Looking for the perfect Vietnam 2-week itinerary? Look no further! With its diverse landscape, friendly people, rich culture, and delicious food, Vietnam is an amazing and budget-friendly destination that begs to be explored.
This guide is filled with insider tips, including the best transportation and accommodation options. Explore Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling capital, before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An. Next up is the vibrant city of Hanoi, followed by a hike through the remote mountains of Sapa. Finally, end your adventure with a relaxing cruise on the stunning Halong Bay.
Vietnam offers an incredibly wide range of experiences for travelers. Get ready to discover the best of Vietnam in a 2-week itinerary and start planning your dream trip now!
If you are planning an itinerary in Vietnam, you will love these articles:
- Vietnam 2-Week Itinerary Overview
- How To Get Around Vietnam 2-week itinerary
- Vietnam 2-week Itinerary
- DAY 1 Vietnam Itinerary: Explore the busy Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
- DAY 2: Explore the busy Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
- DAY 3 Vietnam Itinerary: Take a Day Tour to Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta
- DAY 4 Vietnam Itinerary: Uncover the Atmospheric Hoi An
- DAY 5 Vietnam Itinerary: Continue to Explore the Best of Hoi An
- DAY 6 Vietnam Itinerary: Continue to Explore the Best of Hoi An
- DAY 7 Vietnam Itinerary: Take a Day Trip to the Hindu Sanctuary of My Son
- DAY 8 Vietnam Itinerary: Take a Day Trip to the Marble Mountains
- DAY 9 Vietnam Itinerary: Travel to Sapa Town
- DAY 10 Vietnam Itinerary: Hike the Misty Mountains in Sapa and Experience Homestay with Black Hmong
- DAY 11 Vietnam Itinerary: Hike the Misty Mountains in Sapa and Experience Homestay with Black Hmong
- DAY 12 Vietnam Itinerary: Travel to Hanoi to continue the trip to Halong Bay
- DAY 13 Vietnam Itinerary: Relax on Board a Junk Boat on Halong Bay
- DAY 14 Vietnam Itinerary: Relax on Board a Junk Boat on Halong Bay
- Vietnam Trip Resources
- Vietnam 2-week itinerary Conclusion
Vietnam 2-Week Itinerary Overview
Vietnam is a large country, and you will need to plan in advance in order to make the most of your itinerary in Vietnam. Here is a quick overview of the itinerary I put together, as I consider it the perfect route to see the best of Vietnam in 2-weeks. If you click on each destination, you will find a full itinerary of each location and all the information and logistics associated with each city.
| DAY ACTIVITY | OVERNIGHT LOCATION |
|---|---|
| DAY 1: Uncover the organized chaos of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) | Ho Chi Minh City |
| DAY 2: Discover the history of Ho Chi Minh, visit the Market and the War Museum | Ho Chi Minh City |
| DAY 3: Take a side trip to Co Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta | Ho Chi Minh City |
| DAY 4: Travel to Hoi An and start exploring the Ancient Town | Hoi An |
| DAY 5: Explore the best of Hoi An | Hoi An |
| DAY 6: Visit the village of Cam Nam, explore the markets and the rice fields | Hoi An / My Son Sanctuary |
| DAY 7: Take a day trip to the Hindu Sanctuary of My Son | Hoi An / Danang |
| DAY 8: Take a day tour to Danang/ Marble Mountains | Hanoi/ Night Train to Sapa |
| DAY 9: Travel to Hanoi/ Take a night train to Sapa | Sapa (Homestay) |
| DAY 10: Hike in Sapa and Homestay with a Black Hmong family | Sapa (Homestay) |
| DAY 11: Hike in Sapa / Take a night train back to Hanoi | Sapa (Homestay) |
| DAY 12: Cruise the Halong Bay | Halong Bay |
| DAY 13: Cruise Halong Bay | Halong Bay |
| DAY 14: Cruise Halong Bay | Departure |
How To Get Around Vietnam 2-week itinerary
Vietnam 2-week Itinerary
DAY 1 Vietnam Itinerary: Explore the busy Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
- Read More: A Perfect 3-day itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City
- Suggested Tour: An excellent option is to join this Ho Chi Minh City Guided Tour where you will have the chance to explore the best things to do in the city, accompany by a professional local guide.
The best way to start your Vietnam 2-week itinerary is by strolling the busy streets in HCMC. At first, you will get overwhelmed with the people, smells, and especially the traffic. Don’t you worry, it is normal and after a day you should feel more comfortable around this chaotic city!
