Vietnam 2 weeks Itinerary

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🇻🇳 Vietnam in 2 weeks: From Lantern Towns to Limestone Peaks

Vietnam is vast, diverse, and packed with experiences. But here’s a tip : don’t try to cover the entire country in one trip.

For this trip, we focused on Central and Northern Vietnam—a well-balanced mix of beaches, culture, food, and nature. This itinerary covers:

  • 🏮 Hoi An – 3 Days

  • 🌊 Da Nang – 4 Days

  • 🌆 Hanoi – 3 Days

  • 🌿 Ninh Binh – 3 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Hoi An

Arrival: Da Nang International Airport take a cab using grab or bolt (dont take local taxis) to Hoi An

Hoi An isn’t just a stop—it’s a feeling. A town where time slows down and golden walls glow under the shimmer of lanterns. Most travelers breeze through in a day, but to soak in its true charm, you’ll need at least 3 days.

Day 1: 

🛏️ Check-in: Settle into your hotel near the Old Town for easy access to all the highlights.
☕ Café-hopping: Explore the charming alleys filled with Instagrammable cafés. 

🛍️ Evening stroll: Shop at local markets, meet tailors to get a custom outfit made (ready in 24 hours!), and end the evening with a magical lantern boat ride on the river.

Tip:

1. There are multiple entry points into Hoi An Old Town. At the main entrances, you’ll find ticket booths. One ticket gives you access to key heritage sites like the Cantonese, Fujian, Hainan, Teochew, and Trung Hoa Assembly Halls, as well as Quan Cong Temple.

Else, you can enter the old town freely (no cost)

2. Book a lantern making  or a pho making class if time permits

3. Book the lantern ride from the Get your Guide or Klook.

4. If you are a history buff and want to know the tales and stories of the hoi an book a walking tour with a guide. (Free walking tours – Guru walks. Don’t forget to tip the guide)

Day 2: 

🛶 Morning adventure: Book a coconut boat ride experience via GetYourGuide or Klook—includes crab fishing, dancing boats with local DJs, and a peek into fishing culture.

🏖️ Evening unwind: Head to An Bang Beach for sunset and cocktails by the sea.

Tip: The viral coconut ride will not be included in the booking so confirm the price before hopping on

Day 3: 

🌉 Morning history: Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, and take one last stroll through the Old Town.
🍜 Eat like a local: Grab a banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong and sip on the herbal lotus drink from Mot Hoi

Book a cab and head back to Da nang

Must visit cafes:

  • Hoi an roastery
  • Me Hoi An rooftop
  • Hey day coffee
  • Ivy coffee tea
  • Faifo cafe
  • Mot hoi an (lotus leaf drink)
  • Phin coffee hoi an
  • good eats hoi an
  • nourish eatery
  • sound of silence

Must visit Restaurants:

  • Banh Mi quees
  • Chops Hoi An
  • Nhan’s kitchen
  • Noodle house
  • White rose restaurant
  • Roving hoi an

Da Nang

Da Nang strikes the perfect balance between beaches, mountains, and modern vibes. You’ll need at least 4 days to truly explore everything Da Nang has to offer.

🏨 Day 1: 

🛎️ Check into a hotel overlooking the Han River or near My Khe Beach for easy access to both city life and the sea.

🌊 Take a relaxing walk along My Khe Beach, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches with soft white sand and clear waters.

🍸 Wrap up the evening at a beach bar or club (Check below for cafe and restaurants recommendations)

🧗‍♂️ Day 2: 

🌄 Start your morning at the Marble Mountains, just 20 minutes from the city. Climb up and explore hidden caves, Buddhist shrines, stone steps, and panoramic city views.

Tip: 

1. Rent a scooty if are good with 2 wheeler. No international driving license required. If not cabs work fine

2. You can either walk to the top or there will be an elevator for the minimum charge (Both to and fro tickets needs to be purchased separately) 

🕯️ Don’t miss the Huyen Khong Cave, lit with incense and dramatic beams of sunlight – a must-see photo spot.

🌉 In the evening, stroll along the Han River and grab a riverside seat for the Dragon Bridge Fire & Water Show, held on weekends at 9 PM. It’s touristy, but worth experiencing at least once.

Tip: Dont be too near to the bridge. Its a fire and water show. You will get drenched in the water show. 

🚡 Day 3: 

🕗 Start early and head to Ba Na Hills (approx. 1.5 hours from Da Nang).

Tip: Book tickets online or from your hotel front dest. get your cab arranged beforehand. On the day tell your cab driver that you want to go to the golden bridge first

🚠 Scan your tickets and enter the Ba na Hills. Ride the world’s longest cable car through lush mountains and misty valleys. The views are unreal!

✋ Walk across the famous Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands – one of the most iconic structures in Vietnam.

Tip: make sure you are early. else the crowds will be insane. Personal story: We were one of the first ones to get on the cable ride but so many people has the same idea. either come super early to the golden bridge else come late in the evening.

🏰 After Golden Bridge, take the furnicular ride and go to the French Village which is filled with European-style buildings, gardens, and cafes – it feels like Disneyland meets Paris.

✋ There is an amusement park in the village which has crazy rides.

