10-Day Vietnam North-to-South Itinerary: Hanoi → Halong Bay → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Viewed by 99 travelers

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on October 1, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Pho at Pho Bat Dan

Classic Northern pho in the Old Quarter (open early); great first-thing local breakfast to ease jet lag and get a feel for Hanoi street life.
VND70000, 0h30m

9:00am

Walk Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Peaceful lakeside walk and quick visit to Ngoc Son Temple; ideal to orient yourself in the Old Quarter. Ngoc Son Temple typically open 08:00-17:00.
VND30000, 1h0m

11:00am

Explore Hanoi Old Quarter

Wander the 36 streets, shops and markets—perfect for photos and light shopping; streets are pedestrian-friendly mid-morning.
VND0, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Bun Cha (Bun Cha 34 or similar)

Hanoi specialty of grilled pork with noodles; many local shops open midday and into the afternoon.
VND90000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Temple of Literature

Vietnam’s first university with elegant courtyards and history; open roughly 08:00-17:00 — allow time to soak in the gardens and architecture.
VND30000, 1h0m

4:00pm

Coffee — Egg coffee at Cafe Giang

Try Hanoi's signature egg coffee in a tiny historic cafe; open all afternoon and a local must-try.
VND60000, 0h45m

6:30pm

Dinner — Cha Ca Thang Long (cha ca specialty)

Hanoi’s famous turmeric fish dish served at Cha Ca restaurants — unique regional flavor and showy table cooking.
VND200000, 1h15m

8:00pm

Thang Long Water Puppet Show

Traditional Vietnamese water puppetry performed nightly; shows commonly at 7:30–8:30pm and last about 45–60 minutes. Book ahead in busy season.
VND150000, 1h0m

Day 2: Hanoi Museums

Hanoi, Vietnam on October 2, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Banh Mi (Banh Mi 25 or similar)

Quick street-style banh mi to fuel a full day; many bakeries open early (06:30–10:30).
VND40000, 0h30m

8:30am

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior & grounds)

Visit the mausoleum grounds and nearby stilt house; note the Mausoleum closes Mondays and Fridays and interior visiting hours are typically 08:00-11:00 and 14:00-16:00—check the schedule before you go.
VND0, 1h0m

10:00am

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Excellent ethnographic displays covering Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and an outdoor traditional-house area; open ~08:00-17:30.
VND40000, 1h45m

12:30pm

Lunch — Bun Thang or local noodle shop near museum

Try bun thang or other Hanoi noodle specialties near the museum; many restaurants open through the afternoon.
VND90000, 1h0m

2:30pm

Shopping & tea in Old Quarter

Return to Old Quarter for shopping, street food sampling and a relaxed tea or craft beer; markets generally open until early evening.
VND0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner — Quan An Ngon

A polished spot serving many Vietnamese street dishes in one place—good introduction to regional flavors; open into the evening.
VND180000, 1h15m

8:30pm

Optional Night Walk or Beer at Ta Hien Street

Experience Hanoi nightlife—Ta Hien is lively for a casual beer and people watching; open late.
VND60000, 1h0m

Day 3: Halong Bay

Halong Bay (overnight), Vietnam on October 3, 2025

7:30am

Transfer to Halong Bay

Hotel pick-up and coach transfer to Halong Bay typically departs ~7:30–8:00 and takes ~3.5–4 hours; expect a mid-day cruise boarding.
VND350000, 4h0m

12:30pm

Board Halong Bay 2-day/1-night Cruise

Check in, have lunch on board, and start cruising among limestone karsts; cruises include cave visits, kayaking, and sunset views — boarding times vary by operator (midday common).
VND2500000, 24h0m

1:30pm

Lunch on board

Fresh seafood and Vietnamese dishes served; included with most overnight cruise packages.
Included, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Surprise Cave / Kayaking

Explore one of Halong's largest caves (Tuyet Tinh Coc/Surprise Cave) or kayak in a calm bay area; excursions run mid-afternoon and last ~1h.
VND0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner on board & Sunset

Enjoy a multi-course dinner on the boat while watching the sunset over the karsts; many cruises offer squid fishing after dinner.
Included, 1h30m

