There are 2 roads to get to the

There are 2 roads to get to the port where cruise boats depart one is a toll road and is significantly faster than the other. Day trip to Vinpearl Land if you like amusement parks. After the sun sets, do as the locals do and head to Bia Hoi Corner, or Beer Corner, a popular nightlife hotspot at the intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen. You can rent a motorbike, call a Grab (the Uber of SE Asia), or borrow a bicycle from your hotel and pedal there yourself. Two days in Hanoi should be enough to see the highlights of the city but if you do plan to spend more time here, there are plenty of things to do to fill your days. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials! And Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) is massive and fascinating to explore, but there is a steady stream of visitors walking around it at all hours of the day. As long as you choose a hotel near Hanois Old Quarter you can pretty much walk to all of the top tourist attractions. The best way to book train and bus tickets in Vietnam is on Bookaway.com. Hoi An Odyssey Hotelis a 15-minute walk from the Old Town, but youll appreciate that its a bit removed from the crowds. Its also the jumping-off point for exploring the spectacular scenery around Northern Vietnam. This is also the place to be when it comes to affordable and quality tailors; Hoi Ans tailoring services are notorious, and you can get your hands on custom-made clothing, bags, shoes, and more at a fraction of the price youd normally pay back home. Luckily Vietnam has quite a few low-cost airlines including Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, and Jetstar that offer flights around the country for less than $50 each way. Suites are enormous and absolutely stunningly decorated. Tickets can be purchased from any tourist information center and most hotels in Southern Vietnam. Weve been using SafetyWingfor the last few years and they are always there when we need them. If the busy Old Town of Hoi An seems too crowded for your taste, consider spending a few nights at Dai An Phu Villa in An Bang Beach. Spend a few nights in Ninh Binh and youll feel as though youve stepped back in time! Visit the giant Lady Buddha that overlooks the city. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Plan on your bus to Sapa taking about 7 hours each way including a few bathroom breaks. You should check the weather prior to making that decision to avoid the chilly winter months in the northern cities or the blisteringly hot summer temperatures in central and southern Vietnam. Shop, eat, and get lost in Ben Thanh Market. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Visit downtown Mui Ne and the Red Sand Dunes. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the second-largest city in the country. If youre short on time, Get Your Guide offers a full-day tour that will allow you to enjoy some of the highlights of Ninh Binh. Wondering whether you should fly into Saigon and then travel north, or if you should fly into Hanoi and head south? About | Privacy Policy | Contact Copyright 2022 Wandering Wheatleys. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Whats Brewing at the Phu Quoc Night Market? Athena Royal Cruiseis a newer 5-star cruise operating in Halong Bay. The real charm of Hanoi is the bustling Old Quarter in the center of the city. However, as we explored away from the ocean and got deeper into the city we realized we were mistaken. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Rooms are large and comfortable with a large patio for enjoying the striking views all around you. You can even drink a raw snake heart in a shot glass full of rice wine if youre so inclined. Rooms are comfortable, clean, and well-appointed. When you arrive in HCMC (also known as Saigon), get ready to be bombarded by its frenetic energy, incense-infused temples, and motorbike-flooded streets. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For more information: Read more by Ashley Nitransky , The Truth About Travel Writing at 4500m Above Sea Level, Australias Northern Territory: Wide Open for Adventure, The Best Places in the World to See Penguins. An Bang is a quaint little town with several restaurants, resorts, and even several beach clubs where you can enjoy the pool for a small fee. If you book a hotel in the Old Town of Hoi An, its easy enough to walk to the main tourist sites. We would recommend the bus option as it is quite comfortable and affordable and always leaves on time. Its like a less touristy version of Halong Bay but the impressive limestone cliffs are on land rather than in the water. For more places to stay in Hoi An on your Central Vietnam itinerary you can explore the latest prices here! Leather shops with gorgeous bags, shoes, and belts line the Old Town and custom dress shops are on every corner. Private boat tours depart frequently throughout the day from Tam Coc, Trang An, and Linh Coc. How To Get There: Time to Fly! Your 2 week Vietnam itinerary, and this travel guide for Vietnam has unfortunately come to an end! Prices are set and posted on a large sign, but weve yet to find a driver who honors them. Dotted with tropical islands, postcard-perfect beaches, and thriving reefs, Nha Trangs claim to fame is its six-kilometre stretch of sandy coastline and crystal-clear turquoise seas. Most people choose to fly into Danang and then hire a private driver to get to Hoi An. Hoi An is one of our favorite towns in Vietnam, and the perfect place to spend a relaxing few days. And if you have some extra time and a stomach of steel, we would highly recommend that you eat a snake in the nearby town of Le Mat snake village. The town is small, the guesthouses are inexpensive, and the locals go out of their way to make you feel welcome. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. And most guesthouses in the area have motorbikes available for you to rent during your stay. The beds are also large and amazingly comfortable with soft bedding and fluffy pillows. In terms of attractions, some of Ho Chi Minh Citys cant-miss sights include the Saigon Opera House, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum all of which are scattered throughout District 1 (the citys most visited area) and District 3. Bicycle or motorbike around the countryside and through the rice paddies. The rooms at the resort are absolutely stunning with unbelievably plush beds and enormous bathrooms. You can easily trek to Cat Cat Village on your own as youll just need to follow one road that is well-signed. La Siesta Premium Hang Beis a strikingly beautiful hotel located in the heart of the Old Quarter. You can also consider a day trip north from Hoi An to Danang to see its fire-breathing dragon bridge or ride the cable car up to Sun World Ba Na Hills where you can walk across the famous Golden Hands Bridge. So the views from your room are incredible! Many of the local bars offer happy hour specials and live music in the evenings after dark. The rooms are simple but comfortable and clean. But if you are looking for more adventure, theres plenty of that as well. Tip: If you arent big on beach towns, you may want to spend less time here and add Hue a historically significant city renowned for its 19th-century citadel and ancient temples to your itinerary. Hoi An is famous for its yellow French colonial-style buildings and colorful cloth lanterns that line the streets. If you want to trek with our favorite Hmong trekking guide, A Hang Thi, you can contact her via her Facebook page, on WhatsApp at +84 94 736 0557. So if some of the places on our South Vietnam itinerary dont interest you, consider adding more days in Hoi An. But there are alternatives to Halong Bay that offer a more enjoyable experience, away from the tourist crowds. Youll want to provide your guesthouse with your approximate arrival time so they can pick you up from the center of town. Youll find that you have most sites and experiences to yourself if you choose a cruise in Lan Ha Bay. There is everything from a Hanoi Cooking Classand market tour to a Mekong Delta Pagoda & rowing boat trip, and even the Phu Quoc Cable Car Ride with three island snorkeling tour! This is just what I was looking for! If youre arriving from overseas, youll likely start in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) as its home to Vietnams largest airport and primary flight hub. Here you can soak in the views of the surrounding nature while actually soaking in your own private tub. Wash your meal down with a decadent cup of ca phe trung (egg coffee), a Hanoi specialty thats made with coffee and a creamy, custard-like mixture of sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Witnessing the Fire Breathing Dragon Bridge of Da Nang Vietnam, Hai Van Pass: A Day Exploring Vietnam by Motorbike, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, 6 Best Rooftop Cafes & Bars in Hoi An Vietnam, My Son Sanctuary: Visiting Vietnams Extraordinary UNESCO Site, How to Plan a Trip Anywhere: 10 Step Easy Guide, Phung Hung Mural Street: Breathtaking Artwork of Hanoi Vietnam, Halong Bay Luxury Boat Tour With Bhaya Cruises, Visiting Halong Bay and Finding the Right Cruise to Fit Your Budget, Mua Caves and Hiking Lying Dragon Mountain in Tam Coc Vietnam, Tam Coc River Boat Ride and Three Cave UNESCO Tour, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park: Everything You Need to Know, Paradise Cave: An Underground Adventure in Phong Nha Vietnam, Phong Nha Cave Boat Tour and the Climb to Dong Tien Son. At this lively hangout, shops and restaurants dole out freshly-made lager to people perched on tiny plastic stools that spill onto the street. It might take little warming up to, but if you embrace and craziness of Saigon youre sure to have a great time! A glass of draught beer will only set you back 5,000 VND (0.17 GBP/0.20 USD). Another great, but slightly more budget-friendly hotel in Sapa is Sapa Horizon Hotel. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Heres all the best things to do in the city to begin your journey. Also, its a great jump off location for some of the best day trips in the entire country. Tip: With the exception of the UK and a handful of other countries, youll likely need a visa to enter Vietnam. We took an 1 hour flight instead of a 10 hour overnight bus, but both are available. For more places to stay in Nha Trang on your South Vietnam itinerary you can explore the latest prices here! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". You should spend an evening drinking beer on the lively beer corner (T Hin street) and shop in the popular weekend night market which takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from 6:00pm until about 11:00pm.

