A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
Vietnam is a country with a breathtakingly beautiful coastline, a mouthwatering food scene, and vibrant cities where UNESCO World Heritage Sites huddle in the shadow of gleaming skyscrapers. Take one look at its serpentine profile, meandering up the eastern coastline of South East Asia’s mainland, and it’s easy to see why this is one of Asia’s most diverse destinations, one that nudges up against the South China Sea and stretches from canal-streaked Cà Mau province in the far south to the border with China in its mountain north. It borders both Cambodia and Laos, making it easily accessible from other Asian hotspots. In recent years, various new flight routes have improved accessibility for those arriving from further afield too. The cultural, natural, and culinary diversity of Vietnam means this is a place worthy of lengthier explorations, and our suggested two-week itinerary covers countless highlights in several regions. In other words? Whether you’re planning on a leisurely road trip or keen to brush up on the country’s highlights, our guide is packed full of inspiration, along with essential tips for anyone considering a visit to this Southeast Asian beauty.
Is two weeks enough in Vietnam?
Full disclosure: No matter how long you spend here, you’ll almost certainly leave wishing you had more time. But two weeks is enough to take in its big hitters—not just larger cities such as Hồ Chí Minh and Hanoi, but cultural hotspots such as UNESCO-listed Huế. Vietnam has a large number of budget airlines: Vietjet, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines, to name a few. And its vast network of railways (never miss the chance to ride one of its many sleeper trains) makes it easy to get to the destinations topping your hit list.
Where is the best place to base yourself in Vietnam?
Hồ Chí Minh and Hanoi are fantastic bases for those who want easy access to great bars, restaurants, heritage sites, and cultural hot spots, although we’re also huge fans of Da Nang. Stay in this Central Coast city to soak up its laidback vibes and enjoy easy access to gorgeous beaches and excellent transport connections to southern and northern Vietnam hubs. UNESCO-listed Huế and Hội An are both easy to get to from Da Nang; it’s a one-hour train journey to Hội An from Da Nang and a three-hour train journey to Huế.
Days 1-3: Hồ Chí Minh
Where to stay
Start with a splash of luxury courtesy of the Hôtel des Arts Saigon - MGallery Collection, with its spectacular rooftop bar and infinity pool. It’s a short walk from the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office (a lemon-hued beauty built in the late 1800s), both of which are attractions in their own right. Alternatively, the Reverie Saigon is an explosion of old-school opulence, and its lobby is a destination in its own right, with a custom-made Baldi Monumental clock, shimmering mosaics and a sofa made from purple ostrich leather.
Day 1
Morning
Kick off your visit by exploring District 1’s Independence Palace, which was at the epicentre of the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. President Ngô Đình Diệm ordered its construction in 1962, and almost all of the building is open to the public, including staterooms, banquet halls and a network of bunkers in the basement. Highlights include the collection of military vehicles, including the helicopter on the roof and, inside the palace, the Mercedes Benz 200 W110, once used by former President Nguyen Van Thieu.
Afternoon
Ben Thanh Market is Hồ Chí Minh’s biggest market – a vast maze of 1,500 stalls selling everything from still-twitching fish to electronics and souvenirs. Housed in a pale pink Indochinese building constructed in the early 1900s, it’s a brilliant spot for street food (enter via the market’s North Gate if sating hunger pangs is your priority) as well as souvenirs such as Vietnamese silk scarves and ornate paper lanterns.
Evening
For dinner, head to nearby Ben Thanh Street Food Market. We recommend bánh bèo – dainty rice cakes topped with dried shrimps. Afterwards, head to the market’s Fix It bar to sample the rum-based, chilli flake-garnished No Pain No Gain cocktail, inspired by the banh mi – the pork and pate-stuffed sandwiches Vietnam is famous for.
Day 2
Morning
The Củ Chi tunnels, 40 kilometres to the south of Hồ Chí Minh, are a vast network of tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Numerous tour groups (one of the most popular is Vietnam Adventure Tour) offer guided explorations of the complex. These include visits to short stretches of tunnels open to the public (although those prone to claustrophobia will probably want to stay above ground). Make sure you take the time to visit the bamboo huts surrounding the tunnels – this is where you’ll find fascinating exhibits relating to everything from the fearsome booby traps used by the Viet Cong to the history of the conflict. Tours typically include lunch and a brief visit to one of the rubber plantations just outside Hồ Chí Minh.
Afternoon
Head back into town for a visit to Hồ Chí Minh’s War Remnants Museum and a fascinating – albeit harrowing – insight into the Vietnam War. Photos, documents and footage tell the harrowing story of the US invasion of Vietnam, and exhibits include US armoured vehicles, artillery and infantry weapons.
