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A two week Vietnam itinerary

May 7, 2022 | Michael Turtle | 54 Comments

TRAVEL GUIDE

This two week itinerary will take you to all the highlights from the north to south of Vietnam.

  • Day 1-2: AROUND HANOI
  • Day 3-7: STUNNING NATURE
  • Day 8-10: CULTURE TIME
  • DAY 11-12: BEACH TIME
  • DAY 13-14: AROUND SAIGON

How to travel in Vietnam for two weeks

Vietnam has one big advantage for travellers trying to work out an itinerary – it’s long and narrow.

It pretty much means you do one of two things. You either go up the country or you go down it.

Of course, you need to decide where you want to stop along the way and how long you’ll spend in each place. But it’s not like you have to sit there with a map calculating the most efficient route to get between all the places you would like to visit.

The new Saigon, Vietnam

Ancient cities, beautiful beaches, enormous caves, charming towns, modern history – and lots of amazing food and drink. Vietnam has so much to see and it can be hard to work out how to make the most of your stay.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the country recently and want to use everything I’ve learned to put together an itinerary for travelling in Vietnam for you.

I’ve chosen two weeks as the length of time because that seems to be the average duration that people travel in the country for.

If you’re going for a shorter period, then skip a couple of the things I recommend. If you’re going for longer, I’ve suggested a few extra options.

You might also prefer not to do some of the overnight travel I suggest and use your extra days for bus and train trips (that’s the way I tend to do it).

Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam

The first decision for a Vietnam itinerary is north or south?

I suggest travelling from the north to the south for two reasons. Firstly, most tourists actually go the other way so it means you’re going to find it easier to get bus and train tickets with less competition.

Secondly, if you’re continuing your travels in Asia, you have a lot more options leaving from Ho Chi Minh City in the south (by land or boat into Cambodia and then Thailand, for instance).

Flights are generally much cheaper to/from HCMC so that’s a consideration. But you can always get your international return flights into HCMC and then get a cheap domestic flight up to Hanoi for the day you arrive.

You can see my proposed route in this map:

In this two week Vietnam itinerary, I have tried to be quite specific with my recommendations. However, they are all based on things running smoothly and not being already booked out.

Be prepared to go with the flow, make your own decisions based on your interests, and enjoy your travels!

Hanoi

Day 1:

Let’s get straight into some sightseeing in Hanoi. Vietnam’s capital has quite a few sights but the main ones can be covered within a day (or two half days).

I would suggest heading first to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum because there can often be a queue, so the earlier you get there, the better.

Things to see in Hanoi, Vietnam

With the rest of the day, there are some more places you can visit. I would suggest choosing from the Vietnam Military History Museum, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

If you would prefer someone to show you around, I have some suggestions for local tours:

If you would prefer to explore by yourself, I’ve put together a guide with some tips on what to see in Hanoi.

>> Read my story about things to see in Hanoi <<

In the evening, my favourite spot in Hanoi is an area known as ‘Bia Hoi Corner’. It’s at the corner of Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien and Dinh Liet (see it on a map here).

You can join the locals who sit on tiny plastic stools on the footpath and drink glasses of fresh beer for about 5000 VND (US$0.20). You can also order snacks or meals. It’s not the most comfortable place in the city but it’s the most fun!

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN HANOI

You’ll find most of the hotels around the Old Quarter or French Quarter, which puts you right in the centre of the action!

BACKPACKER

For a budget hostel in Hanoi, I would recommend Luxury Backpackers, which has great beds.

BUDGET

There are also lots of quite similar cheap hotels. A comfortable option is Golden Moon Suite Hotel.

BOUTIQUE

For a really trendy hotel, you should try The Chi Boutique Hotel.

LUXURY

And if you want to really splurge, I think the nicest luxury hotel in the city is the Sofitel Legend Metropole.

Day 2:

Hanoi is not the kind of city you should do in a rush, which is why I have a second day here in the itinerary. There are a few options I would suggest for how to fill the day.

One option is to take it easy and see a few of the sights that you skipped on the first day but spend the rest of the time hanging out in the cafes and restaurants of the French Quarter.

