Option 1: Classic Vietnam route – North to South highlights
Perfect for: First-time travelers wanting to experience Vietnam’s most famous attractions, culture, and food.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi – The capital of charm
Land at Noi Bai International Airport and check into a hotel in the Old Quarter
Start your journey with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, then stop by Ngoc Son Temple. Grab your first taste of Hanoi with a bún chả meal. In the evening, sip egg coffee at Giang Cafe (the birthplace), a nostalgic gem overlooking the lake.
Day 2: Hanoi culture & history
Begin your day early at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, followed by a quiet stroll through the Presidential Palace Garden. Nearby, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, and then walk to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university.
Lunch suggestion: try bún thang or chả cá Lã Vọng — a famous grilled fish dish at its original restaurant on Cha Ca Street. End your afternoon at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, then enjoy a Thang Long Water Puppet Show in the evening.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
Take a 2.5-hour transfer to Ha Long Bay and board a luxury cruise like Athena Cruise or Peony Cruise. Sail past dramatic limestone islands and explore Luon Cave by bamboo boat or kayak.
On board, enjoy fresh seafood lunch and a sunset drink on the deck. Dinner is served as the boat anchors overnight in a quiet cove — often with cooking demonstrations or squid fishing afterward.
Day 4: Morning in the Bay & return to Hanoi – Fly to Da Nang
Wake up early for Tai Chi on deck, then visit Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), the largest in Ha Long Bay. After brunch, disembark and return to Hanoi.
Take an evening flight to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An (45 minutes). Stay in the Old Town at Little Riverside Hoi An or Almanity Resort.
Day 5: Explore Hoi An ancient town
Wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, and Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. For lunch, try Bánh mì Phượng or Madam Khánh – The Bánh Mì Queen.
In the afternoon, visit Tra Que Vegetable Village by bicycle. Try a foot massage with local herbs before heading back to town for a sunset drink by the Thu Bon River. If your trip falls near the Full Moon Festival, enjoy folk music and floating lanterns.
Day 6: Local Flavors & Beach Time in Hoi An
Begin with a cooking class that includes a market visit and hands-on prep of Vietnamese dishes like papaya salad or caramelized pork. In the afternoon, cycle to An Bang Beach for sunbathing or cocktails by the sea.
Return to the Ancient Town for custom tailoring or explore the lantern-lit night market. End the day with cao lầu noodles and coconut ice cream by the river. Overnight: Hoi An
Day 7: Scenic Journey to Hue via Hai Van Pass
Drive through the stunning Hai Van Pass, stopping for panoramic views before reaching Hue.
Spend your afternoon discovering the Imperial City, with its royal halls, temples, and moats. At sunset, enjoy a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River. For dinner, try Hue’s royal tasting menu featuring small local specialties. Overnight: Hue
Day 8: Royal Tombs & Fly South to Ho Chi Minh City
Explore Hue’s famous tombs — Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh — each with beautiful architecture and gardens. Stop for a bowl of spicy bún bò Huế before your afternoon flight to Saigon.
In Ho Chi Minh City, stroll around Nguyen Hue Boulevard, visit the Saigon Opera House, and enjoy a southern-style dinner.
Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels & City Highlights
Take a morning tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, learning how locals survived underground during wartime.
Back in the city, visit the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Central Post Office. Wind down with Vietnamese iced coffee or shop for souvenirs on Dong Khoi Street.
Day 10: Mekong Delta Day Trip & Departure
Wrap up your 10 days in Vietnam itinerary with a journey to the Mekong Delta. Cruise through coconut-lined canals, taste tropical fruits, and visit cottage industries in Ben Tre or My Tho.
After a garden lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City. Depending on your flight, enjoy one last coffee or foot massage before heading to the airport.
Option 2: A cultural adventure from Central to South Vietnam
Perfect for: Travelers who crave warm sunshine, rich history, hands-on experiences, and scenic coastal relaxation.
Day 1: Welcome to Da Nang – Coastal gateway to Central Vietnam
Arrive at Da Nang International Airport and check in at a beachside hotel near one of the city's clean, sandy shores. Stretch your legs with a gentle walk along the riverfront promenade and take in the sunset views from one of the city’s famous bridges - especially vibrant during weekend fire shows.
For dinner, enjoy a local-style noodle dish with turmeric broth and crispy rice crackers at a simple, bustling local eatery near the Han Market.
Day 2: Day trip to the mountains – Golden Bridge & hilltop escape
Rise early and head to a scenic hill station accessible by one of the world’s longest cable car rides. At the summit, marvel at a sky-high pedestrian bridge seemingly held by massive stone hands, stroll through a quaint village designed in French architectural style, and explore lush gardens and temples hidden in the mist.
Refuel with a buffet lunch offering a spread of Vietnamese and international dishes before descending back to Da Nang for a fresh seafood dinner near the bay.
Day 3: Discover Hoi An – Heritage Town by the River
Travel 45 minutes south to Hoi An and check into a cozy boutique hotel near the Ancient Town or by the riverside. Spend the day wandering lantern-lit streets, exploring the town’s centuries-old houses, Chinese assembly halls, and charming alleys filled with local art and textiles.
In the evening, enjoy a peaceful boat ride along the river, releasing floating paper lanterns as a symbolic wish. End your night at a quiet teahouse or with a plate of local noodles in a garden courtyard.
Day 4: Cooking, cycling & coastal retreat
Join a hands-on cooking class that starts with a trip to a bustling local market and continues with a guided bike ride through a farming village. Learn to cook authentic dishes like lemongrass chicken or fish in clay pot using garden-fresh herbs.
After lunch, cycle out to a nearby beach to unwind with a coconut in hand or enjoy a seaside massage at a beach club. Back in town, shop for tailored clothing or handcrafted lanterns and soak up the lively night market atmosphere.
Day 5: Scenic drive to Hue via the Hai Van Pass
Depart Hoi An and enjoy one of Vietnam’s most scenic drives — winding along coastal cliffs and cloud-kissed mountain roads. Pause at panoramic viewpoints overlooking bays and lagoons before continuing to Hue.
In the afternoon, delve into the grandeur of the former imperial capital by visiting the Citadel — once home to emperors and mandarins. Cap the day with a boat cruise along a gentle river, stopping by an iconic riverside pagoda just as the city softens into twilight.
Day 6: Royal tombs & tranquil gardens
Spend the day uncovering Hue’s royal past with visits to several imperial tombs, each nestled in tranquil, green landscapes and uniquely decorated with intricate stone carvings and colorful mosaics. Don’t miss the peaceful atmosphere at a riverside pagoda surrounded by frangipani trees.
Sample Hue’s regional specialties — especially its famously spicy beef noodle soup — at a humble, well-loved corner shop.
Day 7: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh city – Southern dynamism
Fly to Vietnam’s largest city and feel the energetic shift. Explore the city’s French-colonial landmarks such as a grand cathedral and historic post office, then visit the Independence Palace to gain insight into Vietnam’s modern political history.
Enjoy a southern-style dinner in a vintage courtyard setting, and if you’re up for it, head to a rooftop bar to toast the city lights with a local cocktail.
Day 8: Underground history & urban flavors
Take a morning journey outside the city to explore an extensive network of underground tunnels used during wartime. Learn how people lived, cooked, and moved through this complex subterranean system.
Return to the city for a street food tasting — try savory rice paper snacks, tropical fruit smoothies, or grilled meat skewers along buzzing local streets. Visit a traditional market for souvenirs such as silk scarves, coffee beans, or handcrafted bamboo goods.
Day 9: A taste of the Mekong Delta
ead out for a full-day exploration of the Mekong Delta, where fertile land and meandering rivers define daily life. Cruise on a small wooden boat past stilt houses and fruit orchards, visit cottage industries making coconut candy or rice paper, and enjoy a home-cooked meal in a shaded garden.
This immersive day ends with your return to the city, just in time for a final taste of southern cuisine — maybe grilled pork over broken rice or a hearty noodle bowl.
Day 10: Final sips & departure
On your final morning, relax with a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee at a cozy café tucked inside a repurposed French-era building. If time allows, take a short walk through a colonial-era boulevard for boutique shopping or visit the city’s botanical gardens.
Transfer to the airport with memories of ancient towns, hidden rivers, and the endless flavors of Vietnam.
Final travel tips for this 10-Day Vietnam itinerary
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Stay flexible: Weather can vary — pack light clothing, but bring layers for evenings or highland areas.
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Book flights early: Central–South flights fill up quickly during holidays.
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Guided tours help: In rural regions or for cultural depth, a guide makes all the difference.
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Eat like a local: Look for busy spots — locals know where the best flavors are.
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Slow down in key places: Hoi An and Hue reward deeper exploration, so don’t rush.
Conclusion
Whether you choose the classic north-to-south highlights or a cultural journey through central and southern Vietnam, this 10 days in Vietnam itinerary promises diversity, flavor, and unforgettable moments. From limestone peaks and lantern towns to floating markets and imperial palaces, Vietnam has something magical for every traveler.
Still deciding on your route? Reach out to us for a custom itinerary shaped around your interests and travel pace, so you get the most out of every single day.
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