Vietnam 10-Day Itinerary 2026 — Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City

Last updated: July 8, 2026

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Vietnam is one of Asia’s most rewarding and affordable destinations — a long, slender country of emerald rice terraces, dramatic karst seascapes, lantern-lit old towns, buzzing cities, golden beaches and extraordinary food. A 10-day journey from north to south reveals its incredible variety: Hanoi’s old quarter, the wonder of Halong Bay, the charm of Hoi An and the energy of Ho Chi Minh City. Friendly, cheap and full of character, Vietnam is a fantastic trip for Indian travellers.

This 2026 itinerary lays out a practical, well-paced 10-day route through Vietnam, with tips on visas, transport, costs, where to stay and what not to miss.

Part 1 of 8

Why 10 days in Vietnam works so well

Ten days lets you travel Vietnam from north to south at a comfortable pace, sampling its astonishing range. Explore Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter, cruise the legendary limestone seascape of Halong Bay, wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, relax on Da Nang’s beaches, and dive into the buzz and history of Ho Chi Minh City with a Mekong Delta day trip. Cheap domestic flights bridge the long distances, so you spend your time exploring, and the food and value are exceptional throughout.

This itinerary suits first-timers wanting the definitive north-to-south Vietnam experience — cities, seascapes, heritage and beaches — combining culture, nature and incredible value.

Ten days in Vietnam is a journey from north to south — Hanoi’s buzz, Halong’s karsts, Hoi An’s lanterns and Saigon’s energy, all at unbeatable value.

Part 2 of 8

Visa, flights and getting around

A simple e-visa and cheap domestic flights make this north-to-south route easy.

Visa: Indian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam. The easiest route is the Vietnam e-visa, applied for online before travel — quick and inexpensive. Apply in advance with your documents, and confirm the current rules before booking.

Flights: Fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City (an open-jaw ticket) to avoid backtracking, with connections via Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Within Vietnam, cheap domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City quickly.

Getting around: Use domestic flights for the long hops, and trains, buses or private cars for shorter legs (like Da Nang–Hoi An). In cities, use Grab (ride-hailing) for cheap, easy travel.

Note: Da Nang is the airport gateway for Hoi An, which is a short drive away. Book Halong Bay cruises and key transfers in advance, especially in peak season.

Part 3 of 8

Best time to do this itinerary

Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km, so the climate varies by region — timing is about finding a good overall window.

Season	Months	What to expect
Spring	Feb–Apr	Generally pleasant nationwide — a good all-round time to travel.
Autumn	Sep–Nov	Mild and pleasant in most regions — another excellent window.
Summer	May–Aug	Hot and humid; central beaches are good, but the north can be rainy.
Winter	Dec–Jan	Cool in the north (Hanoi/Halong can be misty), warm in the south.

Because Vietnam spans several climate zones, no single month is perfect everywhere, but spring (February–April) and autumn (September–November) generally offer the best weather across the whole north-to-south route. Expect cooler, sometimes misty conditions in the north in winter and a hot, humid summer, with the south staying warm year-round.

Part 4 of 8

Costs and budgeting for Indians

Vietnam is wonderfully affordable. Here is a realistic per-person, per-day guide for 2026, excluding international flights and domestic flights.

Style	Daily budget	What it covers
Backpacker	$25–45	Hostels and guesthouses, street food, buses and shared tours.
Mid-range	$60–120	Good hotels, a Halong Bay cruise, dining out and private transport.
Comfort	$160+	Boutique hotels, premium cruises, private guides and experiences.

Street food and local eateries are remarkably cheap and delicious, and accommodation is great value. The main planned costs are domestic flights and a Halong Bay cruise (day or overnight). Carry Vietnamese dong in cash for street stalls and markets, though cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants. Booking tours via reputable operators keeps costs and hassle down.

Part 5 of 8

The 10-day Vietnam itinerary, day by day

This route flows from north to south, the classic way to experience Vietnam.

Days 1–2 — Hanoi: The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, street food and a water-puppet show.

Days 3 — Halong Bay: An overnight cruise among the limestone karsts, with kayaking and caves (or a day trip if short on time).

Days 4–6 — Hoi An & Da Nang: Fly to Da Nang for its beaches and the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, then the lantern-lit ancient town of Hoi An for tailors, food and charm.

Days 7–9 — Ho Chi Minh City: Fly south for the War Remnants Museum, the Cu Chi Tunnels, markets and nightlife, with a Mekong Delta day trip.

Day 10 — Depart: Last-minute shopping and food in Ho Chi Minh City before flying home.

Part 6 of 8

Where to stay along the route

Choosing the right bases keeps this long route efficient and enjoyable.

Hanoi: Stay in the Old Quarter — central, atmospheric and packed with food and budget-to-boutique hotels.

