Vietnam Solo Travel Guide
Welcome to Vietnam – land of noodles, honking scooters, jaw-dropping landscapes, and some of the most delicious food you can buy for under a fiver. If you’re travelling solo, congrats – you’ve made an excellent life decision. Vietnam is not only easy and affordable to navigate, but it’s also full of fellow backpackers, friendly locals, and enough wild motorbike rides to keep your adrenaline levels suspiciously high.
This itinerary takes you from north to south (or the other way if you’re a rebel), hitting all the highlights: Hanoi, Ha Giang, Sapa, Cat Ba, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Da Lat, and Ho Chi Minh City. Total time? 31 days of food, fun, and probably a few bruises.
Hanoi – 4 Days
About:
My Vietnam journey kicked off in the buzzing capital. Hanoi is chaotic in all the right ways — a place where crossing the street feels like a trust fall with the universe. The Old Quarter is alive with motorbikes, street vendors, and cheap beer. But step into a lakeside café or temple and everything slows down. It’s a place of contrasts — and incredible bánh mì.
Top Activities:
- Explore the Old Quarter and try not to get lost (you will anyway)
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
- Try egg coffee and different bánh mì stalls (yes, this counts as an activity)
- Pay respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Watch a water puppet show — it’s weird but you’ll love it
Hostel Recommendation: Nexy Hostel – sociable, clean, with great location.
Next Stop: Ha Giang – 7 hours by sleeper bus or limousine van
Ha Giang Loop – 4 Days
About:
Ha Giang was the wildest and most beautiful part of my trip. I rented a motorbike (with minimal experience — risky, I know) and joined the Easy Rider convoy. The mountain roads are unreal — dramatic cliffs, tiny villages, and the kind of views that make you forget you haven’t showered in two days.
Top Activities:
- Ride the Ha Giang Loop (or ride pillion with an Easy Rider)
- Cruise through Ma Pi Leng Pass (hold on tight)
- Stay with local families and enjoy “happy water”
- Visit the Dong Van market if you’re there on a Sunday
Hostel Recommendation: Bong Ha Giang Hostel – perfect base to plan your loop.
Next Stop: Sapa – 9 hours by overnight bus
Sapa – 3 Days
About:
Sapa is a cool escape into Vietnam’s northern mountains. It’s cloudy, green, and full of smiling Hmong locals in colorful clothes. Trekking between rice paddies to tiny villages was one of the most peaceful (and muddy) things I’ve done. Bonus: my guide’s dog followed us the entire way.
Top Activities:
- Trek through the rice terraces to Lao Chai and Ta Van
- Ride the cable car to Fansipan (or hike if you’re brave)
- Visit a local herbal bathhouse post-hike
Hostel Recommendation: Sapa Sisters – run by a local social enterprise, they also offer great guided treks.
Next Stop: Cat Ba Island – 10 hours via Hanoi (bus + transfer)
Cat Ba Island – 3 Days
About:
Cat Ba was my base for exploring the famous limestone islands of Ha Long Bay — but without the tourist crush. It’s got beaches, hikes, and cheap mojitos. I spent a day kayaking through hidden lagoons and jumping off boats. Ten out of ten, would cannonball again.
Top Activities:
- Take a boat tour of Lan Ha Bay (Ha Long’s quieter cousin)
- Go kayaking, snorkeling, or cliff-jumping
- Hike in Cat Ba National Park for panoramic views
Hostel Recommendation: Woodstock Beach Camp – part beach bar, part hammock haven.
Next Stop: Ninh Binh – 6 hours by ferry + bus combo
Ninh Binh – 2 Days
About:
Ninh Binh feels like someone flipped Ha Long Bay inside out — it’s all rice paddies and jagged cliffs on land. I biked through silent valleys and paddled under limestone caves. It’s peaceful and cinematic, like you’ve wandered into a kung-fu movie set.
Top Activities:
- Take a Trang An boat ride through caves and temples
- Climb the Mua Cave steps for epic views at sunset
- Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital
Hostel Recommendation: Tam Coc Bungalow – set on a quiet riverbank, stunning views.
