10 Days in Vietnam - Tour on budget in 2025

Vietnam is an underrated destination compared to other southeast asian countries like Thailand. I encourage you to plan a holiday there, but I know—the thing is time is too short in reality. Don't be scared, though, as this awesome 10-day itinerary from Hanoi is carefully planned to let you not overlook a thing in this wonderful place and have a treasure chest of unforgettable moments waiting for you all the while giving you some hidden spots you might have never heard of!

Are 10 Days Enough in Vietnam?

Vietnam is full of wonderful things to explore top to bottom, and a period of 10 days is just enough time to dive headlong in amongst its best features. To maximize your experience, though, you’ll want to concentrate on either north or south. This itinerary is specifically for Northern Vietnam.

So this is actually a Vietnam itinerary from Hanoi as we start the first day from Hanoi and also make it kind of our central base for travelling all around northern Vietnam.

For Whom is this Vietnam Itinerary?

This plan is best for:

• Are you looking to experience some of Northern Vietnam's greatest sites but have limited time at hand?

• Explore a variety of outdoor adventures and a host of cultural events including trying our best Vietnamese local food.

• Prefer a moderate pace with opportunities for relaxation without rushing.

• People who are solo travelers Or couples doing a romantic trip Or people travelling with kids. This itinerary takes into account all kinds of travelers and you can always customise it from the Mold Your Path section which you can find after the main itinerary section.

The Ideal Time to Travel to Vietnam

• Spring (March–April) is wonderful in its temperature and flowering, and is thus ideal for a visit.

• Fall (September–November) is as wonderful as spring in terms of good weather and blue-sky brilliance. You can also see snow in Sapa if you go at the end of November or December!

Travel options in Vietnam

• Flights: Vietnam has a network of domestic flights connecting major cities, and you can save time on extensive travel. Vietjet is the cheapest most of the time but sometimes does have delays!

• Buses offer a fairly cheap method for interurban travel, and there are day and overnight travel opportunities available. Sleeper buses are perfect for budget travelers in Vietnam.

• Trains offer a scenic way to travel, especially for longer distances, in comfortable seats and cozy beds.

• Taxis and Ride-Shares are literally a lifesaver when navigating the city, but it is best to use proven providers. Our advice - avoid it if you can unless you have tons of money!

• Motorbikes present a popular method for touring in the countryside, but are best suited for experienced motorcyclists who hold a current license.

10-Day Vietnam Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Busy and Crazy Hanoi, the Capital

• After arriving at Noi Bai Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, which we are assuming is morning, try to find a hotel/homestay around the old quarter area of Hanoi. You should relax for a few hours before starting your tour.

• Afternoon: Explore Old Quarter, a maze-like complex lined with shops and street-food stands steeped in history. You will love it, trust me!

• Evening: Enjoy a traditional water puppet show, a unique Vietnamese art form. 

• Dinner: Check out street eats like cha bun (grilled pork and noodles) or pho (the delicious noodle soup).

Day 2: Historical tour of Hanoi

• Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum to see the fascinating things about Vietnam's leader to be unearthed.

• Afternoon: Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, showcasing traditional architecture and Confucian values.

• Evening: Walk across Hoan Kiem Lake and proceed to Ngoc Son Temple, resting place for a picturesque island in the lake.

• Dinner: Indulge in cha ca (turmeric fish with dill), a Hanoi specialty. If you are with your partner then you should definitely consider having a romantic dinner in Hanoi especially near the Hoan lake!

Day 3: Halong Bay – Best cruise tours of Vietnam

• Morning: Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay (approximately 2.5-3 hours). Should not cost you more than 8 USD for the bus/limousine van if you are going by yourself.
  If you have booked a tour package from Hanoi, most likely it will have the transfer cost included.

• Afternoon: Join a 2D1N Halong Bay cruise, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Explore limestone cliffs, caverns, and floating villages! Enjoy swimming, kayaking, or just reclining on the sundeck.

