Vietnam Itinerary: 10 Days North to South (Hanoi to the Mekong)
The length of a country in ten days.
Travel north to south through Hanoi and the northern karsts of Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, continue to the central heritage coast around Hoi An and Da Nang, then finish in Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta.
Two short domestic flights stitch the route together: Hanoi to Da Nang, then Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. The result is a fast-moving overview rather than a slow stay in any one region.
Best time: spring (February–April) and autumn (August–October) are the broad sweet spots. Vietnam spans several climates, so weather can vary by region on the same date.
- Fly into Hanoi (HAN) and out of Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
- Book two internal flights: Hanoi to Da Nang, then Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Use Grab for city rides.
- Carry small cash for boats, markets and entry fees.
- The transfer to Ha Long and the bay cruise cross open water, so choose a reputable operator.
- Note the muster and safety briefing.
- Wear the life jacket while kayaking.
Where to Stay
Use practical bases along the north-to-south route
Where to Stay
Use practical bases along the north-to-south route
Hanoi Old Quarter
Base in the Old Quarter for Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and the departure to Ha Long Bay.
Ha Long Bay cruise cabin
Use an overnight cruise cabin so the bay is part of the journey rather than a rushed return day trip.
Ninh Binh — Tam Coc or Trang An
Stay near the karst rivers for the Trang An boats and the Hang Mua viewpoint.
Hoi An Ancient Town or An Bang beach
Choose the old town for lantern-lit evenings or An Bang for a beach base near Hoi An.
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Use a central base for the city sights and the Cu Chi and Mekong departures.
Official links & permits
Use official pages for current entry rules, destination information and attraction planning
Official links & permits
Use official pages for current entry rules, destination information and attraction planning
Entry and national trip planning
Check current visa requirements and destination guidance before travel.
Northern karsts
Confirm current visitor and conservation information for Ha Long Bay and Trang An.
Central and southern sights
Use the official pages for Hoi An, Ba Na Hills and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Budget Snapshot
Getting Around
10-Day Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Noi Bai (HAN) → Hanoi Old Quarter — arrive, settle in and finish beside Hoan Kiem Lake
Arrive at Noi Bai (HAN) & transfer to the Old Quarter
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to the Old Quarter. Keep the arrival flexible before the first walk in Hanoi.
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple at dusk
Walk beside Hoan Kiem Lake at dusk and look across the red Huc Bridge toward Ngoc Son Temple. The lakeside walk needs no booking; the temple island has a small local entry fee.
Day 2: Hanoi
Base: Hanoi Old Quarter — historic courtyards, the 36 streets and a street-food dinner
The Temple of Literature
Visit the ticketed Temple of Literature and its historic courtyards before the city streets become the focus of the day.
Old Quarter street life
Wander the Old Quarter's 36 streets and watch daily life unfold around the shopfronts. Stay alert to the constant traffic and cross steadily.
An Old Quarter street-food dinner
Stay in the Old Quarter for a street-food dinner and keep small cash ready for market and food-stall purchases.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay cruise
Hanoi → Ha Long Bay — board the boat and cruise through the karst islands
Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long & board the boat
Leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, meet the cruise operator and board the boat. Follow the operator's check-in and safety instructions.
Cruise among the karst islands
Sail among Ha Long Bay's forested limestone karsts on an overnight cruise package and take in the bay beyond the busiest day-trip period.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh
Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh — kayak with the cruise, disembark and continue inland
Morning kayaking in the bay
Paddle among the limestone karsts on the cruise's included kayaking activity. Wear the supplied life jacket and follow the crew's safety briefing.
Disembark & transfer to Ninh Binh
Disembark after the cruise and continue to Ninh Binh, the base for the next day's karst-river outing.
Day 5: Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh → Hanoi — Trang An by boat, the Hang Mua viewpoint and the return north
A Trang An sampan boat tour
Join a rowed sampan tour through Trang An's karst-lined river and caves, following the boat operator's current route and conditions.
Climb to the Mua Cave (Hang Mua) viewpoint
Climb the steep stone staircase to the Hang Mua viewpoint. Start before the heat, take the uneven steps slowly and stay cautious near exposed edges and wet stone.
Return to Hanoi for the flight south
Return to Hanoi and prepare for the domestic flight to Da Nang that begins the central-coast section.
