Vietnam is a beautiful and vibrant country known for its stunning landscapes, mouthwatering cuisine, rich culture and war history. From chaotic cities to emerald green rice paddies, Vietnam has something to offer every type of traveler. With so much to see and do, planning the perfect Vietnam itinerary can be overwhelming.
To help you make the most of your 10 days in Vietnam, I’ve crafted a detailed day-by-day itinerary covering the top highlights from North to South Vietnam. We’ll start in Hanoi, make our way to the majestic Halong Bay, before heading overland to the imperial city of Hue, charming Hoi An, ending in energetic Ho Chi Minh City.
This jam-packed Vietnam 10 day itinerary includes how to get around, where to stay, top attractions and activities with recommended time frames at each stop. Let’s explore the best places to visit in Vietnam in 10 days!
Things to do before a trip to Vietnam from India
Before jetting off to Vietnam, there are a few preparation tasks to tick off your list for a smooth hassle-free adventure.
Check Vietnam visa requirement for Indian passport holders
Unlike other Southeast Asian countries, India passport holders need a pre-approved visa letter to enter Vietnam. Make sure your Vietnam Evisa is sorted before boarding flights to avoid unnecessary stress.
The fastest and most convenient way is to apply for an online Vietnam Evisa. It takes just 1-3 working days to get approval and only requires a passport photo and scanned copy of your passport biodata page.
I recommend using the official Vietnam Immigration Department website which guarantees a legitimate visa. Avoid random third party sites which could be dodgy.
Flights to Vietnam from India
There are no direct flights from India to Vietnam. Most visitors take an indirect route with stopovers in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
I recommend checking Skyscanner to compare all flight options across airlines and routes. AirAsia, Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways offer competitive rates if booked well in advance.
Aim to arrive in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city later afternoon. This gives you time to get settled, beat jet lag before starting your Vietnam itinerary adventure early the next morning.
Cash vs cards during a trip to Vietnam
Vietnam’s official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) with most places only accepting cash payments. Bring enough Dong for the duration of your entire trip as it can be difficult finding working international ATMs outside major cities.
Have at least 5,000,000 VND per person on hand for a 10 day Vietnam trip. Higher end hotels, shops and restaurants in tourist areas accept credit cards but budget guesthouses are usually cash only. Inform your bank about your Vietnam travel plans to avoid cards being blocked abroad due to ‘suspicious activity’.
Download Useful apps like WhatsApp and Grab
Install helpful apps beforehand so you don’t use up precious data downloading apps overseas with expensive roaming charges. Essential apps for Vietnam include:
- WhatsApp – For making free international calls over wifi to update family back home
- Google Maps – Navigation, finding attractions nearby, location sharing
- XE currency converter – Checking latest exchange rates for VND and USD/INR
- Grab – Southeast Asia’s version of Uber for booking taxis & private cars
Planning 10 Days in Vietnam Itinerary from India
With limited time in Vietnam, careful trip planning is key to make the most of your 10 day holiday. Here are my top planning tips:
How Much Of Your Vietnam Itinerary Should You Book In Advance?
I recommend booking Halong Bay cruise tours at least 1 month in advance. The popular boats sell out quickly in peak periods.
For everything else – flights, hotels, airport transfers and inner-city transport – I’d suggest leaving booking until 1-2 weeks pre-departure. This keeps your Vietnam travel plans flexible in case you need to tweak durations in each destination later. Domestic flights and trains can be booked a few days in advance unless hitting major holidays.
What tours to book in advance as well as your Halong Bay cruise, if you want a guided tour of Hue’s imperial sites or the My Son Sanctuary archaeological site, book these group day trips at least 1 week ahead through your hotel/accommodation. This ensures an English speaking guide and transport is arranged.
Everything else like walking tours in Hanoi and Hoi An, Cu Chi Tunnel tours in Ho Chi Minh etc can easily be booked once you arrive in each place. There are endless tour desks and agents on the ground to assist.
Getting Around During Your 10 Days in Vietnam
Buses, trains and domestic flights conveniently connect Vietnam’s major stops featured in this 10 day itinerary.
- Hanoi to Halong Bay – Book a private shuttle bus/van transfer from Hanoi. This is included free with most Halong Bay cruise packages.
- Halong Bay to Ninh Binh – Return to Hanoi then take a public bus or consider hiring a private car for the flexibility.
- Ninh Binh to Hue – Overnight train or cheap 1 hour flight
- Hue to Hoi An – Book a private car & driver for this scenic route via Hai Van Pass
- Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh – 50 minute domestic flight
- Within cities – Uber/Grab is affordable for short distances otherwise walk or haggle a taxi fare before getting in.
WIFI and SIM CARDS
Free wifi access inside hotels/cafes keeps you connected but signal can be intermittent with dead zones between destinations.
Purchasing a local prepaid Vietnamese SIM card provides the most reliable internet access continuously across your Vietnam trip. Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone kiosks at airports arrival halls sell tourist SIM cards with hefty 4G data limits at reasonable rates. Just bring along your passport to register the sim card.
Vietnam budget in 10 days
To comfortably enjoy this action packed Vietnam 10 day itinerary covering single hotel rooms, activities, transfers and meals – allow approximately INR 70,000 – 90,000 per person excluding your international flights. Costs can be lowered by opting for trains instead of flights between stops or choosing budget hotel rooms where possible.
This overview gives you an idea of expected costs at each stage across your Vietnam travel plans helping calculate the total trip budget.
