Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first trip to Vietnam. It is long enough to travel the whole country, from the mountains and bays of the north to the old capital of Hue, lantern-lit Hoi An, buzzing Saigon and the rivers of the Mekong Delta, without spending your holiday in transit. The secret is the structure: three short domestic flights for the long legs, private cars for everything else, and a guide who knows when to slow down.
This guide walks you through a Vietnam itinerary for 2 weeks as a private tour, day by day. It is not a theoretical route: it follows our 14-day Vietnam tour from north to south, which travellers book as a starting point and then adjust. You will also find two alternatives (a family version with beach days and a luxury train journey), the best months to go, what a private tour really costs, and how the planning works.
The 2-week route at a glance
- Days 1–2 – Hanoi: Old Quarter, water puppets, Ho Chi Minh Complex and One Pillar Pagoda.
- Days 3–4 – Sapa: overnight train to Lao Cai, Cat Cat village and a trek through Lao Chai and Ta Van.
- Days 5–6 – Halong Bay: overnight cruise among the limestone islands, then a flight to Hue.
- Day 7 – Hue: the Citadel, the Imperial City and Dong Ba market.
- Days 8–9 – Hoi An: Perfume River boat trip, Marble Mountains, then the Ancient Town.
- Days 10–11 – Ho Chi Minh City: Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
- Days 12–13 – Mekong Delta: My Tho canals, a night in Can Tho and the Cai Rang floating market.
- Day 14 – Departure from Ho Chi Minh City.
Day-by-day: the private 2-week Vietnam itinerary
Days 1–2: Hanoi, the capital at walking pace
Your driver and guide meet you at the airport. Once you have checked in, a private walking tour of the Old Quarter eases you into the rhythm of Hanoi, followed by a water puppet show and a welcome dinner. The next day is a full city tour: the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Stilt House, and the One Pillar Pagoda. In the evening you board the overnight train to Lao Cai, so you wake up in the mountains instead of losing a day on the road.
Days 3–4: Sapa, rice terraces and hill-tribe villages
The train arrives at Lao Cai early and a car takes you up to Sapa (around 1.5 hours). After breakfast and some free time, the afternoon is spent in Cat Cat village with local H’mong families. Day 4 is the walking day: a 3–4 hour trek through the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to H’mong and Dzay people, with a picnic lunch on the way. The night train brings you back to Hanoi.
If a sleeper train is not for you, tell us. Our family version of this route reaches Sapa by road instead (around four hours by private car), which many travellers with children prefer.
Days 5–6: Halong Bay overnight, then fly to Hue
From Hanoi you drive to the jetty and board a junk for a night on Halong Bay: lunch as you sail into the bay, a short hike to a viewpoint, and an evening on the water. Next morning you can watch the sunrise, visit Sung Sot cave and swim at Soi Sim beach before brunch and the return to shore. A flight then takes you to Hue in central Vietnam. An overnight cruise is far more rewarding than a day trip: the bay is at its calmest at dawn, after the day boats have gone.
Day 7: Hue, the imperial capital
Hue was the seat of Vietnam’s last emperors. A full day here covers Dong Ba market, the Imperial Museum, the Forbidden Purple City and the walls of the Citadel. It is a day of history, but at a gentle pace with lunch included.
Days 8–9: Perfume River, Marble Mountains and Hoi An
A private boat glides down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang. After lunch you continue towards Hoi An, stopping in Danang for the Cham Museum and the craft villages at the foot of the Marble Mountains. Day 9 begins with a half-day walk through Hoi An’s Ancient Town: the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year-old Tam Ky ancestral house and the Japanese Bridge. The afternoon is free for tailors, cafés or a quiet hour by the river.
Days 10–11: Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels
A short flight from Danang brings you to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). A half-day city tour covers the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market. Next day you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, part of a network of more than 200 km of underground passages that gives a vivid insight into life during the war.
Days 12–13: The Mekong Delta and Cai Rang floating market
In My Tho a private boat takes you through narrow, palm-lined canals to a fruit orchard, followed by Vinh Trang pagoda. You then continue to Can Tho for the night. Early next morning a boat takes you to Cai Rang floating market, where traders sell fruit and vegetables from their boats, before lunch and the drive back to Saigon.
Day 14: Departure
Breakfast, a last browse of the souvenir shops, and a private transfer to the airport.
Three ways to shape your two weeks
The route above is our classic north-to-south version. Two other real itineraries cover the same length but feel quite different:
- Classic north to south, 14 days – the route described above, with Sapa, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon and two days in the Mekong. Best for a first, complete picture of the country. See the full itinerary.
- Family tour, 14 days – Hanoi, Sapa by road, a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, Lan Ha Bay by cruise, My Son and Hoi An, Saigon, a Mekong excursion, and then three relaxing nights on the beach at Mui Ne. Ideal when part of the group wants pool and sand time. Vietnam Family Tour 14 days.
- Luxury train journey, 13 days – after Hanoi and Halong Bay, you spend eight days and seven nights aboard the SJourney Train, stopping at Ninh Binh, Quang Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and the Phan Thiet area, before Saigon and the Mekong. The tour follows the train’s weekly schedule (day 1 is a Sunday). Vietnam Luxury Tour with SJourney Train.
Who this 2-week private itinerary suits
This kind of trip is designed for travellers who value comfort and time over ticking boxes. It works especially well for:
Plan your Vietnam trip in 1 minute
Pick your month to see the weather by region, or estimate your budget — then get a private itinerary from our Hanoi team.
Typical seasonal patterns; weather varies year to year. Our team checks your exact dates when we prepare your itinerary.
"From" prices published on our Vietnam tour cost guide: per person per day, 2 travellers sharing, private guide & driver, hotels, listed activities. International flights, e-visa, insurance and tips not included. Final price is confirmed in your written quote.
