Vietnam Itinerary - 10 Days Of Travel

I recently went on a vacation to Vietnam with my bestie. It was actually part of a larger southeast Asia trip. We met in Siem Reap, Cambodia first and then we took a quick plane ride over to Vietnam. For our Vietnam travel we decided to visit three main areas: Ho Chi Minh City (Southern Vietnam), Hoi An (Central Vietnam), and Hanoi (Northern Vietnam). In this article, I will share some general Vietnam travel tips with you as well as our 10 day Vietnam itinerary. I hope these details help you plan your trip to Vietnam because it was definitely a great experience.

General Vietnam Travel Tips

Vietnam is a long, skinny country roughly the size of California for a very simplified understanding. The border to the east is the South China Sea and the borders to the west are Laos and Cambodia. China is directly to the north. I think many Americans tend to think of the Vietnam war when they think of Vietnam. However, as CNN Travel puts it, “Vietnam’s reinvention as Southeast Asia’s most exciting tourist destination has long since been complete. After wars for the larger part of the 20th century, the country is now a hotspot for foodies, beach bums and thrill-seekers alike.”

Is Vietnam Safe To Travel?

Yes, it felt very safe. As far as traveling within the country, we took Vietnam Airlines from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang and from Da Nang to Hanoi and it was very well operated. As far as long distance transfers we had them arranged before hand by a travel agent through Vian Travel. For local transportation they do have taxies or you can use the Grab app, like our Uber. I would say use your common sense safety standards but I never felt uncomfortable even as a pair of foreign women. The streets are all very crowded and there are always families out and about. As far as the language barrier, almost everyone spoke a little English.

Do You Need A Visa To Travel To Vietnam?

Yes. You can apply for an e-Visa online. Fill out the application at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu At this time the E-visa fee is $25 USD. Your application will be processed in 3 working days and the tourist visa will be valid for 90 days.

When To Visit

I visited in late October to early November and it was pretty great weather overall. The weather in northern Vietnam is definitely cooler than in southern Vietnam. You can get more details based on where and when you want to go to Vietnam at Selective Asia.

Food And Drink In Vietnam

Delight your taste buds with the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Vietnam. From aromatic pho to crispy banh mi, there are lots of mouthwatering flavors to Vietnamese cuisine. As far as drinks, it is suggested that you do not drink the tap water. Stick to bottled water or use the Grayl water purifier bottle, like we did.

Where To Travel In Vietnam

Next, you have to decide where to travel in Vietnam and how long to stay. I will share our 10 day Vietnam Itinerary with you here. I thought it was pretty fantastic but, if you want an itinerary for 2 weeks, I will make a few suggestions of things I wish we had done along the way.

We started in the South and worked our way up to North Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is the most populous city with around 9 million people. It is a newer city, only around 300 years old and it shows a very colonial French influence. It was quite an experience to land in such a bustling Asian city (especially when coming a tiny city in Cambodia). We spent 3 nights.

Next, on our list was a visit to Hoi An which is a great contrast since it is a small costal city with a well preserved Ancient Town and only about 150,000 population. We spent 4 nights

Finally, we flew to Hanoi which is the capital city. It has a rich history and is over 1000 years old. We spent one night in Hanoi. Then, we took a 1 night excursion to Ha Long Bay, to see the awe-inspiring natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with hundreds of islands jutting out of the water. Then we returned to Hanoi for a second night.

As you can see this 10 day Vietnam Itinerary packs in a lot of adventure from modern city life, to ancient towns, to outdoor exploration. There was so much history to discover about each place as we went!

Day 1

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon)

Where to Stay In Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh is a very large city, about the same size as NYC. However, there is a so much to see and do in a very walkable area if your hotel is in the right spot. District 1 is the city center/ downtown area and it is the perfect spot for tourist. We stayed at the Huong Sen Annex Hotel and we were pleased with location, quality included breakfast, rooms, and rooftop pool. I also loved that we had a balcony. It was only a 20 minute walk to the furthest places we wanted to go.

