My Vietnam 10 Days Itinerary: Heritage and Nature

Are you eager to discover Southeast Asia at its best? The S-shaped country is an ideal destination for its natural and cultural beauty. A Vietnam 10 days itinerary immerses you in the daily life of the local populations, between unique monuments and landscapes. Once you decide to travel there, many questions will come to mind: What to do in Vietnam in 10 days? What to see and visit?

Here’s a travel diary by Sophie Ardhuin, who stayed in Vietnam with her husband and friends in April 2022, just after the country reopened to tourism.

Written by Lan DUONG (Travel Consultant) Updated on 04-07-2024

Comments

1. My Vietnam 10 Days Itinerary

What to visit in Vietnam in 10 days? From Halong Bay to its terrestrial version in Ninh Binh, and from the spectacular Phong Nha caves to the picturesque imperial city of Hue and the port city of Hoi An, you will be delighted. You will visit the main sites whose heritage value is confirmed by Unesco. With the possibility of extending your trip to the South of the country or to Cambodia, where the magnificent temples of Angkor are located.

What to visit in Vietnam in 10 days

Day 1-2: Hanoi, city tour

Day 3-4: Junk cruise on Halong Bay

Day 5: Ninh Binh (terrestrial Halong Bay)

Day 6: Phong Nha, cave visits

Day 7: Hue, the ancient imperial capital

Day 8: My Son, the ancient Cham sanctuary

Day 9: Hoi An, old port city

Day 10: Return to Hanoi or continue to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Let's go into detail about what we did during our Vietnam stay in 10 days!

>>>> Embark on a 10-Day Trekking Adventure in North Vietnam: Explore the Unseen! 🌿🏞️⛺

Days 1-2: Hanoi, Tour of the Vietnamese Capital

After landing in Hanoi, we were welcomed by our friendly local English-speaking guide. He took us to our hotel in the Hoan Kiem district, the historic heart of Vietnam's millennium capital. After a short rest, we took a first visit to the city center to stretch our legs. This informal walk, to soak in the charm of the place, is an integral part of a “What to visit in Vietnam in 10 days” itinerary.

In this safe environment, we took a tour of the Lake of the Returned Sword – which is called "Hoan Kiem", our first Vietnamese words! It only took an hour, admiring the Jade Mountain Temple and the Turtle Islet. We were in the heart of Hanoi, just as in the adjacent old quarter of 36 streets, where numerous artisanal trades were once practiced.

Before spending our first night at the hotel, we also had a good introduction, so to speak, thanks to our guide's advice. We tasted a "phở", the excellent local noodle soup, served on a sidewalk.

The next day, our friendly guide, whose English was excellent, showed us the most remarkable cultural sites and historical monuments of Hanoi. About two kilometers from Hoan Kiem Lake, we first visited the Temple of Literature, the national symbol of education.

Then we went to Ba Dinh Square, where the mausoleum and house of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of reunified Vietnam, are located. We admired the current presidential palace nearby, as well as other architectural witnesses of the French Indochina colonial heritage, such as St. Joseph's Cathedral and the Opera House.

>>> Embark on a 10-Day Trekking Adventure in North Vietnam: Explore the Unseen! 🌿🏞️⛺

Then we were taken to the Ethnography Museum; with its collection of numerous objects and photos showing the diversity of the Vietnamese population, it gave us a preview of the local rural life. Similarly, at the end of the day, we attended the water puppet theater show, characteristic of the Red River Delta region.

Days 3-4: Junk Cruise on Halong Bay - UNESCO World Heritage

A 10-day Vietnam tour cannot skip a visit to Halong Bay (or Along Bay), a UNESCO-listed site. We easily reached it in a few hours by road from Hanoi. Once we arrived on the coast, we boarded a traditional junk, welcomed by its attentive crew.

This magnificent cruise allowed us to engrave the most striking images of our trip in our minds. This archipelago, one of the most spectacular on the planet, amazed us! We first sailed north, in the Bai Tu Long area, to admire the picturesque islands and islets in the most diverse forms.

>>>> For more information about Halong Bay Cruise, please check out: 11 Best Halong Bay Cruises - Recommended For 2024

You might see a sail, a dog, a rooster… The splendid Thien Canh Son caves, with their beautiful stalagmites and stalactites, were also part of this aquatic exploration. We continued the cruise to Cap La, kayaking and swimming in the sublime waters, weather permitting.

>>>> Discover Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days: An Unforgettable Journey! 🌏🏯🚗

In the late afternoon, on our junk-hotel in Halong Bay, we opted for relaxation on the upper deck, sipping coconut juice. Then we participated in a cooking class to learn how to make local nems, before enjoying a seafood dinner from the region. Before going to bed, I also did some night fishing!

After a pleasant night on the water, in comfortable beds, we got up at dawn to enjoy the first rays of the sun. They emerged from the thousands of sugar loaves in the bay, giving us one of the most magical moments of our trip.

Before having lunch on board, we peacefully paddled in a kayak to visit the fishing village of Vung Vieng. We then returned to Hanoi to be able to reach the other Halong Bay the next day, the terrestrial one in Ninh Binh province.

Day 5: Ninh Binh, the Terrestrial Halong Bay

We left Hanoi, heading south, to reach the limestone rock region around Tam Coc in less than two hours. I saw with my own eyes that the sugar loaves indeed resemble those of Halong Bay, with rice fields, rivers, and lakes replacing the sea in a way. Our first stop was Mount Mua, where we climbed the 486 white stone steps to the top, without regretting the effort. The panoramic view that awaited us was probably the most spectacular of these ten days.

