Vietnam Itinerary for 10 Days

Ten days is enough to travel the length of Vietnam once, from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, with stops at the sea and in the old trading port of Hoi An. This Vietnam itinerary for 10 days uses two domestic flights to skip the longest stretches and keeps each base for two or three nights, so you are not packing every morning.

Vietnam 10 day itinerary at a glance

Day	Base	Plan
1	Hanoi	Arrive, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter
2	Hanoi	Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, water puppets
3	Ha Long Bay	Road transfer, board an overnight cruise
4	Hanoi	Morning on the bay, return to Hanoi
5	Hanoi	Day trip to Trang An and Ninh Binh
6	Hoi An	Fly to Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An, evening in the Ancient Town
7	Hoi An	Ancient Town houses and assembly halls, An Bang beach
8	Hoi An	Ba Na Hills or My Son, or a slow day
9	Ho Chi Minh City	Fly south, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market
10	Ho Chi Minh City	Mekong Delta day trip, fly home

If your flight home leaves early on Day 10, do the Mekong trip on Day 9 and keep the city sights for the evening.

Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake

Land at Noi Bai and drive about 27 km into the city. Stay in or near the Old Quarter, the tangle of narrow streets north of Hoan Kiem Lake, where streets were historically named after the goods sold on them.

Walk the lake’s shore in the late afternoon. The red Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on a small island, and the streets around the lake become a pedestrian zone on weekend evenings.

Day 2: Hanoi’s temples and history

Start at the Temple of Literature, a temple to Confucius that also housed an early national university. Then head to the Ba Dinh area for the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and the One Pillar Pagoda. Check the mausoleum’s opening days before you go, since it closes on some days and for maintenance periods.

In the afternoon, choose between the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Hoa Lo Prison relic site. In the evening, a water puppet show near Hoan Kiem Lake is a short, easy outing.

Days 3 and 4: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

Ha Long Bay is about 160 km by road from Hanoi. Thousands of limestone islands rise from the water here, and UNESCO first listed the bay in 1994. In 2023 the property was extended to cover the Cat Ba Archipelago and renamed Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago.

Cruises usually include the road transfer from Hanoi, meals on board, a cave visit and kayaking. Compare routes before you book: some boats sail the main bay, while others go to the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba. One night is enough for a first look.

Return to Hanoi by late afternoon on Day 4 and keep the evening free.

Day 5: Trang An and Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is about 95 km south of Hanoi by road. The Trang An Landscape Complex, listed by UNESCO in 2014, covers limestone peaks, river valleys and caves. Rowing boats take you along the river and through several caves.

Combine the boat trip with Hoa Lu, the old capital, or the viewpoint at Hang Mua, which has a long flight of steps. Day tours from Hanoi cover these, or hire a car and driver and set your own pace.

Day 6: Fly to Da Nang and on to Hoi An

Take a morning flight from Hanoi to Da Nang. Hoi An is about 30 km south by road. Spend the evening in the Ancient Town, when lanterns are lit along the streets and the riverside.

UNESCO listed Hoi An Ancient Town in 1999 as a well-preserved South East Asian trading port. Its buildings show a mix of local, Chinese and Japanese influence, with later European touches. The town charges a ticket for visitors to the old quarter, which also gives entry to a set number of heritage sites. Check the current rules at the ticket booths when you arrive.

Day 7: Hoi An Ancient Town

Spend the morning on foot. The Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) is the town’s best-known landmark. Nearby are old merchant houses and the Chinese assembly halls, such as the Fujian Assembly Hall.

In the afternoon, cycle out to An Bang or Cua Dai beach, or take a cooking class. Tailors in Hoi An make clothes to order, so place an order early in your stay if you want one.

Day 8: Ba Na Hills, My Son, or a slow day

Pick one of these:

• Ba Na Hills: A hill resort about 30 km west of Da Nang, reached by cable car. Its Golden Bridge, held up by two giant stone hands, is the main draw.
• My Son Sanctuary: The ruins of Cham Hindu temples in a jungle valley inland from Hoi An, also on the UNESCO list.
• Slow day: A basket boat ride in the coconut palms at Cam Thanh, or Da Nang’s beach and the Marble Mountains.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, still often called Saigon. In District 1, the Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral stand side by side, and the War Remnants Museum is a short ride away.

Finish at Ben Thanh Market, then walk the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in the evening.

Day 10: Mekong Delta day trip

The closest delta towns are around My Tho and Ben Tre, about 70 km from the city by road, and a day trip there is easy before an evening flight. Trips usually include a boat ride on the river, small canals and local workshops.

The Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho is about 175 km away by road. It is busiest early in the morning, so it works better with a night in Can Tho. If you want to see it, add a day to the trip.

When to go

Vietnam is long, so the weather differs between north, centre and south. As a general guide, the north is cooler from about November to March, and the central coast around Hoi An is wetter from about September to December. The south stays warm all year. Check forecasts before you fix dates, especially for the Ha Long cruise and the central coast.

Where to stay

• Hanoi: The Old Quarter or the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, so the main sights are within walking distance.
• Ha Long Bay: On board the cruise.
• Hoi An: Near the Ancient Town to walk in the evenings, or near An Bang beach for a quieter stay.
• Ho Chi Minh City: District 1, close to the Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.

Getting around

• Flights: Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City cut out the two longest stretches.
• Train: The North-South railway links Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City if you have more time and want to see the coast.
• Cars and ride-hailing: Ride-hailing apps operate in the big cities; book a car and driver for Ninh Binh and the Mekong.
• Cash: Carry some Vietnamese dong for markets, small shops and street food.

Planning tips

• Book the Ha Long cruise and the domestic flights first, as they fix the rest of the plan.
• Keep a light bag. You change base four times.
• Cover shoulders and knees for temples and the mausoleum.
• Leave one flexible half day in case weather moves the Ha Long cruise.

If you are also planning other trips in the region, see our Thailand itinerary for 7 days and the Bali itinerary for 5 days.

FAQ

Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?

Ten days is enough for one trip from north to south with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, using two domestic flights. Add days for Sapa, Hue or Phong Nha.

Should I start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?

Either works. Start where your international flight is cheaper or more convenient and run the route in reverse if needed.

Is one night on Ha Long Bay enough?

One night gives you an evening and a morning on the water, which suits a 10 day trip. Two nights let you reach quieter parts of the bay.

Do I need a ticket for Hoi An Ancient Town?

Yes, the town charges visitors a ticket for the old quarter, which also covers entry to some heritage sites. Check the current price and rules at the ticket booths.

What is the best time to visit Vietnam?

There is no single best month for the whole country. As a general guide, the north is cooler from about November to March and the central coast is wetter from about September to December.

Can I see the Cai Rang floating market on a day trip?

Can Tho is about 175 km from Ho Chi Minh City by road, and the market is busiest early in the morning. Staying a night in Can Tho makes it much easier.

Official resources: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, UNESCO; Hoi An Ancient Town, UNESCO; Trang An Landscape Complex, UNESCO

Photo credits

Featured image: Romain Pontida / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake: Mig Gilbert from Brighton / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Days 3 and 4: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise: Thomas Schoch / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Day 5: Trang An and Ninh Binh: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Day 6: Fly to Da Nang and on to Hoi An: Steffen Schmitz (more photos) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 7: Hoi An Ancient Town: Chainwit. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Day 8: Ba Na Hills, My Son, or a slow day: DvTor8303 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City: Steffen Schmitz (more photos) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 10: Mekong Delta day trip: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.