Hey guys! If you’re planning a cross-country trip to Vietnam you’re definitely in the right place. In this blog post we are going to give you a detailed version of our 2 week Vietnam itinerary, including our route, the things we did in each place and where we stayed (all of which we would totally recommend).
So grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let us guide you through this 2 week Vietnam itinerary.
If you are seeking epic adventures, unique experiences, mouth watering food, and ancient historical sights; Vietnam is the place for you. It has fast become one of Asia’s top travel destinations due to its well established backpacker circuit, friendly people and chilled out visa situation…
Many travellers opt to explore Vietnam by motorcycle which is hands down the best (our favourite) way to get around if you have plenty of time and can afford to linger rather than to just rush through Vietnam’s tourist sites.
Vietnam is a country with multiple weather patterns ranging from monsoon rains, cold snaps and hot, humid sunny days. It can be hard to catch the whole country at a consistent time of year.
Best time to visit Vietnam is during the spring (February to April) and Autumn (August to October). During these periods, temperatures are pleasant and have the lowest rainfall across all destinations.
Looking for specifics? Let me break down by regions, the best time of year for Vietnam;
Mid-range traveler: If you want to have a few splurges and stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $30 – $50 (2500-3500) per day / per couple.
Good to know: If you know how to drive a motorbike, you can rent a super cheap one and go on a motorbike adventure.
The best way travel within city is by renting a motorbike or a bicycle. Some hostels even provide free bicycles. It costs around 100,000-150,000 VND (300-450 INR / 4.5-6.5 USD) per day to rent a motorbike. You can negotiate a better price if you want to rent it for longer.
If you cannot ride a bike, GrabCar (Uber of Asia) is the next best option. Just install it and use it like any other cab hailing app. However, Grab works better in bigger cities like Hanoi and Da Nang, other cities you have to resort to taxi or car rental.
This itinerary may seem jam packed because we were short of time and visited the must see places on our list. We do have some slow paced days in Ninh Binh, Da Nang and Hoi An. At a leisurely pace, it can be easily extended upto 3 weeks.
Duration: 1 – 2 Nights
HIGHLIGHTS
Hanoi threw us into the deep end of Vietnamese culture. Delicious street food, crazy traffic and smelly streets are all part of daily life in Hanoi. We based ourselves at the fantastic Hostel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (the most happening and popular area for travellers).
Hanoi isn’t the most relaxing place to start your travels, so we’d recommend spending 2-3 nights here tops. It’s worth noting that Hanoi is the central point in which to get to both Halong Bay and Sapa, as all the transport runs from here. You will save time if you spend these days as a part of transit between other places.
How we got there: We flew from Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi with Air Asia. Google maps, mobile data, and Grab is all you need to move around Hanoi.
From airport to your Hotel you can book a taxi or use Grab App (a cab hailing app). The Grab car from Hanoi airport to Old Quarter costs 300,000-350,000 VND (900-1100 INR / 15-17 USD). It is easy to find your Grabcar at the airport because the driver usually waits in front of specific gate and a pillar, similar to that of Mumbai CSI Airport. Grab App chat translation works well too.
Hanoi in 3 words: Chaotic, Fascinating, Exotic
This little cafe won our hearts with it’s simple yet inspiring concept. The cafe is filled with notes from travellers and locals. Not just a wall but the entire cafe – the windows,chairs,ceiling,every little space that you can imagine.
Here we tried vietnamese special Egg Coffee and Coconut Coffee. We liked the Coconut Coffee but not the Egg Coffee, because it had that raw egg smell. Nevertheless, you should try both!!
Hanoi Train Street where speeding train passes straight through residential street turned into Cafe Street. We managed to see a train going past about 11.50am and it was crazy.!! One minute everyone sitting down enjoying drinks and then the next minute everything is being cleared up. The train goes past in seconds and all of the tables and chairs comes straight back out as if nothing is happened.
Please keep couple of hours in hand in case you miss the train and have to wait for another one. The timings of trains when we visited were: 9:00, 11:50, 13:15 ( On Friday and Sunday), 14:30, 15:30, 19:10, 19:30, 20:10
Old Quarter is has around 40 streets packed with shops, bars, and resturants. It is great place for foodies and shoppers.
Morevoer, a morning stroll around the atmospheric Hoàn Kiếm Lake is definitely a good way to start a day. This is a freshwater lake also called “Lake of the returned sword” and has an island on the northern shore that has a temple called Ngoc Son temple. The temple is connected to the mainland through a crimson color bridge of Vietnamese architecture. The lake is located at a 15-minute walk from the Old Quarter and easily reachable by a Grab car.
An evening performance at the Lotus Water Puppet Show is a strangely unique experience that is synonymous with Vietnam and more specifically, Hanoi.
Duration: 1 – 2 Nights
HIGHLIGHTS:
Halong Bay, undoubtedly one of Vietnam’s most famous assets. The best way to experience Halong Bay is by booking an overnight cruise package, which all include return transfers from Hanoi hotel (this can be done online or at one of the many travel agents in Hanoi). Cruise tour options are 2- day 1 night and 3-day 2night.
As we were short of time(only 2 weeks) we decided not go on cruise tour instead we plan to visit the best viewpoint of HALONG BAY on Bai Tho Mountain and it was absolutely incredible view.
Sun World Ha Long Complex amusement park has cable car that has an amazing view of Halong Bay. The ticket cost 350,000 VND which includes entry to east-side park. If you have more days to spare you should definitely try it.
How we got there: There are several transport options such as Local Bus, Shuttle Bus, Motorbike, Sea-plane. It all depends on your budget and time you can spare. We took us 3 hrs one way by local bus from My Dinh Station (Hanoi) to Bai Chay Station (Ha Long Bay).
Ha Long Bay in 3 words: Spectacular,Unique, Memorable
If you’re somehow like us, a person who loves to experience beautiful places, but doesn’t want to be around a hundred tourists in small boat tour, then this place is for you! Arguably the best view of all Ha Long Bay,this viewpoint reminded us of how beautiful our world truly is. It’s amazing that this mountain is located in the residential area, but it’s not very known place as there is no signs or nothing that could tell you where and to climb it! The whole Halong Bay for us cost only $2(150INR)! 
All the information you need to hike up Bai Tho Mountain is coming soon…
As a popular travel destination in Vietnam, Ha Long has an abundance of hotels, hostels, and other kinds of accommodation. You can still have a good time in the hostels and homestays of Ha Long, if you scarce of budget or time.
The boat cruise is a special accommodation in Ha Long that lets you best explore this natural wonder by cruising around the islands. You can sit on board, sip cocktail, and enjoy live music. It’s a luxury stay on the ocean!
Ha Long is relaxing place with some sea activities if you stay on cruise, so we’d recommend spending 1-2 nights here. We stayed 1 night at Viet Nhat Hotel .
Duration: 2-3 Nights
HIGHLIGHTS:
The magical Ninh Binh is located in northern Vietnam, 100km south of Hanoi and is nicknamed “Ha Long Bay on Land”. The stunning landscapes are right out of a movie set (no wonder the King Kong movie was filmed here), with the constant backdrop of charming rivers, surrounded by karst limestone cliffs and vivid green rice fields.
There’s so much to see in Ninh Binh. If you rent a motorbike or bicycle, you will be free to explore the area as you please.
How we got there: You have option of bus or minvan (Limo) from Halong Bay. We came by local bus from Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh and it took us 3.5 hrs one way.
Ninh Binh in 3 words: Adventurous,Active,Cultural
The best thing to do in Ninh Binh is to head to the Mua Cave. Not so much for the cave, but for its viewpoint up above. The climb was not so hard but hot & humid weather makes it difficult. Yes! it’s exhausting but don’t get discouraged by the steep 500 stair climb. Once on the top, you”ll be rewarded with spectacular 360 view over the Tam Coc Valley .The views over the paddy fields are amazing.There are actually two peaks on top of Hang Mua. To reach the higher one, you will have to climb for about 20-30 minutes.On the top of Hang Mua highest peak you will see a stone carved dragon watching over the valley. You can climb around it and find a private spot from where to enjoy the views. Be warned though: the rocks are all sharp. It is absolutely worth the hike.
Other things to consider are:
This cute pagoda in Tam Coc is an easy thing to tick off the list. If you’re coming from Tam Coc on bike or bicycle,the road to the Bich Dong Pagoda is simply gorgeous. At a given point you’ll be surrounded by huge rice fields with limestone cliff as a backdrop.When entering the pagoda, you will have to pass over a stone bridge and go through a beautifully decorated gate. Once you pass through the Bich Dong Pagoda gate you will find yourself in an oasis of tranquility. Bich Dong Pagoda is consists of 3 separate layered pagodas: Ha, Trung and Thuong. These three pagodas are built in ascending order and to reach them you must climb some steep stairs but, the view is well worth it.
