Two weeks is a great amount of time to experience some of the best Vietnam has to offer. You won’t be able to see everything in Vietnam, nor would you want to in that time frame, as you would burn yourself out. However, in fourteen days, you can easily tick off some bucket list experiences such as Halong Bay, the Ha Giang Loop, Ninh Binh, the lanterns of Hoi An, the duck stop in Phong Nha and Ho Chi Minh City.
This two-week Vietnam itinerary begins in Ho Chi Minh City in the south and finishes in Hanoi in the north, but it can also be done reversely. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have international airports, so they will be easy to fly in and out of. If you’re using this itinerary for a bigger Southeast Asia trip, I recommend getting a bus straight from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Can Tho, Vietnam (visiting Ho Chi Minh City after Can Tho). Then, to depart, you can easily get a bus from Hanoi to multiple cities in Laos to continue your journey. Again, this overland route can be done in reverse, depending on the weather and your preferences.
Do you have more than two weeks to spend in Vietnam? Check out my 45-day itinerary, 30-day itinerary or 21-day itinerary.
Day 1- Ho Chi Minh City
Land in one of Vietnam’s most bustling cities and take the day to soak it all in. Depending on your flight or bus time, you may not arrive until later in the day.
If you arrive early in the day, you can relax. There is no rush today. If you feel up to exploring after you’ve dropped your bags at your hostel, wander around the city. I recommend Nguyen Hue Walking Street or chill in your hostel and make some friends.
As the sun sets, make your way to Ben Thanh Street Food Market. Dive into a world of flavours where you can taste everything from pho to banh mi. It’s the perfect introduction to Vietnam’s famed culinary scene. Then, ready for some nightlife? Bui Vien Beer Street is calling your name. It’s the perfect place to drink, dance, and experience the craziness of Vietnamese nightlife!
Day 2- Ho Chi Minh City
Start your day with a quick breakfast to-go and hit the streets for a free walking tour. Get a glimpse of the city’s rich history and vibrant culture through your expert guide. This will take you to sights such as The Saigon Post Office, Independence Palace, Notre Dame and Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
After working up an appetite, sneak into the Secret Garden for lunch—a hidden gem offering a peaceful escape and delicious Vietnamese dishes. Spend your afternoon at the War Remnant Museum for a dose of history. This is a very sombre experience, but it is a must-do to learn about the war’s history and atrocities.
Come evening, rev up for a foodie scooter tour. It’s dinner and a key experience, rolling through the streets and sampling the best eats in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll probably finish this tour absolutely stuffed and not wanting to head out for a night out. Take the night off, as you’ve got an early morning tour tomorrow!
Day 3- Ho Chi Minh City
After another on-the-go breakfast, it’s time for a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Spend your day exploring this incredible underground network and get a firsthand look at the ingenuity of guerrilla warfare.
You’ll spend the morning and early afternoon learning more about the Vietnam War with your insightful local guide. You’ll also have a lunch stop before returning to the city. Once you’re back in the city, check out the Instagram-worthy Pink Church to snap a few pictures. Afterwards, head to the city’s most famous market (Ben Thanh Market) to bargain for souvenirs and wander through the countless stalls.
Afterwards, get ready to catch an early evening flight to Da Nang and then a bus to your next destination: the famous Lantern city of Hoi An.
Day 4- Hoi An
Wake up early and ease into your day with a leisurely breakfast and coffee at Rosie’s Cafe. Then, join a free walking tour of the Old Town to soak in its charm. After the walking tour and learning about the history of Hoi An, grab lunch at the famous Madam Khanh—the Banh Mi Queen.
In the early afternoon, you’ll depart on a combo tour (cooking class and spinning boats). The first stop will be a guided local market tour, followed by a trip to the famous spinning boats. After, you’ll head to a homestay in the ricefields to commence the cooking class (which will leave you full for the next 12 hours!)
The cooking class tour will drop you back at your hostel around 6 pm, with time for a night out. Start the night with a lantern boat ride, then move on to Y Not Bar and Tiger Tiger for dancing. Remember you have an early day tomorrow, so don’t go too hard!
Day 5- Hoi An to Hanoi
You will be woken up early for breakfast at your hostel, followed by a half-day tour of the My Son Temples. In the morning, you will spend the morning on a guided tour of Angkor Wat of Vietnam, learning about the rich history and culture of the Cham people.
When you return to the city, rent bicycles from your hostel and pedal through picturesque rice fields to the beach. Start with the busier of the two, An Bang Beach, before heading to Hidden Beach for a perfect afternoon of napping, swimming, and chilling.
Cycle back to Hoi An Old Town in time for an early dinner at Cau Lau Thanh to try a famous dish from Hoi An. Afterwards, head back to Da Nang for an evening flight to another major city in Vietnam: Hanoi.
Day 6- Hanoi
Kick off your day with a to-go breakfast from Banh Mi 25, then join a free walking tour of the Old Quarter. This tour should take you to key sights such as Dong Ba Market, Beer Street and other historic streets around Old Quarter to properly introduce you to Hanoi.
