Vietnam itinerary 14 days – The perfect 2 weeks in Vietnam

Planning a 2-week Vietnam itinerary?    We’ve got you covered.  We’ve just got back from Vietnam and put together our full itinerary to share with you.  This guide covers the highlights of Northern and Central Vietnam, including the best places to visit, where to stay, and best things to do along the way.  We’ve also added travel tips, transport details, and practical advice to help make planning easier.

Planning the perfect trip to Vietnam can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re short on time. There’s so many incredible places to see, and we wanted to squeeze in as many highlights as possible.  After a lot of research, we pulled together our ideal 2-week Vietnam travel itinerary, with the perfect balance of city, nature, history, and relaxation.  From the buzzing streets of Hanoi to the dramatic landscapes of Ninh Binh and Sapa, a cruise through Lan Ha Bay, and the lantern-lit charm of Hoi An, this trip truly has it all.

So, if you’re ready to start planning, read on for our detailed 2-week Vietnam itinerary, complete with travel tips, hotel recommendations, and unforgettable activities.

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Two weeks in Vietnam will give you plenty of time to see the main attractions of North and Central Vietnam, including a cruise around Halong Bay.  Our itinerary is actually slightly longer to include a couple of travel days. We used private transfers and domestic flights to save time, but there are plenty of alternative budget options available.

You could also include Ho Chi Minh city in your itinerary by reducing the time spent in each place or by excluding Sapa.  I did this the first time I was in Vietnam and it was still a relaxed trip.

Here is a map with the places we visited on our 2-week Vietnam itinerary.

This route takes you from North to Central Vietnam, visiting all the top attractions on the way.

Here’s a quick overview of our Vietnam itinerary:

• Days 1-2 – Hanoi
• Day 3- 5 – Ninh Binh
• Days 6-7 – Lan Ha Bay
• Day 8– Hanoi
• Days 9-11 – Sapa
• Day 12 – Danang
• Days 13-16 Hoi An
• Day 17 – Hanoi

We flew overnight from the UK to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines, which took about 11 hours.  If you’re on a budget, you could save money by booking a flight with a stopover in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore.

Noi Bai International Airport serves Hanoi in the north of Vietnam.  We took a taxi from the airport, after checking the price was similar on Grab.  45 minutes later we were at our hotel in the Old Quarter, bags dropped, welcome drink finished, and ready to start our 14-days Vietnam adventure.

Hanoi, the energetic capital of Vietnam, is a vibrant city buzzing with mopeds, street vendors, and the constant sound of horns!

• Accommodation: Eliana Ruby Hotel, Old Quarter
• Top attractions: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple, Train Street, Hoa Lo Prison, Ta Hien “Beer Street”
• Good to know: Compact and walkable; Grab for longer hops

To start, take a wander around the Old Quarter, where you’ll find a fascinating mix of Asian and French colonial architecture.  It’s compact and walkable, with plenty of street food, restaurants and cafés.

For first-time visitors, the streets of Hanoi can feel chaotic, especially with mopeds weaving past from every direction, but once you get used to it (and learn the art of crossing the road), this energy becomes part of the city’s charm.

Some of the top attractions in Hanoi include Ngoc Son Temple, which sits on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake, and Hoa Lo Prison, often called the “Hanoi Hilton”.  In addition, we made quick visits to St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Beer Street (Ta Hien Street) for a quick drink at Happy Hour.

Of course, you shouldn’t miss the famous Train Street.  Here you can enjoy a drink in one of the cafés, which line the railway track.  Watch out for the trains as they will rush by just inches away.  Check the train times before you go, but you’ll know when they arrive as the waiters will be hastily trying to get the chairs off the track!

Hanoi is also one of the best places in Vietnam to enjoy authentic food.  You should take the opportunity to try local dishes such as pho, bun cha, and the city’s iconic egg coffee.  A street food tour is recommended if you want the help of a local guide.  We also stopped at Pho 56, one of Hanoi’s Michelin-starred restaurants at a fraction of the price.

We recommend staying in the Old Quarter, so that you can step straight out of your hotel into the heart of city.

• We stayed at the Eliana Ruby Hotel, a basic hotel in an excellent location inside the Old Quarter.
• For a luxury stay, try the May de Ville Lakeside Hotel or the Meritel.
• For budget accommodation in Hanoi, have a look at a homestay, such as the Hanoi Secret Garden or La Ava’s Home.

