Vietnam definitely left an impression on me! The vibrant country is home to breathtaking landscapes, delicious cuisine, and rich culture. Whether you are a beach, mountain, city, or lake person, there is something for everyone. As I planned my trip around the Easter holiday, I only had 10 days to explore the entire country. I started in the south, and made my way north, but you can of course reverse the itinerary as well if it suits you better! If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, and are limited on time keep reading for my 10 days in Vietnam itinerary!
IS IT WORTH SPENDING ONLY 10 DAYS IN VIETNAM?
You may be asking yourself if 10 days is really enough time to see the massive country. There are many people who spend up to a month traveling Vietnam, but not all of us have the luxury of taking more than one or two weeks off for a holiday. Of course you cannot see everything with only 10 days in Vietnam, but my itinerary ensures you see the highlights, and get the most out of your short time! Keep reading for my top recommended cities to visit, how to travel between them, and what to do in each.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DAY 1 & 2: HO CHI MINH (SAIGON)
After surviving the 16 hour flight (my friend had a much longer flight from New York) we arrived in Ho Chi Minh! To be completely honest I did not love Ho Chi Minh, and wish we would have just spent one day in the city. I had heard the same from others, but wanted to give the city a chance. If you have limited time then I would say to just spend a day in the city, but who knows you may end up loving it! Despite my sentiments there were, nonetheless, things to see and do in Saigon.
WHAT TO DO IN HO CHI MINH
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is located in the center of the city making it easily accessible. It was constructed by the French in 1880, and is a prime example of the some the beautiful architecture in the country. Whether you just admire the Basilica from the outside or opt to go inside, it should definitely be a stop on your first day.
War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum was definitely the most memorable part of my time in Ho Chi Minh. The stories and images portrayed in the museum were difficult to get through at times, yet moving, and impactful. For anyone interested in learning a bit more about the war, and reading first hand testimonials from survivors, I highly recommend visiting the museum.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
By day there is nothing atypical about this street. Cars, taxis, bikes, and pedestrians fill the street. By night, however, the street completely transforms. Nguyen Hue is closed off to cars, music blasts from bars, neon lights are flashing, and restaurants extend their outdoor seating past the sidewalks. I definitely recommend checking out Nguyen Walking Street, however, I must warn that if you aren’t much for large crowds this may not be the best place for you.
Excursion to Mekong Delta
On our second day in Vietnam we embarked on a full day excursion to the Mekong Delta. We purchased the guided excursion from one of the many travel agencies around the city the day before. After extensive research and speaking to a few people who had visited the country, we decided it was better to purchase all excursions in Vietnam as opposed to online. The prices were definitely cheaper as all of the travel agencies are trying to compete with each other for business. As with most things in Vietnam, never take the initial price as final, because there is always room for bartering.
The day trip to the Mekong Delta cost about 10 euros, and included lunch, a boat trip along the river, and several scenic stops. The day trip itself wasn’t incredible. Multiple stops were selling tactics to try to have us buy the local products. The highlight of the excursion was definitely our raft ride in the Mekong Delta River, and the visit to the Buddhist temple.
DAY 3 & 4: HUE
On day three, we boarded an early morning flight to our second destination; Hue. I have to admit that I had very little expectations for this city, but my friend and I actually loved it, and wished we could have spent an extra day!
HOW TO TRAVEL FROM HO CHI MINH TO HUE
Since we only had 10 days in Vietnam, we had to rely on the fastest form of transportation to travel between cities. We flew Air Asia for both of our domestic flights and each flight cost about 25 euros. I was hesitant about the low cost Asian airline at first, but it was inexpensive and turned out to be quite professional.
WHAT TO DO IN HUE
Explore the Imperial City
The Ancient Imperial City of Hue is the main attraction in the city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I was absolutely blown away by the immensity and beauty of the Ancient City. The Ancient City is easy to reach on foot. Located on the opposite side of the river, it takes about 20 minutes from the new town. Go as early as possible to avoid the crowds, and make sure to give yourself ample time to explore everything. Opening hours are from 7:00am to 6:00pm, and the entrance ticket costs 150,000 VND (about 6 euros). My friend and I spent about 4 hours in the Imperial City, so I highly recommend packing snacks and plenty of water!
Take a Stroll through the Night Market
Once a week the center of the city closes its streets to vehicles, and hosts a very large Night Market. The Night Market in Hue was definitely the most lively one we experienced during our stay. There was live music, plenty of street food, and a very energetic crowd. We tried some of the street delicacies, enjoyed some live performances, and local beer before calling it a night.
Relax at the Beach
Day four in Vietnam called for a trip to the beach! The easiest way to get to the beach is via taxi. The closest beach to Hue was Thuan An, located about 12km from the city. After a bit of research we decided to spend the day at a private beach club named Beach Bar Hue. It was clean, and quiet and we had access to our own beach bed. We had to pay 100,000 VND (about 4 euros) to enter, but this was then discounted from food and drinks purchased inside. It was not the most beautiful beach I have ever seen, but it was a nice escape from the relentless heat.
DAY 5 - 7: HOI AN
Our next stop after Hue was to the UNESCO World Heritage old city of Hoi An. You may be wondering why we traveled north to Hue to then go south to Hoi An. There was a reasoning behind our plan I promise! We wanted our dates to coincide with the Lantern Festival in Hoi An, and as we were flying home out of Hanoi we had no option but to visit Hue beforehand. You can of course reverse these two cities and visit Hoi An after Ho Chi Minh.
