Vietnam is an incredibly diverse country that offers a little bit of everything. It perfectly combines cultural experience, natural beauty, large cities, and history with mouth-watering street food.
Due to its size, it’s hard to see all of Vietnam in a short time. We tried to select the best places to visit if it’s your first time in Vietnam. When following our 10-day Vietnam itinerary, you’ll have two different alternatives.
We spent more than a month traveling around Vietnam, visiting some of the most popular destinations from the north to the south.
In this 10-day Vietnam itinerary, we provide two different plans, including the best things to do in each area and how to travel around.

Key Highlights
⭐️ Best Months to Visit: mostly November – April
⭐️Visa: recommended e-Visa, some nationalities have a 45 or 30 day visa-free stay
⭐️ Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
⭐️ Getting Around: local flights, sleeper buses, trains
⭐️Best Cities to Visit: Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City
⭐️Other Destinations: Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Phong Nha, Phu Quoc
10-Day Vietnam Itinerary Overview
Since Vietnam is a large country that spreads over more than 1650 km, traveling to each corner requires time and careful planning. It’s certainly impossible to see it all in 10 days.
Because of this, it’s essential to decide which destinations you’d like to prioritize based on your preferences. Therefore, I decided to create two different types of itineraries—one focused more on cities and the other better for nature lovers.
You can either follow one of them or combine the individual destinations.
Classic 10-day Vietnam Itinerary:
- Day 1-3: Hanoi
- Day 4: Ha Long Bay
- Day 5: Travel to Hoi An
- Day 6-7: Hoi An
- Day 8: Travel to Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 9-10: Ho Chi Minh City

10-day Vietnam Itinerary for nature lovers:
- Day 1: Hanoi
- Day 2: Ha Long Bay
- Day 3: Travel to Sapa
- Day 4-5: Sapa
- Day 6: Travel to Phong Nha
- Day 7: Phong Nha
- Day 8: Travel to Phu Quoc
- Day 9-10: Phu Quoc

Option 1: Classic 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary
Day 1-3: Hanoi
What to do in Hanoi
Here are all your hotel options in Hanoi.
- Explore the Old Quarter: The most intriguing neighborhood in Hanoi, which is full of street vendors, tiny buildings, and tasty food! It’s also the best area to stay in.
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake: It is not just a lake but also a cultural place. There’s always something happening at the lake—markets, shows, competitions—you name it!
- Incense, Hat Making, and Lacquer Villages: In order to learn more about these incredible Vietnamese handicrafts join this day tour.

- Experience the thrill of Hanoi Train Street: Imagine standing in a narrow alley with a train passing just a few centimeters from your face while sipping egg coffee!
- Enjoy the incredible street food: Vietnam is known for its cuisine, and Hanoi’s Old Quarter is one of the best places to experience the best of it.
TIP: Combine a street food tour with a visit to Hanoi Train Street by joining this Guided Food Tour.

- Go shopping at the night market: Souvenirs, clothes, Vietnamese kitchenware… You’ll find everything at the night market in the Old Quarter.
- Watch Water Puppet Show: A traditional Vietnamese art show with wooden puppets and live music.
TIP: Water Puppet Shows are very popular and sell out fast. Purchase the tickets in advance!
Best hotels in Hanoi
Check availabilityDay 4: Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most iconic natural wonders. It features thousands of limestone islands in the ocean that create an intricate network of islands and bays.
The best way to explore the area is certainly on a boat excursion. Due to its popularity, hundreds of tours are available online and at local tour company offices. You can choose from day tours as well as multi-day boat trips.

TIP: Did you know you can avoid the crowds by joining the tour from Cat Ba Island and exploring Lan Ha Bay? You’ll see all the same places and even more. Plus, you’ll arrive at most stops before other crowds from Ha Long.
Most tours have similar itineraries, but they differ in the level of service offered. Expect to visit different caves and kayaks, spend time at the beach, and also visit a fishing village. Lunch on the boat is also a standard.
We recommend this Ha Long Bay cruise tour, which is the most booked and best-reviewed on Klook. If you prefer a two-day option, check out this Overnight Cruise Tour.

Day 5: Travel to Hoi An
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel to Hoi An from Hanoi is a 1.5-hour flight to Da Nang and a 45-minute taxi or shuttle ride. The flight prices start at 40€, while a taxi or shuttle costs around 10-20€. You can check Bolt or local tour companies.
If you don’t mind longer travel time and would appreciate scenic views, you can also take a train to Da Nang and then take a shuttle. The train ride takes 16-18 hours and costs from 60€.
For budget travelers, there’s a less comfortable 18-hour bus ride. However, the price starts at as low as 15€, and the bus will take you directly to Hoi An. We recommend the overnight option to save time and money on accommodation.
TIP: Check 12Go for available options. Another option is to purchase the tickets from local tour operators or Vietnam Railway.

