Routes · Asia

Lisbon to Vietnam from north to south: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City

Lisbon → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam north to south Best season (general guide): Feb–Apr

Vietnam is long and narrow, and the best way to see its range is to fly between its regions. This route starts in Hanoi, takes a boat into Ha Long Bay, flies to central Vietnam for Hoi An and ends in Ho Chi Minh City. From Lisbon you'll connect via another European hub, the Gulf or Asia.

Hanoi's Old Quarter is a maze of streets once named for their trades, and Hoan Kiem Lake is at its centre. Pho and bun cha are local favourites. A road trip to the coast leads to Ha Long Bay, where an overnight boat lets you see the islands at sunrise and kayak through caves and lagoons. A flight to Da Nang and a short drive bring you to Hoi An, where tailors and lantern shops fill the old town, and the beaches are nearby. Finally, Ho Chi Minh City has the Reunification Palace, busy markets and day trips into the Mekong Delta's waterways.

February to April is a good compromise, when all three regions tend to be pleasant at the same time. Central Vietnam can be hit by floods in October and November, which can affect Hoi An.

Most visitors need an e-visa, which you can apply for online. Traffic is heavy, so cross streets slowly and steadily.

Pacing note: the transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay takes a few hours by road, so an overnight boat makes the trip worthwhile. The boat returns to the Ha Long pier, and you go back to Hanoi for the flight to Da Nang.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.