2-week Vietnam Itinerary: The best of Vietnam in only 2 weeks
In April 2023, we travelled 3 weeks in Vietnam. Our original plan was to visit all of Vietnam but as we were planning it, we decided to focus on the north and center of Vietnam. Therefore allowing more time in both those regions.
And to be honest, on 3 weeks, we couldn’t see all of Vietnam and focused on the North and Central part of the country. In this 2-week Vietnam Itinerary, we packed everything we learnt there and improve our itienrary in order to get the best of Vietnam in only 2 weeks.
Our recommended 2-week Vietnam Itinerary starts  in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. This complete 2-week vietnam itineray stills include: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay/LanHa Bay, Tam Coc (Ninh Binh), Hue and HoiAn.
Compared to the 3-week itinerary we followed, we will avoid moving and travelling too much and include a few day trips in order to save lots of time.
So, if you too are looking to visit Vietnam, than this 2-week Vietnam itinerary is for you. So, let’s dive into it.
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Vietnam Itinerary Overview
Let’s start our 2-week Vietnam itinerary a complete overview of what it will look like:
- Day 1: Hanoi (Arrival)
- Day 2: Hanoi (Old town, Water Puppets, Food Tour)
- Day 3: Hanoi (History, Lake, Temple)
- Day 4: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
- Day 5: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
- Day 6: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
- Day 7: 2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay
- Day 8: 2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay
- Day 9: Hoi An (Arrival, Old town, Lantern Making Class, Food Tour, boat tour)
- Day 10: Hoi An (My son sanctuary, Basket boats)
- Day 11: Hoi An (daytrip to Hue)
- Day 12: Hoi An (Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave Tour)
- Day 13: Hoi An (Ba Na Hills SunWorld with the Golden Bridge)
- Day 14: Return to Hanoi and flight out
2-Week Vietnam Itinerary: Day by day
Day 1: Hanoi (Arrival)
Let’s kick of our 2-week Vietnam itinerary by flying to Hanoi, passing the border and transferring to your accommodation. After taking a well-deserved shower, head-out for a first stroll around the city centre of the Capital of Vietnam. Â Go grab a bite (consider the Hanoi Social Club which also has live performances at night)
Be sure to have gotten an eSim before you arrive to easily stay connected.
Where to stay, (€): Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa, (€€):  San Grand Hotel, (€€€): Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
Read More: 15 Best things to do in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi (Old town, Water Puppets, Food Tour)
Now we can truly start our 2-week Vietnam itinerary. After breakfast, begin by visiting St Joseph Cathedral of Hanoi, the oldest church in Vietnam. Next head to one of the most unique coffee shops in town, the note coffee (a must to include in your 2_week Vietnam itinerary).
From there, simply keep strolling around, stop in a few shops, visit a few temples, pass by the beer streets, and have lunch at Hoang’s restaurant.
It is now time to visit the Ngoc son temple located on the Hoà n Kiếm lake before trying an egg coffee at Café Giang (another must-to consider in your 2-week Vietnam itinerary).
After that, it will be time for the water puppet show that last for 50 min. And to finish the day tale the guided Food Tour with Train Street to be sure to enter the train street.
Tip: One thing that you shouldn’t miss out, is a manicure or a pedicure. Prices for those are great and the service top notch. So, do stop at a saloon while walking around the old town.
Where to stay, (€): Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa, (€€):  San Grand Hotel, (€€€): Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
Read More: 15 Best things to do in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi (History, Lake, Temple)
To continue your 2-week Vietnam Itinerary, let’s explore the historical part. Start with the magnificent temple of Literature. Then take a small break at Cong café to try out of the famous coconut coffee of Vietnam.
Your next stop is just around the corner, the imperial citadel of Thang Long. For lunch, try out a delicious vegan buffet at veggies castle.
To start the afternoon, walk around the West Lake and admire some more of the local telecom. And visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi.
From there, start walking south, pass the Quán Thà nh Temple to arrive at the last monument of the day, the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.
Hanoi has lots of cute coffee shop, so let’s try another one. Take grab to Loading T coffee and enjoy a fresh herb tea.  Next, you can stroll more around the old quarter and for dinner why not try a pizza at 4P’s Pizza Bao Khanh.
Where to stay, (€): Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa, (€€):  San Grand Hotel, (€€€): Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
Read More: 15 Best things to do in Hanoi
Day 4: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
On day 4 of our 2-week Vietnam itinerary, you will embark on the beginning of a 3-day journey that starts by heading to the Ninh Binh province. Once there, you will visit the Bai Dinh Temple Complex, the largest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam.
Then have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and most beautiful wooden boat ride of the region. To end your adventure in Ninh Binh, climb to the top of Mua Caves for a stunning view of Tam Coc before heading to a homestay for an overnight stay.
End the day with a bicycle ride around the village
Read More: 9 Best things to do in Tam Coc & 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
Day 5: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
After breakfast keep on this 2-week Vietnam itinerary by taking the bus to continuing your 3-day journey to Halong Bay and check in your cruise ship where you will have lunch. The cruise will bring you through Con Vit Islet, Thumb Islet, Gia Luan Harbor, and Lan Ha Bay.
After dropping the anchor, it will be time for some kayaking or swimming at Ba Trai Dao Beach or, depending on the weather, visit Dark Cave and Bright Cave.
At sunset, gather on the deck to enjoy the brilliant colors and learn how to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls.
After dinner, enjoy a large selection of cocktails at the panoramic bar, play board games, watch a movie, or go squid fishing
Read More: 3-Day Luxury Cruise in Halong Bay & 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
Day 6: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
Start your day with an early morning Tai Chi session on the deck. Enjoy a light breakfast while taking in the views of the bay.