Post-tour, wander around the lake and grab lunch at Rolls and Noodles. Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral, then pause for a coffee at Note Coffee. This is both a coffee shop and an experience in itself, so you’ll probably want to spend longer here reading the millions of sticky notes and taking photos.
Spend the rest of your day soaking in history with audio tours at the Hoa Lo Prison Museum and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Depending on how you’re going for time, you may only have time to visit one museum; if so, it should undoubtedly be Hoa Lo Prison Museum.
For dinner, head to MET Restaurant before experiencing the chaos of Train Street. Cap off your evening with drinks at your hostel and dancing at Beer Street hotspots like Aoki or Toms. If you’re up for a late night, clubs like Savage or Mirage are your go-to on weekends.
Day 7- Hanoi
Start your day right with a steaming bowl of pho for breakfast at Pho Thin Bo Ho (an institution in Hanoi). Then, follow it with a must-try egg coffee at Vi Anh Cafe. While it’s still morning, head to the HCM Mausoleum to see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh City, witness the changing of the guards, and visit Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda.
Afterwards, when the Mausoleum closes, take a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Then, head to the Temple of Literature to really get your culture and history fix. Head to Tran Quoc Pagoda and Westlake an hour before sunset for a tranquil evening walk, exploring the pagoda and watching the sunset.
Then dive into the local cuisine with dinner at Bun Cha Ta Hanoi for some authentic bun cha (a must-try). If it’s the weekend, stroll through the Weekend Night Market and pick up some bargains or just enjoy the experience. Then, catch the last water puppet show session at the opera house. If you’re up for it, round off your evening with another lively night on Beer Street—go as wild as you’d like!
Day 8- Halong Bay
Wake up early and grab a to-go Bahn Mi from Bahn Mi Hoi An and a coffee from Coffee Lam 34. At 8 am you’ll be picked up and transported to what will be your home for the next two days: a boat on Halong Bay.
Once on the main boat, your day is packed with swimming, boat jumping, and plenty of drinking, all while soaking in the breathtaking views. Watch the sunset over the bay and enjoy a feast onboard. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation and party vibes as you float in one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.
Day 9- Halong Bay
Start your morning aboard the Halong Bay Cruise, kayaking through Halong Bay and capturing a few last serene moments. After enjoying your last lunch on the bay, it’s time to say goodbye and head on. Get ready for a long journey straight to Ha Giang. You should arrive in the city at around 8 pm, in time for a late dinner.
Day 10- Ha Giang Loop
Rise early for breakfast at your hostel, then dive into Day 1 of the Ha Giang Loop (a major bucket-list experience!). Start with an orientation to get the lay of the land.
Spend your day making new friends, marvelling at viewpoints, indulging in local eats, and soaking in the sights. Your night is spent at a homestay, complete with “happy water,” a family dinner, and karaoke. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and fun, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience.
Day 11- Ha Giang Loop
Dive into day 2 of the Ha Giang Loop, filled with even more stunning sightseeing, exhilarating time on the motorbike, and making bonds with new friends.
Your evening is spent at another homestay, where the “happy water” flows freely. A family dinner, dancing, games, and karaoke complement the experience. It’s another night of cultural immersion and unforgettable memories.
Day 12- Ha Giang Loop
Your last day on the loop (bittersweet, indeed). Squeeze in a bit more sightseeing, enjoy the last rides on your bike, and savour the final meals with your crew.
You’ll be back in Ha Giang town by late afternoon to bid farewell to your driver and the group. After taking some time to shower, eat, and repack, you’ll say your goodbyes before catching the latest night bus back to your last destination: Ninh Binh.
Day 13- Ninh Binh
Arrive fresh from the night bus in Ninh Binh and kickstart your day with brunch at Ngon. Afterwards, head to the Trang An Boat departure boat to enjoy a 3-hour boat ride through the stunning scenery of Ninh Binh, exploring pagodas, caves and viewpoints, then head back to your hostel to rent bicycles for the rest of the day.
After picking up your bicycle, prepare to weave through the rice paddies to Bich Dong Pagoda. On your way there, hit up a family restaurant for some local grub. Mid-afternoon, cycle to Mua Cave viewpoint. Hike to the top of the iconic viewpoint to see for yourself why Ninh Binh is known as “Halong Bay on Land”. Time your ride back to catch the sunset through the rice fields—pure magic.
For dinner, Chef Hien offers delicious meals and cheap beer. Wrap up your evening at Banana Tree with pre-drinks before hitting the karaoke buses for a night of singing and laughter.
Day 14- Ninh Binh to Hanoi
Your departure day is here. Depending on when your flight is, you may have to leave first thing in the morning to go back to Hanoi.
If you have a later flight, you have two options: spend the morning taking a tour of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and grab lunch at Family Restaurant or chill by the pool at Banana Tree Hostel. If the previous night’s festivities have left you a bit worse for wear, a chill day at your hostel might be just what you need.
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