After arriving at the airport, we took a transfer to our hotel and dropped off our bags. Then we headed out to see a few sites. I love walking to the sites because everything you see along the way is actually something cool to observe. For example, all of the motor bikes whizzing by, the street vendors, the people out running their errands. They are all interesting to look at and give you a feel for the uniqueness of the place. Here is what to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mê Linh Square

First, we walked down to the Saigon River waterfront because our hotel was only about a block away from Công trường Mê Linh. It was a chance to witness all the traffic zooming by this city square and see the Bạch Đằng Quay or ferry wharf. Then we took Đ. Đồng Khởi street and looked at shops on the way to the Nhà hát Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh Opera House.

Opera House

The Ho Chi Minh City Opera House (aka Saigon Opera House or Municipal Theatre) is a beautiful building in the French colonial style and it dates back to 1900. It is right in the thick of things. You can catch some amazing shows or just enjoy a look at the architecture from the outside.

Post Office

The Saigon Central Post Office dates back to 1800s and it is a gorgeous piece of architecture that has elements of Gothic, Renaissance and French colonial design. It features big open spaces with lots of natural lighting, and beautiful gold accents. It is hard to believe how fancy a post office can be. You can mail some postcards if you wish or just gander at the building itself. They also have lots of really nice tourist gift shops so it is a great place to gather souvenirs- everything from beautiful sterling silver jewelry to bamboo hats.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon was built in the late 1800s using bricks imported from France. It is located right near the post office but it was under major renovations while we were there with both towers under scaffolding. At this point the sky was beginning to look like rain so we headed back towards the hotel.

The Animalist Chilling Lounge

As luck would have it, the sky started to pour and we ducked under the closest covered awning right after passing the Opera House on our way back. The bartender of the The Animalist Chillounge came out and asked us if we’d like to have a drink while we waited. Naturally, we said yes and tried the local beers. Then, we noticed they had some unusual bar offerings on the menu- a tobacco hookah and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) balloons. We whiled away the rest of evening there.

Day 2

Our second day in Vietnam was a day where we really packed in the Ho Chi Minh Tourist Attractions and historical sites and made the most of our day. We started with a trip to the Independence Reunification Palace.

Independence Palace Historical Relic

This was a great introduction to some of the history of Ho Chi Minh City. I took the photo above of the Independence Palace at an angle cutting off a large portion of it because I liked that you could see the tanks to the right hand side if you look closely. In the words of the information pamphlet, “The Independence Palace has since become a historical symbol representing total victory in the resistance war against the United States of America, the liberation of the South and reunification of the country on 30 April 1975, when tanks of the Vietnamese Liberation Army famously crashed through Independence Palace’s main gate.” That was not exactly the way I thought about things and I had to read it a few times to let that point of view sink in.

The architectural design of the Independence Palace , done architect Ngo Viet Thu, is really quite beautiful. It harmoniously combines modernist principles with traditional oriental design. It is also referred to as the Reunification Hall. Each room is decorated in a simple but stunning fashion. The 2nd and 3rd floors have a great view down the street Đ. Lê Duẩn through the April 30th Park.

Next, we went to the War Remnants Museum to learn some more history.

War Remnants Museum

This memorial war museum exhibits photographs, weapons, and other objects from what we call the “Vietnam War” or what they call the “Anti-American Resistance War”. It was interesting to look at the history, dates, facts, and photos and hear about the war from the Vietnamese point of view. “On 04.30.1975, the resistance of the Vietnamese people won complete victory: peace, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country is restored.” It was a bit much sadness for me to see the atrocities of war but I guess we all need to learn our history to keep from repeating the same mistakes.

After this we needed a break and grabbed some lunch to refuel. We ate at 5 Muoi. It was nearby, cheap and pretty fast. I had some crunchy tofu spring rolls that were pretty good. Next, we went off to take a look at the markets.

Ben Thanh Market

Chợ Bến Thành has everything from fresh seafood to fresh fruit. From cooked dishes to candies. From clothing to suitcases. Even jewelry and art! You name, they probably have it. It is all local vendors with small shops and they all want your business. When we left, we took the Đ. Lê Lợi street up to City Hall.

People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City

This French colonial-style city hall was built in the early 1900s. It is now the headquarters of the People’s Committee. The inside is very ornate and the outside is pretty. It has nice grounds out front with well manicured garden areas, a Ho Chi Minh statue, and a large lotus fountain. It opens out onto Đ. Nguyễn Huệ.

Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Boulevard is one of Saigon’s oldest thoroughfares. There are many designer stores on either side of walking street. It is now a pedestrian street that runs all the way from the People’s Committee down to the waterfront. The wide boulevard provides a great place to walk or sit and enjoy city life views. There is no traffic allowed so you can relax and without having to worry about mopeds or cars zipping through. There are lots of locals and families out enjoying the space. At night, it fills up with people out to interact and enjoy the street shows (everything from living statues to puppet shows to street music).

Mít Rooftop Bistro

Just off of Nguyen Hue Boulevard, this great rooftop bistro has nice views, great ambiance, good food for good prices, and delicious happy hour drinks. It was such a great spot we went back the next night too! After dinner we returned to the walking street which was filling up with people. There is a vibrant night life and folks of all ages gather to enjoy the spot.

Day 3

On our third day in Vietnam, we took an excursion south to the Mekong Delta which my friend arranged through Trip Advisor. We climbed into the van enjoyed the slice of life scenes we saw as we drove out of Ho Chi Minh City. It was interesting to watch the building types change and and then turn to largely rice paddies. Our first stop was a buddhist temple.

Vinh Trang Pagoda

The Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho town dates back to 1800s and is definitely a site worth seeing. It was interesting to step into the sacred world of Vietnam’s ancient temples and discover the mystical beauty that lies within. The architectural elements were all covered with fascinating ornate details. The grounds were also beautiful with very old bonsai trees, lilies, and bougainvillea flowers. The buddhas were really impressive.

Ben Tre Marina

Our next stop was Ben Tre Marina we loaded onto a sampan boat and cruised down the river to see 4 small islands-  Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.

Unicorn Island Mekong Delta

We got out at the Unicorn Island and went ashore to see the fruit plantations of the Mekong Delta region. Then we had a chance to taste the fresh tropical fruits-dragonfruit, jackfruits, pineapple, papaya, and chili salt. We also got to listen to live performances of Vietnamese traditional folk music. The songs were performed by local people with the classical instruments.

 We also stopped at a bee-keeping farm and sampled a tiny glass of honey tea & pollen. We visited a family coconut candy mill and got to see them making the candies.

Then we got into small wooden sampans and went for a little adventure down cozy waterways. It felt very exciting as it was just you and another tour mate being poled along through the tiny water waterway surrounded by thick jungle.

We were then provided with a meal of local fare. Next, we were given a chance to relax or explore the little villages. Then back on the van to get dropped back in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnamese Street Food

On our last evening in Ho Chi Min, we returned to Mit rooftop bistro for happy hour drinks and then went out the walking street to enjoy the street performances. We tried some street food as well. They take these rice papers and load them up with toppings (like crispy onions and tiny dried shrimp) and then toast them up on the grill. They are delicious!

Day 4

On day 4 in Vietnam, we went to the Ho Chi Minh Airport and flew to the Da Nang Airport. We then got a transfer to Hoi An. Look for the famous dragon bridge over River Hàn as you leave Da Nang, Vietnam. It has a beautiful golden dragon ripping down the side from head to tail and it breathes fire every Saturday and Sunday at 9pm.

Hoi An

Where To Stay In Hoi An

We stayed at the Hoi An Hotel Vinh Hung Old Town. The pros- it was very nice and new and everyone was friendly. The breakfast was pretty good. There were two cons that I would mention. The bathroom looked very pretty with its frosted glass walls but they did not provide the same privacy level as a regular bathroom. Also, the location was far from the beach. However, it was close to the Night Market and Ancient City. Now, here is what to do in Hoi An.

Old Town Hội An AKA Ancient City

By the time we were all settled into to our hotel in Hoi An, it was the early evening so we walked the few blocks from our hotel on An Hoi Island over to the An Hoi bridge and crossed into Ancient City. Were eager to get a look at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We walked along the waterfront street Đ. Bạch Đằng and took in the all the beautiful lanterns and architecture that Hoi An is famous for. It was a beautiful day. This historic district was an important Southeast Asia trading port from the 15th-19th century and exhibits a confluence of cultures. There are tons of cool shops in the area and we just strolled along window shopping until we were hungry.

