With two weeks, you can travel the length of Vietnam, plus add Cambodia or Thailand into the mix. Should you choose an exclusive Vietnam adventure, there are many highlight cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to see while also leaving time for mountain hikes, river trips, countryside tours, and visits to ancient landmarks. The five diverse itineraries below cover the best options.

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

On this 14-day tour, you'll begin in the south and work your way north, stopping along the way at the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Hue, Ha Long Bay, the capital of Hanoi, and many more exotic locales.

Cruise along the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam
Cruise along the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 Day Trip to Cu Chi Tunnel & Cao Dai Temple Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3 Transfer to Can Tho, Tour the Mekong Delta Can Tho
Day 4 Can Tho Tour, Fly to Da Nang & Transfer to Hoi An Hoi An
Day 5 Visit Fishing Villages & Hoi An Tour Hoi An
Day 6 Day Trip to Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Hoi An
Day 7 Hoi An Free Day Hoi An
Day 8 Transfer to Hue, Explore the Imperial City Hue
Day 9 Hue Mausoleum Tour, Fly to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 10 Rural Villages Bicycle Tour & Hanoi Cultural Tour Hanoi
Day 11 Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Explore Halong Bay
Day 12 Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay, Visit Local Fishing Villages Bai Tu Long Bay
Day 13 Transfer to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 14 Depart Hanoi  


Beginning in southern Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, you'll tour historic highlights over two days, like the Viet Cong tunnel network at Cu Chi, plus visit temples unique to the region. On Day 3, you'll leave for a boat ride on the famous Mekong Delta, where you'll visit floating river markets and enjoy bicycle tours around the unspoiled countryside. Then, you'll fly north to Da Nang and drive down the coast to Hoi An, located at the mouth of the Thu Bon River. A tour of this historic port city includes stops at local meeting halls and old covered bridges, plus fishing excursions on the river in traditional basket boats.

Day 6 involves a visit to the Ba Na Hills, followed by a free day before traveling to the imperial city of Hue. Here you'll tour the ancient mausoleum and the final resting place of past emperors before flying to Hanoi. Not only will you enjoy cultural tours of the city's museums and colonial Old Quarter, but you'll also take a cycling tour of the outlying rural villages. The next day, you'll travel to the Gulf of Tonkin to embark on a two-night cruise around Ha Long Bay, known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands. You'll dine on seafood, witness sunrises, and make stops for swimming in the lagoons and exploring sea caves, returning to Hanoi for one last night before departing Vietnam. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Vietnam Off-the-Beaten-Track Adventure

Enjoy this two-week adventure as you cycle and hike off the tourist trail, from relaxed countryside villages to isolated mountain towns beyond Sapa in Vietnam's north. Plus, there's time left over to explore classic highlights like Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.

Vietnam, norther Vietnam's rice terraces
Hike through the terraced rice fields of Vietnam's north
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi Hanoi
Day 2 Ba Vi Countryside Eco-Tour Hanoi
Day 3 Transfer to Sapa Sapa
Day 4 Sapa Trekking & Sightseeing Sapa
Day 5 Explore Sapa's Remote Villages Sapa
Day 6 Transfer to Bac Ha & Trekking Bac Ha
Day 7 Transfer to Hoang Su Phi & Trek to Nam Nghi Village Hoang Su Phi
Day 8 Full-Day Trek in Hoang Su Phi Hoang Su Phi
Day 9 Visit Local Markets, Transfer to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 10 Cruise & Kayak in Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay
Day 11 Disembark Cruise, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12 Transfer to Can Tho & Discover the Mekong Delta Can Tho
Day 13 Cai Rang Floating Markert & Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


Arriving in Hanoi, take time to check out famed Bun Cha Huong Lien for their Hanoian dish bun cha (noodle soup with grilled pork), followed by a guided tour of the Ba Vi countryside, meet and greet with locals in Ri and Moc, and a bike ride amid rice paddies. On Day 3, you'll transfer north to Sapa, nestled near the Chinese border, and ride the cable car to Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. Enjoy easy treks the next two days to visit ethnic communities, like the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai and Gian Ta Chai, a Red Dao village. You'll walk through wild scenery, shop wares from local villagers, and admire sweeping vistas of the Sin Chai Valley.

Days 6, 7, and 8 lead you farther north to trek first near Bac Ha, then in the Ha Giang region, and finally through rice terraces, forests, waterfalls, and tiny villages to Khoa Thuong. Then it's a four-hour drive to beautiful Ha Long Bay to board your junk boat for an overnight cruise of the paper-flat UNESCO-listed landmark, stopping for a swim and kayak paddle. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City the next day for a short stay before taking off for the lush Mekong Delta. Cruise the Ham Luong tributary, visit workshops along the river and kayak canals, and check out the colorful Cai Rang Floating Market, where you'll order lunch from a floating vendor. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family Adventure in Vietnam

This family-friendly vacation covers a north-south route and includes excursions in the mountainous northwest region plus hikes and cycling trips around country villages and along the Thu Bồn River.

Visit the Imperial City in Hue
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi City Tour & Train to Lao Cai Lao Cai
Day 3 Lao Cai to Sapa, Visit Silver Waterfall & Heaven Gate Sapa
Day 4 Ma Tra Hike, Visit Ta Phin Village Sapa
Day 5 Hike to Country Villages & Train to Hanoi Sapa
Day 6 Bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay Halong Bay
Day 7 Bus from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi Hanoi
Day 8 Hanoi to Hue, Sightseeing Hue
Day 9 Hue to Da Nang & Transfer to Hoi An, Sightseeing Hoi An
Day 10 Bicycle Eco-Tour Along the Thu Bồn River Hoi An
Day 11 Hoi An to Da Nang & Fly to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12 Cu Chi Tunnel, Ho Chi Minh City Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13 Day Trip on the Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14 Depart Ho Chi Minh City  


You and the family will arrive in Hanoi. After a packed city tour on day two, you'll take an overnight train to the far northwest of the country and the gorgeous mountain town of Sapa. This will be your home base for a few days, during which time you'll hike amid terraced rice paddies, visit Hmong ethnic villages, travel over high mountain passes with incredible views, and see beautiful waterfalls. You'll then return to Hanoi and then head to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise over emerald waters.