Day 6-7: Hoi An
What to do in Hoi An
Here are all your hotel options in Hoi An.
- Stroll around the Hoi An Old Town: Enjoy the historic area full of stunning architecture and colorful streets.
- Take a photo with the lanterns: Hoi An is known for its lanterns. As you walk around the Old Town, take the opportunity to capture memorable photos with them.
- Experience Hoi An Lantern Festival: Every full moon, thousands of lanterns are lit in the streets and also on the water, making this an unforgettable activity.

- Relax on a beach: Hoi An has a few beaches you can visit, each offering soft golden sand and a quiet atmosphere.
- Basket Boat Ride: Visit the peaceful coconut forest and enjoy fun activities at the local village.
- Join a cooking class: Master the art of Vietnamese cooking and learn more about local traditions.
TIP: Combine the basket boat ride with a cooking class by joining this incredible Hoi An day tour.

Best hotels in Hoi An
Check availabilityDay 8: Travel to HCMC
The fastest way to reach Ho Chi Minh City from Da Nang is to take a 1.5-hour long flight. Prices start at 60€. In case of high prices, you can also check out the available train connections. The tickets should start at 50€ and it takes 17-20 hours.
Lastly, the cheapest option is taking a bus, which takes 20-24 hours.
Day 9-10: Ho Chi Minh City
What to do in HCMC
Here are all your hotel options in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Visit the War Remnants Museum: An intense and eye-opening look at the Vietnam War through photographs, personal stories, and military equipment.
- Explore Cu Chi Tunnels: This half-day tour allows you to get lost in the underground tunnel network used by the Viet Cong during the war.
- Shop at Ben Thanh Market: Bustling market to try local street food and shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, or spices.
- Enjoy the views from Saigon Skydeck: Spot the sunset from the 49th-floor observation deck in one of the tallest buildings in HCMC – Bitexco Tower. Visit EON Heli Bar to enjoy a drink!
Purchase Saigon Skydeck tickets.

- Stroll around Nguyen Hue Walking Street: A street lined up with cafes, restaurants, and full of street performances. We recommend to stop at The Café Apartments.
- Go on a Mekong Delta boat trip: Join a full-day tour to visit stilt houses, fishing villages, and fruit plantations and row along the Mekong Delta.
- Go on a Street Food Tour: The city has multiple street food stalls and restaurants offering tasty local cuisine!
TIP: Don’t skip a full-day Mekong Delta tour when visiting Ho Chi Minh City.
Best hotels in HCMC
Check availabilityOption 2: 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary for nature lovers
Day 1: Hanoi
Please refer to itinerary option 1 to read about what to do in Hanoi and where to stay.
Day 2: Ha Long Bay
I write about the Ha Long Bay tour in itinerary option 1. Scroll back up to read more details.
Day 3: Travel to Sapa
For a comfortable and scenic journey, you can take a train to Lao Cai and travel by bus or taxi to Sapa from there. The train ride takes 8 hours and counts with another hour for the bus journey. The train costs 40€, and in comparison, the bus costs only around 5€.
The cheapest option, however, is the sleeper bus, with prices from 15€. The ride only takes 6-7 hours.
TIP: Purchase the bus tickets via 12Go.

Day 4-5: Sapa
What to do in Sapa
Here are all your hotel options in Sapa.
- Explore the waterfalls: Rent a scooter and visit Love and Silver Waterfalls. Along the way, also stop at one of the viewing platforms.
- Visit Cat Cat Village: Learn more about the Black H’Mong community, culture, and traditions.

- Trek around the rice fields: Sapa is known for its rice fields, and there’s no better way to explore the area than by joining a trekking tour. The best areas are Lao Chai and Ta Van.
- Visit Sapa Market: A great place to experience the local culture and shop for fresh fruit or souvenirs.
- Enjoy the views from Fansipan: Take a scenic cable car ride to 3134 meters and enjoy the marvelous views from the top.
TIP: Purchase Fansipan Cable Car Tickets early since they are often sold out a few days in advance.

Best hotels in Sapa
Check availabilityDay 6: Travel to Phong Nha
The only way to travel directly from Sapa to Phong Nha is by taking a sleeper bus. The journey takes 16-18 hours, and prices start at 25€.
If you prefer to take a train, you have to get to Hanoi first and then travel to Dong Hoi. Then take a taxi or a shuttle to Phong Nha. However, since this would take a lot of time and require a few transfers, we don’t recommend this option.
If you’re wondering about flights, since Sapa has no airport, you’d need to fly from Hanoi to Dong Hoi and take a taxi there.