🎢 Take a ride on the Alpine Coaster, an exciting mountain roller coaster that offers thrill and views.You need to pay extra

📸 Click tons of photos – every corner here is postcard-worthy.

🍛 Grab lunch at one of the many international buffet restaurants inside the complex before heading back to the city by evening.

Tip: You can either book the lunch along with the ticket or you can skip it. remember the buffet will have so many varieties as they are catering to the various people from different cultures. There might be not be so many  options for Indians. We opted out from the buffet and has an amazing pizza in one of the restaurants

🌿 Day 4:

  • 🧘 Sleep in or start slow with a calm breakfast at Nourish Eatery or Hoi An Roastery (if you’re transitioning from Hoi An).

  • 🧖 Enjoy a spa or massage session to recover from the previous day’s adventure. FYI massages are dead cheap

  • 🏄‍♂️ Take a surf lesson or just lounge at An Thuong Beach, a quieter alternative to My Khe.

  • 🎨 Optional: Visit Da Nang Fine Arts Museum or check out some local markets for food, art, and souvenirs.

Must visit cafes:

  • Wonderlust
  • Brewman Coffee Concept
  • The Hideout
  • The Cups Coffee
  • 43 Factory
  • Cong Caphe
  • Ka Cong Coffee
  • Danang Souvenirs & Cafe
  • Aroi Dessert Cafe
  • Highland Coffee Beach View

Must visit Restaurants:

  • United bar
  • Bikini bottoms
  • Nha hang madame lan
  • Toms bar and grill
  • Miss nhi
  • Maia beach bar (Personal favourite)
  • Esco beach bar”

Hanoi

🏙️ Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital, is a captivating blend of old-world charm and modern energy. 

Fly into Hanoi from Da nang

Day 1: 
🏨 Check into your stay near the Old Quarter.
☕ Kick off with a relaxed brunch at Maison de Tet Decor or a lakeside view at Maison Marou.
🚶 Walk around the Old Quarter, soak in the chaos, explore traditional shops.
🌇 Catch the sunset from Hoan Kiem Lake, and take photos near Ngoc Son Temple.

Day 2: 
🛕 Visit the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the morning.
📸 Stroll past the Train Street for an iconic Hanoi moment (Check out my Hanoi guide for the exact guide).
🛍️ Shop at Hang Gai Street for silks and souvenirs.
🍸 In the evening, head to The Summit Lounge or Lighthouse Sky Bar for cocktails with city views.

Day 3: 
🖼️ Explore The Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural and visit smaller art cafes.
🍜 Try lunch at Pho Thin, one of Hanoi’s legendary pho spots and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the old quarters. In the evening get a cab to the last destination – Ninh Binh

Must visit cafes:

  • The Note Cafe
  • Ma.xo.Cafe
  • Hiddengem coffee hanoi
  • Salt mate
  • Always cafe
  • Pizza 4p’s
  • Ru m cafe
  • Cong caphe
  • Tranquil books and coffee
  • Loading t cafe
  • Bread factory
  • The sipping bar

Must visit Restaurants:

  • Uudamchay (veg)
  • Vi lai chay
  • Moon light skybar
  • Jigger downtown bar
  • Hanoi taco bar

Ninh Binh

Often called “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is a magical escape with limestone karsts, ancient pagodas, and peaceful rice fields. It’s the perfect place to slow down and connect with nature.

For the people who wants to escape the hustle of the Halong bay – Ninh Binh the perfect destination.

🚐 Best way to reach Ninh Binh from Hanoi:
You’ll find many tour shops around Hanoi’s Old Quarter. You can either buy shared van tickets for a budget-friendly option or rent a private cab for more comfort and flexibility.

🛵 For a hassle-free experience, rent a bike – most hotels and resorts in Tam Coc offer bikes or can easily arrange one for you. It’s the best way to explore the countryside at your own pace.

🚴 most hotels and resorts in Tam Coc offers free bicycles

 

🏨 Day 1: 

🛏️ Check into your stay near Tam Coc or Trang An.
🚗 Take a quick trip to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – learn about Vietnam’s royal history.
🐐 Try local dishes like goat meat and burnt rice (com chay).
☕ Chill at a countryside café, and if time allows, visit Thung Nham Bird Garden.

⛰️ Day 2:
🚴 Start your day cycling through golden rice fields towards Mua Caves – If not rent a bike or hire a taxi
🥾 Climb the 500 steps to the top for iconic views over Tam Coc.
🛕 Visit the Bich Dong Pagoda, a peaceful temple tucked inside a mountain.

🌾  Day 3: 
🛶 Head straight for the Trang An Boat Tour – cruise through caves and lush limestone landscapes.
📸 Take your time soaking in the quiet beauty and take loads of dreamy pictures.

Tip: There will be 3 routes in the Tang An tour get the “Route B” to cover all the attraction. For more detailed guide check out my Ninh Binh guide.

Must visit cafes:

  • Brick Coffee Shop
  • Moka Tam Coc
  • Moonlight Cafe &
  • Restaurant
  • The Banana Tree
  • Hostel & Café
  • Cao Sơn Cafe

On the Day 5 head back to Hanoi to fly back Home.