2 Week Vietnam Itinerary for A First-Time Visitor

Many people visiting Southeast Asia for the first time include Vietnam in their itinerary. The trip is often three weeks, with Vietnam often pencilled in for seven days or even less. A trip to Vietnam deserves a whole month to explore and experience its full beauty. The bare minimum is 10 days, but you need at least two weeks to cover the highlights. If this is you, here is my 2 week itinerary for traveling to Vietnam. 

Applying for a Vietnam Visa

You will need to apply for a visa in advance to enter Vietnam. The cost is only USD 25, and processing typically takes a few days. Remember, they will require your flight number and accommodation details, so be sure to arrange these beforehand. You can apply online. Here’s a link that will help you if you’re coming from Canada. If you are visiting from another country, you can select your country from the drop-down menu.

Hanoi 3-Day Itinerary (2 Week Vietnam Itinerary Stop 1)

Flying To Vietnam

I suggest flying into Hanoi, a great city to hang your hat, especially with Sapa and Ha Long Bay easily accessible. For a 2 week Vietnam itinerary, I recommend making Hanoi your home base, as there are many bucket-list attractions nearby. Plus, Hanoi is my favourite city in Vietnam, so there’s that too.

How to Get from Hanoi Airport to the City Center

To reach the city centre from the airport, take a taxi. It will cost around USD 25 and takes about 45 minutes. It’s a fun ride into the city, providing your first taste of the motorcycle culture shock that can be quite overwhelming. 

Exploring Hanoi Old Quarter for First-Time Visitors

Hanoi is a spectacular city, and it’s great fun to walk around and explore. There is action everywhere you go. This is a perfect opportunity to purchase a SIM card, which you can also get at the airport, hostels, or your hotel. You’ll pay between $3 and $5 for unlimited data, valid for 30 days. For my SIM card and other tips for Southeast Asia, read my blog, “19 Southeast Asia Travel Tips to Know Before Your First Trip” Immerse yourself in this beautiful city, this is your first chance to indulge with a fantastic Vietnamese coffee and delicious pho from one of the many street stalls.

Best Street Food in Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi is the easiest city on the planet to find excellent street food, making it a must for any 2 week Vietnam itinerary. Pho, noodle mixtures, and superb Vietnamese cuisine are everywhere. Just walk down the street, pick a spot, and you can’t go wrong with street food in Vietnam. I love the food, and it’s an adventure to watch the cooks prepare your meal right in front of you. It may seem that the seating on the street is designed for children, but this is typical in Vietnam. The experience is unique, so channel your inner Anthony Bourdain and live in the moment. And don’t forget to grab a Saigon beer and do some people-watching. On average, a meal with a beer will cost you a whopping $2. 

Where to Find the Best Banh Mi in Hanoi

Before visiting Vietnam, I tried a banh mi sandwich in Toronto and wasn’t overly impressed. However, I had heard about the popularity of these sandwiches in Vietnam, so I was surprised with my experieince. In Hanoi, banh mi stands are everywhere, lined up with locals, so I knew they had to be incredible. This was a tip I learned from the legendary Anthony Bourdain: if a restaurant is lined up with locals, go there! He wasn’t wrong.

The banh mi is arguably the best sandwich in the world; make sure to add it to your Vietnam itinerary. It’s a saucy baguette filled with your choice of meat and veggies, almost like a sub but a hundred times better. I recommend eating banh mi sandwiches for lunch at least three times a week on your Vietnam trip.

Vietnamese Coffee Culture: Where to Drink Coffee in Hanoi

Vietnam is renowned for its exceptional coffee, and the way it’s prepared is unique. This was a huge surprise during my first visit to Vietnam. Vietnamese coffee is sweet and strong, made with robust coffee beans and sweetened with condensed milk. I typically don’t add sugar to my coffee, but I love Vietnamese coffee. They prepare it by filling the bottom third of the cup with condensed milk, grinding fresh beans, and then using a pour-over method to create this masterpiece. Find a café with a street view, watch the chaos, and enjoy one of the best coffees in the world. 

Egg Coffee in Hanoi: Why Café Giang Is Famous

Yes, that’s right, egg coffee. I know it’s hard to imagine, but this might be the best coffee I’ve ever had. The most famous place in Hanoi for egg coffee is Café Giang; it has a great vibe. Don’t worry if you don’t make it to Café Giang; you can find egg coffee throughout Hanoi and Vietnam. 