There are a lot of things to do in HCMC. Take your time to explore and have fun just wandering around, trying street food, drinking Vietnamese coffee, walking the alleys, and getting lost – you will see a lot of interesting things and it is a great introduction to Vietnam.
In the afternoon, visit the Ben Thanh Market where you can find all sorts of produce and souvenirs. But if you’re interested in buying something, practice your negotiating skills. As expected, the vendors normally start at a price of 50% higher because bargaining is expected.
Finish the day by heading to Pub Street. There are many bars and restaurants, including the rooftop. This street is a mix of locals socializing, being seen or working hard selling all sorts of things, and tourists having fun. It’s a place to observe and immerse in the culture of the younger Vietnamese people.
If the Pub Bar sounds too much for you – handling the noise and crowds, another excellent option is to join the Bitexco Tower offering stunning views of a 70-floor building, followed by a Dinner Cruise tour down the Saigon River.
Best Accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City:
- TOP OVERALL PICK: Hotel Grand Saigon is one of the most budget-friendly luxury hotels in District 1 and it’s set in a restored colonial building.
- BUDGET: Toi’s Travel Home Central is a quirky place that offers both dormitory-style rooms and private rooms so there’s something for every budget
- MID-RANGE: Icon Saigon – Lifestyle Design Hotel is an excellent location for exploring Ho Chi Minh City as the Saigon Opera House and the City Hall are both nearby.
- LUXURY: The Myst Dong Khoi is a luxury 5* hotel that’s known for its spectacular interior design, sophisticated rooms, and fantastic facilities.
DAY 2: Explore the busy Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
Start your second day of this Vietnam 2-week itinerary by enjoying the beautiful architecture in Ho Chi Minh City. Walking around Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll observe the strong French influence in some architecture, cuisine, and even some ways of life, since Vietnam was once a French colony.
Head to Ho Chi Minh City Hall, a gorgeous building with a French colonial design. Just a short walk you can see other landmarks from the French, Notre Dame Cathedral, and just across the street the beautiful Saigon Central Post Office. Just a short walk visit the Reunification Palace, built in the 60s, during the Vietnam War to be the president’s residence.
The afternoon I spent visiting the War Remnants Museum, but while the exhibits are very moving in the way to show the reality of the war, it can be difficult to swallow some of the reality.
Expert Tip:
I was well-located and walked to the sites in the city. I have found that walking is a great way to explore a city and get to really see it. When needed, I took an Uber and it worked great at a very low rate, I super recommend it. Renting a scooter is an option, but unless you grew up in a major city in Vietnam, I would not recommend it. Traffic rules are very different and the roads are super congested. (Think about walking through a shopping mall during a Christmas rush…now imagine it on scooters instead of walking…that is Ho Chi Minh City).
DAY 3 Vietnam Itinerary: Take a Day Tour to Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta
Third and last day of your Ho Chi Minh itinerary, take it outside the city and explore the amazing surroundings. The Chu Chi Tunnels are located about 90 minutes from HCMC. The site is fascinating and very educational to visit as these tunnels were used during the War.
This side trip is a must if you have time, and I not only enjoyed it but also learned a lot. I booked a private tour from a pick-up at my hotel and for a day I explored the Mekong Delta, visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, and had other amazing activities included for a very affordable price, with a local guide who explained all about this region.
My Recommendation for the Best Tour:
- This is the tour I used and the one I recommend: You will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the most popular places in Vietnam related to the Vietnam War, built by the Viet Cong in their fight against US forces, these narrow tunnels allowed soldiers to live supply routes.
- After visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels you will head to the Mekong Delta, an incredible opportunity to see floating markets, swampy mazes, and rural rice paddies.
DAY 4 Vietnam Itinerary: Uncover the Atmospheric Hoi An
- Read More: Top Things to do in Hoi An
- Suggested Transportation: I flew Vietnam Airlines from Saigon to Danang, approximately a 1.5-hour flight.
Next on this Vietnam 2-week itinerary, I took a flight heading south along Vietnam’s coast, and I spent a few days in the amazing city of Hoi An. Smaller and more laid back this ended up being my favorite city in Vietnam. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the 15th to the 19th century and it is very well preserved.
Hoi An is also well known for tailor-made clothes and shoes – oh, so dangerous for your wallet! Ho An is very conveniently located on Vietnam’s central coast, making it an ideal location for side trips.
