Vietnam: Two Incredible Weeks from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
When you tell someone who has been that you are visiting Vietnam, their eyes light up. They immediately start sharing favourite places, dishes and must see sights. After hearing so many enthusiastic stories, I could not wait to spend a couple of weeks exploring the country for myself and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
We travelled from north to south, starting in Hanoi and finishing in Ho Chi Minh City, with stops in Halong Bay, Hoi An and Dalat. To enjoy this route without feeling rushed, I would recommend a minimum of two weeks.
Hanoi: City Buzz, Hoan Kiem Lake and Street Food
We visited at the end of July, when the north was hot and extremely humid, with daytime temperatures around 38 degrees. Sightseeing worked best in the mornings and evenings, with a break during the hottest part of the day.
We spent two nights at the five‑star Melia Hanoi, a great base about a 20‑minute walk from the Old Quarter, with spa, gym, pool and an excellent breakfast. Rooms were spacious and modern and the staff were very welcoming.
Nearby Hoan Kiem Lake is a lovely green space in the heart of the city, especially atmospheric in the evenings and at weekends when roads close to traffic and locals come out to walk, dance and join exercise classes. Watching life around the lake was one of my favourite Hanoi memories.
We then moved into the Old Quarter for two nights: narrow streets, buzzing scooters and pavements filled with tiny plastic chairs where everyone eats together. A guided street‑food tour was invaluable, helping us try seven local dishes, learn their names and discover spots we would never have found alone. It gave us the confidence to keep eating like locals throughout Vietnam. Two to three days in Hanoi is ideal for key sights plus time to soak up the atmosphere.
Halong Bay: A Night on the Water
From Hanoi, many operators offer trips to Halong Bay that include hotel pick‑up, a four‑hour coach transfer and one or two nights on board. We chose a 2‑day / 1‑night cruise on a comfortable four‑star boat with transfers, all meals and activities such as kayaking, sunrise yoga and a cooking demonstration, plus optional squid fishing.
Our ensuite cabin was compact but comfortable, and waking up to limestone karsts rising out of the mist was a real pinch‑me moment. Sailing among the rock formations at sunset was unforgettable. Halong Bay is a “must include” experience on a Vietnam itinerary.
Hoi An: Lanterns, Tailors and River Life
From Hanoi we flew to Da Nang and took a short taxi to Hoi An, a coastal UNESCO World Heritage town that quickly became my favourite place in Vietnam.
A small entrance fee to the Old Town covers several historic houses, temples and museums. By day you can explore beautifully preserved merchant homes and Chinese assembly halls. By night the streets glow with colourful lanterns and the river fills with candlelit offerings, giving Hoi An a magical feel.
Hoi An is famous for its tailors, with everything from dresses and suits to casual shirts, usually ready in a day or two. Two nearby beaches make it easy to combine culture with time by the sea. Narrow streets are lined with great restaurants, bars and a lively night market selling lanterns, trinkets and street food.
Popular day trips include the My Son ruins, cooking classes, cycling through rice fields and countryside walks. Around three days in Hoi An feels ideal, and many visitors could happily stay longer.
Dalat: Cooler Air and Highland Adventure
From the coast we headed inland to Dalat in the southern highlands, a scenic five‑hour drive through mountains and farmland. Thanks to its elevation, temperatures dropped to around 24 degrees, which felt wonderfully cool after the heat elsewhere.
Dalat is known for canyoning, with hiking, abseiling and rappelling down waterfalls for active travellers. There are also countryside walks, waterfall visits and motorbike tours through surrounding hills and coffee plantations. You can book organised excursions or hire a driver to combine several sights. The small town has French‑influenced architecture, colourful markets and a quirky feel. Two nights here felt enough and made a good break between the beach and Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City: Energy, Food and History
Our final stop was Ho Chi Minh City. The traffic is legendary, but if you walk steadily, the scooters weave around you and it soon becomes part of the fun.
I really enjoyed the city. It is busy and chaotic, but the food and markets are fantastic, and many main sights are walkable if you stay near Ben Thanh market. Within about 20 minutes on foot we visited Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Notre Dame Basilica and Bui Vien, the main nightlife street.
A day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, about an hour away, is fascinating and sobering, offering insight into the war and underground tunnel networks. Visitors can try a short section of the widened tunnels, with exits every 20 metres.
Why Vietnam Is Worth the Journey
Vietnam was a magnificent adventure. The people are friendly, the food is outstanding and the scenery is incredibly varied. In just two weeks we experienced dramatic coastlines, misty bays, lantern‑lit towns, cool highlands and dynamic cities, all threaded with rich history. It is a country I would return to in a heartbeat!
