Vietnam braids ancient citadels, French boulevards, and neon motorbikes into one irresistible story. From Hanoi’s lakes and pagodas to the limestone towers of Ha Long Bay, the north is all romance and legend; the south hums with Saigonese ambition, where street carts and skyscrapers share the same humid air.

Expect a cuisine that’s both comforting and bright: bowls of pho perfumed with star anise, smoky bun cha, imperial Hue recipes, and tropical fruit you’ll crave forever. Bubble to the top of it all—egg coffee in Hanoi, fresh coconut on a Ha Long sundeck, and iced ca phe sua da while Saigon buzzes past.

Practical notes: ride-hailing apps (Grab) are reliable; domestic flights are frequent and inexpensive. Dress modestly for temples, carry small bills for markets, and check the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum schedule if you want to view the embalmed leader (it closes for maintenance annually).

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s intellectual heart—tree-lined boulevards, lakeside strolls, and the tangle of the Old Quarter’s guild streets, where bamboo sellers still cluster on their ancestral lanes. French villas peek behind banyans, while street kitchens keep charcoal fires glowing from dawn to midnight.

• Top sights: Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter guild streets, Train Street (view safely from a cafe), and the Ho Chi Minh Complex.
• What to eat: Pho at Pho Gia Truyen (Bat Dan), bun cha at Huong Lien (“Obama bun cha”), banh cuon at Thanh Van, and egg coffee at the original Giang Cafe.
• Good to know: The Old Quarter sidewalks double as parking; step mindfully. Most museums close for lunch; check hours.

Stay in Hanoi: Historic luxe at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, boutique comfort at Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa, family-friendly suites at Somerset Grand Hanoi, or skyline views at Lotte Hotel Hanoi. Browse more stays: VRBO Hanoi | Hotels.com Hanoi

Getting in and around: Book international and domestic flights via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. For regional trains (e.g., to Ninh Binh), see Trip.com trains.

Day 1 — Arrival and Old Quarter Flavors

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land at Noi Bai (HAN) and transfer 45–60 minutes to the Old Quarter. Check in, then orient around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple—learn the Turtle Tower legend and watch tai chi as the city softens toward dusk.

Evening: A street-food walk: bun cha at Huong Lien, then try nem cua be (crab spring rolls) nearby. For a nightcap, egg coffee at Giang Cafe or craft beer at Standing Bar overlooking Truc Bach Lake.

Day 2 — Hanoi Icons by Day, Vintage Jeep by Night

Morning: Start at the Temple of Literature (1070), Vietnam’s Confucian “first university.” Continue to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and One Pillar Pagoda; dress modestly if entering solemn spaces.

Afternoon: Explore the Old Quarter’s guild streets: Hang Ma (paper offerings), Hang Quat (traditional altars), and hidden courtyards. Lunch on banh cuon at Thanh Van, and a silky coconut coffee at Dinh Cafe overlooking the lake.

Evening: See, taste, and learn on the Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep. You’ll roll past the French Quarter, Long Bien Bridge, markets, and hidden eateries.

Day 3 — Ninh Binh Karsts, Temples, and River Caves

Full-day small-group escape to Vietnam’s “inland Ha Long.” Join the Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave via Boat & Bike for village cycling, sampan rowing under limestone arches, and the 500-step climb to Mua Cave lookout.

Dining tip: Back in Hanoi, sample cha ca (turmeric-dill fish) at a traditional spot, and finish with coconut ice cream on Ly Thai To.

Ha Long Bay

Few seascapes are as storied as Ha Long—1,600 jungle-capped karsts rising from jade water. Our route focuses on Lan Ha Bay, a quieter, equally dramatic arm dotted with floating villages and hidden coves.

• Why cruise: Sunset decks, kayaking through grottoes, stargazing from your balcony cabin, and dawn tai chi. It’s as serene as Vietnam gets.
• Local flavors onboard: Fresh squid, clams, and whole fish steamed with ginger and spring onion—simple and perfect.

Stay (if not cruising or pre/post): Bayfront polish at Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, city-convenient Ha Long DC Hotel, or sleep on the water with Paradise Elegance Cruise. Explore more: VRBO Ha Long Bay | Hotels.com Ha Long Bay

Day 4 — Hanoi to Lan Ha–Ha Long Bay (2-Day Cruise Begins)

Morning pickup from Hanoi (2.5 hours via expressway) to your pier. Board the 5-star 2-Day Luxury Halong Bay Aspira Cruise from Hanoi with a balcony cabin. Sail past limestone towers, kayak tranquil lagoons, visit a cave, then savor sunset canapés, a cooking class, and squid fishing under the stars.

