Fourteen days, three regions, one realistic pace. Our tried-and-tested Vietnam itinerary for European travellers, with flight tips, travel times and where to slow down.
In short: Two weeks is the ideal length for a first trip to Vietnam. Fly into Hanoi, spend 5 nights in the north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh), 4 nights in Hoi An, and 3–4 nights in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta before flying home. Use two domestic flights to save time.
Vietnam is long, and the most common mistake we see in itineraries sent to us by European travellers is trying to see everything: Sapa, Ha Long, Hue, Hoi An, Dalat, Nha Trang, Saigon, the Mekong and Phu Quoc — in twelve days. On paper it works. In reality you spend half your holiday in airports and arrive home more tired than when you left.
The itinerary below is the one our team in Vietnam recommends most often. It covers the three regions, includes one overnight cruise and keeps travel days to a minimum. It also accounts for jet lag after a long flight from Europe.
Before you start: flights from Europe
Vietnam Airlines flies non-stop to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from several European hubs, including Frankfurt, Paris and London, in roughly 11 to 13 hours. One-stop options via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Singapore often cost less and are available from most European airports. We recommend an open-jaw ticket: fly into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City (or the other way round). It costs about the same as a return and saves you a full day of backtracking.
Days 1–3: Hanoi, slowly
Arrive, check in and resist the urge to do too much on day one. Hanoi is six hours ahead of Central European Time in winter (five in summer), so an easy evening walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and dinner in the Old Quarter is enough.
On day two, explore the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and the excellent Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which explains the country's 54 ethnic groups far better than any guidebook. On day three, join a street-food walk in the morning — bun cha, banh cuon and the famous egg coffee — and keep the afternoon free.
Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise
Leave Hanoi after breakfast; the expressway brings you to the coast in about two and a half hours. An overnight cruise is far more rewarding than a day trip, because you see the bay after the day boats leave and at sunrise. Choose a boutique boat with kayaking and a cave visit. If you prefer fewer boats, ask for a route in Lan Ha Bay — we explain the difference in our cruise guide.
Day 6: Ninh Binh — "Ha Long Bay on land"
Instead of returning straight to Hanoi, drive from the cruise port to Ninh Binh. Rowing boats take you through limestone caves and rice fields at Trang An, and the view from the top of Mua Cave (around 500 steps) is one of the best in the north. Stay overnight in a countryside lodge rather than rushing back.
Days 7–10: Hoi An and the central coast
Return to Hanoi and fly to Da Nang (about 80 minutes), then drive 45 minutes to Hoi An. Four nights here allow a perfect mix of culture and rest:
- A guided walk through the UNESCO-listed old town and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
- A cycling tour through the vegetable village of Tra Que, followed by a cooking class.
- A day trip to the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, or to the imperial city of Hue.
- At least one completely free day at An Bang beach — you will have earned it.
Days 11–13: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta
Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (about 75 minutes). Saigon is Vietnam's energetic business capital: visit the War Remnants Museum, the Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market, and end with drinks on a rooftop bar. The next day, take a Mekong Delta day trip by sampan and bicycle through coconut canals and fruit orchards. If you have one more day, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a sobering and fascinating half-day visit.
Day 14: Fly home
Most flights to Europe leave Ho Chi Minh City late in the evening and arrive early the next morning, so you have most of the last day for shopping or a spa.
Overview: the two-week route at a glance
| Days | Place | Nights | How you get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Hanoi | 3 | International flight |
| 4 | Ha Long / Lan Ha Bay | 1 | Private car, 2.5 h |
| 5 | Ninh Binh | 1 | Private car, 2.5 h |
| 6–9 | Hoi An | 4 | Flight Hanoi–Da Nang + 45 min drive |
| 10–13 | Ho Chi Minh City | 3 | Flight Da Nang–Saigon |
| 14 | Departure | — | International flight |
Want a beach extension?
If you can take three weeks, add four nights on Phu Quoc (a 1-hour flight from Saigon) or in Quy Nhon, a quieter beach town on the central coast that is still largely undiscovered by European tour groups.
What to change depending on the season
In October and November, swap two Hoi An nights for an extra night in the north, because the centre is rainy. In summer, do the opposite. Our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam explains why.
Ten days or three weeks? Adapting the route
Not everyone can take two full weeks. Here is how we adapt the route for other trip lengths:
| Trip length | Suggested route | What you sacrifice |
|---|---|---|
| 10 days | Hanoi (2), Ha Long cruise (1), Ninh Binh (1), Hoi An (4), fly home via Hanoi or Saigon | The south and the Mekong Delta |
| 14 days | The route in this article | Only the beaches and the far north |
| 17 days | Add Sapa (2 nights) or Hue (1 night) | Nothing important |
| 21 days | Add Phu Quoc or Quy Nhon beach (4 nights) | You may never want to come home |
Adding Hue or Sapa
Hue, the former imperial capital, lies about three hours north of Hoi An by road over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. One night lets you see the Citadel, the royal tombs and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Sapa, in the mountains near the Chinese border, is reached by road (about five to six hours from Hanoi) or by overnight train to Lao Cai. It is beautiful for trekking among rice terraces and minority villages, but it needs at least two nights to be worthwhile.
Hotels: where we recommend staying
- Hanoi: the Old Quarter or the French Quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake, so you can walk everywhere.
- Ninh Binh: a countryside lodge in Tam Coc or Hoa Lu, surrounded by karst peaks and rice fields.
- Hoi An: a riverside or rice-field boutique hotel, or a beach resort if you want sea views.
- Ho Chi Minh City: District 1, close to the main sights, restaurants and rooftop bars.
Pace: the secret of a good itinerary
European travellers often tell us that the best moments of their trip were the unplanned ones: a long coffee watching Hanoi's street life, an extra swim in Hoi An, a chat with a family in the Mekong Delta. That is why we include at least one free half-day every three or four days, avoid early starts after travel days, and never schedule more than one flight in a day. Your holiday should feel like a holiday, not a project plan.
Travelling responsibly in Vietnam
- Choose cruise boats that limit single-use plastic.
- Eat in family-run restaurants and buy crafts directly from makers.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in ethnic minority villages.
- Avoid animal attractions that involve riding or performing animals.
- Consider taking the train for one leg — the Hanoi–Hue or Hue–Da Nang sections are scenic and lower-carbon.
Frequently asked questions
Is two weeks enough for Vietnam?
Two weeks is enough to see the highlights of all three regions at a comfortable pace. With ten days, focus on the north and centre.
Should I start in the north or the south?
From October to March, start in the north and finish in the warmer south. In spring both directions work well.
Do I need a guide in Vietnam?
You can travel independently, but a private guide adds context in Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An, and a local team saves a lot of time with transfers and bookings.
Can I travel by train instead of flying?
Yes, the Reunification Express runs the length of the country. The Hue–Da Nang section is especially scenic. For a two-week trip, flights save time on the longer stretches.
What is the best Vietnam itinerary for a honeymoon?
Follow the same northern route, then replace Saigon with Phu Quoc for a beach finish — see our Hoi An and Phu Quoc honeymoon itinerary.
Prefer it all organised? See our Classic Vietnam: North to South itinerary — fully tailor-made.
