North to South Vietnam: 2025 Travel Guide for U.S. Tourists
North to South Vietnam: A Complete Travel Guide for U.S. Tourists in 2025
Planning a trip to Vietnam in 2025? You’re not alone.
Table of Contents
For American travelers, Vietnam is shaping up to be one of the most sought-after destinations this year — vibrant, safe, affordable, and endlessly inspiring. Whether it’s your first time in Asia or you’re a seasoned traveler seeking authentic culture, beautiful landscapes, and incredible food, Vietnam delivers it all.
And the most immersive way to experience the country?
✅ Traveling North to South — starting from the capital Hanoi, winding through heritage towns like Hue and Hoi An, and finishing in the bustling southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the Mekong Delta.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything U.S. tourists need to know for traveling Vietnam from north to south in 2025, including routes, highlights, transportation, booking tips, and private tour options.
🛫 Why U.S. Tourists Love the North–South Vietnam Route
For travelers flying from the U.S., especially from places like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, or Chicago, a north-to-south journey:
- Follows a natural geographical and narrative flow
- Starts in cooler weather (North) and ends in tropical warmth (South)
- Offers a balanced mix of culture, history, food, beach, and nature
- Fits neatly into 10–16-day private tours, fully customizable
- Works well with international flight connections (arrive in Hanoi, depart from HCMC)
🗺️ Overview Route Map (North → South)
🇺🇸 Entry (for U.S. Citizens):
- Vietnam requires a valid e-visa, which can be easily applied for online.
- We at Vietnamtour.travel can help with this process during trip planning.
🛬 Start: Hanoi
📍 Capital City | Culture | Street Food | French Colonial Style
↓
🚗 Side Trip: Ninh Binh or Sapa (optional)
📍 Rice Fields | Temples | Local Villages
↓
⛴️ Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay
📍 UNESCO site | Overnight Cruise | Kayaking
↓
✈️ Fly: Hanoi → Hue (Short Domestic Flight)
📍 Imperial City | Royal Tombs | Perfume River
↓
🚗 Road Trip: Hue → Hoi An (via Hai Van Pass)
📍 Scenic Drive | Marble Mountains | Seaside Views
↓
✈️ Fly: Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
📍 Modern Vietnam | War History | Food Scene
↓
🚐 Day Trip: Mekong Delta
📍 River Life | Floating Markets | Farm Visits
↓
🏖️ Optional Extension: Phu Quoc Island or Cambodia
🏙️ 1. Hanoi – The Cultural Capital of the North
Ideal Length: 2–3 days
Top experiences:
- Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda & Temple of Literature
- Explore the chaotic yet charming Old Quarter
- Take a street food tour: pho, bun cha, banh cuon, egg coffee
- Watch a traditional water puppet show
- Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake early morning (join the locals for tai chi!)
🛏 Recommended: Stay in a boutique hotel near the Old Quarter for easy walking access.
🛶 2. Ha Long Bay/Lan Ha Bay – Limestone Wonder of the World
Ideal Length: 1–2 days (cruise) Ha Long Bay is a visual masterpiece of limestone peaks rising from emerald green water. Many travelers now prefer quieter alternatives like Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay.
Top experiences:
- Overnight cruise with private balcony (meals included)
- Kayaking into sea caves and lagoons
- Cave visits (Sung Sot Cave or Dark & Light cave in Lan Ha)
- Squid fishing + sunset dinner on board
Let us help you pick the best cruise experience based on your comfort level and preferred pace.
⛰️ Side Option: Sapa or Ninh Binh (Day 3–4)
If you have extra time:
- 🏞 Sapa (via train | NW Vietnam): Trek through rice terraces, visit minority villages
- 🚲 Ninh Binh (Tam Coc): Ride boats through “Ha Long Bay on land,” explore ancient temples and do gentle cycling
👑 3. Hue – Vietnam’s Imperial City
Ideal Length: 2 days
Once the capital of Nguyen Dynasty, Hue offers deep insight into Vietnam’s royal history.
What to do:
- Explore the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City
- Visit the tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
- Take a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River
- Sample multi-course royal cuisine
🎯 Recommended: Visit with a historian guide for deeper context.
🎨 4. Hoi An – Vietnam’s Most Beloved Town
Ideal Length: 3 nights
A cultural UNESCO site and traveler favorite, this ancient town offers beauty, food, and comfort at every corner.
Highlights:
- Tailor a custom outfit in 24 hours
- Join a hands-on cooking class
- Explore lantern-lit riverside streets
- Dine at riverside restaurants or take a sunset boat trip
- Visit surrounding rural villages for pottery, farming, or lantern-making demos
🏖️ Add a beach day: An Bang or Cua Dai Beaches are nearby.
🌇 5. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Vibrant, Modern, and Unapologetically Alive
Ideal Length: 2–3 days
This southern city offers depth, contrast, and complexity.
Must-dos:
- Visit the War Remnants Museum & Cu Chi Tunnels
- Explore Ben Thanh Market and local street food
- Join a Saigon after-dark Vespa tour or rooftop dining
- Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office
⏱ Feeling burnt out? Spend a slow morning in a café district and people-watch over Vietnamese iced coffee.
🍃 6. Mekong Delta – Authentic Life by the Rivers
Ideal Length: 1–2 days
A slower-paced rural region where farms, canals, and daily life unfold on water.
