10 Days in Vietnam: The Best 10 Day Vietnam Itinerary for first time travelers
It seems challenging to explore a whole country in a short period of time. In Vietnam, there are lots of things to do and places to see, so you might be concerned about how to schedule your trip. Below are suggested Vietnam 10-day schedules that will enable you to get the most out of your trip.
You will have a lot of options for ten days in Vietnam, depending on your companion and your own preferences.
>>> Other Itineraries you may be interested in Vietnam Itinerary: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 8 days – 9 days
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5 Top Itineraries for First-Time Travelers, Couples, and Families
A Classic 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary: From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 1 – Hanoi Arrival
- Day 2 – Hanoi – Halong Bay
- Day 3 – Halong Bay – Hanoi
- Day 4 – Hanoi City Tour – Fly To Da Nang
- Day 5 – Free In Da Nang & Hoi An
- Day 6 – Hoi An – Marble Mountain – My Son Sanctuary – Boat Trip On Thu Bon River
- Day 7 – Hoi An – Da Nang – Fly To Ho Chi Minh City – Free
- Day 8 – Hcmc – Mekong Delta
- Day 9 – Hcmc – Cu Chi Tunnel Half Day Trip
- Day 10 – Hcmc Departure
Why is this itinerary appropriate for you?
- This itinerary is suitable for families seeking to visit Vietnam for ten days on an affordable budget.
- It offers opportunities for relaxation as well as learning more about the history, culture, and people of Vietnam. You will undoubtedly experience the most unforgettable moments as you travel through Halong Bay, a world natural wonder dotted with hundreds of magnificent limestone mountains to Da Nang, a beautiful coastal city, and Hoi An, a peaceful ancient town.
- You won’t have to wait for others when you take a tour in a small group of 1 to 16 persons.
- Your tour will be completely safe and comfortable thanks to a team of experienced guides that are committed to it.
10-Day Vietnam Itinerary for Family with Teenagers
- Days 1–2: Arrival, Hanoi city tour
- Day 3: Ninh Binh Day Tour
- Day 4-5: Halong Bay cruise
- Day 6: Hoi An
- Day 7-8: Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 9-10: The Mekong Delta
The 10-day itinerary including Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta is a great choice for families looking to explore Vietnam’s culture, history and natural beauty.
What makes this itinerary appropriate for you?
- For those seeking a trip to experience every region of Vietnam as a local. It is highly recommended to travel to the northern region and engage in thrilling pursuits like mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, and cycling.
- The four unique seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter mean that you can travel to the North at any time of the year. With the distinct beauty of each season, you can gain different traveling experiences when exploring Halong Bay with the crystal-clear waters, admiring the picturesque landscapes of Ninh Binh, and taking in the imposing mountains of Sapa.
- Your every expectation will be met on this trip, from exploration to relaxing activities. In addition, don’t be concerned that this trip will take you a lot of energy or involve many adventurous activities! You’ll have enough time to unwind with an overnight cruise in Halong Bay or immerse yourself in Ninh Binh’s serene scenery.
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10-Day Vietnam Itinerary with Sapa – Vietnam Northern Express
- Day 1 – Hanoi Arrival
- Day 2 – Hanoi City Tour With Volunteer Guide – Train To Lao Cai
- Day 3 – Lao Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat Village – Fansipan Peak ( Overnight Hotel)
- Day 4 – Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van ( Overnight Homestay)
- Day 5 – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Sapa – Hanoi
- Day 6 – Hanoi – Halong Bay
- Day 7 – Halong Bay – Ninh Binh (Tam Coc) – Bich Dong Pagoda
- Day 8 – Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu – Tam Coc )
- Day 9 – Ninh Binh ( Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An ) – Hanoi
- Day 10 – Hanoi Departure
What makes this itinerary appropriate for you?
- For those seeking a trip to experience every region of Vietnam as a local. It is highly recommended to travel to the northern region and engage in thrilling pursuits like mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, and cycling.
- The four unique seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter mean that you can travel to the North at any time of the year. With the distinct beauty of each season, you can gain different traveling experiences when exploring Halong Bay with the crystal-clear waters, admiring the picturesque landscapes of Ninh Binh, and taking in the imposing mountains of Sapa.
- Your every expectation will be met on this trip, from exploration to relaxing activities. In addition, don’t be concerned that this trip will take you a lot of energy or involve many adventurous activities! You’ll have enough time to unwind with an overnight cruise in Halong Bay or immerse yourself in Ninh Binh’s serene scenery.