Home Taste

There are tons of places to eat. We stopped at a place called Home Taste with authentic Vietnamese food. I just loved the view of the water. It later filled up with merchants and people out walking along the water. I also thought the food was delicious and the prices were reasonable. I got the white rose wanton dish which is typical of the area.

Night Boats

The Thu Bon River fills up with boats at night. There are two kinds of boats- one larger for many passengers and one smaller for 1 party. It is fun to enjoy the lantern lit view from the river. Ladies also sell little lanterns for you to float on the river. The night life is very lively up and down the banks of the river!

Spa Time

After a long day of traveling and exploring we passed the 1994 Spa which had amazingly good deals for massages, about $15 for 1 hour, so of course we couldn’t say no. Indulge, you will be glad you did!

Day 5

On day 5 in Vietnam (which was day 2 in Hoi An), it was overcast and drizzly. The rainy season was just beginning (first days of November).

Visit A Tailor

First, we set off to find the tailors. Hoi An is famous for making clothing to fit you. Generally, you can get fitted one day, try it the next day for any alterations, and then pick it up the third day. Sometimes even faster! Our guide suggested 5 Stitches as being particularly reliable. We went and got fitted in the morning and then explored the rest of the day. Then, my friend wanted to try another tailor she had heard of called Bigo, The Tailor. It was on Đ. Hai Bà Trưng a little more north than most of the area we frequented in Old Town. It was less crowded and had better prices. Both places ended up doing a great job.

Cocobox

We stopped at the Cocobox for coffee. It was a beautiful building with nice decor and an upstairs with a balcony. I ordered the famous egg coffee that is a specialty of the area and it tastes rather like a foamy custard on top of your coffee. Kind of like a cappuccino but sweeter and stickier. My friend got the coconut cream coffee and it was delicious.

Cẩm Phô Communal House

As you are walking around Old Town, there are lots of cool places you will want to stop and take a look at like the Hoi An Communal House built in the 18th century. It serves as both a place of worship and a local meeting place.

Cổng chùa Bà Mụ

The Bà Mụ Temple Gate is a three-entrance gate that leads to the old temple complex from the 17th century.

Hoa Van Le Nghia

This buddhist temple is another eye catcher with a pretty courtyard, beautiful roof, and exquisite details.

Quan Cong Temple

The Miếu Quan Công is a small, 17th-century Chinese pagoda temple with elaborate statues and ornate artwork.

Street Food

They have street food vendors selling everything from bahn mi sandwiches to octopus to okra to rolled ice cream to fruit kabobs. There are 2 or 3 times as many street food vendors out at night as in the day.

Day 6

On Day 6 in Vietnam (Day 3 in Hoi An), we went back to the tailors for fittings. It was another rainy day so we just walked around Old Town and checked out more shops- everything from beautiful ceramics, to artwork, to leather shops that will make shoes for you!

We bought some fresh tropical fruit to try- rambutan. You just peel off the spiky exterior and reveal a soft white meat which you eat and spit the pit out. Yum. We enjoyed the night life riverside again. I really wanted to go to the beach on this day but the rain made me rethink that plan.

Day 7

On Day 7 in Vietnam (Day 4 in Hoi An), we went to the tailors and picked up our clothing. I really wanted to to take an excursion to see the Danang Golden Bridge (or the hand bridge as I call it) but it was raining again and the trip involves a cable car up a mountain. So instead we checked out more shops. I would like to tell you we visited the Chùa Cầu (Japanese covered bridge) but somehow we missed it!

Night Life Night Market

In the evening we headed back over to the Nightlife Night Market. They have tons of vendors selling everything from t-shirts to flip flops.

Day 8

On Day 8 in Vietnam, we went to the Da Nang Airport and took an airplane to the Hanoi, which is located in Northern Vietnam. By the time we got our hotel, it was early evening.

Hanoi

Where To Stay In Hanoi

We stayed at the Hotel La Siesta Classic Hang Thung. It was perfect. The included breakfast was amazing! The pool was like a spa. The rooms were nice and the service was great. The location was also very nice and we were able to walk to everything we wanted to visit. Here is what to do in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Hoan Kiem Lake

I wanted to see part of Hanoi before it got dark so we walked over to Hoan Kiem Lake. There is a pathway around the lake through a thin park that encircles the lake. Everyone was out and about and it was crowded with night life and activity. There were people dancing and selling souvenirs and just sitting and enjoying the area. Further towards the south end of the lake there is a Emperor Ly Thai To Monument Statue.

