The perfect 10-day backpacking route for solo travelers who want freedom, adventure, and instant friends. Hanoi → Ha Long → Ninh Binh → Phong Nha → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh – all by sleeper bus/train, $30–45/day budget, no single supplement.
This is day 1 (Source: Internet)Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years guiding more than 100,000 international travelers across Vietnam & Cambodia. This itinerary is built from the exact routes used by thousands of happy solo backpackers on Legend Travel Group Vietnam Tours since 2008.
=> 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
Because some moments are just yours (Source: Internet)Total freedom – no fixed group, change plans anytime
Meet other backpackers every single night
Stay under $45/day (including everything)
See the absolute best of North, Central, and South Vietnam
Option to jump into Legend Travel Group day trips when you want company
70–80 % of Legend guests start as solo backpackers – many follow this exact route.
Stay: Hanoi Old Quarter (Mad Monkey, Little Hanoi – $10 dorm / $22 private)
Do: Street food crawl, Train Street coffee, Hoan Kiem Lake sunset, bia hoi corners
Meet people: Hostel rooftop bar + free walking tour
Night transport: Sleeper bus/train to Ha Long (book via hostel)
Stay: Castaway island overnight (dorm bungalow $45 including all meals & activities)
Do: Kayaking, rock climbing, cave swimming, beach volleyball, sunset party
Meet people: 90 % solo travelers – instant friends guaranteed
Next: Bus back to Hanoi → overnight train/bus to Ninh Binh
Stay: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm or Limestone View Homestay ($12–$20)
Do: Trang An boat ride ($10), Mua Caves viewpoint ($5), bicycle through villages
Meet people: Hostel common area + evening beer at local bia hoi
Night transport: Sleeper bus to Phong Nha (8–9 hrs)
Stay: Easy Tiger Hostel or Phong Nha Lake House ($10–$25)
Do: Paradise Cave + Dark Cave zip-line & mud bath ($35) OR Phong Nha Cave boat ($15)
Meet people: Easy Tiger is backpacker central – nightly family dinner
Next: Overnight sleeper bus to Hue or direct to Da Nang
Stay: Tribee Edee or Under the Coconut Tree ($12–$25)
Do: Ancient town by bicycle, lantern release, An Bang Beach, cooking class
Meet people: Hostel pool + rooftop bar scene = friends in 5 minutes
Night transport: Sleeper bus to Ho Chi Minh (12 hrs)
Stay: District 1 (The Hideout or City Poshtel – $10–$25)
Do: War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Bùi Viện nightlife
Meet people: Rooftop hostels + walking street = non-stop social scene
Solo travel? Never heard of her (Source: Internet)|
Item |
Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Hostel dorm / private room |
$8–$22 |
|
Street food & coffee |
$6–$12 |
|
Local transport (Grab/bus) |
$2–$6 |
|
Activities & entrances |
$10–$30 |
|
Night transport (sleeper) |
$12–$25 |
|
Beer & nightlife |
$3–$8 |
|
Total per day |
$30–$45 |
Average 10-day total: $350–$450 (excluding international flights)
Book sleeper buses/trains via Baolau or 12GO – cheapest & reliable
Stay in hostels with “free beer hour” – fastest way to meet people
Use Grab for everything – safer & cheaper than taxis
Buy Viettel SIM at airport ($6 for 30 GB)
Keep passport photocopy + $100 USD cash hidden
Join Legend day trips when you want zero planning (Ninh Binh, Mekong, Cu Chi)
wo wheels, zero worries (Source: Internet)Jump into Legend Travel Group small-group day activities:
Ninh Binh boat tour (max 12)
Mekong Delta homestay experience
Cu Chi Tunnels morning tour
Hoi An basket boat & cooking class
Only 10 % deposit – cancel free up to 7 days – guaranteed departures.
Book any day trip → https://www.legendtravelgroup.com
Dirty, happy, alive (Source: Internet)|
Location |
Safety Level |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Hanoi Old Quarter |
Very Safe |
Tourist police everywhere |
|
Ha Long Bay boats |
Very Safe |
Life jackets mandatory |
|
Ninh Binh |
Extremely Safe |
Rural & peaceful |
|
Phong Nha |
Extremely Safe |
Backpacker haven |
|
Hoi An |
Extremely Safe |
One of Asia’s safest towns |
|
Ho Chi Minh City |
Safe |
Watch bags in District 1 crowds |
40–55 L backpack only
Quick-dry towel & flip-flops
Reusable water bottle + metal straw
Power bank + universal adapter
Earplugs (sleeper buses)
Small combination lock
Sarong (doubles as towel, blanket, modesty cover)
Wishes are better with new friends (Source: Internet)Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?
Yes – this route hits every highlight perfectly.
Can I do it cheaper than $45/day?
Yes – $30/day possible if you’re hardcore (dorm + street food only).
Best direction – North to South or reverse?
North → South is most popular (cooler weather first).
Do I need to book everything in advance?
Only Ha Long Castaway & Phong Nha caves. Everything else walk-in is fine.
Is it easy to meet people?
Extremely – hostels are 90 % solo backpackers.
You don’t need a travel partner to have the best 10 days of your life.
You just need this itinerary and a sense of adventure.
Thousands of solo backpackers have used this exact route with Legend Travel Group day trips sprinkled in – and left with stories (and friends) for life.
Start planning your freedom-filled journey now → https://www.legendtravelgroup.com
By Legend Travel Group – Where solo backpackers become legends since 2008
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