Have any questions on our travel guide for Vietnam? When tourists first started trekking in Sapa it was really the only way to reach some of these tribal villages. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Regardless of the bay that you choose, this is a must-visit destination in Vietnam that should absolutely be included in your two-week itinerary! If you choose to stay in An Bang beach (as we normally do), its about a 10-minute drive to get into town. Flights: For cheap flight deals check out Skyscanner and Kayak. Plus its nearly impossible not to take at least a few colorful lanterns home with you they are so cheap and pack down to fit in your luggage. It is also quite popular to take a day trip to the nearby An Bang beach to spend a warm afternoon lounging on the sand. Youll love the amazing staff that will pamper you during your stay and guide you to all the well-organized daily activities. Over the years weve found ourselves in, or passing through Da Nang quite a few times. Its where we stay when we visit Hoi An. The country of Vietnam is incredibly long so the distances between Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam are quite large. Most junk boat cruises for either bay offer transportation to and from your hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Every evening the Old Town is turned into a pedestrian-only zone and the tourists wander the streets, shopping for souvenirs and admiring the vibrant lanterns. Its one of the best hotels in the city! Take a photo At Tn nh Church (The Pink Church). How To Get There:Bus transfer. To be fully transparent, the first time we visited Hoi An was planned for 3 nights, and we ended up staying a whole week! Plus youll love the spectacular city views from the lively rooftop bar! And if you stay outside of the Old Quarter, many offer a pick-up in front of the Hanoi Opera House. This is one of our favorite short hikes from our Central and Southern Vietnam itinerary. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (dont worry, its at no extra cost to you). Maybe its the rugged nature on a Southern Vietnam itinerary, or quite possibly they might have just not had a good enough travel guide! The Sapa region is located about 200 miles north of Hanoi and is not serviced by an airport. But there are plenty of other activities in the region to keep you occupied for a few days. Youll love relaxing in the pristine rooftop pool or enjoying the peaceful garden or spa. Due to the condition of the roads and the lack of taxis, a motorbike is the best way to get around Ninh Binh. Next Stop: Hoi An With just 10 rooms onboard, your cruising experience will be personalized and intimate. And youll love the super friendly and helpful staff members who will assist with anything you need! Even though you only have 2 weeks in Vietnam, we recommend spending a night or two in Hanoi between your trips to Sapa and Halong Bay only to break up your long travel day. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Visit the local and tourist markets of Da Nang. Rooms are large and airy with lots of natural light and lots of amenities. Your tour boat company will have smaller boats to transfer you to and from any excursions for the day. We would highly recommend taking a day trip to My Son ruins if you have enough time. If you stay in Sapa town its relatively easy to walk to all of the shops and restaurants (although its quite hilly so even short distances can be difficult). It does not store any personal data. Mui Ne has grown in popularity over the years mostly due to the fact that its the closest beach town from Ho Chi Minh City. We ended up booking a hotel on the beach, and at once felt like it fully lived up to its reputation as the Miami of Vietnam. There are tourists everywhere you look and we found almost nothing authentic. Vietnam is an incredibly affordable country, so your money will go far here. The closest airport to fly out of is Da Nang where most travelers book a hopper flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to start their South Vietnam itinerary. OGallery Majestic Hotel & Spais another great choice of hotel in Hanoi. Youll get the best prices and can see all of the different bus and train options in one place. Plus the cruises want to pick you up early in the morning. By clicking Accept All Cookies you agree with the use of analytical and tracking cookies. Before deciding to move to Ho Chi Minh City in 2019, we spent a significant amount of time exploring Vietnam. Ann Retreat Resort and Spa (formally Hoi An River Town Hotel) is located right on the river and just a short walk to Hoi Ans Old Town. Grab has several options for getting around Hanoi cars and bikes. Youll never want to leave! The shopping in Hoi An is incredible! For more places to stay in Da Nang on your Central Vietnam itinerary you can explore the latest prices here! Take a jeep tour of the White Sand Dunes. Grab breakfast at the local Central Market. The food is amazing, and this small city has some of the best markets weve seen in Asia. When you arrive at Mui Ne train station youll have to take a taxi 45 minutes to town. provides a 5-star cruising experience around Lan Ha Bay.

