Written by Mathew Stirland
Posted, 1st June 2021
You’re on the hunt for an adventure of a lifetime, South East Asia has always been on the bucket list but you need some help putting together a 2 week itinerary in Vietnam?
WELL. STOP. RIGHT. HERE.
Not that you need any more convincing, but let me tell you why travelling to Vietnam is an absolute must! First things first, it’s the ultimate South East Asian destination when it comes to food – trust me when I say there are LOTS of it! Second up is the landscapes, we’ve all seen photos of those rice terraces up through the mountains and the limestone casts towering over Ha Long Bay – well that’s the north of Vietnam. And finally, the local culture – it’s truly fascinating, you can’t help but fall in love with everything that makes Vietnam, Vietnam.
If you’ve got as far as looking at a map of Vietnam, you may have noticed… it’s a pretty long country, right? 👀 And you may have presumed that travelling it all in a 2 week holiday may be pretty difficult. Well, I’m here to tell you, you presumed wrong and it is 100% possible!
The truth is, due to Vietnam’s long and narrow shape it’s actually a very easy country to travel with the main backpacking route going from North to South. Realistically you’ll need to do a fair bit of planning before you arrive…
Or, if you’re feeling lazy – you can just follow this itinerary I put together for you earlier (yeh I know… I’m a nice guy! 🤓)
Here it is… my 2 week itinerary of Vietnam…
First things first, imagine falling asleep under the stars on a boat in Halong Bay, sandboarding in Sahara desert-style dunes, squeezing through underground tunnels built during the Vietnamese war and my favourite… indulging in some of the most delicious flavours you’ve ever tasted – it literally has it all guys, so you can thank me later 😉
Days 1-2: Explore the capital city, Hanoi
Throw yourself into the Vietnamese way of life from the get-go and enjoy this crazy city for all the wonderful things it has to offer! Explore the narrow streets, observe the crazy traffic, taste the mouthwatering flavours, because honestly, Hanoi is the place your senses come alive and it’s bloody fantastic! Just make sure you spend an evening on a plastic stool, amongst the chaos of “Beer Street” and experience nightlife with the locals of Hanoi! 🍻
Day 3: Overnight boat in paradise, Halong Bay
The one, the only… Halong Bay! Jump onboard a traditional style junk boat and spend the night cruising through 1 of the natural wonders of the world. Kayak through caves, sip cocktails on deck whilst the sun beings to set and fall asleep under the stars to finish off the most epic day in one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit.
Days 4-5: Living like a local in the countryside, Ninh Binh
If you’ve ever seen the King Kong movie, Skull Island, this place may seem a little familiar. The breathtaking landscapes of thick dense jungle and towering limestone cliffs await you in Ninh Binh. Use this beautiful place as an opportunity to experience the authentic countryside of Vietnam. Stay overnight at a traditional homestay, eat dinner with a Vietnamese family and explore this region just like a local. Make sure you hike the 500 steps up to Laying Dragon Viewpoint too… it’s definitely worth it 😍
Day 6: The cultural centre, Hue
Often known as the Imperial city, Hue is another major city on the backpacker route and was in fact the capital up until 1945. It’s a quirky spot littered with buildings from the colonial era and the gateway to the most iconic road in Vietnam… the Hai Van Pass. Jump into open-top jeeps and cruise the pass high up into the mountains with the most epic views of this incredible coastline! 😍
Days 7-9: The lantern city, Hoi An
Call it the travellers favourite… I’ll be very surprised if you don’t fall in love with this quaint city of colour on your journey through Vietnam. Hoi An is fused with ancient history, colonial architecture, some of the cheapest tailors you’ll ever come across, buzzing nightlife and these colourful lanterns that light up the town and fill it with infectious energy! Wait, if you’re a foodie, Hoi An carries the crown as the king of flavours – perfect for a traditional style cooking class!
Days 10-12: To the beaches, Nha Trang & Mui Ne
Let’s continue this 2 week itinerary in Vietnam with a short internal flight to the coastal region of Nha Trang will have you experiencing yet another version of Vietnam that will seriously blow your mind. I’m talking about soaking in mineral bud baths in Nha Trang and quad biking down the Sahara-like dunes of Mui Ne. I mean does this country get any better?
Day 13-14: War history & Chi Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City
If you started in one crazy city, it makes sense to finish in another right? Ho Chi Minh delivers some of South East Asia’s best nightlife, even more, delicious flavours and a sh*t tonne of motorcycles! Vietnam is a country rich in history and your adventure wouldn’t be complete without even just a glimpse of how life really was during the Vietnamese war. Visit the deeply moving National War Museum and take a peek at the amazing underground life of the Viet Cong soldiers at the Cu Chi Tunnels – just be careful not to get stuck! 😂
Well there you have it… crazy cities, breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable adventures, local experiences, mouthwatering foods and ONE HELL OF A GREAT TIME! Vietnam really is a country that keeps on giving and you’d be crazy not to consider this epic destination on your next backpacking trip!
If this 2 week itinerary in Vietnam gets you super pumped and you like the sound of hassle-free travel with a bunch of absolute legends, we’ve made it even easier for you! 👇🏻
Check out our – ‘North to South – Vietnam 15 day’ adventure here
