How many days do you need in Vietnam?

This itinerary covers 10 days in Vietnam, which is a great amount of time to explore the main highlights. Depending on your pace and interests, you could extend or shorten the trip.

What is the best itinerary for Vietnam?

Plan your perfect 10 days trip to Vietnam. This detailed travel itinerary includes daily activities, local recommendations, and insider tips to make your journey unforgettable.

10-Day North-to-South Vietnam Trip: Sapa → Hanoi → Da Nang → Hoi An (day) → Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Arrive & Explore

Hanoi, Vietnam on November 10, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pho Bat Dan

Classic Hanoi pho in the Old Quarter — a must-try to start your trip and sample authentic local flavours.

VND60000, 0h30m

9:00am

Walk Old Quarter & markets

Stroll narrow lanes, visit local shops and street stalls to get an early feel of Hanoi life; streets are open all day.

VND0, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Famous bun cha spot (visited by international guests) — tasty grilled pork with noodles and herbs.

VND120000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Scenic city lake with a historic temple on a small island; Ngoc Son Temple open ~8:00am–5:00pm.

VND50000, 1h0m

4:00pm

Hoa Lo Prison Museum

A compact museum (8:00am–5:00pm) that explains Vietnam's modern history — interesting and sobering.

VND40000, 1h0m

7:30pm

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre and dinner

Traditional puppet performance in the evening (shows typically 3:30pm & 8:00pm). For dinner try Cha Ca (grilled fish) nearby — cultural performance plus classic Hanoi dish.

VND200000, 2h0m

Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi → Sapa

Sapa (Lao Cai), Vietnam on November 11, 2025

6:30am

Depart Hanoi for Sapa (bus or train + shuttle)

Take an early express bus or day train + shuttle to Sapa/Lao Cai to maximise your afternoon there; travel ~5–6 hours depending on service.

VND300000, 5h30m

12:30pm

Lunch in Sapa town

Simple local restaurant to try mountain specialities (thắng cố, hotpot or noodle dishes) and check in at your hotel.

VND120000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Cat Cat Village

Short walk to a traditional Hmong village with waterfalls and weaving demonstrations; village is accessible and typically open daytime (8:00am–6:00pm).

VND50000, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner — local mountain cuisine

Try a Sapa hotpot or grilled mountain vegetables and local pork at a family-run restaurant for warming flavours after a day of travel.

VND150000, 1h0m

Find Hotels in Sapa (Lao Cai)

Day 3: Trek & Summit

Sapa, Vietnam on November 12, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel / local market

Simple breakfast with local breads, eggs, phở or tea before a full day in the hills.

VND50000, 0h30m

8:00am

Fansipan cable car & summit area

Ride the cable car to Fansipan (open ~7:00am–6:00pm) for panoramic views of the Hoang Lien Range — great photo opportunity and a fast way to reach the summit area.

VND850000, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch in Sapa town

Refuel with local dishes; try grilled skewers and fresh mountain greens.

VND150000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Trek Muong Hoa Valley (Lao Chai, Ta Van)

Half-day guided trek through rice terraces and ethnic villages — a highlight for scenery and cultural contact; guides available locally (recommended).

VND400000, 4h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — mountain specialties

Enjoy a relaxed dinner back in Sapa town; sample local soups or hotpot to warm up after trekking.

VND120000, 1h0m

Find Hotels in Sapa

Day 4: Return to Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on November 13, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & check-out

Final market stroll in Sapa and breakfast before departure to Hanoi; small souvenir shopping if desired.

VND50000, 1h0m

11:00am

Travel back to Hanoi (bus/train)

Return journey to Hanoi takes ~5–6 hours; rest on the way and arrive in the evening to central Hanoi.

VND300000, 5h30m

6:30pm

Dinner — Bun Cha or street food in Old Quarter

Back in Hanoi, enjoy popular dishes like bun cha or a street food crawl in the lively Old Quarter.

