Perfect 2-Week Vietnam Itinerary for First-Timers
We spent 4 weeks in the country during our world trip, and really had a blast! Adam was a first-timer in Vietnam and Isi returned after 12 years, which was really exciting! We condensed our favourite spots and must-visit places into a 2-week itinerary, which serves as a great plan for a first visit to the country.
You can do this itinerary either way around: from the North to the South, or vice versa. It completely depends on your preferences and flight schedule – however, if you are planning to visit both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and flying to and from the same airport back home, consider that getting back to your starting point will take significant time and probably an additional flight.
In a nutshell: we start in the south in Ho Chi Minh City and then head up north to Hoi An and Da Nang. After that, we explore the countryside in Ninh Binh and see the bioluminescent plankton among the limestone mountains in Cat Ba, a great alternative to Ha Long Bay. Then we head to the capital, Hanoi. We round up the trip either doing the Ha Giang Loop or with a trek through the rice fields in Sa Pa.
2-3 days in Ho Chi Minh City
- One full day: Take a long walk around District 1, covering all the major attractions:
- War Remnants Museum: houses a large exhibition about the Vietnam War. Tickets are available at the entrance or on the official website for 40k VNĐ (€1.33 / $1.54). Location
- Independence Palace: you can see historically furnished rooms and a war exhibit here. Get your tickets at the entrance or on the official website for 80k VNĐ (€2.66 / $3.08). Location
- Café Apartment Building: countless trendy restaurants and cafés spread across many-many floors, a great spot for a break and to grab lunch after the museum run! Location
- Ho Chi Minh Statue: walk past & greet Ho Chi Minh on your way to the Post Office. 😉 Location
- Saigon Central Post Office: an interesting, still functional French colonial-era building with free entry. Location
- Notre Dame Cathedral: a Catholic cathedral from the late 19th century. Entry is free. Location
- Book Street: home to many cafés and book stores selling not only Vietnamese but also English literature, and stationery items. Location
- Depending on your interests, the rest of your time can be allocated to check out the following:
- Cu Chi Tunnels: you can visit the remainders of the war tunnels used by Southern forces during the Vietnam War. We decided not to go, as most of the tunnels are not original anymore but either widened or completely rebuilt from scratch for tourists. Book tickets through Klook here.
- Mekong River Delta excursion: another popular day trip option from HCMC; you can enjoy the river from a traditional hand-rowed wooden boat. Book tickets through Klook here.
- Bui Vien Walking Street: a famed walking street with many bars and restaurants. There are also rooftop bars where you can experience the nightlife and escape the crowds at the same time. We went to The View Rooftop Bar and found it really nice. Location
- Discover the craft beer scene! You can find many types of drinks from Belgian-style brews to local craft beer – some people even say that Ho Chi Minh City is the craft beer capital of Southeast Asia.
- Indulge in Vietnam’s creative coffee scene! There are many surprisingly exotic drinks; the most famous are probably the egg coffee and salted coffee. You should definitely visit one of Ho Chi Minh City’s cool cafés – we recommend the Oasis Café, where guests are literally seated in a koi pond. A great alternative is the Koi Pond Coffee with a similar concept.
Restaurant recommendations
- Oasis Café: as mentioned above, a cool & trendy café where guests are seated in a koi pond. Location
- BELGO: a superb beer bar also offering lunch and dinner and many Belgian-style brews. Location
- Pizza 4P’s (multiple branches): delicious yet affordable pizza creations. The restaurants all have unique interiors. Location
- BiaCraft: another great craft beer pub with multiple outlets. Location
- Café Apartments: a large apartment complex with many restaurants and cafés spread across multiple floors. Location
- Bún Bò Hậu Bến Ngự: an unassuming little restaurant we found while searching for great pho. We can proudly report that we found some! 😉 Location
- Phở Hiền 1985: hands down the most delicious pho we had in the country. Very authentic setting with no tourists at all. Location
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
We recommend staying in District 1 for easy access to all the sights. There are plenty of accommodations from affordable AirBnBs to luxurious hotels.
- Budget options: 60 Inn Saigon ($) and Huong Sen Hotel ($).
