Itinerary of Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days
Cities Covered in 10 Days
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang
- Hoi An
- Hue
- Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
- Dong Hoi
- Hanoi
- Halong Bay
- Sapa
Day 1 – What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in a Day?
- Vietnam Visa
- Eco Backpacker’s Hostel
- Hummus and Grill Restaurant
- Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Phuong Cafe
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 1
Day 2 – Mekong Delta Day-Trip from Saigon
- Travel to My Tho
- Boat to Unicorn Island
- Experience Local Life
- Sampan Ride
- Dinner at Hum Vegetarian, HCMC
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 2
Day 3 – Champa Ruins and Hoi An Day-Trip from Da Nang
- Fly to Da Nang
- Stop at Marble Mountains
- Vegan Lunch at Lovely Hut
- Explore Champa Ruins at My Son
- Ancient City of Hoi An
- Vegan Dinner at Karma Waters
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 3
Day 4 – UNESCO World Heritages Sites of Hue in a Day
- Hai Van Pass
- Tomb of Minh Mang
- Town of Khai Din
- Town of Tu Duc
- Hue Citadel
- Thien Mu Pagoda
- Check-in at Serene Shining Hotel
- Dinner at Lien Hoa
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 4
Day 5 – Caving in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
- Paradise Cave
- Phong Nha Cave
- Train from Dong Hoi to Hanoi
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 5
Day 6 – One Day in Hanoi
- Check-in at Hanoi City View Hostel
- West Lake
- Brunch at Maison de Tet Decor
- Hoan Kiem Lake
- Old Quarter
- Dinner at Homestay
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 6
Day 7 – Luxurious Overnight Cruise in Halong Bay
- Transfer to Halong Bay
- Board the Dragon Legend Cruise
- Kayaking in the Vung Dang Area
- Evening in the Cruise
Day 8 – Halong Bay to Hanoi and Overnight Train to Sapa
- Morning in the Cruise
- Cave Exploring
- Water Puppet Show at Yen Duc Village
- Overnight Train to Sapa
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Days 7-8
Day 9 – Amidst the Greens in Sapa
- Transfer from Lao Cai to Homestay
- Tavan Ecologic Homestay
- Explore Tavan Village on Your Own
Day 10 – Last Day in Vietnam
- Check-Out from Tavan Ecologic Homestay
- Sapa to Hanoi and Fly Back
For details, please visit Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Days 9-10
Net Expense for 1 person in 10 Days (in USD)
The total expense of the full trip of Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang-Hoi An-Hue-Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park-Dong Hoi-Hanoi-Halong Bay-Sapa-Hanoi in 10 Days for 1 person totaled up to 940 USD.
Kindly note that this total expense is based on the sharing expense of one person. This is just to help you have a rough idea about the total expense of a single person. When you travel alone or in groups of different numbers, the expenses will differ.
For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
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Wow! 10 Days for a Vietnam seems quite short, but it looks like you were able to see lots of things! What was your favorite place?
Oh, I loved Hoi An and Ha Long Bay the most.
Good job on this very detailed post. It is very helpful. I would love to explore Vietnam. I have only been to Hanoi and I enjoyed the food. It would be awesome to visit the rest of the cities including a luxurious overnight cruise in Halong Bay.
Vietnamese food is love.
This looks like a great itinerary for a well-paced journey through Vietnam. I like the way you list the activities for each spot for an easy-to-digest list of things to do. The budget info is really helpful!
Thanks for appreciating Sarah.
Great itinerary! We did a similar trip and I spent way more than you did! I need to take a leaf out of your expense book me thinks! I loved the Old Town of Hoi An and my trekking experience in Sapa. We got scammed at Halong Bay which annoyed me and I am so bummed I did not put Caving in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park on the itinerary. I want to go back to Vietnam just to do that!
Yes, you cannot miss the caves.
Super detailed! I have been only to Hanoi and Saigon but there’s plenty to see and try in just the cities. If you can handle dairy and alcohol, try Pizza 4Ps (it’s very, very good) and the craft breweries.
The craft breweries sounds interesting!
Vietnam is one of my favorite countries that I visited .Right from the lively vibes to the yummy food, I simply love it all. I did 7 days in Vietnam last year and they were amazing, but I missed out on the central part .I liked Hanoi over HCM, because of the diversity in the culture and proximity to so many places .
True that Arnav, Hanoi over HCMC for me too.
Great article, this would have been so helpful when planning my ten-day trip in Vietnam a couple of years ago! I loved Hanoi and fell in love with the enchanting sights of Hoi-An. I totally missed Sapa and I regret it…. a good reason to go back though 🙂
Yes, you must visit the place again for Sapa.
I absolutely love how you have detailed each day of your trip. It is easy to follow and easy to find what you are interested in. I would love to go to Vietnam one day but I’m not sure I’d cope with so much rice dishes.
Glad that you liked it.
Wow this is a jam packed Vietnam itinerary! I would probably like more time in each place, but it is great if you don’t have a lot of time. I wonder what the Water Puppet Show at Yen Duc Village is like?
It is really interesting to watch. I have provided links with each day. If you head to the particular link of that day, you can see how the water puppet show at Yun Dec is.
This is a great itinerary for Vietnam, and it makes me realise how many places I didn’t get to see 🙁 I’d love to visit the UNESCO sites of Hue, and see green Sapa too. I’d really love to return one day. Hopefully soon too!
Never mind, Lisa, come back again, soon.
Sounds like a great way to spend 10 days and also a great compilation of incredible places to visit in Vietnam 🙂 It’s been on my list forever and reading this makes me want to go right away!
Oh you would really like it.
This itinerary would help everyone have an easy and amazing trip to Vietnam. I love the photos and how you have organized this. At first, it seemed like an awful lot to do in 10 days but once it is broken down, it totally seems doable and very enjoyable.
Glad that you appreciated it.