The Perfect 2 Weeks Vietnam Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Vietnam is one of those bucket list destinations that you have to visit at least once in your life. It is a country with the friendliest people, delicious food, a vibrant and colourful culture, and so much natural beauty. I spent 2 weeks travelling in Vietnam with my mum, exploring both the North and the South, and it turned out to be the most unforgettable trip for both of us. Whether you are planning to travel with family, friends, or even solo, this is the ultimate 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary that will ensure you have the best trip of your life.

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Plan for your trip to Vietnam:
✈️ Find cheap flights here
🚞 Book your train journey here
🧳Plan ahead and book best tours here
🏩 Book your hotels in advance
🛟 Stay safe with travel insurance wherever you go

How to get to Vietnam

To get to Vietnam, there are a few places that you can choose to fly in to:

✈️ Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City = if you wish to explore more of the South or start your exploration from here, then you can fly into Saigon. This is what we did and flew directly from London with Vietnam Airlines which took around 14 hours.

✈️ Hanoi = another popular option is to fly into Hanoi to start your explorations from the north side. Vietnam Airlines also fly directly here.

✈️ Da Nang = there are no direct flights here from Europe but Da Nang is a good option if you want to start your visit in around this region, or by visiting Hoi An or Hue.

Best time to visit Vietnam

The best time to visit Vietnam depends on the region so the best time to visit will depend on what you include in your Vietnam itinerary. Because the country is split into three regions (South, North and Central), that means it also has microclimates. Before travelling it is important to research this and be aware that some regions may be wetter than others.

North Vietnam (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Sapa)

Best: October–April

• Cooler, drier weather
• March–April = clear skies and pleasant temperatures
  Avoid: June–August (hot, humid, heavy rain)

Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue)

Best: February–May

• Hot, sunny, and dry
• Ideal beach and old-town exploring
• Avoid: October–November (typhoon season)

South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc)

Best: December–April

• Dry season
• Consistently warm temperatures
• Rainy season: May–October (short but heavy rain)

The best overall time to visit Vietnam is March-April. This is when the temperatures are warm across all the regions and it is not particularly rainy or wet.

Having said that, I visited in October. Although we had some rainy weather, it did not affect our trip too much and we still had an amazing time!

How to get around Vietnam

During your 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary, it is important to know how to get around the country once you are there. It is not one of those countries where you can rely on public transport so knowing these tips is important.

✈️Domestic flights: VietJet and Vietnam Airlines both fly domestically. Depending on the price, you may wish to choose one or the other. VietJet is a more low-cost airline so their planes are simple. Be aware that some of their flights tend to get very delayed which happened to us, but most of the time they are reliable. Vietnam Airlines is of course a better airline. It may be worth paying more to get a better service and experience.

🚐 Private/shared transfers: Getting between places, you may choose to get a private or shared bus or van transfer. For example, to go from Da Nang to Hoi An, it is a 40 minute drive. You can arrange this directly with your hotel or book a shared limousine. Limousines are big vans that you share with other people. They can still be very luxury feel and cost much less than the private transfer, so depends on what you are looking for and how big is your group.

🚞 Trains: Vietnam also has a train route that runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The train is a lot slower than flying but it is a nice way to get around especially if you want to enjoy the scenic views. The Hue to Da Nang leg is the most scenic. It takes around 3 hours and is definitely worth it if you have the time in the itinerary. You can check prices and book the train journey here.

🚎 Local tours: I highly recommendbooking some local tours during your 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary. This is the best way to discover new places as well as meet the locals, who will show you around and tell you the history. A lot of these tours also include transport, depending on their location. For example, the Cu Chi Tunnels tour in Ho Chi Minh City and the Incense Village tour in Hanoi both include transportation.

🏍️ Grab: To get around any of the cities, you can get a Grab taxi in most places. Grab is the Asian version of Uber. It is a ride-hailing app where you can order a regular taxi or a motorbike. In some places, it is be easier to find a motorbike than an actual taxi but both options are available on the app.

2 weeks Vietnam Itinerary

Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights)

Ho Chi Minh City, otherwise referred to as Saigon, is the perfect city to start or end your trip. It offers everything from shopping to great food to nightlife. It was really a destination that surprised me in the best way. I was glad to have started my 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary here.