- Couples in their 50s, 60s and beyond who want hand-picked 4–5★ hotels, a private car and someone to handle every transfer.
- Families with children over 10, who are old enough to enjoy a trek in Sapa or the Cu Chi Tunnels and appreciate a private guide who adapts the pace.
- First-time visitors to Asia who want to see the whole country once, properly, with local insight.
- Travellers who care about how they travel: small private groups, local guides and family-run experiences rather than crowded coach tours.
It is less suited to anyone who wants a beach-only holiday or a backpacker budget. If two weeks feels short, our Vietnam itinerary guide shows how to extend to three weeks.
Best time for a 2-week trip to Vietnam
Vietnam is long and thin, so the weather is never the same everywhere. A north-to-south itinerary always crosses three climates:
| Region | Most comfortable months | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| North (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay) | October–April | December–February can be cool and misty; Sapa can be cold at night |
| Centre (Hue, Hoi An, Danang) | February–August | Heavy rain and storm risk from roughly September to December |
| South (Saigon, Mekong Delta) | December–April | May–November is the rainy season, usually short afternoon showers |
For a single trip that covers all three regions, February to April is the most reliable window. October and November are lovely in the north and south but can be wet in the centre, while summer works well if you do not mind heat and humidity. Halong Bay cruises can be rescheduled in bad weather; a private tour makes that easy because your guide simply reshuffles the days.
How much does a 2-week private tour of Vietnam cost?
Prices for private tours depend on hotel level, season and group size, so they are always quoted for your dates. As a guide, these are the starting prices shown on our tour pages:
| Itinerary | Length | Price shown on the tour page |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Tour Plan, North to South | 14 days, 13 nights | From US$2,014 per person |
| Vietnam Family Tour | 14 days, 13 nights | From US$1,960 per person |
| Vietnam Luxury Tour with SJourney Train | 13 days, 12 nights | From US$8,600 per person |
The “from” price is based on two travellers sharing in 4★ hotels. On the north-to-south tour it covers private transfers and transport, accommodation with daily breakfast, domestic flights, the Halong Bay cruise, the Hanoi–Lao Cai train, an English-speaking guide, entrance tickets and the meals listed in the itinerary. International flights, travel insurance, tips, drinks and visa fees are not included. Children are priced by age: on this tour, travellers aged 12 and over pay the adult rate, while younger children pay a reduced rate depending on age and bedding.
If you want to upgrade to 5★ hotels, add a beach extension or travel at Christmas or Tet (Lunar New Year), the price will change, and we show you exactly how before you confirm anything.
How a private tour with Metta Voyage works
A private tour means the trip is yours alone: no strangers on the bus, no fixed group departure, no compromise on pace. Here is how it works with us:
- Tell us your dates and wishes. Who is travelling, what you love, what you want to avoid, and the hotel style you prefer.
- Receive a tailored itinerary. Our travel designers in Hanoi adapt one of the tours above day by day and send you a detailed quote.
- Fine-tune it together. Change hotels, add a free day, swap the night train for a car. You see the effect of every change on the price before anything is booked.
- Confirm with a deposit. Payment and cancellation terms are listed on each tour page and in your quote.
- Travel with your own team. A private car and driver, your own guide in each region, and 24/7 local support during the trip.
Metta Voyage is a licensed international tour operator based in Hanoi. We have handled more than 2,000 international bookings for over 10,100 travellers and are rated 4.9 on Tripadvisor. Responsible travel is part of how we plan: local guides, family-run experiences and a published sustainability policy. You can read more on our Vietnam luxury tour page or explore all tours in Vietnam.
Tips to get more out of two weeks
- Fly the long legs. Hanoi–Hue and Danang–Saigon are short flights of around an hour or a little more, instead of a full day on the road.
- Stay at least two nights in Hoi An. The town is at its best early in the morning and at dusk, when the lanterns are lit.
- Choose an overnight Halong cruise rather than a day trip.
- Keep one afternoon free every few days. Private travel makes it easy to rest without missing anything.
- Pack a warm layer for Sapa and Hanoi in winter, and light clothes for the south.
Ready to plan your two weeks? Start from the 14-day north-to-south itinerary or send us your dates, and a travel designer will reply with a private proposal. Prefer to talk? Call our US line on +1 929 491 2828 or our UK line on +44 7520 660929.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 weeks enough to see Vietnam?
Yes. Two weeks is enough to travel from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta with Sapa, Halong Bay, Hue and Hoi An on the way, as long as you fly the long legs (Hanoi–Hue and Danang–Saigon) and use a private car for everything else. With three weeks you can add a beach stay or a neighbouring country.
How much does a 2-week private tour of Vietnam cost?
Our 14-day north-to-south tour is shown from US$2,014 per person and our 14-day family tour from US$1,960 per person, based on two travellers sharing in 4★ hotels. The final price depends on hotel level, season and group size, and is confirmed in your personal quote.
What is the best month for a 2-week trip from north to south?
February to April is the most reliable window for a route that covers all three regions. The north is cool and dry from October to April, the centre is best from February to August, and the south is dry from December to April.
Is a private tour of Vietnam suitable for children?
Yes, especially for children over 10. A private guide adapts the pace, the car waits for you, and you can choose road transfers instead of sleeper trains. Our 14-day family tour also ends with three beach nights in Mui Ne.
Can I combine Vietnam and Cambodia in two weeks?
You can, but you will see less of Vietnam. A common approach is to drop Sapa or the Mekong and add Siem Reap for Angkor. See our Vietnam and Cambodia tours for real 10–14 day itineraries.
Can I change the itinerary?
Every tour is a starting point. You can change hotels, add or remove stops, adjust the pace or add free days. Your travel designer shows you how each change affects the price before you confirm.