Take your first day to stroll around the Hoi An Ancient Town and enjoy the ancient yellow buildings, as they are exceptionally well-preserved and you will easily spend time just wandering from one picturesque street to the next without getting bored.
While here, you can rent a motorbike or a bike and explore the old town, the beaches, and the rice paddies around the town. Traffic here is much calmer and experienced scooter riders will not feel uncomfortable driving. I also used the scooter to take a side trip to Danang.
Best Accommodations in Hoi An:
- TOP OVERALL PICK: Little Riverside Hoi An is a gorgeous hotel situated along the Thu Bon River and is home to endless facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, an on-site spa, a restaurant, and a bar
- MID RANGE: Golden Holiday Hotel & Spa has beautiful rooms and even better it is super affordable, especially as breakfast is included with your stay.
- LUXURY: Allegro Hoi An – A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa is a 5* hotel located close to the Japanese Covered Bridge and offers free bicycle use so you’ll have no problems exploring Hoi An.
DAY 5 Vietnam Itinerary: Continue to Explore the Best of Hoi An
Today is another great opportunity to continue to explore Hoi An. Start your day walking by the river, and visit some of the landmarks like the Japanese Covered Bridge, dating from the 17th century.
In the town, there are a number of houses you can visit, such as the Tan Ky and the Duc An homes are two of the more popular ones to visit, so make sure you allow some time for this! These two buildings have been inhabited for generations, with the Duc An House being around 400 years old.
After you emerge on some of the stunning architecture, it is time to enjoy the tailor shops in Hoi An. The streets and galleries are packed with tourists carrying designer magazines, and the local tailors can reproduce pretty much anything!
Once the sun goes down, the city transforms to the street yellow light and you should make your way to the Hoi An Night Market, where you can find souvenirs, carving, and some amazing street food.
My Recommendation for the Best Tour:
- This night market tour of Hoi An includes a walking tour of the Ancient Town and then you’ll have a 30-minute cruise along the river. This will give you the perfect opportunity to see the city lit up at night!
DAY 6 Vietnam Itinerary: Continue to Explore the Best of Hoi An
In the morning, take an adventure across to the island village of Cam Nam, it is calmer than the city center and you can see plenty of fruit trees. If you love fresh food and are curious to see where the yummy food in Hoi An comes from visit the Tra Que Vegetable Village and experience the small farming community.
There is also amazing food in Hoi An to explore. This tour is limited to twelve people and you’ll get to visit some of Hoi An’s best foodie hotspots. Not only will you get to try authentic cuisine but you’ll be given other recommendations during your stay!
You can also rent a bicycle and ride on dirt roads and concrete paths among the rice fields. This is another great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and observe the life of the locals who work in the fields. End your day relaxing by the public beach of An Bang Beach or Hidden Beach.
Best Tours in Hoi An:
- If you’d prefer a local’s advice then I recommend checking out this walking food tour
- I highly recommend this awesome cooking class that takes place in someone’s home so you’ll get the ultimate local experience.
- This Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An focuses on using the freshest ingredients possible and will teach you how to make four traditional Vietnamese dishes.
DAY 7 Vietnam Itinerary: Take a Day Trip to the Hindu Sanctuary of My Son
- Read More: Ultimate Guide to visit My Son Sanctuary
- Recommended Tour: My Son Sanctuary Luxury Trip will take you to visit the temples of My Son, also including a cooking class and lunch at a local home, and a boat ride.
There are so many places to visit around Hoi An as a day trip. On day 7 of this Vietnam 2-week itinerary, I choose to visit My Son Sanctuary, located only 1 hour from Hoi An. You can rent a motorbike or hire a private guide to drive you.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son is located in a lush rainforest creating a dramatic site. It was built between the 4th and 13th centuries CE, and during this time, Cham was a unique culture that developed on the coast of modern Viet Nam and had its spiritual origins traced back to Indian Hinduism.
Back to Hoi An, don’t miss the Precious Heritage Gallery by world-famous photographer Rehahn. His mission to collect and photograph the costumes of each of Vietnam’s native tribes is stunning to behold. For dinner, you have plenty of amazing options for cafes and restaurants for some traditional or fusion food.
My Recommendation for the Best Tour:
This tour is the best option if you are looking to combine a visit to the My Son Sanctuary, and also, visit the main sites in HoiAn with a local guide. It includes hotel pick up and the whole length of this tour is approximately 7 hours.
