Your Ultimate 2 Weeks in Vietnam Guide: Pagodas, Pho and Fun!
Join us and spend 2 weeks in Vietnam. This beautiful country is rich in culture and has breath taking landscapes. Travel with us from the Northern misty mountains of Sapa to the buzzing nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City in the South.
In this complete guide we will give you details on how to spend 2 weeks in Vietnam.
How to Reach Vietnam
Vietnam is a long S-shaped country. It is easy to cover if you plan well. The best part about Vietnam is that its two major international airports are in Hanoi (North) and Ho Chi Minh city (South).
Here are some frequent flights to Hanoi (Noi Ba International Airport).
Departure City | Time Taken | Cost in USD | Airline | Stop |
Sydney | 9 hr 55 min | $300 | Vietnam airline | Nonstop |
London | 16 hrs 50 min | $580 | Qatar Airways/British Airways | 1 |
New York | 22 hr 15 min | $959 | Qatar Airways/American Airlines | 1 |
Mumbai | 8 hr | $200 | Indigo | 1 |
Here are some frequent flights to Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Sot Nhat International Airport)
Departure City | Time Taken | Cost | Airline | Stop |
Sydney | 8 hr 50 min | $204 | Vietjet | Nonstop |
London | 15 hr 50 min | $570 | Qatar Airways/British Airways | 1 |
New York | 25 hr 30 min | $585 | Qatar Airways/American Airlines | 1 |
Mumbai | 9 hr 5 min | $175 | Indigo | 1 |
Best Travel Route in Vietnam
It is best to start either from the North and end the trip in South; or vice versa. That way you can enter through one airport and exit through another.
We flew from Mumbai, India to Vietnam and decided to land in Hanoi. Our total round-trip – India to Vietnam cost us around USD 800- 1000 for 2 people.
Now let’s get into the Vietnam itinerary for 14 days
Is 2 weeks enough for my Vietnam trip?
Two weeks is a good time to travel across Vietnam.
If you can add one more week to your itinerary and make it 3 weeks in Vietnam, you can explore the country with a lot more ease.
Local Travel in Vietnam
Local Travel in Vietnam is very easy, thanks to multiple options. Especially is you are backpacking in Vietnam for 2 weeks, here are your
Trains:
Train travel in Vietnam offers a scenic and relaxing way to see the country.
- You can buy tickets at websites like 12Go.Asia
- You can also get on the go tickets at station counters.
Buses
Buses are easy and cost effective mode of travel in Vietnam. f you are in a hurry, then buses may be an issue, as they are usually overnight or take a long time.
- You can buy bus tickets at bus stations (using vending machines or in-person).
- You can get tickets from websites like 12 go Asia to different options of buses.
- Limousine buses: Better for shorter routes.
- Sleeper buses (2-sleeper or 3-sleeper): For comfortable overnight trips.
- Note: You have to take off your slippers when you enter the bus. You will be provided with a plastic cover where you can keep your shoes. You will be provided with slippers in case you get off for a break.
taxi
Taxis are an easy way to roam within city or travel short routes.
- Grab: A reliable app-based option for affordable travel.
- G7 Cabs: Traditional, metered taxis offering consistent pricing.
- Car with Driver: $75–$100 per day.
Scooter/2-wheeler
- You can get Grab scooter taxis which are very cheap and super fast.
- You can also rent a scooter for $5-15 USD. This depends on which place you are in touristy cities like Hanoi or Da Nang might cost you more than offbeat cities like Dalat.
WhAT TO DO IN VIETNAM FOR 2 Weeks
Start your first week in the North. Reach Hanoi and then check out the different towns and cities in the North.
Day 1-2: MISTY mountains of sapa
You can reach Sapa from Hanoi by taking a 5-hour sleeper bus. The cost of the bus one way is around USD 10-15.
Things to do in Sapa.
Sapa is a beautiful mountain town, which is often overlooked but is a must-visit. You can read our Weekend Sapa Itinerary to know everything about places to visit, costs and entry times.
If you love adventure, add the Ha Giang Loop—a thrilling 3-day motorbike trip through Vietnam’s most scenic routes.
Don’t worry if you can’t ride; there will be other riders and you can enjoy this trip as a pillion. If you want to extend your North Vietnam Itinerary, the Ha Giang loop is the perfect addition.
Day 3-5: capital city hanoi
Return back to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Spend 3 nights in Hanoi, with a day trip in between. Let’s go.
Things to do in Hanoi
- Temple of Literature: Visit this exquisite monument, which was the first university in Vietnam. The building stands strong as a testament of knowledge and culture.
- Old Quarter and Beer Street: Get lost in its charming, chaotic streets of Old Quarter. Visit the Beer street at night and enjoy the nightlife of Hanoi.
- Train Street: Witness Asia’s coolest train experience, with train coming inches away from you.
- Do a day trip to Ha Long Bay/ Tam Coc: You can plan your itinerary in such as a way that you book a Ha Long Bay cruise which starts at 7-8 am and ends by 7 pm. If you are looking for something not so commercial, do what we did. Travel to Ninh Binh province and take a boat ride in Tam Coc. You can also hike up Dragon Mountain, and cycle through Hoa Lu.
Where to stay in Hanoi
When in Hanoi check out these places to stay. Most of them are near old quarter and easy to access:
2 weeks in Vietnam: Week 2- Central & Southern Vietnam
Let’s move down from the North to the central part of Vietnam and then to the final leg South of Vietnam.
Day 6: Royal Home Hue
A short flight from Hanoi (USD 170-200) took us to Hue, Vietnam’s ancient capital. Most people miss this but from Hanoi it is very easy to fly here before going to the next destination.
