How long to visit Vietnam ?
Most of tourists visit Vietnam for the period of 14 days or 10 days for general view, the period may longer if you wish to discover the north west , north est or central highland of Vietnam.
tour will starting from Hanoi or Hochiminh city. Tour ended in Hanoi or Chi Minh city.
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba island (book 2-3 day tours, OR go by yourself, one way Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba with tourist company by bus and boat, stay on Cat Ba island, exploring beaches, cave, jungle, fishing villages, then take express boat Cat Ba - Hai Phong and by train/bus Hai Phong - Hanoi.
Hanoi - Lao Cai overnight train (or by bus but it takes a long time), then 30km by bus to Sapa. You should spend 2 nights on train, 2 days for trekking. From Sapa to Bac Ha by bus, about 60km.
Hanoi - Ninh Binh: by train, by tourist bus, or you can rent a car from Hanoi
Hanoi - Mai Chau: 2 day tour, or by bus
Hanoi - Hue: overnight train, by tourist bus or flight
Hanoi - Da Nang: overnight train, by tourist bus or flight
Hue - Hai Van Pass - Da Nang - Hoi An: by train, or by tourist bus, or by taxi (through pass or through tunnel)
Da Nang - Nha Trang: by train, by tourist bus or flight
Nha Trang - Da Lat: by tourist bus
Nha Trang - Sai Gon: by train, by tourist bus or flight
Da Lat - Sai Gon: by tourist bus, or flight
Sai Gon - Mekong Delta: 1-2-3 day tours, or by local bus
Here is my suggestions for your trip (in case you want to see all 3 regions):
10 days or 2 weeks
1-2 days in Hanoi
2 days in Ha Long Bay
Overnight train Hanoi to Hue
1 day in Hue
Bus Hue to Hoi An (4 hours)
Hoi An 1-2 days
Fly Da Nang - Sai Gon (evening flight) US$ 75
Cu Chi tunnels (half day or 1 day)
Mekong Delta (1-2 day tour)
3 weeks
3 weeks in Vietnam:
1. Ha Noi
2. Ha Long Bay
3. Ninh Binh
(May replace or add Sapa if you like trekking)
Overnight train or flight Hanoi - Hue US$52 one way
4. Hue
5. DMZ
Bus Hue - Hoi An (4 hours)
6. Hoi An - My Son Cham towers (May add Nha Trang/Mui Ne for beach)
Flight Da Nang - Sai Gon US$75 one way
7. Sai Gon
8. Mekong Delta
9. Cu Chi tunnel
