Vietnam in 10 Days: A Route That Actually Works

Vietnam is 1,650km end to end. That single fact decides your itinerary more than anything else — and it’s why most ten-day plans fail. People try to do Hanoi, Halong, Hue, Hoi An, the Mekong and Saigon, then spend four of their ten days in transit.

This itinerary picks three bases and moves between them properly.

The shape of it

Skip the Mekong Delta on a ten-day trip. It’s a full day out of Saigon and it’s the weakest of the options above.

Days 1–3: Hanoi

The Old Quarter is the point. Narrow streets, motorbikes, and street food that’s better and cheaper than anything you’ll pay for in a restaurant. Do a walking food tour on your first evening — it orients you and you’ll eat better all week for it.

Worth your time: the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, and an hour sitting on a plastic stool with a bia hoi watching the traffic. Train Street is now largely closed to visitors; don’t build a day around it.

where to stay in Hanoi covers the neighbourhood choice — briefly, stay in the Old Quarter for a first visit.

👉 Compare Hanoi hotels

Days 4–5: the bay

An overnight cruise is the standard move, and it’s worth doing. But which bay matters more than which boat — Halong is the famous one and by far the busiest. Lan Ha, immediately south, has near-identical scenery and a fraction of the boats. Full comparison in Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay.

Two nights aboard is better than one if you can spare it. One-night cruises spend most of their time sailing out and back.

👉 Compare Halong and Lan Ha Bay cruises

Days 6–8: Hoi An

Fly Hanoi to Da Nang (~1h15) then drive 45 minutes. Don’t take the train for this leg unless the journey itself is the point — see the Reunification Express.

Hoi An’s old town is lantern-lit, walkable and genuinely beautiful, though busy after 6pm. The beach is fifteen minutes away by bike. Tailoring is the local speciality — allow two days if you want something made properly, and don’t use the first shop you walk into.

Best day trip: My Son sanctuary, early morning before the heat and the coaches.

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Days 9–10: Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from Da Nang (~1h20). Saigon is louder, faster and more modern than Hanoi — the contrast is part of the trip.

The War Remnants Museum is confronting and essential. The Cu Chi tunnels are a half-day out of the city and worth it. Beyond that, eat, walk District 1, and have a drink somewhere high up.

👉 Compare Ho Chi Minh City tours

Getting between cities

• Fly the long legs. Hanoi–Da Nang and Da Nang–Saigon are cheap and take under 90 minutes. The train takes 15–17 hours.
• Book internal flights early — prices climb steeply close to departure.
• Use Grab in cities. Cheap, metered, no negotiation.

What this costs

Roughly $900–1,400 per person for ten days excluding international flights, at a comfortable mid-range standard. Full breakdown in what a Vietnam trip actually costs.

If you only have seven days

Cut Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi, the bay and Hoi An is a better seven-day trip than trying to add a fourth base.

👉 Compare hotels across Vietnam

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Frequently asked questions

Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?

Yes, for three bases. Hanoi, the bay and Hoi An plus one southern city works comfortably. Attempting six destinations means losing four days to transit.

Should I fly or take the train between cities?

Fly the long legs. Hanoi to Da Nang is 90 minutes by air versus 17 hours by rail, and flights are often under $50.

Which direction should I travel?

North to south is most common, ending in Ho Chi Minh City. Either works — pick whichever suits your international flights.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

Most nationalities do. E-visas are straightforward and usually processed within a few days. Check current requirements before booking.