10 Days itinerary from South to the North
- Day 1 – Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 2 – Cu Chi Tunnels
- Day 3 – Fly to Danang/Hoi An
- Day 4 – Hoi An
- Day 5 – Hoi An / Travel to Hanoi
- Day 6 – Hanoi
- Day 7-9 – Halong Bay OR Sapa
- Day 9 – Hanoi
- Day 10 – Hanoi Day Trip
How Much is a 10-Day Vietnam Tour?
Vietnam is an extremely affordable country that can accommodate a variety of budgets. Whether you’re looking for lodging, dining, tourist attractions, or tours, there are numerous options available to suit any budget.
Depending on whether you select low-cost or luxury choices, the price per person for a 10-day private tour of Vietnam can range from roughly $1,000 to $3,500.
For a mid-range budget, traveling to Vietnam typically costs between $200 and $250 per day/person (including domestic flights, 4- or 5-star hotels, attractions fees, tour guides, and transportation).
For higher budgets of 250-350 USD/ day/ person, you can enjoy more amenities (including domestic flights inside Vietnam, 5-star hotels or higher, attraction fees, tour guides and transportation).
Let’s travel with us to get a comfortable and flexible private tour. With Hanoi Explore Travel, you can customize your plans with peace of mind and get a full refund for any payments you make up to three weeks before your trip.
Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days in detail From North to the Sourth
This itinerary includes most tourist attractions and sightseeing locations throughout Vietnam. Along with getting to sample some of the famous local dishes and regional cuisine, you will get a chance to experience the diversity of Vietnamese culture. Additionally, these suggested locations are excellent picks for those who enjoy taking photographs.
You can take your time to explore each location as the itinerary is pretty relaxing and slow-paced. It is a suitable choice for any traveler who intends to explore the beauty of Vietnam in a short amount of time.
Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi
Welcome to our beautiful Vietnam! It will take you roughly 30 minutes to drive by car from the airport to the heart of Hanoi. In addition, you can also reserve transportation services through airlines, take the bus, or get a taxi. To ensure the best preparation in terms of lodging, book a hotel, motel, or homestay well in advance. In Hanoi, the Old Quarter is where people most frequently choose to stay.
Most popular place
- The Old Quarter in Hanoi, the center of the capital which preserves thousands of years of civilization, is of course the first suggested location. Even if the Old Quarter will be rather chaotic and crowded, it’s nice to stroll around the small networks of streets that are intersected. There are also a wide variety of shops where you can find practically anything. If you go on the weekend, you may experience the walking street around Hoan Kiem lake and enjoy street performances with a very relaxing ambiance.
- You can also visit other places nearby such as St. Joseph Cathedral, Dong Xuan Market, the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, and the Hanoi Opera House.
- St. Joseph Cathedral was constructed in European architecture in fusion with some Asian elements. In the area surrounding the cathedral, you can sit down, sip some lemon tea, and eat a few snacks.
- Dong Xuan Market is the largest wholesale market in northern Vietnam where you can find everything and the sheer volume of shops and goods there will surely astonish you.
- Temple of Literature is the first national university in Vietnam. You can see many stone turtles with steles engraved with the names of successful students from hundreds of years ago. Nowadays, the Temple of Literature is a well-known location for students who want to pray for luck in their studies.
>>> Do you like to get A Hanoi City Tour – Explore Highlights of Hanoi as a Local
Other Destinations
- Hoa Lo Prison: A witness of the colonial period in Vietnam, is another location well-worth visiting. Many restored objects and relics, as well as recreated historical figures can be found to help you understand what life was like for inmates at that time. Don’t miss this place if you are fond of history.
- The Hanoi Opera House, which was modeled after the Paris Opera House, is the next suggestion. You are welcome to wander round and take artistic shots, but if you want to enter, you will need to pay around $20 per person.
- If you’re hungry and exhausted, head to Ta Hien street to try some local cuisine and beer, which are both excellent and reasonably priced. In addition, you can sample rib porridge, pho, bun cha (rice noodles with grilled pork), and bun oc (rice noodle soup with snail) for less than $3.
>>> See Things to do in Hanoi & Day trips from Hanoi
Day 2: Ha Long Bay’s cruise at night
Read more:
- Halong Bay Cruise Price: How Much Does a Cruise Trip Cost?
- Halong Bay 2 Day Cruises – Best 2-Day Tour for First Time Travelers
- How To Choose Your BEST Halong Bay 1 Day Cruise Tour
- Halong Bay Luxury Cruise – How To Choose The BEST One!
