Are you planning a 14 day trip to Vietnam? Perhaps longer? Here are some of our favorite recommendations to cover your two week Vietnam itinerary.
It’s no surprise that Vietnam is such a sought after destination for travelers. Being one of the least expensive destinations to add to your Southeast Asia bucket list, Vietnam is an easily accessible destination to backpackers and luxury travelers alike.
Vietnam is home to some of the most sought after activities in Southeast Asia; unspoiled landscapes and natural beauty, massive cities with more than 8 million people, beautiful villages and towns, the beaches, and the world’s largest cave. The food is fantastic and the people are delightful.
Days 1 to 2 – Hanoi
Hanoi is a blur of local food stalls, bustling streets, and colonial-era buildings. Some travelers find it too difficult to navigate, but with the use of a local sim and map applications, it is actually rather simple. Those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of a big city will surely love the vibe!
Beginning your journey with a flight into Hanoi will help you mkae the most out of the experience. You’ll be passing through several times while you travel between Ha Long Bay and Sapa.
If you’re a city shopper, spending your spare time in Hanoi makes the most sense, but If you’re on the tightest 2-week Vietnam schedule, 2 days are enough to get to the most memorable sights
Things to do in Hanoi:
- Discover the Old Quarter where market shopping is vibrant and reasonably priced, and the local culture is everywhere. (Travel tip – prices are negotiable and haggling is a welcomed skill.)
- Explore the stunning surroundings of the Temple of Literature. Many new acquaintances stroll along the banks of the Hoan Kiem Lake and walk across this bridge towards the Turtle Tower.
- Take in an evening of entertainment in the Opera House in the historic French Quarter.
- Discover the stories of women in the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.
- Go to Tran Quoc Pagoda with its 15-meter Temple built on one of the islands in West Lake dating back to 541 AD.
- Take in a sweet but complex spectacle on the stage at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
- Learn about the past of Hoa Lo Prison (known as the Hanoi Hilton) where prisoners were held during the civil war.
- Go to the grave of Ho Chi Minh’s Communist chief in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
- Enjoy delicious Hanoi Street cuisine, such as pho bunh cuon and bunh cha.
- Take a sip of egg-based coffee or coconut coffee and caphe sua, Vietnamese iced coffee, in numerous Hanoi cafés (travel tip – be sure that the ice is made with filtered water)
- Enjoy the nightlife at the beer corner, where locals as well as tourists drink bih hoi (locally made beer) at as little as 20 cents per glass.
Moving Around Hanoi:
It’s simple to find The Old Quarter on foot then take a Grab (the Asian ride share app) to explore further. There are scooters,cars, and taxis available. The scooters are extremely affordable and lets you get around traffic jams quickly. Be ready for the adrenalin rush!
Days 3 to 4 – Ha Long Bay
The amazing backdrop of the majestic limestone cliffs towering over beautiful blue water at Ha Long Bay create this UNESCO World Heritage site. There are caves, beaches, and islands to discover while enjoying a couple day boat cruise on the bay
If you’re spending only two weeks in Vietnam, you could take the short trip of two nights around Ha Long Bay. The best way to get to Ha Long Bay is pre-booked cruises that include transportation from Hanoi and all food and entertainment. Expect to spend around $150 for a two-day cruise; however, you can choose between luxury or budget alternatives depending on your budget. These companies will pick you up from your Hanoi accommodation and drop you back off in Hanoi once your Ha Long Bay adventure is complete.
If you have some time, you might want to consider adding additional nights. You’ll be able to sail further into the Bay and even spend a day hiking on the stunning Cat Ba, the largest island in the Bay.
Days 5 to 7 – Sapa
Upon returning to Hanoi, we recommend heading to the train station for the night train from Hanoi to Sapa. The journey is long and tiring, but essential for those with only two weeks in Vietnam! Be sure to grab a street vendor meal and a Vietnamese iced coffee on the way and don’t forget to stock up on snacks and water before arriving at the station.
Sapa, a magical region in the north of the country, is filled with misty mountain views, rice terraces, and unique hill tribe villages. Once a French hill station founded in 1922, Sapa is now the most visited trekking spot in Vietnam. A visit to Sapa is sure to give you an amazing experience filled with hiking, meeting new people, and being introduced to the minority hill tribes, each of which has distinctive traditional clothing, culture, and dialect.
How to get to Sapa: Arrive by sleeper train from Hanoi and then book your accommodation and treks in separate bookings or (the more convenient alternative) opt for the multi-day tour from Hanoi, which includes accommodation, meals, and treks. Guides take the treks in remote areas that you won’t get elsewhere.
Most tours provide hotel or homestay options. Hotels are usually situated in Sapa town, while homestays are in the countryside. I would strongly suggest a homestay because you will be able to get a taste of the culture and traditions that are indigenous to the area.
Days 8 to 11 – Hoi An
I love Hoi An despite its touristy vibe. Home to more than 200 tailors, it is often said that Hoi An holds more tailors per capita in a small area than anywhere else in the world.
A trip to Hoi An is worth it even if all you do is enjoy an iced coffee whilst admiring the distinctive hanging lanterns,and falling UNESCO World Heritage buildings.
Things to do in Hoi An:
Explore through the picturesque old town taking in the many pagodas, temples, old homes, and the famous Japanese Bridge.
Have clothes uniquely tailors for you. Whether you want a casual summer dress, a 3 piece suit for work, wedding attire, a leather jacket, or anything in between, you will find a tailor and fabrics at a reasonable price point. If this is your plan, be sure to make this one of your first stops in Hoi An to allow enough time for sewing and tailoring during your stay.
Enjoy a cooking course, which often includes a marketplace tour as well as a basket boat ride towards the cooking school!
Go to An Bang beach (5 km from town, and accessible via bicycle, taxi, or scooter).
Take a day trip to My Son Temple Ruins.
Take a boat ride towards The Cham Islands. Even take an underwater walking tour wearing oxygen helmets, before spending the afternoon at the beach
Look at the market’s many lanterns or, better yet, create your own at the workshop on lantern making.
How to travel to Hanoi from Hanoi to Hoi An: a flight to Hanoi to Da Nang airport is by far the most expeditious way and internal flights are generally available and affordable. However, if you have a longer stay in Vietnam or are traveling on a budget, a sleeper train or bus from Hanoi to Da Nang takes 15 hours. The trains are comfortable and save you an overnight stay as well as a full day’s journey time.
Days 12 to 14 – Ho Chi Minh/Saigon
End your two-week Vietnam trip in the one city that is comparable to Hanoi in terms of size. Ho Chi Minh city is often referred to as Saigon, which was it’s official name prior to the civil war.
The things to be done:
- Visit for a half-day the tunnels in Cu Chi and learn about the Vietnam War (did you know that this was actually a civil war between the North and the South, about communism vs democracy and that each side asked for the aid of a world power to intervene?)
- Visit The War Remnants Museum
- Go shopping at the Ben Thanh Market
- Check out the numerous art galleries
- Immerse yourself into Saigon’s food scene.
- Continue drinking coffee anywhere and everywhere
- Take a look at The Colonial Opera House, Central Post Office, and City Hall
- Enjoy a one day trip in Mekong Delta on a guided tour departing from Saigon
How to get from Hoi An to Saigon From Hoi An:
The flight between Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh/Saigon takes only one hour and again is generally available and cost effective. Taking a bus is an option, however it will take almost two full days due the route and stopovers.