Prettiest Street in Hanoi, Vietnam

There is heaps of amazing food in Hanoi so another great idea is to do a food tour. It will also give you a good sense of how street food works before you start travelling through the rest of the country. Here are a few great options that I would recommend:

 

For something a bit different, there’s a great photography tour along the local rail tracks. Or you could be a bit more adventurous with this bike tour of nearby countryside and villages.

OPTIONAL

Before I move on to day 3, this is the point where I’ll mention the first of the optional extras that I haven’t included in this two week Vietnam itinerary.

Hanoi is the city you would use as the base to head northwest into the Sapa region. Sapa is famous for its jungle trekking and ethnic minority cultures – although there is a fair amount of development now and you have to go even deeper to get authentic experiences.

To get to Sapa, you can take the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. The trip takes about 8 hours.

You can organise treks and homestay experiences in Hanoi in advance or plan everything when you get there. Here are a few options that will arrange everything for you from Hanoi.:

 

Once you are finished in Sapa, you will be able to come back to Hanoi and continue with my suggested itinerary.

Ha Long Bay

Day 3:

You really can’t go to Vietnam without visiting Ha Long Bay.

Unfortunately it is quite crowded with tourists and boats and there are concerns about the way the environment is being protected – but it’s still a natural wonder that is not worth missing out on.

There are dozens of tour operators and hundreds of places that will sell you a place on them. The choice can be overwhelming – particularly when there are some shady deals that sometimes occur, where you can think you’re buying one thing and end up with another.

>> Read my story here about Ha Long Bay <<

If you want to try your luck and buy a deal at one of the shops in Hanoi, you may get a good trip for a cheap price, but it’s hard to guarantee exactly what you’ll end up with. I would recommend booking in advance and there are some decent options here:

Unless you have a solid suggestion from someone else, I would suggest booking with one of the international companies that will give you security of purchase, so you can follow up if you don’t get what you expected.

Choosing a Ha Long Bay tour, Vietnam

You can go as a day trip but that is far too rushed. My suggestion for this itinerary would be to do one night in Ha Long Bay, staying on board one of the junk boats. The good news is that’s the standard way that people visit the region so there are lots of tours.

Most trips will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and drop you back to Hanoi the next day, which makes things very convenient.

Day 4:

Most of this day will be spent in Ha Long Bay and then arriving back in Hanoi in the late afternoon.

The choice you need to make is whether you want to stay the night in Hanoi or get the train straight to the next destination. I’ll give you the details of both options in the next section.

Ninh Binh

Day 5:

Today I would suggest exploring the area of Ninh Binh, about 100 kilometres south of Hanoi. It has beautiful landscapes of karst limestone mountains with rivers winding between them.

To save a bit of time, you can travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh the evening before, after getting back from Ha Long Bay. You should be able to get the 19:30 train, which arrives at 21:49 (as a backup, there’s a 20:10 train that arrives at 22:25).

If you choose to travel in the morning instead, you can do the 06:00 that arrives at 08:22 or the 09:00 that arrives at 11:21. I recommend booking train tickets in advance here.

Once you get to Ninh Binh, there are two potential areas to explore – Trang An and Tam Coc.

Both are alike and both are beautiful. They look a bit like Ha Long Bay… but without the bay. The karst limestone mountains rise up from rice paddies and riverbanks.

Trang An Landscape, Vietnam

If you only want to visit one, I would suggest Trang An. It’s quite nice to borrow a bike from your accommodation and cycle there.

Once you arrive, you’ll buy a ticket for a boat ride. The boats are small (maximum four people) and they’re rowed by hand (or foot) by your guide.

The trip along the river takes up to three hours and you’ll go through caves and see some great sights. The experience at Tam Coc is very similar.

>> More details here in my story about Trang An <<

You have another choice here. Do you stay the night in Ninh Binh or get an overnight bus or train to the next stop, Phong Nha?

I’m going to suggest an itinerary where you do the travelling the next day. It gets a bit too tiring if you’re always travelling overnight with no rest.

However, if you go overnight, you can get the train from Ninh Binh to Dong Hoi that leaves at 21:49, 22:25 or 00:13 and then get the local bus from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha. Book tickets in advance here.

There are also sleeper buses – I would suggest asking a local hotel or tour operator for the times.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN NINH BINH

There’s not a huge amount of accommodation in Ninh Binh, but you will find something for any style of travel.

BACKPACKER

My favourite place in Ninh Binh is definitely the relaxed Nguyen Shack with its charming bungalows.

BUDGET

For a comfortable budget hotel, you can try Nam Hoa Hotel right near Tam Coc.

HOMESTAY

A lovely homestay option with amazing views is the Limestone View Homestay.

LUXURY

And for a stunning luxury resort, you can’t go past Emeralda Resort and its pool!

Phong Nha Ke Bang

Day 6:

If you’ve travelled overnight, you will have arrived early. If you want to be a day ahead, skip to my suggestions for Day 7.

Otherwise, have a rest day and enjoy the countryside around Phong Nha. You should be able to hire a bike from your hotel.

If you stayed in Ninh Binh, you’ll need to get to Phong Nha. The trains leave at either 08:22 or 11:21 to Dong Hoi and then you’ll get the local bus from there. Book tickets in advance here.

There may also be direct tourist buses in the morning from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha. I would suggest asking your accommodation to see what the options are. Either way, you’ll spend most of the day on the road and be ready to rest when you arrive.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN PHONG NHA

Most of the basic accommodation is on the main road in town, while the more interesting options are a bit harder to reach.

BACKPACKER

For a good backpacker option, I would recommend staying at the friendly Nguyen Shack.

BUDGET

A good choice for a budget hotel in a convenient location is the Thanh Phat.

HOMESTAY

And for a lovely experience a bit out of town, Jungle Boss Homestay will look after you.

LUXURY

And for something a but more luxurious, you can try the Victory Road Villas.

Day 7:

The reason you’ve come to Phong Nha is to see the caves. Did you know that the world’s largest cave is here? It’s so large that you could fly a Boeing 747 through it!

Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park, Vietnam

Unfortunately you won’t be able to see this cave. Only a tiny number of people are allowed in each year and it’s super expensive and there’s a long wait. But the caves you can see are still very impressive.

>> Read my story here about the caves at Phong Nha <<

All of the hotels and tour operators in town offer a fairly similar range of options for tours around the area. You can choose which one is best for you – I would suggest making sure that Paradise Cave is included (it’s the highlight).

It could be a good idea to book ahead and having something locked in, so this tour is a good option.

This evening I suggest you stay in Phong Nha but be prepared for possibly a very early start.

Hue

Day 8:

There are a few ways to get to the next stop, the city of Hue. Ask at your hotel for the direct tourist bus options – there may be one at about 4am that will get you into the city at about 8am.

Otherwise there are trains from Dong Hoi at 05:50, 06:39, or 07:40. Keep in mind that the first local bus from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi leaves at 05:30 and takes about 90 minutes so you’ll need to find another way to the station if you want one of the early trains.

If you get the 07:40 train, you’ll arrive in Hue at about 10:27. You can book your train tickets in advance here.

Hue is an old centre of power and was effectively the capital of Vietnam for almost 150 years from the start of the 1800s.

The main sight in Hue is the Imperial City, which is the enormous compound where the emperors lived and ruled their lands from. It will take you several hours to walk through it and see everything.

>> Read my story about the Imperial City in Hue <<

If you’re interested in getting a guide to show you through the Imperial City, which will certainly give you a much better understanding of the site and the history, I would suggest this half day tour, if you arrive in time.

Imperial City of Hue, Vietnam

Other than the Imperial City, there are just a few other things to see and do in Hue. You can explore the city’s sights and try some of the delicious food. There are some good options here:

You might also be interested in checking out an old abandoned water park which is pretty creepy… but cool.

>> My journey to an abandoned water park <<

Although the next stop, Hoi An, isn’t too far away, I would probably stay in Hue for the night. After an early start this morning, it would be nice to be able to have a hotel to leave luggage in the morning and have a rest in the afternoon.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN HUE

Many tourists pass through Hue quickly but it actually has some spectacular accommodation options if you want to relax.

BACKPACKER

For a good backpacker option, I would suggest staying at Why Not?. (Yes, that’s its real name.)

BUDGET

A good choice for a budget hotel in a great location is the Four Seasons Hotel.

BOUTIQUE

For a relaxing ecoresort, Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa is wonderful.

