Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding destinations, combining historic cities, dramatic landscapes, tropical beaches, vibrant markets, ancient towns, and some of the region’s best food.

For a first visit, 10 days is enough to experience several different sides of the country without trying to cover everything. A good route is to travel from north to south, starting in Hanoi and finishing in Ho Chi Minh City.

This itinerary includes Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, giving you a mix of culture, nature, food, history, and coastal scenery.

Vietnam at a Glance

Trip length: 10 days
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, solo travelers and families
Main destinations: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City
Travel style: Culture, food, nature, history and beaches
Suggested route: North to South

Days 1–3: Hanoi

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Begin your trip in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

After checking into your accommodation, keep the first day relatively relaxed.

Start exploring the Old Quarter, one of the city’s most atmospheric areas. Its narrow streets are filled with cafés, street-food stalls, shops, markets, and historic buildings.

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and walk around the surrounding streets.

For your first Vietnamese meal, look for local dishes such as:

Pho
Bun cha
Banh mi
Goi cuon
Vietnamese egg coffee

In the evening, simply walk through the Old Quarter and enjoy the atmosphere.

Day 2: Discover Hanoi’s History and Culture

Start your second day with some of Hanoi’s major cultural attractions.

Visit the Temple of Literature, one of the city’s best-known historic sites.

Continue toward the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, where you can explore the surrounding area and learn more about Vietnam’s modern history.

Later, visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon, return toward the Old Quarter.

Spend the evening trying more Vietnamese street food.

Hanoi is particularly rewarding for food lovers because many traditional dishes are inexpensive and deeply connected to the city’s culture.

Day 3: Hanoi at a Slower Pace

Keep your final Hanoi day flexible.

Start with breakfast at a local café before exploring neighborhoods away from the busiest tourist streets.

You could visit:

West Lake
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Dong Xuan Market
Hanoi’s French Quarter
Local coffee shops

Leave some time in the afternoon to relax before your journey to Ha Long Bay the following day.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay

Travel from Hanoi toward Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most famous natural landscapes.

The bay is known for its dramatic limestone islands rising from the water.

A cruise is one of the most popular ways to experience the area.

Depending on your cruise, activities may include:

Kayaking
Cave visits
Swimming
Island viewpoints
Vietnamese cooking demonstrations
Sunrise or sunset viewing

If your schedule allows, an overnight cruise can provide a more immersive experience than a short day trip.

Spend the evening on the boat surrounded by the bay’s limestone formations.

Day 5: Ha Long Bay to Hoi An

Wake up early to experience the bay before continuing your journey.

Return toward Hanoi or connect onward according to your transportation plans, then travel to Da Nang.

From Da Nang, continue to Hoi An.

Hoi An is very different from Hanoi.

Its historic center is known for preserved architecture, colorful lanterns, riverside streets, cafés, restaurants, and tailor shops.

Spend your evening walking through the Hoi An Ancient Town.

After dark, the lanterns give the old town a particularly distinctive atmosphere.

Day 6: Explore Hoi An

Spend a full day exploring Hoi An.

Start early before the streets become busier.

Walk through the historic center and visit landmarks such as:

Japanese Covered Bridge
Old merchant houses
Assembly halls
Riverside streets
Traditional markets

You can also take a bicycle ride through the surrounding countryside.

For lunch, try local specialties such as:

Cao lầu — a Hoi An noodle dish.

White rose dumplings — delicate local dumplings traditionally associated with Hoi An.

Bánh mì — Vietnam’s famous filled baguette.

In the evening, return to the Ancient Town for dinner.

Day 7: Da Nang and the Coast

Move back toward Da Nang and spend the day exploring the city and coastline.

Start with My Khe Beach, one of the area’s best-known beaches.

Later, explore the Marble Mountains, a group of limestone and marble hills containing caves, temples, and viewpoints.

If you have time, explore some of Da Nang’s riverside areas before dinner.

Da Nang works well as a short stop because it combines beaches, food, city life, and access to central Vietnam’s major attractions.

Days 8–10: Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city.

The atmosphere changes immediately.

The city is energetic, busy, modern, and filled with restaurants, cafés, markets, historic buildings, and shopping areas.

Day 8: Discover Ho Chi Minh City

Begin around the city’s central districts.

Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War and its lasting impact.

Continue to historic landmarks such as:

Independence Palace
Notre-Dame Cathedral area
Central Post Office
Ben Thanh Market

Spend the evening exploring the city’s food scene.

Try dishes such as:

Banh xeo
Com tam
Pho
Banh mi
Vietnamese iced coffee

Day 9: Mekong Delta Day Trip

Use your ninth day for a trip into the Mekong Delta.

The region is known for its waterways, agricultural landscapes, villages, markets, and traditional ways of life.

Depending on your tour, you may experience:

Boat rides
Small canals
Local markets
Tropical fruit farms
Traditional workshops
Vietnamese countryside

A guided day trip can make logistics easier if you are short on time.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.

Day 10: Final Day in Ho Chi Minh City

Keep your final day flexible.

You could revisit a neighborhood you enjoyed, explore cafés, shop for souvenirs, or spend some time trying Vietnamese food.

If your flight is late, you can fit in a few final attractions.

Otherwise, keep the schedule light so you have enough time to reach the airport.

Where to Stay in Vietnam

Choosing the right neighborhood can make your trip easier.

Hanoi

Consider:

Old Quarter
Hoan Kiem
French Quarter
West Lake

For first-time visitors, staying around Hoan Kiem or the Old Quarter makes sightseeing convenient.

Hoi An

Consider staying:

Inside or near the Ancient Town
Along the riverside
In nearby beach areas

Da Nang

Popular areas include:

My Khe Beach
An Thuong
Han River area

Ho Chi Minh City

Consider:

District 1
District 3
District 5

District 1 is particularly convenient for first-time visitors.

What to Eat in Vietnam

Food should be a major part of your itinerary.

Vietnam’s cuisine changes between regions, so try local specialties wherever you travel.

Northern Vietnam

Look for:

Pho
Bun cha
Banh cuon
Egg coffee

Central Vietnam

Try:

Cao lau
Mi Quang
Banh xeo
White rose dumplings

Southern Vietnam

Try:

Com tam
Banh xeo
Hu tieu
Fresh tropical fruits

Don’t limit yourself to restaurants. Some of Vietnam’s most memorable meals can be found at small local eateries and street-food stalls.

How to Travel Around Vietnam

Vietnam is a long country, so transportation should be considered when building your itinerary.

For longer distances, domestic flights can save considerable time.

For shorter journeys, trains, buses, taxis, and private transfers can all be useful depending on your route.

For this 10-day itinerary, flying between major regions can help you spend more time exploring rather than sitting in transit.

Within cities, walking, taxis, ride-hailing services, and local transportation are useful options.

Best Time for a Vietnam Trip

Vietnam has different weather patterns across the country, so there isn’t one universal best month.

Northern Vietnam can have cooler winters and hot summers.

Central Vietnam has its own seasonal rainfall patterns.

Southern Vietnam is generally tropical, with distinct wet and drier periods.

If you’re planning a trip covering the entire country, check the weather for each region rather than relying on a single national forecast.

How Much Time Do You Need in Vietnam?

A 10-day trip gives you a good introduction, but Vietnam deserves considerably more time if your schedule allows.

With two weeks, you could slow down the itinerary and add destinations such as:

Ninh Binh
Hue
Phong Nha
Sapa
Phu Quoc
Nha Trang

If you have only one week, avoid trying to cover the entire country.

Choose either:

Northern Vietnam: Hanoi + Ha Long Bay + Ninh Binh

Central/Southern Vietnam: Hoi An + Da Nang + Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Don’t underestimate travel times

Vietnam is geographically long, and moving between regions can consume a significant portion of your day.

Carry some cash

Cards are accepted in many hotels and larger businesses, but cash remains useful for smaller restaurants, markets, and local businesses.

Try local coffee

Vietnam has a strong coffee culture. Don’t leave without trying Vietnamese iced coffee or egg coffee.

Respect local customs

Dress appropriately when visiting temples and religious sites.

Leave room for food

Don’t schedule every minute of your trip. Some of Vietnam’s best experiences happen spontaneously while exploring local streets.

Final Thoughts

A 10-day Vietnam itinerary can introduce you to an impressive range of landscapes and cultures.

Start in Hanoi for history, street food, and traditional neighborhoods. Continue to Ha Long Bay for dramatic natural scenery, then head south to Hoi An and Da Nang for architecture, food, beaches, and countryside.

Finish in Ho Chi Minh City, where Vietnam’s modern energy, history, markets, and food scene provide a completely different experience.

You won’t see everything in ten days, but by focusing on a few key destinations, you can experience Vietnam without turning the entire trip into a race between airports and hotels.

10-Day Vietnam Itinerary: The Perfect First Trip to Vietnam