8:30pm

Evening — Relax or Join Onboard Activities

Relax on deck or join optional activities (night squid-fishing, board games); staterooms available for overnight stay.
VND0, 2h0m

Day 4: Halong → Hue

Halong to Hue via Hanoi, Vietnam on October 4, 2025

8:00am

Morning Tai Chi & Breakfast on Cruise

Short morning session (optional) and breakfast while cruising back; disembark times usually around 10:30–12:00 depending on cruise.
Included, 2h0m

11:30am

Disembark and Transfer to Hanoi Airport

Coach transfer back to Hanoi (approx 3.5–4 hours) or private transfer arranged to catch afternoon flight to Hue — allow 4–5 hours transfer plus airport check-in time.
VND350000, 4h30m

5:30pm

Flight Hanoi → Hue (Phu Bai Airport)

Domestic flight (~1h10m). Book an evening flight that fits your cruise disembark time; example cost is approximate and varies by airline and season.
VND1200000, 1h10m

7:30pm

Dinner — Bun Bo Hue or local riverside spot

Try authentic Bun Bo Hue in the city where it originates; many local restaurants open through the evening.
VND100000, 1h0m

9:00pm

Evening — Stroll the Perfume River

Relaxing first evening in Hue with a riverside stroll; Perfume River area has cafes and gentle nightlife.
VND0, 0h45m

Day 5: Hue History

Hue, Vietnam on October 5, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Local Vietnamese breakfast (com hen or banh beo)

Try local Hue breakfast specialties like com hen (rice with baby clams) or banh beo; many shops open from morning.
VND60000, 0h30m

8:30am

Hue Imperial Citadel (Imperial City)

Large complex of palaces, gates and the Forbidden Purple City — open roughly 08:00-17:00. Allow 2–3 hours to explore the main sites.
VND150000, 2h30m

11:30am

Thien Mu Pagoda & Perfume River boat short ride

Iconic riverside pagoda with great photo ops; short boat trips on the Perfume River are available and peaceful.
VND50000, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Com Hen or Hue royal-style cuisine

Sample Hue's delicate royal-influenced dishes at a respected local restaurant; many open midday.
VND120000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Tomb of Minh Mang or Khai Dinh

Royal tombs outside the city with impressive architecture and gardens; open ~07:00-17:30 — each tomb visit takes ~45–60 minutes.
VND100000, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner — Les Jardins de la Carambole or local riverside

Sit-down dinner featuring regional cuisine or French-Vietnamese options in a comfortable setting; open evenings.
VND250000, 1h15m

Day 6: Hai Van Pass

Hue → Hoi An (via Da Nang), Vietnam on October 6, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Hotel or local cafe

Quick breakfast before driving over the scenic Hai Van Pass; many hotels serve early breakfast.
VND60000, 0h30m

8:30am

Drive over Hai Van Pass with stops at Lang Co Beach

Scenic coastal drive with dramatic views; stop at Lang Co for photos and a short beach walk — drive time with stops ~2.5–3 hours to Da Nang.
VND0, 3h0m

11:30am

Marble Mountains visit (Da Nang)

Cluster of marble/limestone hills with caves, pagodas and viewpoints; open ~08:00-17:30 — allow ~1h.
VND40000, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Banh Mi Phuong (Da Nang/Hoi An) or Morning Glory in Hoi An

Banh Mi Phuong is a famous lunch option; in Hoi An, Morning Glory offers refined local dishes—both open midday.
VND90000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Arrive Hoi An & Check-in

Settle into your hotel and rest before exploring the Ancient Town; central Hoi An is compact and walkable.
VND0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town (ticketed sites)

Stroll lantern-lined streets, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and small museums (Ancient Town ticket covers 5 sites); many sites open ~08:00-22:00 though some close earlier.
VND120000, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Riverside at Cargo Club or local riverside restaurants

Dinner by the Thu Bon River to enjoy Hoi An's nighttime lantern reflections; spots open in the evening and get lively after sunset.
VND200000, 1h15m

Day 7: Hoi An Culture

Hoi An, Vietnam on October 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Local cafe (coconut coffee or Vietnamese iced coffee)

Start the day gently with Hoi An coffee and a pastry; cafes open from early morning.
VND60000, 0h30m

