2 Week Vietnam Itinerary: Travel North to South in 14 Days

Two weeks in Vietnam is the perfect amount of time to truly appreciate the different destinations this country can offer. This 2 week Vietnam itinerary is pretty much the exact route I traveled myself, starting in Hanoi and making your way down the coast of Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam has many different landscapes to offer, from mountainous rice terraces to dramatic cliffy islands to bustling cities. You will surely be enthralled with the culture and landscapes of this Southeast Asian country, and this 14-day itinerary will introduce you to a little bit of everything.

Halong Bay, Vietnam; Image by Gary Cacciatore, Unsplash

Do You Need a Visa to Visit Vietnam?

Some countries such as the UK allow 14 days inside Vietnam for free (visa on arrival). Citizens of 80 countries, including Australia, can apply for a visa to Vietnam online using the country’s new e-Visa system. The Vietnam e-Visa, introduced in 2017, is a 30-day online visa that allows visitors to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days.

The e-Visa for Vietnam is meant for various purposes, including tourism, business, education, family visits, investment, journalism, and labor employment. Delivery of the electronic visa takes three working days after the payment has been made so you need to make sure to apply before you travel and know it’s not a visa on arrival (don’t make the same Vietnam visa mistake I made)!

Vietnam Visa for Australians is an electronic visa that allows Australians to enter Vietnam for a wide range of purposes as a part of visa-free travel. Using an e-Visa, you can enter the country only once and stay for a total of 30 days.

The main advantage of the Vietnam e-Visa is that it’s easy to apply. Using a credit or debit card, you can pay the fee for the online application in just a few minutes and answer some simple questions.

2 Week Vietnam Itinerary from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Scenes from the streets of Hanoi

Day 1—Arrival at Hanoi

Welcome to this land of architectural splendor – Vietnam’s capital city is brimming with travel opportunities. Enjoy a filling breakfast or brunch at a local eatery to get your day started right.

A Vietnam itinerary would not be complete without sampling the local cuisine. While you’re there, consider taking a top-rated Hanoi food tour. You can’t go wrong with the Egg Coffee, Banh Cuon (steamed rice roll), Banh Gio (pyramidal dumpling), and Bun Rieu (rice cake) (Crab paste vermicelli).

During the rest of the day, you can ride a rented bike around Hanoi or simply walk around the city’s Old Quarter neighborhood. Because Hanoi is known for its bustling nightlife, the evenings are expected to be active. Bia Hoi U Phao, a well-known Vietnamese restaurant, is a great place to relax and enjoy a drink.

Day 2 – Explore Hanoi’s Stunning Attractions and Museums

Begin the day with a trip to some of the city’s most awe-inspiring historical landmarks. You can’t miss the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, visit Hoan Kiem Lake, a freshwater lake, and Ngoc Son nearby.

If you wish to do some shopping, head to the famous “36 streets,” which are a veritable shopping mecca with a distinctly regional flavor. Get your hands on artwork, embroidery, food, coffee, silks, stuffed toys, watches, silk products, and other goodies!

The Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century, is also worth a visit. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Ho Chi Minh’s preserved body in his mausoleum at the Ho Chi Mnh museum in Ba Dinh Square -a popular tourist destination in Vietnam. You can also visit other museums like the Women’s Museum and Fine Arts Museum.

End your day at a popular restaurant for dinner— Tini Cafe, Red Bean Trendy Restaurant, The Railway Hanoi, or Grandma’s Restaurant.

Day 3 – Day Trip to the Astonishing Limestone Mountains of Ninh Binh

An extraordinary sunset in Nin Binh (Unsplash)

Today it’s time for a day trip to Ninh Binh – I recommend this one to see all the best sights in one day. But first, food! Banh mi (Vietnamese bread) or noodle soup at Pho 10 restaurant is an excellent way to start the day. After a hearty breakfast, join the tour to the Ninh Binh Province for a full day of exploration.

Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave are stunning locations in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, where visitors can see valleys, caves, and limestone peaks. The tour includes a boat ride through the caves where you can truly enjoy one of Vietnam’s breathtaking scenery.

Visit one of Vietnam’s most popular locations where the Hollywood film “Kong: Skull Island” was shot after finishing your meal at a local eatery. Prepare to go on a photo blitz in this location.

Day 4-5 Exotic Halong Bay 2 Day Trip

Ha Long Bay views (Unsplash)

Ha Long Bay is best experienced over multiple days, with a night or two spent in some basic yet magical accommodation on one of the islands or on a boat. You can experience one of the most incredible sunrises ever, and a morning boat trip you’ll never forget.

Spectacular limestone islands dominate the landscape of Halong Bay. You can take a ferry boat from the mainland to experience these incredible islands, coves, and beaches firsthand. For the most convenience, take a 2 day tour that includes transportation from Hanoi, or check out the best Halong bay cruise options. These tours will show you all the best spots.

After day 5 you’ll head back to Hanoi where it’s time to get on a night bus to Da Nang. Or, you can sleep in Hanoi and take a flight in the morning.

