Two Weeks in Vietnam: The Best Places to Travel in Vietnam With Friends

Why Choose Vietnam?

If you’re planning places to travel in Vietnam with friends, kids and teens this two-week itinerary keeps things simple, scenic and delicious. 

On our first visit to Vietnam, we flew from Sydney to Hanoi; choosing to start with history and street food in the north, before cruising Ha Long Bay for a night, spending Christmas on Phu Quoc, then ringing in the New Year in Saigon. It was an easy schedule, perfect for first timers, offering a good balance of cultural activities with plenty of downtime.

At a Glance: Our Two-Week Vietnam Itinerary

• Days 1–4: Hanoi: Old Quarter, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, street food tour, Hanoi Jeep Tour
• Days 5–6: Ha Long Bay: 2- day, 1-night cruise with kayaking and a bamboo-boat trip to the floating village and the Dark & Bright Cave. 
• Days 7–12: Phu Quoc: Beach time, cable car to Hòn Thơm, island sights, Christmas by the sea
• Days 13–14: Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta day tour, markets, café culture

Our pace was relaxed, and included two internal flights within Vietnam, one overnight cruise, and plenty of walking.

Where to Go in Vietnam for First Timers

First timers usually try to do it all, but I’d suggest that you try to resist this urge and instead choose three to four places to travel in Vietnam and do them well. For a family trip at Christmas time, our route made so much sense, covering: Hanoi for history and food, Ha Long Bay for the big scenic payoff, Phu Quoc for warm water and lazy days, and Saigon for modern, high-octane energy and modern comforts.

Stop 1: Hanoi, History and Street Food

Hanoi is Vietnam’s living museum; think French colonial history, revolutionary tales, alleyway kitchens, morning walks by the lake… and phở that is so good no soup will ever be able to compete again! 

Where we stayed: La Nueva Boutique Hotel

We based ourselves at La Nueva Boutique Hotel in the Old Quarter, a good-value, very basic pick with an excellent location. It’s a 5 to 10-minute walk to the centre and Hoàn Kiếm Lake, so most sights were an easy stroll away. We booked one family room and one premium twin on the same floor. The rooms weren’t adjacent, so Chris bunked in with two boys while I shared the smaller twin room with Freddie. The ensuite was small and dated, but clean and functional.

I tried the La Nueva Spa on site. The facilities were a bit old and musty, and for roughly $85 AUD, the experience didn’t quite match the price. The better call was the Mai Bùi Spa directly across the street for half the price, which was simple but decent; exactly what my jet-lagged body needed. Lesson learned… don’t default to your hotel spa. Step outside, support a local business and you’ll often get a better experience and good value.

The Concierge at La Nueva Boutique Hotel was absolutely brilliant; making suggestions for things to see and do and even booking our private Hanoi street food tour and as well as the Hanoi Jeep Tour for us. If you’re travelling as a large group with kids, having a helpful front desk saves time and avoids headaches.

What we did: Hoa Lo Prison, B-52 Lake, Jeep Tour

• Hoa Lo Prison Museum: Built by the French in 1896 to hold Vietnamese revolutionaries and later used to detain American POWs, the “Hanoi Hilton” is confronting and an important stop. You’ll see cramped cells, a memorial to Vietnamese patriots and exhibits on POW life, and hear about escape stories through the tiny sewers. 
• B-52 Wreck at Hữu Tiệp Lake: A fragment of a downed bomber rests in a quiet neighbourhood lake, a small but striking stop that brought the boys’ history lessons to life.
• Hanoi Jeep Tour: We booked this evening tour via our concierge, choosing the classic army jeeps for open-air city views. It included a stop at Hanoi Train Street, food and soft drinks, and a guide who knew how to navigate the city safely and get us to the very best vantage points. If you want to pre-read reviews, you can find the tour details here: Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun.
• Bonus stops: Long Biên Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, which was partially destroyed during the war, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for the changing of the guard.

