Vietnam Itinerary for 14 Days – The Perfect Travel Plan

Posted By: Richard Roeffen / Vietnam Travel Guides

Explore Vietnam in 14 days with this perfect itinerary. Visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa, Hue, Phu Quoc, and more with budget and luxury travel options.

Vietnam is a country of rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. With 14 days, you can explore bustling cities, ancient towns, beautiful beaches, and scenic mountains.

This Vietnam itinerary is designed for first-time travelers, covering Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam with options for budget and luxury travel.

Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnams first university and a symbol of wisdom! — Explore the **Temple of Literature**, Vietnam’s first university and a symbol of wisdom! - (Source: Collected)

Days 1-3: Explore Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi – Vietnam’s Capital

Why Visit Hanoi?

Hanoi is a city full of history, culture, and amazing street food.

✔ Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple.

✔ Explore Hanoi Old Quarter and its hidden alleys and coffee shops.

✔ Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Temple of Literature.

✔ Enjoy Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and Egg Coffee at a traditional café.

Budget Stay: Little Charm Hanoi Hostel (~~$10/night).~~

Luxury Stay: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi ($200/night).

Day 2-3: Ha Long Bay – A UNESCO Wonder

Why Visit Ha Long Bay?

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO-listed natural wonder with stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters.

✔ Take a luxury or budget cruise for 1 or 2 nights.

✔ Explore Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and go kayaking.

✔ Enjoy a seafood dinner and sunset on the cruise deck.

Budget Stay: Swan Cruises (~~$130/person).~~

Luxury Stay: Paradise Elegance Cruise ($300/person).

Sail through the breathtaking Halong Bay, exploring limestone caves and floating villages! — Sail through the breathtaking **Halong Bay**, exploring limestone caves and floating villages! - (Source: Collected)

Days 4-6: Sapa – Trekking in the Northern Highlands

Why Visit Sapa?

Sapa is a mountain paradise, home to ethnic minority villages and stunning rice terraces.

✔ Take an overnight train or bus Hanoi to Sapa.

✔ Trek through Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages.

✔ Visit the Fansipan Mountain by cable car.

✔ Experience a homestay with a local H’Mong family.

Budget Stay: Sapa Eco Home (~~$20/night).~~

Luxury Stay: Hotel de la Coupole ($150/night).

Discover the beauty of Sapa, with its stunning rice terraces and ethnic minority villages! — Discover the beauty of **Sapa**, with its stunning rice terraces and ethnic minority villages! - (Source: Collected)

Days 7-8: Hue – Discover Vietnam’s Imperial City

Why Visit Hue?

Hue is Vietnam’s former imperial capital, full of historic sites and royal tombs.

✔ Explore the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple Palace.

✔ Visit Thien Mu Pagoda & Tomb of Khai Dinh.

✔ Take a boat cruise on the Perfume River.

Budget Stay: Hue Serene Palace Hotel (~~$25/night).~~

Luxury Stay: Azerai La Residence Hue ($200/night).

Step back in time at the Hue Imperial Citadel, the former royal capital of Vietnam! — Step back in time at the **Hue Imperial Citadel**, the former royal capital of Vietnam! - (Source: Collected)

Days 9-10: Hoi An & Da Nang – A Perfect Blend of Culture & Beaches

Day 9: Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Why Visit Hoi An?

Hoi An is Vietnam’s most charming town, famous for its lantern-lit streets and tailor shops.

✔ Visit Japanese Covered Bridge & Tan Ky Old House.

✔ Try Cao Lau noodles & Banh Mi Phuong.

✔ Take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River.

Budget Stay: Tribee Bana Hostel (~~$15/night).~~

Luxury Stay: Anantara Hoi An Resort ($250/night).

Wander through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! — Wander through the lantern-lit streets of **Hoi An Ancient Town**, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! - (Source: Collected)

Day 10: Relax in Da Nang

Why Visit Da Nang?

Da Nang has beautiful beaches and modern attractions.

✔ Relax at My Khe Beach.

✔ Visit the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills.

✔ Explore Marble Mountains & Linh Ung Pagoda.

Budget Stay: Funtastic Beach Hostel (~~$20/night).~~

Luxury Stay: InterContinental Da Nang ($350/night).

Experience the best of Da Nang, from sandy beaches to the famous Golden Bridge! — Experience the best of **Da Nang**, from sandy beaches to the famous **Golden Bridge**! - (Source: Collected)

Days 11-12: Ho Chi Minh City – The Bustling Metropolis

Why Visit Ho Chi Minh City?

This city is Vietnam’s economic hub, blending modern skyscrapers with colonial history.

✔ Visit the War Remnants Museum & Notre-Dame Cathedral.

✔ Try Banh Xeo & Com Tam at famous street food spots.

✔ Experience the nightlife at Chill Skybar.

Budget Stay: The Like Hostel & Café (~~$12/night).~~

Luxury Stay: The Reverie Saigon ($300/night).

