Vietnam Essentials 10 Days: Cities, Culture & Coast
4.4 8

Itinerary

This Vietnam 10 days itinerary offers complete comfort and flexibility, whether you’re travelling with kids and parents, as a multi-generational family, or you are a senior couple simply prefer a more relaxed pace. As a private tour, your journey is tailored to your interests rather than following a packed schedule.

This carefully balanced itinerary combines Vietnam’s iconic highlights, vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and cultural encounters with beach relaxation and plenty of leisurely time. With free mornings built in, optional activities, and ample rest periods, you’ll return home refreshed rather than exhausted.

Highlights:

  • Explore Saigon by vintage Vespa at night and classic jeep by day
  • Spend three relaxed days in Hoi An – explore the lantern-lit ancient town, pristine beaches, or your hotel pool
  • Choose optional activities including cooking classes, countryside excursions, or temple visits
  • Cruise Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts on a comfortable overnight junk boat with private cabin
  • Discover Hanoi at your pace with optional day trip to Ninh Binh’s dramatic landscapes
  • Travel exclusively by private vehicle with personal driver and guide
  • Enjoy flexible scheduling – sleep in, linger over meals, adjust activities to suit all generations
  • Savor authentic Vietnamese cuisine from street food to family-style dining

Day 1: HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City where your private driver transfers you to your hotel. Afternoon free to settle in and recover from your flight.

Evening Vespa street food tour through illuminated neighborhoods – ride as passenger behind experienced drivers, sampling local delicacies and experiencing the city after dark.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Dinner

Vespa tour in Saigon

Day 2: HO CHI MINH HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Morning restored American jeep tour visiting Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and War Remnants Museum. Stop at Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs.

Leisurely afternoon at your hotel.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

ho chi minh city central post office

Day 3: HO CHI MINH CITY - FLY TO DANANG - DRIVE TO HOI AN

Morning at leisure. Mid-morning flight to Danang (1h 20m), then scenic 45-minute coastal drive to Hoi An.

Afternoon free to explore the riverside ancient town or relax at your hotel.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: HOI AN FREE DAY

Enjoy Hoi An’s beaches, tailor shops, or hotel pool or join with three optional activities:

  • Option 1: Ancient Town Walking Tour (half day) – Japanese Covered Bridge, merchant houses, assembly halls, lantern-making demonstration.
  • Option 2: Tra Que Cooking Class (half day) – Cycle to organic herb village, market visit, prepare authentic Vietnamese dishes in family home.
  • Option 3: My Son Sanctuary (half day) – Ancient Cham temple ruins dating to 4th century, set in jungle valley.

Tour guide: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

An Bang beach in Hoi An
Tra Que village

Day 5: HOI AN BEACH RELAXATION

Full day for beach relaxation at An Bang or Cua Dai (15 minutes from town), or lounge by hotel pool. Evening option to see Hoi An’s ancient town illuminated by silk lanterns.

Tour guide: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: HOI AN - DRIVE BACK TO DA NANG - FLY TO HANOI

Morning transfer to Danang Airport. Flight to Hanoi (1h 40m), arriving around lunchtime.

Transfer to hotel in Old Quarter. Afternoon and evening free to explore Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding neighborhoods.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: HANOI FREE DAY

Unscheduled day to explore at your pace or take some our day trips:

Optional tour:

1. Ninh Binh Full-Day Excursion: Tam Coc boat trip through limestone karsts and water caves (local rowers guide traditional boats). After lunch, hike Mua Cave’s 500 steps for panoramic views.

2. Alternative Hanoi activities: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Old Quarter markets, water puppet show.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: HANOI - TRANSFER TO HALONG PORT - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

Morning departure for 3.5-hour drive to Ha Long Bay. Board overnight junk boat (private cabin with en-suite) and cruise among limestone islands.

After a welcome drink and safety briefing, you’ll check into your cabin and enjoy lunch while cruising through the beautiful waters of Bai Tu Long Bay.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to kayak through hidden lagoons, swim in clear waters, and relax on the beach at Cap La. As evening approaches, you’ll enjoy the sunset party during Happy Hour while the boat cruises to the overnight anchoring spot. A delicious BBQ dinner awaits you, followed by free time for board games, squid fishing, or simply relaxing with drinks at the sky bar.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

overnight on halong cruise
Halong Bay activities

Day 9: HALONG BAY - DRIVE BACK TO HANOI - ENJOY HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR

Start your day with early morning Tai Chi on the sundeck as the sun rises over the bay. After a light breakfast, you’ll visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village by bamboo boat, where you’ll see how local fishing communities have lived for generations. Back on the main boat, you’ll have time to relax before enjoying lunch as you cruise back to shore.

After disembarking, you’ll transfer to Hanoi then relaxing.

Evening free for farewell dinner or Old Quarter shopping.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

early morning taichi session on cruise

Day 10: DEPARTURE

Morning at leisure. Airport transfer according to flight schedule.

Tour guide: English speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast

Pricing

This private package tour starts at USD1,180 per person.

Note:

  • The price above is for reference only and can be adjusted based on your custom itinerary.
  • This tour features comfort-level accommodations. If you’d like to upgrade to premium hotels or customize your itinerary for your 2026 Vietnam visit or beyond, we’re happy to tailor an experience to suit your preferences.
  • All prices are listed in US dollars. For quotes in GBP or other currencies, please contact us via this form or email [email protected].

ACCOMMODATION

Below is our suggested accommodations at a comfort level. As we offer private tour, your hotel can be selected to match your travel interests. Share with our travel expert your preferences to get the quote within 12 hours by filling out the form below.

Cities Hotel category
Ho Chi Minh

Roseland Corp Hotel
Deluxe Room

Hoi An Lantana Boutique Hoi An Hotel
Superior Room
Hanoi San Boutique Hotel Hanoi
Premium Room
Halong Bay Garden Bay Legend Cruise
Deluxe Seaview Cabin
Ninh Binh Le Clos De Fil Hotel Ninh Binh
Superior Room

Include & Exclude

TRIP INCLUSIVE

  • All private transfers and transportation.
  • Accommodation shared in a Twin/Double room with daily breakfast
  • Local English speaking guide
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary
  • All sightseeing tickets
  • Water and tissues on the coach
  • Private double/twin cabin in Halong
  • Domestic flights
  • Service charges and government tax

TRIP EXCLUSIVE

  • International flights & departure taxes
  • Beverage
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
  • Vietnam visa
  • Others not mentioned above

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