Street food 101: Phở, Bánh mì, Bún chả

Our private street food tour was the best way to orientate ourselves to the city and find the most delicious food options in Hanoi including:

• Phở: A clear, aromatic broth with rice noodles, herbs and beef or chicken. The Hanoi style is clean and light, letting the broth do the talking. We ate out of chipped bowls in a narrow alley, perched on child-size stools, beside a long line of parked mopeds… and it was perfect. I wasn’t quite prepared for how much I would grow to love Phở, which by the end of the trip could only be consumed with a fistful of Thai basil and a decent dollop of sriracha sauce. Consider hoisin sauce mandatory.
• Bánh mì: A French-Vietnamese hybrid, usually a crisp baguette stuffed with pâté, fresh herbs, pickled veg, chilli and a protein. Chris claimed this as his favourite, and I didn’t argue.
• Bún chả: Grilled pork patties and pork belly served with vermicelli, herbs, pickles and a bowl of dipping broth. You mix, dip and chase every bite with fresh greens. We had our first plate at Bún Chả Mai Anh and still talk about it.

Phở rose to prominence in the north of the country in the early 20th century, influenced by French demand for beef. Bánh mì took root through colonial bread culture then evolved locally with herbs and pickles. Bún chả is a Hanoi original and a lunchtime favourite, when the smell of grilled pork fills the streets. I might even claim Vietnamese food is the best street food in the world! 

Where to eat and drink in Hanoi

• Phở Thanh Hà (238 P. Lạc Trung, Hai Bà Trưng): unfussy, fast, bowls around $3 AUD.
• Hidden Gem Coffee (1 Hàng Mắm, Hoàn Kiếm): quirky eco-café with recycled décor and delicious Vietnamese coffee. Try the “Taste of Hanoi” combo and finish with an egg coffee if you like dessert in a cup.
• Bún Chả Mai Anh (1 P. Hàng Mành, Hoàn Kiếm): rustic, crushed garlic and chilli decorate the tables, windows flung open to the night air… perfect.

Stop 2: Ha Long Bay Cruise

One December evening we did a 1-night cruise with Capella Cruise. Private return transfers from Hanoi cost about $200 AUD, so logistics were painless. We booked two interconnecting Harmony Suites each with a balcony and ensuite. Capella won us over with a glamorous on- deck pool, inflatable slide and free kayaks that kept the kids happy.

Meals were included in the overall cost, but drinks cost extra. Watch out for “Happy Hour” when doubles pour quickly and, well… you can imagine how that ends!

From the deck, Ha Long Bay looks like a film set: emerald water, limestone karsts, hidden coves. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. My standout memory was a hot bubble bath, a cold cocktail, and the most perfect view… I’ll be chasing that feeling for years.

Day two started with a bamboo-boat ride to the Dark and Bright Cave near Cửa Vạn floating village. Local rowers guide flat-bottom boats through glassy water and echoing grottoes just after daybreak and before the crowds arrive. Kayaking is wonderful here, but the bamboo boat lets everyone, kids included, simply look up and take it in.

Practical note: the Hanoi to Ha Long drive takes around 2.5 hours depending on traffic. If you can, book direct with your cruise line for coordinated transfers and fewer moving parts.

Stop 3: Phu Quoc for Christmas, Beaches and Slow Days

We flew from Hanoi to Phu Quoc on 24 December and checked into the Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay. The hotel lobby had a Christmas tree made from conical hats, which set the mood and got us all into the festive spirit. 

Our two-bedroom suite was on the ground floor, within easy reach of the lagoon pool, lap pool and the beach. Because the hotel was fairly new at the time of our visit, service felt a bit slow, but the onsite Hoa Sim Spa delivered a calm, polished treatment. I did the Hoa Sim Herbal Healer, which cost about $100 AUD for 60 minutes, and left walking on air! Tip: there are only four treatment rooms, so book ahead.

Christmas Eve dinner at Horizons Restaurant was a full buffet with roasts, charcuterie and a dessert table big enough to make teens go quiet. Vegetarian options were more sparse than promised, so keep that in mind if you’re travelling with strict vegetarians. 

Christmas Night at Amber Sands Beach Club was all about seafood and the sea breeze. Poor Freddie overdid the sushi though and had a rough day after, but the hotel arranged a private three-course meal on our terrace to make up for it, which was a kind gesture.

Around the island we visited:

• Dinh Câu Temple: for incense, sea views and a moment of quiet reflection.
• Duc Thanh Pepper Farm: organic farming, strong pepper aroma, an easy stop with photo ops and, in our case, a litter of puppies.
• Ngọc Hiền Pearl Farm: educational, with demonstrations and displays from historic shipwrecks. It’s worth noting that jewellery pricing is at a premium.
• Hòn Thơm Cable Car: the world’s longest 3-wire sea-crossing cable car, roughly 15 minutes over insane turquoise views, ending at Sun World with Aquatopia Water Park. We weren’t prepared for a water park but bought cheap swimmers for the boys and called it a win.

