DISCOVER VIETNAM IN 14 DAYS: THINGS TO DO ON A FIRST TIME VISIT

Vietnam, is one of the jewels of South East Asia and of course we completely fell in love with the country. It’s a country with a pretty turbulent communist past but for us the romanticism lies in the unknown. Vietnam is a cultural immersive destination boasting awe-inspiring scenery, architecture steeped in history, friendly, inspiring locals, mouth-watering food and some incredible boutique residences and abodes. The country also some fantastic Sustainable Tourism in place for mindful visitors. This vast country has lots to offer but if you’re visiting for the first time, it can be quite difficult to navigate an itinerary which may require internal flights, remote locations as well as train travel. It is possible to experience a lot of Vietnam in 14 days with the correct logistical itinerary planning, for which we are sharing all our top tips and recommendations in the article below.

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Is 14 Days Enough in Vietnam?

The simple answer here is no. As with many countries, travellers simply cannot do everything in this time frame however, this 14 days in Vietnam itinerary does touch on some of Vietnam’s highlights. It aims to cover the length of the country including some well-known destinations such as Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hue, Da’Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Min City. Additionally we’re sharing our hand-picked hotels, experiences and dining options.

To be completely transparent, we used the services of a local travel agency in Vietnam, Viet Vision who assisted with transfers, private tour guides, internal flights, train reservations and visa entry documentation. We booked our international flights independently and Vietvision took over from when we landed in Hanoi airport. We worked closely with Vietvison and crafted an itinerary based on our interests in the country’s culture as well as activities that we wanted to experience as a priority. The travel advisors at Vietvision helped with the logistics of our desired itinerary plans and any further documentation. This we found particularly useful as we had limited time in the country and wanted to get a good overview of Vietnam for a future trip.

When is The Best Time To Visit Vietnam?

The short answer is it’s best to visit Vietnam between March and April, as this is when rainfall is at its lowest and the temperatures are mild without higher humidity.

Vietnam is more than 1,600 Km and around 1000 miles long, therefore its weather varies an awful lot as you transition through the north to the south. You’ll see a marked difference in the climate.

In a country more than 1,600 kms (1,000 miles) long, the weather in Vietnam varies considerably as you go from north to south, from a temperate to a tropical climate. Here are the best times to visit the three different portions of the country:

• Best time to visit North Vietnam (Sapa, Hanoi, Halong Bay) – Spring time (March to April) and autumn (September to November), when days are generally warm and sunny.
• Best time to visit central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An) – any time between February and August, sunny 30°C (86°F) days are perfect in July and August.
• Best time to visit South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) – temperatures unbearable from March to May, when temperatures are around 40°C (104°F).

Be-lavie Tip: Monsoon season in South Vietnam is between June-November. the rain comes in short bursts and wouldn’t really affect travel plans. The Monsoon season is one of the best times for photography and capturing dramatic thunderheads floating along the Mekong Delta and rice fields which turns a beautiful bright emerald green.

How Long To Spend in Vietnam

This is really personal choice and how much time you have available. 14 days or 2 weeks is ample time to spend around 2-3 nights in all the major places in the country to get a good feel for the culture and land. If you have more time such as 3-4 weeks, you can incorporate more time including beaches and hikes in Sapa in the north. But whatever you decide upon Hoi An in a destination not to be missed. 14 days in Vietnam is just he perfect amount of time for most travellers who love immersing themselves into the local culture and way of life.

How To Get To Vietnam

When booking flights to Vietnam it’s good to note that if you are planning on travelling north to south, you’ll most likely need to book. flights into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City. Also internal flights between Da’Nang and Ho Chi Minh would save on a lot of time, especially if you have limited travel time.

Visa’s to Vietnam are required as well as other entry documents. UK citizens along with a number of other countries can viist for upto 14 days without. visa but it’s best to check all requirements at your country embassy for Vietnam.

UK residents head to the London Vietnam Embassy for more information. Additionally Vietnam visas can be bought online at Vietnam E Visa and passport photos will be required.

If working with. a local tour provider, they can take care of visas for you, making the process as seamless as possible.

