"How long is needed for the perfect trip to Vietnam?" is a popular question among first-time visitors to the Southeast Asian country, with answers varying widely.

Some people say two to three weeks is enough for the perfect trip to Vietnam, while others believe a whole month is needed.

There are even some who have been in the country for years and feel they have not had their fill! 

At least two weeks

Jeanine Romo, an American travel blogger and content creator based in Los Angeles, suggested that tourists spend at least two weeks in Vietnam and use that time to discover three or four cities.

Romo made her visit to Vietnam in 2019.

“It was a three-week trip to celebrate my birthday and I traveled to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Tam Coc, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City,” she told Tuoi Tre News via email.

Romo, who has visited 44 countries, said she chose Vietnam because it is a beautiful country with incredible natural wonders, rich culture, and delicious food. 

That first trip went so well that she made the second visit in late 2023. 

“It’s somewhere I can keep revisiting over and over again,” she said.

During her second trip, Romo revisited Hanoi, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

“I was continuously impressed by the natural beauty of the country. From the coastal views to the mountains and rivers, Vietnam is truly stunning,” she said.

“I am also impressed with the cities, from the charming streets and alleyways of Hoi An, to the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.”

As to whether or not she plans to continue returning, Romo has no doubt she will be back.

“I would absolutely revisit Vietnam! The country is large and offers so much that you can keep going back to experience something completely different,” she said.

For first-timers to Vietnam, Romo suggested that they should be very aware of the weather. 

“Keep in mind that the weather varies in Vietnam, so it may be sunny in one city in the south and rainy in the north,” she warned.

“While it is possible to visit multiple cities in a span of two to three weeks, the weather can vary drastically.” 

How long is enough to understand Vietnam?

French-Canadian Joss Huot has lived in Vietnam for the past five years but still feels he has much to learn about the country. 

The 61-year-old from Quebec City first visited Vietnam in July 2006 and made eight subsequent visits before relocating to the Southeast Asian country.

“We landed in Hanoi and a couple of hours later we were in our hotel room right in the middle of the Old Quarter,” he shared of his first visit.

“We then traveled south and ended up in Ho Chi Minh City 16 days later where we've stayed for the last five years.”

Huot’s 2006 visit to Vietnam was inspired by a dream to meet Vietnamese people after he read about the war in Vietnam.

After that trip, he found that, unsurprisingly, his favorite part of Vietnam was its people.

Huot visited Vietnam for the second time the following year by taking a three-week trip from south to north, making stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Mui Ne, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and Sa Pa.

In 2014, Huot met and fell in love with a Vietnamese woman, whom he later married. The couple now live in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

“My ward is 90 percent Vietnamese and I love it!,” he said. 

Now, Huot enjoys Vietnam as a resident, feeling no need to rush across the country to see everything.

“I have time on my side,” he said. “I don’t need to rush to go visit this place or that place before leaving.”

“I can simply enjoy my days sharing coffee or tea with local people. 

“I walk a lot, explore small alleys, make friends, and learn about the culture.”  

Still, Huot feels he has a lot to learn.

“I visited Vietnam nine times between 2006 and 2019 when I decided to stay for good. In Vietnam, there is always something new to discover,” he said. 

In his free time, Huot loves wanderng and capturing the beauty of Vietnam through his lens.

For those planning to visit Vietnam, Huot advises planning for at least three weeks and spending a night or two in each city.  

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