Slow travel in Vietnam: a 2-week itinerary
14 days, 13 nights · Hanoi → Hoi An → Con Dao
Fewer places and longer stays: a gentle pace with free afternoons and time by the sea.
The route
Hanoi
3 nights, from day 1
Typical hotel: Apricot Hotel or La Siesta Premium Hang Be
Hoi An
6 nights, from day 4
Typical hotel: Anantara Hoi An Resort or La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa
Con Dao
4 nights, from day 10
Typical hotel: Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa
Day by day
14 days, 13 nights
Built from our Slow Luxury Retreat journey. Times are approximate; every day can change in the builder, where it opens on your own dates.
1Day 1
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Noi Bai airport to Hanoi · about 45 minutes by private car
- Afternoon:
- Your driver meets you at Noi Bai airport and takes you into the city.
- Evening:
- Nothing else is planned.
Overnight: Hanoi
2Day 2
Day 2: Hanoi at your pace
- Morning:
- A short walk with your guide around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature, with a stop for egg coffee.
- Afternoon:
- Free.
Overnight: Hanoi
3Day 3
Day 3: A slow day in Hanoi
- Morning:
- Nothing planned: a late breakfast and a walk by the lake if you feel like it.
- Afternoon:
- Time at the spa, or a rest at the hotel.
Overnight: Hanoi
4Day 4
Day 4: Fly to Hoi An
Hanoi to Da Nang · a flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes, then 45 minutes by road to Hoi An
- Morning:
- The flight to Da Nang.
- Afternoon:
- The drive to Hoi An.
- Evening:
- The lanterns by the river.
Overnight: Hoi An
5Day 5
Day 5: The old town, early
- Morning:
- The merchant houses and the Japanese Bridge in the quiet of the early morning.
- Afternoon:
- Back at the hotel before the heat of the day.
Overnight: Hoi An
6Day 6
Day 6: A free day
- Morning:
- Nothing planned: the pool, the beach or a book.
- Afternoon:
- Your guide is a message away if you would like to go out.
Overnight: Hoi An
7Day 7
Day 7: The countryside and its makers
- Morning:
- A gentle morning with craftspeople in the villages around Hoi An.
- Afternoon:
- A long lunch in a garden, then the afternoon is yours.
Overnight: Hoi An
8Day 8
Day 8: The Cham Islands
Hoi An to the Cham Islands · by boat from Cua Dai
- Morning:
- A boat out to the Cham Islands, with time to swim or snorkel in the clear water.
- Afternoon:
- Back on the mainland by mid-afternoon.
Overnight: Hoi An
9Day 9
Day 9: A day by the sea
- Morning:
- Nothing planned: the beach at An Bang or the pool.
- Afternoon:
- Time at the spa if you would like it.
Overnight: Hoi An
10Day 10
Day 10: To Con Dao
Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, then a flight of about an hour to Con Dao
- Morning:
- The flights south.
- Afternoon:
- Your driver meets you for the short drive to the sea.
Overnight: Con Dao
11Day 11
Day 11: Island quiet
- Morning:
- A free day on one of Vietnam's calmest islands, much of it a national park.
- Afternoon:
- The beaches are long and nearly empty.
Overnight: Con Dao
12Day 12
Day 12: The island's history
- Morning:
- A short guided morning to the island's old prison sites and the small town of Con Son, told with care.
- Afternoon:
- Free.
Overnight: Con Dao
13Day 13
Day 13: Island quiet
- Morning:
- Nothing planned: a long, nearly empty beach.
- Afternoon:
- Time at the spa if you would like it.
Overnight: Con Dao
14Day 14
Day 14: Depart
Con Dao to Ho Chi Minh City · a short flight
- Morning:
- A last slow morning.
- Afternoon:
- The flight to Ho Chi Minh City for your onward journey.
Overnight: none (departure day)
Make it yours
The builder opens with these days on real dates: change the length, the pace, a day or a hotel, then book the pieces yourself with partners, or send it to us and a person fine-tunes it with you, free.