Ngoc Son Temple

At the north end of the lake, there is Đền Ngọc Sơn, a Confucian temple that is reached by bridge and closes at 6 but part of the arches and walkway are on the shore side. It was very beautiful to see with bright, bold, vivid artwork. It was getting dark by the time we got there but the area is well lit with lots of pretty lights.

Near the Temple, there is also a famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. We were hungry at that point so we went out for food and drinks at a restaurant nearby and then went for a swim in our hotel pool.

Day 9

On Day 9 in Vietnam we took an overnight excursion to Halong Bay. It is about a 2.5 hour drive so we left in the morning and got there before noon. We stopped at a pearl farm along the way and learned about the process behind cultured pearls.

Cruise Halong Bay

In order to see Halong Bay and sail amid the beautiful mountainous islands, we let Peony Cruises handle it all for us. They pick you up in a little boat and bring out into Halong Bay where you get onto a small cruise ship.

They handle all the details- feed you delicious food and fancy drinks, and provide activities like kayaking, swimming, traditional music, and squid fishing. You just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views!

It really was a luxurious element to our trip and a great way to cap it off. The meaning of Halong is descending dragon and these hundreds of islands jutting out of the sea in all sorts of cool shapes really is surreal to see.

Day 10

On day 10 in Vietnam, we woke up on Halong Bay. After spending a night aboard the ship, we had an early morning Tai Chi session and then set off to visit the Trung Trang cave on Cat Ba Island.

The limestone cave has what seems like endless stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes. It was well lit and easy to travel through. There was some ducking your head or twisting this way but no crawling or tight squeezes. The path was fairly flat so it was safe even for children.

By noon we were back at the dock and departing back to Hanoi. We squeezed in as many things to do in Hanoi as possible when we got back. We head out on foot see as much as we could of Hanoi city life as we went. There was a big festival going on by the lake at the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and that was hard to pull ourselves away from so we indulged in a few street food snacks and then kept walking.

Hanoi Train Street

There is a narrow street in Old Town Hanoi which became famous because it has shops and cafes on either side but the train runs right through it twice a day. I don’t see the appeal but I guess because it is unusual, all the tourists want a look. It was on the way to our destination so we had a peek too. Because it dangerous to have crowds gathered on the train tack there are guards shooing the tourists away.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

I knew we had to see this historical landmark. Hanoi is a very old city and what better place to realize its long history than at the ancient citadel.

As UNESCO says, “The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty, marking the independence of the Dai Viet. It was constructed on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi. It was the centre of regional political power for almost 13 centuries without interruption. The Imperial Citadel buildings and the remains in the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site reflect a unique South-East Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley, at the crossroads between influences coming from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.”

It was fun to visit the site and see the archeological process. It is also a very beautiful spot were countless locals where having photo shoots done for things like pre-wedding pictures.

Make sure to see the Kinh Thien staircase with stone dragons forming the Royal banisters of the staircase that the King used. They are fabulous and over a five centuries old. By this point we had a full day and were ready for some dinner.

Red Bean Central Restaurant at La Siesta Classic Hang Thung

Our breakfasts were so delicious and I wanted our last meal in Vietnam to be delicious too so we headed to the Red Bean on the 11th floor of our hotel. We sat out on the balcony for drinks and dinner so we could fully enjoy the Hanoi skyline on our last night Vietnam. The food was fabulous. The drinks were delicious. The rooftop view was lovely.

Honestly, I wish we had stayed for a couple more days or at least one more full day in Hanoi because there was more to things to do in Hanoi that I didn’t get to do! Like the Temple of Literature, Thanh Chuong’s Viet Palace, Hang Bac Temple, and more.

Conclusion

Anyway, a trip to Vietnam is 100% a good idea! The country was beautiful, the people were friendly, and there was so much history and culture to learn about. I hope this 10 day Vietnam itinerary helps to give you a good idea of how to organize your trips and some fun things to do while in Vietnam. I wish you luck and joy on your Vietnam travels. Tag me in your photos so I can see @familyfocusblog!

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