Travelling to Southeast Asia is a truly remarkable experience! From one side, you have the bustling streets of Singapore and its amazing culture. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more laid-back experience to cool you off from your busy lifestyle, Thailand just might be the perfect destination for you! However, one Southeast Asian country is rather underrated, and many travellers seem to brush it off whenever they’re planning their next trip – Vietnam.
Despite the lack of popularity, Vietnam is simply amazing! Boasting terraced rice paddies, exotic beaches, and cities that can sometimes get too energetic, there is no reason why you shouldn’t visit the Land of the Blue Dragon. Many travellers who have previously experienced the soul of Vietnam have said its food, culture, and landscapes have been life-changing, almost as if they’ve been to another planet! With that in mind, now it’s your turn to see what Vietnam is all about!
Navigating this country can be a bit challenging, which is why we created our 10-day Vietnam itinerary. We’ll take you from the south to the north, showcasing some of the must-see sights in Vietnam. In addition, we have also prepared a special treat for foodies and highlights for day trips you don’t want to miss out on. This will be a treat for the senses, so buckle up, and prepare to be amazed!
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
The first stop of our 10-day Vietnam itinerary is the country’s economic capital – Ho Chi Minh. Now, from the moment you first arrive, you may get a bit frightened once you see the traffic in the city. The bustle in Ho Chi Minh is mad, and some of you may be even scared to cross the road – we were in the exact same position! Even the traffic lights won’t do you much service, which is why you need to learn how to cross the road as a local.
As you arrive on the street, find an opening and take a leap of faith. If there’s oncoming traffic, use your hands to signal the drivers to stop or slow down. From that point, just walk and don’t stop! Because Vietnam has more motorcycles than cars, some drivers might even go around you as you’re walking, but remember – it’s all part of the culture!
Now that you’ve learned one of the most important things about Ho Chi Minh, it’s time to fully immerse yourself in it. Because this is an economic capital, we’ve only reserved one day from our 10-day Vietnam itinerary for it which is more than enough. Here are a few attractions worth checking out.
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War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum is one of the must-see sights in Vietnam, though it doesn’t have the most cheerful vibe. As the name suggests, this museum features collections of tanks, planes, and weapons that were used during the Vietnam War. Additionally, you can see stories and photos that provide a clear insight into the tragedy that happened in the country during this time. Even though it’s depressing, this place to see in Vietnam provides a detailed look into the country’s history, so we highly recommend you check it out.
After you’re done with the museum, you can also check out the Notre Dame Cathedral and Palace, all of which are within walking distance from each other.
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Chu-Chu Tunnels
The Chu-Chu Tunnels are another place to see in Vietnam, though it’s not recommended for people afraid of tight spaces. This is an intricate network of tunnels soldiers built during the war and was used to launch surprise attacks. For this experience, you should book a guided tour [affiliate link] and dress for hot and humid weather. Remember, the tunnels are on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh, so if your 10-day Vietnam itinerary is jam-packed, you might want to skip out on it.
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Mekong Delta
If you have enough time, consider visiting the Mekong Delta, a network of tributaries between Ho Chi Minh and Cambodia. Here, you can check out My Tho, its pagodas, and the famous floating market. Remember that it gets really crowded year-round, so if you don’t want to waste time during your Vietnam trip, you can freely opt out of it.
Hoi An
You’re in for a big change in scenery for the second day of our 10-day Vietnam itinerary. More specifically, you’ll move from Ho Chi Minh’s bustle to the idyllic setting of Hoi An. This ancient city is located just 45 minutes away from Da Nang, and as soon as you arrive, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a movie set!
Hoi An’s architecture is simply amazing. The town is divided into two parts – one was built by the Chinese, while the other by the Japanese. Additionally, you won’t find any motorcycles or cars anywhere! Cycling is the only acceptable form of transport, so you won’t have to worry about crossing the street. Finally, Hoi An is very tourist-friendly due to the abundance of shops, markets, museums, and restaurants. Check out these experiences when you’re visiting the city.
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Lantern Festival
The reason Hoi An is one of the best places to see in Vietnam is the Lantern Festival. It takes place daily until 9 PM, so you’re sure to catch it no matter how cramped your agenda might be. Once the sun goes down, the streets are filled with all sorts of colourful lanterns, giving the town a buzzing vibe. When it’s time, all the people light up a lantern, make a wish, and send it floating into the sky. You’ll never forget the scene from this experience!
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My Son Sanctuary
Visiting My Son Sanctuary is another excellent thing to do in Vietnam. These are ruins of ancient stone and brick temples, similar to the ones you see in Angkor Wat, only on a much smaller scale. To get the whole experience, we recommend booking a guide as you’ll learn the entire history of the place.
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Beaches
Some of Vietnam’s best beaches are actually located near Hoi An! The two main ones are just 10 minutes away and are lined with restaurants and bars, perfect for relaxing after an entire day of sightseeing.
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Taste The Local Delicacies
Our 10-day Vietnam itinerary wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the country’s exceptional delicacies. Luckily, Hoi An has some of the best restaurants in Vietnam that serves both traditional and international dishes. While you can taste the latter anywhere in the world, we recommend visiting Bahn Mi Phuong. Here, you can eat a traditional Vietnamese baguette sandwich in all kinds of flavours, which is freshly baked each day. Remember – this is one of the most popular places in the Hoi An, and it’s usually filled with people, so you should arrive early to avoid big crowds.
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Experience The Nightlife
Hoi An’s peaceful and charming vibe may give the wrong impression that the town’s dead once the lights go down. On the contrary, it gets pretty lively at night, though the atmosphere simmers down once the Lantern Festival is over. Usually, restaurants close around 10 PM and bars by 11 PM. You can find two bars on the main strip that are open until 2 AM: Tiger Bar and Sky Bar. Unfortunately, the town has no clubs, so consider 2 AM as the final call.
Halong Bay
When mentioning the best places to see in Vietnam, Halong Bay will definitely be at the top of the list. This inspiring site is filled with hundreds of limestone rocks, making up a breathtaking scenery.
The best way to experience Halong Bay is with an overnight cruise. These usually last for a day or two and will take you to some of the most magnificent beaches and caves in the area. However, your 10-day Vietnam itinerary will guide you in choosing the perfect one.
Choosing a Halong Bay cruise can be a bit daunting as there are so many providers all offering different things, we aim to simply this for you.
Firstly decide how many nights you wish to spend on it. Then you need to look into the itineraries they offer. Many cruises visit caves, floating villages, and the magnificent Cat Ba Island. Still, visiting these all in one run is simply impossible, so you need to find the most attractive ones for you. Furthermore, see where the cruise docks are. You can either go to Halong Bay or Bai Long Bay, though we recommend the latter, most boats dock in Halong bay so can get quite crowded.
Finally, choose the level of luxury. Cheaper cruises have very basic cabins with no AC, which can be hard to manage, so we suggest booking some more luxurious ones, these may be a bit more expensive, but very much worth it, our room on the cruise had panoramic windows and a luxurious bathroom with tub
We choose Genesis Regal cruise company and sprung for the panoramic suite with private terrace.
Hanoi
Our 10-day Vietnam itinerary continues to the country’s capital – the amazing Hanoi. This is undoubtedly the favourite city to visit for many travellers due to the abundance of activities and experiences. Hanoi is characterised by French colonial buildings, as well as the mausoleum in the Ho Chi Ming complex, dedicated to the Vietnamese leader under the same name. Still, there are a lot more sights to see here, so let’s go through some of the most popular ones.
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Train Street
Hanoi’s Train Street is a famous place to see in Vietnam, known for its narrowness and an active rail track running in the middle of it. Surprisingly, many cafes are lined up!
Each time a train comes through the streets, cafes pack up all the chairs and tables, allowing it to go through. It’s quite a surreal experience, and tourists love it, so it’s definitely a sight you need to see. To organise your time properly, take a look at the train schedule.
Weekdays
- 19:05
- 19:15
- 19:40
- 20:20
- 21:05
- 21:40
- 22:00
Weekends
- 07:45
- 08:50
- 09:20
- 11:30
- 15:20
- 16:20
- 17:30
- 18:15
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Temple Of Literature
This temple was actually Vietnam’s first university, and it’s one of the oldest in the world, first established in 1070. It has a large building complex that takes you back to ancient times, and it’s the perfect spot for taking pictures. Like most places to see in Vietnam, we recommend booking a guided tour that will take you through the complex’s history.
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The French Quarter
You may not know this, but Vietnam was once a French colony, hence the French colonial architecture. Most of them are located in the heart of the city, also known as the French Quarter. In the middle of it, you can find Hoan Kiem Lake, which is where most of the trendy accommodations, restaurants, bars, and clubs are located. In other words, this is the place to be.
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Take Delight In Hanoi’s Delicacies
Hanoi also has an excellent dining scene, from street food vendors to posh restaurants. Here are a few places worth checking out
- Pho10 – if you’re looking for the best place to eat some pho, this is it!
- Bahn Mi 25 – another great street food vendor serving Bahn Mi, as well as international dishes. The staff is English-speaking, so you’ll find no trouble ordering the perfect dish.
- Pizza 4PS – although it’s not traditional, this place is excellent if you want to take a break from all the rice and noodles. The Vietnamese are excellent pizza makers, as they add a unique oriental twist to their dishes, such as soy garlic beef or salmon miso pizza.
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Day Trips
Once you’re in Hanoi, you can also take part in some day trips to truly experience the city. Here are some of our recommendations:
- Day Tour of Hanoi – this is a great option to see all the city’s sights while learning its history.
- Halong Bay – getting to Halong Bay is relatively easy if you’re in Hanoi because many tours organise round trips.
- NinhBinh – this amazing valley is an absolute must-see in Vietnam, so book a tour if you have the time!
- Sapa Valley – these rice-filled valleys boast exceptional views and usually require an overnight stay. If you have an extra day or two in your 10-day Vietnam itinerary, make sure to check it out.
Finally, other places to see in Vietnam, specifically Hanoi include:
- Hanoi Opera House
- St. Josephs Cathedral
- Vietnam National Museum of History
- The Presidental Palace
- Cua Bac Church
With this, we conclude our 10-day Vietnam itinerary! Of course, you’re free to alter your agenda however you want, but consider these places as absolute must-visits!
Check out our blog for even more destination recommendations