Day 5 — Dawn Tai Chi, Hidden Coves, Return to Hanoi

Wake for sunrise tai chi and an early swim or bamboo-boat glide. Brunch as you cruise back through the karsts. Disembark late morning; return to Hanoi mid-afternoon. Free evening for a Vietnamese tasting menu—consider Gia Restaurant for refined regional plates—or casual bun bo Nam Bo on Hang Dieu.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam turned to eleven—relentless, creative, delicious. District 1’s French landmarks mix with alleys stacked with food stalls, while new districts across the Saigon River brim with galleries, craft breweries, and riverside dining.

• Top sights: War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior viewing during renovation), Ben Thanh Market, and District 5’s atmospheric Cholon.
• What to eat: Pho Hoa Pasteur for old-school broth, banh xeo at Banh Xeo 46A, com tam (broken rice with grilled pork) at Com Tam Ba Ghien, and a late-night “oc” (snail) feast on Vinh Khanh Street.
• Nightlife: Rooftop views at Saigon Saigon Bar (Caravelle), cocktails at The Alley, or a modern Vietnamese dinner at Quan Bui before a river breeze walk.

Stay in Saigon: Opulent The Reverie Saigon, zen-like Silverland Yen Hotel, family-friendly Sherwood Residence, design-forward Hotel Nikko Saigon, or social hostel The Common Room Project. More options: VRBO Ho Chi Minh City | Hotels.com Ho Chi Minh City

Getting there: Morning flight Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City is ~2h10 and typically $45–$90 if booked early via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to District 1 is 30–50 minutes, ~VND 150,000–250,000 by Grab.

Day 6 — Travel South and Saigon First Bites

Morning: After your cruise return, transfer to HAN and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (aim a late morning/early afternoon departure).

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Pop into the Central Post Office (Gustave Eiffel’s firm influenced its design) and admire the red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral’s exterior.

Evening: Dinner at Quan Bui for regional classics (caramelized pork claypot, fresh spring rolls). Finish with rooftop views at Saigon Saigon Bar or a quiet espresso tonic at The Workshop.

Day 7 — War, Reunification, Markets, and Coffee Culture

Morning: War Remnants Museum (powerful exhibits; allow 1.5–2 hours). Walk to the Reunification Palace for 1960s time-capsule interiors and bunker rooms.

Afternoon: Ben Thanh Market for lacquerware and spices; sample banh beo (steamed rice cakes) at a Hue-style stall. Coffee flight at Shin Coffee to taste robusta vs. arabica roasting styles.

Evening: Snag a table at Banh Xeo 46A for sizzling turmeric crepes, then craft cocktails at The Alley down a photogenic hem (alley). Late snack: sugarcane juice and grilled corn near Turtle Lake.

Day 8 — Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta (All Day)

Combine history with river life on the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Full Day Tour - Max 12. Crawl through preserved tunnels, learn guerrilla ingenuity, then shift gears to coconut workshops, sampan rides under nipa palms, and delta folk music.

Alternate: Prefer a slower day on the water? Opt for the Small-Group Mekong Delta Day Trip instead.

Day 9 — Cholon, Design Shops, and Saigon by Scooter

Morning: Head to Cholon (District 5): Thien Hau Temple’s incense coils are photogenic; wander fabric and herb alleys that power the city’s commerce.

Afternoon: Browse contemporary boutiques around Le Thanh Ton and Dong Khoi or pop to District 2 for galleries and riverside cafes. Lunch on com tam at Ba Ghien—grilled pork chop, pickles, fish sauce, and an optional fried egg.

Evening: Eat like a local on the exhilarating Ho Chi Minh Street Food & Sightseeing By Motorbike (Safe & Fun)—from goat BBQ to banh xeo, snail dishes, and desserts you’d never find alone.

Optional add-on: Prefer something gentler? Consider a river breeze dinner on the Saigon River Dinner Cruise.

Day 10 — Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Final coffees and last-minute shopping—lacquerware, coffee beans, lotus tea, and ao dai textiles. Brunch at Bếp Mẹ Ỉn for home-style set meals (pickles, soup, braised dishes).

Afternoon: Airport transfer for your flight home. If time allows, a quiet hour in Tao Dan Park under tall dipterocarps is a restorative farewell.

Logistics Snapshot

• City hops: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay cruise shuttles are included or arranged by operator (2.5 hours each way). Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City flights ~2h10, $45–$90 on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Local transport: Grab cars and bikes are ubiquitous; meter taxis available; cross the street steadily and predictably.
• Weather: North can be cool Nov–Feb; Halong mornings can be misty. Saigon is tropical year-round; pack light fabrics and rain layers.

Alternative/Extra Tours You Might Love (North)

If you have an extra day in the north or want different pacing, consider:

• Halong bay 5star Cruise Day Trip: Buffet lunch & Limousine bus — a polished day-cruise alternative.

Summary: In ten days, you’ll trace Vietnam’s arc from scholarly Hanoi to the karst labyrinth of Lan Ha–Ha Long, then south to Saigon’s markets and river culture. Expect layered history, boat-borne sunsets, and more unforgettable meals than you can count—Vietnam at its most vivid.