14 days in Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Hoi An Itinerary

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has bounded back from the effects of war, and today serves as a bustling commercial and cultural hub bursting at the seams.

Hanoi is known for historic sites, spas, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get to know the fascinating history of Old Quarter, explore the activities along Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), enjoy some diversion at Authentic Bat Trang, and get outside with Outdoor Activities.

For more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Hanoi trip itinerary maker tool.

The Route module can give you travel options from your home to Hanoi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Ninh Binh.

A fairly nondescript town, Ninh Binh acts as a base for explorations of the province of the same name, with the karst landscape and lush valleys that surround the town offering a wealth of scenic vistas of rice paddies and rugged rocks.

Get out of town with these interesting Ninh Binh side-trips: Bai Dinh Pagoda (in Gia Sinh) and Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh (in Ky Phu). There's much more to do: get outside with Outdoor Activities, Head underground at Mua Caves, contemplate the waterfront views at Trang An Grottoes, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

To find where to stay, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Ninh Binh trip itinerary planning tool.

You can drive from Hanoi to Ninh Binh in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 39°C in June, and nighttime lows around 30°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Hoi An.

Indisputably one of Vietnam's most atmospheric destinations, Hoi An contains a World Heritage-listed old town boasting over 2,000 years of culture and history.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hoi An: Hue (Luc Bo Culture Space, Hue Temple, &more) and Da Nang (Museum of Sa Huynh & Champa Culture, Dragon Bridge, &more). There's lots more to do: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, and snap pictures at Japanese Covered Bridge.

To find maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Hoi An online trip itinerary builder.

Do a combination of bus and flight from Ninh Binh to Hoi An in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 41°C in June, and nighttime lows around 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sun) so you can travel back home.