Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Land in Hanoi, drop your bag at the hostel, and meet the rest of the crew in the evening. The first night is a food crawl through the Old Quarter's back streets and markets, sampling local stuff like nem ran and banh goi. Grab a drink at a street-side bar before hitting a local spot for the city's signature egg coffee.

The road trip starts with a visit to Tam Chuc Pagoda, the largest in Southeast Asia. From there, it's a two-hour overland journey to Ninh Binh, where limestone cliffs shoot up from the rice paddies. The landscape is unreal, no filter needed. The afternoon is free once you check into the hostel. You can chill with the crew, or your best move is to rent a bike and get a first look at the countryside on your own.

You have a full free day to explore Ninh Binh. Your best move is to pick an activity: hike up Hang Mua Peak for the classic view over the karsts and river, or get on a small boat to navigate the Trang An Grottoes, a network of caves accessible only by water. You can also just rent a bike and pedal through the rice fields. Pack up before heading out, because tonight you catch the overnight sleeper train south.

Arrive by train in Dong Hoi. The morning starts at the city's sprawling fish market, a chaotic scene of vendors selling everything from the sea. Grab a classic banh mi for breakfast from a street stall before hopping on a bike for a ride through the surrounding countryside and fishing villages. It's about an hour's drive from there to the hostel in Phong Nha, the base for exploring the region's famous caves.

You've got a full free day in Phong Nha, which is all about the caves. This is your chance to get into the world's largest cave system—make sure you have a waterproof case for your phone. If you'd rather stay above ground, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails through the national park. The evening plan is usually a bar crawl with the rest of the group.

Head underground at the Vinh Moc tunnels, a complex built by villagers during the Vietnam War. It's a similar idea to the Cu Chi tunnels near Saigon, but with way fewer crowds. After that, it's a five-hour drive to Hue. You'll have a free afternoon in the former imperial capital. You can rent a motorbike to get around, explore the massive Citadel and royal tombs, or just find a bar by the river.

Today's a big road trip day, crossing the famous Hai Van Pass in open-top jeeps. The route from Hue to Hoi An is packed with stops. First is An Bang, the 'City of Ghosts,' a cemetery known for its ridiculously elaborate tombs. Then, a stop at Lang Co Beach for a swim before continuing over the pass itself, with views of Da Nang bay and a stop at Marble Mountain. You'll roll into Hoi An in the late afternoon for a walk through the lantern-lit Old Town, ending at a bar by the river.

Full free day in Hoi An. This is the spot to get tailored clothes made, so if you want a custom suit or dress, get your measurements done in the morning. Otherwise, you can rent a bike to explore the Old Town, take a day trip out to the My Son temple ruins, or see the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills. The crew usually gets together for dinner at a restaurant in the ancient town.

The morning starts with a hands-on cooking class where you'll learn to make several types of Vietnamese noodles, and then eat your work for lunch. The class supports a local hospitality training program for at-risk youth. The afternoon is free for last-minute souvenir shopping, a final fitting at the tailor, or just chilling in a riverside cafe. Later, it's a short ride to Da Nang to catch the overnight train south to Qui Nhon.

Arrive in Qui Nhon, a coastal city that's still off the main tourist track. First stop is the Thap Doi towers, a set of 11th-century Cham temple ruins. After a local breakfast, you'll walk along the rugged Eo Gio coastline before heading to Ky Co beach. It's a remote spot with white sand and clear water, perfect for an afternoon of swimming and snorkeling. Dinner is a big seafood feast at a local restaurant.

It's a long drive day down the coast to Nha Trang. The main stop en route is Ganh Da Dia, a wild-looking headland of volcanic basalt columns often called Vietnam's Giant's Causeway. Once you get to the resort city of Nha Trang, the plan is to head straight for a therapeutic mud bath to soak off the travel grime. The evening is free to hit the city's many beach bars and nightclubs.

You've got a full free day to enjoy Nha Trang. The obvious move is to find a spot on the main beach and just chill. You can also walk the long promenade, which is lined with shops and bars, or opt for a boat trip to go snorkeling on the nearby islands. Brush the sand off in the evening before boarding the final overnight train of the trip, heading for Ho Chi Minh City.

Welcome to the controlled chaos of Ho Chi Minh City. After arriving by train, the day kicks off with a walking tour covering the highlights: the frantic Ben Thanh Market, the Reunification Palace, and the French Quarter's colonial architecture. Breakfast is a bowl of the city's signature dish, pho. The afternoon is yours—a popular option is a trip out to the Cu Chi tunnels. The final night with the crew is a karaoke party at one of the city's loud, neon-lit sing-along bars.

The trip ends this morning in Ho Chi Minh City. Say goodbye to your hostel mates and the rest of the crew. You can depart at any time. There's no set checkout time, but it's usually best to be packed up by late morning.