Evening
For a colourful culture fix, head to the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre to catch a water puppet show and learn about this traditional art form, dating back to the eleventh century.
Day 3-7: South Central Coast
Vietnam’s South Central Coast is where you’ll find three of the country’s most exciting, albeit very different, cities: Da Nang, with its beachfront bars and modern skyline, Hội An, with its beautiful old town and ancient canals, and UNESCO-listed Huế and its Imperial City. Da Nang, an eight-minute flight from Hồ Chí Minh, makes a brilliant base. We recommend staying at the Meliá Vinpearl Danang Riverfront, where rooms overlook the majestic Han River and Dragon Bridge.
Day 3
Morning
Blow away the cobwebs with a stroll along My Khe beach, a 10-kilometre stretch of sand which connects the Son Tra Peninsula with the Marble Mountains. Fancy an adrenaline rush? It’s a popular jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing spot, and you can hire equipment from the numerous vendors lining the beach. For lunch, head to one of the seafood restaurants on palm-tree-lined Vo Nguyen Giap Street near the city centre.
Afternoon
Da Nang might not have as many temples as other Vietnamese cities, but the city’s Cao Dai Temple is one of the more unusual ones, similar in style to both a church and a mosque. Built in the 1920s, it’s a place of worship for those who follow Cao Daism, a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu. It embraces elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism, and inside the temple are depictions of Mohammed, Laotse, Jesus and Confucius.
Evening
Restaurants, bars and numerous street food stalls, which only open at night, line the Han River. Head to the stretch close to the Dragon Bridge, beautifully illuminated after sunset. During weekends and on public holidays, spectacular sound and light shows transform the bridge at 9pm, when bursts of flames shoot from the dragon’s mouth.
Day 4
Morning
Time to head to Hội An, a UNESCO-listed city 27 kilometres to the south of Da Nang. The easiest way is to hop in a taxi – fares come in at around £12. Today, many of its inhabitants are Chinese descendants of the traders who shaped this city. In its historic centre, greenery-draped buildings date back to the 1500s and reflect Chinese, Vietnamese and European architectural styles. For 120,000 VND (£3.80), you can purchase a Hội An Old Town ticket, sold at booths throughout the old town, providing access to five historic buildings of your choice out of a list of 22.
Afternoon
Take the time for a stroll along the ancient canals which weave through Hội An’s centre. Build in plenty of stop-offs at the city’s waterside coffee shops – Hội An Roastery serves some of the best Cà Phê đá (iced Vietnamese coffee), but the mint teas are equally delicious. Alternatively, head to the Espresso Station, where locals come to sip coffee beneath beautiful paper lanterns.
Evening
The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a sprawling, luxurious resort 15 minutes to the south of Hội An’s centre. This beachfront resort is famous for its lush, palm tree-filled grounds and traditional, low-slung architecture. Its restaurants are also fantastic. After a sunset stroll along the sand, head to Lá Sen for delicious Vietnamese-French fusion cuisine. The Nha Trang lobster tartare with Vietnamese caviar and ginger dressing is to die for.
Day 5
Morning
It's time to check out the natural wonders encircling Da Nang, most of which are a short drive from the city centre. Alternatively, consider booking a day tour that includes transport from and to the various sites and admission fees. Start with the Marble Mountains, to the south of Da Nang. Five limestone peaks house a network of tunnels, temples and caves built by Nguyen Dynasty Kings. Don’t miss Huyen Khong cave, where shafts of light pierce the ceiling to illuminate two stone shrines and a huge Buddha statue.
Afternoon
The Son Tra peninsula, to the city centre’s north, is known for its wildlife, and critically endangered red-shanked douc langurs are regularly spotted here. Sprawl on its golden beaches or hit one of the hiking trails that weave across the peninsula, where you’ll find a 67-metre statue of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The statue is illuminated at night, doubling as a navigational aid for sailors.
Evening
The peninsula is also home Da Nang’s most luxurious hotel – the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Designed by Bill Bensley, it’s got the city’s first Michelin-starred restaurant - La Maison 1888. After a sundowner at the resort’s beachfront Barefoot Bar, head to its Citron restaurant to feast on Vietnamese delicacies. The most sought-after seats are the booths shaped like non la – traditional conical hats worn by the Vietnamese.
Day 6
Morning
It’s hard to beat the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture for a history lesson. Built in 1919 by two French architects, it’s stuffed full of artefacts relating to the Cham, a seafaring Vietnamese ethnic group which traces its roots back to the fourth century. One of the museum’s most celebrated exhibits is the priceless Trà Kiệu Pedestal, a huge, ornate altar featuring symbolic images such as Apsara dancers.