LUXURY

And for luxury by the beach, try Ana Mandara Hue Beach Resort.

Hoi An

Day 9:

In the morning, it’s time to head to Hoi An.

You will either need to get the train to Da Nang (leaving at 08:56) and then the local bus to Hoi An (the local yellow bus costs 20,000 VND (US$0.80)) or you can find a direct tourist bus. Book tickets in advance here.

Hoi An is a magical city and one of the most beautiful spots in Vietnam. It was a trading port from the 15th century to the 19th century and the architecture and layout from that period has been well-preserved.

Be warned – it’s crowded – but it’s still a wonderful place to explore.

>> What to expect in Hoi An <<

My suggestion for the day would be to just wander around the city and explore the streets and the shops. Make sure you cross over the river with small bridges to the islands, which can be a little more relaxed.

Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam

If, however, you would like a guided tour or an expert to give you an insight into Hoi An, I would recommend one of the following experiences:

 

If you would like to do something a little more cultural, there are lots of options. You can go on a local fishing experience, do some underwater walking, learn about the rice farms, or make traditional lanterns.

There’s also a beach in Hoi An, which has some lovely seafood restaurants. It is a nice place to visit around sunset, if you have time, and you can cycle there from the main part of town.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN HOI AN

Hoi An is such a tourist town these days that there is a huge range of accommodation, so you’ll find whatever you’re looking for.

BACKPACKER

There are lots of cheap hostels in town but The Destination Hostel has great location and atmosphere.

BUDGET

There are also lots of budget hotels but one of the nicest is Hoi An Heritage Homestay.

BOUTIQUE

For lovely relaxed villas, you should try Cozy Hoian Boutique Villas.

LUXURY

And for the best in town, you need to check out Hotel Royal Hoi An MGallery.

Day 10:

On your second day in Hoi An, I would highly recommend taking a tour out to My Son in the morning. My Son is an ancient complex of temples built by the Champa people over a thousand years between the 4th and 14th centuries.

It’s the closest thing that the Vietnamese have to Angkor and it’s pretty spectacular, even if much of it has been destroyed.

>> My story here about visiting My Son <<

You’ll find lots of hotels and tour operators offering trips to My Son from Hoi An. It might be easier just to shop around yourself because they’re all quite similar, even if they have different prices.

My Son ruins from Hoi An, Vietnam

However, if you would like to make a booking in advance, here are some options:

You should get back in the afternoon and have time to hang out in one of the Hoi An bars or cafes for the afternoon.

In the evening, though, I would recommend getting on an overnight bus or train for your next stop, Nha Trang.

Ask your hotel for tourist bus options. For the train, you’ll need to get the local bus to Danang and then the train leaving at 22:47 will get you to Nha Trang at 08:35. Book tickets in advance here.

Nha Trang

Day 11:

Nha Trang is one of Vietnam’s famous beach resorts. Don’t imagine a quiet tropical getaway, though. This is a beach with plenty of development and a fair bit of partying.

I’ll be honest – it’s not my favourite part of Vietnam. But it’s a convenient place to break up the trip from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City and the beach is a nice place to relax.

If you’re keen to hit the bars, then you may like it here. If you want to sunbake, you’ll probably like it here. If you just want a day to chill, then you can do that here too.

Russians in Nha Trang, Vietnam

There are no particular things I would suggest doing here. As I say, it’s really just a day at the beach. So enjoy!

If you completely hate the idea of Nha Trang, you can just push through to Ho Chi Minh City and have an extra day there, or do one of the extra options I’ve included along the way.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN NHA TRANG

The biggest range of accommodation is right in the centre of town, near the beach, but there are a few gems further out of Nha Trang.

BACKPACKER

If you’re looking for a clean and friendly backpacker place, Dhome Nha Trang is your best option.

BUDGET

There are so many hotels and the prices change a lot with the seasons. Seaway Hotel often has great deals.

BOUTIQUE

I think the most stylish hotel in town is the InterContinental Nha Trang.

LUXURY

But if you want even more luxury, your best bet is the Mia Resort Nha Trang.

OPTIONAL

With my suggested itinerary, I’m going to take you straight to Ho Chi Minh City next. However, you can do a detour and go inland, through a city called Dalat.

