10 Days in Vietnam Itinerary: Must See Highlights And Hidden Gems
How To Plan 10 Days In Vietnam Without Stress
You want to visit Vietnam, but you only have 10 days.
And now you’re stuck.
How realistic can I be with my time? What can I actually see? How many places can I pack in without turning this into a stressful blur?
I get it. Vietnam is one of those countries where every single corner has something different to offer. Beaches that look like screensavers. Mountains that feel like another planet. Temples older than most countries. Rice fields so green they don’t look real.
The problem? You want to see it all, but you also want to actually enjoy your trip.
Don’t rush through it like some checklist.
I spent 3.5 months in Vietnam, and honestly, I fell for the country hard. The kind of falling where you start googling visa extensions and figuring out if you can work remotely from a café in Hanoi.
One of my favourite memories was in Ta Van, a tiny village in the northern mountains. I spent an afternoon learning to make spring rolls with local Hmong women, sitting on wooden stools in someone’s kitchen while chickens wandered around outside. It was insane. The kind of moment that doesn’t make it onto Instagram but stays with you forever.
This guide is for solo travellers and couples who want to make the most of 10 days without losing their minds.
You’ll learn exactly which places to prioritise, how to move between them without wasting time, and how to build in enough breathing room to actually experience Vietnam instead of just photographing it.
Read my 2-week Vietnam itinerary, Things To Do In Hanoi and 3 Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary for even more inspiration
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Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon
After you acclimatise to the country, I recommend exploring District One in Ho Chi Minh City.
Why? Well, it’s home to the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, and it’s full of life. When I was there, I sent postcards to friends and family all over the world.
It was a fun experience, and while I didn’t get to enter the cathedral due to construction, I could admire it from the outside.
I made some vlogs about my time in Ho Chi Minh City, so make sure you subscribe to see the visuals and my journey.
I loved exploring the Independence Palace, Bitexco Tower (best seen at night when the city lights up), and the river cruise. The War Remnants Museum is insightful and a must-visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
You can do a Cu Chi Tunnels tour from HCMC, which I absolutely loved, but this will take more time from your day.
Finish the night with a cocktail at one of the city’s amazing rooftop bars, like Social Club Rooftop Bar or Above Bar.
Read My 7 Day Itinerary For Vietnam: How To Plan Your Trip Without Stress
Overnight: HCMC
Where To Stay In Ho Chi Minh City
When I was in Saigon, I stayed at the Na Nue Hotel, which was a great location and affordable. Some other great places include:
Budget
A25 Hotel – 75 Lê Thị Hồng Gấm
Mid Range
Triple E Hotel Metro Ben Thanh
Luxury
Paradise Saigon Boutique Hotel & Spa
La Siesta Premium Saigon Central
Day 2: Mekong Delta – Can Tho
The Mekong Delta is the most beautiful part of Vietnam in many ways.
Think small canals, floating markets and food so fresh you won’t taste anything like it when you return home. When I visited, I did the Mekong River Cai Rang Floating Market tour, which started with a sunrise, a visit to a noodle factory and the small canals.
It was absolutely worth it, and I recommend booking this Cai Rang Market Tour for a similar experience.
Once your tour finishes, explore the riverside area; it’s peaceful and beautiful. It has a small-town vibe, and the people are incredibly friendly and warm.
Check out the Ho Chi Minh Monument right by the river and pick up some souvenirs at the local market in this area.
Pro Tip – I’m not a medical professional, but the Mekong Delta was the only part of Vietnam where I took anti-malarial tablets because the risk is high there. Dengue is also a risk.
Cover your arms when out exploring by the river and small canals.
Have dinner by the river at night for the perfect end to the day.
Overnight: Can Tho
Where To Stay In Can Tho
I stayed at Gitko Homestay, which had the friendliest host, Kate. Other good accommodation includes:
Budget
Mid Range
Luxury
Read My 5 Days In Vietnam Itinerary Guide Now
Day 3: Mekong Delta – Floating Market
You can see Can Tho in a short space of time, and for me, the highlight was the tours.
