Vietnam Itinerary 10-Days for First-Timers

Vietnam makes for a splendid sojourn charting through gorgeous cities spread from the North to the South. From the magnificent limestone rocks of Halong Bay to the terraced rice fields of Sapa to the romance floating through the ancient town of Hoi An, the country is truly a sensory experience.  

Oozing the Southeast Asian delight, it’s a country that lures you into its picturesque landscapes. The Vietnam tourist places promise an unforgettable experience through the frantic chaos of the motorbikes, rich history, cultural nuances, and delectable cuisines. Be it the serpentine loops of Ha Giang or cable car ride to Ba Na Hills, the country beguiles through its beauty.

Overview of the 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary 

The itinerary is for someone traveling to Vietnam for the first time. Although 10-days is not enough to explore this Southeast Asian gem, it fits well for beginners. By the end of the itinerary, you will realize – we have pretty much planned the trip to Vietnam. This itinerary is from North to South, starting from Hanoi and ending at Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). But you can also do that trip in reverse. Here are the places include:

• Hanoi
• Halong Bay
• Sapa
• Hoi Ann
• Ba Na Hills

Planning a 10-Day Trip to Vietnam – Here’s how 

If you are visiting the country for the first time, this budget Vietnam itinerary 10 days is what you need to chart out the plan. From exploring the Old Quarters of Hanoi to trekking in Sapa to walking through the lantern town of Hoi, this beginner-friendly Vietnam Travel Guide will help you make the most of the trip.  

Hanoi (1st – 2nd Day)

When you see people eating their meals on the low-rise small stools across the streets, you realize you have arrived in Hanoi. The cultural flamboyance of the capital city thrives in the heart of Hanoi Old Quarters. The intriguing neighborhood is rife with well-preserved architecture, cute cafes, ancient shops, and a happening nightlife. As I walked through the Old Quarters, everything around screamed of its riveting history. The neoclassical balconies of the houses are a reminder of the once-colonial rule. Modern-day Hanoi is bustling with a chaotic frenzy of motorbikes, while the Old Quarter continues to be a kaleidoscopic marriage of art, craft, and heritage.

What to do in Hanoi City 

• Walk around Hanoi Old Quarter, also known as 36 Guild Street, named after 36 trades or crafts. The labyrinth of the narrow street is best explored on foot. Each of the streets is named after the trade it’s unique for.
• Walk around iconic Hoan Kiem Lake. Visit the serene Ngoc Son Temple by crossing the bridge across the Hoan Kiem Lake.
• Visit the Temple of Literature, dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It was also the first National University of Vietnam from 1076 to 1779.
• Visit the famous Hanoi Train Street and enjoy coffee in one of the quaint cafes. Don’t miss
• Enjoy a show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. It’s one of the most captivating attractions, with numerous traditional Vietnamese water puppet shows.
• Walk to the Long Bien Bridge, the first bridge spanning the Red River in Hanoi. It is one of the oldest bridges designed by Gustave Eiffel, the architect who engineered The Eiffel Tower.

You cannot miss the mouth-watering, super-healthy, and delectable Vietnamese food. Book a food tour in Hanoi to experience and explore the local food scene. If you fancy cute cafes, visit the famous Note Coffee in Hanoi and leave a note. You can also visit Hidden Gem Café, known for its recycled interiors and decors. 

It is a shopper’s haven with markets bustling with stylish and affordable shops. Flooded with fashionable clothes, bags, accessories, and other products, explore the night markets in Hanoi and spoil yourself shopping. You can cover all of these in two days.

Day – 3 – Book a Trip to Halong Bay 

On the 3rd Day, book a trip to Halong Bay and enjoy your Day mesmerized by the UNESCO Heritage Site. The bay is known for its natural geological formation. Cruise around and witness the bay dotted with 1000+ limestone islands covered by dense vegetation. You can book a 1D Cruise to Halong Bay once you reach Hanoi or via online providers like Viator, Get Your Guide, Klook, etc. You can opt for a 2D/1N trip to more offbeat Baitulong Bay or Cat Ba Island if you have more time. You reach Hanoi at around 8.30 to 9 PM after a day trip to Halong Bay.

Getting from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi City/Old Quarters 

The best and most comfortable way to get from Hanoi International Airport (Noi Bai International Airport) to the city centre is via a pre-booked cab. I booked my cab through www.booking.com and paid around Rs.850 INR or 250.000 VND (Vietnamese Dong). Alternatively, you can book a shuttle or take a bus via your accommodation.

