2 Weeks in Vietnam - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

On this fast-paced trip, you'll cover the classic highlights of Vietnam, beginning in the south with Ho Chi Minh City and working your way north to the capital, Hanoi—perfectly suited to first-time visitors. Stop along the way at the Mekong Delta, charming Hoi An, the former imperial city of Hue, and the paper-flat waters of Ha Long Bay.

Beginning in southern Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, you'll tour historic highlights over two days, like the Viet Cong tunnel network at Cu Chi, plus visit temples unique to the region. On Day 3, you'll leave for a boat ride on the famous Mekong Delta, where you'll visit floating river markets and enjoy bicycle tours around the unspoiled countryside. Then, you'll fly north to Da Nang and drive down the coast to Hoi An, located at the mouth of the Thu Bon River. A tour of this historic port city includes stops at local meeting halls and old covered bridges, plus fishing excursions on the river in traditional basket boats.

Day 6 involves a visit to the Ba Na Hills, followed by a free day before traveling to the imperial city of Hue. Here you'll tour the ancient mausoleum and the final resting place of past emperors before flying to Hanoi. Not only will you enjoy cultural tours of the city's museums and colonial Old Quarter, but you'll also take a cycling tour of the outlying rural villages. The next day, you'll travel to the Gulf of Tonkin to embark on a two-night cruise around Ha Long Bay, known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands. You'll dine on seafood, witness sunrises, and make stops for swimming in the lagoons and exploring sea caves, returning to Hanoi for one last night. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Vietnam Off-the-Beaten-Track Adventure

For the intrepid traveler, enjoy this two-week adventure as you cycle and hike off the tourist trail, from relaxed countryside villages to isolated mountain towns beyond Sapa in Vietnam's north. Plus, there's time left over to explore classic highlights like Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Arriving in Hanoi, take time to check out famed Bun Cha Huong Lien for their Hanoian dish bun cha (noodle soup with grilled pork), followed by a guided tour of the Ba Vi countryside, meet and greet with locals in Ri and Moc, and a bike ride amid rice paddies. On Day 3, you'll transfer north to Sapa, nestled near the Chinese border, and ride the cable car to Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. Enjoy easy treks the next two days to visit ethnic communities, like the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai and Gian Ta Chai, a Red Dao village. You'll walk through wild scenery, shop wares from local villagers, and admire sweeping vistas of the Sin Chai Valley.

Days 6, 7, and 8 lead you farther north to trek first near Bac Ha, then in the Ha Giang region, and finally through rice terraces, forests, waterfalls, and tiny villages to Khoa Thuong. Then it's a four-hour drive to beautiful Ha Long Bay to board your junk boat for an overnight cruise of the paper-flat UNESCO-listed landmark, stopping for a swim and kayak paddle. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City the next day for a short stay before taking off for the lush Mekong Delta. Cruise the Ham Luong tributary, visit workshops along the river and kayak canals, and check out the colorful Cai Rang Floating Market, where you'll order lunch from a floating vendor. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Vietnamese Culinary Journey: Hanoi, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh

An itinerary with foodies in mind, delight your tastebuds as you cover the length of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Taking a slower pace, this culinary journey hits Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City with an overnight aboard a boat in the famous Ha Long Bay. You'll Sip cocktails overlooking Hanoi's West Lake, learn Vietnamese plate carving in Hoi An, and sample a variety of dishes on an evening food tour of buzzing Ho Chi Minh City.

Take in the sunset over Hanoi from the Pan Pacific Hotel's rooftop bar on your first night. The next day, roll up your sleeves and shop for ingredients alongside an esteemed chef and learn to prepare Vietnamese. On Day 3, spend the day touring the city, visiting sites like the iconic One Pilar Pagoda and Temple of Literature, followed by an evening street food tour. Board an overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay, sailing as you dine on fresh-caught seafood before you transfer to the riverside town of Hoi An in time for a culinary tour. Feast on white rose dumplings and my quang (flavorful rice noodles), washed down by a cup of Vietnamese coffee.

Enjoy the next three days exploring nearby Cam Than, a fishing village, in a basket boat, sipping fruit drinks in quaint cafés and lunching on banh mi sandwiches from renowned Madam Khanh Banh Mi, and learning the art of plate decoration at the Red Bridge Cooking School. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City on Day 10 and cap off the day with an evening food tour around the city on a motorbike. The remainder of your trip is spent diving into its history and culture as you explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, Notre Dame Cathedral, and War Remnants Museum and local life with a day trip to the Cai Be Floating Market on the Mekong River Delta. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Discover Vietnam's Local Culture & Idyllic Beaches 

Adding the resort town of Vung Tau to the trip plan, you'll cover plenty of Vietnam's classic highlights, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Plus, you'll have four days of relaxing on the powder sand beaches, diving into the country's wartime history, and picking up a hiking trail in coastal Vung Tao.

Starting in Hanoi, get out and explore the buzzing capital on a cyclo your first night, learn the ancient art of water puppetry the next, and tour the Ba Vi countryside on Day 3, stopping in the villages of Ri and Moc to mingle with locals. Transfer to Ha Long Bay to kayak and swim in secreted grottoes before participating in a cooking class at Vy's Market Restaurant in charming Hoi An and sample signature dishes like cao lau (Hoi An noodles). See farmers at work on a bike tour of Cam Thanh and watch fishermen cast nets as you ride a basket boat on the Do River. Fly south to Ho Chi Minh City for a little urban exploration.

Then transfer to peninsular Vung Tau on the South China Sea the next day for four days of history, culture, and relaxation. Stroll the Vung Tau Promenade and lie out on Thuy Van (Black Beach). Pay your respects on Day 10 as you delve into Vietnam War history, stopping at Long Tan Cross Memorial. Then check out Thang Tam Temple (Whale Temple), featuring the bones of the revered mammal. Your last day in Vung Tau is for relaxing on the beach and riding the cable car to Ho May Park for sweeping vistas. Return to Ho Chi Minh City to take in a performance at the Saigon Opera House before your departure the next day. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Backroads of Vietnam: Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City

Take the backroads and immerse yourself in authentic Vietnam on this well-rounded itinerary. Between hitting the highlights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, you'll venture into the countryside to mingle with locals and bike amid rice paddies in Ba Vi, catch crabs in the hamlet of Dong Tam, float past villages along a tributary of the Mekong, and learn to barter at the Cai Rang Floating Market.

Dive right into Vietnam's culture in Hanoi with a bowl of bun cha, a noodle soup that's served Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain, tour the city, and learn to pick the best leaves at a tea plantation on a tour of the countryside. Day trip to Ninh Binh province, bike from Tho Ha to explore the rural landscape, partake in agricultural activities in Dong Tam, and row beneath the stalactites in the Galaxy Grotto. Overnight in Ha Long Bay followed by two nights in the former capital of Hue. Enjoy a guided tour of the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, explore the Imperial Citadel, and visit the impressive Tu Doc Royal Tomb.

Transfer via the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An to discover its mix of architectural styles. Visit remote villages along the Thu Bon River by bike, stopping in Tra Que vegetable village and Cam Thanh fishing village before getting in a basket boat and net fishing like a local. Head to Ho Chi Minh and tour the city on the back of a motorbike before going underground in the Cu Chi Tunnels and perusing the wares at Ben Thanh market. Cruise along the Ham Luong River on Day 12, a tributary of the Mekong, and kayak and bike to further explore the rural way of life, followed by boating to the Cai Rang Floating Market on your last full day. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Vietnam Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Vietnam? Check out these other two-week Vietnam itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.