Vietnam rewards the curious traveler: ancient citadels and French boulevards in the north, lantern-lit trading towns and beaches in the center, and a kinetic, modern pulse in the south. Once the seat of kingdoms and contested empires, Vietnam today is defined by craft traditions, café culture, dazzling cuisine, and scenery so cinematic it feels imagined.

Expect a spectrum of experiences in 10 days: Hanoi’s Old Quarter and street eats, limestone towers in Ha Long Bay, rice paddies and cave climbs in Ninh Binh, the Golden Bridge and Marble Mountains near Da Nang, lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An, then the war history, markets, and motorbike energy of Ho Chi Minh City.

Practical notes: most travelers use the 90-day e-visa; dress modestly at temples; carry some cash for markets but cards are increasingly accepted; Grab works well for rides; and always wear a helmet on motorbikes. Spring and autumn bring mild weather; in summer, pack light layers and sun protection. Domestic flights are frequent and affordable.

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s historical and political heart: pagodas and French villas, lakeside promenades, and an Old Quarter that has traded in crafts for a millennium. Taste bun cha and egg coffee, wander colonial boulevards, and use the city as a springboard for Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh adventures.

• Top sights: Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Old Quarter guild streets, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, West Lake lanes.
• Food & coffee: Pho Gia Truyen (classic northern pho), Bun Cha Huong Lien (“Obama bun cha”), Banh Mi 25, Xoi Yen (sticky rice bowls), The Note Coffee (lake views and sticky notes), Dinh Cafe (old-school egg coffee), Loading T (cinnamon-infused brew).
• Fun facts: Hanoi’s 36 “streets” were once named for their guilds; egg coffee emerged in the 1940s when milk was scarce.

Getting to Hanoi: Book international or regional flights into HAN on Trip.com or compare on Kiwi.com. From the airport, take a taxi or Grab (40–60 minutes to the Old Quarter).

Stay in Hanoi: Search stays on Hotels.com or VRBO. Handpicked options: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (heritage icon), Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (great value in the Old Quarter), Somerset Grand Hanoi (aparthotel space), Lotte Hotel Hanoi (skyline views).

Day 1: Arrival and Old Quarter Stroll

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple; watch locals practicing tai chi and calligraphy.

Evening: Dinner at Quan An Ngon (regional Vietnamese dishes under one roof) or Pho Gia Truyen (go early; they sell out). Cap the night with egg coffee at Dinh Cafe and people-watching on Ta Hien “beer street.”

Day 2: Classics of Hanoi + Night Food Adventure

Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (early to avoid lines), One Pillar Pagoda, and the Presidential Palace grounds. Coffee stop at Loading T for cinnamon-scented robusta.

Afternoon: Explore the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university) and Hoa Lo Prison for context on colonial and war-era history. Lunch on bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien or nem cua be (crab rolls) at a local bia hoi.

Evening: Hop in a vintage army jeep for a street food and culture spin around the city:

Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep. It’s a fun, safe way to sample hidden eateries and learn the city’s backstories.

Day 3: Ninh Binh Karsts, Caves, and Countryside (Full-Day Tour)

Trade the city for emerald paddies and limestone peaks. Boat through Tam Coc or Trang An grottoes, cycle past rice fields, and climb the 500 steps to Mua Cave viewpoint for sweeping views. Great for hikers and photographers.

Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave (Boat & Bike). Expect 10–11 hours door-to-door with lunch included.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise (Full-Day Tour)

Set out early for Ha Long Bay. Sail past limestone towers, kayak calm coves, and visit caves; many cruises include a seafood buffet and sundeck time. Adventurous travelers can opt for kayaking and short hikes on island stops.

Halong 5-Star Day Cruise: Buffet, Kayak & Jacuzzi. Prefer more time on the water? Consider the overnight option: Overnight 5-Star Halong Cruise (2D1N).

Hoi An (via Da Nang)

Hoi An is a preserved port town where Chinese assembly halls, Japanese merchant houses, and Vietnamese shophouses meet along the Thu Bon River. By day, tailor shops and cafes hum; by night, lanterns glow and boats drift through reflections.

• Top sights: Ancient Town ticketed sights, Japanese Covered Bridge, Assembly Halls, riverside night market, An Bang Beach, rice field bike routes.
• Food & coffee: Madam Khanh (banh mi), Morning Glory (home-style classics), Com Ga Ba Buoi (chicken rice), White Rose Restaurant (shrimp dumplings), Rosie’s Cafe and Hoi An Roastery (beans and cold brew).
• Nearby adventures: Da Nang’s Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na Hills’ Golden Bridge, My Son Sanctuary’s Cham ruins.

Travel from Hanoi to Da Nang: Morning flight (1h25–1h35; often $40–$90 one-way). Compare and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Scenic alternative: the Reunification Express sleeper train (15–17 hours) via Trip.com Trains.

Stay in Hoi An or Da Nang: Hoi An picks: Anantara Hoi An Resort (riverside), Hoi An Dream City Hotel (budget-friendly Old Town base), Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An or Four Seasons The Nam Hai (splurge), plus hostels like Tribee Bana Hostel. Browse more on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Prefer Da Nang’s beach vibe? Consider InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (opulent), Furama Resort Danang (family-friendly), or budget picks like Danang Backpackers Hostel and Funtastic Beach Hostel. Search Da Nang generally on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Day 5: Fly South to Central Vietnam, Settle into Hoi An

Morning: Fly Hanoi → Da Nang; transfer 45 minutes to Hoi An. Drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Walk the Ancient Town with a heritage ticket: Japanese Covered Bridge, Quan Cong Temple, old merchant homes. Coffee at Hoi An Roastery or Rosie’s Cafe.

