Midsize Woman

Planning a longer trip through Vietnam? This South Vietnam itinerary is your gentle guide through slow cities, riverside life, coastal wind, and misty pine mountains.

It’s designed for travelers who want more feeling than fast-paced checklists with space for rest, curiosity, and deeper connection.

Whether it’s your first time in Vietnam or a return visit with time to breathe, this route blends the energy of Saigon, the tranquility of An Binh Island, and the soulful quiet of Kon Tum, before crossing the border into Laos.

This isn’t a whirlwind. It’s a meandering, meaningful month.

South Vietnam Itinerary at a Glance

Region	Destination	Highlights
South	Ho Chi Minh City	Street food, coffee culture, rooftop sunsets
Mekong Delta	Can Tho	Floating markets, riverside charm
Mekong Islands	An Binh Island	Homestays, bike rides, fruit orchards
Southeast Coast	Mui Ne	Sand dunes, seafood, red canyons
Central Highlands	Da Lat	Pine forests, tea houses, mountain stillness
South Central Coast	Nha Trang	Island hopping, mud baths, night markets
Central Vietnam	Da Nang	Beach walks, temples, local eats
Central Vietnam	Hoi An	Old Town charm, lanterns, tailor shops
Northern Highlands	Kon Tum	Indigenous culture, wooden churches, border hop

This itinerary has everything, cities, coastline, countryside, culture, and highlands, in a region that rewards unhurried exploration. If you’re not into hopping from flight to flight or packing three cities into a day, this route invites you to feel, absorb, and actually live each place.

Let’s dive in the details!

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Start here. It’s loud, spicy, and full of contradiction, motorbikes flying past incense-filled temples, rooftop bars near old war bunkers.

Local Tip:
Try the bánh mì chảo (sizzling breakfast pan) at a tiny shop called Bánh Mì Hòa Mã in District 3. The egg sizzles, the bread’s perfect, and locals have eaten here since 1958.

Things to Do:

• War Remnants Museum (bring tissues)
• Evening cocktail at Sky XX Rooftop
• Walk along Nguyen Hue at night
• Ride a GrabBike through District 5’s old Chinese quarter

Can Tho

You’ll feel it right away: warm river air, soft light, and a quiet rhythm that runs deep. This is the Mekong. Life is on water here and that life begins early.

Local Tip:
Book a sunrise floating market tour in your homestay. You’ll sip noodles while drifting past floating soup kitchens. It’s slow, real, and unforgettable.

Also Explore:

• Cacao farm tours
• Ninh Kieu night market snacks

An Binh Island

This one’s special. A hidden patch of land in the Mekong Delta where you bike past mango trees, nap in hammocks, and share long meals with your hosts. It’s slow-travel heaven.

Local Tip:
Stay at Huynh Gia Homestay. Their riverside dinners, fruit picking, and tea by candlelight made this one of my most peaceful memories.

What to Love:

• Slowing down the travel pace
• Coconut candy workshops
• Starry nights with nothing but frog sounds

Mui Ne

The ocean appears like a surprise after the river. Palm trees, fishing boats, and towering white dunes stretch into the sky. Mui Ne is beachy, yes but still low-key if you avoid weekends.

Local Tip:
Book a sunrise jeep tour to the White Sand Dunes with a small group. They bring hot tea and know the best photo angles (without the crowds).

Also Worth It:

• Fish market at 6 AM
• Fairy Stream barefoot walk

Da Lat

Pines instead of palms. Mornings in mist. Cafés in greenhouses. Da Lat is dreamy cool weather, slow walks, and a bit of romance in the air.

Local Tip:
Visit La Viet Coffee Farm, just outside town. Their lavender dessert and slow-drip brew are art.

Slow Things to Do:

• Walk around Xuan Huong Lake
• Big Lady Buddha
• Visit the Crazy House for a fun photo detour
• Unique bar

Nha Trang

Time to heat things up again, the beach is back, but different. Nha Trang is a little louder, a little busier, but you can find your pocket of calm.

Local Tip:
Try the glass-bottom Mỹ Á Island tour. They take you snorkeling in calmer spots with a fisherman family. No blasting music boats.

Good Eats:

• Grilled sea urchin with scallion oil
• Bánh căn filled with shrimp

Da Nang

A bit of everything, beach cafés, city buzz, food markets, mountain hikes. Da Nang is underrated, easy to love, and a soft landing after Nha Trang.

Local Tip:
Get lunch at Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng, sizzling crepes filled with pork and bean sprouts, eaten with hands and herbs. It’s a crunchy, savory mess you’ll crave again.

Explore:

• Hai Van Pass
• My Khe Beach at sunrise
• Han Market for snacks and fabric

Hoi An

You don’t need long here, just the right time. A lantern-lit walk, a good bowl of noodles, a quiet tea house. Hoi An is delicate, like a watercolor.

Local Tip:
Visit Reaching Out Tea House, run by hearing-impaired women in a silent setting. The stillness deepens the flavor of your tea. One of the most beautiful spots in town.

Kon Tum

Few travelers reach Kon Tum, but it’s worth every mile. The roads narrow. The air cools. The hills rise. This is where Vietnam softens again, calm villages, wooden cathedrals, tribal stories.

Local Tip:
Look for the traditional house and church. Stay a few days and slow your thoughts.

Why End Here?
It’s the perfect exit. From Kon Tum, you can cross overland to Laos at the Bo Y / Phou Keua border, and into Pakse in southern Laos, another slow-travel haven.

Why This Itinerary Works

• Slow pace that honors both adventure and downtime
• Nature-rich experiences across coastlines, highlands, and river deltas
• Cultural depth from war history to minority village life
• Border-smart route for those heading onward to Laos
• Budget-friendly but comfortable (think: homestays, bikes, local cafés)

FAQ: South Vietnam Itinerary

What’s the best way to get around South Vietnam?

For most of this route, you can travel by bus, train, or domestic flights.

• Sleeper buses are cheap and efficient for longer distances.
• Trains run between major cities like Nha Trang and Da Nang.
• Flights (e.g., from Da Lat to Da Nang) are time-saving and budget-friendly.
• Scooters or bikes are great for exploring towns like Da Lat or An Binh Island.

Is it safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, Vietnam is generally very safe for solo female travelers. People are friendly, crimes are rare, and homestays often feel like extended family. As with anywhere, trust your instincts, avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar areas, and let someone know your route.

When’s the best time to do this South Vietnam itinerary?

Dry season (December to April) is ideal, with sunny days and comfortable temperatures.
But even during the rainy season (May to October), the weather is often manageable, just pack a rain jacket and enjoy quieter destinations.

Can I cross the border to Laos from Kon Tum?

Yes. From Kon Tum, you can head to Bo Y International Border Gate, then continue on to Attapeu or Pakse in Laos. Buses, private cars, and some travel agents can help with this transfer. Make sure to check visa requirements for Laos in advance.

Is this itinerary budget-friendly?

Definitely. With a mix of homestays, local transport, and street food, you can travel on $25–$45 per day comfortably. Even higher-end travelers will find excellent value in Vietnam.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a route, it’s a rhythm.
A way to drift through Vietnam without rushing, to feel the layers beneath the tourist sheen.

You’ll sweat on buses, laugh over bánh mì, nap in boats, and climb hills just to breathe in the view.

And maybe, by the time you leave Kon Tum behind and step into Laos, you’ll feel quieter inside like Vietnam left you softer, slower, fuller.