Map of 14 Days in Vietnam Itinerary: Destinations

How to use map: click top left hand box to reveal destinations

Day by day itinerary locations and no of days to spend in each one as a guide:

• DAY 1 ARRIVE HANOI
• DAY 2 HANOI/HALONG BAY
• DAY 3 HALONG BAY
• DAY 4 HALONG BAY/HANOI
• DAY 5 HANOI/HUE
• DAY 6 HUE
• DAY 7 HUE/DA’NANG/HOI AN
• DAY 8 HOI AN
• DAY 9 HOI AN
• DAY 10 HOI AN
• DAY 11 HOI AN/HO CH MINH (SAIGON)
• DAY 12 HO CH MINH (SAIGON)
• DAY 13 HO CH MINH (SAIGON)
• DAY 14 HO CHI MINH/RETURN (SAIGON)

How To Best Explore Vietnam in 14 Days: An Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Hotel

• Hotel  Name: Hotel de L’opera.
• Room Type and Length of Stay: Deluxe Room. Bed and Breakfast Basis. 2 nights in total (including post cruise)
• Street Location: 29 Trang Tien Street. Hoan Kiem District. Hanoi. 10000. Tel. +84 24 6282 5555
• Find it Here: Map Location
• Details: Check in: 14:00 Check Out: 12:00
• Price Range: $$
• Hotel Style: An M Gallery hotel, centrally located five star boutique hotel incorporating colonial French architecture, fantastic service and beautifully designed glamorous rooms.

Things To Do in Hanoi

Flights generally get in from the west early afternoon so its best to use the day to get your bearings by having a walk around the Old French Quarter and taking in the European vibe of the French Quarter.

#1. Take a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake (City Orientation)

Hoan Kiem Lake is a large lake located in the centre of Hanoi and is a great place to reprieve the chaos of the city and is home to some of Hanoi’s well known temples, bridges and statues.

Map Location Location I Hoan Kiem Lake

#2. Strolling The Streets of The Old Quarter (City Orientation)

One of the main highlights in Hanoi is wandering through the streets, admiring the colonial French architecture, dodging the motorcycles trying to cross roads, taking in the local scene, street food stalls and shop vendors sprawling into the streets. No where else have I seen the sights, sounds and flavours transpiring through the streets, as I have in Hanoi.

**Following the 2 night cruise, there will be an opportunity to do a day and a halves sightseeing or activities (see further down for specifics)**

Days 2-4 Hanoi/Halong Bay

Early morning transfer is usually by private car to Tuan Chau Island to start the two night Halong Bay Cruise. A 2 night, 3 day day cruise with Paradise cruises is an excellent choice and they also have a private departure lounge at Tuan Chau island.

Cruise Vessel

• Vessel Type: Paradise Luxury. (11 cabins and 4 suites)
• Room Type and Length of Stay: Deluxe Cabin with balcony. 2 nights stay
• The Cabin & Style: The option of Deluxe cabin with a balcony is substantial for the couple of days on the boat as it allows you to get out and see the changing landscape of the bay and rock formations.

Deluxe cabins are located on the upper deck with a private balcony and is furnished in dark wood and traditional fabrics with an en suite bathroom.

On-Board Itinerary

All passengers are met on board by the Paradise crew, Cruise Manager  and the whole team with a detailed list of what you’ll be doing on-board. This includes, meal times, games, itinerary for excursions as well as cookery classes, morning yoga and more.

Over the next couple of days, guests can prepare to be waited on with delicious food and drink, breakfast, lunch, High Tea and dinner which are all served at different time slots in the elegant dining room.

Additionally there are Vietnamese cookery classes on board top deck prior to dinner as well as Tai Chi at 6 am for early risers on the deck with stunning views of the sun coming up over the bay and limestone formations.

The cruise incorporates the following stops along its route:

• Halong Bay, Sung Sot Cave,
• Ti Top Island take take in the incredibel limestone cliff views
• Tung Sau Pearl Farm
• Cua Van Floating Village, for some local life scenes of Halong Bay
• Trong Cave.

Evenings on board can be spent relaxing with movie nights, using the spa and massage service.or relaxing in your cabin. During your 14 days in Vietnam, Halong bay really is one of the must-do activities.

Map Location I Halong Bay

Book Halong Bay Cruises

If you’re not going via a tour operator in Vietnam like we did, then here are some Halong Bay cruise options that coudl help you see the area and feature a similar style of itinerary to ours.

Day 4 Halong Bay/Hanoi

The cruise generally ends at midday with transfers back to Hanoi arriving mid afternoon. This allows for some free time to further explore the capital at leisure.