Staying here for 3 nights is great as you will be able to see the main sights and get a good sense of the city.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

La Siesta Premium

I stayed at a hotel called La Siesta Premium and it was the perfect stay in the city. Located centrally in District 1, this is a small hotel but it has everything you may need. The service was great, the rooms were spacious and felt luxurious. There is a rooftop bar here with 360 views of the city. The breakfast restaurant is located on the top floor so you can have great views for breakfast every day. The coffee at breakfast here is also some of the best coffee I ever tried!

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

There are many amazing things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. For a more detailed list, check out my post on the 19 best things to do here.

• Take a day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels: One of the must do things in Ho Chi Minh City is taking a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. These are the tunnels that the Vietnamese soldiers built and used during the war with the USA and they are very fascinating to discover. I recommend doing a day tour for this as it will include transport and a guided tour by a local. This is the one we did and it was great. The tour guide was very knowledgable and the tour only took half a day.
• Try Vietnamese Coffee: Saigon is one of the best places to try Vietnamese Coffee especially if this is your introduction to Vietnam. The city has a lot of coffee shops where you can find delicious Speciality coffee.
• Visit Man Moi: This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Inside is a souvenir shop and a restaurant. The shop is amazing but we did not love the food at the restaurant.
• Walk along Book Street: Book Street is a lovely pedestrian walking street in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. It is lined with bookshops, book themed cafes and shops. It is a nice place to take a walk or grab a coffee.
• Send a postcard at the Central Post Office: The Central Post Office was designed by Gustav Eiffel during the French colonial period. It is worth going inside to send a postcard which is very popular to do among visitors. We did this and it took about 2 weeks for the postcard to arrive.
•  Visit cafe apartments: This is a former apartment block turned into a complex full of cafes, boutiques and creative places. I recommend going inside to discover these spaces as they are really unique! This is definitely the most iconic spot in the city.
• Bên Thanh Market: If you need to buy souvenirs, this is the best place to do it. They sell everything from Vietnam branded tote bags, purses, fake Longchamps, magnets, fruits, shoes and more. Bring cash if you come here.
• Bui Vien Walking Street: This is a vibrant walking street which turns into vibrant place at night. Come here if you want to experience the nightlife in Saigon!
  
  If you want more details, make sure to read this post.

Hoi An (2 nights)

After visiting Ho Chi Minh City, fly to Da Nang and get a bus or a private transfer to Hoi An. I won’t lie, Hoi An was probably my favourite destination in Vietnam. We found 2 nights here to be a little bit rushed, but only because our flight was very delayed which meant we only really had one full day here.

However, if you do find that you have more time during your 2 week Vietnam itinerary, you can definitely choose to spend longer in Hoi An.

Where to stay in Hoi An

La Siesta Hotel

La Siesta Hoi An is a sister property of the one we booked in Saigon, and honestly the experience we had here was even better. Firstly, the hotel feels like a tropical getaway, with multiple pools, spa and villa-like rooms. We stayed in a room which came straight out to the pool overlooking the rice fields. The staff are very sweet and friendly, making the whole stay memorable.

The hotel is not located in the city centre, but you can quickly get there with a taxi or a bike.

Things to do in Hoi An

Here are some things you cannot miss during your time in Hoi An:

• Explore the Hoi An Ancient Town: This is the most magical part of Hoi An. We found that we always kept coming back to the Ancient Town. It is so colourful, vibrant and full of life. If you want to experience the more peaceful vibe, come here during sunrise.
• Get tailor made clothes: Hoi An is famous for its tailoring industry, so it is very popular among visitors to get tailor made clothes. You will find hundreds of tailoring shops next to each other, so the choice can be a difficult one. We chose ours based on the types of fabric they had available and the designs. You can decide which designs you like, they will take your measurements, and they will have the clothes ready in less than 48 hours.
• Lantern show: Every evening at sunset in the Hoi An Ancient Town, you can ride a boat, release a lantern and make a wish. This is truly the most magical spectacle. I highly recommend staying until it is dark and the lights go down. There are hundreds of boats with lights and they stretch for miles. It really feels like a scene out of a movie. You can book this experience here.
• Coconut boat tour: Another popular activity in Hoi An is the tour in a basket wooden boat through the Thu Bon River at Hoi An Coconut Village. These boats were once used by fishermen and today they are an attraction for visitors. The experience is fun and a little bit chaotic, as you get taken with many other boats around. To be completely honest, it feels a little inauthentic as the river is filled with big groups of tourists. However, it is a fun activity if you want some thrill. You can pay a guy to spin you really fast in the boat!
• Watch Memories show: Taking place inside the Memories theme park, the Memories show is a 60 minute spectacle. It tells the story of Hoi An’s history through dance, music and incredible visual spectacles. There is no dialogue but it is a very unique show and an amazing way to learn more about Vietnam’s history. Book your tickets here.

