The perfect 10-day itinerary in Vietnam
The 10-Day Vietnam Exploration packs some of the most renowned highlights of a legendary country into one experience, taking you to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Can Tho, and more destinations both well-known and undiscovered alike. Start in Hanoi, defined by many years of culture, one of a kind artisans, coffee and food culture, and international tourism. Then, escape from the hustle and bustle of the city to admire the beauty of the countryside, hiking through the majestic mountainous land of Sapa. Adventure to the villages hidden behind the trees and waterfalls, spending time with the hill tribes who call this gorgeous land home. Enjoy the feeling of being lost in the thousands of limestone islands rising from the ocean in Ha Long Bay and in the rows of neat trees at a coconut farm in Can Tho. Venture to the mighty Mekong River where you will be mesmerized by the alluvial land and the unique indigenous culture.
Got ten days to spare? Vietnam is ready for you.
Highlights of the 10-Day Vietnam Exploration
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10-Day Vietnam Exploration Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Vietnam
Your trip begins with arrival in Vietnam. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel. You can walk through the streets of the city for the remainder of the day. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and shops are splashed all over this area. After enjoying the first day, return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Explore the Glistening Capital with Private Water Puppet Show
Hanoi is the country’s cultural heart, bearing traces of centuries of changing dynasties. Your tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to the key historic attractions of the city such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Hanoi Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, immerse in the unique cultural experiences right in the heart of the Old Quarter.
After lunch, take a stroll around the charming Hanoi Old Quarter to explore the fantastic maze of back streets. Stop at the old France House for a tea break. Next, step into the home of Mr. Liem, a passionate seventh-generation puppet maker and performer. Visit his humble home and listen to his story and to understand how his love for this traditional art grows. Then have a private show in his small theatre and learn the basic techniques of using bamboo rods to move puppets through the water.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3 Free Day in Hanoi and Train Ride to Sapa
Have a free day in Hanoi. You could visit Ho Chi Minh complex, the Temple of Literature, History or Ethnology museums or just have a walk around the Old Quarter or around West Lake. Get back to the hotel and get ready for the night train trip.
Transfer to the railway station for a night train to Sapa.
Overnight Location: Overnight train
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Trekking through Sapa Valley to Giang Ta Chai
Today is devoted to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of Sapa valley. Admire the rice terraces hidden behind mist of the morning, a truly awe-inspiring sight. Follow a small track and cross Muong Hoa River and pass well-tended rice terraces on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Continuing through the colorful rice terraces, you will reach the village of Ta Van Giay. As you continue your trek along the Muong Hoa River, you will cross a small suspension bridge roughly 2km from the settlement. Here you can discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings. Eat lunch in a home in the village.
After lunch the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After taking a rest near a waterfall to refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car is ready for your journey back to Sapa.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sapa
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 Taphin Red Dao Hill Tribe Village Visit
Have breakfast at your hotel. You’ll drive down to Lao Cai and then to Taphin village. Here you can experience the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, the two largest ethnic groups in the area. They live happily together while maintaining their own traditions from generation to generation. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses.
You will return to Sapa by car and then board an overnight train to Hanoi.
Overnight Location: Overnight train
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 Ha Long Bay
Today you will discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional Vietnamese junk boat and cruise into the bay. Admire the breathtaking scenery en route to Cua Van, one of the last remaining floating fishing villages in the bay. Take a closer look on a small bamboo boat.
You can rent a kayak, go for swims, meet the fishermen, and enjoy the bay before boating to Cua Van. Here you will see archaeological artifacts that date back to 10,000–8,000 BC. You’ll take a cavern tour in a fascinating area, then get back onto the boat in time for the magical “blue hour” where the water lights up. Enjoy dinner aboard the boat and some downtime, or you can try squid fishing with the boat staff.
Overnight Location: Boat on Ha Long Bay
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Sunrise on the Sundeck, Back to Hanoi, then Flight to Ho Chi Minh
Rise early for a lesson in Tai Chi or just to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The boat will make its way back to the port stopping at the Limestone Cave, full of stalagmites and stalactites. From here, it’s clear sailing back to the main harbor and then back to Hanoi.
Have some rest and free time until you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 Boat Trip to Vinh Long and Drive to Can Tho
Get picked up in Ho Chi Minh City in the morning and drive you to Can Tho. Here you’ll board a boat for a 4-hour boat trip along the river followed by a quick journey up the narrow canals in small rowing boats to visit Binh Island. Here you’ll take a short walk around the village to discover the local culture as well as local workshops, a coconut factory, and an ancient house.
Have lunch at a local garden restaurant before the boat trip continues to Vinh Long. Here you’ll get back in a car and drive back to Can Tho, arriving mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is then free to explore the streets of Can Tho.
Overnight Location: Homestay in Can Tho
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 Cai Rang Floating Market Exploration
After breakfast at the hotel, you will take a motor boat to visit Cai Rang, a fascinating floating market where you can see the trading boats piled high with fresh products. After exploring the floating market, you will continue your voyage to a local fruit garden where you can walk around and observe local life.
You will then visit Binh Thuy Ancient House which was chosen as one of the recording sets for the French movie L’ Amant ("The Lover") directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Following all this, you will make the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping for lunch along the way
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 10 Departure
After breakfast and check-out, it’s time to depart. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
10-Day Vietnam Exploration Price and Dates
This guided trip to Vietnam is run as a private tour for your group and the price depends on the number of people travelling.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 4: $1,284 USD *per person
Accommodation on the 10-Day Vietnam Exploration
This tour is based in hotels, homestays, trains and cruises. Hotels on this trip are 3-star on average and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. The trains will be comfortable shared cabins. Cruises are higher-end and spacious.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Era Hotel, Hanoi ★★★
This posh hotel has nicely decorated rooms, dry cleaning, laundry service, and free high-speed internet available for guests.
Overnight train in Vietnam
Sleep away the travel time on an overnight train in a comfortable shared cabin.
Homestay in Sapa, Vietnam
The exact homestay you’ll stay in will be confirmed upon booking, but expect a pleasant and comfortable stay with locals.
Overnight train in Vietnam
Sleep away the travel time on an overnight train in a comfortable shared cabin.
Flamingo Cruise
Enjoy cruising over Ha long Bay on this fully-staffed boat. The meals are amazing and the rooms are much more spacious than you’d expect on a boat.
Prague Hotel, Ho Chi Minh ★★★
You’re not in Prague, but you can enjoy a great view of the sunset over Ho Chi Minh City from this hotel’s rooftop pool. Expect spacious contemporary rooms here.
Lodge near Mekong Delta
Enjoy a locally-run lodge where you can get to know the friendly people who will be hosting you.
Prague Hotel, Ho Chi Minh ★★★
You’re not in Prague, but you can enjoy a great view of the sunset over Ho Chi Minh City from this hotel’s rooftop pool. Expect spacious contemporary rooms here.
What’s Included in the 10-Day Vietnam Exploration?
Meals
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 1 dinner are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 9 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transfers as per itinerary for you and your luggage, including pickup and drop off are included. This does not include any airfare
Also Included
- Admission fees as per itinerary
- English speaking guide
- Local taxes and insurance
- Luggage handling
Not included
- Personal expenses and gratuities to guide and driver
- Optional services
- Flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Meals not previously mentioned
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades where available
- Optional activities or day tours in Hanoi
Frequently Asked Questions about 10-Day Vietnam Exploration
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