Sapa is an absolute must for your 2-week Vietnam itinerary, as long as the weather is good. Check out our range of Vietnam tours and leave the planning to the professionals! Some haggling will almost certainly be required on your part. Youll love the breathtaking views over the valley from the amazing pool you may never want to leave the pool, or the resort! There is a lot to explore in this little ocean town so it will be an action packed two days on your Southern Vietnam itinerary. Starting in HCMC and travelling north to Hanoi, this itinerary will take you to some of the countrys most captivating cities and staggering natural wonders. The closest airport to Hoi An is in Danang which is just a short, 45-minute drive south of town. This beautiful and peaceful property has a gorgeous pool surrounded by lush gardens. *The airport is about 45 minutes from Da Nang so plan for a taxi or book a shuttle. You can also enjoy the fitness center and spa for some onboard pampering. Your email address will not be published. The city is absolutely stunning, characterised by French-colonial architecture, lovely lantern-lit alleyways, and a dreamy riverside setting, but theres something else about Hoi An a certain je ne sais quoi, if you will thats difficult to put into words. Thank you so much! Once you have a local Vietnamese SIM card you can also call or text her at +84 38 886 5878. If youre landing in Vietnam from another city in Southeast Asia, you can easily start your journey in either Hanoi or HCMC. Life is a little slower in Sapa, where the economy relies primarily on small agriculture and tourism. For more places to stay in Saigon on your South Vietnam itinerary you can explore the latest prices here! Da Lat has actually been one of the biggest surprises of our South Vietnam itinerary. Youll love the simple but classic decor and the incredible views of the valley below. Its a wonderful value for the price! See Also: The Best Beach Cities in Vietnam, Ranked. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Plus they offer a beautiful outdoor pool, a gym, and lovely rooms. You can take the train but you have a very long and uncomfortable journey (albeit with some pretty lovely views along the way). Pull up a plastic stool and brace yourself for an onslaught of motorbikes heres how to spend two weeks in Vietnam. And if you have additional time to spare during your vacation in Vietnam, you should consider spending a few days in Ho Chi Minh City, learning to kiteboard in Mui Ne, or visiting the island of Phu Quoc. Struggling to nail down your itinerary? Hoi An is the cutest little town in central Vietnam that is an absolute must-visit during your trip. Accommodation: Compare multiple sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Planning a trip to Vietnam? Next Stop: Nha Trang

After the hot weather of Saigon, we welcomed the cooler air of the gorgeous mountains heading north. Peppered with jungle-clad islands, stalactite caves, and a vast expanse of emerald-green water, this is the countrys premier natural wonder, and one of the most-visited destinations in Southeast Asia. Explore the Cafe Apartments and have a cafe su da overlooking the city. Da Nang Market Guide: Are You a Tourist or a Local? And there are ancient houses and temples to explore in town that are included in the Old Town entrance ticket. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Cosmopolitan restaurants, 19th-century Buddhist temples, mud baths, and hot springs are all within easy reach of Nha Trangs town centre. Where in the world are we? Explore the early morning fish and fruit market. There are major airports in both the south (Ho Chi Minh City) and the north (Hanoi), so you can choose between either city as a starting point. Youll feel like this is a quiet, peaceful oasis, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Our 2 week Vietnam itinerary didnt originally include it because of its reputation as a touristy party town. Take a self-guided street food tour (Full foodie post below!). Be sure to take advantage of the jacuzzi and the spa during your time onboard! Rooms are quite simple but are equipped with air-conditioning, coffee-making facilities, and comfortable beds. Tickets are easy to book in advance on Bookaway and buses and minivans leave at various times throughout the day. Air-conditioned coaches run between all the popular backpacker hotspots, while trains are typically the preferred mode of transport for longer overnight journeys. Required fields are marked *. Its best to purchase tickets ahead of time because Sapa is an incredibly popular tourist attraction, especially during high season. Boat tours are the most popular activity in the Ninh Binh region, especially for day-trippers from Hanoi. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If youre looking for a more relaxing stay in Sapa and dont mind staying a bit out of town, Topas Ecolodge is a great choice! Visit the Central Market and eat local Cao Lau noodles. By far the most popular thing to do in Sapa is to go hilltribe trekking. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You can take advantage of the pristine pool or take the free shuttle to the hotels own private beach. Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without insurance. Tourists typically flock to Sapa because of the spectacularly breathtaking landscape. Rooms are quite spacious, comfortable, and elegantly decorated youll forget youre on a boat! Tam Coc Horizon Bungalowhas a truly spectacular location, being right at the base of a massive limestone cliff. A group tour will take you through the countrys top destinations and off the beaten path gems, and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Our preferred bus company is the Sapa Express and we would recommend the seated bus (called the Limousine Bus) over the sleeper seats as it is much more comfortable. When you think of Vietnam, an image of Halong Bays staggering limestone pillars is likely the first thing that comes to mind. Read all about the 15 things we think you should know before visiting Vietnam to help you prepare for your trip! It will be hard for you to resist picking up a few treasures. The personalized service that youll receive here will make you feel right at home. When shes not writing, travelling, or obsessively checking flight prices on Skyscanner, you can find her attempting to fine-tune her photography skills or watching a shark documentary.

*The bus ride will be very bumpy at parts due to road conditions. This activity is weather-dependent as it isnt worth spending the money if the weather isnt clear. This up and coming city is perfect for a night or two of hitting the beach and eating some delicious street food. We love to wander around the Old Town in the early mornings, admiring the beautiful yellow buildings before it becomes too hot and overrun by tourists. Its easy to book ahead of time through GetYourGuide, or you can simply wait until you arrive and enlist the services of one of the many Hmong women wandering around town. And if the touristy Old Town sounds too crowded for your liking, you may want to consider staying in An Bang beach, just a 10-minute drive away. Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! And if they dont, you can expect the trip to take closer to 4 hours. For more places to stay in Da Lat on your Southern Vietnam itinerary you can explore the latest prices here! Just keep in mind that both VietJet and Jetstar notoriously run late so keep your schedule flexible and your expectations low. Rooms feature colonial-style decor with dark wooden furnishings, lush fabrics, and big windows. There are plenty of sightseeing opportunities to be had here as well (if you can manage to pull yourself away from the beach, that is). For more places to stay in Mui Ne on your Southern Vietnam itinerary you can explore the latest prices here! Era Cruises Halong is a luxurious cruise boat where youll be treated like royalty by the amazing staff. Weve done several tours in the area and find the neighboring Lan Ha Bay to be far less crowded than Halong Bay. Halong Bay and Sapa are the two most popular areas to visit in Vietnam, and for good reason. Most tours offer daily excursions to various attractions in the area. Relaxing on your boat and enjoying the scenery is what most visitors would agree is the best thing to do. Vietnam Travel Tips: 50 Weird, Wild, and Fun Facts About Vietnam, Traveling Vietnam by Motorbike Q&A: Riding From Saigon to Hanoi, What to Eat in Vietnam: Best Street Food, Traditional Dishes, and Drinks, How to Travel in Vietnam: Buses, Flights, Trains, Boats, and Motorbikes, Complete Guide to Vietnams Ha Giang Loop: 4 Day 3 Night Motorbike Ride, Get Familiar with Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), How (NOT) to Visit the Mui Ne White Sand Dunes, Walking the Strange and Beautiful Mui Ne Fairy Stream, Destination Da Lat: A Guide to Vietnams Most Underrated Town.