Are you looking for an awesome itinerary for your 2 weeks in Vietnam?
Vietnam is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting places to visit. Vietnam has some of the world’s best cuisine, breathtaking natural landscapes, and long-lasting history. Because there is so much to do in Vietnam, it can be challenging to figure out what you should do in Vietnam for 2 weeks.
Don’t be concerned! We will cover everything you need to know about Vietnam in this comprehensive itinerary, including the best time to visit, places to go, and activities to join. We hope that this itinerary will make your 2 weeks in Vietnam more memorable.
When Is The Best Time of Year To Visit Vietnam?
Considering the best time to visit somewhere is necessary when planning your trip.
One of the most challenging aspects of planning a trip to Vietnam is that the weather varies significantly from region to region. Vietnam features distinct climates in the north, center, and south. As a result, finding a time that works for the entire country can be difficult.
For example, while the climate in the south is warm and dry from December to February, that in the north can be pretty cold at this time.
In general, spring is the best time to visit Vietnam and enjoy pleasant weather throughout the country, especially in March and April.
Day 1 – 2: Hanoi
Day 1
Let’s begin with some of Hanoi’s most popular attractions. The Vietnamese capital has many attractions, and you can plan your itinerary using the suggestions below:
- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum should be the first location you should visit.
- You can spend the rest of the day exploring other parts of the city. After visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Vietnam Military History Museum, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum are also well worth your visit.
- In the evening, the “Beer Bia Corner” is recommended. You can sit on the footpath with locals on tiny plastic chairs and drink draft beer with your friends. Snacks and meals are also available for your order. It’s not the most comfortable spot in town, but it’s the most entertaining!
>> Read more: Best Time To Visit Hanoi – The Capital of Viet Nam
Day 2
Hanoi is not a city where you can live in a hurry. That’s why we’ve scheduled a second day here. There are several options for filling a day that I would recommend:
- One option is to take it slow and see a few sights you missed on your first day. Spend your time exploring the French Quarter’s cafes and restaurants.
- There’s a lot of great food in Hanoi so you can take a food tour. Furthermore, the food will give you a good understanding of how street food in Hanoi tastes before you begin traveling throughout the rest of the country.
- An excellent photography tour along the local railway lines is also a great experience. Or if you like something more adventurous, don’t miss out on a bike tour around the surrounding countryside and villages.
Day 3: Ninh Binh
There’s no better way to spend your final day in Hanoi than a trip to Ninh Binh province. Ninh Binh, located in the south of Hanoi, is a rural area with natural beauty.
For many, the feeling of leisurely drifting on a small boat through the scenic landscape is a fantastic experience when staying in Ninh Binh. Whether in Trang An or Tam Coc, you’ll see high mountains, rice terraces, and a few caves. Then, you can climb to the top of Hang Mua temple for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Aside from nature, Ninh Binh’s landscape features many religious and historical sites. The ancient Bich Dong pagoda is not far from the Tam Coc river cruise, while the temple complex surrounding the Bai Dinh pagoda stands alone to the north.
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is an important historical site worth visiting. This site was the capital of Vietnam between the 10th and 11th centuries, located among steep karst mountains. The city is now in ruins, but some fortifications and temples are unspoiled and worth your visit.
Day 4 – 5: Ha Long Bay
One of the famous tourist attractions in Vietnam is Ha Long Bay, located on the country’s northern coast. UNESCO recognized this fantastic and stunning natural wonder as a world heritage site. The bay consists of 1,600 limestone islands with an area of over 1,500 sq km.
It’s advised to take a tour to experience Ha Long Bay. The following are two Ha Long Bay tours that are highly recommended:
- On the Halong Day Tour with Dragonfly Cruise, you’ll see islands, caves, and kayaks.
- An Amazing 2-Day Tour in Halong Bay with Deluxe Cruises.
On your first day, you will leave Ha Long city and visit the Ha Long Bay islands. In addition to enjoying the magnificent scenery, several activities are also available. Your cruise may include activities like kayaking, visiting floating marketplaces and towns, taking cooking classes, and squid fishing. Besides, you can take a trip to a vantage point on Monkey Island at sunset and climb into Sung Sot cave.
On the second day, you can embark on a leisurely voyage back to port. It’s great to see the Ha Long Bay islands while lounging on your boat’s deck. This is an excellent opportunity to unwind before moving to the place.
Day 6: Hue
The Imperial City is the ideal site to begin your journey in Hue. This place has been recognized as a world cultural heritage with unique architectural and historical values. Hue Citadel is highly recommended if you love to learn more about history and explore the beauty of ancient architecture.