• Accommodation: Lavender Homestay, Tam Coc
• Top attractions: Trang An boat ride, Bich Dong Pagoda, Hoa Lu ancient capital, Mua Caves
• Good to know: It is easy to hire or borrow bikes and cycle to the popular attractions.

The journey from Hanoi to Ninh Binh takes around 1.5 to 2 hours by car, making it a popular choice for a day trip. However, we highly recommend staying for two or three nights, as there are so many wonderful attractions to enjoy.

We opted for a private transfer, which was quick and comfortable, though budget travellers can also take one of the frequent buses from Giap Bat and My Dinh bus stations.

With dramatic limestone cliffs, rice paddies, and hidden caves, Ninh Binh was one of my favourite stops, so we recommend staying at least two nights.  The surrounding scenery is amazing and it is often described as “Halong Bay on land”.

Our first stop was Bich Dong Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built into the side of a limestone mountain. To reach the entrance, you cross a pretty stone bridge over a lily-filled pond before climbing the stone steps that lead to the pagoda.  The temple is built across three levels and at the top, you’ll walk through a large cave filled with bats.

Another of our favourite activities in Ninh Binh was a bike ride through the rice fields to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam and now part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Cycling here was one of the best ways to get away from the roads and enjoy the local scenery.

Another must-do for many travellers is a boat trip at Trang An, where local rowers take you on a river trip into the caves.  It is one of the most popular attractions in Ninh Binh, though for us, the heat and hard seats made it harder to fully enjoy the ride.  That said, the landscapes are undeniably stunning, so it’s easy to see why so many people love it.

Finally, no visit to Ninh Binh would be complete without tackling the climb to the Mua Caves viewpoint.  The staircase of 500 steps is extremely steep, but the reward at the top is one of the best viewpoints in Ninh Binh, with a dramatic stone dragon statue overlooking the valley and river below.

Hanoi to Ninh Binh day tour, including Trang An, Hoa Lu, and Mua Caves.

We based ourselves in Tam Coc, a smaller town set around a lake.  In the evenings, Tam Coc is fairly relaxed, with plenty of small bars and restaurants.  We stayed at Lavender Homestay, which was walking distance from the lake and main town.  There are many similar homestays in Tam Coc, generally with small pools.

For more luxurious accommodation, book the Tam Coc Garden Resort, which looks amazing.

• Accommodation: Doris Cruise, La Han Bay
• Top attractions: kayaking, swimming, squid fishing, visits to Cat Ba Island and the Bright Dark Cave
• Good to know:  Most cruises depart from Tuan Chau Harbour.

No 2-week itinerary in Vietnam would be complete without a cruise on Halong Bay, or its quieter neighbour Lan Ha Bay.

Lan Ha Bay is to the south of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Vietnam’s most famous natural wonders. It has a similar landscape, with thousands of limestone Karsts rising from the emerald water, but with less tourist boats.

You can do a 1-day tour of Halong Bay, but to really experience it, we recommend a 2-night cruise.  The longer cruise will allow you to see more and travel further away from the crowds.  Plus you get to try all of the activities.

We took a shared transfer from Ninh Binh directly to Halong Bay, which took about 3.5 hours. A small tender boat then took the passengers to the main ship in Lan Ha Bay.  The cruise provider, Halong Bay Tours, arranged the transfer for us.

As soon as we arrived aboard the cruise, we were given a full fun-packed itinerary for our stay.  The activities vary depending on the length of cruise you have chosen, but for the 2-night cruise you can enjoy kayaking, swimming, and day trips to Cat Ba island and the Bright Light Cave.

In the evenings, you can watch a cooking demonstration, enjoy the jacuzzi and sunset party or try your hand at squid fishing.  We tried everything and even caught a couple of squid!

This was one of the absolute highlights of our 2-week Vietnam trip.  If you’d like more details, my full experience and review of the cruise is here.

• Halong Bay Day Trip from Hanoi
• 2-day/1 night Halong and Lan Ha Bay
• 3-day/2 night Luxury Cruise in Lan Ha Bay

The Doris Cruise is a real 5-star luxury experience and the most indulgent accommodation of our Vietnam itinerary.  The boat only has 25 cabins, which are modern with private balconies and an ocean-view bathtub.  There is an outdoor jacuzzi on the second deck.

The food is a mix of set menu and buffet and was truly amazing.  In the evening they hold a sunset party on the sundeck, where you can enjoy a cocktail (or two!) as the sun goes down.

