Vietnam is one of those destinations that leave a lasting impression on travellers, with its diversity of unique landscapes, tormented history, bustling cities and isolated ethnic villages. Visiting Vietnam also means learning about a country that has emerged from centuries of colonisation and war. A country marked by the ravages of the past, rooted in a culture that is both complex and fascinating.
Added to this is a delicious local cuisine and architecture with multiple influences from Asia and elsewhere. It’s easy to see why a trip to Vietnam is such a memorable experience. This article presents detailed itinerary and practical advice for organising your trip to Vietnam in 2 weeks from Hanoi to Hoi An.
2 weeks from Hanoi to Hoi An
During this Vietnam in 2 weeks, itinerary left out the southern part of the country and concentrated instead on the northern and central regions. After a few days in noisy and fascinating Hanoi, continued on to Halong Bay (or rather Lan Ha Bay) for a two-day cruise. Then it’s on to the centre of the country for a second week of discovering a pair of must-see cities: charming Hoi An and imperial Hué.
Hanoi – 3 days
The capital of Vietnam for more than a thousand years, Hanoi is a mixture of disorder and astonishment, with old districts such as the Old Quarter and its maze of chaotic streets. Hanoi is also a cradle of the country’s history, with emblematic monuments such as Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, the ancient Thang Long citadel and Hoa Lo prison. Transformed over the decades by waves of colonisation and war, the capital is deeply marked by history and is now looking to the future.
You can visit contemporary museums such as the Vietnamese Women’s Museum and the remarkable Ethnological Museum. The overflowing energy combined with the historic sites and lakes dotted around the city testify to the unique character of Hanoi, a fascinating and disconcerting capital that is sometimes off-putting, but nonetheless a must-see on any trip to Vietnam.
Ninh Binh – 2 days
Situated to the south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is perfect for lovers of nature, marvellous panoramas and long bike rides. In Ninh Binh, the limestone cliffs of the valley dominate a sublime landscape criss-crossed by wide rivers and stretches of lush green rice paddies. Sometimes nicknamed ‘the land of Halong Bay’, Ninh Binh boasts a number of historic sites, including the remains of the former capital Hoa Lu, as well as pagodas and temples nestling in a palm forest or on the summit of vertiginous mountains.
The province of Ninh Binh is a real wilderness getaway less than 2 hours from the capital, so there’s no excuse for missing out on this province in northern Vietnam, part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Halong Bay – 2 days
Halong Bay, with its karst landscapes and emerald blue waters, is the stuff of dreams for many a traveller to Vietnam. Considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders, it is actually made up of three bays: Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Tu Long Bay, all of which are best explored on a cruise. But where to start? Which bays should you sail and how do you book your cruise? What activities are included? Can you get there on your own? My practical guide answers all the questions you’ll need to make the most of your cruise on Halong Bay.
Hué – 2 days
With its status as the former imperial capital, Hué boasts a rich historical past to be discovered during a visit to its majestic imperial city. While the latter is the city’s main attraction, its other assets should not be overlooked, starting with its gentle Perfume River, its emblematic pagodas and its few royal tombs, legacies of the Nguyen dynasty.
Hué is also one of Vietnam’s must-visit cities for its gentle way of life and preserved local traditions. Just visit the city’s largest market to experience the heart of local life, and the incense village to marvel at the ancestral handicrafts. While many travellers choose to visit Hué for a day, it would be a shame to miss out on all the must-sees.
Hoi An – 5 days
The crossroads of Asian trade for centuries, Hoi An is a city with many European and Oriental influences that has seen thousands of merchants from the four corners of the world pass through its narrow streets. As if frozen in time, Hoi An’s old town is a feast for the eyes, with its incredibly well-preserved buildings with colourful facades and its lanterns floating in the air. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Hoi An’s charm also lies in its location on the banks of a peaceful river and its gentle, pleasant lifestyle: most of the day is spent on foot or by bike. But Hoi An is also an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area, with its coconut forests, thousand-year-old sanctuaries and white sandy beaches. This charming town in central Vietnam is well worth spending several days in to appreciate all its facets.
Preparing your trip to Vietnam
When to go to Vietnam?