It’s not one of the usual tourist stops in Vietnam but it does offer something different. It’s a charming alpine city with a relaxed atmosphere and a few things to see, including the Crazy House.

Stay at Crazy House, Dalat, Vietnam

There’s also some great hiking and other adventure activities you can do in the surrounding area.

>> Read my story about hiking around Dalat <<

If you do have a spare day or want to skip Nha Trang and see something different, it’s worth considering.

Day 12:

It’s quite a long way from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City so you need to make a decision about whether you spend all night or all day travelling. In this itinerary, I’m choosing to spend the day on the road because the last leg was overnight.

So I would recommend getting the train from Nha Trang either at 08:35, which gets you in to HCMC at 16:05 or at 11:44, which gets you in at 20:03.

If you choose to travel overnight, the train leaves Nha Trang at 22:12 and arrives at 05:20. This gives you an extra day, which you could use to relax or maybe consider the extra option to Can Tho that I’ll mention at the end. To book your tickets in advance, click here.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Day 13:

I have allocated two days in Saigon and it’s such a big city that you may find that’s not nearly enough. But having said that, it doesn’t have as many obvious ‘sights’ as Hanoi.

The best way to spend your time here will be to explore and immerse yourself in the culture.

I would suggest using this first day to orientate yourself and see what sights exist. These include the Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, the Museum of Vietnamese History, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the City Hall (from the outside).

If you’re interested in a tour to see the main sights and learn a bit of the history of Ho Chi Minh City, then I would recommend these options:

The new Saigon, Vietnam

You’ll notice that there are a lot of trendy cafes and restaurants in central Ho Chi Minh City. For better or worse, there are some big changes going on.

I have included some recommendations for places to eat and drink in my post about the city.

>> My story about Ho Chi Minh City here is here <<

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Ho Chi Minh City is super busy but accommodation around District 1 will save you a lot of transport hassle.

BACKPACKER

For a modern and quiet hostel, I would suggest the awesome Tam Social Enterprise Hostel.

BUDGET

A comfortable budget option is Tripwriter Hotel… and I like the name!

BOUTIQUE

For a stylish design hotel, you should try Cinnamon Boutique Hotel.

LUXURY

And if you want to splurge, I think one of the coolest hotels is The Myst Dong Khoi.

Day 14:

Ho Chi Minh City is enormous and by your second day you’ll probably come to realise how overwhelming it can be. I don’t always use guides or do local tours when I travel but this is one of those cities where you’ll get so much more out of your stay if you do.

I have mentioned a couple of tours in the previous day’s information that show you the sights so you may want to consider one of them if you didn’t end up seeing much.

There are also some great food tours – most are in the evening. I would recommend this easy walking food tour or this food tour by motorbike (you’ll just be the passenger).

The new Saigon, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is also the staging point for day trips to see the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta (which is better to do for more than a day trip, but I know you might be running out of time by now). If you’re interested, you could have a look at these options:

Make sure you do leave yourself enough time to explore this fascinating city, though!

OPTIONAL

If you have a bit of extra time, I would suggest heading into the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City and see a bit of this beautiful part of the country. Things are very relaxed around the Mekong and there’s a different atmosphere to all the places so far.

Can Tho Mekong tour, Vietnam

One of the easiest places to use as your base for accommodation is Can Tho. From there, you can do boat trips or head by bus to some of the other smaller towns in the region.

>> My visit to the Mekong Delta <<

And that’s it! A very comprehensive guide for how to spend two weeks in Vietnam. I hope you have found it useful.

Please let me know in the comments below if you have any more questions or any suggestions you would like to add for other travellers. In the meantime, have a great trip!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT VIETNAM?

See my Vietnam Travel Guide

To help you plan your trip to Vietnam:

  • A detailed itinerary for the perfect two week trip in Vietnam
  • All the best things to see in Hanoi
  • A stunning alternative to visiting Ha Long Bay
  • What to look out for when booking a Ha Long Bay tour
  • Discover the story behind Hoi An’s heritage
  • Why this is the best day trip you can do from Hoi An
  • The incredible imperial palace that’s worth a visit
  • Did you know Vietnam has the world’s biggest cave?
  • An easy way to see the Mekong from Saigon
  • All of Vietnam’s World Heritage Sites and my tips for visiting

Let someone else do the work for you:

You may also want to consider taking a tour through Vietnam, rather than organising everything on your own. It will be much easier and it’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.