Day 5 Halong Bay/Hanoi

A private tour of Hanoi is a great way to see and learn the history of this cultural yet cosmopolitan city. The organised tour saves on time but it’s possible to also cover the tour solo with taxi or public transportation.

Must-See Sights on Your Hanoi Things To Do List

#1. Temple of Literature 

The Temple of Literature or Temple of Culture is a Temple of Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông

Map Location I Temple of Literature

#2. Ethnology Museum

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a museum in Hanoi, Vietnam, which focuses on the 54 officially recognised ethnic groups in Vietnam. It is located  in the Cầu Giấy District, about 8 km from the city centre

Map Location I Ethnology Museum

#3. Thang Long Water Puppet Show

The Thang Long Puppet show dates back to the 11^th century and is entirely in Vietnamese. Although it was a little difficult to know what was going on, there are programmes in English, which are complimentary and circulated around to help you follow the acts. The puppetry and musical instruments are pretty interesting and set the scene for a traditional experience.

Map Location I Thang Long Water Puppet Show

#4. Hanoi Train Street

Train Street is one of Hanoi’s most popular attractions, but it wasn’t built for tourists at all! The Hanoi railway traverses through the city. It’s doors are open and even appear to come off their hinges. Local people live and work on the train tracks – they just shuffle aside their belongings when they hear the train coming! There are also some cafe spots located on either side of the tracks.

Map Location I Hanoi Train Street Tracks

Dining in Hanoi

Red House Restaurant  (Nhà hàng Nhà Đỏ). is a real authentic Vietnamese affair and they cater well to vegetarians. Definitely one for your list and the service is pretty friendly too.

Map Location I Nhà hàng Nhà Đỏ

Railway Station

The next leg of the journey, involves heading to Hanoi Railway station to board the overnight sleeper train bound for Hue for 19:00, known as the SE1

Be-lavie Tip: if working with a local agent like Vietvision, they should take care of the train tickets and arrangements for you. Alternatively tickets can be bought from the railway station in advance for an overnight sleeper train. The trains usually depart at around 19:00.

Map Location I Hanoi Railway Station

Be-lavie Tip: Each cabin comes with four beds (bunks) and we ended up hiring the whole cabin so we could store our luggage with us. It’s good to note that conveniences are limited on the sleeper train and you’re travelling with locals who may try and convince you to use your cabin free of charge. Additionally we found it was difficult to sleep due to the station calls and general passenger noise.

Other Things To Do in Hanoi

• Visit Hỏa Lò Prison in the French Quarter
• , Grab a beer at Bia Hoi Corner
• Shop at Dong Xuan Market.

Day 6-7 Hanoi to Hue

Arrival via the overnight sleeper train in Hue is around 08:00, It’s a good idea to transfer straight to your hotel or accommodation as facilities for bathrooms are very basic on the train. It’s also quite hot and humid.

Hotel

• Hotel  Name: Azarai la Residence & Spa.
• Room Type and Length of Stay:Deluxe Room. Bed and Breakfast Basis. 2 night stay
• Street Location: 5 Lê Lợi, Street, Huế, Thành phố Huế 530000, Vietnam Tel. +84 234 383 7475
• Find it Here: Map Location
• Details: Check in: 14:00 Check Out: 12:00
• Price Range: $$
• Hotel Style: A colonial style luxury boutique hotel with impeccable gardens and a beautiful spa facility.

Map Location I Azarai La Residence

Things To Do In Hue

#1. Take A Private Cruise Along The Perfume River

The Perfume River crosses Huế, in the autumn flowers from orchards up river from Huế fall into the water, giving the river a perfume-like aroma, hence the name.

#2. Athien Mu Pagoda (the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady)

The iconic seven-story Athien Mu Pagoda is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the city of Hue and the temple has often been the subject of many folk rhymes and sits high on the Hà Khê hill

Location I Athien Mu Pagoda

#3. Incense Making

En route to King Tu Duc’s tomb, there are many opportunities to stop and watch how the skilled incense makers make these beautiful coloured and lovely smelling worship aids. We bought some, as HIndus we also use incense for ceremonial purposes. It’s also great to be giving back to the community of trades people out in the country side.

#4. King Tu Duc Tomb (Nguyen Dynasty)

Tu Duc Tomb is located on the outskirts of the former Imperial Capital and was built between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc Tomb was designed as a tribute to the fourth Nguyen Emperor’s long and somewhat sad life.

