Vietnam north to south: Hanoi, Hội An and Ho Chi Minh City in two weeks
Vietnam is long and narrow — over 1,600km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City — which makes a north-to-south route the natural way to see it: you're never backtracking, and each stop feels genuinely different from the last. Two weeks is enough for the classic three-stop version: 4 nights Hanoi (including a Halong Bay overnight), 4 nights Hội An, and 4 nights Ho Chi Minh City, with domestic flights doing the heavy lifting between them.
Why flights beat the train on this route
The Reunification Express line runs the full length of the country and is a beautiful ride in short bursts, but Hanoi to Hue alone takes upwards of 13 hours — too much for a two-week trip that needs to cover three very different regions. Domestic flights (Hanoi–Da Nang and Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City are both around 1 hour 20 minutes) do in an afternoon what the train does in a day and a half, freeing up time for the places you actually came to see. Save the train, or a car, for the scenic short hop over the Hai Van Pass between Hue and Da Nang if your dates allow a detour.
| Day | Where | What |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Hanoi | Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, egg coffee |
| 3–4 | Halong Bay | Overnight cruise on Halong Bay or the quieter Lan Ha Bay |
| 5 | Fly to Da Nang → Hội An | ~1h20 flight, then a short transfer south to Hội An |
| 6–8 | Hội An | Ancient Town by lantern light, tailor fittings, Mỹ Sơn ruins, An Bang beach |
| 9 | Da Nang day trip | Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills, or a Hai Van Pass drive |
| 10 | Fly to Ho Chi Minh City | ~1h20 flight from Da Nang |
| 11–12 | Ho Chi Minh City | War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Cu Chi Tunnels |
| 13 | Mekong Delta | Day trip by boat through the delta's canals and floating markets |
| 14 | Ho Chi Minh City | Final morning, depart |
Hội An deserves more than a day trip
It's tempting to treat Hội An as a stopover between Hanoi and Saigon, but its Ancient Town and tailoring scene reward a slower pace. If you're having clothes made, plan for at least one fitting the day after your initial order and a final collection a day or two later — rushing a same-day tailoring job is the most common regret travellers report. An Bang beach is a fifteen-minute cycle from the old town and a good antidote to a few days of museums and markets.
What to book ahead
- Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruises — cabin space on the well-reviewed boats fills up, especially for overnight sailings in peak season (spring and autumn).
- Domestic flights — Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines fares rise sharply closer to departure, and seats disappear entirely around Tết (Lunar New Year), whenever it falls in your travel window.
- Cu Chi Tunnels tour — a guided half-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City; book a smaller group tour ahead rather than joining a large last-minute one.
- Ba Na Hills — the Golden Bridge and cable car draw huge crowds; a pre-booked ticket with an early time slot avoids the worst of it.
- Visa — check e-visa or exemption requirements for your passport well before you fly; processing isn't always instant.
Pace yourself on the food
Each city has its own signature dish worth planning meals around — bún chả in Hanoi, cao lầu in Hội An, and the sheer breadth of Saigon's street food scene. Leave at least one unplanned evening in each city for wandering into whatever smells good rather than ticking off a list.