Upon your return to Hanoi you'll have day seven free, and on day eight catch a flight south to Hue. A tour on the day you arrive includes stops at the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Tomb of Tự Đức, a waterfront mausoleum built in 1867 for the Nguyễn Emperor Tự Đứcs. On day nine you'll go sightseeing on the Thu Bồn River near Hoi An followed by a bicycle tour of the rural river communities and visits to their organic farms. Day 11 is a free day in Hoi An.

From Hoi An you and your family will transfer to Ho Chi Minh City and take a tour on day 13. This includes not only the tunnels at Cu Chi but historic city landmarks like the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, which was actually built with materials imported from France. On day 14 you'll embark on a day trip down the Mekong River and a bike excursion through country coconut groves before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for your trip home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Heritage of Vietnam & Thailand

This combined Vietnam and Thailand itinerary covers the highlights of both countries, including stops in Hanoi and Bangkok, plus exciting excursions like visiting an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and exploring the caves of Ha Long Bay. 

See both Vietnam and Thailand 
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi City Tour Hanoi
Day 3 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Trinh Nu Cave Halong Bay
Day 4 Cave Tour, Transfer to Hanoi & Fly to Da Nang, Hoi An Hoi An
Day 5 Walking Tour of Hoi An Hoi An
Day 6 Hoi An Cycling & Kayak Tour Hoi An
Day 7 Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, Night Vespa/Food Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8 Ho Chi Minh Guided City Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 9 Day Trip on the Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10 Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, City Tour Bangkok
Day 11 Cooking Class in Bangkok Bangkok
Day 12 Day Trip to Ayutthaya, Night Train to Chiang Mai Chiang Mai
Day 13 Arrival in Chiang Mai, City & Temples Tour Chiang Mai
Day 14 Fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Depart  


Your grand tour of Southeast Asia begins in Hanoi. A tour includes stops at the oldest Buddhist temple in the city plus the Vietnam Military Museum. On day three you'll transfer to the coast and Ha Long Bay to visit floating villages, unspoiled beaches, and the largest cave in the region, Sung Sot. Day four is a travel day from Hanoi to Hoi An followed by a walking tour of historic landmarks in its Ancient Town on day five. The next day you'll visit countryside villages on a combined cycling/kayak tour. 

On Day seven you'll travel to Ho Chi Minh City and discover it right off on an exciting Vespa/food tour. Day eight involves a more traditional city tour of historic highlights like the Opera House and Independence Palace, the former home of the president of South Vietnam. After a day trip on the Mekong, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh City on day 10 and catch a flight to the next country on the itinerary: Thailand. Upon arriving you'll hop on a long-tail boat for a ride on the Chao Phraya River.

On day 11 you'll get an in-depth introduction to the delicious flavors that have conquered the world with a Thai cooking class. The next day is an excursion to Ayutthaya, the ruins of an ancient city that was one of the capitals of the Siamese Kingdom from the 14th-18th centuries. Then you'll hop an overnight train to northern Thailand and Chiang Mai, where on days 13 and 14 you'll tour ancient temples and visit an elephant sanctuary to see these incredible animals up close. Learn more 

Itinerary #5: Discover Vietnam & Cambodia

This multi-country itinerary is similar to the last except it swaps Thailand for Cambodia, an equally beautiful country home to Angkor Wat, the largest historic temple site in the world. 

Tour the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi City Tour Hanoi
Day 3 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay Halong Bay
Day 4 Ha Long Bay to Hanoi, Flight to Da Nang & Transfer to Hoi An Hoi An
Day 5 Hoi An City Tour, Boat Trip on the Thu Bồn River Hoi An
Day 6 Bicycle Eco-Tour & Cooking Class Hoi An
Day 7 Hoi An Free Day Hoi An
Day 8 Hoi An to Da Nang, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Day 9 Cu Chi Tunnel, Ho Chi Minh City Tour Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10 Day Trip on the Mekong Delta Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11 Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, Cambodia Siem Reap
Day 12 Tour Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, & Angkor Wat Siem Reap
Day 13 Visit the Floating Village of Kampong Phluk Siem Reap
Day 14 Depart Siem Reap  


Spend the first few days enjoying Hanoi and its landmarks like West Lake, the 11th-century Temple of Literature, and the oldest municipal market in the city, Hang Be. After an overnight excursion to Ha Long Bay, on day four you'll fly to Hoi An for a trip down the Thu Bồn River and a visit to city cultural sites like the Phung Hung House, a Chinese trading house built in 1780. Day six is particularly special as you'll travel to a countryside market and pick up produce for a cooking class.

After a free day, you'll next fly to Ho Chi Minh city for a tour and a boat trip on the Mekong to the gardens and villages of the area. On day 11 you'll fly to Siem Riep. Located in northwest Cambodia, this town is adjacent to Angkor, once the capital of the Khmer Kingdom from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The next day you'll tour ruins like the temple complex of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, a city dating to the 12th century. The trip culminates with a visit to a floating village on nearby Tonlé Sap Lake. Learn more

More Great Vietnam Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Vietnam? Check out these other Vietnam itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

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Map of 2 Weeks in Vietnam - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Map of 2 Weeks in Vietnam - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas