Vietnam in 14 days
Vietnam stretches 3,300 km from the Chinese border to the Gulf of Thailand — and every hundred kilometres brings a different landscape, cuisine and culture. In 14 days you can travel from the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay through the ancient streets of Hoi An to the white-sand beaches of Phu Quoc. This is one of the great travel routes of Southeast Asia
The classic 14-day Vietnam itinerary runs Hanoi (2 days), Ha Long Bay (2 days), Hoi An (3 days), Hue (1 day), Ho Chi Minh City (2 days) and Phu Quoc Island (4 days). Budget from $600 to $1500 per person including flights from Europe.
💰 14-Day Budget Breakdown
Expense | Budget | Comfort | Notes |
Flights (round trip from Europe) | $450–650 | $800–1200 | Via Dubai, Singapore or KL |
Accommodation (14 nights) | $70–140 | 250–600 | $5–10 vs $18–43 per night |
Food (14 days) | $50–90 | $140–300 | $3.50–6.50 vs $10–22 per day |
Domestic flights (2–3) | $55–95 | $95–175 | VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways |
Tours & activities | $55–100 | $130–240 | Ha Long cruise, cooking class |
TOTAL per person | ~$680–1075 | ~$1415–2515 |
💡 Domestic flights in Vietnam are extremely affordable — Hanoi–Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh–Phu Quoc from $15–35. Flying is faster and far more comfortable than overnight buses for these distances.
🗓 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Days 1–2 — Hanoi
🌅 Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi. Hoan Kiem Lake — the heart of the city with its turtle island and red bridge. Old Quarter with 36 guild streets — each street historically sold one type of goods.
☀️ Day 2: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (free, queue), Temple of Literature (11th century). Evening: street food on Ta Hien Street — bia hoi (local draught beer, $0.25/glass) and nem (fried spring rolls).
🌙 Try pho bo (beef noodle soup, $2–3) — Hanoi serves the definitive version. The broth is simmered for 12+ hours. Eat at 7am at a street stall where locals eat.
Days 3–4 — Ha Long Bay
🌅 Day 3: Bus transfer from Hanoi (3 hours, $8) to the cruise pier. Board your junk boat at noon. 1,900 limestone karsts rising from emerald water.
☀️ Day 4: Kayak into hidden caves, swim in protected bays, visit floating fishing villages. Cruise ends at 4pm.
🌙 Overnight on the junk boat is one of Vietnam's defining experiences. Budget cruise from $45/person, comfortable from $110/person.
Day 5 — Flight, Hue
🌅 Morning: Fly Hanoi–Da Nang (1 hour, $20). Taxi to Hue (1.5 hours, $12).
☀️ Afternoon: Imperial City of Hue — the citadel of the Nguyen dynasty, modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City. Royal tombs scattered in the hills outside the city.
🌙 Evening: Boat trip on the Perfume River with live traditional music (~$7/hour). Hue cuisine is the spiciest in Vietnam — try bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup).
Days 6–8 — Hoi An
🌅 Day 6: Bus or taxi Hue–Hoi An (3 hours over Hai Van Pass — Vietnam's most scenic road). UNESCO-listed ancient town.
☀️ Day 7: Ancient Quarter with its Japanese covered bridge, merchant houses and coloured lanterns. Tailor-made clothing in 24 hours — dress from $20, suit from $50.
🌙 Day 8: An Bang Beach (7 km from town) — one of the best in Central Vietnam. Vietnamese cooking class ($30–40 including market visit and 5-course meal).
Days 9–10 — Ho Chi Minh City
🌅 Day 9: Fly Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour, $16). Cu Chi Tunnels — 250 km of underground tunnels from the Vietnam War ($10 entry).
☀️ Day 10: Ben Thanh Central Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office (a Gustave Eiffel design). Bitexco Financial Tower observation deck on the 49th floor.
🌙 Evening food tour by motorbike ($30–40) — the best way to eat and see the city simultaneously. Try banh mi ($1–2), com tam (broken rice, $2–3) and fresh spring rolls.
Days 11–14 — Phu Quoc Island
🌅 Day 11: Fly Ho Chi Minh–Phu Quoc (1 hour, $20). Vietnam's largest island and its top beach destination.
☀️ Days 12–13: Long Beach or Sao Beach — 20 km of soft white sand. Snorkelling at the southern archipelago, seafood market in the evening (lobster from $15/kg).
🌙 Day 14: World's longest cable car over the sea to An Thoi archipelago (technically the longest overwater cable car on Earth). Evening departure.
💡 Essential Tips
Grab is the essential app for taxis in Vietnam — 2–3x cheaper than negotiated cabs and available everywhere
Pho is served with lime, bean sprouts and fresh basil on the side — add them yourself, that's the ritual
Bargain at markets — initial prices for tourists are typically 2–3x higher than local prices
Always wear a helmet on motorbikes — it's the law and Vietnamese traffic is genuinely chaotic
Tap water is unsafe throughout Vietnam — drink only bottled or filtered water
Best season varies by region: north (Hanoi, Ha Long) — October to April; centre (Hoi An) — February to August; south (HCMC, Phu Quoc) — November to April
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Since 2023, citizens of most Western countries including the US, UK, EU and Australia can enter Vietnam visa-free for 45 days — sufficient for any two-week trip. Simply arrive with a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date.
How much does 2 weeks in Vietnam cost from Europe?
Including flights: budget trip $680–1075 per person. Comfortable trip: $1415–2515. Vietnam offers extraordinary value — a full bowl of pho costs $2, a good guesthouse $7–10 per night, a domestic flight $20–35.
Is Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay better?
Ha Long Bay is more famous and more crowded. Lan Ha Bay (the adjacent bay near Cat Ba Island) is equally beautiful but has far fewer tourists and slightly lower prices. For atmosphere without the crowds, choose Lan Ha.
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
There is no single perfect time because the country is so long. For a north-to-south itinerary, November–April is the best all-round window when the entire route has dry, manageable weather simultaneously.