Vietnam Highlights & Phu Quoc Island — Self-Launched 14-Day Route
14 days · Vietnam
Legend Travel Group charges £1,144
No-markup version: ~£888 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Legend Travel Group's 14-day Hanoi-to-Phu Quoc tour: Hanoi's old-quarter temples and war history, an overnight junk boat in Halong Bay, the lantern-lit streets and My Son ruins of Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City with the Cu Chi tunnels, a Mekong Delta day trip, then four lazy days on Phu Quoc's beaches. You book everything yourself — sleeper trains, cheap domestic flights, hostel dorms and street food — for roughly half the operator's price, including the internal airfare they charge separately.
Day-by-day
Arrive Hanoi — settle into the Old Quarter
Hanoi
Land at Noi Bai (HAN) and take the Vietcombank/86 city bus (~£1.20) or a Grab car (~£9-11) to the Old Quarter. Check into a hostel dorm or budget hotel near Ma May / Hang Bac. Spend the afternoon wandering Hoan Kiem Lake, crossing the red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple (~£1), and getting your bearings over a £1.50 bowl of bun cha or pho. Book your Halong Bay cruise and sleeper train for the next days tonight or tomorrow morning via your hostel or Klook.
🚌Bus 86 from Noi Bai airport ~£1.20, or Grab ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel, Old Quarter (£10-16)
- →Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
- →Old Quarter street-food walk (bun cha, pho, egg coffee)
- →Book Halong Bay cruise & onward train
Hanoi's big hitters — mausoleum, temples and Hoa Lo
Hanoi
Do the classic Hanoi circuit on foot and by Grab bike. Start early at the Ho Chi Minh Complex (mausoleum free, closed Mon & Fri; dress modestly), then One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (~£1.50) and Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake. In the afternoon take the Ethnology Museum (~£2) or the Vietnamese Women's Museum, then finish at Hoa Lo Prison (~£1.50). Grab bikes between stops cost 50-80p each. Evening: water puppet theatre at Thang Long (~£4) if you fancy it.
🚌Walking + Grab bikes (50-80p per ride)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel, Old Quarter (£10-16)
- →Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Complex
- →One Pillar Pagoda & Tran Quoc Pagoda
- →Temple of Literature
- →Hoa Lo Prison
- →Optional Thang Long water puppet show (~£4)
Halong Bay overnight junk cruise
Halong Bay
Book a mid-range overnight cruise on Klook or GetYourGuide (~£95-130 pp including bus transfer from Hanoi, all meals, kayaking and cave visits) — this is the single biggest self-booked cost of the trip and worth doing properly. Shuttle bus picks you up around 8am, transfers to Halong (~3.5 hrs), then board for lunch on deck, a stop at Sung Sot (Amazing) Cave, kayaking or swimming, and sunset on the bay. Most cruises run a similar itinerary; check reviews for recent boat condition.
🚌Shuttle bus Hanoi–Halong return, included in cruise (~£95-130 pp)
🛏Overnight on junk boat, twin/double cabin (included in cruise price)
- →Overnight Halong Bay junk cruise
- →Sung Sot (Amazing) Cave
- →Kayaking & swimming
- →Sunrise tai chi on deck (next morning)
Halong sunrise, then south to Hoi An
Hoi An
Sunrise on the bay, a visit to a floating fishing village, brunch on board, then shuttle back to Hanoi by mid-afternoon. From Hanoi take the Reunification Express sleeper train to Da Nang (SE1/SE3, soft sleeper ~£25-35, ~16 hrs) — book on the official Vietnam Railways site or 12GoAsia a few days ahead. Alternatively fly Hanoi–Da Nang on Vietjet/Bamboo (~£30-45) if you'd rather save a night; in that case take a late flight and a £4 Grab to Hoi An. The train arrives Da Nang early morning on Day 5, with a ~£5 Grab or local bus to Hoi An.