Map Location I King Tu Duc Tomb

#5. Hue Citadel

The Imperial City of Hue was once an enormous complex full of all the executive and bureaucracy you would expect from a country’s capital. It was enclosed within a square fortress (also known as the Hue Citadel), with each of the four walls about two kilometres long and a wide moat on the outside. When in Hue it is a must do, as the citadel is still owned by the countries Royal family.

Map Location I Hue Citadel

#7. Other Things To Do in Hue

Here are some more tour ideas in Hue to consider during your 14 days in Vietnam:

Dining In Hue

A traditional brunch of the area at Mandarin café, where the owner Mr Cut, is a keen photographer and will definitely have you eyeing up his beautiful images, which can be purchased!

Map Location I Mandarin Cafe

Within the grounds of the citadel is a lovely restaurant named Yhao Garden. As the name suggests its set in lush gardens and serves a lovely three course set menu of traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Location I Thao Garden

 Day 7 Hue/Da’nang/Hoi An

At this time it may be that after all the culture, you need a couple of days to relax at the beach and mid0way through the itinerary is a great time to do this, especially in and around Hoi An. With a private trip booked through VietVision, there was a driver and guide to accompany us to each location and instead of taking an internal flight, it’s great to see the Vietnamese countryside. This also provides flexibility to make stops along the way, such as having lunch in Da’nang, visiting the Da Nang Museum of Cham and also Marble Mountains.

Da’nang

The drive started down the incredibly scenic highway A1 where we stopped to admire views north of Lang Co Beach before driving South to Da’Nang. We also saw some amazing sites on our way to Da’nang, such as villages and a peaceful shrimp farm.

Things To Do In Da’Nang

#1. Da’ Nang Museum of Cham

One of the most interesting people who lived in Vietnam were the Chams. They were Hindu and the Museum of Cham houses the most complete collection of Chan Artefacts anywhere in the world.

Location: Cham Museum

#2. China Beach

During the Vietnam war, the Americans named this beach China Beach and used it as a base for their rest and relaxation periods. It’s a 20 mile long white sand beach and worth a visit if you have some free time. It was rather windy when we arrived!

Location: China Beach

 #3. The Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains are a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. The five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim, Thuy, Moc, Hoa and Tho. In English these elements are water, wood, air, fire and earth. It’s a bit of an up hill trek but you will be rewarded with great views and many stunning Pagodas.

Map Location I Marble Mountain

Hoi An

Arrival in Hoi An would be around early afternoon, if following our itinerary. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a beautiful coastal city, famously known for it’s yellow facaded buildings and numerous tailors shops in the centre.

Hotel

• Hotel  Name: Palm Garden Beach Resort.
• Room Type and Length of Stay: Beach side bungalow. 4 nights in total
• Street Location: Lạc Long Quân, Cẩm An, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam . Tel. +84 235 392 7927
• Find it Here: Map Location
• Details: Check in: 14:00 Check Out: 12:00
• Price Range: $$ (seasonal rates apply due to location)
• Hotel Style: Traditional Vietnamese décor with a stunning beach side setting complete with private beach view/side bungalows. An abode for relaxation complete with great spa facilities.

Day 8-10 Hoi An

Things To Do In Hoi An

#1. Walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An

The best way to get to know anywhere and especially the beautiful colonial city of Hoi An is by just wandering the streets and getting lost up the small alley ways and winding paths. You may even come across some fantastic street scenes.

Hoi An centre is a UNESCO World heritage site therefore you won’t see any high rises or over developed areas. Hoi An has a very much traditional Vietnamese town feel, almost like time has slowed down.

Don’t forget to walk the beautiful lantern covered streets of Hoi An. Especially in the evenings when the lanterns are lit, the place looks magical with a technicolor illumination above you.

#2. Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge was built by the Japanese in the 1500s to join two parts of the city together and allow pedestrians to walk through easily. It’s beautifully decorated and maintained and well worth a visit.

Map Location I Japanese Covered Bridge

#3. The Pottery Museum (Museum of Trade Ceramics)

Built in 1859, the Pottery Museum is a great example of Vietnamese ceramic craftsmanship and features some authentic examples of pottery work includes plates and bowls.

Map Location I The Pottery Museum

#4. Tan Ky (The Old House)

A traditional old 18^th century house, Tan Ky has been beautifully preserved with artefacts and traditional Vietnamese artefacts. It’s one of those places that everyone goes to when in Hoi An.

