The Perfect Two-Week Itinerary for a Vietnam Holiday

Two weeks just never feels like quite enough holiday time does it? Those 14 hard-earned days of vacation seem to disappear quicker and quicker with each passing year and one of the biggest challenges is trying to make the most of every day that you are away - to find the balance between seeing and exploring a country, but also having some down time gia ve may bay re. After living in Vietnam for four months earlier this year, I have devised a little route down the country that in my humble opinion, gives a great overview of the country in just two weeks. So without, further ado, here we go:

DAY 1 & 2 - DISCOVER HIDDEN HANOI

Arrive in the bustling capital of Hanoi and stay in the bustling Old Quarter which is in the heart of everything (make sure you ask if your hotel room has a window as is quite common for some rooms in the traditional buildings not to have windows). Spend a couple of days soaking up the atmospheric winding streets of Hanoi - the best way to do this is to take a walking tour and there are tons on offer (I especially loved the food tour led by Food on Foot and a tour of the Old Quarter called Hidden Hanoi).

DAY 3 - 5 - THE MAJESTIC HALONG BAY

Just a four hour drive from Hanoi lies the gorgeous Halong Bay - a beautiful emerald green bay pierced by hundreds of towering lush islets as far as the eye can see. The best way to enjoy the bay is to take a two-nght cruise (you have less than 24 hours on the one-night cruise) so I really recommend taking two nights. Breakfast, lunch and dinner tend to be included on the cruise as to activities like kayaking, swimming and all the excursions so even though it seems pricy, you tend to get everything included. Most cruises also run a shuttle service between the bay and Hanoi.

DAYS 6 & 7 - EXPLORE RURAL VIETNAM

After the cruise, return to Hanoi and form here take the opportunity to explore rural Vietnam. There are a few areas to choose from and many love Sapa (but this is an uncomfortable night-train away and is very touristy) so I prefer Mai Chau, a picturesque river valley, which is just a three hour drive from Hanoi. It is home to colourful hill tribes and surrounded by the towering foothills of the Truong Son mountain range. Here you can choose from little boutique hotels or stay with a local White Thai ethnic family for a really authentic experience. There's so much you can do here - hike to remote villages and see the Blue and Flower H'mong villages, enjoy a bike ride, take a boat ride on one of the national park lakes, watch the locals harvest the rice or visit a local market.

DAY 8 & 9 - FROM RICE PADDIES TO THE IMPERIAL CAPITAL OF HUE

Head back to Hanoi today and catch a short one-hour flight to Hue, the old imperial capital of Vietnam, spend the first day wandering and taking in the cute town which sits on the banks of the Perfume River gia ve may bay. On your second day it's worth signing up to a full city tour of the ancient city, which was formerly the capital of Vietnam. Top sites include the old Imperial Palace (which is still impressive despite bombings in the American War), the intricate royal tombs and beautiful pagodas that are home to many Monks still today.

DAY 10 - SCENIC DRIVE TO THE QUAINT TOWN OF HOI AN

This morning you should take one of the most scenic journeys down the Vietnam coastline. It will take you over a beautiful pass, and along miles of coast - and the best way to do it? On the back of a motorbike of course! Vietnam is all about the two-wheels and it is famous for its 'Easy Riders' - guys who take tourists up and down the country on the back of their huge, high powered motorbikes. There's some great little seafood restaurants on stilts over the water as you near Hoi An that are worth stopping at.

DAYS 11 - 14 - RELAX IN HOI AN

Hoi An is the perfect place to stop for a few days and relax at the end of your trip. Why? Because it is a town that has it all; delicious cuisine (they say the best in all of 'nam), fabulous tailors and a beautiful beach just 4km away. There's loads of hotels to choose from in the town as well as some lovely but more expensive options on the beach. No matter where you stay you can just hire a bike and take a short scenic journey between the beach and the town as you please. Perfect!