- Mid-range options: GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon ($$) and Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint ($$)
- High-end options: The Reverie Saigon ($$$) and Park Hyatt Saigon ($$$)
Getting around in Ho Chi Minh City is quite easy, either by bus or by ordering a ride via Grab. The bus network is also integrated into Google Maps.
Next stop: Hoi An. Take a quick flight; the duration is about 1 hour and 20 minutes. You can also take a sleeper train, but the journey takes around 18 hours. Book the train tickets on the official website, or on trip.com for a more user-friendly experience as soon as possible, as they tend to sell out quickly.
3 days in Hoi An & Da Nang
- One full day: discover the old town and the superb food scene. A couple of interesting spots worth checking out in the central area:
- Chùa Cầu Japanese Covered Bridge
- Fujian Assembly Hall
- Stroll along the river and night market on the northern bank
- Central food market hall
- Clothing market hall
- Get some clothes tailored – one of the main reasons many people visit Hoi An! The process usually takes 2 days with 1 or 2 fittings from start to finish. We had nice results at Shine Tailor and at Ms. Nô’s shop, a more affordable alternative in the market hall.
In case you don’t have space left in your suitcase, we found a good postal service that focuses on international shipments. The clothes were very well wrapped and arrived without any damage. Location
- One full day excursion to Da Nang: while waiting for your clothes to be finished, book a ride via Grab and head to Da Nang.
- You can visit the Marble Mountains between Da Nang and Hoi An; it takes around half a day. Here you can hike up to the top and enjoy the view, and discover small shrines and pagodas tucked away between the rocks. The entry costs 30.000 VND (€1 | $1.16), there is an optional elevator for an additional 15,000 VND (€0.50 | $0.58) if you don’t want to walk up.
- After that, you can head to the coast and enjoy some beach-time. There is a nice stretch of golden sand with a couple of bars, restaurants and umbrella rentals here. Surfing and other watersports seem to be quite popular here too.
- Other activities depending on your interests:
- Coconut boat ride in Hoi An: You will float through a bamboo forest and get a chance to spin around in a coconut basket boat until you feel dizzy. It costs around 230,000 VND ($9.20 USD), including the boat ride and entrance fee.
- Evening lantern boat ride on the river in Hoi An: The costs depend on the boat size. A boat suitable for 1 to 3 people costs around 150,000 VND ($6 USD) for a 20-minute ride.
- Golden Bridge: two giant hands holding a bridge. A popular tourist attraction famous on social media. It is built by the Sun Group solely for the purpose of providing a backdrop for photos and collecting tourist money. It has no further historical or cultural significance. There is an entrance fee of 1,000,000 VND (approx. $39 USD) to the resort that contains the bridge. Location
Restaurant recommendations in Hoi An
- Bale Well: a popular restaurant with locals as well. They serve only one set dish, Bánh Xèo. It was very delicious, and the setting is super authentic! Location
- Morning Glory: “traditional Vietnamese cuisine made pretty for visitors”, as our friend put it. Still, the food is outstanding! Location
- Mót: a small restaurant offering sweet herbal drink and a couple of classic dishes. Location
- The Inner Hoian: an excellent modern speciality coffee shop! Location
- The Espresso Station: another great coffee spot with a cutely decorated porch area. Location
- White Rose Restaurant: a non-touristy restaurant with two must-try local specialities: white rose dumplings and fried won ton. Location
- MÙA: the perfect place to experience Vietnamese fine dining with an affordable price tag! Location
- Madam Khahn – The Banh Mi Queen: a popular Banh Mi outlet in the old town. It was very delicious (but not the best in the world, contrary to what some people say). Location
Restaurant recommendations in Da Nang
- Bếp Cuốn Đà Nẵng: a superb restaurant near the beach. They even received a Michelin Selected distinction in 2025! Location
- Bếp Bà Ba – Ẩm Thực Quê Nhà: an outstanding restaurant in the touristy street – the location should not deter you in this case, though! Location
- XLIII Specialty Coffee: an elegant coffee shop with a little pod outside. We even spotted a baby shark in the water there! Location
Where to stay in Hoi An
If your budget allows, stay somewhere near the old town area for easy access to the sights, shops and restaurants on foot. The direct centre is probably a bit noisy in the evening due to the large number of visitors, so it’s best to keep a 5-minute distance when it comes to your hotel choice.