🚌Shuttle back to Hanoi (included) + sleeper train to Da Nang ~£25-35, or flight ~£30-45
🛏Soft-sleeper train, or budget hotel in Hoi An if flying (£12-20)
- →Sunrise on Halong Bay
- →Floating fishing village
- →Reunification Express overnight train
Hoi An Ancient Town — temples, bridge and river boats
Hoi An
Arrive and check into a guesthouse or budget hotel in the Ancient Town fringe (£12-20, many with a small pool). Buy the Hoi An Old Town ticket (~£4.50) covering five heritage buildings: the Japanese Covered Bridge, the 17th-century chapel, the Sa Huynh Museum, assembly halls and old merchant houses. Late afternoon take a short wooden boat on the Thu Bon River to Kim Bong carpentry village (~£3-5 return) to see woodworkers and shipbuilders. Evening: lantern-lit lanes, cheap cao lau and white rose dumplings (~£5).
🚌Grab/bus Da Nang–Hoi An ~£5
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel, Hoi An (£12-20)
- →Hoi An Old Town ticket (~£4.50)
- →Japanese Covered Bridge & Sa Huynh Museum
- →Thu Bon River boat to Kim Bong Village (~£4)
- →Lantern-lit evening walk
My Son Sanctuary at sunrise
Hoi An
Book a shared minibus or join a small-group My Son tour (Klook/GetYourGuide, ~£12-18 including entry ~£6) leaving around 5am to beat the heat and crowds. The Cham towers and sanctuaries are the highlight of the region — allow 2-3 hours for the site and the small museum. Back in Hoi An by early afternoon: get something tailor-made (suits from ~£60, dresses from ~£25, 24-hr turnaround), browse the lantern shops, or rent a bike (~£1.50/day) and ride out to the rice fields and An Bang Beach for sunset.
🚌Shared minibus tour to My Son ~£12-18 incl. entry; bicycle hire ~£1.50
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel, Hoi An (£12-20)
- →My Son Sanctuary UNESCO site
- →Cham temple complex & museum
- →Tailor fittings in Hoi An
- →An Bang Beach sunset by bike
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City — war history afternoon
Ho Chi Minh City
Morning transfer to Da Nang airport (~£5 Grab, 45 mins) and fly to Saigon (~£30-50 on Vietjet/Bamboo/Vietnam Airlines; book ahead and pick a midday flight to avoid the delays that plague evening departures). Check into a budget hotel or hostel around District 1 / Pham Ngu Lao (£12-18). Spend the afternoon at the War Remnants Museum (~£1.50) and Independence Palace (~£2.50), then walk Dong Khoi and the riverside. Dinner at Ben Thanh night market or a local com tam stall (~£4).
🚌Flight Da Nang–Saigon ~£30-50 + Grab to/from airports ~£3 each way
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, District 1, Saigon (£12-18)
- →War Remnants Museum
- →Independence Palace
- →Ben Thanh market & street food
Cu Chi Tunnels and central Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City
Do the Cu Chi Tunnels as a half-day shared tour booked on Klook (~£12-16, ~1.5 hrs each way) — go early to dodge the heat and crowds. Back by early afternoon: see Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior), the Central Post Office, and Reunification Palace if you skipped it. Book your Mekong Delta day trip and Phu Quoc flight tonight. Evening: Bui Vien backpacker strip or a rooftop beer for the skyline.
🚌Shared minibus to Cu Chi ~£12-16; walking/Grab in the city
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, District 1, Saigon (£12-18)
- →Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour
- →Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office
- →Reunification Palace
- →Book Mekong trip & Phu Quoc flight
Mekong Delta day trip — Ben Tre / My Tho
Ho Chi Minh City
Join a small-group Mekong Delta day tour (~£20-28 on GetYourGuide or via your hostel) covering Vinh Trang Pagoda, a boat trip on the Mekong, coconut candy and bee farms, and island craft villages, with lunch included. It's a long day (back around 5-6pm) but a good-value taste of the delta — if you have extra time, a two-day Ben Tre or Can Tho homestay is far better, but a day trip fits this itinerary. Evening back in Saigon for a last bowl of pho and to pack for the island.
