10-Day Vietnam Itinerary: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

I just got back from 10 days in Vietnam, and here’s the honest version: you can hit the big five—Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City—without feeling like you’re sprinting through a checklist. The trick is cutting the fat. Skip the third night in Da Nang, take the night train, and eat everything. This itinerary is what I actually did, with the mistakes edited out.

How many days do you need in each city?

We split it 3-2-2-3 across Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, with a Ha Long Bay overnight wedged into the Hanoi block. That sounds tight, but it works because Vietnam’s domestic flights are cheap and fast.

Hanoi (3 nights): Land on day 1, use day 2 for the Old Quarter and a street food tour, day 3 for Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Bay (1 night): Overnight cruise. You’ll be back in Hanoi by late afternoon on day 4, then fly to Da Nang that evening.
Da Nang (1 night): A pit stop for the Marble Mountains and My Khe Beach before taxiing to Hoi An.
Hoi An (2 nights): Day 5 arrival, day 6 for the Ancient Town and a cooking class, day 7 morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City (3 nights): Days 7-10. Cu Chi Tunnels one morning, the rest for markets, museums, and eating.

What’s the best way to get between cities?

Fly between Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways run hourly flights; we paid about $40 per leg. For the Hanoi–Ha Long Bay leg, book a shared minibus through your cruise company—it’s $15 and takes 3.5 hours. Avoid the public bus; it stops at every shrimp farm.

Hanoi to Da Nang: 1-hour flight. Grab a window seat for the coastline approach.
Da Nang to Hoi An: 45-minute taxi (about $15). We used Mai Linh, not Grab—it was cheaper.
Hoi An to Da Nang airport: Same route in reverse. Budget 50 minutes.
Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City: 1.5-hour flight. We flew early morning to maximize day 7.

Where should you stay in Hanoi?

We booked two nights at La Siesta Hotel & Spa in the Old Quarter. It’s on Ma May Street, right in the thick of the walking streets but quiet enough at night because the windows are double-glazed. The breakfast pho was better than most street stalls I tried. For budget travelers, Hanoi Serenity Hotel on Hang Be Street is a solid alternative—clean rooms, good location, half the price.

Old Quarter: Stay here. Everything is walkable—Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, and the night market.
French Quarter: Quieter, wider streets, more upscale hotels like Sofitel Legend Metropole. Worth it if you want pool access after the heat.
Avoid: The area around Hanoi Railway Station. It’s noisy and a 20-minute walk from the good food.

Is Ha Long Bay worth the hype?

Yes, but only if you do an overnight cruise. Day trips are a parade of boats jockeying for photo spots, and you’ll spend more time in the harbor than on the bay. We booked a mid-range junk boat through Sinh Tourist for $120 per person—that included all meals, kayaking, a cave visit, and a sunset squid-fishing session (we caught nothing). The bay itself is stunning at dawn when the other boats are still asleep.

Cruise tip: Avoid the mega-ships with 200 people. We had 16 on ours, and it felt private.
What to pack: Motion sickness pills (the bay gets choppy), a light jacket for the deck at night, and cash for tips.
Overrated: The floating villages. They’re tourist shops now. Skip the pearl farm tour.

What should you do in Hoi An and Da Nang?

Hoi An is the highlight. We spent a full day wandering the Ancient Town—yellow buildings, lantern-lit streets, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The tailors on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street can make a suit in 24 hours; I got a linen blazer for $50. For food, Banh Mi Phuong (the one Anthony Bourdain visited) lives up to the hype—get the mixed pork one. Morning Glory restaurant is good for a sit-down meal; their cao lau noodles are legit.

Da Nang is a one-night stop. We stayed at A La Carte Da Nang Beach for the rooftop pool and ocean view. The Marble Mountains are a 30-minute visit—climb to the top for the caves and Buddha statues, but skip the elevator (it costs extra and the stairs are fine). My Khe Beach is fine for a dip, but the currents are strong; don’t swim far out.

Hoi An at night: The Old Quarter is pedestrian-only from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Rent a bicycle ($1) to explore the riverfront.
Da Nang food: Mi Quang Ba Mua on Hoang Dieu Street. The turmeric noodles with shrimp and pork crackling are the best meal I had in Vietnam.
Skip: The Hoi An Night Market. It’s a crowded alley of identical souvenir stalls. Eat instead.

How do you make the most of Ho Chi Minh City in 3 days?

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is a beast. We stayed in District 1 at The Myst Dong Khoi—it’s near the Opera House and walking distance to most sights. The first morning, hit the Cu Chi Tunnels with a half-day tour (we used Sinh Tourist again, $25). It’s a 90-minute drive, but the tunnels are genuinely fascinating and claustrophobic. The afternoon is for Ben Thanh Market—bargain hard, start at half the asking price.

Day 2: War Remnants Museum in the morning (heavy but essential). Then Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office (both free, both photogenic). Lunch at Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen on Co Giang Street—grilled pork with vermicelli, $2.
Day 3: Mekong Delta day trip (optional). I skipped it because the tours are 8 hours and felt rushed. Instead, I walked Nguyen Hue Walking Street, had a coffee at Cafe Apartment (a 10-story building of cafes, each floor different), and ate at Ngon 138 for a sampler platter of Vietnamese dishes.
Evening: Rooftop bar at Saigon Saigon in the Caravelle Hotel. Drinks are $12, but the view over the Opera House is worth it.

FAQ

Is 10 days enough for Vietnam? Yes, if you stick to this route. You’ll miss places like Sapa, Hue, and Phong Nha, but you’ll see the heavy hitters without burnout. I’d rather do five cities well than eight cities in a blur.

What’s the best time to go? February to April. We went in March—cool mornings in Hanoi (20°C), hot afternoons in Ho Chi Minh City (32°C), and no rain. Avoid October to December in the north; Ha Long Bay gets fogged in.

Do I need a visa? Most nationalities need an e-visa ($25, 30 days). Apply at least a week before. Print two copies—they’ll keep one at immigration.

Conclusion

Fly between cities to save time; Vietjet Air is cheap and reliable.
Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise > day trip. Book through Sinh Tourist for fair pricing.
Stay in the Old Quarter in Hanoi, District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Ancient Town area in Hoi An.
Eat at Banh Mi Phuong (Hoi An), Mi Quang Ba Mua (Da Nang), and Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen (Ho Chi Minh City).
Skip the Mekong Delta day trip if you’re short on time—use that day to explore Saigon’s cafes and streets instead.