VND120000, 1h0m

8:00pm

Evening stroll at Ta Hien / Beer Street

Casual drinks and people-watching in the backpacker quarter — lively after dark.

VND80000, 2h0m

Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 5: Fly to Da Nang & Hoi An

Da Nang / Hoi An (day), Vietnam on November 14, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast & transfer to Hanoi airport

Early transfer for a mid-morning flight to Da Nang to maximise the day in central Vietnam.

VND80000, 1h0m

8:00am

Flight Hanoi → Da Nang

Short domestic flight (about 1h20) arriving in Da Nang ready for Marble Mountains and the coast.

VND1200000, 1h20m

10:30am

Marble Mountains visit

Explore caves, pagodas and viewpoints; site open roughly 7:30am–5:30pm and offers great coastal views.

VND40000, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at a My Khe Beach seafood restaurant

Fresh seafood by the beach — relaxed seaside meal with local prawns and fish.

VND200000, 1h0m

2:30pm

Relax at My Khe Beach

Sandy beach time to swim or unwind before heading to Hoi An in the late afternoon.

VND0, 1h30m

4:00pm

Transfer to Hoi An (45–60 min)

Short road transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town for an evening visit; this is a day trip — no overnight in Hoi An.

VND300000, 1h0m

5:00pm

Hoi An Ancient Town (evening)

Stroll lantern-lit streets, visit Japanese Covered Bridge and riverside cafes; the Heritage Ticket covers several historical sites (tickets ~VND120,000).

VND120000, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner in Hoi An — Cao Lau

Sample the famous Cao Lau noodle dish at a recommended local eatery before returning to Da Nang.

VND80000, 1h0m

9:30pm

Return to Da Nang hotel

Drive back to your Da Nang base for the night after a full central-Vietnam day.

VND300000, 1h0m

Find Hotels in Da Nang / Hoi An (day)

Day 6: Hoi An AM & Fly South

Da Nang → Phu Quoc, Vietnam on November 15, 2025

6:30am

Early transfer to Hoi An for morning stroll

Return to Hoi An early to avoid crowds; visit the market and the Japanese bridge in the cool morning hours.

VND0, 2h0m

9:30am

Breakfast — Banh Mi Phuong or local cafe

Try the famous Hoi An banh mi for a quick, flavourful breakfast before heading back to Da Nang airport.

VND60000, 0h30m

11:30am

Transfer to Da Nang airport

Return to Da Nang to catch a flight south to Phu Quoc (may be direct or via Ho Chi Minh).

VND300000, 1h0m

1:30pm

Flight Da Nang → Phu Quoc (via connection possible)

Mid-day flight to the island — expect total air time around 1.5–3 hours including possible connection.

VND1500000, 2h0m

4:00pm

Check-in & beach time in Phu Quoc

Arrive, check in, and enjoy late-afternoon beach time or pool relaxation.

VND0, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Phu Quoc Night Market

Explore the lively night market (open ~5pm–10pm) with fresh seafood stalls and local specialties.

VND200000, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Da Nang → Phu Quoc

Day 7: Island & Snorkel

Phu Quoc, Vietnam on November 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Early hearty breakfast ahead of a full-day island/boat tour.

VND60000, 0h30m

8:30am

Boat snorkel tour (An Thoi islands)

Full-day boat trip visiting islands for snorkeling and swimming; tours typically depart ~8:30am and return ~3:30pm — great coral and clear water.

VND700000, 7h0m

1:00pm

Lunch on boat (included)

Fresh seafood or packed lunch served on the island/boat as part of the tour.

VND0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Visit Duong Dong & Dinh Cau Temple

Short evening visit to the island's main town, watching sunset at Dinh Cau Temple by the sea.

VND0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — seafood restaurant

Choose a well-reviewed local seafood restaurant to celebrate a day at sea.

VND250000, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Phu Quoc

Day 8: Island Relax

Phu Quoc, Vietnam on November 17, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & beach time

Slow morning; relax on one of Phu Quoc's quieter beaches or by your hotel's pool.