Things to do in Hue
- Abandoned Water Park: Hard to find, but worth the adventure! The eerie vibe and scenic bike ride make it special. Check out our video below and see how super cool this place is.
- Imperial Citadel: Spend half a day here to explore the history of the Nguyen Dynasty. This dynasty ruled over 200 years in Vietnam before Hanoi became the capital. The citadel is huge and you need at least 4-5 hours to explore.
- Sunset by the River: Enjoy the beautiful city and walk around the riverfront.
To find the best places to stay in Hue check out our complete guide to Hue.
Day 7-9: Da Nang & Hoi An (Beach vibes and Lanterns)
Move to your destination through a stunning 3-hour train ride from Hue to Da Nang. Try to fit this train ride in your itinerary. We wanted to do this and that’s why added Hue to our trip, making it a perfect offbeat route.
Things to do in Da Nang
- My Khe Beach: Chill at a beach club and soak in the vibes.
- Lady Buddha Statue: A serene hilltop spot with stunning views.
- Ba Na Hills: We couldn’t visit due to bad weather, but the cable car ride is famous, to this fairy tale adventure park. Make sure you check the weather before planning a trip. It is a 2.5 hours road trip from Da Nang.
Just 40 minutes away, Hoi An is pure magic. It is famous for ancient town which is a UNSECO world heritage site. You will feel like you have landed in an old story with cute cafes, vendors, river and lanterns.
Places to stay in DA Nang: TOP 10 picks
Da Nang is an excellent place for Value for Money when it comes to stays and hotels.
Some of the hotels are super reasonable that may offer ocean view and include free breakfast as well.
Check out our top 10 picks.
Things to do in Hoi An
- Lantern Festival: If you time your visit right you can attend the Hoi An lantern festival that happens once every month. The entire ancient town shuts off power and lights lanterns. You can also put in a lantern in the Hoi An river to make a wish.
- Tailor Shops: Get a custom outfit made in just 24 hours. We got this done and it was just marvellous. A perfect fit in just 5 hours. -shorts
- An Bang Beach: Visit the much more unique An Bang beach which has a hippie aura unlike the relaxed beach cafes in Da Nang.
Can I go on a day trip from Da Nang to Hoi An?
Yes, you can go from Da Nang to Hoi An for a day trip and be back. It takes 40 min by road to reach Hoi An. You can take a grab taxi, or a scooter to do this.
You can roam around the Hoi An old town, have lunch in a cozy café and even visit the An Bang beach.
Places to Stay in Hoi An
Find lovely stays in Hoi An right here! This charming city deserves atleast a few nights stay, as all the hotels here are curated beautifully to match the city.
Let’s go
Day 10-11: Quirky city Dalat
Many travellers go to Nah Trang, which is another beach town down out from Danang.
If you don’t want to visit one more coastal destination, you can do what we did. Travel to Dalat, one of the coolest and most unique cities in Vietnam.
Take an overnight bus from Da Nang to Dalat. It costs about USD 15-20.
Things to do in Dalat
Dalat is a pleasant hill town in South-central Dalat.
To be honest Dalat is our personal favourite in the entire country, and Vietnam’s best kept secret.
Check out our ultimate guide on Dalat and absolutely crazy things to do there.
Day 12-14: Ho Chi Minh City – Urban Vibrancy at its best
A 7-hour bus ride brought us to Vietnam’s largest city and economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh
- Cu Chi Tunnels: A must-visit to understand Vietnam’s war history.
- District 1 and 3: Witness the countries best nightlife in this city. Enjoy amazing food.
Ho Chi Minh is more influenced by west as compared to its Northern counterparts, so the crowd is cosmopolitan and the food is diverse.
Places to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
If you are looking for party places and vibrant night life in Ho Chi Minh then try District 1.
District 2 is the place where lot of expats stay.
District 3 is another amazing area in the economic hub of the country, where you get cosmopolitan food choices and great cafes.
Here are some options for you.
Food to Try in Vietnam
Throughout our journey, we indulged in:
- Pho – A hearty noodle soup.
- Banh Mi – The best sandwich ever.
- Egg Coffee – A Hanoi specialty.
- Fresh Seafood – Especially in Da Nang!
There are many more delicacies in this country. In our 2 weeks in Vietnam we only touched the tip of the iceberg. Enjoy culinary delights for both meat lovers and vegetarians.
How can I avoid food poisoning in Vietnam?
To avoid food poisoning in Vietnam
- Drink bottled water.
- Eat in restaurants that have a rating over 4 stars. Find restaurants which are crowded, the more people you see eating the better the food will be.
- Try avoiding meat if it looks uncooked and from unknown local shops.
- Keep over-the-counter medication. You can get these in pharmacies in Vietnam as well. You do not need prescription for these medications.
Vietnam Best Travel Months
Best travel months for Vietnam are largely November to April, as the weather is dry and even cool in the North.
However, Weather in Vietnam is diverse and varies from region to region. Let’s take a look.
North: May to October is hot and humid with higher chance of rainfall in Hanoi and the other northern cities. November to April can be cool, pleasant and dry. As it is the North, December and January can be very cold months. So if you love nippy weather that’s the time for you, or else you can avoid.
Central: This part of the country is relatively temperate. September, October and November can witness high rains. Otherwise the climate is hot and humid throughout. We visited the country in May and we got sporadic showers throughout.
South: From November to April the weather in dry and hot. June, July and August are the rainy months in Ho Chi Minh and other Southern cities.
Final Thoughts
So now that you know all about our 2 weeks in Vietnam itinerary, what are you waiting for?
Pack your bags and head to this vibrant, warm and culturally rich destination.
If this itinerary helps, check out our Vietnam videos on YouTube. Subscribe for more local travel content. See you in the next adventure!