• Accommodation: Eliana Ruby Hotel, Old Quarter
• Top attractions: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature
• Good to know:  The mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays and only opens in the mornings until 10.30am.

After the cruise, we returned to Hanoi for one night before heading north to Sapa.  The journey by minibus took around 2.5 hours and was included in the cruise package.  To keep it simple, we checked back into the same hotel.

This time, instead of revisiting the Old Quarter, we explored a different part of the city.  We headed to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature, some of Hanoi’s most popular cultural landmarks.

It’s worth noting that the mausoleum has very strict visiting rules.  It is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and on other days it only opens in the morning until 10:30 am, so plan your timings well. Visitors must dress conservatively, with no shorts or bare shoulders allowed.

From the Old Quarter, the walk takes about 30 minutes, but you might prefer to take a Grab taxi, especially in the heat.

• Accommodation: Sapa Highland Resort & Spa
• Top attractions: Cat Cat Village, Hiking, Fansipan, Swing Sapa
• Good to know:  Sapa has a lively town centre with a big choice of places to eat and drink.

The next stop on our 2-week Vietnam itinerary was Sapa, a mountain town famous for terraced rice fields and ethnic hill tribes.

Getting to Sapa from Hanoi takes around six hours by minibus or overnight bus.  We chose a shared minibus, which was comfortable and allowed for breaks along the way.

One of our first stops was Swing Sapa, a fun attraction with a rainbow slide, go-karts, and plenty of quirky photo opportunities.  From there, we wandered downhill to town for lunch and to see the town lake.

On our first full day we visited Cat Cat Village, a traditional Hmong village with waterfalls and cultural presentations.

From Cat Cat Village, we set off on an unforgettable hike through the rice terraces.  The walk was fairly gruelling at times, but was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip to Vietnam.  Nothing quite compares to coming face-to-face with a water buffalo or two whilst you’re walking!  Plus, there were a few cafes with sensational views along the way. We walked independently, but many locals will offer guided walks, or walk alongside you.  You could also book a 2D1N hiking experience with a homestay.

Another must-do activity in Sapa is the cable car ride to Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Indochina and often called the “Roof of Vietnam.”

The cable car journey itself is breathtaking, with sweeping views over the valleys, and at the top you’ll find pagodas, temples, and panoramic viewpoints. It’s worth taking some extra layers with you, as it was warm and sunny at the base, but cold and windy at the summit.

We based ourselves at the Highland Hotel, just a short walk from the centre of town.  It’s a large hotel with an indoor pool.

If you are looking for something more luxurious, the 5-star Hotel de la Coupole is a modern hotel with a 1920s feel.  It is in the heart of Sapa, located at the base of the Fansipan funicular.

Or, if you prefer to stay in the countryside, you’ll find some amazing homestays, such as Sapa Tranquilla and Sapa Farmer House.

• Accommodation: Sofiana My Khe Hotel & Spa
• Top attractions:  Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains, My Son Sanctuary, Lady Buddha, Dragon Bridge
• Good to know:  If possible, try to be in Danang over a weekend—the Dragon Bridge breathes fire on Friday and Saturday nights!

Day 12 of our 2-week Vietnam itinerary was a travel day, as we made our way from the mountains of Sapa to central Vietnam. We took a minibus to Hanoi Airport, followed by a short 1h 20m flight to Danang.  On arrival, it was just a 15-minute transfer into the city.

Internal flights in Vietnam are efficient and affordable, making them the best option if you are short on time.  However, if your schedule allows and you’d prefer to save money, the overnight train from Hanoi to Danang is another option. The journey takes around 15–17 hours, but it offers the chance to see more of the countryside along the way.

Danang makes a great base for exploring the central region, and there are plenty of day trips to choose from.  You could easily extend your stay here and spend less time in Hoi An if you prefer.

In Danang, the top attractions include Ba Na Hills (home to the famous Golden Bridge stretched across a pair of giant stone hands), the Marble Mountains, and the Dragon Bridge.  You could also take a day trip out to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is is about 1 hours’ drive from Danang.

As we only had one full day in Danang, we chose to visit the Lady Buddha (Quan The Am) on the Son Tra Peninsula.  Standing at 67 meters tall, it’s one of the tallest Buddha statues in Vietnam and part of the Linh Ung Pagoda complex. The site is impressive, but the highlight for us was watching the monkeys playing in the fountains.