Visiting the B-52 Victory War Museum in Hanoi

A trip to Vietnam is not complete without some understanding of the Vietnam War’s history. The “American War” or the “American Invasion,” as the Vietnamese call it, has had a massive impact on Vietnam as we know it today. If you don’t have time to visit Hue and explore the trenches, the B-52 Victory Museum is the perfect place to learn about the war and its impact on the Vietnamese people. There, you can see planes, tanks, and weapons recovered from both the Vietnamese and American sides. I was particularly fascinated by the aircraft, especially the famous monument showcasing the plane wreckage from the war. It serves as a reminder of how pointless this war was. Grab a Vietnamese coffee, walk to the War Museum, and spend the afternoon learning about the Vietnam War’s history from a different perspective. 

Ha Long Bay 2-Day Itinerary

A 2 week trip to Vietnam gives you ample time to include Ha Long Bay in your travel itinerary. It’s crowded and touristy, but few places in the world can match its beauty. Are you familiar with the rock formations in Thailand? In Ha Long Bay, the rock formations resemble those in Thailand but on steroids. Once you are in the Ha Long Bay area, the boat is constantly dodging incredible rock formations. Ha Long Bay was once a fishing village that was relocated mainly to the mainland. 

How to Visit Ha Long Bay from Hanoi

When you arrive, the best way to book is through your hotel or hostel. I booked through Luxury Backpackers in Hanoi, my hostel, and the cost was $99, which included meals. So, don’t get ripped off by online offers before you arrive. Most cruises last for two days, making this an awesome deal. You’ll visit caves, landscapes, and rock formations like you’ve never seen before. You can even relax on the boat deck with a Vietnamese beer and enjoy the view. For that Instagram moment, a hike up a hill offers an epic view of Ha Long Bay. But pictures do not do this place justice; you need to see it for yourself.

Sapa 3-Day Trekking Itinerary

The best experience I’ve ever had in Vietnam was hiking in Sapa. Mind you, when I did this, the conditions were horrendous, as it was pouring rain on the first day of the hike. For this adventure, you can book through your hotel or hostel. I took an overnight sleeper bus to Sapa, which took about 6 hours. The seats recline into beds, and they provide blankets, but being 6’2″, it was a bit cramped; however, I still managed to get some rest.

The Guesthouse Host Picked Me Up at The Bus Stop in Sapa

I arrived around 4 am, and my guesthouse host picked me up on a motorbike in the pouring rain, taking me to the guesthouse for a few hours of sleep. Fortunately, he had a raincoat for me, as it was coming down heavily, and I was still half asleep, having been woken up by the bus driver. After a quick breakfast and a meet-and-greet, we set off on a full-day hike to the village located in the mountains of Sapa, Vietnam. I booked through my hostel, Luxury Backpackers in Hanoi, and the cost was $89, which is incredibly cheap for an adventure like this. 

What to Expect on a Multi-Day Sapa Trek

The first day includes a 9 km hike through beautiful countryside with stunning views overlooking villages and rice fields. You’ll also trek through local villages, stop for an authentic lunch, and see wild buffalo roaming everywhere.

Staying Overnight with an Indigenous Family in Sapa

At the end of day one, you stay with a local family for a truly authentic experience. You get to help prepare a meal, enjoy a few local beers, and as many shots of rice wine as you can handle. Rice wine isn’t wine; it’s hard liquor made from rice that locals call “wine.” We even had the chance to enjoy a herbal bath in a barrel! I loved learning about the indigenous culture and customs of the local people. This was one of my most authentic experiences traveling the world. 

Day 2: Start the Day with an Authentic Vietnamese Breakfast

The second day begins with an amazing breakfast, featuring Vietnamese coffee, fresh fruit, freshly baked naan-style bread, and some spreads. And of course, a breathtaking view of the dense forest, which was the backyard.

