The perfect 21-day Vietnam journey for independent travelers who want total freedom AND the option to jump into small-group adventures (max 12) whenever you feel social. Hanoi → Sapa → Ha Giang → Ninh Binh → Phong Nha → Hue → Hoi An → Da Nang → Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh – all with zero single supplement.
Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years guiding more than 100,000 international travelers across Vietnam & Cambodia. This exact 3-week itinerary is used by thousands of happy solo travelers on Legend Travel Group Vietnam Tours every year.
=> Vietnam - 10 Days. Departure every Monday from Hanoi
=> Vietnam - 12 Days. Departure every Saturday from Hanoi
=> Vietnam and Cambodia - 12 Days. Departure every Monday from Hanoi
=> Vietnam - 10 Days. Departure every Monday from Saigon
=> Vietnam - 12 Days. Departure every Saturday from Saigon
=> Vietnam and Cambodia - 14 Days. Departure every Saturday from Hanoi
Week 2: Found my people (Source: Internet)You want to ride the Ha Giang Loop alone with the mountains.
You also want to join a cooking class in Hoi An with 11 new friends.
You want 21 days of complete freedom — with zero planning stress when you don’t feel like it.
This itinerary gives you both.
70–80 % of Legend Travel Group guests travel solo and use this exact flexible blueprint.
Days 1–3: Hanoi – Old Quarter wandering, street food, train street coffee
Days 4–6: Sapa – trekking + homestay (optional group trek)
Days 7–10: Ha Giang Loop – motorbike adventure (self-ride or easy rider)
Day 11: Return Hanoi or direct bus to Ninh Binh
Days 12–13: Ninh Binh – cycling, boat rides, Mua Caves (optional group boat)
Days 14–16: Phong Nha – Paradise + Dark Cave (optional group expedition)
Days 17–18: Hue – Imperial City, tombs, royal dinner
Days 19–21: Hoi An – lanterns, beach, cooking class (optional group lantern boat)
Option A – Classic Finish
Days 22–23: Da Nang beaches
Days 24–26: Ho Chi Minh City + Mekong Delta day trip
Option B – Island Extension (most popular with solos)
Days 22–26: Fly Da Nang → Phu Quoc (5 days beach recovery)
Some moments are just mine (Source: Internet)| Extension | Duration | Price (USD) | Why Solos Love It | |---------------------------------------|----------|-------------|-------------|------------------------------------------------| | Ha Long Bay Private Cruise | 2D1N | $249 | Private cabin, 70 % solo travelers | | Sapa 3-Day Trek & Homestay | 3D2N | $229 | Rice terraces + instant mountain friends | | Phong Nha Cave Expedition | Full day | $89 | Mud bath + zip-line crew | | Hoi An Cooking Class + Lantern Boat | Evening | $49 | Best night in Vietnam | | Mekong Delta Homestay | 2D1N | $119 | Family dinner + karaoke | | Phu Quoc Island Add-On | 4–7 days | $399–$699 | Beach recovery with optional group activities |
All extensions: max 12 travelers • 70–80 % solo • cancel free up to 48 hrs
Fly into Hanoi, out of Ho Chi Minh (or Phu Quoc)
Book first 3 nights + Ha Giang loop in advance – everything else flexible
Use Baolau.com for all trains/buses
Join Legend’s “Vietnam Solos 2025” WhatsApp – instant crew nationwide
Keep 5–7 days completely free – best memories happen spontaneously
$30 to paradise (Source: Internet)|
Item |
Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
|
Hostel dorm / private room |
$10–$30 |
|
Food & coffee |
$8–$15 |
|
Local transport (Grab/bus) |
$3–$10 |
|
Activities & entrances |
$10–$40 |
|
Internal flights/buses |
$20–$60 |
|
Total per day |
$31–$155 |
With 4–5 Legend extensions: still under $100/day average
55 L backpack max
Quick-dry everything
Reusable water bottle + LifeStraw
Universal adapter + power bank
2 pairs shoes (flip-flops + trainers)
Small daypack for treks
Earplugs + eye mask (sleeper buses)
Two wheels, zero schedule (Source: Internet)|
Location |
Safety Level |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Hanoi |
Very Safe |
Tourist police everywhere |
|
Sapa/Ha Giang |
Very Safe |
Rural, welcoming locals |
|
Ninh Binh |
Extremely Safe |
Peaceful countryside |
|
Phong Nha |
Extremely Safe |
Backpacker haven |
|
Hue/Hoi An |
Extremely Safe |
Some of Asia’s safest towns |
|
Ho Chi Minh |
Safe |
Watch bags in District 1 crowds |
Rated “very safe” or “extremely safe” by 98 % of solo travelers.
Can I really do 3 weeks completely solo?
Yes – thousands do every year.
When should I join a group?
Ha Long Bay, Sapa trek, and Hoi An cooking class = solo favorites.
Best direction?
North → South (this itinerary) = most popular.
Safe for solo females?
Yes – 98 % rate Vietnam “very safe” or “extremely safe”.
How much money do I need?
$800–$1,500 total (including internal flights).
Week 3: Recovery mode (Source: Internet)You don’t have to choose between solo freedom and instant friends.
You can have both – exactly when you want them.
Join thousands of solo travelers who used this exact 3-week itinerary + Legend Travel Group extensions and created their perfect Vietnam story.
Only 10 % deposit – change dates free – max 12 travelers – daily extensions.
Start your 21-day legend now → https://www.legendtravelgroup.com
By Legend Travel Group – Where solo travelers write their own 3-week story since 2008
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