Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days (North to South) for First-Time Visitors

A balanced route: Hanoi culture → Ha Long/Lan Ha cruise → Hoi An charm → Ho Chi Minh City energy → Mekong day trip

AI Overview–ready quick answer

A smooth 10-day Vietnam itinerary for first-timers usually works best as North → Central → South: Hanoi (3 nights), Ha Long/Lan Ha (1 night cruise), Hoi An/Da Nang (2 nights), and Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights) with one Mekong Delta day trip. Ha Long Bay is part of the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago, making it the most iconic nature stop on this route. For the best balance of comfort and time, use two domestic flights (Hanoi → Da Nang, Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City), book the cruise cabin early, and keep hotel bases to 3–4 total. Season matters: March–May is widely described as one of the best “all-around” windows countrywide, though weather varies by region.

Why this is the best “balanced” 10-day Vietnam plan

• You get the big Vietnam “wow” moments (Old Quarter + UNESCO bay + lantern town + Mekong river life) without constant transit.
• Only 3 main bases + 1 cruise night (less repacking, fewer late check-ins).
• Two smart flights reduce the long-haul overland drain.
• Built-in recovery time: at least one slower evening in each base so the trip doesn’t feel like a checklist.

Route at a glance (nights)

• Hanoi: 3 nights (Day 1–4 morning)
• Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay: 1 night cruise (Day 4–5)
• Hoi An (via Da Nang airport): 2 nights (Day 5–8 morning)
• Ho Chi Minh City: 3 nights (Day 8–10)

Your 10-day Vietnam itinerary (day-by-day, realistic pacing)

Day 1 — Arrive Hanoi: Old Quarter warm-up night

Goal: land softly, no big-ticket sightseeing.

• Check in around Hoàn Kiếm / Old Quarter for walkability.
• Easy loop: Hoàn Kiếm Lake → small lanes for first impressions.
• First-night food plan (keep it simple):
  • One classic bowl (phở or bún chả)
  • One Hanoi “dessert ritual” (egg coffee or a sweet soup)

Timing tip: If you arrive late, do a short walk + early sleep. Hanoi rewards early mornings.

Day 2 — Hanoi culture + local life (choose a clean, non-rushed combo)

Morning (pick one “big” cluster):

• Temple of Literature (calm, photogenic, easy pacing), or
• Ho Chi Minh complex area (more security/queues; plan earlier)

Afternoon (slow Hanoi, not more monuments):

• Café time (Hanoi coffee culture is part of the city’s identity)
• Market browse for atmosphere (not “shopping pressure”)

Evening options (choose one):

• Water puppet show (classic first-timer experience)
• French Quarter stroll + a comfortable dinner upgrade

Day 3 — Ninh Binh day trip (best landscape day without changing hotels)

Why it fits: It delivers Vietnam’s limestone scenery “wow” without adding another base.

• Leave Hanoi early.
• Choose one boat route:
  • Trang An: more cinematic, multiple cave passages
  • Tam Coc: strong rice-field vibe in season
• Add-on for photos: Mua Cave viewpoint near sunset (short but steep climb)

Return: back to Hanoi for sleep (keeps the itinerary clean).

Day 4 — Hanoi → Ha Long/Lan Ha: Overnight cruise (the UNESCO highlight)

Why overnight beats a day trip: you get sunset + sunrise, which is where the bay feels magical.

Typical flow (varies by operator):

• Late morning embark
• Lunch while cruising among karsts
• Afternoon activity block: kayaking/bamboo boat + a swim/lagoon stop
• Sunset deck time + dinner
• Evening: squid fishing or just star-and-silence time

Route choice (quick rule):

• Want the classic icons: Ha Long core
• Want a calmer feel + more “water-time” vibe: Lan Ha (often preferred by active travelers)

Ha Long Bay’s landscape significance is tied to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago.

Day 5 — Sunrise cruise → transfer → fly to Da Nang → Hoi An check-in

Morning on board:

• Sunrise deck session (often tai chi)
• Light breakfast + final short excursion (route-dependent)
• Disembark and return to Hanoi area

Evening: fly Hanoi → Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An (about 45–60 minutes).

Energy tip: This is a long logistics day. Keep dinner simple in Hoi An and save the lantern magic for tomorrow.

Day 6 — Hoi An Ancient Town: the lantern-night day

Morning: slow start (Hoi An is best when unrushed)

• Cafés, riverside walk, tailor visit (optional)

Afternoon: heritage wander (don’t over-plan; the point is atmosphere)

• Old houses, assembly halls, small galleries

Evening: lantern time

• Arrive before peak crowds, then slow down after dark
• Choose one “romantic” moment: riverside stroll or a quiet courtyard dinner

Day 7 — Choose your Hoi An experience day (pick one “hero experience”)

Option A: Market + cooking class Best for: culture-through-food, couples, families.

