A Master Plan to Travelling Vietnam in 2 Weeks

Traveling Vietnam in 2 weeks might be a rush with tons of sceneries and activities waiting for you to discover. Hopping on a plane without a solid plan is a waste of money not to mention missed opportunities to squeeze in more must-see attractions.

If you’re looking for that adventure-packed travel guide, here’s a two-week itinerary you can enjoy on your Asian visit from south to north.

Day 1-2: Two jump-start days at Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1 – You can start by just walking around Pham Ngu Lao and tasting local delights like the famous bia hoi. After that, head to the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum to get a glimpse of Vietnam’s artistry and culture before you embark to the next destination.

Visit the War Remnant Museum but beware of disturbing photographs of the war. There is old armory here used in the past wars Vietnam endured.

On your first night, spend time at the Saigon Skydeck at Bitexco Financial Tower. Just secure a $9 ticket and you’re good to go to one of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers. If you have extra budget, you can purchase some souvenirs on the stalls on the deck.

Day 2– The first stops of your Vietnam in 2 weeks tour is the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. The post office has such spectacular architecture that most people who visit here don’t really have plans to avail their courier service.

In the afternoon, light your incense at the Thien Pagoda and Phuoc An Hoi Quan. Don’t forget to say a short prayer for your whole trip.

Day 3-5 Three-day Dalat adventure

Day 3 – Ride a sleeper bus on the night of your second day going to Dalat.

Upon arrival, stay at a budget hotel like Hotel Dang Nguyen. In the morning, go to the Xuan Huong Lake and rent a paddleboat to experience the cool morning breeze. Just enjoy the morning and don’t rush.

The best part of this day is a visit to the Dalat Flower Park. It’s a massive park all adorned with beautiful chrysanthemums, lilies, roses, and more wonderful arrangements. If you arrive in December, you’ll be in time for the Dalat Flower Festival.

For the rest of the third day of this Vietnam in 2 weeks plan, check the markets and taste a bite of Oz Burger. If you want, you can also stay at the quirky Duong Len Trang Café.

Day 4 – Take a one-day rider tour in the countryside. This is the easiest and fastest way to explore Dalat. You’ll back ride with a local on a motorcycle and you get to visit Chua Kinh Quang, Silk Factory, Happy Buddha Monastery, and Elephant Waterfalls.

The jaw-dropping stop is one in the Vietnamese Coffee Plantation. You’ll get wowed by the massive greenery all planted with different types of coffee. They have an observatory deck where you can cozily enjoy the view while sipping a cup of coffee.

Day 5 – It’s time to take a dip! Make sure to book a Dalat Canyoning Tour ahead so you’ll experience a whole day trekking, hiking, and cliff diving. This tour is the perfect ending on your Dalat stay as you finally take that brave cliff jump.

In your Vietnam in 2 weeks master plan, choose a touring service that only caters a few tourists in a tour. Though more is merrier, cliff diving with dozens of folks could take you forever waiting in line, not to mention time wasted when someone is too nervous to give it a go.

During the day tour, most services offer free packed lunch, which you and others in the group will share beside the waterfalls.

Day 6-8 Three days at Nha Trang

Day 6 – A four-hour bus ride from Dalat will land you on a hippy beach province. There are many budget hotels and inns here like the La Suisse Hotel where you can book a room for as low as $12. Wake up early and head straight to The Sailing Club where you can take your breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After that, unwind at the Vinpearl Land Amusement Park. This is the largest of its kind in the whole Vietnam where you can try outdoor and indoor games, overwater cable car, and the aquarium.

Day 7 – Today, you have to exploit the beaches. Head to Tran Phu Beach and experience the white sand while you blend in the buzzing beach city life. If you want a recluse place on your Vietnam in 2 weeks trip, the remote Bai Dai Beach will suit you well.

Nha Trang has very tranquil coastlines where every tourist can find their own spot. This province is monikered as the Riviera of the South China Sea.

Day 8 – For a refreshing start on your second week, head to the Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre and dip in their pool and natural springs. They have hot thermal mud, mineral water pools, communal bath, and private bathtubs. You can go here via a cab.

To end your Nha Trang stay, join boat tours for just $7 each. There are also affordable snorkeling tours with meals. Aside from these, you also get local entertainment. Boatmen and tour guides would tap on their improvised drums with local tunes.

Day 9-11 Three day visit at Hoi An

Day 9 – You’re now in the middle of the country, a cozy province with a little a bit of city buzz. You can check in at Sunshine Hotel and be in time for their buffet breakfast.

Hoi An is famous for custom-made clothes already available after 24 hours. There are many dressmakers here, but I suggest that you go to Yaly Couture at their Nguyen Duy Hieu branch. Even if the clothes can be rushed for a day, let the shop do it one day more to make sure you have seamless fabric.

Spend time visiting different shops and just explore the types of fabrics. The Hoi An Cloth Market will drown you with colorful silks, cotton, batik, and more.

In the afternoon 9th day of your Vietnam in 2 weeks tour, go biking and let loose in the alleyways.

Day 10 – Have a breakfast at the Central Market while you prep to discover the ancient town. Visit the Fujian Assembly Hall, Old House of Tan Ky, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. You can get a local guide so you have company going to these places.

In the afternoon, lepak on the An Bang Beach to restore your supply of vitamin sea. Don’t forget to take photos!

Day 11 – Join a bike tour at the Tra Que Vegetable Village. Tra Que is a beautiful spot where the entire modern atmosphere seems to vanish. Folks here only use seaweeds as fertilizer for their crops and you get to wear their brown robe and water the plants. This bike tour costs $15.

In the afternoon, join a cooking class at Hoi An Countryside Cooking Class where you learn how to cook banh mi and banh xeo.

Anyway, an alternative whole day activity is a tour to the Cham Islands.

Day 12-14 Three beautiful days in Hanoi

A two-week trip in Vietnam won’t be complete without settling on Hanoi. From Hoi An, ride a plane going to the capital. This would take about 1.5 hours unlike taking the train for a tiring 14 hours of passive travel.

Day 12 – Wake up early and jog around the Hoan Kiem Lake. This is a must-do for your Vietnam in 2 weeks trip to have a glimpse of the Hanoian life. Don’t miss the famous red Huc Bridge and the Ngoc Son Temple near the lake.

In the afternoon, get lost in the Old Quarter, visit markets like Dong Xuan and get your own loot. At night, head to Bia Hoi District and join tourists, locals, and expats on the famous colored stools. Of course, you need that glassful of local beer.

Day 13 – Don’t ever leave the capital without visiting its landmarks. I advise that you rent a bike so you can have quick rounds in the pagodas and temples. This self-tour might take almost your entire day. Go to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar, Presidential Palace, and St. Josephs Cathedral.

When you arrived at night at St. Joseph’s, you can take your dinner on the nearby stalls where many tourists also flock.

Day 14 – On your last day, dedicate the morning to visit the Temple of Literature. This place is so special that it’s just fitting to visit before you head home. The place is massive with five courtyards and to enjoy the whole visit, you need to spend half your day here.

During the afternoon, head to the Hoa Loa Prison for an in-depth Vietnamese history experience. Wrap your trip with a water puppet show at night.

With this guide, touring Vietnam in 2 weeks isn’t a hurry after all. If you plan your itinerary ahead, you can make the most out of the days without being burned out. Did this master plan help you? Share your thoughts with us!

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