10 DaysPace: BalancedStyle: Classic Route
10 Days in Vietnam: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City
The definitive 10-day north-to-south signature route covering Vietnam’s three regions without rushed overnight buses.
Route Sequence
Hanoi (2N) → Ninh Binh (1N) → Ha Long / Lan Ha Bay (1N) → Hoi An (3N) → Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta (2N)
Day-by-Day Structured Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi & Old Quarter Street Food Walk
Hanoi →MorningArrive at HAN Airport and check into Hoan Kiem.
AfternoonHoan Kiem Lake and Temple of Literature.
EveningOld Quarter street food walk.
Food Suggestion: Bun Cha & Egg Coffee
Transport & Daily Cost: HAN Airport Transfer ($75 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Hoa Lo Prison & Egg Coffee Workshop
Day 2: Hanoi Heritage Quarter & West Lake
Hanoi →MorningBa Dinh Square and Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
AfternoonVietnam Museum of Ethnology.
EveningWater Puppet Theatre & Cha Ca dinner.
Food Suggestion: Cha Ca Thang Long
Transport & Daily Cost: Local taxi ($75 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: National Fine Arts Museum
Day 3: Ninh Binh Trang An Caves & Hang Mua Peak
Ninh Binh →Morning90-minute drive to Ninh Binh for Trang An sampan boat ride.
AfternoonCycle Tam Coc to Bich Dong and climb Hang Mua.
EveningOvernight in Tam Coc.
Food Suggestion: Com Chay & Mountain Goat
Transport & Daily Cost: Limousine (1.75 hrs) ($85 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital temples
Day 4: Lan Ha & Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Ha Long Bay →MorningDirect morning transfer from Ninh Binh to board your bay cruise.
AfternoonKayak sheltered karst lagoons.
EveningSunset sundeck & seafood dinner.
Food Suggestion: Fresh Gulf seafood onboard
Transport & Daily Cost: Direct Van (3.5 hrs) ($185 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Onboard cooking class
Day 5: Morning Bay Cruise & Flight to Hoi An
Hoi An →MorningDawn tai chi and cave visit onboard before returning to HAN Airport.
AfternoonFly 1h 20m from Hanoi (HAN) to Da Nang (DAD) and transfer 45 mins to Hoi An.
EveningLantern-lit stroll along the Thu Bon River.
Food Suggestion: Cao Lau & White Rose Dumplings
Transport & Daily Cost: Flight HAN → DAD + 45m car ($145 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Hoi An covered assembly halls
Day 6: Hoi An Ancient Town, Tailoring & Tra Que Herb Cycling
Hoi An →MorningWalking tour of the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, and Fujian Assembly Hall.
AfternoonCycle through Tra Que Herb Village to An Bang Beach.
EveningHoai River lantern boat ride.
Food Suggestion: Mi Quang & Banh Mi Phuong
Transport & Daily Cost: Bicycle ($75 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Market cooking class & lantern workshop
Day 7: Free Day in Hoi An: Ba Na Hills, My Son or An Bang Beach
Hoi An →MorningMorning trip to My Son Cham Sanctuary or Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills.
AfternoonFinal tailoring fitting and beach relaxation.
EveningCourtyard dining in Minh An.
Food Suggestion: Com Ga Hoi An
Transport & Daily Cost: Private car ($85 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum
Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) & District 1 Landmarks
Ho Chi Minh City →MorningFly 1h 25m from Da Nang (DAD) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
AfternoonTour the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, and Central Post Office.
EveningSaigon back-alley food walk or rooftop cocktail bar.
Food Suggestion: Com Tam Suon Nuong & Banh Xeo
Transport & Daily Cost: Flight DAD → SGN ($135 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: AO Show at Saigon Opera House
Day 9: Ben Tre Mekong Delta Coconut Canals or Cu Chi Tunnels
Mekong Delta →MorningDrive 90 minutes to Ben Tre to cruise the Mekong River and paddle narrow nipa-palm canals.
AfternoonCycle island fruit orchards and return to Saigon by late afternoon.
EveningFarewell seafood dinner on Vinh Khanh Street.
Food Suggestion: Elephant-Ear Fish & Hu Tieu My Tho
Transport & Daily Cost: Private car (1.5 hrs each way) ($95 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Covered river cruiser & coconut workshop
Day 10: Morning Coffee in Saigon & International Departure
Ho Chi Minh City →MorningEnjoy Ca Phe Sua Da at a specialty District 1 roastery and browse Ben Thanh Market.
AfternoonTransfer 30 minutes to Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) for departure.
EveningHomeward bound.
Food Suggestion: Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Transport & Daily Cost: SGN Airport Transfer (30 mins) ($55 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Takashimaya & Museum of Ho Chi Minh City