This photograph is from Monday February 24th, 2025, and reveals the 475-ft-tall opening in northern Vietnam's Hang En Cave.

16 Days in Vietnam

The trip spans 16 days and 7 distinct destinations across the country (Hanoi, Phong Nha, Ninh Binh, Halong/Lan Ha Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An), plus international transit in Doha and Seoul.

You will need to book 6 flight segments (2 international round-trip legs and 2 domestic transit flights) and arrange 7 different accommodations, ranging from a luxury resort to an overnight sleeper bus, a cave camp, and a cruise ship cabin. Ground transit requires on-demand rideshares, pre-arranged tour transfers, and local moped rentals. Expect to plan for approximately 40 individual meals, with a mix of street food, specific reservations (like Lamai Garden in Hanoi), and tour catering.

Phase 1: The North & The Cave (Days 1-7)

Vibe: Exploring Hanoi, sleeping on buses, and jungle trekking with leeches.

Day 1-2: International Transit to Hanoi

• Location: New York (JFK) > Doha (DOH) > Hanoi (HAN)
• Transportation: International Flight (Qatar Airways)
• Logistics: Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). Total distance: ~16,730 km (10,390 mi).
• Bookings: International flight tickets and a standard city hotel for the arrival night in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi to Phong Nha

• Location: Hanoi > Phong Nha
• Transportation: Overnight Sleeper Bus
• Logistics: Day spent in Hanoi. Overnight transit south. Total distance: ~500 km (310 mi).
• Bookings: Overnight sleeper bus ticket to Phong Nha.

Day 4-5: Hang En Cave Adventure

• Location: Phong Nha > Hang En Cave > Phong Nha
• Transportation: Private Van (Transfer), Jungle Trekking
• Logistics: 2-day/1-night guided jungle trek and cave camp.
• Bookings: Oxalis Adventure Hang En Cave tour package (includes camping gear, guides, and meals).

Day 5-6: Phong Nha to Ninh Binh

• Location: Phong Nha > Ninh Binh
• Transportation: Private Car / Bus
• Logistics: Evening transit from Phong Nha north to Ninh Binh (~400 km / 250 mi). Next day features a river paddle tour (Boat) and the steep 500-step hike at Khu Du Lich Hang Mua.
• Bookings: Private car or sleeper bus transit and Trang An Ecolodge.

Day 7: Return to Hanoi

• Location: Ninh Binh > Hanoi
• Transportation: Private Car / Bus
• Logistics: 95 km (60 mi) transit back to Hanoi. Evening clubbing and dinner.
• Bookings: Secure a dinner reservation at Lamai Garden. Book a central city hotel, like the Lestar Hotel.

Phase 2: The Bay (Days 8-10)

Vibe: Scenic cruising, kayaking, and trading-card games.

Day 8-9: 2-Day Cruise Excursion

• Location: Hanoi > Lan Ha Bay / Cat Ba Islands
• Transportation: Private Van (Transfer), Cruise Ship, Kayak
• Logistics: 150 km (93 mi) transfer from Hanoi to the port. Activities include kayaking and a Cat Ba island boat tour.
• Bookings: Cabin on the Indochine Cruise including round-trip port transfers.

Day 10: Transit to the South

• Location: Lan Ha Bay > Hanoi > Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
• Transportation: Private Van (Transfer), Domestic Flight
• Logistics: Return to Hanoi airport, fly south to HCMC (SGN). Total distance: ~1,160 km (720 mi).
• Bookings: Book a domestic flight (e.g., Vietnam Airlines). Book a serviced apartment/hotel, like the Sherwood Residence, for a multi-night stay.

Phase 3: The Urban South (Days 11-13)

Vibe: Saigon: shopping, dining, self-care, and nightlife.

Day 11-12: City Exploration

• Location: Ho Chi Minh City (Local)
• Transportation: Grab (Rideshare)
• Logistics: Poolside lounging, shopping, and navigating the city.
• Booking Action: Download the Grab app and set up payment before arriving; this is essential for ordering quick, cheap rides and food.

Day 12 Specifics:

• Location: Ho Chi Minh City (District 3 and surrounds)
• Transportation: Grab (Rideshare)
• Bookings: Salon appointment at Sense Hair Lounge. Plan for casual dinners, like Eat Me Burger.

Phase 4: The Central Coast (Days 13-16)

Vibe: Luxury resort relaxation in Da Nang, shorefishing, and the open road.

Day 13: Flight to Da Nang

• Location: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) > Da Nang (DAD)
• Transportation: Grab (to airport), Domestic Flight
• Logistics: Midday domestic flight to Da Nang. Total distance: ~600 km (370 mi).
• Bookings: Domestic flight and InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.

Day 14: Resort Life & Mopeds

• Location: Da Nang (Resort and City)
• Transportation: Moped (Rental)
• Logistics: Shorefishing at the private beach, then heading into Da Nang city.
• Bookings: Morning tennis with a resort pro. Arrange a moped rental in Da Nang through the resort or a local shop.

Day 15: Coastal Ride to Hoi An

• Location: Da Nang <-> Hoi An (Round Trip)
• Transportation: Moped (Rental)
• Logistics: 60 km (37 mi) round-trip moped ride to Hoi An Ancient Town for shopping.
• Bookings: Morning tennis with a resort pro. Ensure your moped rental covers a full day for the road trip.

Day 16: Departure

• Location: Da Nang (DAD) > Seoul (ICN) > New York (JFK)
• Transportation: Grab (to airport), International Flights
• Logistics: Morning errands, afternoon ear piercing, late night departure to Seoul, and onward to New York. Total distance: ~14,100 km (8,760 mi).
• Bookings: Use Grab for the final transit to Da Nang International Airport.

Budget & Logistics Summary

Accommodations:

• Standard City (e.g., Lestar Hotel): $45–$110 / night
• Eco-Lodge (e.g., Trang An Ecolodge): $55–$115 / night
• Serviced Apartment (e.g., Sherwood Residence): $80–$135 / night
• Luxury Resort (InterContinental Danang): $360–$800+ cash / night, or 66,000–115,000 IHG points

Transit:

• International Flights (from NY): $950–$1,850+ cash, or 80,000–165,000+ points
• Domestic Flights: $45–$135 cash, or 6,000–18,000 points
• Overnight Sleeper Bus: $13–$18
• Moped Rentals: $3–$15 / day

Experiences & Dining:

• Oxalis Adventure (Hang En Cave): ~$333
• Indochine Cruise: $185–$285
• Salon Services (e.g., Sense Hair Lounge): $15 (Basic cut) to $180+ (Full color/treatment)
• Street Food: $1–$3 / dish
• Casual Dining: $4–$10 / meal
• Fine Dining (e.g., Lamai Garden tasting menu): $75–$125+ / person

Plan on taking a minimum of 10 days off and traveling with a dozen friends for an estimated cost starting around $2,500, or a subsidized total around $1500 + 200,000 loyalty points.