10 Days in Vietnam - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue & Hoi An

Perfect for first-time travelers to Vietnam, this classic 10-day tour features the highlights of Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Between self-guided city tours, boating and biking excursions, and visits to traditional villages, you'll get a well-rounded introduction to Vietnam's culture. Plus, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise and a boat journey through the Mekong River's mangrove forests grant you a taste of the country's impressive landscapes.

Welcome to Vietnam! Your journey starts in Hanoi, where you'll shrug off any jet lag during a self-guided walking tour and a memorable bike trip through quaint neighboring villages. You'll also find time to squeeze in a water puppet show before transferring to Ha Long Bay for a remarkable overnight cruise on the Gulf of Tonkin. Wake early for a sunrise tai chi session, then return to Hanoi to catch a flight to Hue. After an evening free to relax, take advantage of your full day in Hue with a guided tour of the Imperial City and a cruise along the Perfume River. 

Your journey continues south to Hoi An. Here, you'll spend your first evening strolling through Ancient Town, then embark on a full-day excursion, which includes boating to a traditional fishing village and discovering the Japanese Covered Bridge and Phuc Kien by bike. The last leg of your trip takes you farther south to Ho Chi Minh City, and while here, you'll hit all the major French-colonial sights, including the Saigon Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Cap your Vietnam adventure with a combined boat trip/cycling tour around the Mekong Delta before catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Flavors of Vietnam

An absolute treat for culinary enthusiasts, this Flavors of Vietnam tour takes you on a journey packed with market visits, cooking classes, and unique dining experiences. Visit the esteemed Mrs. Ai's house to learn about Vietnamese spices, dine on fresh seafood while cruising Ha Long Bay, and spend an afternoon at Red Bridge Cooking School. Then, top off your adventure by browsing Ho Chi Minh City's markets and delighting in a memorable Noir: Dining in the Dark experience.

Your culinary adventure begins in Hanoi, where you'll immediately dive into the country's renowned food scene during a visit to Bun Cha Huong Lien restaurant and an insightful master chef cooking class. Next, ride through the streets of the Old Quarter while on a vintage Vespa scooter tour and stop at a kumquat farm to admire its peach blossom trees before transferring to Ha Long Bay. Once here, board a multilevel cruise ship and settle in for an overnight stay, complete with a cooking masterclass and time to fish, kayak, and relax. Then, back on dry land, a flight to Da Nang followed by a transfer to Hoi An awaits.

Eager to discover more of Vietnam's rich flavors, you'll spend your first day in Hoi An, visiting a local farming village and sampling street food favorites. Then, get hands-on at the Red Bridge Cooking School before continuing to Ho Chi Minh City. Kick off your stay in this historical city with visits to the Ben Thanh Market and Street Food Market, and watch the sunset over the city skyline from the Skydeck. The best may have been saved for last, though, as you'll attempt to cheers to a fantastic trip while dining at Noir: Dining in the Dark, marking the end of your Vietnam adventure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Impressions of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An & More

Experience the many wonders of Vietnam, from bustling cities to national parks and UNESCO-listed landmarks, on this well-rounded adventure. Crafted for those seeking to tick off the highlights while also discovering idyllic landscapes, you'll explore Hanoi's Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City's Reunification Palace, hike in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and embark on an overnight cruise from Ha Long Bay. You'll also get to know locals while spending a night at a homestay and learning the tactics of traditional fishing.

Upon arriving in Hanoi, start your 10-day adventure with a self-guided stroll through the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Then, experience a different side of Hanoi during a countryside bicycle tour from Dong Ngac to Lien Mac the following day. After a scenic transfer through the tropical rainforest to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, you'll dedicate the next two days to hiking over terraced fields and learning about traditional life at your homestay. Rejuvenated from a relaxing morning, journey back to Hanoi, where you'll have time to explore before continuing to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise.

After a memorable evening and morning kayaking, snorkeling, and sunbathing your way around Bai Tu Long National Park, dock back at Ha Long and transfer to Hoi An. Spend your first evening exploring the impressive Ancient Town, then gear up for a superb day learning the art of traditional fishing techniques at a local village. Next, delight in a free day to visit the Hoi An Museum or relax on An Bang Beach. Lastly, board a plane bound for Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll enlist the help of an expert guide to discover the Cu Chi Tunnels, Reunification Palace, and more before catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Off the Beaten Path in Northern Vietnam

Discover northern Vietnam's unspoiled countryside, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls on this off-the-beaten-track adventure perfect for nature lovers. While basing yourself in homey guesthouses, you'll spend your days exploring immense caves, swimming in freshwater lakes, and hiking through fertile green valleys. Other highlights include a morning excursion to Ban Gioc Falls and a hike through bamboo forests and terraced rice paddies to Heaven Gate.

Straight off the plane in Hanoi, you'll leave the city behind and make your way to Ba Be National Park, located in Vietnam's far northwest. Delve into the surrounding landscapes via motorbike, a boat tour, and on foot over the following days until a scenic transfer brings you to Cao Bang Province. While here, discover Nguom Ngao, a massive cave system, and admire the terraced Ban Gioc Waterfall before continuing to Bao Lac. Spend the evening admiring the impossible rice terraces. Then, you'll transfer east to Dong Van Province, stopping to admire Pi Leng Peak along the way.

After visiting the 1920s Vuong Palace and the hemp textiles village of Lung, settle in for a relaxing overnight at a guesthouse in Quan Ba. Your road trip continues to the Hoang Su Phi District, known for its far-stretching rice terraces, where you'll get right among the incredible landscapes during a lengthy hike to the village of Suoi Thau and on to Heaven Gate. Wake early the next day to enjoy the serenity of the mountains, then, with your trip winding down, transfer back to Hanoi, stopping for an overnight in the tranquil village of Bac Ha to pick up handcrafted souvenirs. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Active Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho & Phu Quoc

Focusing on southern Vietnam, this active itinerary features Ho Chi Minh City, the floating markets of Cai Be and Can Tho, and the tropical island of Phu Quoc. Spend your days biking, hiking, and interacting with locals, and your evenings relaxing in picturesque villages. Throughout, you'll also enjoy the opportunity to participate in a weaving workshop, cooking lessons, and sample medicinal drinks at the Ham Ninh Fishing Village.

Your active Vietnam adventure kicks off in Ho Chi Minh City. After spending your first evening biking through the city's lively alleys and enjoying a sundowner at a rooftop bar, you'll pack in a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels and stops by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Then, you're off to the rural province of Long An, where a thrilling bike excursion through the Mekong Delta awaits. Next, board a boat and cruise along the Ham Luong River to Ben Tre and join an evening cooking class before hopping back on your bike for a scenic ride to Cai Be. 

After a day spent between Cai Be Floating Market and exploring nearby villages on a bike, it's back on the road, this time to Can Tho. Dedicate the following morning to browsing Cai Rang, the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta, and cycling through the surrounding countryside before catching a flight to Phu Quoc. This island, located off the southern tip of Vietnam, is the ideal spot to wrap up your adventure. Opt for a visit to Phu Quoc National Park if you're a keen hiker, or instead, relax on the white-sand beaches of Dai, Ong Lang, and Cua Can until it's time to catch your departing flight. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Vietnam Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Vietnam? Check out these other 10-day Vietnam itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

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