The next place you should visit in Hue is Thien Mu Pagoda. You’ll be impressed with this seven-tier pagoda because of its unique architecture. This place’s view is magnificent because you can overlook the poetic Huong river.
Hue is also well known for many tombs of kings, such as Khai Dinh Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, and Tu Duc Tomb. They all boast unique architectural features that are worth seeing. Especially, they are not far from the city, so it’s convenient to reach there.
>> Read more: Hue Travel: A Must-Visit City This Summer 2022
Day 7 – 9: Hoi An – Danang
Day 7 – Hoi An
The Hoi An ancient town now attracts a large number of both local and foreign tourists. It’s easily recognized because it boasts many old houses with yellow walls. Besides, you can also see many colorful lanterns hanging all over Hoi An’s streets and houses.
The Japanese-covered bridge stands out among the Ancient Town’s features. The now-defunct Japanese village constructed the bridge in the 17th century, and it is a symbol of Hoi An. You can see more of Hoi An’s incredible history at other residences across the ancient town, including the Phung Hung House and communal centers like the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. You can also visit the Hoi An Museum of History & Culture to learn more about the city and witness how it has changed through time.
It’s time to join Hoi An night market once the sun has set. There is a variety of souvenirs that you can buy for your family and friends. Furthermore, local dishes are also available for you to try. At night, Hoi An is as beautiful as a picture. It is shimmering and sparkling with lanterns. This is also when Hoi An is the most crowded of the day, with the flow of people from everywhere rushing to the small streets. A lot of activities also take place at this time.
Day 8 – Hoi An
On the second day, it’s time to enjoy Hoi An’s other fantastic attractions.
- After leaving the ancient town, you will travel to Cam Nam island, which is located next to Hoi An ancient town. When coming here, you will see a lot of coconut trees, betel nuts, bamboo, etc. This little island is very tranquil with scenic views. There are some activities you can engage in. This could entail having a tailor customize your clothing at a reasonable price or enrolling in a cooking class and experimenting with a few new recipes. Besides, you can visit the Tra Que vegetable village to see the little farming community and learn more about where your food comes from. Moreover, you can spend the rest of your day relaxing on one of Hoi An’s stunning beaches, such as An Bang Beach and Hidden Beach.
- My Son: You should see the historic ruins of My Son, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this region of Vietnam. These Hindu temples, dating from the fourth to the fourteenth centuries AD, are an artifact of the Champa empire and one of the most significant historical sites. More than 70 royal temples and tombs of the Cham are found within a densely forested valley. While some stupas have rough exteriors and are being progressively overtaken by nature, others still have distinct carvings and iconography.
Day 9 – Danang
Hoi An, conveniently situated on the country’s central coast, is a great starting point for seeing some nearby places. There are plenty of options for day trips from Hoi An, but we highly recommend Danang.
Da Nang city, which is located in the north of Hoi An, is also well worth your visit. This city is well known for its various beautiful beaches. My Khe beach and Non Nuoc beach are two of the numerous beaches in Da Nang and are frequently full of locals and tourists. Besides, the Dragon bridge, the Han river bridge, Da Nang cathedral, marble mountain, and Ling Ung pagoda are some of Da Nang’s other attractions that you should visit. The Golden Bridge in the Ba Na Hills is a tourist attraction that has been very famous recently, which is in the vicinity of Da Nang.
Day 10 – 11: Da Lat
Day 10
Your next stop is Da Lat, located in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
First, you should stroll around the beautiful Xuan Huong lake and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in Dalat. You can spend some time exploring all this area’s contemporary buildings with a floral theme at Lam Vien Square.
On a brief trip to the northern part of the city, you can visit the enormous, golden Buddha at the Thien Vien Van Hanh pagoda, which is visible from all across the city. When you go back to the city center, you can go shopping at the Da Lat Market which is the busiest shopping center in the city and has lots of products, a variety of goods categories, abundant in quantity, and prices relatively stable.
To reward yourself after a long day of touring, you can visit the Duong Len Trang, also known as the 100 Roofs Cafe, which is tucked away in a back alley, not far from the market. This location is actually a multistory labyrinth that amazes visitors with stairways to nowhere. The most attractive thing is its unique eccentric interior design. Once you emerge on the open roof, a tiered garden continues upward, ending in a sweeping view of Da Lat.
