Vietnam 2-week itineraries

 

This page presents what we deem to be the best two-week itineraries for the first journey to Vietnam. The article comprises a good share of practical information aimed at easing choices, organization and enjoyment of the journey.

 

In particular, this page aims to help you choose:

• Where to go in Vietnam during two weeks (which destinations to select for the first journey to Vietnam)

• How many days to spend in each travel destination (how to properly allocate time, making the most of the journey)

• What to visit, what to see (must-see places of interest in each travel destinations and nearby attractions)

• How to get around (comparison of different transportation solutions and suggestions on how to save time and money)

• Where to sleep (where to stay, best locations, suggestions on how to choose the hotels)

 

Contents

• Where to go (best travel destinations suitable for the first journey to Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Sa Pa, Ha Long Bay; tips on short side trips, detours)

• Suggested two-week itinerary (course, duration, allocation of time among the chosen travel destinations, short description of the journey)

• Where to find accommodation (for the main travel destinations: best locations and recommended hotels)

 

First journey to Vietnam: where to go and what to visit

If you are considering travelling to Vietnam for the first time, we suggest you should plan a journey which include Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Sa Pa and Ha Long Bay.

Not only do these destinations represent a good share of the best Vietnam has to offer but they offer a well-balanced travel experience in terms of variety and beauty of natural and cultural landscapes.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam's largest cities. They host much of Vietnam's historical sites and tourist attractions and display the sheer diversity of the country's culture. Different and often antithetical, the two cities are the poles of any first journey to Vietnam.

Not to be missed are also Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, and Hoi An, a picturesque town whose historical centre is beyond any doubts Vietnam's best preserved old quarter. Both these towns allow for plenty of side trips which allow for exploring the countryside and amazing beaches and seaside resorts.

While Ho Chi Minh City is the gateway to the exploration of Mekong Delta, the capital of Vietnam is the starting point for trips across the Tonkin region. From Hanoi it is possible to reach the northern mountainous region and the renowned Ha Long Bay, one of the greatest natural wonders in Vietnam.

 

Suggested 2-week itinerary

The following itinerary is conceived for those who visit Vietnam for the first time. The itinerary has a relatively slow pace, aiming to cater for travellers who enjoy to allow themselves time to understand and appreciate what they see.

 

Starting point

The journey begins and ends in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's main gateway. Those who manage to find a convenient multi-leg flight itinerary may opt for a different solution, typically involving onset of the journey in Ho Chi Minh City and ending in Hanoi.

 

Duration

We assume that 14 full days are available for the journey. Depending on the inbound and outbound flights, the total duration of the journey may be longer (15-16 days).

 

How to allocate the available time

We recommend the following schedule: 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, 3 days in Hoi An, 1 day in Hue, 2 days in Hanoi, 2 days in Sa Pa, 2 days for a cruise across Ha Long Bay.

Approximately four half days are absorbed by transfers (average duration: 5-7 hours; Ho Chi Minh City – Hoi An, Hoi An – Hue and transfers between Hanoi and Sa Pa).

Overland transfers often come with beautiful views; particularly interesting is the journey between Hoi An and Hue through Hai Van Pass.

 

Where to stay (Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Sa Pa)

The best solution is to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Sa Pa). The other destinations can be visited in the context of side trips from the above cities. Ha Long Bay is usually explored through a 2-day cruise.

 

Variants

Spending a night in the Mekong Delta region is a good choice. Doing so entails decreasing the duration of the stay in Hoi An.

 

Schedule
Destination	Length of stay (days)
Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta	3
Hoi An	2
Hue	1
Hanoi	2
Sa Pa	2
Ha Long Bay	2

 

Itinerary
Day	Destinations
1 - 3	Ho Chi Minh City and surroundings (with a 1 or 2-day trip across the Mekong Delta region)
4	transfer to Hoi An, first visit to the town during the afternoon
5 - 6	Hoi An (with excursions to Cham Islands and My Son Sanctuary)
7	transfer to Hue and first visit to the city during the afternoon
8	Hue, night train to Hanoi
9 - 10	Hanoi, night transfer to Lao Cai
11 - 12	Sa Pa and nearby villages, night-time return to Hanoi
13 - 14	cruise through Ha Long Bay (2 days, 1 night), return to Hanoi

 

Brief description of the journey

 

Journey

Day 1

Ho Chi Minh City

 

 

Especially if you don't come from other Asian cities, the most common way to enter Vietnam is to fly to Ho Chi Minh City.

Taking into account possible effects induced by jet-lag, for the first day it is better to plan very little. The most reasonable choice is to visit 2-3 attractions located in the city centre. A good choice is to visit the War Remnants Museum, the Jade Emperor Pagoda and Ben Thanh Market.

Day 2

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta

 

 

The next two days are spent in the Mekong Delta region, typically around My Tho, Ben Tre and Can Tho. The short trip allows to explore one of Vietnam's most interesting regions, both from natural and cultural standpoints.

This trip is normally arranged by a travel agency which takes care of everything, from transportation to accommodation.