Hue (1 night)

Hue is one of the most historically fascinating places in Vietnam. It was the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, and is home to the Imperial City which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a lot of sightseeing to be done here, including the Tombs of the former Kings which are incredibly impressive. However, most of it can be seen it 1-2 days so 1 or 2 nights is an ideal time to spend here during your 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary.

Where to stay in Hue

Ancient Hue Garden Houses

If there is one hotel you book for your stay in Vietnam, let it be this,

When we checked in to the Ancient Hue Garden Houses it really felt like entering another world. A small and cosy hotel, the details here make it a very special stay that I cannot put into words. 

If you are not a fan of resort hotels but instead you prefer small boutique stays that feel incredibly authentic, then this is the hotel for you. 

It is only 10 minutes drive away from the town and very close to any must see attractions such as the Imperial City. 

This was definitely my favourite hotel during my 2 weeks in Vietnam. We paid £88 a night and got a very spacious beautiful room with a pool view.

Things to do in Hue

It is worth mentioning that in order to see everything that we wanted to see in Hue, we hired a guided tour guide for the day. This turned out to be the best decision we made during our 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary. The tour guide was very friendly and she ensured we saw every place and told the history in a very interesting and engaging way.

• Visit the Imperial City: The Imperial City in Hue is what remains of the ancient capital. It is a royal enclosure within the city. Here, you will find palaces, shrines and gardens which used to belong to the Emperors. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed in 1804 and then remodelled in 1833. You can spend hours waking around here, discovering every building and taking in its history. We decided to follow our guide’s recommendation and dress in traditional costumes of the Emperors and theirs Queens. This was a really unique way to immerse yourself into the culture. If you fancy doing this I highly recommend it. It is very easy to rent the costumes in a shop next to the entrance of the Imperial City.
• Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh: This is the tomb that was constructed for Khai Dinh, the twelfth Emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty of Vietnam. It is one of the most impressive buildings in Hue, made up of multiple different levels and Eastern and Western architectural styles. Inside the mausoleum, right above the tomb you will find a gilded bronze statue of Emperor Khai Din. It is a spectacle in itself and although he remains a controversial figure among the Vietnamese people, the tomb is worth seeing for every visitor.
• Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc: Also part of the part of the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments, this tomb belongs to the Emperor Tu Duc. He was the longest ruler of the Nguyễn dynasty. The emperor built this space not only to serve as a tomb, but also as a space for him to live. It acted as a retreat for rest, poetry, and reflection, which is why it feels incredibly tranquil and peaceful. The space is large and expansive, set around the lake in the middle. You will not find exhibitions of grandeur like in the Tomb of Khai Dinh. Instead, it feels more like a garden retreat, blending harmony with nature, quiet contemplation, and understated elegance.
• Thien Mu Temple: This temple can’t be missed off your 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary as it is considered one of the oldest temples in Central Vietnam, having been built in 1601. It is also considered a symbol of the city, particularly the pagoda. The temple has a calm atmosphere and remains a place of worship.
• Try Salted Coffee: Salted coffee is a must try in Hue as this is where it originates from. This is a mix of salt and cream poured over strong Vietnamese coffee. The result is a very delicious and well balanced, slightly sweet drink. It is definitely a surprising combination and popular all around Vietnam.

Da Nang (2 nights)

I had heard mixed things about Da Nang before visiting, but it is definitely a city that surprised me. It is a modern city by the coast, which successfully combines that beach vibe with city life. We were originally planning to only stay here one night, but we were very glad that we stayed here for 2. There is plenty to do and see in Da Nang, especially if you want to also take some time to chill and relax during an intense 2 Weeks Vietnam Itinerary.

Where to stay in Da Nang

Melia Danang Beach Resort

Where to stay in Da Nang will depend on if you want a city vibe or if you would prefer to stay by the beach.

I would recommend staying at a beachfront hotel. We stayed at the Melia Danang Beach Resort which was only about 20 minutes from the city centre and it really felt like a resort stay, It had a huge territory, with multiple pools, including an infinity pool, and direct beach access. However, it is worth noting that you cannot swim in the sea here as the waves are usually too strong.

The hotel itself is great if you want a relaxing stay without being far away from the city.

Things to do in Da Nang

• Cafe hopping: Da Nang has an incredible cafe culture, due to the amount of nomads that live here and the laid back lifestyle. Check out Cua Ngo Cafe for a unique architectural element or Nia Coffee to feel like you have stepped into a zen garden in Japan. In these cafes you can also try the delicious Vietnamese coffee, as well as other unique drinks such as coffee with yogurt.
• Eat at An Thoi: Listed in the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand, this is a must try restaurant in Da Nang. There is a waiting system so you might need to queue up for a while – but this usually moves very fast. The food is traditional Vietnamese and everything is absolutely delicious – I can confidently say this was one of the best restaurants we tried in Vietnam.
• Visit the Lady Buddha for sunset: For the most beautiful sunset views, take a taxi to the Lady Buddha which sits above the city and is visible from many spots in the city. Next to the huge buddha statue, you will also find a beautiful pagoda. It is a lovely place to take some pictures and enjoy the sunset.
• Try Pizza 4 P’s: This is an iconic pizza restaurant chain across Vietnam. Many people had claimed that this was the best pizza they ever had, and honestly, I think it might just be my favourite too.
• Dragon bridge: Every evening on a weekend, you can see the dragon breathing fire. It is a pretty cool spectacle, and best to be watched from the bridge. Don’t miss this if you find yourself here on a weekend.
• Visit the famous hand bridge: This is probably the most famous place in Da Nang. The hand bridge is located inside a theme park, Ba Na Hills, which is about an hour from Da Nang. You can choose to do a day tour where all the logistics will be organised for you.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (2 nights)

If you want to squeeze in a bit of tropical relaxation during your 2 Weeks Vietnam Itinerary, I would recommend spending a couple nights at the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay.

✈️ To get here, you will need to fly to Cam Ranh Airport (CXR). It is about 1 hour flight from Da Nang. From here you will be greeted by a hotel representative and you will have a boat transfer to the hotel.

The hotel is its own private island, made up of hillside accommodation, beach villas, and overwater bungalows surrounded by turquoise water and jungle-covered mountains.

Staying here feels like a holiday on its own. You can relax, go snorkelling, have a cocktail by the pool, watch a movie under the stars or watch a spectacular sunset.

If you are after a luxury experience or just want to relax and unwind, then include a stay at the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in your itinerary and you won’t regret it.

Ha Long Bay Cruise (1 night)

Doing a Ha Long Bay ended up being the best decision we made on our 2 Weeks Vietnam Itinerary.

There are options to do 1 or 2 nights, but due to time constraints we chose to do 1 night. If I had the time, 2 nights would be ideal so you can decide this based on your itinerary.

There are many different types of cruises you can choose from. We wanted a luxury experience and ended up choosing Indochina Premium. This is a classic, luxury ship with stunning interiors with Indo China art.

We really enjoyed service, the food, and the ship itself. There were not many people on board for the type of ship, so it felt pretty much like we had the whole ship to ourselves.

We ended up choosing a higher category room with a bathtub which cost us around $500 for the night. And it was 100% worth it!

There are also activities included, such as tai chi, carving classes, and sightseeing.

The only downside is that you get taken to the same spots as all the other ships in Ha Long Bay, so it can get very crowded. But I wouldn’t let this put you off – you can always wait until the waves of tourists have passed to get a good picture.

Ninh Binh (1 night)

Ninh Binh is another one of those places in Vietnam that absolutely took my breath away. It is one of those naturally beautiful places that feel like entering a real life fairytale, so it is a must visit for your 2 week Vietnam itinerary.

One night here felt like a good amount as it gives you 2 days to explore. You do not need a very long time in Ninh Binh as there is not so much to do, however if you would prefer to take it slow then you could easily do 2 or 3 nights here as well.

Where to stay in Ninh Binh

CoCo Island Villa

We stayed at a hotel called Coco Island Resort, and it was the perfect stay for the location. The hotel feels like a tropical jungle, with lots of palm trees and plants everywhere. The rooms are spacious and comfortable.

The hotel also has a pool and a small spa. The staff here were really friendly and helped give us any advice that we needed.

The hotel location is in the rice fields, so you do have to get a Grab every time to go somewhere but we never had issues with this.