Hike Back to Sapa to Meet the Bus

We then made our way back to Sapa at a leisurely pace, stopping for lunch at our guide’s friend’s house along the way. A large group was there, and experiencing the moment like a local was a lot of fun. It was a beautiful day, allowing us to take some epic photos, and the memories will last a lifetime. I then met my bus and headed back to Hanoi. If you can fit Sapa into your 2 week Vietnam itinerary, be sure to do so. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Da Nang 3-Day Itinerary (Best Beaches in Vietnam)

You’ve just spent two days hiking in Sapa, and it’s time for a break. Da Nang is the perfect place for this. Vietnam is renowned for its stunning beaches, and Da Nang is the country’s most famous beach town. Da Nang has a different vibe compared to the rest of the country; you don’t feel like you’re in Vietnam. At first, it feels more like a Caribbean beach town until you get a chance to dig a little deeper. The beaches in Da Nang are fabulous, with a coastline stretching 35 kilometres. This beach town has a killer vibe, where you can chill with a cocktail, enjoy excellent coffee, savour delicious food, cool off, and work on your tan.

Best Beaches in Da Nang for Relaxing

Some of the incredible beaches in Da Nang include My Khe, Non-Nuoc Beach, Nam O Beach, Xuan Thieu, Son Tra, and Bac My An. Another fascinating historical fact is that the main beach in Da Nang is where the Americans first entered Vietnam during the war.

How to Get from Hanoi to Da Nang

You can take an overnight bus or fly from Hanoi to Da Nang. You might want to stay away during the rainy season, but if the sun is shining, Da Nang should be part of every 2 week Vietnam itinerary.

Hoi An 3-Day Itinerary (Traditional Vietnam Experience)

Hoi An is a must-visit destination when traveling to Vietnam. It’s a charming traditional Vietnamese town with a fantastic vibe. The best part is that it’s only a 40-minute bus ride from Da Nang, so if Da Nang is on your list, visiting Hoi An is easy.

Exploring Hoi An Old Town and Historic District

Hoi An is an easy town to walk through, featuring an authentic historic district that exudes Vietnam’s charm. It has such a cool vibe. Here, you can purchase authentic souvenirs, including Vietnamese lanterns, incense, and more, at fair prices. Across the bridge is a charming little market, a great place to eat street food and shop. I found some souvenirs at the market, which is notable since it’s not usually my thing when traveling. You can also discover many excellent restaurants in Old Town Hoi An down the narrow, dimly lit streets. Hoi An offers numerous tourist activities, but make sure to take the time to explore this quaint little town and fully immerse yourself in it. Eat well, shop, and lose yourself in Hoi An. 

Lantern Festival in Hoi An: What to Expect

If you are in Hoi An on the first day of the month or during a full moon, you can purchase a lantern to release into the sky. It is a sight to behold, watching a sky full of lanterns drifting away, symbolizing health and prosperity. The location is easy to find; just follow the lanterns, which lead you to the old bridge in the city center. Seriously, you can’t miss it. 

Basket Boat Rides in Hoi An

Riding in the spinning basket boats through the Coconut Forest might be the most touristy thing to do in Hoi An, especially if you’re a social media star. I know you’ve seen the videos—that’s Hoi An. You can also take a lantern boat ride at night, which looks incredible. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do these activities because it rained the entire time I was in Hoi An. Just head over to the old bridge, where you can purchase the lanterns, and you can book a basket boat adventure. 

Adding More Adventures To Your Vietnam Itinerary

A Vietnam trip has so much to explore; two weeks is the minimum time to experience the local culture. If you have more time, consider taking the 4-day Ha Giang Loop Motorbike tour from Hanoi. You could head to Hue for the DMZ tour, visit tunnels from the Vietnam War, and see the Khe Sanh army base. Of course, you could also spend time in Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon—its name changes depending on who you talk to. And, of course, the shopping is impressive; you can find knockoffs and custom suits at extremely low prices, often of better quality than in Thailand. It’s the kicks I always bring back when in Vietnam. 

Thirty days is the right amount of time to thoroughly explore Vietnam, and even then, you won’t see everything. This 2 week itinerary for your Vietnam trip will provide a nice taste and leave you wanting more for a return visit. Happy travels. 

Are you heading to other countries in Southeast Asia? You can read my other Southeast Asia blogs here.

To learn more about how I plan for long-term travel, read my blog My Long-Term Solo Travel Planning Methodology.

Read my blog on how staying in hostels helps get me off the beaten path, Hostels for Solo Travel at 49

What goes in my backpack? My Carry-On Packing List for Solo Travel: How to Pack Light

Listen to my Solo Travel Podcast on Spotify.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see my regular travel videos.

Stay up-to-date with my latest travel photos and follow me on Instagram.

Watch my travel videos on TikTok.