Continue your itinerary to Ha Long, a stunning natural world heritage site. However, be ready to spend more than the average budget because cruise services are more opulent and pricey, but they are well worth the money.
There are a lot of islands and islets that you may visit, which are named after types of animals and shapes. And if you are physically fit enough, beautiful beaches and water activities are awaiting you.
It is highly recommended to enjoy the nightlife of Halong Bay. An overnight cruise will enable you to watch stunning sunsets and sunrises, visit a coastal fishing village and even go squid-fishing on the boat with the locals. Besides, you can enjoy your own fresh and rich seafood.
Cruises on Halong Bay only offer tours of 2 days & 1 night or 3 days & 2 nights, depending on the itinerary of each cruise ship.
>>> Let’s visit our website for different types of cruises available for every budget, from backpackers to luxury. Check out for the best deals on Halong Bay’s Cruise.
Day 3: From Ha Long to Hanoi: prepare to head South
Check out and return to Hanoi the next morning. Day 3 is when you slow down to get ready for a long trip into the center of Vietnam, so it’s time for a rest. The Ho Chi Minh Complex, West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and other locations are among those in Hanoi that you might choose to visit.
However, you can take into account your schedule to select some appropriate spots; don’t rush to visit them all at once.
In the afternoon, start packing your luggage and head down to the center of Vietnam. You can choose to travel by plane, train or bus. However, keep in mind that tickets for train or bus travel are more affordable, but it will take you roughly 12 hours to get there, whilst flying can cost more but make the traveling faster and less exhausting
Day 4: Arrive at Hue, the ancient capital
Welcome to Hue, the captivating and beautiful old imperial capital of Vietnam that is home to numerous royal tombs and palaces. After check-in, you can visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Imperial Citadel, Royal Mausoleum, and Trang Tien Bridge.
Serving as the emblem of Hue, Thien Mu Pagoda is a well-known location for Buddha worship. Here, you can take in the iconic seven-tiered tower and express your sincerity and wishes by offering incense. There is a bell in Thien Mu Pagoda that its sound may be heard throughout the entire city.
The Khai Dinh Tomb was constructed using a blend of contemporary Western and conventional Eastern architectural styles. styles. It is also the only tomb in Hue that combines elements of both Eastern and Western architecture. To reach this tomb, visitors must climb up 127 stairs because it is situated in a relatively high location.
The Imperial Citadel embraced by the Perfume River is a place that preserves Vietnam’s long history and remarkable artistic and architectural works. It was once a residence of the feudal royal family. Nowadays, when coming here, you can see many restored palaces, monuments, relics and artifacts.
The Royal Tombs of Khai Dinh, Minh Mang, and Tu Duc emperors are next on the list of attractions. Each tomb is a palace with priceless sculptures and massive structures. When you visit these locations, you appear to go back in time to the past. Don’t miss it if you’re curious about the lavish lifestyle of the king and queen of An Nam (Vietnam’s previous name).
Day 5: Let’s go to Da Nang
The following destination is Da Nang, which just takes 2 to 3 hours from Hue by car, bus, or train. Da Nang is a poetic coastal city with a wide variety of exquisite artificial and natural scenery. In addition, people in Danang are renowned for being hospitable and friendly.
The most beautiful and cleanest beaches in Vietnam can be found here. You won’t be let down by the clear water, extensive stretches of beautiful white sand, fresh and clean environment, abundant seafood, or excellent tourism services.
Another thing to do while in Da Nang is visit Han River Bridge, the symbol of the city. Many tourists are enthralled by Danang city at night. The Han River and its bridges are made more enticing, glittering, and sparkling at night by the city lights. You can take a riverboat excursion to enjoy the beautiful city beneath a starry sky.
If you love natural beauty, visit Son Tra peninsula and go to Son Tra nature reserve for unusual and rare species of animals and plants. You can also take a short hike to the top of Son Tra mountain and get a panoramic view of the surroundings.
Ba Na Hills is a famous recreational complex in Danang that features French and Western characteristics with several flowerbeds, a wine cellar, and a stunning French-style village. Visitors who come here can experience the four distinct seasons in a single day: spring morning, summer noon, autumn afternoon, and winter night, in addition to admiring the poetic scenery.
Day 6: Hoi An – a vintage Vietnam
After Da Nang, take a car to Hoi An, the ancient town of lanterns. You can get a glimpse of tranquil, enticing ancient Vietnam at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You should wander around the old town with its lantern-decorated shops, try some local dishes and enjoy the fresh air on the beautiful beaches. It is also highly recommended to spend your time at night, when the lanterns are lit. The charming look of the little streets will undoubtedly captivate you.
The red Japanese-Covered Bridge in Hoi An is another attraction you can visit. The phrase “bridge for remote passersby” is written on a sign in front of the door, which is just right for travelers who enjoy Asian architecture.
You can easily find lots of handicraft shops, art galleries, and delicious local eateries in Hoi An.
Moreover, you may even try your hand at crafting your own lanterns and sip some traditional Vietnamese coffee alongside the road. Hoi An with an ancient and poetic beauty will definitely attract travelers who enjoy taking pictures. Therefore, don’t pass up the chance to capture pictures of Hoi An, the beautiful ancient town of Vietnam.
Day 7: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City
Continue to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. It is a bustling city with a wide range of tourist attractions, including old historical sites and places of both natural and man-made beauty.
You may choose to visit various well-known locations, such Ben Thanh Market, Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, etc.
Ben Thanh Market is the first suggested destination in this busy city. This is a typical Ho Chi Minh City market that has remained throughout the war time to nowadays. Here you can find ao dai and local items such as textiles, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Additionally, going around the market and buying some regional food is a good idea.
The following destinations are Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum. During the Vietnam War, this served as the Saigon government’s headquarters. A lot of objects, documents, and artifacts from that time period are displayed there nowadays, so when you visit these two destinations, you’ll get a general idea of what the war was like.
Located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is a church built from 1863 to 1880. You may observe the church’s two bell towers and remarkable architecture to fully appreciate its beauty. Given that all of the materials used to build the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral were imported from France, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is truly a French church in Vietnam.
Day 8: Visiting Mekong Delta – Cai Be floating market
Now you can take a trip to Tien Giang province to see the floating market in the Mekong Delta, which is one of the most unique parts in all of Vietnam. The Cai Be floating market serves as a major hub for the transshipment of goods, mostly agricultural products, fruits, and seafood. The distance between Cai Be floating market and Ho Chi Minh City is only about 80 kilometers, so you may reach there by taxi or open bus.
The floating market is open every day from sunset till morning and free to visit. The market comes alive in the morning with numerous sellers carrying goods and busy boats on the river.
The floating market is like any other traditional markets in Vietnam but happens on the river. Each boat serves as a stall where everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to cooked local food can be sold. You can even have a coffee from a boat and enjoy an interesting, vibrant and lively atmosphere there. Alternatively, you can even rent a boat and take part in the market.
Following that, you can travel further south, to the Mekong Delta. The vast, peaceful green-yellow rice fields stretching to the horizon are definitely good material for any photography enthusiast.
You can also rent a bicycle and ride through the small road to visit orchards and ornamental gardens and meet local people to learn more about daily life in the Mekong Delta.
Or else, you can take a boat ride through the countless canals that crisscross the river and appreciate the natural beauty of the Mekong Delta. You will find this is a resting period to relax your mind after days of traveling in a busy and crowded city.
Dining in the fruit garden is an additional option. In the middle of the garden, you’ll learn about the preparation and serving of traditional Southern Vietnamese cuisine. Additionally, fruits freshly picked from surrounding trees will be used for your dessert.
Day 9: Explore Cu Chi Tunnel
The final destination is the uderground village – Cu Chi Tunnels. This place used to be home to many people, mostly Viet Cong soldiers, during the days of the Vietnam War. The more than 100 kilometers long tunnel complex serves as both a tourist attraction and a place to remember fallen soldiers.
You will have the chance to experience the tunnel for yourself. Enter the tunnel, follow the passage to see the artifacts and drawings and learn about how people used to live beneath long ago.
Even some models of booby traps utilized in war to prevent enemies from entering are also seen there. Then you can see the underground kitchens, command posts, field hospitals, living areas, meeting rooms and secret trap doors used by those who once resided there. You’ll be definitely astounded at how people down there managed to survive and struggle for their freedom.
Additionally, you get to have a very basic meal that would have been a typical meal for any Viet Cong soldiers at the time in the tunnel. On the ground, there are numerous more tourist activities available, such as seeing monkeys and shooting rifles and trying machine guns as well as plenty of shops for buying souvenirs.
Day 10: Departure
You’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City on your last day in Vietnam. Take your time to unwind, indulge in more regional cuisine, and then stroll along the street to forever inscribe the images of Vietnam in your heart. Following that, it’s time to say goodbye to Vietnam.