DAY 8 Vietnam Itinerary: Take a Day Trip to the Marble Mountains
- Read More: Complete guide to visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang
- Recommended Tour: Marble Mountain from Hoi An Private Tour, is a 6-8 hours tour with a local guide, offering the best opportunity to learn and explore the best of this Vietnam area.
On day 8 of this Vietnam 2-week itinerary, I rented a motorbike and took a day trip to the city of Danang, to visit the Marble Mountains. A group of five limestone and marble mountains several of which you can climb. You can easily spend a full day exploring this fascinating site!
It is easy to get here, only a one-hour drive from Hoi An. Also, it is cheap, you will find amazing opportunities for photos, have fun exploring the intriguing pagodas and sites, pulse get a 360 degrees view from the top!
The Marble Mountains in Danang are a group of unique five limestone and marble hills in the Ngu Hanh Son District. The mountains’ sheer, porous limestone is punctuated by caves, hiking trails, and tunnels, which are fitted with spectacular Buddhist and Hindu shrines.
My Recommendation for the Best Tour:
If you don’t want to rent your own motorbike to go visit Marble Mountain, this excellent tour offers hotel pick up and they will take you from Hoi An during a 4-hour journey to visit the Marble Mountains and the Lady Buddha.
DAY 9 Vietnam Itinerary: Travel to Sapa Town
- Read More: How to do an authentic homestay in Sapa
- Suggested Transportation: I flew Vietnam Airlines from Danang to Hanoi, and took a night train from Hanoi to Sapa
From Hoi An I flew to Hanoi, which is an approximately 2 hr. flight. Arriving in Hanoi I had my night train already booked to Sapa, so I took an Uber from the airport to the train station. You can check options for the night train. While in Sapa, the only transportation you will need is your feet. My night train arrived early morning in Sapa town and my Black Hmong guide was waiting for me at the train station, as I had made arrangements with my guide prior to my trip to Vietnam.
We started hiking to the steep mountains of Sapa. We hiked for about 4 hours, and we arrived at my Homestay at my guide’s house, where she cooked an amazing meal on the fire pit in the middle of the kitchen, while I played with the kids.
If you don’t want to do a homestay with one of the tribes in Sapa, you have the option to visit only the town of Sapa and its surroundings, with the opportunity to visit some villages for a day of hiking.
My Recommendation for the Best Tour:
- If you also want to visit Sapa during your Vietnam itinerary, you have the option to book a tour in advance with a travel agency, and I recommend choosing an ethical tour operator like this one. Or you can book directly with a local lady, if you are interested in my friend Bau, please leave me a comment at the end of this article and I will personally connect with you to provide her contact information.
DAY 10 Vietnam Itinerary: Hike the Misty Mountains in Sapa and Experience Homestay with Black Hmong
On day 10 of my Vietnam 2-week itinerary, I started with an amazing homemade and fresh breakfast, we left for another day of trekking, visiting some local remote villages, visiting the local school, crossing bridges, and seeing some local ladies washing clothes in the river, and visiting the local market to shop for fresh ingredients to cook dinner at my homestay.
During my Sapa hiking, besides the challenges to hike on muddy terrain and up the hills and narrow paths around the rice paddies, I was constantly rewarded with stunning views of the mountains and the villages.
I watched a family making knives and swords, visited the school in the village, crossed beautiful bridges, and saw local ladies washing clothes in the river. Along my hiking in Sapa, I also crossed pigs, dogs, water buffalos, chickens, and cows…all animals walk freely or on private property and I loved seeing people respect animals and treat them as part of their family.
Read More About My Experience in Sapa:
- I would recommend you to read more about what a typical day at a homestay in Sapa looks like, where share a lot of details you will love to learn before you go trekking Sapa and do a homestay with a local hill tribe.
- Also, this 3-day itinerary in Sapa will explain in detail what to expect when you go hike and homestay in Sapa.
- This article explained all about the sustainable tourism of homestays in Sapa
DAY 11 Vietnam Itinerary: Hike the Misty Mountains in Sapa and Experience Homestay with Black Hmong
When you choose to go trekking Sapa and do an authentic homestay, be prepared for a real-life experience with the local hill tribes. They will share everything with you. I really mean, EVERYTHING! Their house, the families, their culture and even their clothes and they’re…well, partyyyyy! 😉
I was so honored to be invited to a local wedding and I have decided to skip the last day of trekking to participate in a traditional and authentic experience. If you are lucky and stay with a local family, you most likely will have the best experience and will participate in the real life of the local tribes in Sapa. I have written a very comprehensive Sapa Ethical Travel Guide.