• Evening: Relish succulent seafood on the boat while watching sunset diffuse across bay waters. The food is inclusive in the cruise tour and some of them offer a nice glass of red wine.
  The first evening of a cruise tour is always the most memorable, especially when you are with your partner and watching a beautiful sunset while relaxing on the ship deck!

Day 4: Halong Bay – Rising at Dawn and Returning Back to Hanoi

• Morning: Rise early to witness the sunrise at Halong Bay. Continue sailing across the bay, exploring caverns and breathtaking scenery. You will again get an opportunity to do snorkelling on a secluded island (depends on the tour you booked). 

• Afternoon: Return to port and head back to Hanoi.

• Evening: Free time in Hanoi for shopping or exploring. You can do some bargain hunting for souvenirs in the local market to bring back home.

• Dinner: Savor Vietnamese cuisine in the center of Hanoi. If you are a Vegan or Vegetarian, then you are in luck since even though Vietnam cuisine is famous for meat dishes, they do have delicious Vegan options too. Hanoi has some of the best Vegetarian restaurants in Vietnam.

Day 5: Ninh Binh – Also Known as "Inland Halong Bay"

• Morning: Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (approximately 2 hours).

• Afternoon: Take a boat trip through Tam Coc, a series of three caves along the Ngo Dong River, surrounded by stunning limestone karsts and rice paddies. A lot of Indiand and American travelers I have met have described Ninh Binh and Phong Nha as the top hidden gems of Vietnam where they had the least expectation of the place but these places pleasantly surprised them.
  Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, if you still have some time left, a breathtaking complex of pagodas expertly hacked out of the rock face.

• Evening: Experience some authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Ninh Binh.
  Fun Fact: Kong-skull island hollywood movie was shot in Ninh Binh!

Day 6: Ninh Binh – Ancient Capital and Scenic Views

• Morning: Visit Hoa Lu, once the old capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Venture into temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le dynasties.

• Afternoon: Hike to Mua Cave summit for a spectacular view of Ninh Binh. Some consider it as the best hiking tour in the Ninh Binh area.

• Evening: Return to Hanoi or enjoy another night in Ninh Binh. In this Vietnam itinerary, we are assuming you will go back to Hanoi so the next day is planned as such. If you love Ninh Binh like we did, you might stay a day extra and explore the local village in Tam coc or Trang by bicycle or motorbike.
  Next day we plan to go to Sapa, if you want you can just take a sleeper bus from Ninh Binh to Sapa rather than going to Hanoi first.

Day 7: Sapa – Trekking in the Mountains

• Morning: Take a sleeper bus or train from Hanoi to Sapa (8 hours).

• Afternoon: Just rest for a while. Really, even though you travel by sleeper bus it can be a bit tiring. I would advise you to just take it slow and not try to cram everything in a day.

• Evening: Walk around the center of town around the lake. It can get quite foggy and to be honest feels pretty nice to just walk around and try various local street food.
  End the day with a traditional Hmong dinner in Sapa town. 

Day 8: Sapa – Exploring Cat Cat Village

• Morning: Reach Cat Cat Village, home to Black Hmong villagers. It's around 3.2 km from the center of Sapa town which should not take you more than 15 minutes by taxi or rented motorbike.
  Check out the waterfall there and do some handicraft shopping while indulging in delicious street food made by local villagers.

• Afternoon: Visit Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina, via cable car. Chill there in a cafe with nice views of the mountain.

• Evening: Head back to your homestay/hotel. Relax with a spa or massage in Sapa which is way cheaper than you might assume. Can start from 7-8 USD!

Day 9: Sapa – Rice Terraces and Local Markets

• Morning: Visit Muong Hoa Valley’s rice terraces. Explore Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, home to the Hmong and the Dzay.

• Afternoon: Visit Sapa Market for handcrafts and fresh produce. You are free to bargain, which is totally expected in Vietnam.

• Evening: Take a sleeper train or bus back to Hanoi.
  

Day 10: Departure

• Morning: Arrive in Hanoi.

• Have one final Vietnamese breakfast. Check out any skipped spots. If you still have some space left, buy the Nguyen coffee and some local Souvenirs for your family and friends.