Things to do in Ninh Binh

• Trang An boat tour: One of the most magical experiences in Ninh Binh is doing the boat tour through Trang An or Tam Coc. These are the routes you can take, however, I had heard that Trang An was more beautiful and this is the one we chose to do. It was absolutely breathtaking. You get to come off the boat, explore some temples along the way and enjoy the scenic routes. It is a must do experience in Ninh Binh!
• Mua Caves sunrise hike: This is another must do that you will find on every list of things to do in Ninh Binh. The hike up to the top of Mua Caves is a must. It is not too challenging, but does get a little steeper towards the end. It took us about 20 minutes to get to the very top. Sadly, we did not get the best visibility however fog is very common here. Even with low visibility, it is the most spectacular view. You can see the rice fields down below and as the landscapes of the Vietnamese countryside open up underneath you, it really takes your breath away. The reason I recommend doing this as sunrise is because it tends to get a lot busier during the day.
• Visit Bich Dong Pagoda: This is a beautiful and peaceful pagoda worth seeing if you have the time. The entrance gates are probably the most photographed area here. The temple itself is built into a mountain and is a very peaceful place to visit.
• Explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Exploring the Hoa Lu ancient capital in Ninh Binh is a nice activity for the evening. You can see the boats with lit up lanterns illuminating the river, which makes for a beautiful spectacle in the darkness. The vibe here was however not my favourite. The streets are filled with street food stalls, cheap souvenirs, and usually packed with people. If you are looking for an authentic place to eat, this is not the place for it but is still lovely for sightseeing.

You can also choose to do a full day tour to visit all these places if you would prefer to have more of a structure to your day or if you plan to take a day trip here from Hanoi.

Hanoi (2 nights)

End your 2 week Vietnam itinerary in Hanoi. After visiting peaceful places in the countryside, Hanoi may seem a little overwhelming at first, especially if you choose to stay in the Old Quarter. But it is also a very nice way to round up your trip. Hanoi offers lots of activities to see and do, many souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes and more. It is an ideal place to end if you want to fill your suitcase with souvenirs!

Spending 2-3 nights here is perfect and gives you enough time to see the sightseeing spots and try the best food in Hanoi.

Where to stay in Hanoi

La Mejor Indochine Hotel

After extensive research on where to stay in Hanoi, I stumbled across La Mejor Indochine Hotel in the Old Quarter. Through pictures, it looked like a beautiful boutique hotel, and it was even better in real life.

With Indochina themed colourful interiors, friendly staff, and spacious rooms at a good price, this is the perfect hotel to stay in for exploring Hanoi. Staying in the Old Quarter means that most of the must see places are nearby and you are in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

The hotel also has a rooftop bar with incredible city views.

Things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi offers lots to see and do, so for a more detailed list check out my post on 15 Amazing Things to do in Hanoi.

• Visit the train street: The train street in Hanoi is one of those iconic must visit spots that Vietnam is known for. There are two train streets you can visit. The most famous and most photographed stretch is near Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn. There other one can be found around Phùng Hưng Street. However, I found that Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn was much less touristy and crowded than Phùng Hưng Street and a lot more photogenic too.You can also choose to go with a guide which is a nice way to learn about the learn about its history.
• Try egg coffee: Egg coffee is one of the most famous variations of Vietnamese coffee and it originates in Hanoi. It is coffee made by whisking together egg with condensed milk. The result is a sweet custard like drink which tastes like liquid dessert!
• Temple of Literature: The Temple of Literature is a must see in Hanoi and offers a glimpse into a different, quieter side to the city. It is very photogenic and showcases Vietnamese design, featuring courtyards, tiled roofs, and wooden structures.
• Explore Old Quarter: Exploring the Old Quarter is one of the best ways to experience the heart and soul of Hanoi. Walking through, you might find it overwhelming at first. The Narrow streets are filled with sounds of scooters, locals selling in the streets, the food sizzling and more. It is definitely a feast for the senses but an experience like no other!
• Day trip to Incense village: One of the most unique things to do in Hanoi is to take a day trip to the Incense village. We booked a guided tour for this, and got to visit a village where incense has been made for many years. It is an amazing experience to watch and photograph.
• Watch a water puppet show: This is a puppet show which takes place in waist deep pool of water making it a very fun spectacle. It tells the stories of local folklore, cultures and traditions. You can get your tickets in advance here.
• Dong Xuan Market: To stock up on souvenirs at the end of your 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary, head to the biggest indoor market in Hanoi. Here you will find everything from cheap Vietnam souvenirs to designer dupes and more.

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I hope this post has been helpful for planning your 2 weeks Vietnam itinerary. Vietnam is one of the most vibrant, beautiful, and kindest countries I have been to. It quickly became one of my favourite countries in Southeast Asia and in the world.

For more trip planning inspo, check out the below posts:

15 Amazing Things to do in Hanoi

19 Best Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

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