This 2 week Vietnam itinerary on a budget is the route I’d recommend to almost any first-timer: Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay in the north, Hue and Hoi An in the centre, then Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the south. It moves north to south in 14 days, uses one overnight train and one cheap domestic flight, and keeps costs low with hostels, street food and local transport. I’ve done versions of this trip twice, and this is the order that wasted the least time.
Visa rules for Vietnam have changed several times in recent years, so check the official Vietnamese government e-visa site before you book anything.
The 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1–3: Hanoi
Base yourself in or near the Old Quarter. Spend day one just walking: Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning, then the tangle of streets named after the goods once sold there. Sit on a tiny plastic stool for bun cha at lunch and try egg coffee in the afternoon. On day two, visit the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Women’s Museum, which is one of the most moving museums I’ve been to in Asia. Use day three to book your onward transport and recover from the motorbike noise.
Budget tip: download the Grab app for rides. It shows the fare upfront and saves you from haggling with taxis.
Days 4–7: Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay
Ninh Binh is often called Ha Long Bay on land, and it’s the part of the trip people rave about most. Stay in Tam Coc, hire a bicycle for a few dollars and ride between rice paddies and limestone cliffs. Take a rowing-boat trip through the caves at Tam Coc or Trang An, then climb the stairs at Mua Cave for sunset. It’s hot and crowded at the top, but the view is worth the sweat.
For the bay, I prefer Lan Ha Bay over the main Ha Long Bay route because it’s quieter, with more kayaking. A one-night cruise is plenty on a budget. Cheap cruises vary wildly in quality, so read recent reviews closely and check exactly what’s included. Many tours bring you back to Hanoi, which lines you up perfectly for the overnight train south.
Days 8–12: Hue, the Hai Van Pass and Hoi An
Take the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Hue. A soft sleeper in a four-berth cabin is a solid budget choice, saves a night of accommodation and is a classic Vietnam experience. In Hue, spend a day at the Imperial Citadel and one or two of the royal tombs on the edge of town.
Instead of a plain bus to Hoi An, book a car or motorbike tour over the Hai Van Pass. You’ll stop at beaches and lookouts along the way and your luggage travels with you. In Hoi An, wander the lantern-lit Ancient Town at night, cycle out to An Bang beach, and if you want clothes made, give the tailor at least two days for fittings. Hoi An is where I always slow down and blow a bit of budget on food.