Planning a tour of Vietnam is something that needs to be carefully planned because Vietnam is a country with changing climates, long travel, and amazing attractions. And you don’t want to miss any of the things that you have planned to visit. So taking a packaged tour is probably the best option to make sure your itinerary does not fail you and you get to experience the best of Vietnam.
Best Season for a 10 Days Vietnam Tour
Generally, the best time to visit Vietnam as a whole is from December to March, considering the small window of opportunity that presents itself as the dry and cool season for central and south Vietnam and the winter for the north.
From north to south, each region of Vietnam has its best time to visit. If you are going to spend 10 days in one specific region, you should think more about the best time to visit your destination.
Recommended Transportation for a 10 Days Vietnam Tour
Since you only have 10 days in Vietnam, it is suggested to travel around Vietnam by flight or train. With ten international airports and another 13 domestic airports, traveling around the country by flight is a quick and easy way to travel. However, it can be more expensive.
Take train in Vietnam is a great way to travel.
Instead of flying, you always have the option of using the train to get from place to place. It may be a little slower, but it is more cost-effective. Vietnam has a rail network that connects north to south and several branch lines which make for a more-than-adequate transport system. An overnight train in Vietnam is a great way to travel, in this way you can save one night’s accommodation and also experience local train travel.
Most Classic Itinerary for a 10 Days Vietnam Tour
The classic 10-day Vietnam tour itinerary covers the highlights of the whole country from the bottom to the top. You start with Ho Chi Minh in southern Vietnam and slowly work your way north through the central region to reach Hanoi in the north.
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
When you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, you will transfer to your hotel so that you can refresh and relax. The rest of the day and evening is yours to explore the local area and enjoy a beautiful dinner.
Day 2: Side Trip to Explore the Mekong Delta
On the second day, you can spend a relaxing side trip to explore the famous Mekong Delta, the mouth of one of Asia’s largest rivers, and one of the country’s most fascinating destinations. You will take a Mekong Delta cruise on a sampan on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, and along the way will stop to visit the Cai Be Floating Market.
Day 3: Travel to Hoi An by Flight
After a restful night’s sleep, you will rise for breakfast before heading for the airport to catch the flight to Hoi An. Once you arrive, you will transfer to your hotel and will be able to rest and relax and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Day 4: Discover the Ancient Town of Hoi An
Hoi An, a charming and atmospheric old town, is one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam. Today, you will explore the attractions of Hoi An Ancient Town, from its old-world architecture, cobbled streets, and distinctive yellow shop fronts to the picturesque, pedestrian-friendly streets, café culture, and stupendous street foods.
Hoi An sits on a lazy river full of bobbing fishing boats.
Day 5: Hoi An to Hue across Hai Van Pass
Today, you will drive from Hoi An to Hue, taking the stunning and picturesque route through the Hai Van Pass along the coast road. The pass road starts just after Da Nang, and takes you through small towns, alongside stunning beaches, past lush green rice fields, up through the mountains, and down the other side. In the afternoon, you will reach Hue, where you can relax in the hotel for the rest of the day.
Day 6: Hue Sightseeing and Travel to Hanoi by Train
In the morning, you will get to spend time sightseeing around Hue. Once the Imperial capital of ancient Vietnam, Hue’s leafy streets are filled with art deco mansions, moss-covered pagodas, and stunning open-air markets. You can visit the Imperial Museum, roam through palaces and pavilions, visit the tombs of the emperors, and then wander down the busy streets and stop for lunch in one of the cafes that line the boulevards. In the afternoon, you will board the train to Hanoi for the last stop of your Vietnam tour. When you arrive in the evening, you can relax in the hotel and prepare for the next day’s exploration.
Day 7: Explore Hanoi City
This day is for you to explore Hanoi city. You will visit the Old French Quarter with its colonial baroque architecture mingled with ancient Khmer buildings and wander through the shady boulevards to visit some of the 600 pagodas and temples that fill the Vietnamese capital.
Day 8: Hanoi to Halong Bay and Enjoy the Cruise in Halong Bay
Today, you will travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay by car, and spend the day cruising around the stunning karst formations of Halong Bay. Renowned as one of the most beautiful karst destinations in the world, you can explore small caves and discover secluded beaches to relax and enjoy the beauty of this amazing destination. You will stay overnight on the boat, and disembark the following morning.
Enjoy the cruise in Halong Bay
Day 9: Halong Bay to Hanoi
You will first take the car back to Hanoi, and then you can spend the day exploring other parts of Hanoi and relaxing and taking in the unique street foods and café culture that is part of the Vietnamese way of life.
Day 10: Hanoi Departure
It is time to say goodbye to Vietnam. You will get to the airport to get your flight home from Vietnam.
More Tips for Planning Your 10 Days Vietnam Tour
1. Remember to Apply for Your Vietnam Visa in advance
All Vietnam visas are required to be procured in advance of travel, as you cannot apply for the visa once you arrive. There are plenty of options for Vietnam Visa application, from embassy applications to the online e-Visa, and even the Vietnamese version of the Visa on Arrival, which you apply for beforehand. Just make sure you get your visa well in advance, or you will be turned away on arrival.
2. Pack the Essential Clothing According to Your Travel Time
Vietnam is generally hot, so you can guarantee most of what you pack will be cool clothing. But you should remember that Vietnam is a conservative Buddhist country, and it is recommended to cover up bare shoulders and limbs, especially when entering temples and pagodas. Sarong is good for this, and long-sleeved cool t-shirts will do the rest of the job nicely. You may need some warmer clothing if you are heading to Hanoi from December to march, though, as it can get quite cold there.
3. You Need to Buy Travel Insurance to Visit Vietnam
Everyone traveling to Vietnam now needs to have adequate travel and medical insurance due to the COVID restrictions that have been previously in place around the globe. Your Travel/Medical Insurance should cover you for COVID treatment up to the value of US$10,000.00 per person in your party and must be valid for Vietnam coverage. Entry will be refused for those without adequate insurance cover.
Conclusion
Taking a packaged Vietnam tour with an agency is the easiest way of organizing your trip to the country, and takes all the hassle out of it, so you can get on with the important stuff of having fun. And if you want to try out different places, we can even customize your ten-day Vietnam tour to make it exactly what you want, with your choices. So get in touch and let us make your dreams come true.