Map Location I Tan Ky

#5. Cantonese Congregation (Cantonese Assembly Hall)

Founded in 1786, the Cantonese Assembly Hall has a tall, airy entrance, which opens on to a splendidly over-the-top mosaic statue of a dragon and a carp. The main altar is dedicated to Quan Cong. The garden behind has an even more incredible dragon statue. The goat statue at the rear is a symbol of Canton (Guangzhou), China.

Map Location I Cantonese Congregation

#6. Hoi An Silk Street

One of my most memorable and interesting experiences in Hoi An was visiting the Hoi An Silk Village where we were shown the process of making silk with silk worms and eventually very skilfully made into items of clothing. This is a highly recommended experience if you have an interest in silk. You can also support the silk farm by purchasing hand woven items from here.

Map Location I Silk Street

#7. Cantonese Pagodas

There are many pagodas around Hoi An, which you can go and admire or even light some incense at but generally you will see many from just walking around the old town.

#8. Tailors

There is an abundance of tailor in Vietnam and if your looking for the likes of suits, dresses or any  other garments, all you need is a photo or style in mind and you can collect your item within 48 hours! Prices are also pretty competitive but the quality and workmanship is second to none.

Quóc Huy Tailors are very friendly and do a fantastic job. If you’re in.a hurry, they can get items to you in 24-48 hours.

Be-lavie Tip: Take some designs and examples with you of the styling of clothing you’d like made to measure

Map Location: Quoc Huy Tailors

#9. Markets

There are a couple of different markets in Hoi An that are definitely worth some time spent wandering around. Hoi An Central Market is known for its delicious breakfast of Vietnamese pancakes and Cau Lau, a dish made of noodles.

If you love fish, then you’ll want to check out the fish market. The fish are delivered daily on the river next to the market!

#10. Beaches

The area around Hoi An has. a number of beaches, that you can head to within a 15 minute taxi drive away.

These include:

• An Bang Beach – Named as one of Asia’s Top 10 Beaches by Tripadvisor in 2024, An Bang Beach has crustal clear blue waters and pristine white sand and is situated 7 km from Hoi An. It’s quite close to the centre of Hoi An and visitors cna often see the fishermen early in the morning and at sunset coming with their catch. You can hire sun loungers and there are plenty of hotel beach clubs which cater for food and the like as well as local stalls.
• Cua Dai Beach – This beach is located in the quieter area around Hoi An and is a little further out from the town centre. It’s also a lot less crowded than An Bang Beach. Sunloungers can be hired at the beach clubs for around 100 dong in off peak season (Jan-March), less than 50 pence on GBP, or theyr’e free to use if you eat. in the corresponding restaurants. Perfect for those who like some quite beach time.

#11. Other Things To Do in Hoi An

Here are some more tour ideas in Hoi An to consider during your 14 days in Vietnam:

Dining in Hoi An

Miss Ly Cafe in old town Hoi An is a lovely little cafe/restaurant to sit and watch the world go by. Miss Ly and her husband run the place serving up delicious Vietnamese street food favourites as well as some Western dishes. We sat outside and watched the Hoi An scenes unfold as the day went on.

Map Location I Miss Lye Cafe

Responsible Tourism Finds & Community Development Charities

If like us, you travel with the local community in mind and adding to their economy in a responsible and meaningful way, we recommend checking out these two charities.

Reaching out Vietnam

Reaching out is a social enterprise created to provide people with disabilities the chance to learn skills and give them meaningful employment opportunities. The people working here make amazing goods and crafts that you will most certainly cherish as a souvenir. They also hold workshops where you can learn how to perform a traditional tea making meditation ceremony as well as how to make Vietnamese lanterns.

Further Information I Reaching Out Vietnam

Karma Waters

Karma waters is a family owned charity that runs two Vegan restaurants. They also offer vegan cooking classes and many different types of tours & homestays. All money goes towards their different charity programs such as their nutritional lunch program, (offers low-cost lunch to the needy & homeless) and their ethnic support program (they deliver food, clothes, books and more to ethnic minority families in Vietnam).

Further Information I Karma Waters

Hotel

• Hotel  Name: Hotel Grand Saigon. 
• Room Type and Length of Stay: Deluxe Room for 4 nights
• Street Location: 8 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam Tel. +84 283 915 5555
• Find it Here: Map Location
• Details: Check in: 14:00 Check Out: 12:00
• Price Range: $$ (seasonal rates apply due to location)
• Hotel Style: Housed in a restored colonial building the Grand Hotel Saigon has a fabulous location in District 1 and is in easy walking distance to most attractions within the city. Rooms are spacious and come in a variety of comfort levels.

Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City (Day 12)

#1. The Opera House

The Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh is an elegant colonial building at the intersection of Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street in District 1, very close to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and the classic Central Post Office. The restored three-storey 800-seat Opera House was built in 1897 and is used for staging not only opera but also a wide range of performing arts including ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance and plays. Performances are advertised around the building and information can be found in the state-operated tourist information centre close by.

Map Location I The Opera Hous

#2. Intercontinental Hotel Saigon

Dating back to 1880, this hotel lies on one of the oldest streets in Ho Chi Minh City and is a beautiful luxury hotel. It has a pretty cool rooftop bar for when the twinkly city lights go on following golden hour!

Map Location I Intercontinental Hotel Saigon

#3. The Reunification Palace

Reunification Palace was the base of  Vietnamese General Ngo Dinh Diem until his death in 1963. It made its name in global history in 1975. A tank belonging to the North Vietnamese Army crashed through its main gate, ending the Vietnam War. Today, it’s a must-visit for tourists in Ho Chi Minh City.   The palace is like a time capsule frozen in 1975. You can see two of the original tanks used in the capture of the palace parked in the grounds. Reunification Palace was the home and workplace of the French Governor of Cochin-China. It has lush gardens, secret rooms, antique furniture and a command bunker. It’s still in use to host important occasions in Ho Chi Minh, including APEC summits.

Map Location I Reunification Palace

#4. The Post Office

The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is a beautifully preserved remnant of French colonial times and perhaps the grandest post office in all of Southeast Asia. Located next door to Notre Dame Cathedral, the two cultural sites can be visited together and offers visitors a chance to imagine life in Vietnam during the times of the Indochinese Empire. The building was designed by Alfred Foulhoux and features arched windows and wooden shutters, just as it would have in its heyday in the late 19th Century.

Map Location I The Post Office

#5. Notre Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 1880s by French colonists, is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in the largely Buddhist Vietnam. Located in Paris Square, the name Notre Dame was given after the installation of the statue ‘Peaceful Notre Dame’ in 1959. In 1962, the Vatican conferred the Cathedral status as a basilica and gave it the official name of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. Measuring almost 60 metres in height, the cathedral’s distinctive neo-Romanesque features include the all-red brick façade (which were imported from Marseille), stained glass windows, two bell towers containing six bronze bells that still ring to this day and a peaceful garden setting in the middle of downtown Ho Chi Minh City District 1

Map Location I Notre Dame Cathedral

#6. Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs. Here, you’ll find eating stalls inside the market where you can get a taste of hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or simply cool off with a cold drink when the bargaining becomes too much. The market is big, difficult to navigate at times and certainly best avoided during the hottest part of the day but all the same its well worth a look. When night falls, restaurants around the perimeter of the market open their doors creating a vibrant street side scene filling the air with the scents of wok-fried noodles, barbecued fish and meats. One of Saigon’s oldest landmarks, Ben Thanh offers a great atmosphere that is absolutely authentically Vietnamese.

Map Location I Ben Thanh Market

Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City (Day 13)

A Day on The Mekong Delta

No trip to Ho Chi Minh or southern Vietnam is complete without spending time on the Mekong Delta. This day trip starts with an early morning transfer to Cai Bé to board a private fishing boat and cruise the colourful floating market, amongst local barges full of fruit and veg. For more of an authentic experience stop at at local workshops on the delta where you saw how products such as rice pastes, coconut candy and pop-rice popcorn is produced to be sold all over Vietnam. It’s a delicious snack and it’ll be hard to resist buying some to take away with you and you’ll also be supporting the local economy.

Spending some time out of your 14 days in Vietnam on the Mekong Delta really is one of teh most authentic experiences you can so and it also helps supports many of the small businesses that rely on the river to survive.

Following tea and rice pops with a local family (which you’re sure to pass by) you can get on a small rowing boat and glide further and deeper into the Mekong Delta, into the countryside through the smaller side canals to enjoy some peaceful time. It’s really fascinating to see the small traditional houses constructed of wood and palm tree leaves and additionally see how local fishing is done by the farmers on the delta.

