Ten days is enough to see Vietnam’s essential arc — Hanoi’s Old Quarter and lakes, Ninh Binh’s karst rivers, Da Nang’s beaches and Ba Na Hills, Hoi An’s lantern-lit Ancient Town, and Ho Chi Minh City’s history and street life — moving north to south with one domestic flight partway through.
Days 1-2: Hanoi
Start with a bowl of pho and egg coffee in the Old Quarter, then walk Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple before an evening of Ta Hien beer street food. Day 2: cycle around West Lake, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Temple of Literature — a hop-on hop-off city bus tour is an easy way to string these together.
Days 3-4: Ninh Binh
Early departure from Hanoi (about 2 hours by road). Day 3: boat tour through Trang An’s caves and karst river, then Bai Dinh Pagoda. Day 4: cycle Tam Coc’s rice paddies and climb Hang Mua (Mua Caves) — over 500 steps to a panoramic viewpoint over the valley. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon for an evening flight to Da Nang.
Day 5: Da Nang
A beach day at My Khe, followed by Han Market for shopping and dinner. In the evening, catch the Dragon Bridge’s fire-and-water show, which runs on weekend nights.
Day 6: Ba Na Hills & the Golden Bridge
Day trip by cable car — one of the longest non-stop single-track cable car rides in the world — up to Ba Na Hills. Walk the Golden Bridge, held aloft by giant stone hands, then explore the recreated French Village and gardens.
Day 7: Hoi An
A scenic ride from Da Nang into Hoi An’s Ancient Town. Cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, visit the old Chinese assembly halls, and try a lantern-making workshop. Lunch on cao lau, dinner on com ga, and an evening walk through the lantern-lit streets along the Thu Bon River.
Days 8-9: Ho Chi Minh City
Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (around 1h20m). Day 8: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ben Thanh Market, and an evening on Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Day 9: a day trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels — part of a network that once ran 250km — followed by rooftop dining back in the city.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City — Departure
A slower final day: shopping for souvenirs, coffee, and silk at Vincom Center Dong Khoi, and a Saigon River boat tour or dinner cruise before your onward flight.
Budget Estimate
Ten days typically runs VND 16,000,000-26,000,000 (USD 610-990) per person: accommodation and transport 50-60%, food 15-20%, experiences 10-15%, shopping 5-10%. The Hanoi-Da Nang and Da Nang-HCMC flights are the main added cost versus a shorter single-region trip.
Practical Tips
- Book the two domestic flights (Hanoi-Da Nang, Da Nang-HCMC) 3-4 weeks ahead, especially in peak season
- A local 4G SIM card costs roughly VND 100,000-150,000 for the full trip
- Pack a light jacket for Hanoi and Ninh Binh if travelling November-February
- Renting a motorbike for the Da Nang-Hoi An ride is scenic, but a taxi or private car works just as well if you’d rather not drive