Afternoon
My Son Sanctuary, 40 kilometres to Da Nang’s south, is another of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, and one which dates back to the fourth century, when Cham leader King Bhadravarman built a number of temples dedicated to Shiva. There are 70 structures to explore, and what sets it apart from sites such as Angkor Wat is the construction techniques – the Cham people used red bricks decorated with intricate carvings, and historians have failed to work out how these bricks were fired.
Evening
Raise a toast to Da Nang at East West Brewing, a beachfront brew pub which claims to be South East Asia’s only beachfront brewery. Try the Saigon Rosé, a wheaty pale ale with notes of raspberries. A seafood-packed menu helps sate any hunger pangs. Grab a seat on the terrace – ideally on one of the brewery’s rainbow-hued deckchairs.
Day 7
Morning
After a short train ride or taxi ride to Huế, to Da Nang’s North (both will take around three hours), get your bearings with a wander through the parks which line the dragon boat-dotted Perfume River. Offload some Vietnamese Dong at Dong Ba Market, which dates back to the 1700s and is next to Huế’s Trang Tien Bridge. It’s colourful and chaotic, and a great place to gain an insight into local life – as well as a brilliant spot to grab souvenirs.
Afternoon
The star of the show in Huế is the Forbidden Purple City, built in the early 1800s following the ascension to the throne of the first Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. It’s at the heart of the Imperial City – a UNESCO-listed citadel filled with listed monuments. Recently, there’s been increased investment in renovations as well as in activities for tourists visiting the Forbidden Purple City – for 195,000 VND (the princely sum of £6), visitors can pose on a replica throne flanked by servants or hire Nguyen dynasty-style outfits to wear as they explore the site. In 2024 a new VR experience was unveiled – one which allows visitors to play an archery-based game played during the Nguyen Dynasty.
Evening
Join a dragon boat dinner tour along the Perfume River – dozens of operators offer these sailings and they’re a fantastic way to learn about the city’s history to a soundtrack of traditional Huế folk songs. We recommend the ones offered by Culture Pham Travel & Transport.
Days 8-10: Hanoi
Day 8
Morning
After the short flight to Hanoi, check into the Capella Hanoi – you’ll be close to the sparkling Hoàn Kiếm Lake as well as the historic opera house which inspired this hotel’s design. Bedrooms are explosions of gilt, silk and tassels, and filled with props such as elaborate costumes. Start by heading to the hotel’s beautiful Auriga spa to ease any travel-related aches and pains – we recommend the Full Moon Balance and Recharge massage.
Afternoon
The Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is located in the middle of Ba Dinh Square. Every year thousands of people come here to view the embalmed body of former president Hồ Chí Minh, displayed in a glass box. You’ll need to dress respectfully (arms and knees should be covered). Afterwards, learn about the man referred to as Uncle Ho with a visit to the Hồ Chí Minh Museum, where around 200,000 items provide an insight into his life.
Evening
For dinner, head to Cầu Gỗ, a sixth-floor restaurant where you can soak up the views of Hoàn Kiếm Lake while feasting on Vietnamese cuisine (we recommend the grilled pork cheeks with green chilli sauce). For a nightcap, wander over to nearby Nê Cocktail bar, one of Hanoi’s hippest watering holes. Flagging energy levels? Try the Lockdown, which features tequila, coffee, black tea, and cacao. It was founded by Pham Tien Tiep, a bartender who’s bagged a huge haul of mixology awards and created a cocktail inspired by his favourite street food dish, pho.
Day 9
Morning
Searching for souvenirs? Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the place to go. Top spots include Collection Memory at 12 Nha Chung. Founded by a collective of travel writers, this beautiful boutique showcases Vietnamese designers. Hang Gai Street is a brilliant option for wallet-friendly souvenirs – it’s lined with stores stuffed with everything from Vietnamese flag-adorned t-shirts and propaganda posters from the 1960s to Vietnamese coffee (Cà phê đá) and áo dài, beautifully embroidered tunics worn by Vietnamese women on occasions such as weddings.
Afternoon
Fuel your afternoon’s adventures with Vietnam’s most famous sandwich – the banh mi, introduced by the French in the 1800s and refined (with pickles and fiery chilli hit) by the Vietnamese. For an elevated take, head to the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel’s Le Club Bar for a dainty banh mi sliced into bite-sized pieces and served on the finest porcelain. Alternatively, head to the Old Quarter’s Bánh Mì 25, a cosy café and a great people-watching spot.