The fun part started when I had to dress appropriately for the party, which means, I wouldn’t wear my fancy muddy trekking clothes, but instead, I had to wear one of the traditional Black Hmong homemade beautiful clothes. I am not a big girl, but still, the clothes were small for me, considering that the Black H’Mong people are smaller than me.
After the party, I head back to Sapa town and took my night train back to Hanoi.
DAY 12 Vietnam Itinerary: Travel to Hanoi to continue the trip to Halong Bay
- Read More: Best Luxury Cruises in Halong Bay and also Best Overnight cruises in Halong Bay
- Recommended Transportation: Took a night train from Sapa to Hanoi. My cruise tour operator picked me up in Hanoi with a shuttle to Halong Bay.
I took the night train in Sapa back to Hanoi, and I was picked up by my cruise company. I rode in a mini-bus with other travelers from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The cruise company also transported us back to Hanoi (round trip Hanoi-Halong was included in the cruise). The drive was 4 hours each way.
Spend the day sailing among the majestic limestone tasks and relaxing on board the junk boat. Have a drink on the rooftop while appreciating the amazing limestone formations. Visit the floating village and get to see how some local families still live on the bay.
Visiting Halong Bay involves taking a tour, and there are boats of all different budgets, sizes, styles, and with different activities offered, and I recommend doing your research to find the most suitable option for you. Some highly recommended are:
My Recommendation for Tours in Halong Bay:
- La Pinta Cruise was my choice for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay, and I highly recommend it. The boat is great, the accommodations are very comfortable, and the service and food are outstanding.
- All-Inclusive 3-day & 2-night Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay route tours are one of the most amazing options out there! Not only will you get to visit a variety of destinations, but this cruise puts more of an emphasis on onboard activities and socializing.
- 2-Nights on Best Balcony Cruise is the perfect option. Ran by Halong Bay Cruise Hunters, you know you’re in for a fantastic time as this company has thousands of reviews on Tripadvisor.
DAY 13 Vietnam Itinerary: Relax on Board a Junk Boat on Halong Bay
Halong Bay is the most visited place in Vietnam and every year millions of people come here, and for a reason. The opportunity to sail on a junk ship through hundreds of dramatic limestone mountains isn’t something to be missed.
There are so many karst islands and rocks rising from the water in every direction that it looks mystic. There are caves, secret lagoons, sea gypsies, and approximately 1,900 islands and islets that will just take your breath away. For this reason, the only way to visit Halong Bay is by boat.
The cruise lines offer different tours. The one I took I go to visit a cave which was very intriguing.
In the afternoon I grabbed a kayak and explore the Bay taking the time to appreciate the beauty of this unique place. At night enjoy a very fun cooking class on board your junk boat.
DAY 14 Vietnam Itinerary: Relax on Board a Junk Boat on Halong Bay
Last day of my 3-day cruise, lounging out on my balcony while watching the majestic scenery of this place before I get back on the road and continue my amazing journey on the way to a week in Cambodia.
Check the section below for very helpful logistics to plan your safe and fun Vietnam 2-week itinerary and safe travels!
Vietnam Trip Resources
Planning a Trip to Vietnam
During my planning for the Vietnam 2-week itinerary, I researched the internet and also, bought some books and maps to help me with my itinerary in advance. An excellent guidebook that I used during my itinerary preparation is the Lonely Planet Vietnam Guidebook, as it has tons of great information.
Also, visiting at least one big city to get the vibe of the unstoppable lifestyle in Vietnam is a great idea and you can check between Hanoi vs Saigon and see which city fits best for you. I booked almost everything in advance – flights, accommodation, trains, and tours to Sapa and Halong Bay.
Keep in mind that pre-planning, researching, and understanding what you are looking for will help make your travels far more successful and safe. Make sure you check the following articles:
- Vietnam Travel Tips: Everything you need to know before your trip
- 7 Days Vietnam Itinerary
- Best Hoi An itinerary
- Best Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
- Best Hanoi Itinerary
- Best Da Nang itinerary
- Incredible things to do in Mui Ne
- 10 Most Incredible Halong Bay Luxury Cruises
- Halong Bay Overnight Cruises: Best things to do + Best Tours
- 15 Essential tips before you go on a cruise in Halong Bay
- Complete Guide to visit Marble Mountain
- Complete Guide to visit My Son Sanctuary
- 3-day in Sapa Itinerary + Authentic Homestay
- All you need to know before you go to Sapa Homestay with a Black Hmong family
- Sapa Ethical Travel: Why you should book with an independent guide
Arrival in Vietnam
You will need a visa to visit Vietnam. You can either apply for a visa via the Vietnamese embassy/ consulate or via one of the methods below:
- Visa on Arrival (VOA) – This is the most popular option for visitors arriving by plane. Go to Vietnam-visa.com to fill out an online application and pay the US$20 fee. You will receive an email with the VOA letter that you print out and show upon your arrival in Vietnam, and you will need to pay for your visa stamping in US dollars, cash only. The single-entry stamping fee is US$25, and the stamping fee for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 3 months is US$50.
- E-Visa – Citizens of around 80 countries, including the USA and UK can apply for a single entry e-visa valid for 30 days and costs US$25.
Where to Stay in Vietnam
While the right accommodation options depending on your travel style, I am providing some recommendations for places to stay in Vietnam for each stop during my 2-week Vietnam itinerary.
Vietnam has plenty of accommodation options from hostel to luxury, as well as between and you will find whatever is suitable for you. Consider if you are planning to visit during the high season and book your accommodation in advance.
Accommodation in Vietnam is generally very affordable, and you have many options to choose from. Check the best options for hotels, B&B, or Villas.
If you value local or unique experiences like me and like to have a more authentic experience in the places you visit, check the options for guest-house.
How Much Does It Cost 2 Weeks Itinerary in Vietnam?
Traveling around Vietnam is very affordable, and prices can vary quite a lot depending on your preferences. Some people can travel around Vietnam spending an average of $30 a day per person – considering if you eat street food and use a hostel for accommodation.
My trip to Vietnam was a mid-range budget of $72 per day per person. I used a combination of 3 stars hotel, a homestay with a local family in Sapa, with a 5-star cruise in Halong Bay, which was also my biggest expense. I ate street food and also some meals at a restaurant. I opted to fly from one location to another since it saved me time. See below my average price for 2 people to spend 2-week in Vietnam:
| ESTIMATED COST FOR 2-WEEKS | |
|---|---|
| LODGING | $20 – $40 – per night |
| STREET FOOD | $5 (per meal/ person) |
| RESTAURANT FOOD | $20 (per meal/ person) |
| FLIGHTS | $50 per flight (per person) |
| HALONG BAY TOUR | $300 (per person for 3 days) |
| ATTRACTIONS | $200 (total for 2 weeks/ person) |
When is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?
The weather in Vietnam can be split by region.
- In Hanoi & the north, May to October is hot and humid with high rainfall; November to April is cooler and dry.
- In the far north, December & January can be particularly cold.
- Central Vietnam experiences hot, dry weather between January & August when temperatures can hit the mid-30 °C; whilst high levels of rainfall can occur in September, October & November.
- Southern Vietnam is generally dry and hot from November to April, and warm and wet between May & October, with the highest rainfall in June, July & August.
What to pack for Vietnam 2-week itinerary
- A travel backpack bag for a change of clothes
- Dry-fit clothes and layers are also a great idea
- Some warm clothing is needed as the mornings and nights can be quite cool
- Comfortable shoes
- Summer dress
- A pair of jeans
- A rain jacket is a must any time of the year
- Hiking pants
- Extra socks, hat, underwear, and swimsuit if you plan to swim in the waterfall
- Toiletry, toilet paper, and mirror
- Personal items such as medication, flashlight, sunscreen, insect repellent, and wipes
- Some snacks and a water purifier bottle
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More Tips for Your Vietnam Itinerary
- Book in Advance – Especially if you are traveling during the high season. You will have more options to choose from accommodations, and you will have a better plan for activities and transportation options.
- Halong Bay – I recommend doing the 3-day cruise, as you can see more of the majestic beauty of this place and also, relax during your busy travel schedule.
- Visit Hoi An – Even if you are short in time, prioritize Hoi An as it has so much to offer and the side trips are amazing.
- Vietnamese Coffee – In my option, it is the best in the world!
- Homestay in Sapa is amazing – If you have the time, include Sapa in your itinerary. Read here more about my experience with homestay with a local tribe.
- Mind the weather – Don’t underestimate the weather, as it can be extremely hot in the summer and very wet.
- Crossing the streets – In the big cities, the traffic is INSANE. Traffic lights don’t mean they will stop for you. Please, be careful!
- Cover up – When you visit temples and pagodas.
- Bargain – Negotiating price is not rude, it is expected!
- Buy SIM card in Vietnam: You can buy a SIM card in Vietnam at the airport, upon your arrival in the country. You’ll find dozens of kiosks selling SIM cards as soon as you exit the baggage claim area in any of Vietnam’s international airports.
HUAWEI E5577s-321 Mobile WiFi Router
I recommend buying this WiFi router. You can insert any SIM card around the world, and it shares data across all your devices, up to 10, via WiFi and the battery lasts up to 12 hours.
Vietnam 2-week itinerary Conclusion
This is a very detailed Vietnam 2-week itinerary, and I hope this can help you to plan your trip and explore the best of Vietnam. Vietnam is a safe country to visit, and it is great for anyone visiting on a budget too. Just make sure you pre-plan in advance, and if you have any additional questions or suggestions just leave a comment below.
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This is brilliant! Such a perfect itinerary for two weeks. Where is your fave spot in Vietnam? I miss the food sooo much! All the best, Cassie xxx
Do you know what I like about this blog? I don’t need to read any other to have a perfect itinerary! Congratulation, very good reading
This is a great Itinerary. I have been thinking of going at the end of the year if that’s possible or maybe next year. This will come handy.
I’d love to go on a SEA tour one day and this will definitely be helpful. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I canceled a trip for April to Vietnam so this will be helpful when I rebook. Such a complete itinerary.
I needed this! I’m planning to go next year (hopefully the pandemic is over by then). I was there in 2015 for a press trip but only stayed for four days in Halong-Hanoi area. Pinning 🙂
What a detailed Vietnam guide! I’ve been wanting to go for ages and will definitely keep this article handy 🙂
What a wonderful itinerary, Paula! I love SEA so I am sure I will use it on my next trip here ? Vietnam has been such a bucket list destination for me and your photos make me wanna go there asap.
I absolutely LOVE Vietnam! I spent a month there a couple of years ago and did a very similar route to you! I especially loved Hoi An and Ha Long Bay. I would also recommend stopping at Ninh Binh if you go again!
This is so great! Vietnam has a special place in my heart <3 Thanks for the helpful guide!!
Saving this one for when travel resumes. We’ve been wanting to go to Vietnam for years, and it seems like we should actually try to make it happen. Great post!
Such a great and thorough guide 🙂 Thanks so much for all the info! I haven’t been to Vietnam yet, but it’s on my list – hopefully in the future!
Hi Nele, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this guide. I hope you get to visit Vietnam one day, it is an amazing destination to explore.
Thank you Agnes, I am happy to help. I loved Vietnam and I am sure you will love it too!
Brit, I hear you – Vietnam has a special place in my heart too. Not only the gorgeous landscapes, but the people help to make this place even more amazing.
Thank you Ellie, I will absolutely keep your advice to visit Ninh Binh next time. I agree with you, Hoi An and Halong Bay are absolutely phenomenal places and I cannot wait to go back to Vietnam.
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this guide Charu. I hope you get to travel to Vietnam soon.
Thanks Jiayi for visiting my blog and I am glad you found my guide helpful. I hope you get to visit Vietnam soon, you will love it!
I am so glad to hear you found my guide useful. Hopefully next year traveling will remain and be safe. I am also planning to go back to Vietnam, as I made some dear friends there.
Hi Karen, first of all I am sorry you had to cancel your trip to Vietnam. But hopefully you will rebook it at a safer time, I cannot wait to go back to explore our wonderful Planet.
I hear you! I have been exploring SEA for a few years now and each place I visit, I hold a very special place in my heart. I have been wanting to go and spend a few months on a row next time.
Hello Suvarna, I am so happy to hear you found my itinerary handy. Hopefully you will be able to visit Vietnam anytime soon too.
Thank you so much Fernanda. I try to put as much detail as I can into my itineraries and I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it.
Hi Cassie, thank you so much for checking my blog and for your kind feedback. My favorite place in Vietnam is Sapa, I absolutely love horw isolated and I made a great friend there from the H’mong hill tribe. Ohhhh the food, one of the best in the world, right?