🚌Shared minibus + boat, included in tour ~£20-28
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, District 1, Saigon (£12-18)
- →Vinh Trang Pagoda
- →Mekong River boat trip
- →Coconut candy & bee farms
- →Island craft villages
Fly to Phu Quoc — beach reset
Phu Quoc Island
Morning flight Saigon–Phu Quoc (~£25-45, 1 hr; Vietjet/Bamboo/Vietnam Airlines all fly it). From the airport, a Grab or shared shuttle to Long Beach/Duong Dong (~£3-6). Check into a budget bungalow or hostel guesthouse (~£12-20; book early in high season, Nov-Mar). The afternoon is for the beach — Long Beach is walkable from town. Rent a scooter for the next few days (~£5-6/day plus petrol), and eat fresh seafood at the night market (~£6-8).
🚌Flight Saigon–Phu Quoc ~£25-45 + airport transfer ~£3-6
🛏Budget bungalow/guesthouse, Long Beach or Duong Dong (£12-20)
- →Long Beach afternoon
- →Duong Dong night market seafood
- →Rent a scooter for the island days
Phu Quoc island-hopping & snorkelling
Phu Quoc Island
Book a shared boat island-hopping/snorkelling trip (~£20-30 on Klook or from any Duong Dong agency) covering the An Thoi archipelago — typically 3-4 snorkel stops, a beach lunch and sometimes a floating restaurant. Alternatively ride your scooter south to Sao Beach and Bai Khem and skip the crowds. Afternoon: nap, swim, and catch the sunset at Dinh Cau or on Long Beach with a £1 beer.
🚌Scooter ~£5-6/day, or tour minibus + boat included
🛏Budget bungalow/guesthouse, Long Beach or Duong Dong (£12-20)
- →An Thoi islands snorkelling trip (~£20-30)
- →Sao Beach & Bai Khem by scooter
- →Sunset at Dinh Cau
Phu Quoc slow day — fishing villages and pepper farms
Phu Quoc Island
Free day at your own pace. Scooter north to Rach Vem floating fishing village, the Ham Ninh fishing village on the east coast, and a pepper farm — all free or donation-based. Stop at a fish-sauce factory near Duong Dong (~£1). If you want a splurge, book a night squid-fishing trip (~£15-20) which usually includes dinner on board. Otherwise: beach, book, hammock, massage (~£8 for an hour).
🚌Scooter ~£5-6/day
🛏Budget bungalow/guesthouse, Long Beach or Duong Dong (£12-20)
- →Rach Vem & Ham Ninh fishing villages
- →Pepper farm & fish-sauce factory
- →Optional night squid fishing (~£15-20)
- →Beach time & cheap massage
Last full island day — beaches and markets
Phu Quoc Island
Pick your favourite beach and stay put, or hike the short trail in Phu Quoc National Park if you want a change from sand. Browse Duong Dong market for pearls, pepper and sim wine souvenirs, and have a final seafood blowout at the night market. Sort out your onward flight or ferry (Hon Thom cable car is a fun half-day if you fancy it, ~£20) and check your airport transfer timing for tomorrow.
🚌Scooter ~£5-6/day
🛏Budget bungalow/guesthouse, Long Beach or Duong Dong (£12-20)
- →Phu Quoc National Park walk
- →Duong Dong market shopping
- →Optional Hon Thom cable car (~£20)
- →Final night-market dinner
Fly out from Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Island
Breakfast, a last swim, and a Grab to Phu Quoc International Airport (~£3-6, 15 mins from Duong Dong). If you're routing home via Saigon or Hanoi, book the domestic leg separately — same-day connections from Phu Quoc to international flights are possible but leave generous buffer time. Consider extending two or three nights on the island; it's the cheapest and easiest part of the trip to stretch.
🚌Grab to Phu Quoc airport ~£3-6
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Last beach morning
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Legend Travel Group
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Legend Travel Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£888 | £1,144 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £256 per person (22%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Legend Travel Group-style trips? Check them out here.~£888
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Vietnam Highlights & Phu Quoc Island — Self-Launched 14-Day Route cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £888 per person for 14 days in Vietnam. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Legend Travel Group?+
Yes — Legend Travel Group charges around £1,144 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £888 — a saving of roughly £256 (22%) per person.
How long is the Vietnam trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Vietnam.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, beaches, foodie trip through Vietnam, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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