Day 3

Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City

 

 

After finishing the trip to the Mekong Delta region, during you can return to Ho Chi Minh City and take a night train to Da Nang. Those who like more comfortable travel conditions might want to opt for a flight.

Day 4

Da Nang – Hoi An

 

 

After reaching Da Nang a short bus or taxi ride takes you to Hoi An. In the afternoon we suggest you visit the historical centre. A pleasant stroll and a nice dinner are more than enough for the day.

Day 5

Hoi An - Cham Islands

 

 

A full day can be used to explore Hoi An's surroundings, both the countryside and the northern beaches. Moving around by bicycles adds to the charm of the experience.

Alternatively, you can set out on a day trip to the Cham Islands, a beautiful archipelago that can be reached by boat from Hoi An in approximately 2 hours.

Day 6

Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary

 

 

An entire day can be devoted to exploring the local cultural heritage. A visit to the archaeological site of My Son Sanctuary and its stunning vestiges is highly recommended. The excursion provides plenty of opportunities to explore the beautiful countryside of Quang Nam province. After returning to Hoi An a final visit to the old quarter marks the farewell to the beautiful small town.

Day 7

Hoi An - Hue

 

 

Travelling from Hoi An to Hue may take 3-4 hours; we recommend that you opt for a longer scenic drive through Hai Van Pass. Travelling by train is another good option.

Once you reach Hue, a good choice is to explore the city centre and have a good dinner. Hue is famous for its exquisite gastronomy, especially suitable for vegetarians.

Day 8

Hue

 

 

The second half of the journey begins with an intense tour of Hue. The city's major artistic and cultural heritage landmarks are explored. The vestiges of Imperial Citadel, the solemn Tombs of the Emperors and the beautiful temples along the Perfume River will compose an amazing picture of Vietnam's ancient civilization.

In the evening you can take a night train bound for Hanoi. Alternatively, you may opt for a more comfortable but less interesting flight.

Day 9

Hanoi

 

 

A first encounter with the city is devoted to the city centre, the Old Quarter and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake. Not to be missed is the Temple of Jade Mountain, a gracious temple located on the lake. Those who want to plunge into the culture and history of Vietnam might want to visit Vietnamese Women's Museum.

Day 10

Hanoi

 

 

An entire day is spent in the area around Ba Dinh Square. Within walking distance are many of Hanoi's most significant cultural and historical sites, ranging from Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Museum to Thang Long Imperial Citadel and One Pillar Pagoda.

In the evening you can take a night train to Lao Cai.

Day 11

Lao Cai - Sa Pa

 

 

 

The visit to the mountainous region of Tonkin begins in Lao Cai. An interesting itinerary may lead to Sa Pa through a number of small villages.

The journey ends in Sa Pa where you can find accommodation in a family-run guest-house.

Day 12

Sa Pa and nearby villages

 

 

 

An entire day can be spent exploring the beautiful natural and cultural landscape around Sa Pa. Rice paddies, traditional houses, local markets generate beautiful images of harmony and display the rich variety of Vietnam's culture.

Among the most beautiful villages are Ta Phin, Lao Chai and Ta Van.

In the evening you can take the night train back to Hanoi.

Day 13

Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

 

 

 

Once you get to Hanoi, you transfer to Ha Long Bay where you can enjoy a wonderful cruise through one of Asia's most impressive landscapes. The mysterious, imposing and majestic karst landscape will not fail to generate unforgettable images and vivid impressions.

In the evening you can indulge in a romantic dinner on board the ship.

Day 14

Ha Long Bay - Hanoi

 

 

 

The cruise continues into the first half of the day. After getting back to Hanoi the remaining time is spent on buying some souvenirs or paying a last visit to the city.

 

Variants

In the short span of two weeks our recommended itinerary touches upon many of Vietnam's most important travel destinations.

The final part of the journey is quite intense. Nevertheless we recommend not to alter the schedule of the journey. Variants may involve changing duration of the stays in some destinations. For example it is possible to allocate 2 days for the visit to Hue.

Those who enjoy slow-paced travelling might want to drop a destination as to allow more time for other cities.

 

Other variants:

• Short seaside escape: those who want to spend some days at the sea can arrange for a stay in Mui Ne or Nha Trang (both locations make for an excellent stop along the journey between Ho Chi Minh and Hoi An);

• Two-day itinerary across the Mekong Delta: it is possible to spend one night in the Mekong Delta region. This allows for a longer itinerary which greatly increases the enjoyment of the experience.

   

Other variants are possible but we believe that our recommended itinerary makes for an ideal choice for a first-time journey to Vietnam.

 

 

 

How to get around (by train, plane, bus)

The journey we have just described can be accomplished without having to fly. As some transfers cover long distances (between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, between Hue and Hanoi), it is recommended you travel by sleeper trains.

Flights provide with a more comfortable but less interesting travel option. As time is limited, travelling by plane is therefore a very reasonable choice for this itinerary.

 

Where to stay (recommended hotels)

 

Index

 

Related articles:

Itineraries in Vietnam  |  First journey to Vietnam: classic 2-week itinerary