>> Read more: Best Time To Visit Dalat: A Complete Guide
Day 11
Even though you’ve already visited many of the sights in Da Lat’s downtown, there is still a lot to see in the surrounding countryside and the city’s outskirts.
The first attraction recommended is the Valley of Love. There are mountains, pine forests, flowers, and green grass in a natural setting full of vitality. This place is deep inside the pine forest beneath the old pine trees. This romantic love paradise is the perfect place for couples in love. It is ideal for those looking for a location to take photos for the wedding.
Then, after visiting the Thien Vien Truc Lam Monastery on the other side of town, you can switch from one lake to another. This bustling Buddhist monastery, which can be reached by cable car via hills and forests, is appropriately zen. You can also wander down to Tuyen Lam Lake from the temples for a relaxing walk across the countryside.
Finally, it’s worth visiting the magnificent waterfalls that surround Da Lat. The Datanla waterfall and Prenn waterfall are both close to the monastery. It is simple to climb back up from the lowest cascades at Datanla waterfalls. The largest of the three falls, Elephant falls, is located further from Da Lat. You may actually stroll behind the Elephant fall, much like the Prenn Waterfall, but you must first descend in a slick bath.
Day 12 – 14: Ho Chi Minh
Day 12
Ho Chi Minh is your final stop on this grand tour of Vietnam. It is recognized for the several colonial landmarks scattered around the contemporary metropolis and is still frequently referred to by its former name, Saigon.
Start your tour off at the impressive Ho Chi Minh City Hall, a structure with a French colonial aesthetic. The magnificent Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and the lovely Saigon Central Post Office are two of the most significant French-era structures.
After that, you should spend some time in the War Remnants Museum to learn more about the Vietnam War and the struggle against French colonialists. Many exhibits are tremendously compelling in how they depict war atrocities.
To see Ho Chi Minh City from a new angle, Bitexco Tower is an ideal place. You can get a good sense of how big the city is from the Saigon Skydeck, located on the tower’s 49th floor.
>> Read more: Ho Chi Minh City Travel: Perfect Plan For Your Vacation
Day 13
On your second day in Saigon, there are still plenty of things to see and do. Beginning with the Reunification Palace, this palace served as the residence of the President of South Vietnam during the 1960s Vietnam War. In 1975, when a tank rolled through its gates, it also served as the site of the formal conclusion of the Vietnam War. The offices, presidential, and war rooms may all be seen on a tour of this structure.
Many of Saigon’s numerous religious attractions can be observed during a stroll through the city center. Firstly, you can go to the Tan Dinh Church, which has a bright pink tone and was built in a Romanian architectural style. Then, continuing to visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda which is a one-hundred-year-old pagoda nestled with high buildings and in a bustling commercial center. This Taoist temple is certainly a sight to behold due to its expressive statues and figures. Another place you can visit is The Giac Lam Pagoda. This is the town’s oldest temple located a long distance from the city center.
There are many things you can do with the remaining time you have here. Both the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and the Museum of Vietnamese History will inform you about the region’s history in the last 60 years if you are interested in history. you should consider taking a street food walking tour or enrolling in a cooking class to learn how to prepare dishes by yourself and to experience more of Saigon’s culinary offerings.
Day 14
You can spend your final day in Ho Chi Minh City leaving the city and discovering more about the country’s southern region. The country’s natural beauty, rich history, and cultural diversity may all be explored on day trips from the city. You might wish to think about taking one of the following day trips from Ho Chi Minh City:
- Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the most well-known Vietnam War-related tourist destinations. These cramped tunnels, which the Vietnamese Cong constructed in their struggle against US forces, served as living quarters and supply channels as well as ambush points for soldiers. When you explore the tunnels’ location, you can discover how well-concealed their entrances were as well as some of the traps they employed against outside troops. Most importantly, you can enter a section of the claustrophobic tunnel and walk through it.
- Although there are probably many religious sites in Vietnam, it’s unlikely that you’ve ever heard of Caodaism. Visiting the Cao Dai Temple outside of Tay Ninh to find out more about this religion, which has its roots in southern Vietnam from the 20th century. When you go to the temple, you can go sightseeing and attend a religious ceremony to see how people pray inside the main temple’s brilliant and colorful interior. The experience can appear both familiar and entirely foreign due to the incorporation of aspects from several other religions.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, we’ve shared a lot of wonderful locations for your two weeks in Vietnam. I hope you may find this material useful for your next vacation. Wish your trip to Vietnam will be fantastic!
>> Read more: Top 6 Best Places To Go In Vietnam
