Vietnam Itinerary 14 Days: The Best of Vietnam From North to South (2026–2027)

Quick answer

The classic 14-day route runs north to south: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, with two domestic flights to save time. Our private version of this itinerary costs from US$1,455 per person, based on 3–4 adults sharing twin/double rooms in the hotels listed on the tour page (mainly 4★, with a 5★ Halong Bay cruise). That price includes hotels, your own car and driver, a guide on guided days, the cruise and the meals listed; domestic flights are quoted separately. A shorter version (10 days, from US$996) and a slower-paced 12-day route through the north and centre (from US$1,340) are below.

In our experience as trip planners, two weeks is a comfortable length for a first trip to Vietnam that runs from north to south. It is long enough to see the mountains of the north, a night among the limestone islands of Halong Bay, the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An and the rivers of the Mekong Delta, without spending every other day in transit. This is the day-by-day plan of our Best of Vietnam 14 Days tour, with notes on pace, hotels, weather and what to change if you prefer a slower trip.

The 14-day itinerary at a glance

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. From US$1,455 per person for the whole tour, based on 3–4 adults sharing twin/double rooms in the listed hotels (mainly 4★, 5★ Halong Bay cruise); domestic flights are not included in this price. The final price depends on your dates, group size and hotel level. Full itinerary, hotels and inclusions: Best of Vietnam 14 Days tour.

Days 1–6: Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Sapa

You start in Hanoi, the most atmospheric of Vietnam’s big cities. After a first evening to recover from the flight, the city tour covers the essentials: the Old Quarter’s narrow streets, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and a coffee stop, because Hanoi’s coffee culture is part of the visit. Your guide adapts the pace and the stops to what interests you.

Day 3 is a full day in Ninh Binh, two hours south, where rice fields sit between steep limestone mountains. You visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s capital a thousand years ago, and take a rowing boat along the river at Tam Coc, through caves and between paddies. It is one of the most photogenic days of the trip and a good warm-up for the countryside.

From Hanoi the expressway brings you to Sapa in the north-west in around five to six hours. The afternoon walk to the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van follows paths between rice terraces and is suitable for anyone reasonably fit; your guide sets the distance. Day 5 is reserved for Fansipan, at about 3,140 metres the highest mountain in Indochina, reached by cable car. On day 6 you have a free morning before the drive back to Hanoi.

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Days 7–8: Halong Bay overnight

The night on a cruise boat is a highlight for almost everyone. From Hanoi it is about two and a half hours to the harbour; by lunchtime you are sailing among the limestone islands. Activities depend on the boat and route, typically kayaking, a cave visit and a sunset on deck. The next morning there is time on the bay before brunch and the transfer for the evening flight to Da Nang. The cruise you choose affects both the experience and the price, so we propose boats that suit your style and budget.

Days 9–10: Hoi An and Ba Na Hills

Hoi An’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site of yellow merchant houses, assembly halls and lanterns along the Thu Bon River. Day 9 starts in the coconut jungle of Cam Thanh, where round basket boats glide through the water palms, and ends in the old town in the evening, when the lanterns are lit. On day 10 you visit Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands, high above Da Nang. If you prefer a quieter day, many guests swap Ba Na Hills for a cooking class, a bicycle ride through the villages or simply time at the beach.

Days 11–14: Saigon and the Mekong Delta

A short flight takes you to Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by most locals: busy, modern and full of energy. Day 12 combines the city’s landmarks with the Cu Chi Tunnels, the underground network used during the war. Day 13 is spent in the Mekong Delta, travelling by boat through canals lined with coconut palms, visiting local workshops and orchards. Day 14 is your departure from Ho Chi Minh City.

Shorter, slower or longer versions

Who this itinerary suits, and when to go

This route works best for first-time visitors who want the classic highlights in one trip, couples, and families with children over about ten who are happy with a short trek. It is less suited to a slow, beach-focused holiday; for that we shorten the route and add two or three nights on the coast.

Vietnam has different climates from north to south, so there is no single perfect month. The north, including Hanoi and Sapa, is cool and sometimes cold from December to February; the centre around Hoi An has its rainy season from roughly September to December; the south is dry from about December to April. Spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) are good compromises for a north-to-south trip.

Practical tips from our team

• Visa: most visitors enter with an e-visa. Check the official requirements for your nationality before you book flights.
• Packing: bring a warm layer for Sapa and the Halong Bay deck in winter, and comfortable shoes for the village walk.
• Flights: fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City (an “open-jaw” ticket) so you never backtrack.
• Everything can change: add a beach stay, upgrade hotels, or remove a day trip. The price is recalculated for your version.

Written by the Metta Voyage travel team in Hanoi. Last updated October 2026. Prices are the “from” prices published on our tour page (checked 24 October 2026); your quote confirms the exact price for your dates. Photos: Metta Voyage.