There are local houses where you can pre-book lunch which is traditional alongisde a dessert of tropical fruit. Following lunch, you can listen to a traditional Vietnamese group perform some folk songs for us.

Post lumch it’ spossibel to walk walk off the delicious food by biking down the village paths to get a feel for the area, passing local farms, houses and ancestral sites before heading back to the city.

Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City (Day 14)

Cu Chi Tunnels

No visit to this region is complete without stopping off at The Cu Chi Tunnels, otherwise known as ‘Irin Triangle or ‘Iron Land’. The drive to the tunnels is through countryside, rubber plantations and rice paddies.

Once at the tunnels, there is a short video on the history of the Vietnam war and then you can access the tunnel the army used to hide as well as see mantraps and the remains of an Americal tank, numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers.

**Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport in the early evening.if suitable flights are available**

Map Location I Cu Chi Tunnels

Recommended tours To Take in Ho Chi Minh City

Here are some more tour ideas in Ho Chi Minh City to consider during your 14 days in Vietnam:

Dining In Ho Chi Minh City

Here are two of our favourite dining spots in Ho Chi Minh City…

Le Chateau de Saigon

A beautiful French/Vietnamese restaurant located in a well pruned park.  Food at Le Chateau de Saigon, is beautifully presented and usually the menu is foxed. Ensure to call ahead if you’re vegetarian and going for the fixed price menu option.

Map Location I Le Chateau de Saigon

 Vietnam House Restaurant

The fancy Vietnam House Restaurant is located in an old French colonial building serves up some delicious traditional Vietnamese cuisine in fancy surroundings. Great place to try a number of fusion dishes and cocktails.

Map Location I Vietnam House Restaurant

Be-lavie Pro Tips For Visiting Vietnam in 14 Days

• Getting a VISA can be quite daunting so my advice is use a good travel agent like we did to organise the paperwork so you can sail through immigration with ease. We used Viet Vision based in Hanoi as mentioned previously.
• Ensure taxi rates are negotiated well before you get in and drive away to avoid any scamming.
• Always ask before taking photos of locals. We asked permission if the locals would be ok for us to take photos and post these on our site. Additionally, where there was a language barrier, we asked our guides to translate. We just think having consent is really important before taking photographs and a great way to communicate and build a rapport is to learn a few worlds of Vietnamese, Also always she the photos once you’ve taken them as they do love seeing themselves on camera!

• The traffic situation is manic and driving can seem very kamikaze so just wait until there is a break in the road, be patient and you will get to the other side in one piece. You actually just need to worry about the cars and lorries as motorbike drivers will weave around you. It may seem very scary but you will get used to it.
• Cash is king in Vietnam for sure but getting money out of a ATM is quite pricey so plan accordingly. Try and pay for as much as you can in advance and organise your itinerary so most things are paid for before leaving.

• Packing right for Vietnam is key and its noteworthy that different parts of the country can experience differing climates. So always keep a rain coat or waterproofs with you as well as light clothing for sunny days. Ensure you have good footwear too as well, flip flops will be good for the beach; roads are muddy, cobble stoned and unfinished so covered comfortable shoes are a must. Many temples require modest dress, so long skirts/trousers are a must.
• As with many other countries in the world, English is not spoken as widely as in other South East Asian countries but then again why would they? Therefore I used the Lonely Planet Vietnam Guide for basic phrases to help show appreciation when we were out and about. Hello = Xin Chào (sin chow)
• Ensure you spilt your 14 days in Vietnam equally with 2-3 nights in each destination , with a view to completing you priority experiences in the first 24 hours.
  

Basic Useful Vietnamese Words

• How are you? = Ban Khoe Khong (Ban Kwe Khom)
• Thank you = Cam on (kahm uhn)
• Sorry = Xin Loi (Sin Loy)
• Goodbye = Tam Biet (Tarm Byeet)
• Yes / No = Dạ / Không (yah / comb)
• How much? = Bao nhiêu? (bow nyew
• Too expensive! = Mắc quá (mack wha)

2 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary FAQ

How To Best Explore Vietnam In 14 Days: Round-Up

Vietnam is a complete jewel in South East Asia, full of cultural, historical experiences to be discovered as well as a wonderful melting pot of cuisine. This Vietnam in 14 days itinerary should be just the right amount of time to have an introductory immersion into the way of life in Vietnam as well as taking more of a deeper dive into some of the different regions and what they have to offer.

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