Next Stop: Phong Nha – 9 hours by sleeper bus
Phong Nha – 3 Days
About:
This town is quiet, but underneath it? A whole world of caves. I spent a few days covered in mud, ziplining, and swimming underground rivers. It’s one of the most underrated spots in Vietnam and the kind of place where everyone ends up staying longer than planned.
Top Activities:
- Explore Paradise Cave or the adventurous Dark Cave
- Go ziplining and river tubing
- If you’re feeling bold (and rich), book a multi-day Son Doong expedition
Hostel Recommendation: Easy Tiger – the backpacker hub, complete with pool and bar.
Next Stop: Hue – 4 hours by local bus
Hue – 2 Days
About:
Hue is full of imperial history and royal ruins. You can wander old palaces in the morning and feast on spicy noodle soups in the afternoon. I rented a bicycle and explored temples along the Perfume River, pretending I was in some historical drama.
Top Activities:
- Visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City
- Take a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River
- Try bun bo Hue (arguably Vietnam’s best noodle soup)
Hostel Recommendation: Why Not Hostel – cheap, central, and social.
Next Stop: Da Nang – 2.5 hours by train (scenic AF)
Da Nang – 2 Days
About:
Da Nang is a chilled-out mix of beaches, mountains, and good coffee. It felt more local and less backpacker-y, which I loved. I surfed in the morning, hiked in the afternoon, and found a bar with swing seats by night.
Top Activities:
- Snap a selfie at the Golden Hand Bridge (early, to dodge crowds)
- Explore the Marble Mountains and caves
- Relax or surf at My Khe Beach
Hostel Recommendation: Rom Casa – built from shipping containers, super stylish.
Next Stop: Hoi An – 45 minutes by shuttle or bike
Hoi An – 3 Days
About:
Hoi An looks like a postcard come to life. I got lost among lantern-lit alleyways, tailor shops, and noodle stands. I got a shirt made, took a cooking class, and biked to the beach. Honestly, I could’ve stayed forever if I didn’t have a bus to catch.
Top Activities:
- Explore the Ancient Town (go at night for lantern magic)
- Get custom clothes made (and shipped home!)
- Take a cooking class or cycle to An Bang Beach
- Feel like an artist making rings in one of many local jewellers
Hostel Recommendation: Dolphin Riverside – fun vibe, and the best hostel pool table ever.
Next Stop: Da Lat – 13 hours by overnight bus (brace yourself)
Da Lat – 3 Days
About:
Da Lat is Vietnam’s hill station hideaway. Think pine forests, waterfalls, and fresh mountain air. It’s also where I flung myself down a waterfall during a canyoning tour — 10/10 thrill. At night, the city’s night market comes alive with street food and chaos.
Top Activities:
- Go canyoning (rappelling + cliff jumping = chaos)
- Visit the Crazy House (a surrealist maze of architecture)
- Check out Elephant Falls and the nearby temples
Hostel Recommendation: Dalat Family Hostel – chaotic but full of love (and huge family dinners)
Next Stop: Ho Chi Minh City – 8 hours by day or night bus
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – 3 Days
About:
HCMC is Vietnam’s biggest city and a full sensory overload. It’s got modern rooftop bars, deep wartime history, and enough scooters to keep you permanently on edge. I explored the museums by day, danced on rooftops by night, and somehow didn’t get run over. A miracle.
Top Activities:
- Visit the War Remnants Museum (intense but essential)
- Take a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Explore Ben Thanh Market and eat everything in sight
- Hit up a rooftop bar for sunset (and strong cocktails)
Hostel Recommendation: The Hideout – party vibes and a prime location
Transport Tips
- Book buses via 12Go Asia or directly through your hostel
- Sleeper buses are weird but functional — bring a blanket and hope for the best
- Trains are great between Hanoi–Hue–Da Nang (especially for views)
- Use the Grab app for motorbike taxis in cities — cheap and easy
That’s it! One month of solo travel, unforgettable memories, and at least a few motorbike near-misses. Vietnam is pure magic — chaotic, beautiful, and addictive. Whether you’re sipping egg coffee in Hanoi or ziplining into caves in Phong Nha, there’s never a dull moment. Now go chase your next bowl of pho.
Happy wandering!