Vietnam is divided into three regions, each with a different climate. In the north of the country, the best period is from November to April, although January and February are characterised by cloudy weather and cool temperatures. From May to September, temperatures rise again, but July and August are subject to heavy rain.
In the centre of the country, the months to avoid are September to November, when heavy rainfall regularly leads to flooding. From December to April, the weather is generally sunny, with pleasant temperatures averaging around 25°C. May to August is the hottest season in central Vietnam.
In southern Vietnam, temperatures hover around 30°C virtually all year round. The rainy season begins in May and ends in September. Rainfall can be torrential. Generally speaking, the best time to visit Vietnam is during the dry season, particularly in March and April.
These are just trends, as weather conditions can obviously vary from one year to the next.
How long to stay in Vietnam?
Stretching over more than 3,000 km, Vietnam is a large, long country. Three or even four weeks seems to the ideal length of time to visit the country from north to south (or vice versa). Don’t forget to take into account the sometimes very long journey times between each stage, particularly for buses and trains.
How do I get to Vietnam?
From Europe or America, the only direct flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines… Flying time is around 13 hours or more.
From other Asian countries, you can also fly to Vietnam from Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket), Cambodia (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh), Laos (Vientiane), China, Singapore and Japan. International flights are operated by a number of reliable airlines, including VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways.
By land, there are numerous border crossings from Laos (Sop Hun, Nam Xoi, Nong Haet), Cambodia (Trapeang Plong, Trapeang Sre, Kaam Samnor) and China (Hekou, Dong Dang, Dongxing). Vietnam is linked to these countries by bus or train. For example, there is a bus link between Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Ho Chi Minh City, Savannakhet (Laos) and Hué, Nanning (China) and Hanoi (also available by train).
On the spot
How do get around Vietnam?
Vietnam is a country where getting around is easy and very affordable. The main means of transport are bus and train. You can cross the whole country from north to south thanks to a dense network of bus and train lines. Sleeper night buses are an economical and comfortable solution for long distances, as are night trains. Night trains between Hanoi and Hué or between Danang and Ho Chi Minh City cost an average of €35 per person, depending on the class chosen. It is best to book your long journeys a few days in advance, either at the station, in a local travel agency or on the dsvn.vn website.
Flying is also a great way to get around quickly if you don’t have much time to visit the country. Domestic flights serve the country’s main cities, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hué, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. The most affordable airlines are Airasia and VietJet, which offer flights from €40 each way, depending on the season and destination.
On a trip to Vietnam, you may need to travel by boat to Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay or the Mekong Delta. Most trips can be included in a cruise package or booked through a local agency.
In the city, it’s popular to travel by rented scooter or Grab (South-East Asia’s equivalent of Uber). Some cities, such as Hué and Hoi An, are easily visited on foot, and only the surrounding areas require transport. In Hanoi, it is dangerous to drive your own scooter because of the chaotic and crowded traffic, so opt for Grab to get around outside the old quarter, for example.
What budget?
Plane: For example, in 2024, a direct return flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from Paris costs an average of €700 in high season and €550 in low season. This price varies according to the length of your stay and how early you book.
Accommodation: Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in which to stay. In medium-sized towns, pretty, comfortable hotels are available for as little as 15 euros a night, including breakfast. In large cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, prices are a little higher but there is a wider range of standard accommodation.
>>> Atypical accommodations in Vietnam
Getting around: for local transport, a long bus or train journey costs an average of €30 per person, while domestic flights cost around €40. Getting around town (by taxi or Grab) costs 2-3 euros for a short distance (less than 10 km).
Food: you can eat well for less than 3 euros per person per meal by trying street food or shopping at the supermarket. A restaurant menu costs an average of 6 euros, depending on the city and the type of cuisine. Western dishes are more expensive than traditional Vietnamese ones.
Activities: most of the budget is spent on group excursions such as the Halong Bay cruise. Admission to a museum or temple costs just a few euros.
I think it’s also important to understand the history and past of Vietnam, which has suffered a great deal from colonisation and recent conflicts led by the West. The country is recovering, rebuilding itself and mentalities are tending to evolve in the right direction. Each person’s impression of a country is unique, so never take for granted what others tell you. Go and see for yourself and make up your own mind about Vietnam (and about all countries in general)!