Day 7: Phong Nha
What to do in Phong Nha
Here are all your hotel options in Phong Nha.
- Relax in Suoi Nuoc Mooc Springs: Swim in a beautiful turquoise spring surrounded by tropical jungle. You can kayak, explore the bamboo bridges, or jump from different platforms.
- Visit Paradise Cave: Explore massive stalactites and stalagmites on foot along a wooden bridge. You can only explore the first kilometer or join an adventurous tour to go deeper. The cave is around 31 km long.

- Explore Phong Nha Cave: Only accessible by boat, the cave offers a different kind of adventure. It features limestone formations, chambers, and underground rivers.
Look at this guided tour of Phong Nha & Paradise Cave if you’d like to learn more information while exploring these places.
- Join an expedition to Son Doong Cave: The world’s largest cave is only accessible on a 6 days long tour with Oxalis Adventure. It’s an expensive adventure, and bookings need to be made one year in advance. But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Try real caving experience at Cha Loi Cave: We highly recommend this for those looking for a more budget-friendly option. Crawl through narrow passages, pass through massive chambers, and swim through underground rivers with Netin Travel.

Best hotels in Phong Nha
Check availabilityDay 8: Travel to Phu Quoc
The best way to get to Phu Quoc is to take a taxi to Dong Hoi and then a flight to Phu Quoc. Since no direct flights are available, you’d have to transfer in HCMC.
You can also get to HCMC by bus or train, but it would take around 20 hours by train and almost 30 by bus.
It’s also possible to reach Phu Quoc from HCMC by taking a bus to Rach Gia or Ha Tien and a ferry from there. This journey takes 8-10 hours and costs 25€.

Day 9-10: Phu Quoc
What to do on Phu Quoc
Here are all your hotel options in Phu Quoc.
- Get close to marine life at Starfish Beach: Insta-famous beach dotted with pink starfish!
- Enjoy sunsets at Ong Lang Beach: A beautiful beach with laid-back vibes lined up with palms—one of the best sunset spots on the island.
- Taste street food at Night Market: Local stalls offer a large variety of food, from local fruits and sweets to fresh seafood.
- Relax on Sao Beach: Probably the most beautiful beach on the island, with white sand, turquoise water, and palm trees in the back.

- Join a snorkeling day tour: Phu Quoc is home to vibrant marine life, which you can encounter on a Snorkeling Day Tour.
- Learn more about history in Coconut Prison: Used as a prisoner-of-war camp during the Vietnam War in the past, today, it serves as a museum showcasing the brutal treatment of the prisoners.
- Stroll around Sunset Town: A coastal town inspired by Mediterranean architecture. You’ll feel like you’re in Italy!

- Take a Hon Thom cable car to Pineapple Island: Ride one of the longest overwater cable cars in the world and visit Pineapple Island, which offers stunning beaches and fun adventure activities.
Get Sun World Hon Thom Cable Car tickets in advance.
Best hotels on Phu Quoc
Check availabilityTravel Essentials
Getting visa
Most nationalities are required to get a tourist visa to enter Vietnam.
In order to avoid unnecessary troubles and long wait times at the border we recommend getting an e-visa in advance. You can either apply on the government page or through iVisa.
Some nationalities have 45 or 30-day visa-free stay.

Best time to visit Vietnam
Monsoon: May – December
Dry season: January – April
Vietnam is affected by two different monsoons – Southwest and Northeast monsoon. SW Monsoon which lasts from May to October affects the north and the south. On the other hand, NE monsoon affects the central parts from September to December.
Because of this, the best time to visit most of Vietnam is from January to April.

Getting around
Due to the size of this country, the best and fastest way to get from point A to point B is by taking the local flights. Luckily, they’re often inexpensive, with multiple connections available daily.
Another option is to take a bus. A network of buses connects all the tourist destinations. So no matter where you go, a few tour companies sell tickets. We recommend using sleeper buses, which save you time and money.
TIP: We always use 12Go to purchase tickets in Southeast Asia. It’s a reliable company with reasonable prices, and we highly recommend their services.
Lastly, you can use trains as well. All the most significant cities are connected by railways going from Hanoi to HCMC.
Practical Travel Tips
Cash | While you can usually pay with a card in most hotels and restaurants, always have some cash.
Internet Connection | Vietnam generally has excellent connectivity, with free wi-fi available in most places. The mobile signal also works well.
Estimated Budget & Price | The travel costs are generally relatively low. Food and accommodation are inexpensive but expect to spend more on travel between individual areas.
Packing Essentials | You’ll need a sleeping mask, travel blanket, and pillow for long bus journeys. Also, remember to pack a power bank.
Power Outlets | Most common plug types are either type A (two vertical pins) or type C (two round pins, used in Europe).
