10 Day Vietnam Itinerary: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City

I spent ten days bouncing between Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City, and here’s the honest breakdown—what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do again. This itinerary is built for first-timers who want to hit the three big anchors without burning out or getting scammed. No fluff, just the stuff that actually matters for trip planning.

Is 10 days enough for Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes, but you have to move deliberately. Ten days means you get about three nights in Hanoi (including the Ha Long Bay detour), three in Ho Chi Minh City, and two on the bay itself. I flew into Hanoi and out of Saigon to avoid backtracking—that saved nearly a full day.

Hanoi (Nights 1–3): Land, recover from jet lag, eat street food.
Ha Long Bay (Nights 3–4): Overnight cruise is the only way to do it without rushing.
Ho Chi Minh City (Nights 5–9): More time here because the day trips (Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta) eat into your schedule.

The flight between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is about two hours. I booked VietJet for about $40 one-way, and it was fine—no frills, but on time.

What’s the best way to spend 3 days in Hanoi?

Skip the big hotel chains. I stayed at La Siesta Classic Ma May in the Old Quarter, and the location was perfect—walkable to most sights, but quiet enough at night. The staff helped me book a taxi to the train street without the usual tourist markup.

Day 1: Walk the Old Quarter loops. Don’t bother with a map; just get lost. Grab a bowl of bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien (yes, the Obama spot—it’s actually good, not just a gimmick). Day 2: Hit Hoan Kiem Lake early (before 7 AM to see locals doing tai chi), then cross the Red River to Long Bien Bridge for the morning market chaos. Day 3: Morning at the Temple of Literature—it’s calmer than expected, and the gardens are a good break from motorbike horns. Afternoon at Train Street (go to the Hanoi Train Street Cafe on Le Duan, not the one near the Old Quarter—less crowded, same trains).

Don’t miss: Egg coffee at Cafe Giang (the original, not the copycats).
Skip: The Water Puppet Theatre. Unless you’re traveling with kids, it’s slow and the heat in the room is oppressive.
Watch out for: Taxi scams at Noi Bai Airport. Use Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) from the app—fixed price, no haggling.

Should I do a 2-day or 3-day Ha Long Bay cruise?

Two days, one night is the sweet spot. Three days on the bay feels repetitive—you’re seeing limestone karsts on day three that look exactly like the ones on day one. I booked through Sinh Tourist (a reliable local operator in Hanoi) for a mid-range junk boat called Swan Cruise. It was $120 per person including meals, kayaking, and a visit to Sung Sot Cave.

What you actually do: Board around noon, eat a seafood lunch, kayak near Titop Island, then a sunset happy hour on the deck. Next morning: tai chi at sunrise, visit Luon Cave by bamboo boat, then brunch and head back to the port.
What nobody tells you: The “floating village” tours are tourist traps. You pay extra to see people living in stilt houses while vendors push trinkets. Skip it.
Packing tip: Bring a light jacket. The bay gets windy at night, and the boat’s AC is either arctic or broken—no in-between.

I’d swap Ha Long Bay for Lan Ha Bay if I did it again. Same limestone scenery, half the tourists, and cleaner water. Operators like Monkey Island Cruises run the same route for similar prices.

What’s the real Ho Chi Minh City itinerary (not the tourist brochure)?

Ho Chi Minh City is louder, faster, and more chaotic than Hanoi. I liked it more for that reason. I stayed at The Dorm Saigon in District 1—not a hostel, a budget hotel with private rooms, and the rooftop bar has a solid view of the Bitexco Financial Tower.

Day 1: War Remnants Museum in the morning (bring tissues—the Agent Orange exhibit is brutal). Then walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and Saigon Central Post Office (they’re right next to each other, 30 minutes total). Lunch at Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen—grilled pork with vermicelli, no English menu, just point. Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour. I booked through The Sinh Tourist again—$15 including bus and guide. The tunnels are cramped (I’m 5’10” and had to crawl), but the history is sobering. Skip the shooting range—it’s loud, expensive, and feels exploitative. Day 3: Mekong Delta day trip. Pick the Ben Tre route, not My Tho—fewer tourist boats. You’ll ride a sampan through coconut canals, try honey tea, and eat elephant-ear fish. It’s a long day (7 AM to 6 PM), but worth it for the contrast with the city.

