An 11 Day North to South Vietnam Route from Surat

Why do an 11 day North to South route?

An 11 day North to South route is the ideal way to see the best of Vietnam in one trip, because it strings together three very different regions without wasting time on long road journeys. The country is long and thin, so travelling in one direction from Hanoi in the north down to Phu Quoc in the south lets each leg build on the last. Internal flights connect the regions, meaning you spend your days at the sights rather than stuck in a vehicle.

For Surat travellers, the trip usually begins with a via Mumbai flight to Hanoi, then two domestic flights carry you south to Da Nang and on to Phu Quoc. The arc moves from culture and scenery to theme parks and finally to beach relaxation, which is why it feels balanced rather than repetitive. Below, we walk through each leg so you can picture the flow.

What do you see in the north?

The northern leg is about culture and iconic scenery, centred on Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. You land in Hanoi and settle into the atmospheric Old Quarter around Hoan Kiem Lake, then head out for the trip's signature experience: a cruise on Ha Long Bay, where thousands of limestone karsts rise from emerald water. A typical day cruise includes a cave visit, kayaking and time on deck watching the bay drift past.

Many itineraries also add a day to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, sometimes called the inland version of Ha Long Bay, where you take a rowed boat through karst valleys and rice fields. Together these give the north a rich, scenic character that sets the tone for the trip. It is the part of Vietnam that feels most timeless and photogenic.

What is the central Da Nang leg like?

The central leg is the fun and family friendly stretch, built around Da Nang and the Bana Hills hilltop resort. After a short internal flight from Hanoi, you transfer up towards Bana Hills, home to one of Vietnam's most famous sights: the Golden Bridge, a walkway held aloft by a pair of giant stone hands. The hilltop also features a long cable car, the European styled Fantasy Park and an alpine coaster.

Da Nang itself sits on a long coastline and works as a comfortable base for this part of the journey. The central leg is where the trip shifts from scenery watching to hands on attractions, which is a welcome change of pace, especially for families with children. It bridges the calm north and the resort south neatly.

What waits in the south at Phu Quoc?

The southern leg is your beach and theme park finale on the island of Phu Quoc. A second internal flight brings you to this resort island, where the days mix seaside relaxation with big attractions. Highlights include the Thom Island cable car, one of the longest sea crossing cable cars in the world, the Aquatopia water park, the Vinpearl Safari open zoo and the VinWonders theme park, plus the shows and canals of Grand World in the evenings.

Because Phu Quoc packs so much in, itineraries often set aside a free day here to revisit a favourite park or simply relax by the sea. Ending the trip on an island resort is a deliberate choice: after the busy north and central legs, it gives everyone a chance to unwind before the flight back towards Surat.

Do Indian passport holders need a visa?

Yes, Indian passport holders generally need a Vietnam e-visa, applied for online in advance. The e-visa is issued through the official Vietnam Immigration Department portal, and it is applied for before travel rather than obtained on arrival. Because visa rules, fees and processing times can change, you should always confirm the current requirement on the official portal ahead of your trip and apply with enough lead time.

Practically, this means having a passport valid well beyond your travel dates, a suitable photo, and your confirmed tickets and hotel details ready when the application is filed. La Familia Holidays prepares your documents and files the e-visa for you as part of the package, so the process is handled correctly, though the approval always rests with the Vietnamese authorities.

The 11 day route at a glance

Here is a simple overview of how the three legs fit together across the trip. Use it as a starting point, then we fine tune the exact days with you.

How do you plan it from Surat?

From Surat, the route is built around a via Mumbai flight to Hanoi, two internal flights south, private AC transfers and English speaking guides on tour days. The best weather window is November to April, and because it is popular, early booking secures better flights and hotels. Run through this quick checklist before you commit:

• ✓Apply for the Vietnam e-visa in advance on the official portal.
• ✓Plan the two internal flights, Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Phu Quoc.
• ✓Aim for November to April for the driest conditions.
• ✓Keep a free day in Phu Quoc to unwind before flying home.
• ✓Keep your passport valid well beyond your return date.

Whatever pace suits your group, we plan the route, international and internal flights, hotels, the Ha Long cruise, guided tours and transfers around your dates, then send an honest, price on enquiry quote so there are no surprises.