Backpacking Vietnam: The BEST Guide For First-Timers

I spent 3 weeks backpacking Vietnam, and it was one of my favorite adventures in Southeast Asia.

This country is perfect for backpackers, with so many things to do!

From the stunning landscapes of Ha Long Bay and Sapa to the lively cities of Hanoi and Hoi An, along with delicious food and an unbeatable backpacker scene.

Here’s everything you need to know before backpacking in Vietnam to make the most of your trip!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!

Is Vietnam a Good Backpacking Destination?

Yes! Vietnam is one of the best backpacking destinations in the world.

It’s affordable, well-connected, and packed with history, adventure, and nightlife. Also, the lively backpacking scene makes it super easy to meet other travelers. 

The well-established backpacking route means everybody is kind of doing the same thing, and you won’t struggle with finding transport, accommodations, or activities.

PROS:

✅ Affordable – Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries to backpack in Southeast Asia.
✅ Breathtaking Landscapes – Vietnam is easily the most beautiful country in the region.
✅ Easy to Get Around – Transportation in Vietnam works great.
✅ Backpacker-Friendly – Tons of hostels, social events, and organized tours make it easy to travel.

CONS:

❌ Traffic & Chaotic Cities – Big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are polluted and loud.
❌ Visa Requirements – You might need to apply for a visa in advance.
❌ Big Country – There are so many things to do in Vietnam that you’ll feel like you need a month here!
❌ Language Barrier – English isn’t widely spoken outside tourist areas, but locals will use Google Translate to communicate.

Vietnam Backpackers’ Bucket List

1. Wander Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Hanoi is my favorite city in Vietnam and a great place to enjoy the chaotic energy of this country.

I love the colonial houses, the maze of streets that turn into restaurant terraces at night, and the massive night market.

Don’t miss Train Street, where you can have a coffee just inches from a railway track that runs through the heart of the neighborhood.

2. Ride the Ha Giang Loop

What was once a dangerous motorcycle loop only experienced bike riders could do has turned into one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist attractions.

Today, you don’t even need to know how to ride a motorcycle, as you can do the loop with an easy driver – you just sit in the back and enjoy the view.

Ha Giang Loop tours typically last 3 to 4 days, departing from Hanoi.

Since they sell out quickly during high season, I recommend booking online in advance, especially if you’re on a tight schedule.

🏍️ Book a 3-Day Motorbike Ha Giang Loop with Easy Rider!

3. Cycle Around Ninh Binh (Vietnam’s ‘Ha Long Bay on Land’)

Ninh Binh is one of Vietnam’s best hidden gems and I don’t understand why more people are not visiting.

I had the best time cycling through rice fields on the empty countryside roads, climbing viewpoints, visiting temples, and going on the river tour.

TOP TIP: Cycling was one of my favorite activities in Vietnam and I rented a bike in Ninh Binh and Hoi An!

4. Visit Hoi An

The charming colonial town of Hoi An is the most picturesque place in Vietnam, and there’s so much to do here!

You have an absolutely idyllic UNESCO-listed colonial town, a famous lantern festival taking place each full moon, world-class tailors, a nearby beach, and iconic basket boat tours.

You could easily spend 3 to 5 days in Hoi An, and do something else every day!

TOP TIP: Did you know that Hoi An is known for its tailors? Get some of your dream pieces custom-made!

5. Join Ha Long Bay Cruise

We all know that Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best way to visit is on an overnight luxury cruise. 

These overnight cruises are slightly more expensive than your average Vietnam activity, but you can find some really luxurious boats.

The first time I backpacked Southeast Asia, I met so many travelers raving about the Castaway Party Island tour, but unfortunately, it looks like they’ve gone out of business!

⛴️ Treat yourself to a 2-Day Ha Long Bay Luxury Cruise!

6. Try authentic Vietnamese street food

Vietnamese cuisine is easily one of my favorites! From a steaming bowl of pho for breakfast to crispy banh mi for lunch, the country’s street food is fresh, delicious, and incredibly affordable. 

The best part? Almost every Vietnamese dish can be made vegan, so I’ve had the chance to try plant-based versions of all the local favorites!s!

7. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels

Vietnam has a complex history, first with the French and later with the USA, and there are many museums across the country where you can learn how these events shaped the nation.

Cu Chi Tunnels are one of Vietnam’s most significant historical sites. It’s an underground network used by the Viet Cong during the war. 

You can crawl through the tiny tunnels, learn about Vietnam’s war history, and even try firing an AK-47 at a shooting range (if that’s your thing!).

