Featured image: DvTor8303 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Five days, two cities, no visa needed. Here’s a simple Vietnam itinerary that starts in Ho Chi Minh City and ends by the beach in Da Nang.
Vietnam is one of the easiest trips out of Manila. Filipinos can stay visa-free for up to 21 days, so a five-day trip fits with room to spare.
The plan is simple. Two days in Ho Chi Minh City for history and street food, then a domestic flight to Da Nang for the hills, the old town and the beach.
New to visa-free travel? Start with our guide: Visa-Free Countries for Filipinos: 8 Asian Getaways.
Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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1. Before You Go: Entry Rules for Filipinos
Filipinos with ordinary passports can stay in Vietnam visa-free for up to 21 days, per the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months
- Ticket: a return or onward ticket
Quick tip: Book the Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang flight early. It’s the one fixed cost in this plan.
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
2. Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Land, check in, and keep the first day light. District 1 is a common base for first-timers because many tours offer pickup there.
- Afternoon: walk around the city center
- Evening: street food dinner
Photo: Andre Hospers / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
3. Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels and the City
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of wartime tunnels outside the city. You can crawl through a section and see how people lived underground.
The Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour leaves from the city, with pickup for eligible District 1 hotels.
- Time needed: half a day
- Want fewer crowds? The Ben Duoc tunnels tour visits a less touristy section
- Want flexible timing? There’s an AM or PM departure option
Quick tip: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty. The tunnels are tight.
Photo: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
4. Day 3: Fly to Da Nang, Then Hoi An at Night
Take a morning flight to Da Nang and drop your bags. In the afternoon, head to Hoi An Ancient Town, best known for its lanterns at night.
The Marble Mountains and Hoi An day tour covers both in one trip, with hotel pickup.
- Stops: Non Nuoc stone-carving village, Marble Mountains, Hoi An
- Includes: dinner
- Length: about 5 hours
Quick tip: Stay in Hoi An until dark. That’s when the lanterns light up.
Photo: Vivu Vietnam / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
5. Day 4: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
The Golden Bridge is the one held up by two giant stone hands. It sits in Ba Na Hills, reached by cable car.
The Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge day tour handles the transport and tickets.
- Covers: cable car, Golden Bridge, French Village and more
- Prefer to sleep in? There’s a late departure option
Quick tip: Bring a jacket. It’s cooler up in the hills than in the city.
Photo: . Ray in Manila / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
6. Day 5: Beach Morning, Then Fly Home
Spend your last morning at the beach before heading to the airport.
- Morning: beach walk and coffee
- Afternoon: last-minute souvenirs
Photo: Phương Huy / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
7. How to Keep This Trip Budget-Friendly
- Book tours with hotel pickup so you don’t pay extra for transport
- Eat street food for at least one meal a day
- Fly budget for the domestic leg, and pack light to skip baggage fees
- Book big tours early, then build the rest of the trip around them
Photo: Person-with-No Name / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
8. Quick Summary of the 5 Days
- Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels
- Day 3: Fly to Da Nang, Marble Mountains and Hoi An
- Day 4: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
- Day 5: Beach morning, fly home
History in the south, lanterns and hills in the center. Two cities, five days and no visa makes Vietnam one of the easiest first trips abroad for Filipinos.
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