Activities:
- Private boat through palm-shaded canals
- Visit floating markets (Cai Rang or Phong Dien)
- Stay in an eco-lodge, sample local fruits and crocodile fish
- See coconut candy, pop rice, rice paper in action
🏝 7. Add-On: Phu Quoc or Cambodia
If you can extend your trip, consider:
🔹 Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam) – Gorgeous white-sand island escape near Cambodia
🔹 Angkor Wat (Cambodia) – Just a short flight from Saigon
We’ll plan air tickets, transfers, and tours in one easy package.
🧳 Logistics: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know
✈️ Visas
- U.S. citizens require an e-visa to enter Vietnam (valid for 30–90 days).
- Simple online process — or have us complete it for you as part of your tour.
💰 Currency & Payments
- Local currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
- Credit cards accepted at major hotels/restaurants
- Always carry small cash for local markets or rural destinations
📶 Internet & SIM Cards
- Fast Wi-Fi in most cities/hotels
- We provide local SIM cards (or eSIM setup) in private tour packages
💉 Health & Safety
- No mandatory vaccines (Hep A/B, typhoid optional)
- Water: Drink bottled or filtered
- Safe and welcoming for solo female U.S. travelers and seniors
✅ Why Book a Private Tour for North-to-South Vietnam?
While bus tours and budget group packages exist, here’s what travelers love about private tours:
| Feature | Group Tour | Private Tour by Vietnamtour.travel |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible Itinerary | ❌ No | ✅ 100% customized |
| Personal Guide | 🟡 Shared | ✅ English-speaking, local expert |
| Comfort & Cleanliness | 🟡 Average | ✅ Private, AC, safe transport |
| Local Culture Access | ❌ Minimal | ✅ Real connections |
| Support During Travel | ❌ Limited | ✅ 24/7 real-time support |
| Custom Requests (food, hotels, etc.) | ❌ Not possible | ✅ Absolutely |
🎯 Our U.S. guests often say that a private tour added cultural depth, comfort, and flexibility they never expected — and never want to travel without again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for U.S. Travelers
1. How long should I spend traveling from North to South Vietnam?
Most travelers spend 10 to 16 days to explore Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, including stops in Hue, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta. A two-week private tour is ideal for a balanced and unrushed experience.
2. What’s the best time of year for a North–South Vietnam trip?
For a full-country itinerary, the best travel months are February to April or October to December — offering pleasant weather in both northern and southern regions.
3. Do I need a visa to travel from the U.S. to Vietnam?
Yes. U.S. citizens must obtain an e-visa before entry. The process is simple and fully online. Vietnamtour.travel can assist you during booking.
4. Is a private tour better than traveling independently?
Absolutely — especially for first-time visitors. With a private tour, you skip the stress of planning, avoid scams, and enjoy deeper cultural experiences through vetted guides and flexible schedules.
5. Can I customize the tour based on my interests?
Yes! All tours by Vietnamtour.travel are 100% tailor-made. Whether you’re into history, food, wellness, nature, or luxury stays — we’ll build the perfect itinerary for you.
📞 Ready to Start Planning?
We’d love to help you create your once-in-a-lifetime journey through Vietnam in 2025.
When you book with Vietnamtour.travel, you get:
- 🎯 Free custom itinerary planning
- 🛬 Airport pickups & internal flights
- 🏨 Handpicked boutique & luxury hotels
- 🧑🏫 Local English-speaking guides
- 🛶 Authentic cultural experiences
- 📲 On-the-ground support throughout the trip
👉 Start Planning My Vietnam Trip Now ↗
Amidst countless options, you are probably looking for a travel company that truly understands Vietnam to turn your dream of exploring this S-shaped land into a reality. We, a local travel company in the heart of Vietnam, are proud to be natives of this land, carrying within us a love and deep understanding of every corner and every unique cultural aspect. Different from international travel companies, we don’t just offer tours; we share the most authentic and intimate experiences with Vietnamese life and people. You will discover famous destinations such as the majestic Ha Long Bay, the poetic ancient town of Hoi An, or the serene Imperial City of Hue from a local’s perspective
We understand that when setting foot in a foreign country, dedicated and timely support is extremely important. Therefore, our support team is always ready 24/7 throughout your journey in Vietnam, answering all your questions and assisting you in every situation. Moreover, with full licenses to organize domestic and international tours issued by the Vietnamese government, you can be completely assured of our prestige and service quality. Contact us today for the most professional and dedicated consultation, and let’s plan an unforgettable and complete trip to Vietnam together
Contact us today to receive a free consultation and start designing your dream tour, North to South Vietnam !
At Vietnamtour.travel, we’re dedicated to making your journey seamless and memorable. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including Hotel booking, Car rental, Visa assistance, and Airport fast-track services, ensuring all your travel needs are covered.
Beyond the essentials, we specialize in a diverse array of tourism types tailored to your interests. Whether you’re looking for a Private, custom-designed tour, a relaxing Beach and island getaway, an enriching Cultural exploration, the vibrant energy of Urban tourism, or an authentic Agricultural and rural experience, we have something for everyone. We also expertly handle MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), providing professional solutions for corporate events.
Contact Us Now North to South Vietnam
WhatsApp 1 : +84 965 251 618
WhatsApp 2 : +84 989 248 646
Email: info@vietnamtour.travel
support@vietnamtour.travel
Website: www.vietnamtour.travel
• Hanoi Office: No. 3, Ngo 225 Luong The Vinh Street, Trung Van Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
• Ho Chi Minh City Office: Room 503, 5th Floor, C4 Building, Gia Khang Apartment Complex, 38 Street, Ward 14, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City