Perfect 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Flexible Itinerary & Custom Options

The itinerary below is a suggested plan for 10 days across southern, central & northern Vietnam. It can be adjusted depending on your travel style & preferences.

We can arrange a full package including hotels, flights, visa, airport transfers & unique local activities – or provide only the day tours listed below.

If you prefer more beach time, fewer cities or upgraded services, we can redesign the trip for you.
Just tell us how you like to travel, we’ll build the trip around you.

Day 1 – Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City & City Highlights

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, a private car will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and time to rest.

Afternoon City Tour & Dinner Cruise
In the afternoon, begin a half-day city tour to explore Ho Chi Minh City’s main highlights, followed by a relaxing dinner on the river cruise.

City tour includes:

• Ho Chi Minh landmarks & colonial-style architecture

• Historic streets & local atmosphere

• Time to enjoy café culture or local snacks along the way

As evening arrives, board a dinner cruise along the Saigon River – a peaceful way to see the city lights from the water before returning to your hotel.

Day 2 – Flight to Phu Quoc Island

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. A private car will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s most popular island destination.

Upon landing, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel to relax and settle in.

The rest of the day is free. You may enjoy the beach, walk around night markets, or rest before tomorrow’s full-day island tour.

Day 3 – Phu Quoc Highlights & Cable Car Tour 

After breakfast, join the full-day in-group tour to explore Phu Quoc Island’s main attractions.

Tour highlights include:

• Visit a shell handicraft & pearl shop to learn about local specialties

• Explore the peaceful Ho Quoc Pagoda overlooking the sea

• Relax at Sao Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• Continue to Coconut Prison – a historical site from the wartime era

• Take the cable car to Hon Thom Natural Park, enjoy views of the ocean & islands from above

In the late afternoon, return to your hotel to rest. Evening is free to explore Phu Quoc on your own – cafés, night markets & beach bars are easy to reach from town.

Day 4 – Fly to Hoi An & Afternoon Coconut Village Tour

Check out of your hotel in Phu Quoc and transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang.

On arrival, a private car will pick you up and take you directly to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in and some time to relax.

Afternoon Tour – Coconut Village & Hoi An Ancient Town
In the late afternoon, start your half-day tour with two charming experiences:

• Coconut Village (Cam Thanh) – learn basic fishing techniques from locals & try paddling a traditional bamboo basket boat through peaceful coconut waterways

• Hoi An Ancient Town – walk through historical streets, visit assembly halls, ancestral temples & the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge

• Enjoy dinner with local food

• Explore lantern street, night market & take an optional boat ride on Hoai River

Evening returns you to your hotel in Hoi An to rest.

Day 5 – Marble Mountain & Ba Na Hills 

After breakfast, depart on a full-day in-group tour to explore both cultural & scenic highlights of the Da Nang area.

Morning – Marble Mountain

• Visit Marble Mountain, Am Phu Cave & stone-carving village

• Walk through natural grottoes & pagodas built into the mountain

• Enjoy panoramic views from the viewpoints

Midday – Transfer to Ba Na Hills

• Take the cable car ride up the mountain

• Visit Golden Bridge, one of Vietnam’s most famous landmarks

• Explore Le Jardin D’Amour flower garden & wine cellar

• Buffet lunch included at a hilltop restaurant

• Continue to French Village & Fantasy Park for games & photos

Evening – Da Nang City Tour

After returning from Ba Na Hills, spend some time exploring Da Nang by night, you may visit:

• Dragon Bridge & Love Bridge

• Local markets & night markets

• Optional weekend Dragon Bridge fire show (Fri–Sun)

Return to your hotel to rest for the next day.

Day 6 – Hue Imperial City via Hai Van Pass 

After breakfast, depart from Hoi An for a full-day journey to Hue, traveling through stunning natural scenery in central Vietnam.

Scenic Route to Hue

• Drive across the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal roads

• Stop at Lang Co Beach & Lap An Lagoon for photos and views

Explore Hue – Former Royal Capital

Visit the most important cultural landmarks in Hue, including:

• Hue Imperial Citadel – former residence of the Nguyen Dynasty

• Khai Dinh Tomb – a mix of Eastern & Western architecture

• Thien Mu Pagoda – overlooking the Perfume River

A delicious local lunch is served at noon. After sightseeing, return to your hotel in Hoi An by evening.

Day 7 – Fly to Ha Noi & Half-Day City Tour

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Hoi An. Before leaving, make a short visit to Lady Buddha Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula, where the giant statue overlooks the sea & protects local fishermen.

Then transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ha Noi. Upon arrival, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Afternoon Half-Day City Tour
Start your discovery of Ha Noi with a guided cultural tour, including:

• Ho Chi Minh Complex – outside view of the Mausoleum & his stilt house

• One Pillar Pagoda – a symbol of spiritual architecture in Vietnam

• Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, dedicated to Confucius

• Old Quarter by cyclo/electric car – explore bustling streets & local life

Return to your hotel in the evening. Free time to enjoy Ha Noi at your own pace.

Day 8 – Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Trang An & Mua Cave 

Today you’ll discover one of the most scenic regions in northern Vietnam – Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land.” Join the in-group tour and travel south from Ha Noi.

Start your visit at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, where Vietnam’s first dynasties ruled. Learn about the history of King Dinh & King Le and explore their temples surrounded by rural landscapes.

Continue to Mua Cave, where a short hike rewards you with one of the most iconic viewpoints in Vietnam overlooking Tam Coc valley.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a peaceful Trang An boat trip, gliding through grottoes and limestone mountains – a perfect opportunity for photos and relaxation.

Return to Ha Noi in the late afternoon & rest at your hotel or explore Ha Noi at your own pace.

Day 9 – Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Ha Noi and join the transfer to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most iconic UNESCO sites.

Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, board your cruise and settle into your cabin. Enjoy lunch onboard as the boat begins its journey past limestone islands and emerald waters.

Afternoon Activities

• Relax on the sundeck or in your cabin

• Swim or kayak in quiet bays

• Enjoy scenic views during the cruise

As evening falls, dinner will be served on board. You may join onboard activities or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the bay before resting overnight in your cabin.

Day 10 – Tai Chi, Cave Visit & Departure

Wake up early for optional Tai Chi on deck and admire the sunrise over the bay.

After a light breakfast, visit one of the bay’s impressive caves such as Sung Sot Cave or Dark & Bright Cave, depending on the cruise route.

Return to the boat for brunch while cruising back toward the marina.

Disembarkation
Around noon, leave the cruise and transfer back to Ha Noi Airport.
For convenience, we recommend a flight departing after 8:00 PM.