Day 6 – Arrive in Da Nang Vietnam

Da Nang beach views

Flights from Hanoi are the quickest and most convenient way to get to Da Nang, or you can take an overnight bus if you are on a budget like I was. Check into a hotel and make yourself at home in this laid-back city in Vietnam and savor a few quick bites before getting started on your day exploring Da Nang.

I noticed that a lot of people tended to skip over Da Nang on their Vietnam trips, and I don’t understand why as I absolutely loved exploring this fascinating city. Here are some reasons to visit Da Nang and things you can do during your day here.

On your first day have a quick explore around the downtown area and the big flashy shops. Save the big adventure for tomorrow. You might need a rest today!

Day 7: Explore Da Nang on Ypur 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary

Da Nang beach just outside the city

There are lots of places to explore in Da Nang from the bustling city to some incredible bridges to lush green forests and hilltop views.

The Ba Na Hill Mountain Resort is a stunning place to visit outside of the city. Take a cable car ride to the top for spectacular views. You can also take a stroll through the ecological park and marvel at the fantastic replica of a French village. Enjoy the breathtaking natural splendor as you stroll across the magnificent Golden Bridge too!

Today might also be a good day to head to the beach – there are MANY in Da Nang – or take a scooter around the Mui Da Dang peninsula to Son Tra Mountain, and to visit the Chua Linh Ung Buddhist temple with its huge white buddha.

Day 8 – Head to Hoi An – Scooter Road Trip or Bus

Road trip views

To get to Hoi An, you can either take a bus OR have the adventure of your life and rent a scooter in Da Nang and DRIVE there! This is what we did, and it was so much fun. You can truly see more amazing coastal viewpoints this way, and stop to explore more of the Vietnamese coast.

Arrive to Hoi An and check into your hotel for a relaxed rest of the day, especially if you drove here. The port city of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a wide range of attractions and things to do. The city sits on a beautiful river and has no shortage of beautiful walks and great food.

Day 9: Explore Hoi An and Get Some Custom Made Clothes

River outside Hoi An old town (Unsplash)

For your day in Hoi An, you have the option of spending a lazy day at the Ong Pagoda watching people pray or exploring the Chinese assembly halls in search of exciting photos for your Instagram feed. The Old Town is incredibly charming and has plenty to explore.

Stop by the Japanese Bridge for a truly breathtaking view if you have time, and keep a lookout for the famous Hoi An lanterns between the Japanese Bridge and the An Hoi Bridge.

Hoi An is famous for its tailors, and many travelers come here to get custom-fitted suits or any other type of clothes! It’s a really fun thing to do on your Vietnam itinerary and super cheap too. You can show the tailors photos of any outfits and they can do their best to recreate them for you. I got a super cute backless romper and top/shorts set.

Day 10-11 Vietnam Itinerary – Head to Nha Trang

Nha Trang main beach and offshore islands (Unsplash)

To be honest, Nha Trang isn’t my favorite destination but I had to include it as it’s a natural place to stopover on your way from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City. It tends to have a lot of interesting expats and definitely has some beautiful beaches.

When I was here I took a night bus to another night bus, but that’s not a very appealing way to see the city. Spend one night here to split up your journey between Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh city. Head to the beach or any of the famous islands off the coast for incredible sea views.

There’s also a famous amusement park here if you are into that kind of thing, and an aerial cable car with some incredible views too. You can also do some waterfall treks or go scuba diving too.

Day 12- Get to Ho Chi Minh City

Rooftop views of Ho Chi Minh City

You can either take a flight from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh or another night bus – about 8-10 hours. The city is a must-see if you plan on visiting Vietnam, and you will surely feel the difference between the south and the north while here.

After getting here you might be exhausted from this jam-packed 2 week Vietnam itinerary. If you aren’t… you didn’t do it right! 😛 Check into your accommodation today and have a rest/quick explore of the town in your area.

Day 13: Explore Ho Chi Minh City

War Remnants Museum Ho Chi Minh City

Begin your day with a bowl of Pho from a street vendor. Slurp up a bowl of these Vietnamese-style hot noodles and appreciate the crazy bustle of the city – maybe even with a Vietnamese iced coffee in hand.

Take a stroll through Ben Thanh Market, which is known for its chaos. The War Remnants Museum is probably the most significant museum in the city with artifacts from the Vietnam War.

Attend an opera performance at the Saigon Opera House later on in the day. You can also see some truly unique water puppetry at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre. Have a night out on Bui Vein Street tonight – you’ve earned it!

Day 14 Vietnam Itinerary: Take a Day Trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels

Exploring the Cu Chi tunnels – can you believe they fit in here?

For some more fascinating and bone-chilling war history, take a day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels today. These are the tunnels that the Viet Cong used during the Vietnam War to move around and surprise American/South Vietnamese soldiers.

The tunnels total over 250 kilometers are are often tiny, dirty, and stuffy but give you an idea of the mind-blowing lengths people went to back then during the War. You will also be able to experience some museum exhibits and jungles around the city.

For the most reliable tour, check out this one here.

Did You Enjoy your 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary?

Let me know if you have any questions or feedback on this Vietnam itinerary – was it too fast or slow? Should anything else have been included? Let me know in the comments below!