• Travel to Noi Bai Airport (HAN) for your flight. And reminisce on the memories you made in Vietnam while going back to your home country!

Mold Your Path

• Beach Enthusiasts: Substitute Ninh Binh for Cat Ba Island, with gorgeous beaches and Lan Ha Bay nearby.

• Adventure Seekers: Extend your stay in Sapa for extra hiking. There are multiple hiking tours starting from Sapa town.

• Foodies: Take a cooking class in Hanoi or Hoi An.
  

• Off-the-Beaten-Path: Explore Ha Giang Loop, perfect for experienced motorbike riders. It can be a bit dangerous if you are still a novice, we are not kidding!
  But if you are experienced it might be the best experience you would have on your Vietnam trip!

• Largest caves in the world: If you are looking to do Jungle treks in enormous caves like Hang Pygmy and Son Doong, then you should allocate at least 3-4 days for Phong Nha which is around 12 hours by sleeper buses.
  Did you know that Alan Walker's music video Alone was shot in a cave in Phong Nha?
  

Budget Allocation Per Individual

Essential Tips for Your Vietnam Trip

• Visa: Apply for an e-visa ($25) or check visa-free options. Apply directly from the official Vietnam Visa website by the government to save money.

• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). Many businesses operate on cash especially in smaller towns.

• Bargain: Haggling is common in markets.

• Respect Dress Code: Be modest when visiting religious sites.

• Stay Hydrated: Especially in the summer heat.

• Join with other backpackers: You can save a considerable amount of money when travelling solo if you can find a travel companion. You can share costs of hotels and group tours but ensure you find someone trustworthy.

• Beware of Scams: Pickpockets in tourist hotspots. Just use common sense and you shall be fine!

• Learn Basic Vietnamese: Helps with local interactions. One word which will help you a lot:  Xin Chao (hello!)

• Stay Connected: Get a local SIM card for internet access. We would recommend Viettel sim cards which have 4g internet plans and have better connectivity in most cities of Vietnam compared to other operators.

FAQs

Q1: What’s the cheapest way to travel to Vietnam?

The most budget-friendly way to explore Vietnam is by using budget airlines, staying in hostels ($8–$12 per night), eating street food, and traveling via night buses or local trains.

If you are a solo traveler and can stay in backpacker hostels, you can do it pretty cheaply and can join group tours too which cost considerably less!

Q2: Is Vietnam costly for Indians?

Vietnam is affordable for Indian travelers. A budget trip costs around ₹55,000–₹75,000, including flights, stays, food, and transport. Mid-range trips can go up to ₹1,10,000, while luxury travel costs ₹1,50,000+. 
This is for a 10 day Vietnam trip which was covered in our travel guide above but you can get an idea for a weekly or two weeks Vietnam trip based on the estimates.

This is per person but cost will fall drastically if you travel as a couple or with family since you save money in accommodations.

Vietjet has started direct flights from India to Vietnam since the last few years and if you book them early, you can get return flights for less than ₹15,000.

There are direct flights from Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi to Vietnamese cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang which brings down the cost of travel so much that at times it can be cheaper for you to do a one week Vietnam trip from India with flights included cheaper than places like Goa!

Q3: Are 10 days in Vietnam enough?

Yes, 10 days allow a well-paced trip covering major cities, historical sites, beaches, and local experiences but only if you cover either southern or northern Vietnam.

If you want to cover the whole length of Vietnam from South to North then you should have at least 3 weeks to enjoy the tour rather than touch and go to each city and spend most of your time in bus/trains.

Q4: How much does a 10-day Vietnam trip cost?

• Budget travel: $600 to $800

• Mid-range travel: $700 to $1000

• Luxury travel: $1500 +

These are not including the return flight tickets from your home country and visa fees (if any).

Q5: Can you visit Vietnam for 10 days with kids?

Yes, Vietnam is family-friendly and great for a 10-day trip with kids. Cities like Hanoi, Hoi An and Ninh Binh offer kid-friendly activities like water puppet shows and relaxing boat tours. Halong Bay and Lan Ha bay cruises are super fun for children since who doesn’t like boats, right?