Two weeks in Vietnam

Your date with Vietnam

You are holding much more than a simple travel guide; you hold the secret key to two weeks that will transform your vision of Southeast Asia. Vietnam is a shock to the senses, a living history lesson, and a festival of flavors dancing on your tongue.
For fourteen days, you won’t just be a passing tourist. You will become an explorer of the everyday, gathering memories in the markets of Hanoi, exchanging smiles with the fishermen of Hoi An, and contemplating the infinity of Ha Long Bay. You will learn that Vietnamese coffee is an art, pho is a religion, and every scooter that brushes past you is actually a Zen master teaching you the art of urban serenity. Or not.

This guide is designed to be both an adventure GPS and a stylish survival manual. You’ll discover that planning a trip to Vietnam is already the beginning of the journey itself.

► Vietnam Adventurescape 15 days 14 nights

Vietnam: a world of colors, scents and flavors | Mr Linh's Adventures

The countdown

D-45: The adventurer awakes

You just clicked “Buy” on your ticket to Hanoi. Your heart is racing, your bank account is crying a little, but your adventurous spirit is awakening. In 45 days, you will no longer be the same person. You check your passport: valid for six months? Perfect. You smile. The game begins. In fact, you've already changed the language on your phone to Vietnamese. You struggle, a lot ; you learn, a little.

► Read our smart traveler's ultimate guide : Flying to Vietnam

D-44 to D-22: The reconnaissance phase

The days go by. You scour Instagram like a detective, saving every photo of Ha Long Bay, every rice field in Ha Giang. You watch videos of street food at 2 a.m. Your friends and family wonder why you're smiling stupidly at your screen. You won't tell them that you're planning the escape of a lifetime. Here's a little game: Write down on a sticky note five unknown dishes you absolutely must try when you get there.

D-21: Operation Visa

It's time. You open the official web portal with sweaty palms. Three official days, but you know the truth: Vietnamese holidays are like ninjas, they appear without warning. Your future is in their hands now. You check the information. You double-check. You click “Submit.” You wait.

D-20 to D-15: Constructive panic

With the visa processing, it’s time to be a strategist.
✓ Cruises: Compare 3 aggregators. A 3-star junk boat with a window cabin (≈ $90) for one night is enough.
✓ Night Trains: Book fast! Sleeper berths disappear as quickly as spring rolls at a buffet.
✓ Internal Flights: If you are eyeing Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, don't hesitate for 3 seconds or your preferred time will fly away without you.

Lan Ha Bay, the peaceful jewel of Halong Bay | Mr Linh's Adventures

Mr Linh’s Advice: If managing full trains and crowded junks gives you cold sweats, check out our tours.
They act as the "conductor" for you, especially if you want to avoid the classic Ha Long Bay crowds.

D-14 to D-7: Logistics and the "onion look"

Your visa has arrived (sigh of relief). Your friends and family panic: “Have you thought about insurance?” (Minimum $100,000 health coverage). Yes. “What about vaccinations?” (Hepatitis A/B and typhoid recommended). Yes. “What about an adapter?” ... You rush out to buy an adapter - which you won't need.

You pack your bags. You take half of it out. You repack. You weigh it. You unpack. Every centimeter counts. You realize you have more medicine than clothes. Fine. Follow the 3 piles rule: 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 underwear. You'll do laundry on site for $3.

D-1 to D-0: Takeoff

You can't sleep. That's normal. Your phone has 12 alarms set. You've checked your passport 47 times. You've printed your plane ticket, your visa, your itinerary, and a photo of your pet. You've emailed yourself scans of all your important documents. You're ready. No, you ARE ready.

Tomorrow, you'll become a legend.

D-0: D-Day

Your alarm clock rings. You smile. You take one last look at your room. In 24 hours, you'll be in Hanoi, enjoying your first pho. You close the door. The journey begins now.

Meanwhile, in a dark room in Vietnam, a cruise ship awaits you. A train prepares its berths. A host family prepares breakfast. Everything is in place. Everything is perfect. You don't know it yet, but these 45 days of waiting are just the prelude to an adventure that will change your life.

► Prepare to Vietnam - What you need to know before you go

Phu Quoc Island: a piece of heaven on earth | Mr Linh's Adventures

The financial focus

You're probably wondering how much money you need to be happy. The truth? Vietnam is what we call a “variable budget destination”—in other words, you can be a prince or a backpacker depending on your choices.

The magic range: $40 to $70 per day

Yes, you read that right. For the modest sum of $40 to $70 per day, you'll sleep in decent hotels (3 stars, private bathroom, no uninvited bugs - normally), eat a delicious mix of authentic street food and clean restaurants, and even have a few dongs left over for activities.
Eating: Your best investment ($10-20/day)
In the morning, you'll tuck into a steaming bowl of pho ($2) alongside the locals. At lunchtime, you'll enjoy the iconic Vietnamese sandwich, the unmissable Banh Mi. In the afternoon? An iced Sua Da coffee ($1.50) to beat the heat. In the evening, you'll treat yourself to a local restaurant with a view of the street ($8-12). Total: you've eaten like a king for the price of a sandwich in Paris.
Sleep: Your nighttime cocoon ($20-40/night)
Your double room with private bathroom will cost you $20-40. In Hanoi, you may have a view of an ancient temple. In Hoi An, you may see colorful lanterns. In Phu Quoc, you'll have a view of the turquoise sea. Breakfast is often included—imagine starting the day with Vietnamese coffee, which will become your legal drug...
Getting around: Your freedom for $5-15/day
In the morning, you'll “Grab” a motorcycle taxi for $1 (Grab: a Vietnamese Uber-like app). In the afternoon, you rent a scooter to explore the surrounding area ($5 per day). In the evening, another Grab to get back. You're as free as a bird, and your wallet isn't any worse off.

The Mekong Delta: a journey within a journey | Mr Linh's Adventures

Play: Your culture vulture side ($10-20/day)
Every other day, you do a “big budget” activity: a cruise in the bay ($60-80 but spread over several days), a visit to temples ($2-5), a cooking class ($25). On the other days, you explore for free: markets, temples, walks in the streets. The perfect balance between discovery and staying on budget.
The emergency fund: Smart contingencies ($5-10/day)
SIM card with data ($5 for 14 days), laundry ($3), occasional tips. This is your safety net, your “just in case.” Because you never know when you'll need an emergency Vietnamese massage ($10, and believe me, after three days of walking, it's not a luxury).
Seasonal variations
December marks the start of the high season. Prices rise discreetly but surely. Add 50% to your “miscellaneous” budget to absorb tourist inflation. A coffee may cost 50 cents more, your cruise $10 more. Nothing dramatic, but plan for it.
Backpacker mode
Dorms ($8-12), exclusive street food (a delight at $1.50-2 per meal), local bus transport (no Grab here), free temples. You'll live like the locals, you'll have stories to tell, and your banker will smile at you. It's possible. It's even wonderful. But it's not for everyone.

► The art of tipping in Vietnam

The train street, an unmissable spot in Hanoi | Mr Linh's Adventures

Why you will come back (Spoiler alert)

You'll come back. It's automatic. Inevitable. You'll have your photos, your memories, and that strange feeling of having grown up in two weeks. Your friends will ask you, “So, Vietnam?” You'll hesitate. How can you explain that you learned more in two weeks than in ten years in your comfort zone?

You'll have photos, of course. Dozens of them. Hundreds. But they won't show how you felt when you caught the eye of a market vendor who smiled at you for no reason. They won't capture the feeling of infinity as you sailed between the karsts in the bay, or the peace that came over you as you cycled through the rice fields of Hoi An at sunset.

You will return changed. More patient in traffic jams (after surviving Vietnamese traffic laws, the rest seems child's play). More open to differences. More eager for simplicity.

Vietnam gave you fourteen days. You gave it your curiosity, your open-mindedness, your capacity for surprise. It was a fair trade. And know that your story with Vietnam is just beginning. Because the real journey begins when you set foot back home, your heart already planning your return to the land of planks and conical hats.

Ready to write your own blank page? If you want to get off the beaten track, check out the off-road itineraries at Mr Linh’s Adventure.
It’s the difference between seeing Vietnam and truly living it.

Hẹn gặp lại! (See you soon!)

local-life

The endless charm of Hanoi | Mr Linh's Adventures

EXPRESS FAQ (questions your friends will ask you)

1. How much should I budget for two weeks in Vietnam in 2025?

Comfort mode: $60/day, or $840 excluding flights. Backpacker mode: $35/day, or $490. Remember to allow for a 20% buffer for unexpected expenses (like that Bia Hoi you didn't see coming).

2. Vietnam visa 2025: online or on arrival, price and processing time?

Official e-visa $25, 3 working days on OFFICIAL WEBSITE only.

3. Mandatory vaccinations for Vietnam in 2025?

None mandatory, but hepatitis A/B, typhoid, and DT-Polio recommended. Malaria medication unnecessary in cities, useful in the jungle.

4. Which season is best for visiting Vietnam: winter, summer, or rainy season?

December means cold in the north : 12-18 °C (54-64°F), hot and dry in the south : 25-30 °C (77-86°F). Packing = onion look layers.

5. Two-week itinerary for Vietnam: north, center, south—what to see in 14 days?

D1-3 Hanoi + Ha Long Bay, D4-6 Hue & Hoi An, D7-9 Ho Chi Minh City, D10-11 Mekong Delta, D12-13 Phu Quoc or Mui Ne beach, D14 return.

6. How can I withdraw Vietnamese dongs without fees?

Vietcombank or BIDV ATMs accept Visa/Mastercard. Maximum withdrawal 3 million VND per transaction (≈ $115), 1.5% fee. Notify your bank before departure.

7. Travel insurance for Vietnam: which one to choose and how much does it cost?

Repatriation + health insurance: $100,000 minimum. 14-day package ≈ $25-35 (e.g. Chapka, Allianz). Check whether scooter riding is included (note:

8. Vietnam dress code: what to pack in December?

North: 12-18°C, consider a fleece jacket. Center & south: 25-30°C, light fabric + dust neck cover. Temples: shoulders/knees covered.

9. Can you drink tap water in Vietnam?

No. 1 L bottles = $0.30. Hotels often offer 2 bottles/day. Bring a water bottle + micropur tablets when hiking.

10. How to rent a scooter in Vietnam: price, license, insurance?

$4/day, $70/month. International license required (code 1968). Check brake pads & helmet. Take photos of the front and rear of the scooter = proof in case of dispute.

11. Safe street food in Vietnam: how to avoid traveler's diarrhea?

Choice: local queues, food cooked in front of you, boiling sauces, avoid questionable ice cubes. Hand sanitizer before/after.

12. Best 4G SIM card in Vietnam 2025: price, data, where to buy?

Viettel tourist SIM 5 GB/day for 14 days = $5 at the airport. Passport required. Widest coverage, even in Ha Long Bay.

13. Flight Paris-Hanoi 2025: how much, which airline, when to buy?

Good deal: $850 return in economy if purchased 3-4 months in advance. December: +25%. Airlines: Vietnam Airlines (direct 11:30), Air China, Thai, Turkish with stopover.