Planning the perfect Vietnam trip? This ultimate 2-week Vietnam itinerary has everything, including visits to beautiful beaches, the best cruises, cultural experiences, and more.
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Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, and has a lower to middle-class income, which makes Vietnam a super affordable place to visit. Vietnam is a very popular place for tourists to visit since it is known for its stunning beaches, many rivers, a rich culture, bustling cities, and more—a great place for fun adventures and amazing relaxation.
In this post, we will take you through the ultimate 2-week Vietnam itinerary, with the best places to visit in Vietnam, the best Vietnam itinerary for first-timers, the ultimate Hanoi travel guide, along with the best Halong Bay cruise itinerary, and so much more. Vietnam is filled with rich cultural experiences and amazing scenery along the way.
To start this itinerary, you will begin in the north and travel to the south. Starting in the beautiful capital city of Hanoi, then the best cruise places in Halong Bay, and the land of Ninh Binh. From there, explore the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and the mountains of Da Nang. Finishing in the bustling Ho Chi Minh City. Also included are travel tips, where to stay, tour options, must-see sights, and more.
This post is all about the ultimate 2-week Vietnam itinerary.
The first stop on your 2-week Vietnam itinerary is Hanoi. Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. It is filled with ancient temples and modern architecture, and it has so much to see and do. First, visit the Hoan Kien Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. This temple is located in the city centre and is a great place to enjoy a peaceful walk and take in the Vietnamese culture. Also, walk on the Huc Bridge, which is painted red and leads to the temple.
Next, explore the Hanoi Old Quarter. This lively quarter is filled with bustling streets that include markets, shops, boutiques, cafes, local vendors, jewelry shops, restaurants, bars, and so much more. Also, a fun fact about the Hanoi Old Quarter, each street is named after the type of good that was once sold there. For example, Silver Street was a street that was known for selling silver, etc.
If you like history, then you must check out the Temple of Literature, which is an 11th-century temple that is dedicated to Confucius (a Chinese philosopher) and Vietnam’s first university.
Another must-see is the famous train street (as pictured above). This is one of Hanoi’s most famous Instagrammable spots. Here you will see where trains pass super close to cafes and homes. This is such a unique experience. There are different train schedules every day, so be sure to visit when there is a train scheduled to go through.
Also visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, where the former president Ho Chi Minh rests. The surrounding area is a cool place to see as well. There is a dress code here, so be sure to dress accordingly.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations – Hanoi Sail Hotel, Hanoi Lakeside Premium Hotel & Travel, Hotel Du Palace
Mid-Range Accommodations – Serene Boutique Hotel & Spa, Grande Collection Hotel & Spa, Hanoi Media Hotel & Spa
Luxury Accommodations – Rex Hanoi Hotel, Amira Hotel Hanoi
After exploring Hanoi, next you have to check out Halong Bay. This is a must-see when in Northern Vietnam. The best way to see the emerald waters and the stunning scenery is by an amazing overnight cruise. Here, you will see towering limestone karsts, floating fishing villages, hidden lagoons, and more. All of this makes this a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is also a top natural wonder of Southeast Asia.
Halong Bay is a classic option where you can see the most famous sites. But if you are looking for a quieter and less crowded option, then Lan Ha Bay offers similar views and fewer boats. Still a great experience though.
Some popular cruise activities include swimming in unique secluded beaches, kayaking in caves, squid fishing, visiting the floating villages, exploring the caves, and even cooking classes on the boat.
Some of the best cruise packages include the Cozy Bay Premium Cruise, Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise, and Luxury Catamaran Day Cruise to Lan Ha Bay & Halong Bay. A great night cruise is this one here that includes 2 days and 1 night with lots of activities and food included.
After exploring Halong Bay and enjoying the stunning views, you must visit Ninh Binh. This gem is also referred to as Halong Bay on Land. This part of Vietnam has limestone cliffs, rivers, rice paddies, and more. Great place to experience culture and relaxation.
Some of the top things to do in Ninh Binh include the Trang An scenic landscape complex. This is a boat ride that takes you through limestone caves, ancient temples, jungle-clad cliffs, and through the emerald waters. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a great place to get some unbelievable photos.
Another popular thing to do is the Tam Coc boat ride, which takes you through rice fields surrounding the river, and you can also see local women rowing using their feet to steer the paddles, super unique. For stunning panoramic views, climb 500 steps to get to the Hang Mua Viewpoint (Mua Cave).
Another top attraction in Ninh Binh is the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia.
Lastly, explore the history here by visiting the Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu, which is a historical site that used to be home to Vietnam’s royals in the 10th century.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations – Lalita Tam Coc Resort & Spa, Indochine Boutique Hotel Ninh Bình, Le Maison Tam Coc Boutique Hotel
Mid-Range Accommodations – Tam Coc Mountain Sunset and Garden Hotel, Tam Coc Green Haven Retreat
Luxury Accommodations – Coco Island Villa & Hotel Ninh Bình, Tam Coc Retreat Ninh Binh
Next on your 2-week Vietnam itinerary, head to Vietnam’s most charming town, Hoi An. First, wander the Ancient Town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see yellow buildings, tailor shops, cafes, and lantern-lit streets. Super cool place to visit.