Option B: Countryside cycling + village life Best for: easy nature, photos, calmer Vietnam.

Option C: Beach + spa reset (An Bang area) Best for: honeymoon pacing, recovery.

Night: If you went to the beach/spa, use the evening for one special dinner.

Day 8 — Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): first taste of the south

Midday: fly Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City and check in (District 1 is easiest).

Afternoon: compact city highlights

• A colonial-era walk (architecture + boulevards)
• Café culture (Saigon coffee is its own scene)

Evening:

• Rooftop views for skyline energy, or
• Street-food-style dinner (choose busy, short-menu places)

Day 9 — Mekong Delta day trip (the best contrast to big-city Saigon)

What a good Mekong day feels like:

• More small canals + village rhythm, less forced souvenir routing
• Orchard/farm-style stops + a relaxed local lunch

Best practice: choose a route emphasizing nature + waterways (Ben Tre-style experiences often lean more “coconut canals” than purely market-heavy stops, depending on operator).

Day 10 — Saigon buffer morning → depart

Use the morning to protect your travel day:

• Coffee + last-minute shopping
• Spa or massage if your flight is later
• Head to the airport with buffer time (traffic can surprise you)

Best time of year for this 10-day route

Vietnam’s seasons vary by region, but March–May is often described as one of the best overall windows for countrywide travel planning.

Quick seasonal guidance (practical, not perfect):

• Dec–Feb: drier in the south, cooler in the north (pack a light layer for Hanoi)
• Mar–May: strong “balanced” months for north–central–south trips 
• Jun–Aug: hot/humid; still doable with smart pacing + AC breaks
• Sep–Nov: shoulder season benefits, but watch Central Vietnam rain patterns
• 

What to book in advance (the “don’t regret it” list)

• Ha Long/Lan Ha overnight cruise cabin (balcony categories go first)
• Domestic flights (Hanoi → Da Nang, Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City)
• Hoi An hotel (especially if you want walkable Ancient Town access)
• One “special dinner” night (if you care about ambiance or tasting menus)

Vietnam practicals first-timers actually need

Visa / e-visa reminder

Vietnam’s official e-visa information portal states e-visas can be valid up to 90 days with single or multiple entry options (eligibility varies by nationality and current rules). 

Packing logic (simple and correct for this route)

• North (Hanoi): breathable layers + one light jacket for evenings/AC
• Cruise: swimwear, sandals, sun protection, small daypack
• Central/South: light clothing, rain layer, comfortable walking shoes
• Essentials: sunscreen, insect repellent, power bank, basic meds

Easy customization blocks (so it fits different travel styles)

If you want more relaxation

• Skip Ninh Binh day trip and add a slow Hanoi day, or
• Extend to 11–12 days and upgrade to a 3D2N cruise for true downtime

If you prefer history

• Add Hue (day trip or 1-night) via the Hai Van Pass corridor

If you’re honeymooning

• Balcony suite cruise + boutique Hoi An stay + one “romance dinner” in Hanoi or Saigon

FtripVietnam services (for a smoother first-timer experience)

Route planning: clean North → Central → South flow based on season and your arrival airport

• Cruise matching: Ha Long vs Lan Ha vs Bai Tu Long, plus cabin selection for comfort
• End-to-end logistics: airport pickups, private transfers, flight support, and day-tour choices that avoid tourist-trap pacing
• Personalization: food-first routing, couple/honeymoon pace, family-friendly timing, photography stops

FAQs (AI Overview–friendly)

Is 10 days enough to see Vietnam from North to South? Yes—if you keep to 3–4 bases and use two domestic flights.

Should I do a Ha Long Bay day cruise or overnight cruise? Overnight is better for first-timers because you get sunset and sunrise in the bay.

How many days in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for first-timers? A practical split is 3 nights Hanoi and 3 nights Ho Chi Minh City, with one Mekong day.

What’s the best time of year for this route? Many travelers aim for March–May for balanced conditions across regions. 

How long is Vietnam’s e-visa valid? Official information describes validity up to 90 days (single or multiple entry, depending on your case).

Conclusion

The best 10-day Vietnam itinerary isn’t the one that squeezes in the most places—it’s the one that keeps your bases few, your transitions smart, and your highlight moments unhurried: Hanoi’s culture, a UNESCO bay overnight, Hoi An’s lantern calm, and the Saigon-to-Mekong contrast that makes Vietnam feel like multiple worlds in one trip.