10-day Itinerary in Northern Vietnam
- Day 1: Hanoi Arrival: After arriving in Hanoi, check in your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Visit the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and sample some delicious Vietnamese dishes.
- Day 2: Hanoi City Tour: Take a full day tour of Hanoi City, including Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Enjoy the water puppet show in the evening.
- Day 3: Halong Bay: Get on a car to stunning Halong Bay, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in the morning. Cruise around the bay, explore beautiful caves and enjoy fresh seafood on board.
- Day 4: Halong Bay – Ninh Binh: Back to Hanoi and move to Ninh Binh, known as “Halong Bay on land”. Take a bamboo boat to explore the beautiful landscapes of Tam Coc.
- Day 5: Ninh Binh – Mai Chau: Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, then drive to Mai Chau, a beautiful valley nestled in the mountains of Hoa Binh province. Enjoy a traditional dance performance in the evening.
- Day 6: Mai Chau: Explore the surrounding villages of the Thai ethnic minority group, enjoy a bike ride through the countryside and try some traditional Mai Chau dishes.
- Day 7: Mai Chau – Hanoi: Drive back to Hanoi and spend the rest of the day exploring the city or shopping for souvenirs.
- Day 8: Sapa: Take the morning train to Sapa, a lovely mountainous region famous for its terraced fields and ethnic minority groups. Walk through terraced rice fields and visit a local village.
- Day 9: Sapa: Continue to explore Sapa and surrounding villages, then you can visit the local market or take the cable car to the top of Fansipan mountain.
- Day 10: Sapa – Hanoi – Departure: Return to Hanoi via morning train before leaving Vietnam.
This itinerary can, of course, be customized based on your time and preferences. Enjoy your trip to Northern Vietnam!
10-day Vietnam Itinerary from South to North
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
While you’re here, you can take a stroll through the city, visit some markets and museums, and take on day-trip tours. The first day will be dedicated to explore the city’s main attractions. You simply need to leave the hotel and start a city walking tour in your own. The following is a list of the top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City:
- The War Remnants Museum
- Reunification Palace
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Ben Thanh Market
It’s recommended to stay right around the District 1 area where there are numerous restaurants and nightlife alternatives nearby.
Day 2 – Cu Chi Tunnels
On the second day, go to Cu Chi Tunnels outside the city. You can select a morning or afternoon tour that lasts about 5 hours or longer. The tour will take you into the network of tunnels built during the Vietnam War. You’ll have the opportunity to explore tunnels, learn about history, and even practise shooting actual firearms.
Back to the city after the tour, you can spend the next few hours eating and walking around a bit more. Pay a visit to Ben Thanh market at night, which opens after the indoor market shuts.
Day 3 – Fly to Danang/Hoi An
Take an early flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, a beach city in the centre of Vietnam. From here you’ll take a taxi for about 30 minutes to the beach town of Hoi An, which is one of its best places. There are many things to do in Hoi An such as custom-tailoring, relaxing on the beach and exploring the ancient town. If you arrive at Hoi An at noon, check into your hotel first, eat something, and then unwind by the pool or beach.
If you’re interested in having clothes, visit one of the many custom tailor shops in the ancient town at the end of the day. Then, you can head to the river area and pick a spot to grab some food and drinks for dinner. If you’re not interested in custom tailoring or don’t want to spend time doing it during your trip, don’t worry, you will have more time to unwind and explore the town.
You can choose to stay closer to town or the beach. The travel between the two locations takes no more than 15 minutes, so don’t stress whatever one you pick.
Day 4 – Hoi An Itinerary
You can choose some from a variety of activities on your second day in Hoi An. Once you finish breakfast, if you decided to have some clothes tailored, you should return to the tailor shop to check them first. It won’t take long because all they want to do is check that the clothes fit and see if any other adjustments are necessary.
After that, you can rent a bike (or a motorbike) from your hotel or one of the local places in town and explore the city and surrounding areas for the day. Renting a bike just costs a few dollars and you will get maps of different areas to explore the town on your own.
Take a stroll around the villages, rice fields, and seashore. It will be a wonderful experience when you can enjoy all the different landscapes that Hoi An has to offer. At lunch break, you can have lunch and relax a bit in Hoi An center.
It is entirely up to you which activities happens next. You can return to the hotel, unwind by the pool or beach, or keep strolling down the river to see places like the well-known Japanese Covered Bridge or nearby museums. Alternatively, you can also join a Hoi An cooking class in the evening.
