I must say that choosing Vietnam as your next travel destination is an excellent choice. It is a country with stunning natural beauty, a rich and complex history, and a culinary scene that will leave you wanting more. If you are visiting Vietnam for the first time but have a 10-day itinerary to plan, it can certainly be overwhelming.
Fortunately, we have extensive knowledge of Vietnam tourism and have compiled a Vietnam travel itinerary for you based on different departure points. We focus on Vietnam’s most popular cities without making you feel rushed. So, grab this itinerary, pack your bags, and get ready to go!
Table of Contents
Tips for Visiting Vietnam for the First Time
Where to Go in Vietnam for First Timers
Vietnam Travel Itinerary 10 Days: Starting from Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam Travel Itinerary 10 Days: Starting from Hanoi
Is It Safe to Go to Vietnam Right Now
Getting Around in Vietnam
Tips for Visiting Vietnam for the First Time
To make your travel preparations go more smoothly, here are some tips you need to know.
Best Months to Visit Vietnam
There is a significant difference in the weather between northern and southern Vietnam. This means you can visit all year round, but the best time to visit depends on the region you plan to visit.
- Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sa Pa): The best time to visit is from October to April, when the weather is cool and dry. From May to September, the weather becomes very hot and humid, with heavy rainfall.
- Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue): The ideal time to visit is from February to August, when the weather is hot and sunny with little rainfall. September to January is the rainy season, which can bring typhoons and floods.
- Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta): The dry season runs from December to April, making it the best time to visit. During the rainy season from May to November, afternoon showers are common but typically brief.
For a 10-day trip to Vietnam, you will need to travel across the north and south, so the best time to visit is usually between February and April. During these months, the weather in all three regions of Vietnam is pleasant.
How Many Days Are Enough for Vietnam
For most travelers, especially first-time visitors, 10 days is a long time. 10 days in Vietnam allows you to get a deep understanding of the country’s highlights without feeling rushed. You will explore cities, experience natural beauty, and sample delicious food. However, even with only 5 days, it is enough to thoroughly explore a city and take a day trip to the surrounding area.
Where to Go in Vietnam for First Timers
For a first-time trip, it’s best to stick to the most popular and accessible Vietnam travel places. The classic north-to-south or south-to-north route is perfect because it covers all the major highlights.
Some of the most suitable places for first-time visitors are: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hoi An, Haiphong, and Nha Trang. Some of them are bustling cities, while others have a vacation vibe.
Now, let’s look at two different Vietnam travel itinerary 10 days options, one starting from the south and one from the north.
Vietnam Travel Itinerary 10 Days: Starting from Ho Chi Minh City
This route will take you from south to north, covering Vietnam’s two major cities and famous resorts, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the country.
General itinerary: Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights) – Mui Ne (2 nights) – Da Nang (2 nights) – Hanoi (2 nights)
Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
On your first day in Ho Chi Minh City, you will immediately notice the huge number of motorcycles on the roads. Start by exploring District 1 in the city center to familiarize yourself with the city. Then head to Tao Dan Park, which features gardens and Buddhist temples. In the evening, enjoy dinner along the Song Sai Gon River and sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
🏨Where to Stay: It is best to stay in the District 1. It is the center of all major attractions and offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hotels to luxury hotels.
Day 2: Understanding History and Culture
Today’s tour focuses on historical sites, starting with the War Remnants Museum to learn about the country’s history. Next, a short 10-minute walk takes you to Independence Palace, a symbol of the end of the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, walk to the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the Saigon Central Post Office, both of which showcase French colonial architecture.
If you have time, Ben Thanh Market is a great place to sample local snacks and buy souvenirs.
Day 3: Day Trip to the Mekong Delta
Take a day trip to the Mekong Delta, a network of rivers and canals. You will see locals living and working on the water, visit floating markets, and experience rural lifestyles. Many tours include boat trips through small canals, visits to local fruit farms, and traditional lunches. This is a great way to experience another side of southern Vietnam. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening for dinner.
Day 4: Travel to Mui Ne
Take a bus to Mui Ne in the morning, which will take about 4 hours. Check into your beach resort and relax by the pool or on the beach. Mui Ne is famous for windsurfing and kitesurfing, so you can try a variety of water activities. For dinner, you can eat at the resort or head to the town center to find street food stalls.
🏨Where to Stay: Stay at a resort along the main beach strip. This allows easy access to the beach and is where most restaurants and bars are located.
Day 5: Enjoy a Leisurely Time in Mui Ne
Mui Ne also boasts unique natural landscapes, particularly Fairy Stream, a winding red and white sand path that takes you through a gorge. You can also take a four-wheel drive vehicle across the sand dunes or rent a plastic sled to slide down the dunes. This will be a very enjoyable day. Later in the evening, you can return to the beach to enjoy a cocktail while feeling the sea breeze.