I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours in Vietnam.

You could consider:

  • The Best of Vietnam (15 days)
  • Classic Vietnam (10 days)
  • Hike, Bike and Kayak through Vietnam (10 days)
  • Cycle Vietnam’s backroads (14 days)

When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Alex Steven |

    May 12, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    Reply

    The pictures are so stunning. What a lovely place Vietnam is. Thanks a ton for sharing such useful information.

    • April |

      September 16, 2019 at 4:17 pm

      Reply

      Hey we are starting your 2 week itinerary today, Hanoi all the way to the south of Vietnam!! Thank you for the detail looking forward to it! What is the name of the abandoned water park that you saw? I’d love to see it, sounds cool. Thank you

  2. Ronnie Walter |

    May 13, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    Reply

    Wow! the nature looks at its best. Amazing captures. Loved it!

  3. Day Tour To Agra |

    May 13, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    Reply

    Great trip! So stunning pictures you shared. It looks so awesome. Thanks.

  4. http://www.luckies.co.uk/gifts/travel/ |

    May 15, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    Reply

    Hi! I am Julia, being a newbie to blogging I mostly visit blogs listed at ShoutmeLoud and link of your blog timetravelturtle, I’ve seen there. So visited here and found you have a really cool blog. You look so professional and highly educated to blogging. Can you share some useful tips to successful blogging? Thanks

  5. Alice Wakefield |

    July 23, 2017 at 10:33 am

    Reply

    I have been searching all day for an itinary that suits us and I have just found it! So well written and hitting all the spots we are wanting to encorporate! Thank you!

  6. Viren |

    November 6, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    Reply

    Amazing! Pictures are looking Awesome and Vietnam is really a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing this.

    • Michael Turtle |

      November 14, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Reply

      My pleasure, Viren. Vietnam is beautiful and I hope you found the article useful.

  7. Cindy |

    December 4, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    Reply

    This is awesome! I plan on using this guide! Thank you so much! How much (total) either in USD or VND should I consider on bringing with me?

  8. Julian Green |

    December 20, 2017 at 1:55 am

    Reply

    Thanks for the post. I really enjoyed it and it seems very straightforward and practical. I’m thinking about visiting Vietnam. Your info is helpful. Thanks for sharing!

  9. Manish Sharma |

    December 25, 2017 at 4:38 am

    Reply

    Thanks for such a well-written blog and listed links, I will be traveling from India to Vietnam in Feb end and will be using most of your suggestions.

  10. Oyunpurev |

    February 14, 2018 at 4:04 am

    Reply

    Thanks thanks thanks for such rich information! This is exactly what I was searching for!

    • Michael Turtle |

      February 15, 2018 at 6:45 pm

      Reply

      My pleasure. I hope it helps with your trip!

  11. Matt |

    March 9, 2018 at 1:08 am

    Reply

    Oh Michael, this itinerary is pure gold! I love the photos you took, they are so VIETNAM! Awesome to see you also went to the water park, it’s so cool. By now it is a real must do, I think!
    I wrote a piece as well for things to do in Vietnam, hope it’s cool to share it here: hostelgeeks.com/24-things-to-do-vietnam-travel-tips/

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 9, 2018 at 9:23 am

      Reply

      Thanks, Matt. I appreciate the kind words. I hope you enjoyed your trip to Vietnam as well!

  12. Oceana | M&M |

    March 13, 2018 at 8:04 am

    Reply

    I did a pretty similar trip to this, but over a month and in reverse. My favourite spots were Hue and Hoi An, and a little random place just outside of Nha Trang called ‘Marble Mountain’. The last one in particular seems rarely mentioned, but it was such a great find for us. We saw it on the road from Hoi An to Nha Trang (by motorcycle) because there was an elevator built on the side of one of the large rock formations. The entire time we were there it felt a bit like a dream, but there were the most amazing caves there, enormous caverns like you wouldn’t believe! Thank for sharing this, there are a few places on here I missed I’d like to check out next time I make it to Vietnam!

