How to Plan a 10-Day Trip to Vietnam – Best Itinerary

Posted By: Paul O'Neill / Vietnam Travel Guides

Explore Vietnam in 10 days with this perfect itinerary. Visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta with options for budget and luxury travelers.

Vietnam is a country of stunning landscapes, rich history, delicious food, and vibrant culture. In 10 days, you can explore the bustling cities, beautiful beaches, UNESCO-listed heritage sites, and scenic countryside.

This Vietnam itinerary is designed for first-time travelers and includes the highlights of Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam. Whether you're traveling on a budget or in luxury, this guide will help you maximize your experience.

Discover the charm of Hoan Kiem Lake, the peaceful heart of Hanoi with legends and beauty! — Discover the charm of **Hoan Kiem Lake**, the peaceful heart of Hanoi with legends and beauty! - (Source: Collected)

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi – Explore the Capital

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Why Visit Hanoi?

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is a bustling city full of history, vibrant markets, and incredible street food.

Morning – Arrival & Exploring the Old Quarter

✔ Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple.

✔ Stroll through the Hanoi Old Quarter to experience traditional Vietnamese culture.

Afternoon – Hanoi’s Cultural & Historical Sites

✔ Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Presidential Palace.

✔ Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university.

Evening – Enjoy Hanoi’s Street Food & Nightlife

✔ Try Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) at Pho Gia Truyen.

✔ Watch a traditional Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theater.

✔ Experience Hanoi’s nightlife at Ta Hien Beer Street.

Budget Stay: Little Charm Hanoi Hostel (~~$10/night).~~

Luxury Stay: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi ($200/night).

Sail through the breathtaking Ha Long Bay, home to limestone karsts and emerald waters! — Sail through the breathtaking **Ha Long Bay**, home to limestone karsts and emerald waters! - (Source: Collected)

Day 2: Ha Long Bay – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

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⛵ Why Visit Ha Long Bay?

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most famous destinations, featuring limestone karsts, emerald waters, and stunning caves.

Morning – Travel to Ha Long Bay & Board Your Cruise

By Bus/Shuttle: 2.5–3 hours.

By Seaplane: 45 minutes (luxury option).

Afternoon & Evening – Ha Long Bay Cruise

✔ Kayak through hidden caves and explore floating fishing villages.

✔ Visit Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), one of the bay’s largest caves.

✔ Enjoy a seafood dinner and sunset on a luxury cruise.

Budget Stay: Overnight cruise on Swan Cruises (~$130/person).

Luxury Stay: Paradise Elegance Cruise (~$300/person).

Wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi Ans Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! — Wander the lantern-lit streets of **Hoi An’s Ancient Town**, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! - (Source: Collected)

Day 3: Travel to Da Nang & Explore Hoi An

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Why Visit Hoi An?

Hoi An is Vietnam’s most charming ancient town, known for its well-preserved architecture, lantern-lit streets, and tailor shops.

Morning – Fly Hanoi to Da Nang & Transfer to Hoi An

✈️ Flight time: 1.5 hours.

Da Nang to Hoi An: 45 minutes by car.

Afternoon – Explore Hoi An’s Ancient Town

✔ Visit Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky Old House.

✔ Get a custom-made outfit one of Hoi An’s famous tailor shops.

Evening – Enjoy Hoi An’s Nightlife

✔ Take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River and release a lantern.

✔ Try Cao Lau (Hoi An noodles) and Banh Mi Phuong.

Budget Stay: Tribee Bana Hostel (~~$15/night).~~

Luxury Stay: Anantara Hoi An Resort ($250/night).

Relax on the golden sands of My Khe Beach, one of Vietnams most stunning coastal escapes! — Relax on the golden sands of **My Khe Beach**, one of Vietnam’s most stunning coastal escapes! - (Source: Collected)

Day 4: My Khe Beach & Golden Bridge in Da Nang

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Why Visit Da Nang?

Da Nang is famous for beautiful beaches, modern bridges, and the iconic Golden Bridge.

Morning – Relax at My Khe Beach

✔ Enjoy swimming, surfing, or sunbathing.

Afternoon – Visit Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge

✔ Ride the Ba Na Hills cable car.

✔ Walk along the Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands.

Budget Stay: Funtastic Beach Hostel (~~$20/night).~~

Luxury Stay: InterContinental Da Nang ($350/night).

Admire the beauty of Notre-Dame Cathedral, a French colonial landmark in Saigon! — Admire the beauty of **Notre-Dame Cathedral**, a French colonial landmark in Saigon! - (Source: Collected)

Day 5-6: Explore Ho Chi Minh City

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Why Visit Ho Chi Minh City?

This city is Vietnam’s financial hub, offering a mix of historic sites and modern attractions.

Best Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

✔ Visit War Remnants Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

✔ Try Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) at Banh Xeo 46A.

✔ Enjoy rooftop drinks at Chill Skybar.

Budget Stay: The Like Hostel & Café (~~$12/night).~~

Luxury Stay: The Reverie Saigon ($300/night).

Step into history at the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network from the Vietnam War! — Step into history at the **Cu Chi Tunnels**, an underground network from the Vietnam War! - (Source: Collected)

Day 7-8: Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Day Trip

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Day 7 – Explore Cu Chi Tunnels

✔ Crawl through underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War.