Day 5 – Hoi An / Travel to Hanoi
The first thing you do on your last day in Hoi An is return to the tailor shop to pick up the finished item. If the finished clothes can fit in your suitcase, you can bring it with you, otherwise you can have it delivered home for an additional cost.
Make sure to inform your tailor if your flight is early in Day 5 and return for the final fitting on the evening of Day 4. Don’t worry too much if your clothing haven’t been finished; just unwind in the morning, they will get it done before your departure.
Day 6 – Hanoi Itinerary
Take a flight to Hanoi, the Vietnam’s capital located in northern region. On your first day in Hanoi, get ready to start exploring the Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake which have many narrow roads with numerous motorbikes, cars and pedestrians passing freely.
It’s great to take a stroll, explore some of the local markets, try some of the delicious street food, and get a sense of the city. Don’t forget to visit the lake and stroll around it as you may escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
After wandering around a bit, head to Hoa Lo Prison (also known as Hanoi Hilton Hotel). It was initially constructed and used by the French during the colonial era. Then the Northern Vietnamese government used it to hold American prisoners, John McCain being the most well-known. When touring the prison, you can view pictures of his capture and even the original Air Force uniform he was wearing.
After exploring the city, you can go back to your hotel to take rest because you will visit Halong Bay or Sapa in the next few days. As your time in Vietnam is only limited to ten days, it will be challenging to finish both lengthy tours.
Day 7-9 – Halong Bay OR Sapa
Halong Bay Option
For those choosing to visit Halong Bay, the next three days will enable you explore one of the most beautiful bays in the world. To get detailed information about Halong Bay tour as well as its options, let check out Three-day, two-night Halong Bay Cruise Experience. You will depart on Day 7 and back to Hanoi in the late afternoon on Day 9.
There are many cruise options on Halong Bay available for you to choose from budget to luxury options. All will take you tour the beautiful bay and stop many times along the way. As many cruises offer similar activities and attractions so you’re sure to have a great time whatever you decide on.
Sapa Option
Another option is to depart from Hanoi to the countryside and rice fields of Sapa. The Sapa Trekking Guide will give you all you need to know about planning your Sapa trip. To get there, you’ll depart on the night of Day 6 or early in the morning of Day 7. Over the next two days, let’s spend your time trekking and admiring the beauty of Northern Vietnam.
Similar to Halong Bay, there are several different tour options to choose from. Depending on each travel company’s itinerary, you can take night train or bus to get there. Alternatively, you also can go to Sapa by yourself and book a tour upon arrival. Either way, these tours will take care of your hiking, accommodation and food when you travel along the amazing Northern Vietnamese landscape.
After two long days of trekking, you will take the afternoon bus to back to Hanoi at the night of Day 8 or take the night train to arrive in Hanoi on the morning of Day 9.
Day 9 – Hanoi
If you choose Sapa, you will have a free day in Hanoi (but for Halong Bay, you will not come back until the end of the day).
Therefore, you can spend more time exploring the city and relaxing. If you want, you can also visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where HCM’s body is kept in a glass cabinet for visitors to admire.
However, it is only open during specific hours (around 8:00am – 11:00am, except for Monday and Friday, depending on the time of year) and there can be long lines.
You also can walk around beautiful gardens next to the mausoleum as well as visit a museum telling the history of his life. You could definitely spend a few hours here exploring the different areas in the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Then continue to explore the Old Quarter, try some street food and visit local markets.
In addition, if you haven’t taken any cooking class in Hoi An yet, you can join a Hanoi Cooking Class this afternoon/evening.
Day 10 – Hanoi Day Trip in Vietnam Itinerary
On your last day in Hanoi, you can choose to take a day trip outside the city if you have time. A few less touristy options include Tam Coc or a visit to Vietfarm. Just about 1-2 hours from the city center, you will have the opportunity to see the countryside of Northern Vietnam.
Ninh Binh
After reaching Ninh Binh, you can visit a couple of famous temples (worshiping King Dinh and King Le), take in some breathtaking scenery, and go for a boat trip on the river with the locals. The boat excursion will go down the river surrounded by limestone cliffs and rice fields, take you through a number of amazing caves in Ninh Binh. You can even see the local boatman row the boat with their feet!
You may also have the opportunity to cycle around the area and immerse yourself in the countryside. If you’re ready, you can even climb to the top of Mua Cave (about 500 steps to the top for breathtaking views).