We stayed at the Bill Ben Homestay ($) and had a really nice time. The rooms are basic but the location is good, as it is close to the old town but in a residential area that is quiet enough to sleep well at night. Another budget option we looked at is the Green Apple Hotel ($). More upscale options worth considering are the Almanity Hoi A Resort & Spa ($$) or the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai ($$$) for a luxurious stay.
Next stop: Ninh Binh. Take an overnight sleeper train from Da Nang; duration about 12 hours. Book the train tickets on the official website, or on trip.com for a more user-friendly experience as soon as possible. If you don’t want to take the sleeper train, you can also fly to Hanoi and reach Ninh Binh by van or bus from there.
2 days in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is the perfect spot to experience Vietnam’s countryside and its beautiful nature! While the main tourist village, Tam Coc, has all the necessary visitor amenities, the region has still managed to retain its rustic charm.
- One full day: we recommend booking a tour (incl. lunch) to cover the main sights in the area. These include the Hoa Lu Old Capital, the Bai Dinh Pagoda, a boat ride in Trang An and the Mua Caves & Viewpoint. If you want to secure a spot in advance, take a look on Klook here. Alternatively, you can ask at your accommodation.
You can also visit the sights individually, you just need to organise transportation, e.g. by renting a motorbike.
- One full day: relax, soak up the beautiful nature and explore the rice fields. The best way is hands down by renting a bike for complete freedom. Most accommodations offer rental bikes; if not, you will find plenty of rental places along the main road. If you are looking for great spots to take photos in the rice fields, check out our map here.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh
We recommend staying in Tam Coc, which is the gateway to all the major attractions in the area. We stayed at Vinh Thinh Homestay ($), a charming and quiet homestay close to the centre. Other options we recommend considering, depending on your budget and preferences:
- Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh / Emeralda Resort Tam Coc ($$$): One of the most well-known luxury options in the area with beautiful pool areas on the island in the middle of Tam Coc’s lake.
- Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay ($): A cosy homestay right by the lake with a nice pool to cool down in the heat.
- ChezCao Rice Field Ecolodge ($$): An incredible Ecolodge overlooking rice fields.
- Liberty Hall Tam Coc Hotel & Villa ($$): A great hotel with pool that is highly rated.
Restaurant recommendations
- Mộc Tam Cốc: a small family-run restaurant offering Vietnamese classics. There are a couple of rare dishes on the menu too, such as the sweet and sour fish soup! It was so delicious that we even returned a second time. Location
- Bamboo Garden: Vietnamese food & cold beers, located in a quiet residential street. Location
- SisterFields Boutique Café: a great spot for a Western-style breakfast. It’s very popular, so make sure to arrive early. Location
- T-Pub: if you are longing for something different from Vietnamese food, you can find decent pizza at T-Pub. Location
If you want to find out more about Ninh Binh, make sure to check out our dedicated article for the details!
Next stop: Cat Ba. Book your transportation (usually a small bus or a van) through 12go.asia, duration: about 4 hours. You will be dropped off directly in the small town at the southern tip of Cat Ba Island, where all the tours start.
2 days in Cat Ba
Cat Ba is a great alternative to Ha Long Bay, which has been completely overrun by tourists in recent years. I have been to both and can say that the landscapes look pretty similar.
- Half day: Do the Sunset and Night Kayak with Bioluminescent Plankton tour. It was the first time for us to see bioluminescent plankton, and it really was an out-of-this-world experience. The tour starts with a cruise through the limestone islands and emerald waters and later you will have the opportunity to go swimming. Later, when it gets dark, you kayak through the waters lit up by bioluminescent plankton, a truly magical experience.
- Book the tickets through Get Your Guide here. The best season to see bioluminescent plankton is May to November; however, we had perfect visibility of the plankton in April too.