Day 6: Fly to Da Nang → Hoi An
Hanoi → Da Nang (DAD) → Hoi An — fly south and enter the Ancient Town after dark
Fly Hanoi → Da Nang (DAD) & transfer to Hoi An
Take the domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang and transfer onward to Hoi An for the central-coast stay.
Hoi An Ancient Town by lantern light
Walk Hoi An Ancient Town after dark when lanterns light the streets and boats on the Thu Bon River. The combined Ancient Town ticket covers its old houses and sights.
Day 7: Hoi An & the Golden Bridge
Base: Hoi An — the old town, Ba Na Hills and an easy evening back among the cafés
The Japanese Covered Bridge & the old town
Return to the old town and the Japanese Covered Bridge using the Ancient Town ticket from the previous evening.
The Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills
Visit the Golden Bridge inside Sun World Ba Na Hills, a ticketed park reached by cable car. Book ahead in peak season and confirm current access through the official site.
Tailors, cafés & an evening back in Hoi An
Return to Hoi An for its tailors, cafés and another evening in the Ancient Town at your own pace.
Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City & the Cu Chi Tunnels
Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) → Cu Chi — take the morning flight, then a guided Cu Chi visit
Fly Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Take the short morning domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City and settle into the final city base before heading out for the afternoon.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels on a guided half-day tour from the city, taken in the afternoon after the morning flight arrives. Parts of the tunnels are narrow and low, and visitors who prefer can skip the crawl sections.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Back in the centre, view the cathedral's twin-spired exterior in central Ho Chi Minh City. Exterior viewing is free; interior access varies with restoration.
Day 9: Mekong Delta day trip
Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh City — a full day on the water, back in the city by evening
A Mekong Delta floating-market day trip
Join a guided boat day trip from Ho Chi Minh City into the Mekong Delta and visit a floating market. Expect an early start and a long return drive, arriving back in the city in the late afternoon.
Ben Thanh Market & an evening in Saigon
Back in the city, browse Ben Thanh Market and spend a last evening in Saigon. Keep small cash ready and watch bags in the crowd.
Day 10: Saigon morning & departure
Ho Chi Minh City → SGN — a relaxed central morning before the airport transfer
The Central Post Office & a central stroll
Take an unhurried final morning in the centre: step inside the yellow French-colonial Central Post Office, which is free to enter, and stroll the surrounding streets before checking out.
Transfer to the airport & departure
Transfer from central Ho Chi Minh City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) with comfortable margin and depart. With the Mekong day done on Day 9, the departure is unhurried and any flight time works.
Vietnam north to south from Hanoi to the Mekong
Ten master-image anchors trace the route from Hanoi through Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, south to Hoi An and Da Nang, then onward to Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta.
- 1
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi arrival and lakeside dusk
- 2
Temple of Literature
Hanoi history and Old Quarter street life
- 3
Ha Long Bay cruise
Cruise among the karst islands
- 4
Ha Long Bay kayaking
Morning on the water before Ninh Binh
- 5
Trang An
Ninh Binh sampan boat and viewpoint day
- 6
Hoi An Ancient Town
Lantern-lit arrival in Hoi An
- 7
Golden Bridge
Ba Na Hills day from Hoi An
- 8
Cu Chi Tunnels
Guided half-day visit after the flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- 9
Mekong Delta floating market
Boat day in the delta
- 10
Central Post Office of Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City central landmarks before departure
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 10 days enough to see Vietnam north to south?
Yes. Ten days covers the headline north, centre and south with two short domestic flights, but it is a fast pace rather than a slow one.
Which way should I travel — north to south or south to north?
Either direction works. This plan flies into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City so the route keeps moving south without backtracking.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Most visitors need an e-visa or visa. Check your nationality's current requirements and apply through the official Vietnam Immigration portal before travelling.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Spring and autumn are broadly the best fit for this route. Because Vietnam spans several climates, check the forecast for Hanoi and the north, the central coast and the south for your dates.
Should Ha Long Bay be a day trip or an overnight cruise?
An overnight cruise is the better fit for this plan because it reaches the bay at quieter periods and allows time for kayaking and swimming.
How do I get between the regions?
Use two internal flights, Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. Private transfers or trains link the northern stops.
Is the Cu Chi Tunnels tour claustrophobic?
Parts of the tunnels are narrow and low. You can view the site and skip the crawl sections if you prefer.
Do I need to book the Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills ahead?
In peak season, yes. Ba Na Hills is a ticketed park reached by cable car and gets very busy.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Vietnam?
No. Stick to bottled or filtered water.
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