You can explore Can Tho Prison, go back on the river, or simply spend some time relaxing and strolling through the town. Maybe a foot massage or spa treatment is needed?
You can find some nice public spaces at Ninh Kieu Wharf. It’s close to the Ho Chi Minh statue, and it’s very peaceful, but be prepared for locals to approach you and try to sell tours.
Check out Can Tho Night Market for more food and souvenirs in case you missed anything.
Overnight: Can Tho
Day 4: Can Tho To Hanoi
After flying into Hanoi and getting from the airport to the city centre, you can book a private taxi to your hotel.
The best things to do in Hanoi include exploring the Old Quarter and trying some of the tasty local food. There are numerous rooftop bars in Hanoi where you can enjoy a cocktail, and plenty of great places to sample the famous egg coffee.
I’ve written another dedicated post about where to stay in Hanoi and also answered the question: Is Hanoi worth visiting?
The highlights included the Vietnam National Museum of Ethnology, B-52 Victory Museum, and Hỏa Lò Prison, which had previously housed a certain John McCain for five years.
For dinner, you’re spoiled for choice. I made a whole post dedicated to the best restaurants in Hanoi, but I’d go for the bun cha at Bun Cha Dac Kim – a Michelin restaurant. Book this Michelin Guide Street Food Walking Tour, a fun nighttime experience that’s popular with visitors to Hanoi.
Hanoi even has loads of things to do at night, so don’t forget to explore late at night.
Overnight: Hanoi
Where To Stay In Hanoi
When I visited Hanoi, I found Old Town Palace Guest House to be well-located and really reasonable. Other places to consider include:
Budget
Mid Range
Silk Hanoi Moment Hotel & Spa – Hanoi Old Quarter
Luxury
Day 5: Hanoi To Sapa
Getting to Sapa from Hanoi is straightforward.
When I made this trip, I took the overnight train from Ga Ha Noi to Lao Chai overnight, and you can book your tickets online well in advance to ensure you get the date and time you want.
It’s comfortable enough, but don’t expect luxury. When I did the trip, I chatted with people in my cabin from all over the world. You can choose a 4-bed or 6-bed cabin.
One staff member tried to sell me a “higher-end cabin” on the way back to Hanoi on the same train, which felt like an easy money grab, so be aware of that.
From Lao Cai, you can get a minivan for the last leg to Sapa. My driver wanted an extra 100,000 Vietnamese dong to bring me to my hotel, which wasn’t agreed upon when I bought my ticket.
This sort of thing happened a few times in Vietnam, but there are so many good things to do in Sapa that you quickly forget about these things.
Pro tip – don’t miss Sapa Heaven Gate!
It amounted to almost $4, so I just paid it because I was exhausted after travelling.
Once in Sapa, I recommend seeing Sapa Square, Sun Plaza Station, Sapa Culture Museum, or Sapa Lake. If you’ll travel later in the year, find out how to navigate Sapa in winter.
Many people like to visit Fansipan by cable car.
Dinner at India Gate by the lake was really good.
Overnight: Sapa
Where To Stay In Sapa
I made a full post about where to stay in Sapa.
I stayed at Cat Cat Garden House, close to Sapa Town and Cat Cat Village, which had amazing rice terrace views. The rooms were sizeable too, and I would easily recommend it. Here are more options:
Budget
Lung Chung Doi Sapa – Homestay & Coffee Garden
Mid Range
Luxury
Day 6: Sapa Trekking
In Sapa, the mountains are big and beautiful.
I recommend doing this tour, which includes visiting the famous Ta Van Village, Lao Chai, and experiencing the Hmong locals in the mountains.
The views are stunning throughout this tour, and I stayed overnight in a bungalow/homestay overlooking the rice terraces. It was one of the most special experiences I had in Vietnam during my three and a half months there. I even picked up an authentic pillowcase from a young Hmong lady, which I now have framed on the wall!
Read my guide all about the best homestays in Sapa!
We learnt how to make authentic spring rolls in the evening, too. Sapa blew me away in the best way with places like Heaven Gate, Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall.
If you choose the tour, you’ll stay in the homestay. If not, you can return to Sapa town or the surrounding area for some delicious food.
I enjoyed eating at Horizon Coffee, which had amazing views over the rice terraces.
Don’t miss out on Moana Sapa if you have time!
Overnight: Sapa
Day 7: Sapa To Hanoi And Flight To Da Nang
After returning to Hanoi, you’ll need to fly out to Da Nang, the beautiful beachside town that looks a lot like Miami or Australia’s Gold Coast, just an hour and a half from the capital.
After landing in Da Nang, it’s best to have a prearranged taxi waiting, so you’re sure of the price and don’t have to think after a morning of travelling.
You can prebook a taxi here or below.
Once you get to the hotel, I recommend taking a stroll around the ancient town. It’s very busy at this time of year, with loads of restaurants to try.
I recommend eating at Tuan Restaurant & Cafe for some amazing Tilapia.
Overnight: Hoi An
Where To Stay In Hoi An
I stayed at May Boutique Villa and loved the room and the pool. It was right on the outskirts of the town but felt peaceful. Some other options to consider include:
Budget
Mid Range
Luxury
Day 8: Hoi An
Hoi An was a surprisingly enjoyable part of my trip to Vietnam.
I heard some people got bored here, but I loved its calm vibe, the lanterns, and the boat experience at night.
The best things to see are the ancient town with its souvenir shops, coffee shops, and museums. I particularly enjoyed the Hoi An Market and Rehahn Gallery.
I recommend taking a Grab (like Uber but using a motorbike or car) to An Bang Beach.
Every time I visited, the beach was busy, but there were free sunbeds further east along the beach where you can sit down and relax with a cocktail, swim, or explore the abandoned castle on the beach.
It was so eerie to see.
In the evening, I loved the boat experience.
Light a lantern and release it on the river for a spiritual moment. The town lights up at night, and when I flew my drone overhead, it showed beautiful colours and movement on the water.
I recommend eating at Pause And Enjoy Restaurant, which has sautéed chicken and cashew nuts with rice and vegetables.
Overnight: Hoi An
Day 9: Hoi An To Da Nang
When I visited Hoi An, my favourite thing was doing a day trip to My Son.
I recommend booking this exact tour because it takes you to the temple from your hotel, and on the way back, you take a boat ride along the river, so you see a peaceful side of Hoi An’s nature.
My Son dates back to the 4th century, and there are lots of ruins that make sense when you visit. The red brick stands out, and our guide was so good, giving us a history lesson and explanation of what we were looking at.
I wasn’t allowed to fly my drone here. My guide asked the security officer, sadly, so no aerial images this time.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and takes about an hour to get there in a minivan.
Make your way back to Da Nang, which takes about an hour by car. Spend the day at the beach or visit the incredible Son Tra Peninsula, which has amazing beaches and views of Da Nang.
Once you’re back in the city centre, I recommend eating at Hae Won Gok before getting a good night’s sleep before leaving the following day, or you can go crazy and party the night away.
Your choice
Overnight: Da Nang
Where To Stay In Da Nang
I recommend staying at three star The Pergola Design Hotel, it’s really close to the beach, and I loved the beds and breakfast. Other good options include:
Budget
Son Tra Green Hotel & Apartment
Dreamy Sky – Airport View Boutique Hotel
Mid Range
Kim House Boutique Hotel Da Nang
Luxury
Day 10: Departure From Da Nang
Sadly, the time has come to end your 10 days in Vietnam, and there’s no better place to finish than in Da Nang.
I recommend eating at Mikado Sushi Indochina Riverside Da Nang, then grabbing coffee or coconut at Firgun Corner Coffee or Brio Mart & Coffee.
Depending on what time you fly, you could have a tasty breakfast or visit An Long Temple, a small but beautiful temple. Combine it with a visit to Da Nang Fresco Village or Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture.
These three places are close together and can be seen when you’re short on time.
The last thing I do before leaving a beach location is say goodbye with a walk along the soft sand, watching people fly in paragliders and locals having competitions on My Khe Beach.
Is Vietnam Worth Visiting?
After spending over three months in Vietnam, I can say without doubt it’s worth visiting.