Where to stay in Cat Ba
- Little Vietnam Hotel – Cat Ba ($): Simple hotel in a central location with a nice owner
- The Moon Boutique Hotel Cat Ba ($$): This hotel has a nice rooftop in a central town location
- Flamingo Cat Ba Resort – Managed by Flamingo Hotels & Resorts ($$$): Modern and stylish hotel that features a Japanese Onsen-style spa area
Next stop: Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Book a bus from Cat Ba; the ride takes around 3 hours.
3 days in Hanoi
- Train Street: The famous street where trains pass by just a couple of inches from buildings and spectators. Try to check the train schedule beforehand, e.g. in recent Reddit threads, and get to the tracks at least 20 minutes before the train passes to secure a good spot at one of the cafés along the tracks. The lights in the evening were very pretty!
- Temple of Literature: A Confucian temple complex that also houses various exhibits. The entry costs 70k VND (€2.34 / $2.70) per person. To be honest, we were a bit underwhelmed by the site. Location | Official website
- Women’s Museum: A very interesting and unique museum about the women of Vietnam and their role in history and society. The entry costs 40k VND (€1.33 / $1.54). Location | Official website
- Old Town and Hoàn Kiếm Lake: Wander around the lake and the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. Interestingly, you will notice that entire streets specialise in certain products: for example, one is filled with only shoe shops, another one with metal workshops.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: One of the most significant historic sites, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh. Location
- Try Egg Coffee: This Vietnamese creation originated in Hanoi during a milk shortage, when a café barista had the great idea to use egg white instead of milk. Customers loved it and it became a signature drink of Vietnam with plenty of cafés to try it. If you are not a coffee lover, most cafés have egg hot chocolate too!
- Street food
Where to stay in Hanoi
- Hanoi Golden Hotel ($): https://expedia.tpx.gr/K8vTsnJ6
- Bonjour D’An Nam Home ($): https://expedia.tpx.gr/7mvLDbQG
- Hanoi Saga Hotel ($$): https://expedia.tpx.gr/hA4ZMFKI
- Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi ($$$): https://expedia.tpx.gr/YaN2Jqn6
Restaurant recommendations
- Cô Ba’s Bánh Mì: this was probably the best Bánh Mi we had in Vietnam. You can sit by the road and do some people-watching while enjoying your meal. Location
- Tầm vị: one of the most affordable Michelin-star restaurants in the world! We had a fantastic meal there for only €23 including cocktails. Make sure to reserve in advance, as it is very popular. Location
- Hanoi Homebrew (multiple locations): a great craft beer bar with multiple locations and delicious drinks. Location
- Egg Coffee: a hidden café with an unassuming name we found while searching for egg coffee. They have delicious drinks and a great terrace overlooking the lake. Location
- MỢ Vietnamese Fusion: a great little restaurant with creative takes on classic dishes and a chique ambience. Location
- Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bách Phương: super delicious beef noodle salad near the old town. Location
Next stop: either a) Ha Giang Loop or b) Sa Pa.
Unfortunately, we miscalculated our days and did not have enough time for both, so we only managed to visit Sa Pa. We met many people who travelled the Ha Giang Loop and had an amazing time though!
a) 2 days: Ha Giang Loop
The Ha Giang Loop is one of the most popular activities amongst Western tourists. There are three routes leading through the magnificent landscapes of Northern Vietnam. You can either ride on the back of an experienced local driver, or rent a motorbike and drive yourself.
The 3 routes have different lengths: 2, 3 or 5 days; you can pick depending on how much time you have.
Make sure to clarify the group size in advance when booking, as large groups diminish the experience a lot. See the trip report from a traveller on Reddit.
b) 2 days in Sa Pa
- 1 full day: Take a trekking tour through the beautiful rice fields and the little villages of the local Hmong ethnic group. We booked our trek with Sapa Sisters, a women-owned Hmong company we felt worth supporting.
You can also book a 2-day 1-night tour and spend a night at a local homestay in one of the villages.