Another interesting is in Hoi An is the Japanese covered bridge, which is one of the town’s most iconic structures, and it also has hundreds of years of history behind it.
A must-do in Hoi An is a lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon River. This is a very cool experience, and it is what Hoi An is known for. These traditional lanterns light up the night. You will see a lantern on every boat, and it just looks magical at night. Also, if you can enjoy the full moon lantern festival.
This area is also known for tailored clothing made within 1-2 days. Many visitors get custom-made suits, dresses, or even shoes made here for a great, affordable price.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations – Ancient Town Hotel, La An Central Boutique Villa, Hoianan Boutique Hotel
Mid-Range Accommodations – La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa, The Saga Hotel Hoi An, Hoi An Eco Lodge & Spa
Luxury Accommodations – Allegro Hoi An . A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa, RiverTown Hoi An Resort & Spa
Next stop is Da Nang. Da Nang is known for its beautiful beaches with soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. Great place for relaxing, sunbathing, walking along the beach, and swimming.
There are so many great viewpoints here as well, especially at the Marble Mountains. You can climb up and see panoramic views and hidden caves with Buddhist shrines inside.
A must-see when in Da Nang is the famous Instagrammable bridge held by a giant stone hand. This is the Golden Bridge (Ba Na Hills). This is part of a theme park on a hilltop and can be reached by a cable car. Super unique experience.
Da Nang also has a dragon bridge, which is super unique and one-of-a-kind. This is super cool to see at night, where you can watch the dragon breathe fire and water.
Da Nang is about 30 kilometers away from Hoi An. So you could even stay at an accommodation in Hoi An if you would like. Here are some accommodations in Da Nang as well:
Budget-Friendly Accommodations – Haya Sunset View Hotel, Estrella Boutique Hotel
Mid-Range Accommodation – HAIAN Beach Hotel & Spa, TMS Hotel Da Nang Beach
Luxury Accommodations – M Hotel Danang, Sel de Mer Hotel & Suites
To end your 2-week Vietnam itinerary, visit Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam. This is a bustling city that is filled with colonial architecture, rooftop bars, city lights, interesting history, and amazing food.
First, head to the War Remnants Museum. This museum gives you a look into the Vietnam War and its impact.
Next, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels. This is a unique underground network used by the Viet Cong during the war. Here, you can even crawl through spaces and see bunkers from the war.
Explore the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. These landmarks show Vietnam’s French Colonial Past, and are super interesting.
Visit the Ben Thanh Market to shop for souvenirs, clothes, fresh fruit, and sample some of the best street food Vietnam has to offer.
Walk along Nguyen Hue, which is located in District 1 and is a pedestrian boulevard that is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, bars, and usually street performers too. Also, a great spot for a vibrant nightlife scene.
Lastly, visit the Bitexco Tower skydeck. Here, you can see the best panoramic views of the city. Located on the 49th floor observation deck, where you can also enjoy a drink at the Sky Lounge bar while enjoying the stunning views.
To explore Thailand, visit the blog post “THE ULTIMATE 10-DAY TRAVEL ITINERARY FOR THAILAND“.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations – Royal Hotel Saigon, Little Saigon Boutique Hotel
Mid-Range Accommodations – Happy Life Grand Hotel & Rooftop Skybar, The Odys Boutique Hotel, Me Saigon Boutique Hotel
Luxury Accommodations – Garden View Court Suites Ho Chi Minh City, Hotel Grand Saigon
What is the best time to visit Vietnam? The best time to visit Vietnam is between March and May, and also between September and November. The summer months from June to August are prime time as well, but the tourist season is very heavy, and prices tend to be higher as well.
Visa Requirements – Many countries do require Visas to visit Vietnam. These Visas can be applied for online and sometimes may even take a couple of months to get approved, so be sure to look into the requirements and allow yourself plenty of time to apply for a Visa.
What is the currency in Vietnam? Vietnam’s currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Credit cards are good to use when doing excursions, accommodation bookings, flights, or other transportation as well. When you are in the more rural areas of Vietnam then having cash will make it so much easier, as not all places accept credit cards.
What is the best type of transportation in Vietnam? Asia uses an app called Grab. Grab is very similar to Uber in other countries, and it is very reliable.
How to get internet access in Vietnam? Touristy areas and hotels will have wifi available, but more rural areas may not. The best thing to do is download an eSim through the app Airalo. This can be used worldwide, and they have a lot of different plans available for most countries.
What to pack for Vietnam? For backpacking in Vietnam, follow the guide from “MUST-HAVE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR BACKPACKING: HOW TO PACK SMART AND TRAVEL LIGHT“. For more general packing tips, check out the blog post “17 MUST-HAVE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS THAT ARE TOTAL GAME CHANGERS“.
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