Where to eat: Mango Bay — On The Sand Restaurant for relaxed live music, lanterns, and unfussy seaside plates. Try the Crispy Confit Duck Leg Pancakes and the Mezze Platter.

What to skip: Sunset Town and Grand World. Architecturally interesting in a weird, disjointed way, but they felt empty and over-commercial. Our worst meal of the trip was an emergency pizza-and-burgers stop there. We left most of it.

Stop 4: Saigon Ho Chi Minh City, Big-City Energy

We flew into Saigon on New Years Eve and stayed at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon, The Apartments with a 2-bedroom apartment, laundry, a balcony for fireworks, and downstairs access to MPlaza and Starbucks. It was exactly the right choice for the final stretch with plenty of space to spread out, easy food options, and a quiet view of the New Year’s Eve rush below.

Location highlights within walking distance: Central Post Office, Book Street, Tân Định Church (the pink church), and The Café Apartment. Short taxi to Bến Thành Market.

Day tour: We booked the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta combo with Kim Travel.

• Lamphat Handicrafts: eggshell and seashell lacquerware with a social mission supporting people affected by Agent Orange. We chose small pieces that now live on our shelves at home.
• Cu Chi Tunnels: expanded for visitors yet still tight and claustrophobic. The trap demonstrations are sobering; noise at the shooting range is deafening even with ear defenders. If you have kids, bring extra ear protection for those waiting nearby.
• Mekong Delta: We took a motorboat to a Ben Tre coconut island for a coconut candy demo, then a sampan float under palm fronds with nón lá hats. The boys loved this and it was a great photo opportunity. Note: the packaged sweets sold after the demo can taste older than the fresh samples.

City must-dos:

• Tân Định Church: bright pink, a quick, joyful stop.
• Bến Thành Market: arrive with a budget and time limit, haggle kindly, and skip anything that looks mass-produced and overpriced.
• The Café Apartment (42 Nguyễn Huệ): climb or take the lift, pick a floor, and find a balcony for people-watching.
• Book Street (Nguyễn Văn Bình): leafy, quiet, perfect for postcards and a slow iced coffee.

What Part of Vietnam Should I Visit?

Short answer: north to south works well for first timers in December. Start in Hanoi, add Ha Long Bay, warm up in Phu Quoc, finish in Saigon for easy flights and modern comforts. If you have a third week, add Hoi An into the middle for heritage, tailoring and gentle beach time.

What Is the Most Beautiful Part of Vietnam?

Beauty is everywhere, but if you want that jaw-drop moment, it’s Ha Long Bay at golden hour from a quiet deck… or a bamboo boat slipping into a cave as the limestone walls glow. For beaches, Phu Quoc gives you warm water and soft sunsets.

Is Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City Better?

They serve different moods. Hanoi is history, lakes, alley kitchens, slower mornings. Saigon is glassy towers, coffee shops, markets, and energy that doesn’t slow down. First timers should do both if possible; if you must pick one, choose Hanoi for culture and street food, Saigon for urban ease and shopping.

Practical Tips, Weather and Packing Notes

• Winter in the north: Hanoi in December can be cold, especially at night. We packed only for warm weather by mistake and had to buy knock-off North Face jackets for about $40 AUD each, but we survived… maybe plan better than we did! Bring layers, a light rain jacket, and hats and gloves for evenings.
• Internal flights: Keep carry-ons simple and leave buffer time. Vietnam’s domestic network is busy at Christmas.
• Money: Cash is king in markets and small eateries.
• Food safety: Follow the crowds and avoid any street kitchens that are at ground level. 
• Tours: Let your hotel concierge book core experiences, then branch out for local eats and spa visits.
• Ha Long Bay: Book a cruise that suits your group’s vibe. With kids and teens, amenities like pools and kayaksmake a big difference.
• Saigon fireworks: A balcony view beats shoulder-to-shoulder streets with tired kids.
• Spa strategy: Try hotel spas if they’re well-reviewed, otherwise walk to local spots for better value.

If this helped you plan your places to travel in Vietnam, save it for later, share it with your travel crew, and subscribe for the full series. Questions about routes, weather or where to put your limited days… drop them in the comments and I’ll help you map it out.

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