2 Week Vietnam Itinerary: The Route I Took
TRAVEL
I put a lot of research into this route before I went, and it worked out exactly the way I'd hoped, which isn't something I can say about every itinerary I've planned. If you've got two weeks in Vietnam and want a route that actually flows, rather than one that has you backtracking across the country, I can confidently recommend this one: Hanoi, the Ha Giang Loop, Hoi An, and Da Nang, in that order. Let’s get into how to plan and do it.
The Route at a Glance
Days 1 to 3: Hanoi
Days 4 to 6: The Ha Giang Loop (3 days, 2 nights on the loop, with overnight buses on either end)
Day 7: Fly Hanoi to Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An (or night bus from Hanoi to Hoi An)
Days 8 to 9: Hoi An
Days 10 to 13: Da Nang
Day 14: Fly out from Da Nang
Days 1 to 3: Hanoi
Hanoi is where I started, and three days was enough to get a real feel for the city without rushing. The Old Quarter is the obvious base, chaotic in the best way, with narrow streets organised loosely by what used to be sold on each one. I split my time between the big sights, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the less structured stuff: wandering the Old Quarter, finding Train Street, and catching a water puppet show one evening.
Hanoi's food scene alone could fill three days on its own, so I'd leave more time here than you think you need.I’ve also put together Where to Stay in Hanoi and Things to Do in Hanoi guides if you want more details on the best areas, hotels, and things to see.
Hotel Picks in Hanoi
Luxury – Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: If you're looking to treat yourself in Hanoi, this is my top luxury pick. The hotel combines French-colonial charm, elegant rooms, and outstanding service, all within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake and many of the city's highlights.
Mid-Range – Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel: This is one of those hotels that feels more expensive than it actually is. I love its stylish design, rooftop pool, and convenient location near the Old Quarter, making it a great base for exploring Hanoi.
Budget – Hanoi Signature Hotel: For travelers who want to stay central without spending a fortune, this hotel offers excellent value. It's tucked right into the Old Quarter, so you'll be close to some of Hanoi's best street food, local cafés, and cultural sights.
Days 4 to 6: The Ha Giang Loop
This was the part of the trip I built the whole itinerary around, and it delivered. The Ha Giang Loop is a motorbike route through the far north of Vietnam, looping out from Ha Giang City through limestone mountains, deep canyons, and ethnic minority villages, and it's genuinely one of the most spectacular things I've done while travelling.For everything you need to know about the route, check out my Ha Giang Loop guide.
Getting There and Back
I took an overnight sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang City, which takes around 6 to 7 hours and drops you in early morning, ready to start the loop the same day. Coming back, the loop ends where it started, in Ha Giang City, and another overnight bus gets you back to Hanoi by early morning. It's not the most comfortable way to travel, but it saves a full day compared to doing it any other way, which mattered given I only had two weeks total.
The Loop Itself
I rode the classic 3-day, 2-night version:
Day 1: Ha Giang City to Dong Van, via Quan Ba Heaven's Gate, Yen Minh, and the Tham Ma Pass switchbacks. Overnight in Dong Van.
Day 2: Dong Van to Meo Vac, via the Lung Cu Flag Tower, the Ma Pi Leng Pass (the highlight of the entire loop, with the Nho Que River sitting nearly 800 metres below the road), and a boat trip on the river itself. Overnight in Meo Vac.
Day 3: Meo Vac back to Ha Giang City, via Du Gia or the Mau Due route, then the overnight bus back to Hanoi that evening.
If you have an extra day to spare, a 4-day version exists that adds more time around Du Gia and takes the pressure off the riding days, but the 3-day route covers every major highlight, Ma Pi Leng Pass especially, without feeling rushed. Book Ha Giang Loop Tour
Day 7: Transfer to Hoi An
I arrived back in Hanoi early in the morning after the night bus, tired but with the whole day still ahead, and flew straight to Da Nang that same afternoon. If you want to follow the same route, flying is the faster option and the one I chose. The flight from Hanoi to Da Nang takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, followed by a 30–45 minute taxi to Hoi An. This kept the itinerary moving and allowed me to fit everything into two weeks without adding an extra day.
If you’d rather save money, you can stay one night in Hanoi to rest before taking a direct overnight sleeper bus to Hoi An the following evening. The journey takes around 14–18 hours depending on the operator, but you’ll wake up in Hoi An instead of needing to transfer from Da Nang. I chose to fly, but the sleeper bus can make sense if you’d rather save money and don’t mind the longer journey and actually the sleeping buses are quite comfy. Before planning your days, check out my Hoi An Travel Guide for everything you need to know about where to stay, what to do, and how to make the most of your time there.
Hotel Picks in Hoi An
Luxury – Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai: If you're after a memorable luxury stay in Vietnam, this is hard to beat. Set on a beautiful stretch of beach just outside Hoi An, it combines spacious villas, exceptional service, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Mid-Range – Little Riverside Hoi An: I love this hotel for its riverside setting and boutique feel. It's close enough to walk to the Ancient Town while offering a quieter retreat away from the busiest streets.
Budget – La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa: A great-value option with comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, and free bikes, making it easy to explore both Hoi An's Ancient Town and nearby beaches.