🔫Book the Cu Chi Tunnels Tour from HCM City!

8. Beach Hop in Phu Quoc

Most Vietnam backpackers skip Phu Quoc in favor of the Thai islands, but they’re missing out!

As Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc has some of the whitest, softest sand I’ve ever seen.

However, development and resort construction are slowly transforming this tropical paradise, so visit soon before it loses its untouched charm!

TOP TIP: Don’t miss VinWonders amusement park! It is massive and it felt like we were the only ones there!

9. Explore Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay

If you want to visit Ha Long Bay on a budget, head straight to Cat Ba Island and join one of the Lan Ha Bay cruises. 

I considered skipping Ha Long Bay entirely as all cruises seemed quite pricey, but then I found out about Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay and absolutely loved it!

Lan Ha Bay is less known than Ha Long Bay, but equally stunning!

In fact, as fewer people visit, it is cleaner and more enjoyable overall in addition to being significantly cheaper.

🚣I loved this Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island!

10. Trek in Sapa’s rice terraces

If you want to escape the crowds and explore the truly untouched nature of Northern Vietnam, trekking in Sapa should be on your itinerary. 

While you could do a one-day trek, I highly suggest picking the option of an overnight stay with a local family. It’s truly a unique opportunity to see how locals live in this remote region.

🚶‍♀️Book a 2-Day Sapa Trekking Trip with Homestay!

11. Party on Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City

Nightlife and backpacking go hand in hand, and Bui Vien Street is the place to do it in HCM City.

I must be honest, I prefer small-town party vibes like Hoi An or Pai in Thailand, but if you like large clubs and loud music, you’re in for a treat.

12. Take a Mekong Delta tour

The Mekong Delta tour is one of the most popular day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. 

However, I suggest joining a 2-day tour to explore more of the region and see how the locals live in this unique region of Vietnam. 

🚣 Book 2 Day Mekong Delta Tour here!

13. Visit Duck Stop in Phong Nha  

Did you ever wonder what it’s like to lead hundreds of ducks around and have them eat out of your hand?

Duck Stop in Phon Nha is where you can do exactly that!

While Duck Stop is the most popular tourist attraction in the area, the region is a great example of Vientam’s countryside where you can also see Asia’s longest underground river!

🏞️ Discover Phong Nha Cave & Paradise Cave!

Vietnam Backpacking Route

When I first added Vietnam to my backpacking Southeast Asia itinerary, I wasn’t aware of how big the country is.

I had a rough idea of the popular backpacking route and what I wanted to do. 

But let me tell you. Vietnam is much larger than most people expect!

Not only is it big, but there are also so many things to do in Vietnam and travel takes much longer than you think when planning your itinerary. 

You’ll need at least a month to explore Vietnam properly.

If you’re short on time, you’ll have to sacrifice some things, even if you decide to fly instead of taking overnight buses like I did.

As you can see, I didn’t have time to visit Sapa or do the Ha Giang Loop. I wish I had, but the weather was not the best, and my travel buddy wasn’t interested in doing either.

Generally, I preferred North and Central Vietnam to South, and if you had to skip something, I’d skip the South. 

I flew long distances, so I took a flight from Hanoi to Hoi An (Da Nang Airport), Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, and to the island and back.

Travel days take up an entire day even when you fly, as the sunset is quite early in Vietnam.

Best Hostels in Vietnam

Just like other countries in SE Asia, Vietnam has a lot of hostels and they are the best place to make friends and socialize during your trip.

It might seem hard to choose with so many options, so here are some of my top picks for solo travelers:

• Hanoi: Old Quarter View– Social and comfortable, with daily events
• Ninh Binh: The Banana Tree Hostel – Social, with river views
• Cat Ba: Secret Garden Cat Ba – Great location and restaurant downstairs
• Hoi An: Hoi An LoveLy Hostel – Right in the city center with fun events
• Ho Chi Minh City: MEANDER Saigon – Beautiful and clean hostel in a central location
• Phu Quoc: 9Station Hostel – Great location and most popular hostel on the island

Getting Around Vietnam

Despite Vietnam’s size, its transportation system is efficient, affordable, and well-connected, making it easy to travel between cities and regions.

Overnight Buses & Trains

The cheapest way to get around Vietnam is overnight buses. 

In fact, Vietnam is well-known for its first-class overnight buses where your seat is a fully horizontal bed.

The more expensive the bus the more comfortable it will be, and I’ve seen some that looked more futuristic than planes. 

These buses will take you to virtually any tourist destination in Vietnam

I must admit, I never took any overnight buses in Vietnam. I absolutely can’t sleep in transportation, and I just couldn’t be bothered to even try.

🚌 Book your bus tickets online to save money!

Regular Buses & Minivans

While I didn’t take any overnight buses, I did take several buses on shorter distances. 

Shorter distance meaning up to 5-6 hours, time is very relative in Vietnam. 

I took a minivan from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, and a regular bus from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba Island and back to Hanoi.

All of these buses worked perfectly if you ignore the fact that arrival time is just an estimate.

We even got a hotel pick up to the bus station included in the price!

Domestic Flights

I’m usually not the one to fly around the country, but flights in Vietnam were so affordable that I couldn’t resist. 

I took a flight from Hanoi to Da Nang, Da Nang to HCM City, and HCM City to Phu Quoc and back.

None of these flights cost more than 40€ with luggage included, which is almost the same price as an overnight bus.

Motorbike Rentals 

I don’t ride a motorbike, so I didn’t rent one.

However, it’s a fantastic way to get around the country if you can ride it! 

You can even rent a motorbike in Hanoi and give it back in HCM City or the other way around.

If you’re a casual motorbike driver, meaning you drive in SE Asia but don’t actually have a license, I don’t suggest renting one in the big cities.

Sure, you can get by in Ninh Binh and Hoi An, but just looking at motorbike traffic in HCM City and Hanoi made me nervous. 

Grab (Ride App) 

My main issue with traveling in Vietnam was that public transportation was either nonexistent or too complicated to understand. 

So, if you want to go somewhere you basically need to order a taxi. 

I used Grab in both Hanoi and HCM City to and from the airport and for a few trips around the city, and it worked great.

I see there’s now a metro in HCM City, which will make getting around the city quicker and more affordable!

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

So, when should you visit Vietnam?

Vietnam has two different climates, so the weather is rarely good in the entire country at the same time.

• North Vietnam: Best from March-May and September-November.
• Central Vietnam: Best from February to August.
• South Vietnam: Warm all year round, best from November to April.

I visited Vietnam in September. The north had great weather, the center narrowly escaped flooding, and the south had a rainy tropical island getaway. 

Unpredictable weather in Southeast Asia is becoming more common due to climate change. 

For example, I visited Cambodia during the rainy season and barely saw any rain, yet had several rainy days during Thailand’s dry season.

Considering all of these different climates, March to April is the best time to visit Vietnam.

Vietnam Backpacking Budget

One of the reasons Vietnam is so popular with backpackers is how affordable backpacking in Vietnam is!

Vietnam is one of the most budget-friendly countries in Southeast Asia, but some must-do activities, like the Ha Giang Loop or Ha Long Bay cruises, can quickly add up.

• Hostels: €7-15 per night
• Food: €2-6 per meal
• Transport: €5-20 per day
• Activities: €5-30 per day

On average, you should budget €25-50 per day.

I know there’s a big difference between €25 and €50 per day, especially if you’re traveling for a month. 

However, it really depends on your travel style and which activities you want to do.

For example, just the popular 3-day Ha Giang Loop with an easy driver is almost €200!

You won’t travel every day, and you won’t do expensive paid activities every day, so it evens itself out.

I spent €44 per day during my time in Vietnam, and I consider myself a mid-range backpacker. It could have definitely been lower, but that included several last-minute domestic flights.

Is Vietnam Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Just like other popular backpacking destinations in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is generally safe for solo female travelers. 

I didn’t have any unpleasant interactions, and I felt like locals were genuinely helpful and kind everywhere I went.

Still, you shouldn’t be too comfortable or get yourself in unnecessarily dangerous situations.

I suggest using Grab to get around to avoid having to negotiate rates with taxi drivers.

Don’t leave your valuables unattended, zip your bags, and hold your phone tightly as phone snatching happens.

If you’re on a scooter, wear a helmet. Also, don’t approach stray animals as they might have rabies.

Always get travel insurance!

Final Thoughts: Backpacking Vietnam

Vietnam quickly became one of my favorite countries to travel to, and I’m sure you’ll love backpacking Vietnam as much as I did.

One of my favorite things about Vietnam was its unique landscapes, charming colonial towns, and delicious food. 

You can’t miss the picturesque Hoi An, Cat Ba for Ha Long Bay on the budget, and lively Hanoi!

Of course, the fact that it’s still one of the cheapest countries to travel to makes it even better for backpackers on a budget!

If you’re exploring Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a must-visit destination. Are you planning to visit other nearby countries, such as Laos or Cambodia?