Overview of the Vietnam Itinerary 10 days from India
Grab some exotic Vietnamese iced coffee and let’s dive into this incredible 10 day Vietnam travel itinerary!
DAY 1: Arrival in Hanoi and explore the Old Quarter
- Land mid-afternoon at Noi Bai International Airport
- Check into hotel in Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter neighborhood
- Wander around the Old Quarter’s bustling narrow streets lined with street food stalls and tiny shops
- Dinner at a local restaurant sampling pho noodle soup & Vietnamese dishes
- Overnight in Hanoi hotel
Top tip: To beat jet lag, force yourself to stay awake until the evening before crashing for a good night’s rest.
DAY 2 Hanoi
- Start day with breakfast at your hotel
- Explore top attractions like Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Take a walking food tour for lunch around Old Quarter alleys
- Afternoon visit Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius
- Sunset stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Watch a cultural water puppet show performance
- Overnight stay in Hanoi hotel
DAY 3: Halong Bay
- Early hotel pickup by shuttle bus arranged by Halong Bay cruise tour operator
- Arrive at Halong Bay port around midday
- Set sail on your Halong Bay day cruise boat for sightseeing amongst the karst formations dotting the emerald waters
- Seafood lunch and dinner included on board
- Do some kayaking, squid fishing or relax on the sundeck with picture perfect views
- Overnight stay in private cabin on board Halong Bay cruise boat
Day 4 Halong Bay to Ninh Binh
- Early morning Tai Chi class on deck as the Halong Bay sunrise peeks over towering limestone islands
- Light breakfast while cruising back to port
- Return by bus to Hanoi around midday
- Catch public bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh – beautiful 3 hour ride through rural Vietnamese villages and rice paddy fields
- Check into Ninh Binh hotel
- Option for late afternoon bike ride exploring Ninh Binh countryside side or relax at hotel
- Overnight stay in Ninh Binh hotel
Day 5: Ninh Binh
- Full day taking in top Ninh Binh sights:
- Tam Coc boat trip – rowing along peaceful waterways through limestone mountain scenery
- Trang An boat tour – dramatic jagged karsts looming above and around your tiny sampan boat
- Hang Mua viewpoint – towering panoramic views over the landscape
- Cuc Phuong National Park – jungle trekking and wildlife spotting
- Overnight stay in Ninh Binh hotel
Day 6: Hue
- Very early morning train or flight from Ninh Binh to Hue
- Check into Hue hotel
- Half day visiting top Hue attractions:
- Imperial Citadel – expansive grounds and buildings of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty emperors
- Thien Mu Pagoda – historic temple with iconic tower overlooking the Perfume River
- Overnight stay in Hue hotel
Day 7: Hue and transfer to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass
- Further explore Hue including:
- Khai Dinh Royal Tomb
- Tu Duc Royal Tomb – ornate dynastic mausoleums with tranquil grounds
- Early afternoon meet your private car & driver for scenic 4 hour drive to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass – winding cliffside road with sensational coastal views
- Pause journey midway at Lang Co beach to relax over fresh coconuts
- Arrive Hoi An late afternoon
- Check into Hoi An hotel
- Evening stroll along the riverside and across Japanese Covered Bridge glowing with lanterns
- Overnight stay in Hoi An hotel
Day 8: Hoi An and the beach
- Start late morning wandering charming Old Town streets lined with yellow painted buildings housing cafes, galleries and shops
- Historic sites to see in Hoi An:
- Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation
- Tran Family Chapel
- Museum of Trade Ceramics
- Have clothing tailor made if time permits
- Early afternoon transfer to nearby An Bang beach fringed by palm trees – relax on the sand, swimming and enjoying fresh seafood
- Sunset dinner on the riverfront
- Overnight stay in Hoi An hotel
DAY 9 Hoi An (My Son Sanctuary) and transfer to Ho Chi Minh
- Morning departure to explore the ancient Hindu My Son Sanctuary ruins dating from the 4th – 13th century Champa Kingdom era
- Return to Hoi An for lunch
- Early afternoon flight from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotel check in and evening free in Ho Chi Minh
- Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh hotel
DAY 10: HO CHI MINH
- Cu Chi Tunnels day trip seeing the remarkable underground network from the Vietnam war era with chance to crawl through tiny tunnel passageways yourself
- Return Ho Chi Minh late afternoon
- Farewell dinner feasting on local specialties – try the Banh Xeo Vietnamese pancakes!
- Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh hotel
- That concludes an incredible 10 days traveling from North to South Vietnam seeing magnificent landscapes and cultural attractions!
Extend this itinerary to 14 days in Vietnam
If time allows, I recommend extending your Vietnam holiday by several days. This reduces long journey days allowing more time at a relaxed pace in each destination.
Potential stops to add along the way include:
- Overnight Sapa trekking amongst rice terraces and minority hill tribe villages
- Extra night in vibrant capital Hanoi
- Additional free day enjoying pristine Halong Bay scenery from your cruise boat’s top deck jacuzzi
- Mai Chau rural valley cycling through tribal villages
- Detour via Phong Nha Caves – world’s largest cave system with dramatic jungle surrounds
- Extend beach time in coastal Nha Trang recognized for fun watersports and nightlife
- Last few nights enjoying Saigon’s cosmopolitan amenities and night markets
Conclusion
I hope this 10 day Vietnam travel itinerary from India gives you fantastic inspiration to plan your own trip soon to this mesmerizing country. With dazzling landscapes, delectable food and welcoming culture – an unforgettable Vietnamese adventure awaits! Reach out if you have any other questions to help craft your perfect Vietnam getaway.