Entrance fee: Free. Beware of scammers asking for entrance fee.
This is definitely the highlight of Ninh Binh. Day 2 started with early morning Trang An Grottoes Tour.The Trang An Grottoes consist of a variety of caves, mountain and temples surrounded by canal. There are total 3 Routes for this boat tour. Route 1 is longest one. We took route 2(for Famous Skull Island).The tour takes about 3 hours and will take you to the heart of the UNESCO protected Trang An Landscape Complex.
Tip: the way locals pronounce Trang An sounds more like ‘Chang Ang’. This is quite useful to know when asking for directions.
The Ninh Binh region is famous for its mountain goat meat. On some roads outside of town, you might even see vendors selling whole goats roasted (yes, this does look a little sad). Many of the restaurants have at least one goat dish on the menu — and several specialize in just serving a variety of goat dishes. It’s a great chance to try a local speciality. We tried Lemongrass goat meat with burnt rice at Nhà hàng Linh Trang restuarant and were not disappointed.
Like everywhere else in Vietnam, there is no shortage of guest houses in Ninh Binh.Ninh Binh has some incredible resorts and river-view homestays in the district of Tam Coc. Most people prefer to stay in Tam Coc area. We stayed at Ninh Binh Brothers Hotel. The prices in Ninh Binh range from 1000-2000 INR/14-30 USD.
Ninh Binh is best explored by motorbike or bicycle. We spent 2 days in Ninh Binh and took things relatively slow.
Duration: 2-3 Days
MUST SEE:
Danang is one of the most Urban cities in Central Vietnam.Da Nang is one of those incredible backpacking destinations that is unfortunately skipped by so many travellers. People often use the city simply as a transit stop, and they miss out on so much.
If you are seeking a destination with beautiful beaches and striking hills without the being disturbed by large crowds, then Da Nang will not disappoint you.Just rent a motorbike and explore this beautiful city.
Ba Na Hills is 36km from Da Nang.We took a motorbike from Da Nang an early morning. Ba Na Hills is a theme park with the famous Golden Bridge (gaint hands holding the bridge). Rest of the park is not that great and good to spend 4-5 hours if you have time. Ba Na Hills has one of the longest and highest non-stop single-track cable car in the world. Checkout the Ba Na Hills post to learn more…
The Dragon Bridge is one of the best known Da Nang attractions famous for its unique design and interesting light show.We visit it in the morning as well as at night it looks stunning.Make sure your visit to be a weekend, because at 9PM every Saturday and Sunday they turn the lights on and the dragon breathes actual fire and water! Near Dragon Bridge , they have small merlion statue like Singapore merlion. There’s a night market nearby, many restaurants along the streets and the Love Bridge. Do visit it at night, it is very exciting to see the place come to live after sunset.
The cathedral is located along Tran Phu Street, about a 15-minute walk from the iconic Dragon Bridge. We came here at 8AM by motorbike.Danang Cathedral has pretty pink color with impressive Gothic-style architectural structure.This place is great for escaping the bustling city centre as its high tower offers a stunning view of the city.It also has huge stained glass windows that replicate scenes from the holy bible.This cathedral is touristy and crowded with tour buses so try to reach early in the morning.
There are tonnes of great accommodation in Da Nang, from 5-star beachside resorts to funky backpackers and cheap guesthouses. Really the only thing you are limited by is your budget! We stayed 1 day in Cents hotel for the best view of famous dragon bridge night view over Han River and 1 day in D & C hotel Danang Hotel.
Da Nang has several local markets from which you can do some shopping & try some local cuisines. You can find cheap authentic items in markets like Han and Con markets.Remember to haggle the prices down especially if you look touristy.Da Nang has countless places you can visit with a scooter.If you are afraid of the traffic, consider hiring a taxi or booking a tour that will take you to all the beautiful places around Da Nang.
How we got there: On a 1 hour flight from Hanoi to Da Nang with VietJet Air
Da Nang in 3 words: Cosmopolitan, Crazy, Fast-paced
Duration: 2-3 Nights
MUST SEE:
Hue is a gorgeous city in central Vietnam.We arrived in Hue after an incredible journey along the Hai Van Pass. Hue’s main attractions are the Imperial City and the tombs If you love history, it would definitely be worth allowing 2 or 3 nights in Hue to explore further.By night the riverside is buzzing with cafes, street entertainment and market vendors, which you can find on the riverside.The attractions in Hue are based across the countryside so to explore Hue you have 3 options
This is without a doubt Hue’s most popular attraction and one you shouldn’t miss. After check-in we rent a motorbike from our hotel and head towards Imperial City.The Citadel was the centre of the last imperial dynasty of Vietnam which only ended in 1945. Since then, the Hue Citadel has seen two wars and been virtually destroyed and rebuilt. We spend a good few hours till sunset exploring the various temples, gates and courtyards, some of which are insanely detailed and colourful but most of the campus is derelict.
Entrance price: 150,000 VND (460 INR).
For our second day in Hue, we head out on an unusual adventure of Abandoned Water Park. It’s genuinely one of the weirdest and most wonderful places we’ve been recently. If love a mystery, the abandoned waterpark is definitely worth a visit. Park is located on the outskirts of Ho Thuyen Lake. A security guard now watches over the front gate and prevents anyone from entering. You have to bribe the security guard(10,000 VND).The park was abandoned in 2004 when it ran out of money and nowadays, there are rotting slides, a graffitied dragon and overgrown gardens, which make this one interesting tourist attraction! If you’re visiting Hue, We’d definitely recommend a trip to the Abandoned Waterpark
An Bang Cemetery locally known as City of Ghosts. After our visit to Abandoned Water park we headed towards one more creepy place An Bang Cemetery.The best way to get to the cemetery is by motorbike. It stretches on hundreds and hundreds of meters and it is the biggest cemetery in Vietnam – 250 hectares.The villagers in An Bang spend over $70 000 on building tombs in order to make luxurious resting homes for their ancestors. The tombs are decorated with colorful mosaics, dragons and towers.The villagers have built few tombs in advance because they know that the death is inevitable.
There is a huge selection of Hue hotels. The tourist central is located in southern bank of perfume river. There are many hotel to stay and spend holiday in Hue from 1 star to 5 star.We stayed at Imperial Hotel.
From our personal experience, We think we were a little rushed to spend just one day in Hue. There were so many things we wished to see but we only had a little time to explore. Therefore, we recommend staying for a couple more days. Hue spicy soup is one of the world-famous Vietnamese foods. It will be one of your biggest regrets if you miss tasting it here.
How we got there: An 2 hour sleeper bus from Da Nang to Hue.
Hue in 3 words: Commercial, Historic, Atmospheric
Duration: 2 Nights
MUST SEE:
Hoi An is magical. With its beautiful night markets, old merchant houses, sophisticated restaurants, colourful alleyways and a contagious atmosphere, it’s impossible not to fall in love from the get-go. If you only have time to visit 1 place in Vietnam, make sure it’s here! .Hoi An and Danang are sister cities located about 30 Km from each other. Though located just 30 Km from each other, Hoi An and Danang have completely different vibes. Hoi An is a cultural get away with the old town being a UNESCO world heritage site.
The old town is the city centre and can be explored only on foot or bicycle. It’s known for the Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with stunning and colourful buildings. We start exploring in the morning visited Japanese Covered Bridge and wandering through yellow color ancient houses. Spend your days getting lost in the several tailor shops, where you can custom order handmade boots, shoes, suits and dresses (copy of luxury brands) for unbelievably cheap prices. The entire old town is filled with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Hoi An is also the place where we feasted on the most amazing Vietnamese cuisine, so make sure you enjoy your fair share of fresh Banh Mi baguettes. Our favourite restaurant in Hoi An was called Morning Glory, which is located on one of the most picturesque streets in the Old Town. It’s a little more expensive than your average restaurant, but the food is out of this world.
If you want to experience some unique activities combining with finding out eco friendly material then do not forgot to do Basket Boat Ride in Hoi An. We booked our tour with Tin Basket Boat Ride. This also included a pick up from hotel or Riding a scooter from the Ancient Town, it will take you only 10 minutes to arrive here.Depending on the tour company and the size of the group, the prices for the tour or per person can vary. We paid 380,000 VND(1160 INR). As this is Vietnam, you can easily bargain the price. The boat ride is about 2 hour long. Our guide was a aged women who paddled us along the whole way (she’s so strong!). There are stops along the way for photos and a staged, though entertaining, demonstration of speed and balance by a local boat skipper. In addition, enjoy the quick and creative hands of your guide in turning palm stem strips into beautiful origami.