Later, you will visit the Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island. Then have a Vietnamese lunch before ending the cruise.
Disembark and take a speedboat back to Tuan Chau Marina before heading back to your accommodation in Hanoi. The bus will drop off at Hanoi Old Quarter around 3PM.
Read More: 3-Day Luxury Cruise in Halong Bay & 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay
Day 7: 2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay
For us, visiting SAPA is a must while in Vietnam and that’s the reason, we also included it in our 2-week Vietnam itinerary. The easiest way is by taking the 2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay
In the morning hop on a sleeper bus departing for Sapa. After lunch, trek through the rice terraces and along the Muong Hoa Stream. Arrive in the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai surrounded by Hoang Lien Son Mountain. Continue to the ethnic village of Ta Van to check into your homestay and get to know the family.
Read More:Best things to do in Sapa
Day 8: 2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay
Continue you 2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay and enjoy a local breakfast prepared by the family where you stayed before continuing your trek through rice paddies and the bamboo forest. Get a panoramic view of Giang Ta Chai village before crossing the Giang Ta Chai Bridge, where a bus will take you back to Sa Pa for lunch and a shower before the return trip to Hanoi.
Read More:Best things to do in Sapa
Day 9: Hoi An (Arrival, Old town)
To continue our 2-week Vietnam Itinerary, it is time to go to Hoi An.
The quickest way to get to Hoi An is by flying from Hanoi to Da Nang, the nearest airport to Hoi An which takes about 1.5 hours. After arriving in Da Nang, you can take a taxi or a shuttle bus to Hoi An, which takes around 40-45 minutes.
A famous thing to do in Hoi An is to get custom clothes, so start by heading to a tailor and get some done.Â
After that, time to head around the old city of Hoi An. Be sure to make a stop at Reaching Out Tea house for a coffee or tea degustation.
In the afternoon, go for a Lantern Making Class to make your own memorable souvenir. At night, be sure to go back to the old town that is even more lively. Try the Evening Food Tour and then go on a small boat tour.
Where to stay: (€): Hoi An Merrily De Art Hotel (€€): Cozy Savvy Boutique Hotel Hoi An (€€€): Allegro Hoi An . A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa
Read More: 1st Class Sleeper Train From Hue to Hoi An
Day 10: Hoi An (My son sanctuary, beach, old town)
We opted recommending staying in Hoi An as it is a good base to visit all the site around. On this second beat the crowds and the heat with a Early Morning Visit of My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An. Immerse yourself in local Champa culture, learning about the sanctuary from your local guide. Taste local flavors with a noodle breakfast and coffee after the tour.
Once back in Hoi An, head for the old town and have lunch. In the afternoon, hit the beach or enjoy some fun activities with the basket boat spinning, fishing crabs and casting the fishing net.
In the evening, let’s get back to the old town. It is that magnificent that you cannot get bored of it
Where to stay: (€): Hoi An Merrily De Art Hotel (€€): Cozy Savvy Boutique Hotel Hoi An (€€€): Allegro Hoi An . A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa
Read More: 9 Best Things to Do in Hoi An
Day 11: Hoi An (daytrip to Hue)
We loved our time in Hue and for us it is a must to visit even in a 2-week Vietnam Itinerary. But to save time, we would do it from Hoi An as a day trip. Plus, it avoids changing too many times accommodation.Travel back to the Nguyen Dynasty on a multi-stop tour from Hoi An and Da Nang to Hue. See the Imperial City, the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Get a taste of Hue cuisine during lunch at a local restaurant.
After being picked-up in Hoi An, the journey to Hue begins by crossing one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world, the Hai Van Pass. Once in Hue, visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a blend of Western and Eastern architecture dating the 19th century. Then, enjoy lunch at a local specialty restaurant serving Hue-style dishes. With a full tummy, continue to Hue’s main attraction, the Imperial Citadel. Once the home of the Nguyen Emperor, the citadel also contains the Forbidden Purple City. To finish your time in Hue, explore Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s largest pagoda. Built in 1601, it is the subject of many local folk rhymes and is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue.
Read More: Best things to do in Hue
Day 12: Hoi An (Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave Tour)
If you do not feel like renting a scooter and doing it on your own, go on a half day tour to visit Son Tra Mountain, also known as Monkey Mountain. Then, visit the Lady Buddha statue, the tallest Buddhist statue in Vietnam, reaching a height of 220 feet (67 meters). Next, visit a local stone factories and sculpture shops, before visiting Marble Mountains.
Continue with the visit of the Âm Phủ cave, to take a walk through a re-creation of Buddhist hell. At midday enjoy lunch in a local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese dishes before being dropped back in Hoi An.
Enjoy the afternoon at the beach.
Read More: Best things to do in Hue
Day 13: Hoi An (Ba Na Hills SunWorld with the Golden Bridge)
Go on a full day adventure to the Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills SunWorld. Once on the site take the cable car up to Golden Bridge. Enjoy sightseeing the beautiful natural forest while going up. Then walk and take photos of the Golden Bridge, the Flower Garden, the Linh Ung pagoda and the Wine Celar.
Take the second cable car up to French Village to enjoy lunch with a buffet of more than 80 dishes. Walk around the European Architecture Village Entertain in Fantasy Park with thrill-games, adventure game, 4D, 5D movies
Take the cable car down the mountains and once in Hoi An, finish your day in the old town or at the beach.
Day 14: Return to Hanoi and flight out
And unfortunately, it is time to go back home and end this 2-week Vietnam itinerary. Fly to Hanoi and then back home.
It is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way
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