Day 6: Travel to Da Nang
Take the early morning bus back to Ho Chi Minh City, then catch a domestic flight from there to Da Nang (DAD). The flight time is approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take a taxi or Grab to the famous My Khe Beach. Da Nang is a city of bridges, so if you arrive on the weekend, you can enjoy the fire-breathing and water-spouting Dragon Bridge at night.
For dinner, I recommend choosing a restaurant by the sea that offers beautiful views.
🏨Where to Stay: Stay near My Khe Beach for easy access to the sea and a relaxed atmosphere, or stay in the city center for proximity to attractions and the airport.
Day 7: Explore the city
Today, you can continue to relax on the beach or head to Ban Co Peak, where the viewpoint offers views of Da Nang City and the sea. Finally, visit Con Market, a bustling outdoor market offering delicious food and a variety of goods.
Day 8: Head to Hanoi
Take a morning flight from Da Nang to Hanoi. After checking into your hotel, head to the Old Quarter to experience the city, which is a maze of narrow streets and bustling markets. Find a seat on a small plastic stool and enjoy a refreshing glass of bia hơi, the draft beer, with the locals.
🏨Where to Stay: We recommend staying in the Old Quarter, which has many restaurants and shops and is close to popular attractions, making it more convenient to get around.
Day 9: Landmarks in Hanoi
This day is mainly devoted to exploring Hanoi’s iconic landmarks. Start with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Quan Thanh Temple. Visit Hoa Lo Prison, now a museum, to gain a deeper understanding of the city’s past. For lunch, try chả cá, a local turmeric fish dish. In the afternoon, head to Phủ Tây Hồ to enjoy the scenery of Ho Tay Lake. In the evening, watch a traditional water puppet show near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Day 10: Departure
On your last day, enjoy a Vietnamese breakfast, then head to Hàng Da Market to buy some local handicrafts as souvenirs. Head to Noi Bai International Airport to catch your flight home. At the airport duty-free shop, you can also buy some local coffee, such as Mr. Viet and Legend brands.
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Vietnam Travel Itinerary 10 Days: Starting from Hanoi
The itinerary will start from the north and include different cities along the route. You can choose according to your preferences and circumstances.
General itinerary: Hanoi (3 nights) – Haiphong (1 night) – Nha Trang (3 nights) – Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights)
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
After checking into your hotel and dropping off your luggage, head to your first destination, Dong Xuan Market, the largest and oldest indoor market in Hanoi, offering a wide variety of goods. Next, visit Ngoc Son Temple on Hoàn Kiếm Lake to enjoy the lake view. For dinner, choose a restaurant along the Red River for a better atmosphere and beautiful river view.
🏨Where to Stay: In addition to the Old Quarter, you can also stay near Hoàn Kiếm Lake, where there are many bus stops for convenient travel.
Day 2: Hanoi’s Best Sights
The next day, we visited St. Joseph Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic church. Afterward, we visited the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, an 11th-century ancient building with unique carvings and architectural art. Then we visited Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple, which are must-see attractions in Hanoi.
You can also choose to take a double-decker bus tour, which lasts about an hour.
Day 3: Tour the Old Quarter
It’s time to slow down and take a walk along the streets of the old quarter, or rent a tricycle to explore the area. The old quarter also has many cafes where you can try the unique charm of Vietnamese coffee. After that, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built on an island. In the evening, head to Hanoi Train Street, where narrow streets are lined with train tracks and various restaurants and hotels on either side. Here, you can wait for the trains to rush past you.
Day 4: Travel to Haiphong
Haiphong is Vietnam’s third-largest city, and you can reach it in two hours by bus from Hanoi. Visit Du Hang Pagoda, Haiphong’s oldest temple, and try the famous local dish Banh da cua for lunch. In the afternoon, take a boat to Cat Ba Island, where you can snorkel in the emerald green bay.
🏨Where to Stay: We recommend staying in the city center, where there are many restaurants and it is convenient for sightseeing.
Day 5: Travel to Nha Trang
Before departure, you can visit the Hang Kenh Communal House, which features hundreds of dragon carvings inside and is quite unique. Afterward, head to the airport to fly to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, go to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax on the beach or explore the streets near the hotel. Or visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, an ancient temple complex dedicated to the goddess of the country.
🏨Where to Stay: Stay at a hotel near Nha Trang Beach, the city’s main stretch of sand.
