10 Day Vietnam Itinerary: The Classic North to South
Hanoi, the bays, Hoi An and Hue, Saigon and the Mekong in ten days: the route we plan most, with the flights, drive times and the order that suits each season.
Published Oct 2026 • Updated Oct 2026 • By the Vietnam Private Tours planning team, reviewed by Van Anh (Founder & Chief Executive Officer)
Quick answer
The best 10-day Vietnam itinerary: Hanoi (2 nights) → Ninh Binh (1) → Lan Ha or Halong Bay cruise (1) → fly to Da Nang → Hoi An (3, with a day in Hue) → fly to Ho Chi Minh City (2, with the Mekong Delta or Cu Chi). Two domestic flights of about 1 h 20. Private version from US$1,850 per person.
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| Day | Where | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanoi | Arrive; evening around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. | Hanoi |
| 2 | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed Mon and Fri), Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison; street-food walk. | Hanoi |
| 3 | Ninh Binh | Trang An rowing boat and Mua Cave viewpoint, 1.5 hours from Hanoi. | Ninh Binh |
| 4 | Lan Ha or Halong Bay | Overnight cruise: kayaking, caves, sunset on deck. | Cruise |
| 5 | Bay → Hoi An | Disembark late morning, fly Hanoi (or Hai Phong) to Da Nang, 30 minutes to Hoi An. | Hoi An |
| 6 | Hoi An | Old town, tailors, a cooking class that starts at the market; lanterns at night. | Hoi An |
| 7 | Hue (day trip) | Over the Hai Van Pass to the Imperial City and a royal tomb; back to Hoi An. | Hoi An |
| 8 | Ho Chi Minh City | Fly Da Nang to Saigon (about 1 h 20). War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh market, rooftop dinner. | Saigon |
| 9 | Mekong Delta or Cu Chi | A day on the Mekong canals by boat, or the Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning (Ben Duoc is quieter than Ben Dinh). | Saigon |
| 10 | Depart | Fly home from Ho Chi Minh City. |
Our private From Saigon to Hanoi & Halong Bay Overnight (9 days, from US$1,250) runs the same route south to north; Highlights of Vietnam (12 days, from US$1,850) adds two more nights.
Which way round, by month
- December–March: north to south. Hanoi is cool, the south dry and warm at the end.
- April–August: either way; Hoi An and the central coast are at their best.
- September–November: keep Hoi An and Hue short and flexible (typhoon and flood season), and finish in the north, where autumn is clear.
Month-by-month temperatures for Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon: Vietnam weather by month.
What we change most often
- Fly out of Hai Phong after the cruise. Cat Bi airport is about an hour from Lan Ha Bay, against two to three hours back to Hanoi.
- Two nights on the bay instead of Ninh Binh for travellers who want to slow down.
- Hue as an overnight instead of a day trip, for history lovers and anyone visiting the DMZ.
Flying in from the US
- The only nonstop flight between the US and Vietnam is Vietnam Airlines from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City (about 14 hours, around four flights a week). From other US cities you connect, usually in Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei or Hong Kong.
- Book an open-jaw ticket, into one end of the country and home from the other, so you never backtrack. Because the San Francisco nonstop lands in Ho Chi Minh City, many US travellers start in the south and end in Hanoi.
- Vietnam is on UTC+7 all year (no daylight saving): 11 hours ahead of New York in summer and 12 in winter, 14 hours ahead of Los Angeles in summer and 15 in winter.
- Americans need an e-visa: apply at evisa.gov.vn, US$25 single or US$50 multiple entry, up to 90 days, about three working days to process.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?
Yes, for the classic three regions: Hanoi and Halong Bay in the north, Hoi An and Hue in the centre, and Saigon with the Mekong Delta in the south. It needs two domestic flights and leaves little slack, so skip Sapa and the beaches or add days for them.
What is the best 10-day Vietnam itinerary?
Hanoi (2 nights) → Ninh Binh (1) → Lan Ha or Halong Bay cruise (1) → fly to Da Nang → Hoi An (3, with a day trip to Hue) → fly to Ho Chi Minh City (2, with a Mekong Delta or Cu Chi day). Run it north to south from December to March so you finish in the warm, dry south.
How much does a 10-day Vietnam trip cost?
A private 10–12 day tour with boutique hotels, a private guide and driver in each region, two domestic flights and the cruise starts from US$1,850 per person, before international flights. Five-star hotels and Christmas, New Year or Tet dates cost more.
Should I start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Either works with an open-jaw ticket. Book an open-jaw ticket, into one end of the country and home from the other, so you never backtrack. Because the San Francisco nonstop lands in Ho Chi Minh City, many US travellers start in the south and end in Hanoi. From September to November, end in the north, where autumn is clear, and keep the rainy central coast short.
Can I add Sapa or a beach to 10 days?
Only by dropping something. Sapa needs two nights plus a 5.5–6 hour drive each way; a beach needs at least two nights. Most travellers who want either choose the 14-day version instead.
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