So, you’re looking to plan a 2-week trip to Vietnam but have no idea where to start? Then why don’t you steal my 2 week Vietnam Itinerary?
Vietnam is one of the most fascinating countries in Southeast Asia. From the stunning landscapes in the north to the hustle and bustle of the major cities, there’s something for all tastes in Vietnam (and it’s one the foodies won’t want to miss)!
This 2 week itinerary will take you from South to North but the route is flexible and works just as well in reverse. While you could spend months in this beautiful country, I’ll show you how you can save time by booking internal flights to get the most out of your 2 week Vietnam adventure!
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My 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary
Let’s talk about how to get around in Vietnam. If you follow this Itinerary then you’ll need to use a few different methods of transport to get to each city.
I used Vietjet for all of my internal flights. We checked and booked through Skyscanner to ensure we got the best possible rates at the time. (We booked our flights in advance so we could plan our trip better).
The Grab app is the perfect companion for booking taxis in Asia. It’s just like Uber but expect to pay a lot less since the cost of living here is lower than in the West.
We also took a sleeper bus when travelling from Hanoi to Ha Giang and back again. This was included in the cost of our trip (more on this later).
day 1-2: Ho Chi Minh City
There’s no better place to start your Vietnam adventure than in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Ho Chi Minh is a city full of history and modern culture. Be sure to book a half-day trip to the Cu Chi War tunnels. Finish the day off with a visit to the War Remnants Museum to learn all about the Vietnam War.
The Ben Thanh Market is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and is the largest market in Ho Chi Minh. You’ll also find street food vendors and plenty of clothing if you need to pick any extras up for your trip.
Want to see the largest city in Vietnam from above? The Saigon Skydeck (Bitexo Tower) is the perfect place to do so. The tower is the second-tallest building in the city and offers 360-degree panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City.
If you’d like to try some Vietnamese craft beer be sure to head to one of Pasteur Street Craft Beer’s taprooms. They have 7 across the city so you’ll always be close to one. If you’d rather have a coffee, then you’re in luck! Vietnam is known around the world for its fantastic coffee so you won’t go far without stumbling across a café.
At the end of your second day (or the next morning), head to the airport. Next stop, Da Nang.
Day 3-4: Relax in Da Nang
Da Nang is one of the largest cities in central Vietnam, it’s popular for its beautiful beaches and stunning sunset views.
One of the best beaches in Da Nang is My Khe. There’s plenty to do on this long stretch of golden sand. You can soak up some sun, take some surfing lessons, and enjoy a beer in one of the many beach bars. If that’s not your thing simply enjoy one of Da Nang’s beautiful sunsets.
If you visit Da Nang on a Saturday or Sunday, make sure you head to the Dragon Bridge at 9pm. Both tourists and locals gather to watch the Dragon as it breathes fire and water in a spectacular evening show. Nearby you can take a walk through the Da Nang Night Market and enjoy some freshly prepared street food or pick up some bargains.
The next day it’s time to take a trip to Ba Na Hills. Here you can find one of Vietnam’s most Instagrammable attractions, the Golden Hands Bridge. The bridge is part of a theme park, where you’ll find many other fascinating attractions such as castles, gardens and shows. You can even head into a large indoor area where you play arcade games and go on rides for free.
When your time in Da Nang comes to an end, you’ll take a 45-minute taxi to the next location, Hoi An.
Day 5-6: Hoi An
Hoi An, originally a large port, is a town for everyone. It has shops, restaurants, and beaches plus it has a beautifully preserved history. On our first day here we walked around the old town, taking in the sights such as the famous Japanese Bridge and traditional wooden architecture.
If you’re chasing the rays then make sure to head down to An Bang Beach. Here you can enjoy a couple of cocktails in the sun and relax as the world passes by.
In the evening Hoi An’s old town comes to life. There’s live music, street food vendors, markets, you name it! But by far the most magnificent thing of all are the lanterns. Every night the river in the old town comes to life as people gather to light lanterns and push them off onto the river. It’s said to bring good luck and the ritual is supposed to take place on a full moon (however these days it happens every night whether it’s the lantern festival or not).
Hoi An is also famous for its tailoring. You can pick up a tailored suit or dress here for a fraction of the price you would elsewhere in the world. Turnaround is usually pretty quick too, 1-2 days!
Some of the best things to do in Hoi An are:
- Enjoy a ride (or should I say spin) in a spinning Coconut boat
- Hire a bike and cycle through the countryside
- Walk across the Japanese Bridge
- Take a boat ride and light a lantern at sunset
- Check out the nightlife (it’s no secret that Hoi An has a great nightlife scene)
If you’re looking for some great traditional Vietnamese food then check out Morning Glory restaurant, it has a stellar reputation, and once you’ve eaten there it’s easy to see why.