Best dinner: Cục Gạch Quán (the “Brick Restaurant”)—Vietnamese home cooking in a colonial villa. The fried spring rolls and caramel pork belly are insane.
Best bar: The Snuffbox—speakeasy hidden behind a velvet curtain. No sign, just a doorbell. Ask a Grab driver to drop you at “22 Lý Tự Trọng” and look for the unmarked door.
Night market skip: Bến Thành Market is overpriced for tourists. Binh Tay Market in Cholon (Chinatown) is cheaper and more authentic, but go before 4 PM when it closes.

How do I get between Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City?

Hanoi to Ha Long Bay: Book a shuttle bus through your hotel or Sinh Tourist. It’s 3.5 hours, $10–$15. The highway is decent now—no more potholes.
Ha Long Bay back to Hanoi: Same bus, reverse. Arrive around 2 PM, then catch your evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City: Fly. VietJet or Bamboo Airways have hourly departures. Book directly on their sites, not third-party aggregators—cheaper and easier to change if delayed.
Within Ho Chi Minh City: Grab everywhere. Taxis are a gamble—some drivers “forget” to turn on the meter. GrabBike is fun for short hops (hold on tight).

What should I pack for Vietnam in 10 days?

Lightweight, quick-dry clothes. You’ll sweat through everything in Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi in winter (Nov–Feb) can drop to 15°C, so bring a hoodie.

Essentials: Good walking sandals (I used Teva), a reusable water bottle (tap water is not drinkable, but most hotels have filtered refill stations), and a power bank.
Tech: Get an eSIM before you go. I used Airalo—$10 for 5GB, works instantly on arrival. No SIM card hunting.
Cash: Vietnam runs on cash for street food and taxis. ATMs are everywhere, but always take the local bank’s exchange rate (decline the “dynamic currency conversion” scam).
Health: Bring mosquito repellent with DEET for the Mekong Delta. I got six bites in one hour near Ben Tre. Also pack Imodium—street food is amazing, but your gut might disagree.

FAQ

Is it safe to eat street food in Vietnam? Yes, but pick stalls with high turnover. If locals are queuing, it’s safe. Avoid anything that’s been sitting out under a heat lamp. I ate street food every day—bun cha, pho, banh mi—and never got sick. Stick to cooked food, not raw salads or cut fruit from unrefrigerated carts.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam? Most nationalities need an e-visa. Apply at the official Vietnam Immigration portal (not a third-party site—they charge double). It costs $25, takes 3 business days, and you print it out to show at immigration. I used it at both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports with zero issues.

What’s the best time to do this itinerary? October to November or March to April. Avoid Tet (Lunar New Year, usually late January/early February)—everything shuts down for a week, and transport is a nightmare. Summer (May–August) is monsoon season in Ho Chi Minh City—expect daily downpours, but they usually last an hour and clear up.

Conclusion

Three cities, ten days, one direction: Fly into Hanoi, out of Ho Chi Minh City to avoid backtracking. Use VietJet or Bamboo Airways for the domestic leg.
Ha Long Bay in two days max: Overnight cruise with Swan Cruise or Monkey Island Cruises. Skip the floating villages and three-day options.
Eat everything, but choose wisely: Bun cha at Huong Lien, pho at any busy sidewalk stall, and egg coffee at Cafe Giang. Skip Bến Thành Market.
Transport is cheap if you use Grab: Never flag a taxi. Fixed price through the app every time.
Pack light and buy an eSIM: You’ll thank yourself on the motorbike taxi rides and the sweaty temple visits.