8:00am

Optional: My Son Sanctuary half-day trip

UNESCO Hindu Cham temple complex about 1h drive from Hoi An; open ~07:00-17:30 — guided tours depart early and return around noon.
VND150000, 4h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Cao Lau or local Hoi An specialities

Try Cao Lau noodles or white rose dumplings—Hoi An’s signature dishes, available at many midday eateries.
VND90000, 1h0m

2:30pm

Afternoon — Bicycle to rice paddies or beach

Rent a bike and ride to the rice fields or An Bang Beach for a relaxed afternoon (bike rental ~VND50000/day).
VND50000, 2h0m

4:30pm

Hoi An Cooking Class (late afternoon)

Many schools offer market visits and hands-on cooking from ~3:00–3:30pm to ~6:00–7:00pm — excellent way to learn local dishes and take flavors home.
VND800000, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Enjoy your cooked meal or riverside dining

If you did a cooking class you'll often eat what you cooked; otherwise enjoy riverside eateries for a relaxed evening.
VND0, 1h0m

Day 8: Fly South

Hoi An/Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam on October 8, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Hotel or local cafe

Quick breakfast before transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight south; many hotels provide early breakfast or boxed options.
VND60000, 0h30m

9:30am

Flight Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City

Domestic flight ~1h20m; book morning flight to maximize time in Saigon. Flight cost varies by carrier and how far in advance you book.
VND900000, 1h20m

11:30am

Check-in and Lunch — Ben Thanh Market

Arrive and check into your hotel, then head to Ben Thanh Market for a lively lunch of street food (open early until around 6–7pm).
VND90000, 1h0m

1:30pm

War Remnants Museum

Powerful photographic museum documenting the Vietnam War; open about 07:30-18:00 — expect 1.5–2 hours to view exhibits.
VND40000, 1h45m

4:00pm

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office

Iconic French colonial architecture and popular photo stops; both are open during daytime hours (~08:00-17:00).
VND0, 0h45m

7:00pm

Dinner — Cuc Gach Quan or Quan An Ngon

Popular Saigon restaurants offering classic Vietnamese dishes in atmospheric settings; reservations recommended at peak times.
VND250000, 1h15m

Day 9: Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta (day trip from Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam on October 9, 2025

7:00am

Depart HCMC for Mekong Delta (Ben Tre or Cai Be)

Coach and boat day-trip starts early (around 7:00am) to avoid midday heat; tours include boat rides, village visits and fruit tastings.
VND850000, 12h0m

9:30am

Riverboat ride & local island visits

Cruise narrow canals, visit orchards and workshops, and enjoy local specialties — typical stops include coconut farms and honey/beekeeping demonstrations.
Included, 2h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Local Mekong lunch (fresh river fish/seasonal fruits)

A home-style meal on the delta with regional ingredients included in most day tours.
Included, 1h0m

3:30pm

Cycling or walking in villages

Short cycling or walking tours through quiet village lanes to see rural life; activity dependent on operator and physical comfort.
VND0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Return to HCMC & Dinner — Street food near hotel or Nguyen Hue walking street

Back in Saigon, sample street food stalls or enjoy a more formal dinner on Nguyen Hue; many options stay open late.
VND150000, 1h15m

Day 10: Cu Chi & Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on October 10, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Hotel or local cafe

Early breakfast before your morning half-day to Cu Chi Tunnels; hotels often offer early service for day-trippers.
VND60000, 0h30m

8:00am

Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc)

Explore the extensive tunnel network used during the Vietnam War; tunnels open ~07:00-17:00 — guided half-day tours depart early and return by midday.
VND350000, 4h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Pho or Com Tam near District 1

Return to the city for a final Vietnamese meal—pho, com tam (broken rice) or a favourite you haven't yet tried.
VND90000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Shopping / Leisure: Dong Khoi & Saigon Centre

Last-minute shopping or cafe time in the central districts; good place to buy souvenirs and relax before departure.
VND0, 2h0m

4:30pm

Afternoon — Revisit favourite spot or spa

Optional short spa or revisit a favorite cafe/market; many spas close by early evening, so book in advance.
VND400000, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant (e.g., Shri Restaurant & Lounge)

Enjoy skyline views and a final Vietnamese meal; book in advance for a sunset seat if you have a late departure.
VND400000, 1h30m
0