- On your second day, you can do two half-day activities:
- Ride the Alpine Coaster and enjoy the mountain views. You can reach it by free shuttle bus from the city centre (location) and buy the tickets beforehand on Klook or at the entrance of the coaster. We uploaded a video of the entire ride, so check that out if you are curious what awaits you!
- Depending on the season, you can go up the Fansipan mountain by cable car to enjoy spectacular views of the landscape. It was built by the same company as the Golden Bridge (the one with the two hands) in Hoi An, so you are expected to pay a similarly high entry fee of 850,000 VND ($34 USD). The lower cable car station is located here.
The weather can change fast, and if it is cloudy, there won’t be any view from the top. Make sure to ask at the entrance about the conditions, so you don’t spend time and money for nothing.
If you are fit for the challenge, you can also skip the cable car and hike up on a day tour. Book the trek on Get Your Guide here.
Where to eat
- Thong Dong Vegan Kitchen & Cafe: a fine little restaurant in a quiet side street near the centre with a charming atmosphere. Location
- Sapa Memory Restaurant: a great find with a wide variety of delicious dishes and huge portions. Location
Where to stay in Sa Pa
This is where we made the biggest mistake and probably our greatest advice we want to give you: do not stay in Sa Pa city centre. It is busy and touristy and feels like a city that is completely aimed at tourists…
We recommend either booking a hotel a little father from the city centre or staying at a homestay in one of the villages. We cancelled our hotel in the centre and booked the White Cloud Sapa Homestay ($$) instead, which was very beautiful. The rooms have a fancy bath, from which you can enjoy the incredible view. The restaurant is also worth visiting as it has a balcony overlooking the mountains and rice fields. Another great option is The Mong Garden Homestay SaPa ($$).
Our cost breakdown
All in all, Vietnam is a very affordable destination to travel. We spent a month in the country, and created a projection of our costs to fit the route and activities of this itinerary.
| Category | Expense per person per day | Total 2 weeks for two people | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities Tours & entry tickets | €3.66 | $4.26 | €102 | $119 |
| Food Restaurants, drinks, snacks | €8.31 | $9.67 | €233 | $270 |
| Transportation Trains, busses, vans, taxies | €4.19 | $4.88 | €117 | $136 |
| Hotels Homestays and mid-range hotels | €9.89 | $11.51 | €277 | $321 |
| Misc. Souvenirs, necessities, etc | €1.14 | $1.33 | €32 | $37 |
| Sum | €27.19 | $31.54 | €761 | $883 |
Exemplary expenses
Here are a couple of examples of typical things you might buy or spend on:
| Food | |||
| Vietnamese dinner for two | €7 | $8 | |
| Pizza dinner for two | €12 | $14 | |
| A typical banh mi | €1.50 | $1.70 | |
| A glass of local craft beer | €2.60 | $3 | |
| A cup of coffee | €1.50 | $1.70 | |
| Transportation | |||
| Van from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba (4.5 hours) | €16 | $18.50 | |
| Grab (taxi) ride in Hanoi (10 minutes) | €1.50 | $1.75 | |
| Grab (taxi) from Hoi An to Da Nang | €11 | $13 | |
| Public transport bus ticket in Ho Chi Minh City | €0.40 | $0.50 | |
| Activities | |||
| Entry to War Remnants Museum | €1.45 | $1.70 | |
| Entry to Marble Mountain | €1.45 | $1.70 | |
| Ninh Binh all-in-one tour incl. lunch | €36 | $42 | |
| Sa Pa hiking tour incl. lunch | €19 | $22 | |
| A haircut for Adam: priceless. 😀 | €3.63 | $4.20 | |
Best time to visit
Vietnam can be travelled in all seasons, however, we would urge your to avoid the hot and humid rainy season that typically starts in May and lasts until October. We travelled between March and April and had fantastic weather.
Practical Tips
- Carrying cash is important, as many places do not accept card payments. Make sure to download the crowd-sourced ATM Fee Saver app to look up ATMs and withdrawal fees.
- Tap water is not safe to drink, but fine for showering and brushing teeth.
- The most prominent grocery store is WinMart, where you can find a wide variety of products.
- In larger cities, there are many convenience stores, similar to the ones in Japan.
