2 Weeks in Vietnam - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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

On this 14-day tour, you'll begin in the south and work your way north, stopping along the way at the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Hue, Ha Long Bay, the capital of Hanoi, and many more exotic locales.

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 before departing Vietnam. Learn more

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

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 and Ha Long Bay.

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: Family Adventure in Vietnam

This family-friendly vacation covers a north-south route and includes excursions in the mountainous northwest region plus hikes and cycling trips around country villages and along the Thu Bồn River.

You and the family will arrive in Hanoi. After a packed city tour on day two, you'll take an overnight train to the far northwest of the country and the gorgeous mountain town of Sapa. This will be your home base for a few days, during which time you'll hike amid terraced rice paddies, visit Hmong ethnic villages, travel over high mountain passes with incredible views, and see beautiful waterfalls. You'll then return to Hanoi and then head to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise over emerald waters.

Upon your return to Hanoi you'll have day seven free, and on day eight catch a flight south to Hue. A tour on the day you arrive includes stops at the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Tomb of Tự Đức, a waterfront mausoleum built in 1867 for the Nguyễn Emperor Tự Đứcs. On day nine you'll go sightseeing on the Thu Bồn River near Hoi An followed by a bicycle tour of the rural river communities and visits to their organic farms. Day 11 is a free day in Hoi An.

From Hoi An you and your family will transfer to Ho Chi Minh City and take a tour on day 13. This includes not only the tunnels at Cu Chi but historic city landmarks like the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, which was actually built with materials imported from France. On day 14 you'll embark on a day trip down the Mekong River and a bike excursion through country coconut groves before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for your trip home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Heritage of Vietnam & Thailand

This combined Vietnam and Thailand itinerary covers the highlights of both countries, including stops in Hanoi and Bangkok, plus exciting excursions like visiting an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and exploring the caves of Ha Long Bay. 

Your grand tour of Southeast Asia begins in Hanoi. A tour includes stops at the oldest Buddhist temple in the city plus the Vietnam Military Museum. On day three you'll transfer to the coast and Ha Long Bay to visit floating villages, unspoiled beaches, and the largest cave in the region, Sung Sot. Day four is a travel day from Hanoi to Hoi An followed by a walking tour of historic landmarks in its Ancient Town on day five. The next day you'll visit countryside villages on a combined cycling/kayak tour. 

On Day seven you'll travel to Ho Chi Minh City and discover it right off on an exciting Vespa/food tour. Day eight involves a more traditional city tour of historic highlights like the Opera House and Independence Palace, the former home of the president of South Vietnam. After a day trip on the Mekong, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh City on day 10 and catch a flight to the next country on the itinerary: Thailand. Upon arriving you'll hop on a long-tail boat for a ride on the Chao Phraya River.

On day 11 you'll get an in-depth introduction to the delicious flavors that have conquered the world with a Thai cooking class. The next day is an excursion to Ayutthaya, the ruins of an ancient city that was one of the capitals of the Siamese Kingdom from the 14th-18th centuries. Then you'll hop an overnight train to northern Thailand and Chiang Mai, where on days 13 and 14 you'll tour ancient temples and visit an elephant sanctuary to see these incredible animals up close. Learn more 

Itinerary #5: Discover Vietnam & Cambodia

This multi-country itinerary is similar to the last except it swaps Thailand for Cambodia, an equally beautiful country home to Angkor Wat, the largest historic temple site in the world. 

Spend the first few days enjoying Hanoi and its landmarks like West Lake, the 11th-century Temple of Literature, and the oldest municipal market in the city, Hang Be. After an overnight excursion to Ha Long Bay, on day four you'll fly to Hoi An for a trip down the Thu Bồn River and a visit to city cultural sites like the Phung Hung House, a Chinese trading house built in 1780. Day six is particularly special as you'll travel to a countryside market and pick up produce for a cooking class.

After a free day, you'll next fly to Ho Chi Minh city for a tour and a boat trip on the Mekong to the gardens and villages of the area. On day 11 you'll fly to Siem Riep. Located in northwest Cambodia, this town is adjacent to Angkor, once the capital of the Khmer Kingdom from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The next day you'll tour ruins like the temple complex of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, a city dating to the 12th century. The trip culminates with a visit to a floating village on nearby Tonlé Sap Lake. Learn more

More Great Vietnam Itineraries

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