To be honest, it was nothing special. You will find such rides in villages everywhere. However, if you have never experienced one, you should definitely try it.
When the days turns into night,the ancient riverside town is full with magical and dreamy atmosphere. The streets of Hoi An turns into a sparkling display of colorful lanterns and it is spectacular. The old town area is pedestrianised at night . You can even enjoy a boat ride in the Thu Bon river and drop a floating lantern in the water. Right at the beginning of the market, you’ll find lanterns stalls in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. Their beautiful warm glow draws in almost every visitor to the night market.You’ll see many tourists trying to capture that perfect Hoi An lantern nightscape through their lens.. Vendors usually ask 20,000 VND (60 INR) for a photo in front of their stores. Hoi An is known for its coffee and silk products, both sold for competitive prices at the night market. The market is also brimming with wonderful souvenirs from talented artists. Look for paintings, sketches, elegant pottery, and handcrafted bamboo products.
The best place to stay will be different depending on what you are looking for.Hoi An offers it all, a busy tourist centre, beachfront serenity, and rustic rural settings.There’s a range of accommodation options in each area that will suit all budgets: family, honeymooner, backpacker, luxury, and budget. We stayed a day at The Corner Homestay, which is right next to the Old town and night market. The hotel provides free bicycles to explore Hoi An.
How we got there: An 2 hour sleeper bus from Hue to Hoi An
Hoi An in 3 words: Colourful, Enchanting, Quaint
Duration: 3 Nights
MUST SEE:
Phu Quoc is a little island to the south west of Vietnam. The sights of Phu Quoc are really diverse and ranging from beautiful beaches and temples to fascinating markets. The easiest and fastest way to get to Phu Quoc is by plane.
Renting a motorcycle is possibly the best way to get around on seeing the island and its beaches.
We started our day by visiting very famous white sand Bai Sao Beach. This is one of the most beautiful tropical sandy beaches in Phu Quoc and is very famous for swimming, sunbathing and doing other activities as well. The beach attracts a lot of tourists due to its wonderful natural scenery, crystal clear waters, and white sand shores. Bai Sao is famous for a wide range of marine creatures. Once you snorkel deep down into the beach, you will have an opportunity to see all of them. After spending 4-5 hours here for sunset we head over to Sanato Beach Club. Here, you will find many cool installations that make for interesting photos. The entry ticket is 100000 VND (4 USD / 350 INR).
Day 2 started by visiting Starfish Beach. If seeing starfish in their natural habitat is something on your bucket list, then you definitely are in the right place. Phu Quoc Starfish Beach is the perfect place to observe these little creatures and admire their beauty. The white sand and the palm trees add to the beauty of this place.The water here is extremely clear and you can easily see lots of starfish. It’s important to remember that nature is not ours to play with.While walking make sure that you are not stepping on starfish along the way.
The Dinh Cau waterfront temple is located a few meters away from the night market. Right in the main town of Duong Dong lies a temple, a shrine and a lighthouse – all in one called Dinh Cau temple. This is where locals come to burn incense sticks and pray for the sea goddess before setting off on their fishing trips There isn’t an entrance fee and you can see some shrines inside and enjoy the great view at the Long Beach and the harbor of Duong Dong.You can come here to watch sunset and head off for dinner at the Phu Quoc night market.
Being a popular beach vacation destination, it is not difficult to find accommodation in Phu Quoc. From affordable hostels to luxurious beach resorts, Phu Quoc has a variety of accommodations suitable for your taste and budget plan. We Stayed at Lien Hiep Thanh Resort.
Phu Quoc island is a relaxing place so you can easily spend 5 to 6 days here exploring all the places.
How we got there:
Phu Quoc in 3 words: Beautiful,Scenic,Relaxing
Well, that’s all folks. We just raced through Vietnam in a mere fortnight. Like I said before, two weeks in Vietnam barely scratches the surface. But, if you’re on a vacation with time constraints then this itinerary will be a godsend. You’ll see the best bits and you’ll never have a dull moment, I promise.