Day 7-9: Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, so it would be pretty hard to leave it off your 2 week Vietnam itinerary. The Old Town is quite overwhelming for first-time visitors due to how busy the traffic is and how tightly packed some of the streets are.
You should take some time to walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, nearby you can visit the famous Note café. Visitors write down thoughts and stories on sticky notes which are stuck all over the walls.
If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to try your first Banh Mi, a traditional Vietnamese sandwich. The sandwich is traditionally made with a French-style baguette and filled with steamed pork, pickled carrot, sliced cucumber and pate. Banh Mi 25 is one of Hanoi’s most famous spots to try Banh Mi. Be prepared to stand in line though, you’ll often find people queueing down the street to get their hands on this tasty Vietnamese baguette.
There’s plenty to see in the evening too. If you’re looking to party then Beer Street (Ta Hien Street) is the place for you. Want something a little more sophisticated? Check out some of Hanoi’s speakeasy bars such as The Beeznees 1920’s. If you fancy something even more exciting then head to the Long Waits Jazz bar where you can enjoy a glass of wine with some live Jazz Music.
No stay in Hanoi is complete without a walk down the world-famous train street. Train tracks run through a narrow residential street which is lined with bars and coffee shops. Tourists gather to grab a beer or some food throughout the day to marvel at the train as it passes through the tight passage.
If you’ve got time (and if you love coffee you should 100% make time) then I’d recommend taking a Vietnamese coffee workshop. We took the workshop on our last day in Hanoi and learnt 5 different Vietnamese coffee recipes!
Some of the best things to do in Hanoi are:
- Explore the old quarter
- Take a walk down Train Street
- Learn how to make Egg coffee at a Vietnamese coffee workshop
- Eat brunch at Xof
Day 10-12: Ha Giang Loop
This one’s for all the adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies. The Ha Giang Loop is widely regarded as one of the best motorbike rides in all of Southeast Asia. The 330km, 3-day trip is one you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Don’t know how to ride a motorbike? Don’t worry, you can book a motorbike tour with an easy rider to help you guide you through Vietnam’s northernmost province.
The standard 3-day route will take you through some of the country’s most breathtaking volcanic valleys. You’ll experience true Vietnamese culture as you head through small traditional villages, pass row upon row of rice fields and visit numerous waterfalls.
Check out my complete guide to the Ha Giang Loop here.
You’ll travel between Hanoi and Ha Giang via a sleeper bus which is included in the trip. I highly recommend booking in advance and upgrading to the VIP sleeper for extra comfort
Day 13-14: take a cruise in Ha Long Bay
No 2-week Vietnam Itinerary is complete without a trip to Ha Long Bay. We booked a 2-day, 1-night cruise and it didn’t disappoint. Ha Long Bay is famous for its emerald green waters and thousands of limestone islands that stand tall above the water. The scenery here is something to be admired.
Coach transfers are usually included and you’ll be picked up in Hanoi on the Morning your cruise is due to leave. The bus ride is around 2.5 hours and you’ll be dropped at your cruise provider in Ha Long Bay.
After a short boat taxi to the ship, we enjoyed welcome drinks before heading off to explore one of the many caves in Ha Long Bay. You’ll enjoy some fantastic food and luxurious rooms when onboard. In the evening we took part in a Vietnamese spring roll making class before sitting down for our evening meal. After dinner, we tried our hand at squid fishing (although we didn’t get a single bite)!
On day two of our cruise we enjoyed the sunrise on the top deck along with a Thai Chi class before heading off on an epic kayaking adventure around the bay.
All food, transfers and activities were included within the cost of our cruise but check with your provider before you book to make sure this is the case.
tips for 2 weeks in vietnam
- Download and set up the Grab app when you travel to Vietnam. (Asia’s answer to Uber) It’s by far the easiest way to get around. Taxis are so cheap over here. Using the app will help to avoid any scams.
- Be aware of common scams in the areas you are visiting.
- Book your tours in advance to save time – I used GetYourGuide for all of mine.
- Check out the best hotel rates on Booking.com.
- Use Airalo to buy an E-sim before you travel to make sure you can upload your holiday snaps!
- Don’t forget to organise your Travel Insurance.
So there you have it, my 2 week Vietnam itinerary, I hope you found this guide useful and it inspires you to consider backpacking Vietnam. Would you change anything in this itinerary? let me know below!
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