Vietnam top-to-bottom in 10 days: Hanoi (2 nights), Halong/Bai Tu Long Bay cruise (1 night), Hoi An (3 nights), Saigon (3 nights), Mekong day trip.
The TL;DR
Duration: 10 days
Estimated cost: $1,000-2,300 per person excluding international flights
Best for: First-time American visitors who want to see the essentials without rushing.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Land HAN. Taxi to Old Quarter. Light pho dinner, sleep early.
Day 2: Hanoi old quarter
Walking tour Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake morning, lunch banh mi at Banh Mi 25, Temple of Literature, water puppet show, dinner bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien.
Day 3: Halong Bay cruise
Pickup 8am for 4-hour drive to Halong (or Bai Tu Long for fewer boats). Board cruise. Karst islands + caves + kayaking. Sleep onboard.
Day 4: Back to Hanoi + fly Hoi An
Morning Tai Chi on deck, brunch on boat, return drive to Hanoi. Evening flight Hanoi to Da Nang (1h), drive 30 min to Hoi An. Check in.
Day 5: Hoi An ancient town
Walk the lantern-lit ancient town, get fitted for tailored clothes (Yaly, Be Be Tailor), lunch banh mi at Banh Mi Phuong (Anthony Bourdain spot), evening lantern boat ride.
Day 6: Hoi An beach + cooking class
Morning An Bang Beach, afternoon Red Bridge cooking class (market tour included), evening tailor pickups.
Day 7: Fly Saigon
Morning flight Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in Districts 1 or 3. War Remnants Museum afternoon, dinner at Quan Bui.
Day 8: Saigon + Cu Chi Tunnels
Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels morning (book transport), lunch back in city, Notre Dame Cathedral + Central Post Office, dinner Lunch Lady (street food legend).
Day 9: Mekong Delta day trip
Full-day Mekong Delta tour – floating markets, sampan ride, coconut candy factory, lunch on the river. Back to Saigon for evening.
Day 10: Departure
Morning Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs, banh mi for the road, flight home from SGN.
What to book in advance
- Flights: 10-16 weeks ahead via Google Flights + Going alerts
- Hotels: 8-12 weeks ahead for popular destinations; later for off-peak
- Tickets that sell out: Major museums, Vatican, Uffizi, Sagrada Familia, Eiffel Tower – book 4+ weeks ahead
- Train tickets: Italo/Trenitalia Italy, Renfe Spain – save 30-60% booking ahead
- Travel insurance: Within 14 days of first deposit (which providers actually pay)
Travel essentials for Vietnam
- Travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees
- eSIM data plan – $9-25 for 10-30GB
- When to actually visit Vietnam
- Pre-travel checklist
Related itineraries + guides
- USA Traveler’s Hub – 80+ guides
- How to plan your first international trip
- Luxury travel hacks – save 30-60%
FAQs
Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?
10 days covers the essentials without rushing. For a deeper exploration, add 3-5 days. For a one-and-done overview trip, this itinerary works perfectly.
How much does this Vietnam itinerary cost?
$1,000-2,300 per person excluding international flights. The range covers budget vs mid-range vs luxury travel styles. See our travel credit card guide for ways to cover up to 50% of flight + hotel costs with sign-up bonus points.
When’s the best time to do this Vietnam itinerary?
Generally shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October for most destinations) balance weather, prices, and crowds. See our best time to visit Vietnam guide for month-by-month breakdown.
Should I book this Vietnam trip myself or use a travel agent?
For straightforward itineraries like this, booking yourself saves 10-15% vs travel agent markups. For complex multi-stop trips or specific high-end accommodations, agents can sometimes access exclusive rates.
What’s the biggest mistake first-time visitors to Vietnam make?
Over-scheduling. Pack 2-3 activities per day max. Build in buffer time for jet lag recovery, spontaneous discoveries, and just sitting in cafes. The most memorable moments of any trip are rarely the pre-planned ones.