Evening: Lantern-lit riverside dinner at Morning Glory (cao lau noodles, white rose dumplings). Browse the Night Market for silk lanterns, ceramics, and custom leather sandals.

Day 6: Marble Mountains + Ba Na Hills’ Golden Bridge

Morning: Head to Marble Mountains (Da Nang). Climb stone stairways to pagodas and caves; panoramic views reward the effort. Brunch on mi quang at Mi Quang Ba Mua (turmeric noodles, pork/shrimp, peanuts, herbs).

Afternoon–Evening: Ride the cable car at Ba Na Hills to the famed Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands. Alpine gardens, viewpoints, and cool mountain air await.

Ba Na Hills with Golden Bridge Private Tour. Return to Hoi An for riverside cocktails or a sunset boat ride.

Day 7: Countryside Ride, Beach Time, Tailor Fittings

Morning: Rent bicycles for a loop through Tra Que vegetable village and rice paddies; stop for fresh herbs and iced coffee. Optional dawn trip to My Son Sanctuary (Cham ruins) for misty photos and light hiking.

Afternoon: Relax at An Bang Beach; try a seafood late lunch on the sand. Swing by a tailor (Yaly, Be Be, or Bao Khanh) for a fitting—turnaround can be 24–48 hours.

Evening: Dinner at Com Ga Ba Buoi (Hoi An chicken rice) or Nu Eatery (creative Vietnamese plates). Hunt for hand-carved woodwork, silk, and cinnamon bark in small boutiques.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City buzzes: glass towers beside French cathedrals, side-street phở beside third-wave coffee, and markets where bargaining is a sport. It’s your base for the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta—and some of the country’s best street food.

• Top sights: Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Chinatown (Cholon) pagodas.
• Food & coffee: Pho Hoa Pasteur (since 1968), Banh Xeo 46A (crispy pancakes), Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen, Com Tam Ba Ghien (broken rice), The Workshop and Shin Coffee (specialty beans), craft beer at Heart of Darkness.
• Unique experiences: Motorbike street-food tours, rooftop sunsets, contemporary art spaces, and late-night jazz bars.

Travel from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City: Morning flight (1h30–1h40; often $40–$90). Book via Trip.com or compare on Kiwi.com. Train fans can ride the overnight Reunification Express (~15 hours) via Trip.com Trains.

Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: For splash and skyline, The Reverie Saigon. Excellent midrange: Silverland Yen Hotel (spa time) and Sherwood Residence (apartment-style). Value and vibes: Hotel Nikko Saigon. Social stay: The Common Room Project. Or browse broadly on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Day 8: Flight, District 1 Icons, and Rooftop Sunset

Morning: Fly Da Nang → HCMC; check in and grab a light lunch at Pho Hoa Pasteur.

Afternoon: Walk the Central Post Office (Gustave Eiffel design), Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Reunification Palace. Coffee workshop: The Workshop for pour-overs and airy loft views.

Evening: Sunset from a rooftop (try a spot near Nguyen Hue). Dinner at Banh Xeo 46A (tear the sizzling pancake, wrap in herbs). Stroll Nguyen Hue Walking Street’s buskers and lights.

Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta (Full-Day Tour)

Crawl through history at Cu Chi’s wartime tunnels, then cruise the Mekong’s brown ribbons past fruit orchards and stilt houses. Expect tastings, small-boat rides, and village stops—adventurous without being strenuous.

Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour. Alternative small-group option also available: Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Small-Group Tour.

Day 10: Markets, Coffee, and Departure

Morning: Ben Thanh Market for spices, lacquerware, and textiles; if you prefer AC and set prices, try Saigon Centre’s food hall for last bites. Coffee flight at Shin Coffee or The Workshop.

Afternoon: War Remnants Museum (powerful exhibits) if you missed it, or Chinatown’s Thien Hau Temple before your airport transfer. Grab one last banh mi or com tam for the road.

Optional Unique Food Tour Add-On (Evening, Days 8 or 10)

Ride pillion with expert drivers through back alleys to taste 7–12 local dishes—perfect for adventurous foodies.

Ho Chi Minh Street Food & Sightseeing by Motorbike.

Logistics at a Glance

• Hanoi base: Days 1–4 (with Ninh Binh and Ha Long day trips).
• Hoi An base (via Da Nang): Days 5–7 (Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills, beach and tailors).
• Ho Chi Minh City base: Days 8–10 (city icons, Cu Chi + Mekong).
• Domestic flights: ~1.5 hours each leg; check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for deals.
• Trains (scenic option): Reunification Express tickets on Trip.com Trains.

Budget Tips (target ~50/100 scale)

• Mix street food (excellent and clean at busy spots) with midrange restaurants; expect $2–$5 for bowls and $10–$20 for sit-down meals.
• Choose a Ha Long day cruise over an overnight to save; spend on one unforgettable experience (e.g., motorbike foodie tour).
• Use Grab for short hops; negotiate fixed prices for boat rides and tailors upfront.

In ten days, you’ll sip egg coffee in a French villa, kayak beneath limestone spires, hike to dragon-backed viewpoints, cross a mountain bridge held by stone hands, and taste Saigon’s night markets from a motorbike seat. This adventurous, food-forward route balances big sights with local texture—built to savor and repeat.