The food, language, landscape, and sheer variety of things to do led me to fall in love with Vietnam. Hanoi is different to the south’s Ho Chi Minh City.
Ha Long Bay (this tour was incredible because of the guide and the karaoke the night we stayed on the boat) is as good as they say. Worth the hype.
Then you have Cat Ba Island (Lan Ha Bay was epic and just as good as Ha Long Bay, but with fewer crowds), Sapa, and Tam Coc, underrated spots that show exactly why Vietnam has the reputation it does.
I did so many incredible tours from Hanoi, including Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, trekking in Sapa, as well as numerous boat tours in Tam Coc. Truly magical and worth every penny.
All of these make Vietnam worth visiting for as long as you can!
Read My 1 Day In Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary To Plan Your Trip
How Long Should You Spend In Vietnam?
I recommend spending at least ten days in Vietnam to experience the best bits, feel the culture, do some amazing tours, and take it all in.
It’s not easy to do on such a fast-paced itinerary like the one outlined above, but I promise you’ll come back with some epic memories and stories from moving through Vietnam.
Not everyone can stay three and a half months, so I’ve learnt a lot about travel in Vietnam, and I want to help you plan an amazing 10-day itinerary.
Visiting Hanoi? Find Out Where To Stay And Where To Avoid With My Full Guide
How Much Does It Cost For 10 Days In Vietnam?
When I visited Vietnam, the cost was so affordable.
It’s one of Asia’s cheapest countries. You could spend anywhere between $800 to $1,300 and get away with it. My first ten days came to somewhere in the region of $450, but I stayed the first three weeks in Hanoi, so while it doesn’t reflect a 10-day trip through the country, it gives you some idea of costs.
That included hotel, foot massage every second day, mid-range places to eat, coffee, ice creams, and the odd cocktail in the sky bars.
With additional expenses like trains, sleeper buses, taxis, and minivans, you can expect this to be somewhat higher for your 10-day trip through Vietnam, especially if travelling as a couple or family.
Discover Hanoi’s Train Street With My In-Depth Review
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Ten days in Vietnam can be an amazing, life-changing trip if you want it to be.
If you compare Thailand Vs Vietnam its a little different, but I loved both countries so much!
After months of moving through pretty much every corner of Vietnam, I can safely say it’s one of Asia’s most special countries for many reasons.
Make sure you check out my Southeast Asia packing list to ensure you bring all you need to Vietnam.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Is It Worth Going To Vietnam For 10 Days?
Absolutely. Spending 10 days in Vietnam gives you enough time to explore multiple destinations without feeling rushed. When I visited, I spent three weeks in Hanoi alone and still missed places, so be selective with your itinerary. With good planning and reliable transport services, 10 days can deliver an unforgettable adventure. Ten days is ideal for seeing Vietnam’s highlights if you plan your route carefully and book transport in advance.
Is $1000 Enough For 2 Weeks In Vietnam?
$1,000 is enough for two weeks in Vietnam if you spend wisely. High-end restaurants and cocktails every night will quickly drain your budget. Instead, eat delicious street food (meals start from $1.50), stick to local beers ($1–2), and limit daily massages to once or twice a week rather than daily like I did. Budget accommodation in Hanoi starts at $16 per night for a mid-range hotel, and local transport is affordable. Use local buses or trains instead of private taxis to save even more. Summary: With smart spending on street food, local accommodation, and budget transport, $1,000 comfortably covers two weeks in Vietnam.
Is $100 A Lot Of Money In Vietnam?
Yes, $100 goes a long way in Vietnam. Food is affordable, with dishes starting from $1.50, and street food offers excellent quality at low prices. An hour-long massage costs around $6, and budget accommodation in Hanoi starts at $16 per night for a mid-range hotel. Local transport is incredibly cheap too, a taxi ride across the city rarely exceeds $5.00, and motorbike rentals cost around $7.00 per day. You can enjoy a coffee for under $1.00, and even a sit-down meal at a decent restaurant will only set you back $5–8. With $100, you could easily cover several days of meals, accommodation, and activities without stretching your budget.
