10 Days in Vietnam: The Perfect First-Timer's Itinerary
A proven north-to-south route that hits Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, the central heritage towns, and Saigon — with room to relax.
Ten days is enough to see Vietnam’s greatest hits without rushing, by flying between the three regions instead of taking long overland legs. This classic north-to-south route works in either direction.
At a glance
| Days | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Hanoi | Old Quarter, street food, egg coffee |
| 3–4 | Ha Long Bay | Overnight cruise among the limestone karsts |
| 5–7 | Hoi An / Da Nang | Ancient Town, tailors, beaches, Golden Bridge |
| 8–10 | Ho Chi Minh City | War history, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta |
Day-by-day
Days 1–2 — Hanoi. Settle into the Old Quarter, walk Hoan Kiem Lake, visit the Temple of Literature, and eat your way through bun cha, pho, and egg coffee.
Days 3–4 — Ha Long Bay. Take an overnight cruise (book a reputable operator). Kayak, swim, and watch sunrise over the karsts. Return to Hanoi and fly to Da Nang.
Days 5–7 — Hoi An & Da Nang. Base in Hoi An for the lantern-lit Ancient Town and tailoring; cycle to An Bang Beach; day-trip to the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills. Use Da Nang’s airport to fly south.
Days 8–10 — Ho Chi Minh City. The War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace, a day at the Cu Chi Tunnels, and a Mekong Delta boat trip before you fly home.
Practical tips
- Book internal flights early — Hanoi→Da Nang and Da Nang→Saigon are short and cheap.
- Pack for three climates — the north can be cool while the south is hot. See best time to visit.
- Sort your e-visa before you fly (up to 90 days, all nationalities).
- Use Grab for transport in every city.
Add a dental treatment to the trip
Because this route already includes long stays in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi — Vietnam’s two main dental hubs — it’s easy to fold in a treatment such as crowns, veneers, or the first stage of implants. For implant work that needs two visits, the 90-day visa gives you plenty of room to return for the final fitting.
Want this itinerary built around a treatment? Get a free, tailored plan.