• Sun World Ba Na Hills Entry
• Hoi An:  My Son Sanctuary visit
• Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave Tour
• Transfer to Hoi An

We stayed at the Sofiana My Khe Hotel & Spa, a mid-range hotel with a spa and rooftop bar, just a short walk from My Khe Beach.

• Accommodation: An Bang Sea Adventure Homestay
• Top attractions: Hoi An Old Quarter, Coconut Village
• Good to know:  If you’re interested in some new clothes, Hoi An is famous for its custom-made clothing and shoes. You’ll find dozens of shops where you can have something made within a day or two.

Finally, we wrapped up our 2-week Vietnam itinerary in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Danang it’s just a 30-minute drive to Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations.  Known for its lantern-lit streets, sandy beaches, and relaxed vibe, it’s the perfect place to slow the pace of your trip.

Hoi An is known for its lantern-lit Old Town, tailor shops, and riverside charm.  On your first day, enjoy a leisurely wander around the streets lined with colourful shopfronts. It’s a good idea to buy the Hoi An Old Town ticket, which grants access to five of the 22 heritage sites, including temples and merchant houses.

Another memorable activity was visiting the Coconut Forest.  We knew it would be touristy, and it was, but fun, nevertheless!  You get to ride in one of the famous round basket boats (luckily, spinning is optional!).

Meanwhile, the rest of our time was spent relaxing on An Bang Beach, close to our homestay.

Overall, Hoi An is the perfect finale to your Vietnam 2-week itinerary, a place where you can slow down after a busy trip.

When deciding on your accommodation in Hoi An, you need to choose whether to stay in the Old Town or near the beach.

We opted for An Bang Sea Adventure Homestay, a lovely spot just a short walk from the An Bang Beach.  It was small property, but had private balconies, a small pool, and the most amazing host.  Plus, it was only a few minutes’ walk from the a host of restaurants, and beach bars.

However, if you prefer to stay in the Old Town, try the charming Hoi An Hidden Boat homestay or luxurious Laluna Riverside Hotel & Spa.

• Accommodation: Eliana Ruby Hotel, Old Quarter
• Top attractions: Thang Long Water Puppet Show
• Good to know:  Book your tickets in advance

Our final transfer was by cab to Danang Airport and then a return domestic flight back to Hanoi.  We then had one last night in Hanoi before the flight home.

Our final night in Hanoi gave us time to squeeze in a trip to the Thang Long Water Puppet Show, which is located near the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.  We nearly gave this a miss, but glad we didn’t.  The 50-minute show is amazing, with lots of mini stories from Vietnamese Culture.  We paid extra for the audio guide, so we had a better understanding of the stories.

Book your ticket in advance as the theatre is one of Hanoi’s most popular attractions.  They offer three levels of ticketing, but I’d say it’s worth paying extra to be in the front rows, so you can see the puppets more clearly.

Vietnam has a tropical climate, and the best time to visit Vietnam depends on the region:

• North (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay): October–April is dry and cooler.
• Central (Hoi An, Danang, Hue): February–May offers sunny skies and warm weather.

We visited the North in the summer (July/August).  This is the rainy season, so we were expecting lots of rain, but the weather was extremely hot and humid, apart from two isolated rain showers.

The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). You should plan to take plenty of cash, as most places don’t accept credit cards.  At the time we travelled the pound was worth £35000 VND, so we became instant millionaires!

You can pay by card in the hotels, but they will charge you an additional 3% bank charge.

You will find ATMs in most cities.

All the hotels and restaurants offered free Wi-Fi.  However, it is advisable to buy a sims card before you go.  This is especially useful for using maps and Grab.  We used Airalo, an eSIM, which was excellent.

If you’re from the UK, you can stay for 45 days or less without a visa.  However, if you’re from the US, you will require a visa to enter the country.

For short trips around town, we always used Grab taxis (Asian equivalent of Uber).  You can download the Grab app before you get to Vietnam.

The main advantage is that you will know the price in advance and can pay by card.  Don’t use the taxis on the street, as some will try to overcharge you, even with a meter.

For getting between towns, we always used private transfers.  Some we booked in advance, but the hotels are always keen to assist with this.  If your budget is tight,  you can use public transport, but this will eat into your holiday time.

You can also use the low-cost airlines for longer journeys.  Allow plenty of time if you have an onward transfer, as we  found that they often change their schedule.

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