip filter and mixed with sweetened condensed milk, served iced for a satisfying and refreshing drink.

10. Nuoc Mia: 

Sugarcane juice, served over ice with a squeeze of lime. A rejuvenating and sweet drink, perfect for a hot day.

4. Additional Tips for Vietnam Traveling

Pack Smart

Look for lightweight, breathable clothing – the weather in much of Vietnam is hot and humid year-round, whilst sturdier wear and a good raincoat is advisable for the stormier times. Comfortable shoes are a must, along with protection from the sun in the form of a hat, high-factor sunscreen, and sunglasses.

For practicality, items like a small first aid kit, insect repellent, and a refillable water bottle are also good to have.

Cash and Apps for Transactions and Travel

It is always sensible to carry cash, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. But you don't have to bring much cash, as ATM machines are widespread.

Of course, you also can make payments easily via mobile apps, such as MoMo or ZaloPay for cashless transactions.

For transport, Grab is the main app for cars, bikes, and even food delivery.

Minding Your Manners

Vietnamese people place a high value on respect and politeness. Begin by greeting people with a "Xin chào" (pronounced "sin chow") or a "Cảm ơn" (pronounced "gahm uhn") for thank you. 

It's polite to use both hands to gesture when giving or receiving items, or to use the right hand where that is impractical. When visiting temples, dress modestly – shoulders and knees should be covered. 

It's considered rude to touch someone's head, or to point rudely with a closed fist, but a gesture with the whole hand is perfectly fine. Respecting local customs and unwritten rules is the best way for everyone to have a good experience.

Travel Options

Getting around in Vietnam is an adventure in itself. For long distances, internal flights are quick and relatively cheap. Trains can be slow, but offer plenty of character, particularly on the Reunification Express between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Buses range from tour buses to much smaller bus services, or minibusses, offering extensive routes. In urban areas, take your pick of taxis, motorbike taxis (xe om), or hailing from ride-share apps like Grab. In some locations, bicycles are available to rent.

Renting a Car or Scooter

Renting a scooter is a time-honored way to see Vietnam at your own pace. It can be daunting – or dangerous – in heavy city traffic, but is surprisingly manageable. Invest in a helmet and remember to attain an International Driving Permit in your home country.

Hiring a car can be more expensive, but is safer and generally more comfortable. However, the driving experience may be more intense if you aren't used to local road conditions or rules.

Comms: Language Hacks

Learn a handful of Vietnamese phrases to make your trip more enriching. Here are some examples of everyday language：

Xin chào-Hello

Cảm ơn-Thank you

Xin lỗi-excuse me

Bao nhiêu?-how much 

While English is often spoken in tourist areas, having some Vietnamese under your belt can open up the most remote parts of the country. Invest in a phrasebook or do some pre-trip swotting with translation apps.

Summary

This packed itinerary makes sure you get the most out of a two-week trip to Vietnam. With everything from charming Hoi An to bustling markets and deserted beaches in Da Nang, every day promises new experiences and rich cultural insights. 

Whether you're exploring ancient history, sampling mouth-watering cuisine, or just taking in the stunning scenery, Vietnam is a destination not to be forgotten, filled with history, taste, and beauty. Have a great trip!