It also gave us an overview of the surroundings of Tam Coc village. Once there, we took a lovely bucolic bike ride in the Tonkinese countryside before having lunch. In the afternoon, we continued exploring this unique site with a boat trip on the Ngo Dong River. It winds between rice fields and limestone peaks, and we were also impressed by our rower. She propelled our boat with her feet, and we passed through three tunnels where we could touch the ceiling.

In the evening, we took a night train near Tam Coc to continue our journey south. A 10-day trip to Vietnam would be almost impossible without this type of night travel, in cabins we found comfortable.

Day 6: Phong Nha, the Natural Paradise of Vietnam

After our early morning arrival at Dong Hoi station, we were taken to Phong Nha National Park, another UNESCO world natural heritage site. We began its exploration by sailing on its underground river, one of the longest in the world. Another highlight of our 10-day Vietnam itinerary!

We then visited splendid caves and took a pleasant walk on the limestone mountain of Ke Bang before heading to Hue, the ancient imperial capital. Once settled in our lovely hotel, we dined, enjoying a cylindrical rice noodle soup with beef. It was the famous local dish “bun bo Hue”, served with a pork shank and mortadella, deliciously flavored with local leaves and herbs.

>>> Plan a 12-Day Family Tour in Vietnam: Fun and Adventure for Everyone! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🏝️🌅

Day 7: Hue, the Ancient Imperial Capital

After our first night in the historic metropolis of Central Vietnam, we explored Hue, the Imperial City of the 13 kings of the Nguyen dynasty. They "reigned" there for a century and a half, from Napoleonic times until World War II. We also visited the mausoleum of Minh Mang, the Emperor famous for having had 142 children with 43 concubines. This is another must-do activity on a 10-day trip to Vietnam.

I also loved the Thien Mu Pagoda, very picturesque with its view of the Perfume River, as well as the more discreet Tu Hieu Pagoda. It houses the tombs of eunuchs of the Nguyen dynasty, and we were lucky to be there during the monks' prayers. Our discovery of Hue ended with the Dong Ba market, the largest and oldest, where some of my travel companions bought local handicraft specialties, conical hats, and "ao dai" tunic dresses.

Day 8: The Central Coast and My Son Cham Sanctuary

The next morning, we headed towards Hoi An, a key destination located about 150 kilometers south of Hue. Our 10-day Vietnam itinerary allowed – and required us! – to make several stops along the way. First at the Hai Van Pass, with its view of the splendid China Sea coast. We also visited Lang Co beach and the peaceful Lap An lagoon, at the foot of the coastal mountains.

The picturesque cemeteries along the road did not leave us indifferent. These are "villages" of tombs built like Asian homes, finely sculpted.

Then we reached My Son, the ancient religious capital of the Cham kingdoms, which ruled over a civilization that prospered in the Middle Ages before disappearing. It left behind ruins that enchanted us, like these towers and temples in a small valley surrounded by mountains. This archaeological site was one of the unexpected highlights of our 10-day Vietnam tour. In the late afternoon, we arrived in Hoi An, a tourist spot that, although more famous, also exceeded our expectations.

Day 9: Hoi An, a City with Exceptional Heritage

In Hoi An, the morning was devoted to a walk in the historic and riverfront district of the old port city. European merchants, including the French, stayed there from the 15th century and built some of its most notable buildings. From the Fujian sanctuary to the Phuc Thanh pagoda and from the Japanese bridge – which houses a pagoda! – to the narrow, beautifully decorated alleys, there was plenty to feast our eyes on. All in a cheerful atmosphere because traveling in Vietnam for 10 days also means pleasant contacts with the local population.

In the afternoon, we explored the bucolic surroundings of Hoi An by bike, between lush rice fields, vegetable gardens, and hamlets where even shrimp are raised. In Cam Chau village, we visited a lantern factory, using traditional techniques.

Day 10: Hoi An and Departure

On the evening before and at the beginning of this last day, we occupied ourselves at our leisure between relaxing and last-minute shopping. What to do in Vietnam after ten days, if not think about souvenirs to bring home? Then in the late afternoon, I took a return flight to Hanoi and then to France, while other travel companions continued to Ho Chi Minh City.

>>> 🗺️✈Interested in a journey discovering Vietnam's heritage and nature? Check out our tours: 10-day Vietnam Itinearies

2. Things to Know About Vietnam Before You Go

The S-shaped country has nearly 100 million inhabitants on a larger area than England. Hanoi is its historical, political, and intellectual capital, but Ho Chi Minh City (known as Saigon before the country's reunification) is its leading economic metropolis. Vietnamese is spoken, along with many dialects used by its 54 ethnic groups. The Viet (or Kinh, as they are also called) represent more than 85% of the population.

Vietnam is a safe country to travel in. Just be careful of pickpockets in some tourist places and motorcycles when crossing the streets in big cities! As for the weather, it is generally pleasant. It can be chilly in the north during the winter months. In hot weather, hotels are usually well equipped with air conditioning and fans.

Conclusion

What to do in Vietnam in 10 days? You have just read the essentials of what you need to know and are ready (or almost!) to discover this country. Do not hesitate, you must know it for its landscapes, its monuments, its cuisine, and also for its very kind inhabitants.

For travel ideas in Vietnam for 10-12 days or a custom Vietnam trip that suits you best, check out:

>>> 🥰 Travel around Vietnam with us:

• Top 10 Museums in Hanoi: Discover Vietnam Through Its History and Culture
• What to Do in Mekong Delta? Your Complete Guide 
• Vietnam in September: Experience the Breathtaking Beauty of Autumn
• Vietnam in August: Weather, Attractions, and Travel Tips