Sapa (4th – 6th Day) 

SaPa is a sleepy town overlooking the gorgeous Muong Hoa Valley and is known for its trekking across the velvety terraced fields. Trekking in Sapa amidst the green terrace rice field is a dreamy place. Don’t miss out on staying at one of the local homestays run by the Hmong tribes for an authentic experience. It’s quite the visual treat, from clouds slow dancing to the tunes of winds to farm animals leisurely walking around the fields. Enjoy a sumptuous hotpot for dinner with the local family during your stay in Sapa’s homestay.

Here’s how to plan your trip to Sapa 

It’s best to pre-book the trek from Hanoi. However, you can also reach Sapa Town and book a trek. Once you reach Sapa, Hmong women will approach you, asking to be your trek guide, and you can easily book via them for $20 – $30. The guide will also help you arrange an overnight stay at one of the homestays. This is an ideal 3-day itinerary in Sapa: 

• Trekking in Sapa – This must be on top of your bucket list. Ideally, 2N/1D trekking is great to get a hang around the valleys and terraced fields. I started my trek the same morning I reached Sapa, stayed in a homestay, and was back in the town the next afternoon around 3 PM.
• Visit Fansipan Mountains – If you are feeling adventurous, you can trek to the top of the mountain, which takes around 6 to 7 hours. The other way is to take the monorail from Sun Plaza Sapa Station to the cable car station called Sun World Fansipan Legend (Muong Hoa Station). Take the cable car ride through Hoang Lien Son National Park from Sun World Fansipan Legend to the top of the mountains.
• Visit Moana Café – For just 80.000 VND entry tickets, you can visit this lovely place and take endless pictures. From a replica of the Bali ticket, and Bali swing to the Moana Girl Statue, Lonely Piano, Lonely Tree, and Golden Hand, ample will awe you.
• Dine or Lunch at a Rooftop Restaurant – It’s quite the experience to sip some wine and eat food with a stunning view from a rooftop restaurant. There are plenty of them, and you can simply just walk in. I recommended visiting Sapa Sky View Restaurant & Bar or Viettrekking Café.

Getting from Hanoi to Sapa 

You can reach SaPa from Hanoi via bus or train. However, it is best to take a sleeper bus as it is super comfortable and drops you in SaPa town. The train drops you at Lao Cai Train Station, 30 to 40 minutes from SaPa’s main village. I booked my SaPa Trekking Tour from Hanoi and took a late-night sleeper bus from Hanoi. The package includes both side buses, trekking in SaPa, and a homestay/hotel stay with food.

Hoi Ann (7th – 9th) 

Arrive in the vibrant town of Hoi An and embrace the romance floating in the air. Explore the lantern-lit streets and gorgeous French architecture, and take a romantic riverside stroll or a boat ride at night. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its old town, well-preserved yellow buildings lined with artsy cafes and cute shops. Here’s how to spend 3-days in Hoi An

• Take a walking tour of Hoi An Old City. Explore the Pagodas, temples, and Japanese connection, and know more about its once flourishing trading history.
• Visit the famous Cam Thanh Coconut Village and take a basket boat along the well-preserved coconut village. Be it the sustainable ecotourism or the lush greenery, escape the chaos of the town.
• Rent a bicycle and ride the charming countryside of Hoi An alongside the rice fields. Witness the slow and mundane village life.
• Take an evening boat ride on the lantern-lit country boats across the river. Enjoy the romantic feel of the city.
• Hoi An is your place if you love well-tailored, stylish clothes. With streets rife with tailor shops, get a custom-stitched power suit, dress, skirt, or whatever you want. Choose the fabric, show the design, give the measurement, and your garment will be ready in 12 – 24 hours.
• Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese show at Hoi An Memories Land. Truly one of the best cultural shows walking through the history of Hoi An, the 1-hour performance from 8 – 9 PM is phenomenal. The ticket cost is VND 510,000 for the economy, but it is worth the price.
• Remember to try the Hoi An specialty cuisine Cau Lau (soupy rice noodles loaded with bean sprouts, pork cracklings, barbecue pork, and a fresh serving of lettuce).

Getting from Hanoi to Hoi An

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Hoi An is by flying from Hanoi to Da Nang. From Da Nang, the cheapest way to reach Hoi An is through public transport or a shuttle service. I stayed at HY Budget Hotel Hoi An and requested that they book a shuttle from Da Nang Airport to the accommodation for 150.000 VND.

Fly Back from Ho Chi Minh City (10th Day) 

Vacations, how I wish they were never-ending! After 9 super-fun days traveling around Vietnam, it was time to return home. The entire day went into traveling, from boarding a flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) and an onward flight to New Delhi.

Vietnam is a phenomenal country with so much to offer. Whether it’s the splendor of nature, vibrant lantern-lit towns, incredible Vietnamese cuisines, or the beautiful villages inhabited by ethnic hill tribes – it packs an experience for everyone. This 10-day Vietnam travel blog wraps up the best experiences in Vietnam as first-timers.