Days 8 to 9: Hoi An
Two days in Hoi An was the right amount for me, enough to properly walk the lantern-lit Old Town at night, get something made at one of the tailor shops, and spend a slower afternoon at An Bang Beach. It's a small enough town that you don't need much longer than this unless you specifically want extra time for tailoring, which can take a few fittings over a couple of days.
Days 10 to 13: Da Nang
Four days in Da Nang gave me room to spread things out rather than cramming the city’s highlights into a single rushed day. I spent a full day at Ba Na Hills to see the Golden Bridge, half a day exploring Monkey Mountain (Son Tra Peninsula), and some time wandering local markets and trying street food. I also left plenty of room for slower beach days, which I think is part of what makes Da Nang so enjoyable.
One evening, I timed my plans around the Dragon Bridge’s weekend fire show, which was a fun way to end the day. I’ve written about Da Nang in more detail separately, so if you want more ideas on what to do and where to stay, check out my Da Nang Travel Guide for my recommendations on accommodation, activities, and the best areas to stay.
Hotel Picks in Da Nang
Luxury – InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort: Perched on a lush hillside overlooking the sea, this is easily one of the most spectacular resorts in Vietnam. The design, views, and private beach make it a destination in itself.
Mid-Range – Sala Danang Beach Hotel: One of my favorite mid-range picks thanks to its beachfront location, rooftop infinity pool, and modern rooms, all at a reasonable price.
Budget – Seahorse Tropical Da Nang Hotel: A stylish budget-friendly stay with a tropical vibe and central location. It's perfect if you want easy access to restaurants, cafés, and Da Nang's main attractions without overspending.
Day 14: Fly Out
I flew out from Da Nang directly rather than routing back through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, which kept the whole second half of the trip moving in one direction instead of doubling back.
Why I'd Recommend This Route
The thing that made this itinerary work wasn't any single stop, it was the shape of the route. Everything moves in one direction: north to the mountains, then south to the central coast, with no wasted backtracking. The overnight buses on the Ha Giang Loop double as transport and as a way to save daylight hours for the parts of the trip actually worth seeing in daylight.
What I'd Change
If I did this again, I'd build in one buffer day somewhere between the Ha Giang Loop and Hoi An, since arriving back in Hanoi on an overnight bus and flying out the same afternoon leaves very little margin if the bus runs late. It worked out for me, but it's the one part of the route with real risk attached to a tight connection.
Tips for Traveling in Vietnam
Get travel insurance: Make sure your policy provides coverage for your trip and the activities you plan to do.
Get an eSIM: Set up an eSIM before you arrive so you have mobile data as soon as you land.
Carry some cash: Smaller restaurants, local shops, and street food stalls may only accept cash.
Download Grab: Grab is useful for getting around cities and booking motorbike or car rides.
Book popular activities ahead: Tours such as the Ha Giang Loop can fill up during busy periods, so it’s worth arranging them in advance.
Be flexible with transport: Delays and changes can happen, so avoid planning your itinerary with overly tight connections.
Check the weather: Vietnam has different weather patterns across the country, so check each destination rather than relying on one nationwide forecast.
Practical Info
Transport: Plan for roughly one week of land travel between Hanoi and the Ha Giang Loop, followed by a week of flights and shorter transfers around Hoi An and Da Nang.
Best time for Ha Giang: The drier months, roughly September to April, are generally the better time to visit, as the mountain roads are more manageable with less rain.
Best time for Hoi An & Da Nang: Both destinations can be visited year-round, but February to May usually brings calmer and more pleasant weather on the central coast.
FAQs
Is 2 weeks enough for this Vietnam itinerary? Yes, this exact route (Hanoi, Ha Giang Loop, Hoi An, Da Nang) fits comfortably into 14 days, including the overnight bus transfers built into the Ha Giang Loop.
Do I need to book a Ha Giang Loop tour, or can I ride it myself? Both are common. Self-driving gives you more flexibility, while a guided tour (often with an "easy rider" driving you) is a good option if you're not confident on a motorbike on mountain roads.
How do I get from Hanoi to Ha Giang City? An overnight sleeper bus is the standard option, taking around 6 to 7 hours and arriving early morning, which lets you start the loop the same day without losing daylight hours.
Should I fly or take a bus from Hanoi to Hoi An or Da Nang? Flying is far faster. Hanoi to Da Nang takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes by air, compared to well over 15 hours by road, and Da Nang is the closest airport to Hoi An.
Is 3 days enough for the Ha Giang Loop? Yes, a 3-day, 2-night version covers the main highlights, including Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van, and Meo Vac. A 4-day version exists if you want a less rushed pace or to add Du Gia.
What's the best time of year to do this Vietnam route? Roughly September to April works well for the Ha Giang Loop specifically, while Hoi An and Da Nang are workable most of the year, with February to May generally offering the calmest conditions on the coast.
How expensive is Vietnam for 2 weeks? Vietnam is still a relatively affordable destination, with the cost depending heavily on your travel style. For two weeks, I’d budget around $700–1200 for a budget trip or $1,200–2,400 for a comfortable trip with some upscale hotels.
Final Thoughts
I planned this route carefully before going, and it held up exactly as intended once I was actually on the ground. If you've got two weeks in Vietnam and want mountains, motorbikes, lantern-lit streets, and a proper coastal finish, this is the order I'd do it in again.
Check Out My Other Vietnam Guides: