Best of Vietnam in 14 days
Hanoi, one northern landscape, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Fly at least once. Add the Mekong only if you drop a northern night.
Days 1–3 — Hanoi
Land and walk the Old Quarter, the lake, and one museum or the Temple of Literature. Eat bun cha.
Day 4 — Ninh Binh or Ha Long
Pick one. Ninh Binh for rice and a boat cave. Ha Long for open water. Do not do both unless you add days.
Day 5 — Back to Hanoi, overnight south
Return to Hanoi. Fly to Hue the next morning, or board the sleeper train.
Days 6–7 — Hue
Citadel, then one tomb. Eat bun bo Hue.
Day 8 — Hue to Hoi An
Travel in the morning. The Hai Van pass is optional and weather-dependent.
Days 9–10 — Hoi An
Old town, a food morning, and either the beach or My Son.
Day 11 — Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
From Da Nang. Use the afternoon to walk District 1.
Days 12–13 — Ho Chi Minh City
A museum morning and either Cu Chi or a decision to leave for Can Tho.
Day 14 — Leave, or a dawn market
Fly home, or be on a boat in Can Tho if you moved south the day before.