VND0, 2h0m

9:00am

Visit Pepper Farm & Coi Nguon Museum

Learn about island agriculture and local history — sites usually open around 8:00am–5:00pm and offer short guided tours.

VND80000, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Bun Quay (island noodle specialty)

Try a local noodle specialty for a light midday meal in Duong Dong town.

VND100000, 1h0m

2:30pm

Optional Vinpearl Safari or relaxation

Vinpearl Safari (open ~9:00am–5:00pm) is family-friendly and a nice option; alternatively relax and enjoy a spa.

VND400000, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at night market or beachfront grill

Return to the night market for any missed street food or pick a beachfront grill for a relaxed evening.

VND200000, 1h30m

Find Hotels in Phu Quoc

Day 9: Fly to Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on November 18, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & check-out

Final island breakfast and packing for the short hop to Ho Chi Minh City.

VND60000, 0h30m

10:00am

Flight Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City

Quick flight (~1h10) arriving midday into HCMC ready for an afternoon of city touring.

VND1200000, 1h10m

12:00pm

Lunch at Ben Thanh Market

Explore the market's food stalls (open ~6:00am–7:00pm) for pho, banh xeo or fresh rolls.

VND120000, 1h0m

2:00pm

War Remnants Museum

Informative and moving museum open ~7:30am–6:00pm — allows a deeper understanding of modern Vietnamese history.

VND40000, 1h30m

3:30pm

Reunification Palace

Historic presidential palace (generally open until ~4:00pm) — plan this mid-afternoon to fit opening hours.

VND40000, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner — Ngon Restaurant or street food on Bui Vien

Choose a polished Vietnamese-cuisine restaurant like Ngon or explore lively street food on Bui Vien for a youthful night out.

VND200000, 2h0m

Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Mekong Delta Day

Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta, Vietnam on November 19, 2025

7:00am

Mekong Delta day trip (My Tho or Cai Be)

Full-day guided excursion departing early (around 7:00am) visiting islands, riverboat rides, orchards and local workshops — returns in the evening (~6:00pm).

VND700000, 11h0m

1:00pm

Lunch on the river (included)

Local meal at a riverside restaurant or included with the tour — fresh regional dishes and tropical fruit tasting.

VND0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Back in Ho Chi Minh — shower & pack

Return to your hotel to freshen up; final shopping or a brief stroll if time allows before departure.

VND0, 1h0m

8:30pm

Final dinner — Pho 2000 or street favourites

Enjoy a final bowl of pho or a favourite street dish; good closure for a 10-day Vietnam circuit before your onward journey.

VND120000, 1h0m

Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta

Step 1 Outline Preview:

10-Day North-to-South Vietnam Trip: Sapa → Hanoi → Da Nang → Hoi An (day) → Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Arrive & Explore

8:00am

9:00am

12:30pm

2:00pm

4:00pm

7:30pm

Day 2: Hanoi → Sapa

6:30am

12:30pm

3:00pm

6:30pm

Day 3: Trek & Summit

7:00am

8:00am

12:30pm

2:00pm

7:00pm

Day 4: Return to Hanoi

8:00am

11:00am

6:30pm

8:00pm

Day 5: Fly to Da Nang & Hoi An

6:00am

8:00am

10:30am

1:00pm

2:30pm

4:00pm

5:00pm

7:30pm

9:30pm

Day 6: Hoi An AM & Fly South

6:30am

9:30am

11:30am

1:30pm

4:00pm

7:30pm

Day 7: Island & Snorkel

7:30am

8:30am

1:00pm

4:00pm

7:00pm

Day 8: Island Relax

8:00am

9:00am

12:30pm

2:30pm

7:30pm

Day 9: Fly to Ho Chi Minh

8:00am

10:00am

12:00pm

2:00pm

3:30pm

6:30pm

Day 10: Mekong Delta Day

7:00am

1:00pm

6:30pm

8:30pm

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