Day 6: Enjoy the Beaches and Islands
Nha Trang is a beautiful coastal city with miles of sandy beaches and several islands. Take a boat tour to explore some of the nearby islands, where you can swim, snorkel, and relax. Popular destinations typically include Mong Island and Mot Island. You can spend a wonderful day on these islands.
Day 7: Relax in Nha Trang
Relax in Nha Trang at your own pace, stroll along the beach to Tram Huong Tower, a landmark building with a distinctive lotus-shaped exterior. Alternatively, unwind on the beach, go swimming or surfing, or enjoy a traditional Vietnamese massage. Don’t forget to sample Nha Trang’s seafood, which is exceptionally fresh and delicious.
Day 8: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Take an early flight from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City. After checking into your hotel, head out to experience the modern vibrancy of the city. Visit Ben Thanh Market to shop and enjoy snacks. In the evening, head to the bustling Bui Vien Street to experience the city’s nightlife.
Or purchase tickets at the opera house front to join a night tour bus that will take you to see the city’s night view.
🏨Where to Stay: The first district is our most recommended accommodation area, with more choices near Pham Ngu Lao Street and many delicious foods.
Day 9: Major Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
The first stop is the Saigon Central Post Office, a century-old building with beautiful arched ceilings and shops inside. Across the street is Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon. A five-minute walk away is Independence Palace, a historic building from the Vietnam War era, where you can visit the former war room. There are many restaurants in this area, so enjoy your lunch before continuing on with our sightseeing tour.
Tân Định Catholic Church stands out with its bright pink exterior walls among the surrounding buildings. In the evening, head to Bến Bạch Đằng, where you can take a cruise to admire the city’s night views, often including a buffet dinner.
Day 10: Departure
After enjoying breakfast, there are many souvenir shops in District 1 where you can shop. Alternatively, visit Saigon Skydeck to enjoy a panoramic view of the city from above, then head to the airport to conclude your Ho Chi Minh City itinerary. At Ho Chi Minh Airport, you can purchase some Vietnamese coffee and cashews. (check if your country’s customs allow it)
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Is It Safe to Go to Vietnam Right Now
Overall, Vietnam is a safe destination. The rate of violent crime against foreigners is very low. However, as with any popular tourist destination, petty theft such as pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur, especially in crowded areas. Keep a close eye on your belongings, especially in large cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
So, please
- Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or carrying large amounts of cash.
- Be wary of credit card and ATM scams, and try to use credit cards with lower limits.
- Be careful when drinking alcohol, and avoid purchasing alcohol from street vendors.
- Be careful of traffic. Crossing the street in major Vietnamese cities feels like a sport. There is a huge amount of motorcycle traffic, so watch your back.
- Use reputable services. When taking a taxi, use well-known companies such as Mai Linh or Vinasun, or use ride-hailing apps such as Grab.
Getting Around in Vietnam
Transportation in Vietnam is easier than you might think. Here are some modes of transportation you may use during your trip:
- Flights: For cross-country travel in Vietnam, domestic flights are the fastest and most convenient option. Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways offer affordable fares between major cities.
- Trains: The “Reunification Express” train line runs the length of the country. It’s a slower, more scenic option, especially for overnight journeys.
- Taxis: For reliable and affordable transportation within the city, use ride-hailing apps such as Grab.
- Walking: Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are both very walkable cities with attractions concentrated in one area. Be careful when crossing the street!
- Bus: Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have well-developed bus systems. Tickets can be purchased on board, but most buses do not announce stops in English, so it is advisable to check the route in advance.
FAQ
How much is a 10-day trip to Vietnam?
The cost of a 10-day trip to Vietnam can vary greatly, depending on your mode of travel and the cities you plan to visit.
If you are on a budget trip, accommodation may cost around $20 per night, while food may cost around $10 per day, plus transportation and activity expenses. The total cost may be around $500–700. For mid-range travelers, accommodation may cost around $60 per night, food may cost around $25 per day, and the total cost may be around $1,200. For luxury travelers, accommodation might cost $100 per night, food might cost $40 per day, and the total cost might be around $2,500. These figures do not include airfare.
Is it cheaper to go to Thailand or Vietnam?
Generally speaking, Vietnam is considered slightly cheaper than Thailand, especially when it comes to food and accommodation. Street food in Vietnam often costs just a dollar or two, and even mid-range restaurants are reasonably priced.
What is the nicest part of Vietnam to visit?
It depends on what you want to see. If you want to see natural beauty, Ha Long Bay has beautiful bays and unique rocks, and plants. In terms of history and culture, Hanoi and Hoi An are generally considered the most charming and atmospheric places. If you prefer a modern city style and a historical fusion destination, choose Ho Chi Minh City. And if you like beaches and relaxation, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Island offer charming coastlines.
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