Day 8 – Take a Boat Tour in the Mekong Delta

✔ Visit floating markets and fruit farms.

✔ Ride a traditional sampan boat through coconut groves.

Tour Cost: ~$50/person (includes Cu Chi & Mekong tour).

Cruise through the Mekong Delta, exploring floating markets and lush canals! — Cruise through the **Mekong Delta**, exploring floating markets and lush canals! - (Source: Collected)

Day 9-10: Phu Quoc Island – A Tropical Paradise

Keywords: Phu Quoc travel guide, best beaches in Vietnam

Why Visit Phu Quoc?

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s most beautiful island, featuring white-sand beaches and clear waters.

✔ Relax on Sao Beach and Long Beach.

✔ Snorkel at Fingernail Island.

Budget Stay: Lahana Resort (~~$50/night).~~

Luxury Stay: JW Marriott Phu Quoc ($400/night).

Escape to Phu Quoc Island, a tropical paradise with white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters! — Escape to **Phu Quoc Island**, a tropical paradise with white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters! - (Source: Collected)

Final Thoughts

This 10-day Vietnam itinerary covers the best of Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam, offering both budget and luxury options. Whether you love history, nature, beaches, or food, Vietnam has it all!

Start planning your Vietnam adventure today!

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Best Itinerary Services: 7-Day Vietnam Tour Itinerary: From North to South

Day 1: Hanoi – The Cultural Heart

Arrive in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel.
Explore Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and the Old Quarter.
Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & the Temple of Literature.
Enjoy a traditional water puppet show and a street food tour.

⭐ Best Experience: Sipping on Egg Coffee in a hidden café.

Day 2: Halong Bay – A Natural Wonder

Travel to Halong Bay, a UNESCO-listed site.
Board a luxury cruise, explore Sung Sot Cave & Titop Island.
Enjoy kayaking, swimming, and a seafood dinner on board.
Overnight on the cruise, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

⭐ Best Experience: Watching the sunrise over Halong Bay the deck.

Day 3: Hoi An – The Ancient Town

Return to Hanoi and fly to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An.
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town, Japanese Covered Bridge, and Old Houses.
Join a lantern-making workshop and take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
Enjoy the night market and taste Hoi An’s famous Bánh Mì.

⭐ Best Experience: Walking through lantern-lit streets at night.

Day 4: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge

Take a cable car ride to Ba Na Hills and explore the French Village.
Walk on the Golden Bridge, held by giant stone hands.
Visit Marble Mountains before returning to Hoi An.
Relax on An Bang Beach in the afternoon.

⭐ Best Experience: Taking breathtaking photos on the Golden Bridge.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – The Vibrant Metropolis

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city.
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market.
Explore the War Remnants Museum to learn about Vietnam’s history.
Enjoy a Saigon River dinner cruise at night.

⭐ Best Experience: Riding through Saigon’s streets on a Vespa.

Top 5 Must-Visit Destinations from North to South in Vietnam

Sapa – The Land of Majestic Rice Terraces
Ha Giang – The Ultimate Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure
Hue – The Imperial City
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – The Land of Caves
Mui Ne – The Land of Sand Dunes

Located in the northern mountains, Sapa is famous for its breathtaking terraced rice fields and ethnic minority cultures.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Fansipan Mountain – The highest peak in Indochina, reachable by cable car.
Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages – Home to the Black H’mong and Red Dzao people, offering incredible trekking routes.
Cat Cat Village – A traditional village showcasing H’mong culture.

⭐ Best Experience: Trekking through the rice terraces and staying in a local homestay.

Ha Giang is the most remote and rugged region of North Vietnam, known for its stunning mountain passes and rich ethnic cultures.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Ma Pi Leng Pass – One of the most breathtaking mountain passes in Vietnam.
Dong Van Karst Plateau – A UNESCO Global Geopark with dramatic landscapes.
Lung Cu Flag Tower – The northernmost point of Vietnam.

⭐ Best Experience: Riding a motorbike through the Ha Giang Loop for an unforgettable adventure.

Once the imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue is home to ancient palaces, temples, and royal tombs.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Hue Imperial City – A UNESCO-listed complex of palaces and temples.
Thien Mu Pagoda – A historic 7-story pagoda along the Perfume River.
Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh – A beautifully decorated royal tomb.

⭐ Must-Try Foods: Bún Bò Huế, Bánh Bèo, Nem Lụi.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its impressive limestone caves and adventure activities.

⭐ Top Attractions:

Son Doong Cave – The largest cave in the world (requires pre-booking).
Phong Nha Cave – A stunning river cave accessible by boat.
Paradise Cave – A breathtaking dry cave with impressive stalactites.

⭐ Best Experience: Kayaking through the caves and exploring underground rivers.

Mui Ne is a coastal town known for its red and white sand dunes, surfing spots, and fresh seafood.

⭐ Top Attractions:

White Sand Dunes & Red Sand Dunes – Stunning desert landscapes perfect for photography.
Fairy Stream – A unique natural stream with red rock formations.
Mui Ne Fishing Village – A great place to see local fishermen at work.

⭐ Best Experience: Riding an ATV across the White Sand Dunes at sunrise.