HOW TO TRAVEL FROM HUE TO HOI AN
Our original plan was to take the train from Hue to Hoi An as it was only about 4 hours. However, our hotel suggested a semi private driver that would take us directly to our hotel in Hoi An. We paid about 12 euros per person and traveled in a small van of 8 people. Along the way we drove past rice fields, the coast, and stopped at several impressive landmarks, such as, the Hai Van Pass and the Marble Mountains.
WHAT TO DO IN HOI AN
Wander the Charming Streets
Out of the four cities we visited, Hoi An was by far my favorite! The French architecture is still very prevalent in this city making it quite charming. The small pedestrian streets are lined with colorful lanterns, and the Old Town is full of historical buildings, temples, and museums to explore. Spend the day strolling the quaint streets, enjoy a meal by the river, and stop for a coffee at one of the many adorable coffee shops in the city.
Hit the Markets
Most cities in Vietnam offer a handful of markets, and Hoi An is no exception! When you first enter the city, you will find the Central Market. Here you can buy everything from fresh fruit, to handmade goods, and souvenirs. Every evening, the other side of the river hosts a Night Market. This market is definitely worth a stroll for some late night snacks and souvenir shopping. I definitely spent quite a lot of time in the markets each day, buying food and trinkets for myself and friends.
Take a Bike Ride to the Beach
The bike riding culture is very prevalent in Hoi An. In fact most hotels (including our own) offer free bike rentals, as it is the main form of transportation around the city. On our second day in Hoi An, we packed our rental bikes and made our way to the closest beach; Bai Tam An Bang Beach. Along the way we passed lush green rice fields before arriving at the stunning coast. I highly recommend going early in the day, as the afternoon heat is almost unbearable. Plus there are less crowds at the beach in the mornings!
Awe at the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival or the Full Moon Festival is a must see in Hoi An! It occurs on every 14th day of the month according to the lunar calendar. When I went in April 2019 the date for the Lantern Festival was Thursday, April 18th, but it changes every year. On this evening, Hoi An extinguishes all its lights, and stunning colorful lanterns illuminate the city. Locals, and tourists alike take turns lighting small paper lanterns and releasing them into the river for good luck. There are also musicians, and martial arts performances on the streets, and every shop displays their most beautiful lanterns which you can buy to take home!
DAY 8-10: HANOI & HALONG BAY
The final stop on our journey was to Hanoi. 10 days in Vietnam would not be complete without a visit to the capital city! After our experience in Ho Chi Minh, we weren’t sure what to expect in another big Vietnamese city, but luckily we were pleasantly surprised! Despite Hanoi being a large city, it has undeniable charm, and there is quite a lot to see.
HOW TO TRAVEL FROM HOI AN TO HANOI
Once again we opted to fly from Hoi An to Hanoi. We booked a morning flight to ensure we had most of the day in Hanoi to sightsee. The flight was about an hour and we were in Hanoi by lunchtime.
WHAT TO DO IN HANOI
Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake in the historical center of Hanoi. Its name translates to “Lake of the Returned Sword.” Discover several of the pagodas in the center of the lake, go for a stroll along the surrounding paths, or have a seat on a bench and take in your surroundings. There are also several bars and restaurants surrounding the lake for an afternoon snack or drink.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the main attractions in Hanoi. It holds the remains of the late Ho Chi Minh, previous ruler of Vietnam. In fact his body is preserved in a glass case for visitors to see. I was shocked at first as I was not expecting to actually see his body when we entered, but it was quite a moving experience. Apart from the Mausoleum itself, the complex also holds Ho Chi Minh’s former residences, and a museum. If you are planning a visit make sure to wear appropriate clothing, as short skirts/dresses and sleeveless tops are not allowed. Also keep in mind that the Mausoleum is only open until 10:30am on the weekdays and 11:00am on weekends, therefore plan to arrive early in the day!
Explore the French Quarter
The French quarter is on the southeastern end of the Hoan Kiem Lake, and is home to embassies, luxury shopping, ritzy hotels, and gourmet restaurants. The architecture in this part of the city is mostly French colonial (as you may have guessed). One of the main sites, and a must see in the French Quarter is the Hanoi Opera House. It dates back to 1911, and resembles the opera house in Paris.
Excursion to Halong Bay
Prior to arriving in Vietnam, my friend and I were certain that we wanted to visit Halong Bay. Similar to our previous excursion, we waited until arriving in Hanoi to purchase the day trip. We compared many different tour company prices until finding the right price for us ( you will need to barter down the price as it is a popular day trip). There are several package options when visiting Halong Bay. You can opt for a 4 hour, 6 hour, or an overnight cruise (1/2 nights). If you are able to extend your itinerary by another day or so I would highly recommend the overnight option!
My friend and I, however, were short on both time and money, and therefore, decided to go for the 6 hour excursion. Halong Bay is breathtaking, but it is sadly very crowded with visitors and tourists. We didn’t realize until we climbed up to the viewpoint, and saw all of the larger overnight cruise ships docked out in the middle of the bay. Nonetheless, the bay itself is majestic with bright green waters and limestone pillars. Despite the large crowds I would still recommend a trip to Halong Bay while in Vietnam!
It may seem that 10 days in Vietnam is not enough time to see everything the amazing country has to offer. Of course if you have the flexibility to extend the trip then I highly recommend it! However, for those with limited time off, or planning a trip around national holidays, then my 10 days in Vietnam itinerary is the perfect starting point to ensure you get the most out of your trip!
Safe Travels,
Vip <3
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