  13. William watson |

    March 17, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    Reply

    Vietnam is the best place to visit with Family in the world and I would like to travel here. Thanks for Sharing ! Nice Information

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 19, 2018 at 7:24 am

      Reply

      Thanks very much!!

  14. Long Nguyen |

    March 23, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    Reply

    haha you dont like Nha Trang too. Yes, I agree. In my choice I would prefer Dalat than Nha Trang, for the diversity of the trip. I can have great beach in Hoian, but Dalat with hills and flowers are more differently attractive. You must see it next time.

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 14, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      Reply

      I guess different people like different places. But, certainly, Nha Trang is not the kind of place I would go back to. My biggest issue is that it doesn’t seem as local or authentic as some of the other places I visited. Dalat and Hoi An are great options – but I also really like places like Ninh Binh and Trang An.

  15. SANEEJ KANHIRAT |

    March 26, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    Reply

    Your are really blessed and marvelous. Everything covered so simply.
    This gives me the confidence to plan the tour myself

  16. subhaschandra shenoy |

    May 20, 2018 at 5:42 pm

    Reply

    planning to visit Vietnam in november for 10—15 days

  17. sarah |

    July 31, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    Reply

    Were domestic flights options instead of taking a train, i want to do a similar trip but i dont travel so well on buses or trains

    • Michael Turtle |

      August 2, 2018 at 12:51 pm

      Reply

      Yes, domestic flights will be possible for some of the sections I have suggested. I actually think this website is a good way to compare all the different options: https://www.baolau.com/?source=turtle

  18. Meethu Joseph |

    September 24, 2018 at 7:43 am

    Reply

    Great post, Really enjoyed the photography. Actually I am running a travel agency in kerala, India. I loved Your post, and planning to add vietnam to my list. Thanks a lot for sharing this post.

  19. Lauren |

    October 15, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Reply

    Good post, have been searching all day for an itinerary that suits us and I have just found it! So well written and hitting all the spots we are wanting to incorporate! Thank you!

  20. youngNorine |

    November 17, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    Reply

    Hello do you know that you can increase your conversion ratio couple of times and earn extra cash every
    day. There is awesome landing pages tool. It is very easy even for noobs, if you
    are interested simply search in gooogle: pandatsor’s tools

  21. big tits pics |

    December 6, 2018 at 7:23 pm

    Reply

    I have read so many content regarding the blogger lovers but
    this piece of writing is in fact a nice paragraph, keep it up.

  22. Anjali Kher |

    December 19, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    Reply

    Vietnam is one of the cheapest place in the world. You can enjoy your holiday with delicious local foods and luxuries hotels. the places that you have mentioned is best sightseeing in vietnam. thanks for your kind information.

  23. Ms Darshan Shah |

    December 31, 2018 at 10:27 pm

    Reply

    I need help to plan a 14 nights 15 days Vietnam trip

    We need 4 & 5 star stay

    We r vegetarian Indians

    2 ladies age 57 and 65 ..travelling from 16th Feb to 2nd march

    Your suggestions ate noted in detail

    Just want to know if
    Sapa we need to do a 2 days 1 night trip ?

    Can we rent a car n go Ninh Binh to phong nha ?

    Can we take a car phong nha to Hue ?

    Is it expensive to rent a car with driver cum guide for 4 to 5 days n go from place to place n stay n do sightseeing ?

    Danang Stay overnight or a day or half day is good enough ?

    Hanoi to ninh Binh to phong nha to Hue to Hoi an to Nha Trang n danang to Ho chi Minh …6 days can we keep private car n driver cum guide?

  24. Bill |

    February 17, 2019 at 4:10 pm

    Reply

    Thank you for the great guide! I just spent about two weeks in Vietnam and I found it extremely useful.

  25. Golden Triangle Tour 3 Days 2 Nights |

    April 22, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    Reply

    Vietnam is the best place to visit with Family in the world and I would like to travel here. Thanks for Sharing ! Nice Information thanks so much….

  26. Heather |

    June 27, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    Reply

    So impressed with your site and ever so helpful as I prepare to become a third time traveller to Vietnam but a now confident to dump the tours and plan my own traveller to Vietnam thanks to you.

  27. Amara |

    July 16, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    Reply

    Awesome blog! you have made a incredible experience of vietnam. thanks for the itinerray it will help me when i visit vietnam.