Halong Bay: Sleep aboard the cruise boat for the full experience among the karsts.

Hoi An: Base in or near the ancient town for its lantern-lit evenings, or by An Bang beach for sand and town access.

Ho Chi Minh City: Stay in District 1, central for the sights, markets, dining and nightlife.

Book Halong Bay cruises, peak-season stays and domestic flights early, especially around Vietnamese holidays like Tet, when prices rise and availability tightens.

Part 7 of 8

Practical tips for this Vietnam trip

A few habits make this 10-day route run smoothly.

This itinerary is designed to be efficient yet relaxed. Apply for your e-visa in advance, fly open-jaw (Hanoi in, Ho Chi Minh City out), and use cheap domestic flights to cover the long distances. Book your Halong Bay cruise and key transfers ahead, and use Grab in cities to avoid overcharging.

Carry Vietnamese dong in cash for the abundant street food and markets, cross the motorbike-heavy roads slowly and predictably, and keep an eye on belongings in crowds. Vegetarian travellers can seek out “chay” eateries, and Indian restaurants exist in major cities for familiar food. Choose reputable Halong Bay operators for safety, and keep a flexible day for weather. With its cities, seascapes, heritage and incredible food and value, Vietnam offers Indian travellers an unforgettable journey from north to south.

Part 8 of 8

Frequently asked questions

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa, and the easiest route is the Vietnam e-visa, applied for online before travel. It is quick and inexpensive. Apply in advance with your documents, and always confirm the current rules and validity before booking your trip.

Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?

Ten days is ideal for a north-to-south first trip, covering Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City with a Mekong Delta day trip, using cheap domestic flights to bridge the distances. It captures the country’s essential variety at a comfortable pace.

How do I get around Vietnam?

Use cheap domestic flights for the long hops between Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, and trains, buses or private cars for shorter legs like Da Nang–Hoi An. In cities, Grab (ride-hailing) is cheap and easy. Flying into Hanoi and out of Saigon avoids backtracking.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

Vietnam spans several climate zones, so no month is perfect everywhere, but spring (February–April) and autumn (September–November) generally offer the best weather across the whole route. The north is cool and misty in winter, while the south stays warm year-round.

How much does a 10-day Vietnam trip cost?

Vietnam is very affordable. Excluding international and domestic flights, backpackers manage on roughly $25–45 a day, mid-range trips $60–120 including a Halong Bay cruise, and comfort trips from $160. Street food and stays are cheap; domestic flights and the cruise are the main extras.

Is a Halong Bay cruise worth it?

Absolutely — Halong Bay’s thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald waters are a highlight of any Vietnam trip. An overnight cruise with kayaking and caves is far more rewarding than a rushed day trip. Book reputable operators with good safety standards, and keep a flexible day for weather.

Is Vietnam good for vegetarian Indian travellers?

Yes. Vietnam has “chay” (vegetarian) eateries and Buddhist restaurants, plus Indian restaurants in major cities for familiar food, so vegetarians and Indian travellers eat well. The abundant, cheap and fresh food, along with great-value stays, makes Vietnam very budget-friendly.

Is Vietnam safe for tourists?

Vietnam is generally safe, but watch for petty scams and overcharging — agree prices or use Grab, and mind belongings in crowds. Cross the motorbike-heavy roads slowly and predictably, and choose reputable Halong Bay and tour operators. Take standard precautions and the trip is smooth and rewarding.

Can I extend this Vietnam itinerary?

Yes. With two weeks you could add Sapa in the north for terraced rice fields and hill-tribe culture, the imperial city of Hue near Hoi An, the beaches of Nha Trang or Phu Quoc, or more time in the Mekong Delta. For ten days, however, the Hanoi–Halong–Hoi An–Saigon route gives a well-balanced first taste without rushing.

Is Vietnam suitable for a family trip?

Yes. Vietnam is safe, affordable and family-friendly, with a Halong Bay cruise, Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, Da Nang’s beaches and theme parks, and gentle Mekong Delta boat trips that appeal to all ages. Cheap food, easy domestic flights and warm hospitality make it a manageable and rewarding family destination from India.

The bottom line

This 10-day Vietnam itinerary delivers the definitive north-to-south journey — Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter, the wonder of Halong Bay, the lantern-lit charm of Hoi An, Da Nang’s beaches, and the energy of Ho Chi Minh City with a Mekong Delta day trip. Sort your e-visa, fly open-jaw, use cheap domestic flights to bridge the distances, and book your Halong Bay cruise ahead. Travel in spring or autumn for the best overall weather, and Vietnam will reward Indian travellers with an unforgettable, brilliant-value adventure of cities, seascapes, heritage and incredible food.

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Photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons under their respective Creative Commons licences. Visa, flight and travel details are indicative for 2026; confirm current visa rules and prices before you travel.