Explore the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City, where history meets modern life! — Explore the vibrant energy of **Ho Chi Minh City**, where history meets modern life! - (Source: Collected)

Days 13-14: Mekong Delta & Phu Quoc Island

Day 13: Mekong Delta – A Floating Market Experience

Why Visit the Mekong Delta?

The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s agricultural heartland, famous for floating markets and river life.

✔ Visit Cai Rang Floating Market.

✔ Take a boat ride through coconut groves.

Tour Cost: ~$50/person.

Cruise through the Mekong Delta, visiting floating markets and lush tropical landscapes! — Cruise through the **Mekong Delta**, visiting floating markets and lush tropical landscapes! - (Source: Collected)

Day 14: Phu Quoc Island – A Tropical Paradise

Why Visit Phu Quoc?

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s most beautiful island, featuring white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water.

✔ Relax at Sao Beach & Long Beach.

✔ Snorkel at Fingernail Island.

✔ Visit a pepper farm & fish sauce factory.

Budget Stay: Lahana Resort (~~$50/night).~~

Luxury Stay: JW Marriott Phu Quoc ($400/night).

Relax on the pristine beaches of Phu Quoc Island, a tropical paradise in Vietnam! — Relax on the pristine beaches of **Phu Quoc Island**, a tropical paradise in Vietnam! - (Source: Collected)

Final Thoughts

This 14-day Vietnam itinerary is perfect for first-time travelers, covering the best of Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam. Whether you're a budget traveler or seeking luxury, Vietnam offers unforgettable experiences.

Start planning your Vietnam adventure today!

Tags: how to plan a trip to Vietnam, best Vietnam travel route, vietnam itinerary

Best Itinerary Services: 12-Day Vietnam Tour Itinerary: From North to South

Day 1-2: Hanoi – The Capital of Vietnam

Arrive in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel.
Explore the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son Temple.
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and Temple of Literature.
Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show.
Try local dishes like Pho, Bun Cha, and Egg Coffee.

⭐ Best Experience: A private street food tour through Hanoi’s bustling alleys.

Day 3-4: Halong Bay – A UNESCO Natural Wonder

Travel to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise.
Explore Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and floating fishing villages.
Enjoy kayaking, swimming, and a sunset dinner on board.
Return to Hanoi and fly to Da Nang.

⭐ Best Experience: Waking up to the sunrise over Halong Bay.

Day 5-6: Hoi An – The Ancient Town

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, and Hoi An Market.
Take a private lantern-making class.
Enjoy a boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
Relax on An Bang Beach.

⭐ Best Experience: Watching Hoi An light up with lanterns at night.

Day 7-8: Hue – The Imperial City

Drive along the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic roads.
Visit the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and royal tombs.
Enjoy a private dragon boat ride on the Perfume River.

⭐ Best Experience: Exploring the ancient palaces of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Day 9-10: Ho Chi Minh City – The Vibrant Metropolis

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and War Remnants Museum.
Explore Ben Thanh Market for shopping and street food.
Take a private night-time Vespa tour of the city.

⭐ Best Experience: Riding through Saigon’s streets like a local.

Top 5 Must-Visit Destinations from North to South in Vietnam

Ninh Binh – The "Halong Bay on Land"
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – The Land of Caves
Quy Nhon – The Hidden Gem of Central Vietnam
Bac Son Valley – A Hidden Gem
Ba Be National Park – A Natural Paradise

Ninh Binh is a paradise of limestone karsts, lush rice fields, and ancient temples, offering stunning scenery similar to Halong Bay but on land.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Trang An Scenic Complex – A UNESCO-listed boat tour through caves and temples.
Mua Cave Viewpoint – Climb 500 steps for a panoramic view of the region.
Bai Dinh Pagoda – The largest Buddhist temple complex in Vietnam.

⭐ Best Activity: A peaceful boat ride through Tam Coc’s limestone caves.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its impressive limestone caves and adventure activities.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Son Doong Cave – The largest cave in the world (requires pre-booking).
Phong Nha Cave – A stunning river cave accessible by boat.
Paradise Cave – A breathtaking dry cave with impressive stalactites.

⭐ Best Experience: Kayaking through the caves and exploring underground rivers.

Quy Nhon is an emerging travel destination with pristine beaches and fewer crowds.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Ky Co Beach – A stunning white sand beach with crystal-clear waters.
Eo Gio – A beautiful coastal cliff with breathtaking ocean views.
Thap Doi Cham Towers – Ancient Cham ruins showcasing rich history.

⭐ Best Experience: Enjoying fresh seafood while watching the sunset by the beach.

Bac Son Valley is an off-the-beaten-path destination with picturesque rice fields and mountain landscapes.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Bac Son Peak Viewpoint – A stunning view of the valley above.
Ethnic Villages – Home to the Tay ethnic group and their unique stilt houses.
Bac Son Museum – Learn about the history and culture of the region.

⭐ Best Experience: Trekking through the rice fields and staying in a local homestay.

Ba Be National Park is a tranquil retreat featuring Vietnam’s largest natural freshwater lake, surrounded by limestone mountains and jungle.

⭐ Top Attractions: