If you’re thinking of going to Vietnam and are seeking a balance of history, nature, and adventure, this 10-day itinerary from north to south will allow you to experience the country’s most iconic destinations in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.
From the charming streets of Hanoi and the natural wonders of Halong Bay to the historical depths of Hue and the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City, this trip offers the perfect balance of culture, adventure, and relaxation.
Day 1: Hanoi
- Morning: Arrive in Hanoi, check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Explore the Old Quarter, visit Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son Temple.
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional water puppet show.
Check out and book any of these water puppet show activities:
Day 2: Hanoi
- Morning: Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Presidential Palace.
- Afternoon: Explore the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.
- Evening: Walk around the French Quarter, enjoy local street food in this cultural capital of Vietnam
Check out and book from these local street food activities that include the train street experience, which is such a unique experience where you sit right next to the train tracks and enjoy a Vietnamese coffee while a train passes by just about half a meter from your face!
See also: Hanoi nightlife guide
Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay
- Morning: Travel to Halong Bay (about 4 hours by bus).
- Afternoon: Board a cruise and enjoy lunch on board. Explore the limestone islands, visit Surprise Cave, and kayak through the bay.
- Evening: Relax with dinner on board and watch the sunset. Spend the night on the cruise.
There are plenty of overnight cruises run by different operators ranging from affordable to luxurious cruises with 5 star amenities. You’d be onboard for 24 hrs.
It is only the accommodation that is really different among these options.
Most of the on-the-deck activities like Tai-chi classes, sightseeing spots around the Halong Bay and offshore activities these cruises take you to, are the same.
A typical itinerary of activities on the cruise will look like the image below of the one I took last year:
A couple of my favorites sights were going to the Sung Sot Cave and the Ti Top Islands!
The cruise moves in closer to these islands but does not go all the way and a smaller boat takes you to these historic landmarks.
True to its name, the Sung Sot cave would “surprise” you by its sheer size on the inside!
Pro tip: Book the overnight cruise package in advance. Most of the packages have a coach pick-up from your hotel at Hanoi to the cruise base at Halong Bay.
Day 4: Halong Bay to Hoi An (via Da Nang)
- Morning: Continue cruising Halong Bay, with optional activities like visiting a floating village.
- Afternoon: Return to Hanoi, transfer to the airport for a flight to Da Nang.
- Evening: Arrive in Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An, and check into your hotel.
Day 5: Hoi An
- Morning: Take a walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, and Tan Ky House.
- Afternoon: Relax at An Bang Beach or take a cycling tour through the nearby rice paddies.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at one of Hoi An’s many riverside restaurants or go to the Memories show
See also: Hoi An nightlife guide
Day 6: Hoi An
- Morning: Start early morning drive back to Da Nang (1.5 hrs drive) and visit the Ba Na Hills SunWorld and the Golden Bridge.
- Afternoon: Come back to Hoi An. Enjoy a relaxing beach day or take a bike tour to Tra Que Village to see local farming practices.
- Evening: Free time to explore Hoi An’s local shops and cafés. Take a nice Vietnamese massage and end your day.
Day 7: Hoi An to Hue
- Morning: Take a scenic drive along the coast via the Hai Van Pass to Hue.
- Afternoon: Visit the Imperial Citadel in Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Evening: Cruise along the Perfume River and visit the Thien Mu Pagoda.
Day 8: Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
- Morning: Visit the Tombs of the Emperors (Khai Dinh or Tu Duc) and explore Hue’s rich history.
- Afternoon: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Evening: Explore Ben Thanh Market, have dinner, and experience the city’s vibrant nightlife.
See also: Ho Chi Minch city nightlife guide
At a short walk from the Ben Thanh Market there is another market specially for the street food lovers.
It is called the Ben Nghe and is usually not as crowded as the Ben Thanh market. It’s a must go if you are into street food, like I did:
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City
- Morning: Take a full-day tour of the Mekong Delta. Visit local villages, ride a sampan through the canals, and explore the Cai Be Floating Market.
- Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at a local orchard, visit a coconut candy factory, and return to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Evening: Free time to explore or dine at a rooftop bar with views of the Saigon skyline.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City
- Morning: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels or explore historical landmarks like the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office.
- Afternoon: Enjoy last-minute shopping or sightseeing before your departure.
- Evening: Depart from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
You’d get a site map of the Cu Chi tunnels at the entry gate to help you navigate the attraction however, it is best to take a guided tour with a tour guide.
It helps you navigate it faster while also getting all the historic inputs and knowledge nuggets.
Recommended Cu Chi Tunnel half day tours:
Vietnam Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: October to January are generally pleasant, cooler and drier.
- Currency: Vietnam’s currency is Vietnam Dong. Withdraw around 5 Million VND from TP Bank or VP Bank ATMs at the airport as these banks do not charge fee up to that amount. This should be sufficient to cover you for 3-4 days travelling and eating expenses.
- Visa: You could get an e-Visa in 3 days by paying a nominal amount. Check whether you qualify for a Visa exemption.
- Internal Flights: Book flights between Hanoi-Da Nang and Hue-Ho Chi Minh City in advance. I personally recommend Vietnam Airlines flights as their planes are clean, spacious and better.
- Transport: Use Grab (similar to Uber), or hotel-arranged transportation for convenience.
This 10-day itinerary takes you on an unforgettable journey through Vietnam’s most iconic destinations, showcasing the country’s incredible diversity.
Pack your bags, Vietnam awaits!
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