  28. PickAkayak |

    July 17, 2019 at 10:06 pm

    Reply

    Indeed… Vietnam is quite famous over tv’s I personally haven’t get a chance to explore the place, thanks for sharing your trip I can learn something out of it 🙂

  29. David |

    July 23, 2019 at 10:53 pm

    Reply

    This is a very detailed itinerary, the best I’ve ever read. Vietnam is a beautiful place, thanks for the great work.

  30. Engela le roux |

    September 6, 2019 at 6:22 pm

    Reply

    It all looks good but what will the average 15 or 10 days cost for three woman sharring

  31. Nikita |

    September 9, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    Reply

    Do you think this would work in reverse? Starting in saigon and finishing in hanoi

    • Michael Turtle |

      September 9, 2019 at 9:12 pm

      Reply

      Oh, yes, definitely. I haven’t done the logistics of the transport to see whether you’re better off doing day or overnight trips for the different legs, but there’s no particular reason why you can’t go in that direction.

  32. vietnamvisa.cheap |

    September 22, 2019 at 6:44 pm

    Reply

    Wow! This article is very helpful. You’ve done a great deal of help and saved time to those intending to visit Vietnam for the first time. Thanks for that!

  33. trivoyage |

    September 25, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    Reply

    amazing cave! How much cost of this?

  34. dolphin tours |

    October 28, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    Reply

    I like that place in VIETNAM ..it is a clean place…full of fresh vegetables and fruits…like it.

  35. Vanessa |

    November 20, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    Reply

    20 cents for a glass of fresh beer… yeah, I’m thinking I need to get back to Vietnam ASAP.

  36. Vietnam vizesi |

    December 3, 2019 at 6:13 am

    Reply

    I’m really thankful. Thanks for sharing this itinary! It’s really useful for travellers. Vietnam seems amazing 🙂 I wanna be there soon!

  37. Anwar |

    January 15, 2020 at 9:53 pm

    Reply

    HI,

    Thanks for Butting this together

    I want to know as a packpackers how much could 1 person do this trip, and eating and drinking during the day what are the costs of eating the local food, as im trying to make a budget, I will prod do hostels for most of my trip and some 2 star 3 star hotels

  38. Eunice Tan |

    January 21, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Reply

    I’ve only visited Hoi An, Hue, and HCMC and they were beautiful. I would definitely want to visit Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Nha Trang too if given the chance! Thanks for the informative guide and lovely photos.

  39. Eunice Tan |

    February 6, 2020 at 2:43 am

    Reply

    Thanks for the detailed itinerary! Would love to visit Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa and this guide will come in useful then.

  40. Sublime Taj |

    February 8, 2020 at 2:25 am

    Reply

    Thanks for the amazing post…..keep sharing.

  41. Elita |

    March 18, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    Reply

    I always loved to be there in Vietnam. One of my favorite countries in the world.

  42. Nguyen Trung Thanh |

    June 29, 2020 at 12:38 am

    Reply

    I am always proud to be Vietnamese, thank you for the beautiful photos of my country

  43. dhaba |

    August 27, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    Reply

    Ohh thats amazing guide.. A well written travel guide.. Our office team was
    planning for such a tour idea.. We are gonna to plan this for our coming
    office tour.. Thanks for this amazing travel guide..

  44. Niamh |

    March 15, 2021 at 5:46 am

    Reply

    Hi There, I love your ideas, we will be travelling with children who are used to travelling all over Europe, however this will be our first trip to Vietnam. Ages 11,12,13,and 15 do you think this trip would suit?

  45. ANUKRATI DOSI |

    April 13, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    Reply

    I had visited Trang An during my visit to Hanoi a couple of years back. Manybloggers suggest that Tam Coc is quite touristy, and I so agreed with them after I visited Tam Coc to see how it looks like.
    Trang An was far more peaceful and serene, just perfect for beautiful morning boat ride.

  46. Bill Bailey |

    March 25, 2022 at 9:45 pm

    Reply

    Oh man ! I love this article and the way you describe all the things here. Also there’s a website which i usually used to shop, because the have discounts and coupons in apparel and clothing kinda stuff, you guys should definitely check this out.
    https://www.mysavinghub.com/store/mack-weldon-coupons

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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