Evening
Sunset is a great time for a stroll around Hanoi’s West Lake, a popular backdrop for locals who don their finest outfits and come here to snap selfies. Afterwards, head to one of the bars on Train Street, a stretch of track running between Kham Thien and Le Duan Street. But it’s no ordinary railway – tables and chairs nudge up against the railway tracks, and several times a night, the sound of a klaxon will prompt proprietors to usher customers back while a train passes by.
Day 10
Morning
Tran Quoc Pagoda is Hanoi’s oldest pagoda and you’ll find it on a tiny island on the city’s West Lake. Built in 541, its highlights include the white gemstone statues of Amitabha Buddha and the enormous incense burners in the pagoda’s red-roofed Upper House.
Afternoon
Time for a history fix – albeit a somewhat harrowing one. The former Hỏa Lò Prison, a heritage site which is open to the public, was built by the French in 1896. Until the 1950s, its inmates were Vietnamese revolutionaries – or anyone deemed to be such – and conditions were truly horrendous. Prisoners were shackled to the walls, tortured and often confined to airless, windowless punishment cells. Afterwards, take a welcome breather at nearby Hidden Gem Coffee, filled with mismatched, upcycled furniture (including car parts transformed into chairs).
Evening
Catch a show at the Hanoi Opera House. Built in 1911, it’s Vietnam’s largest theatre and a pale yellow, neo-classical beauty with shuttered windows and ornate balconies. Check the website for the latest info – there are shows most night, ranging from performances by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra to dance recitals.
Day 11
Where to stay
Time to head north – more specifically Sapa, the mountainous region close to Vietnam’s border with China. Stay at the five-star Hotel de la Coupole Sapa – MGallery Collection – the French Indochine era of the 1920s and 1930s inspires its design. One of the grandest areas is the lobby, with its sparkling chandeliers and sculpture-like armchairs.
Afternoon
Acclimatise (Sapa is located at 1,600 metres) with a stroll around Sapa town) then take either a taxi or the Muong Hoa Mountain Train to the base of nearby Mount Fansipan, where a cable car will whisk you to the top of the mountain. Or almost to the top… you’ll need to climb a final short flight of stone stairs to reach the pagoda-dotted summit of Vietnam’s highest peak.
Evening
For dinner, head to Chic, a cathedral-like restaurant on the upper floor of the Hotel de la Coupole Sapa - MGallery Collection. The menu is a tribute to both French and North Vietnamese cuisine, and one of the most popular dishes is the Sapa trout ceviche, mango and salmon caviar.
Day 12
Morning
Time to don the hiking boots for a hike through Sapa’s rolling hills and rice paddies. The best hikes are ones led by local guides from Sapa’s Hmong ethnic group – book one through your hotel or with the numerous tour operators in Sapa. Hmong Family Trekking Adventures offers a range of tours, including ones which visit a local village.
Afternoon
Learn about Sapa and its people at the tiny Sapa Culture Museum on Thach Son Street, before stopping by the Notre Dame Cathedral, famous for its beautiful stained glass windows and the 500kg bell hanging in its ornate sandstone tower.
Evening
After a dip in Le Grand Basin (your hotel’s ridiculously ornate pool, where you can swim beneath pink chandeliers and between emerald green columns), head to the spa for the Soothing Steps treatment, designed to boost circulation and soothe aching limbs. The highlight is a hot herbal foot bath.
Days 13-14: Hồ Chí Minh
Where to stay
The ParkRoyal Saigon is positioned perfectly for a last hurrah – it’s close to the city centre and airport.
Afternoon
After flying into Ho Chi Minh from Sapa (it’s just a two-hour flight), stretch your legs with a stroll through the lakeside parks close to the hotel. Feeling energetic? Challenge a local to a game of ping pong – almost all of the parks have concrete ping pong tables, and locals love nothing more than a quick game during their lunch breaks or after work. Impromptu badminton games are equally popular, too.
Evening
Book a dinner cruise on the Saigon Princess and bid adieu to the city as you feast on Vietnamese specialities such as tiger prawn salad with sour fish sauce. Offset any calories by hitting the dancefloor on the top deck. Sailings take place every night on this seriously swanky vessel, which recently underwent a $3m spruce-up.
Before you leave…
Say farewell to Vietnam with a final banh mi fix – in this case, one purchased first thing in the morning from Banh Mi Huynh Hoa at 26 Lê Thị Riêng. It’s not really a restaurant but more of a street food stall with an open kitchen facing the street – watching the army of workers assemble the city’s beloved sandwich, dancing around piles of oven-fresh baguettes and huge jars of pâté, is a worthy activity in its own right, and a reminder of locals’ love for the cheap, delicious snack which is the country’s unofficial national dish.