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In this article we are going to share an amazing 10 day Vietnam itinerary for 2026. This itinerary will tell you everything that you need to do to have an amazing 10 days in Vietnam. We will recommend specific activities and give you a step-by-step guide of how to do them to make the most of your time. In this article we have tried to include as much detail as possible including prices, looking information, opening times and much more.
We absolutely love Vietnam – we have visited several times as solo travellers, a couple and also with kids. We are super excited to share this awesome 10 day Vietnam itinerary with you to help you plan an amazing trip. This is an action packed itinerary with a high pace.
We also want to help you plan for your time in Vietnam so we have included some things to know before you go and some advice and top tips about traveling in Vietnam. We hope that this 10-day Vietnam itinerary help you to plan your trip whether you choose to follow it step-by-step or just use it to get inspired.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss our guide to THE BEST things to do in Vietnam with kids
Summary 10 day Vietnam itinerary
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh city tour
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh Mekong cruise
Day 3 Travel to Hanoi
Day 4 Hanoi city tour
Day 5 Take a day trip to Trang An & travel to Sapa
Day 6 Explore Sapa
Day 7 Sapa trekking & homestay
Day 8 Sapa to Hanoi & more sightseeing in Hanoi
Day 9 Ha Long bay luxury cruise
Day 10 Ha Long bay luxury cruise
This itinerary starts in Ho Chi Minh in the south of Vietnam and finishes in Hanoi in the north of Vietnam. If you want to travel from the north to the south just switch the days around. Alternatively you could return to Ho Chi Minh at the end of your trip.
The train journey from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is around 1726 km, and this journey takes over 30 hours. We have allowed a full day for traveling from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi in this itinerary, if you are able to take a train on the evening of day 2, there is enough time in this 10 day Vietnam itinerary.
Map: 10 day Vietnam itinerary
What are the best places to stay for this itinerary?
Places to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Top pick hotel for low budget – Saigon Cozy House and Coffee (dorms £5 – £6)
The best mid-range hotel – Leiden Homestay & Cafe (£50 – £150)
Top pick luxury hotel – Fusion Original Saigon Centre (£130 – £400)
The best hotel for families – DDA hotel (£20 – £120)
Best hotels in Hanoi (Old Quarter)
Hanoi is full of amazing hotels. Whether you’re looking for a boutique hotel in the old quarter, a luxury 5 star hotel in Hanoi or a great family friendly hotel in Hanoi – there really is something for everyone. And we are very impressed with the price of accommodation in Hanoi too.
Top pick hotel for low budget – Golden Time 3 Hostel Old Quarter (£8 – £30)
The best mid-range hotel – Hanoi Saga Hotel (£30 – £60)
Top pick luxury hotel – The Oriental Jade Hotel (£100 – £1,200)
The best hotel for families – Imperial Hotel & Spa (£50 – £350)
Places to stay in Sapa (Sapa town)
Sapa is also a great spot for amazing hotels. There are some epic hotels in Sapa town. You can also find plenty of amazing luxury hotels in the Sapa area too.
Top pick hotel for low budget – Sapa Capsule Hostel, double capsules available (£5 – £15)
The best mid-range hotel – Sapa Horizon Hotel (£50 – £150)
Top pick luxury hotel – Silk Path Grand Resort (£90 – £2,600)
The best hotel for families – Homestay 715 (£15 – £30)
Best Homestays in the Sapa area
There are so many amazing homestays in Sapa we have a FULL GUIDE to Sapa homestays including what to expect, how to prepare and how to book your Sapa homestay.
The best budget homestay – Big Tree Homestay – Lao Chai village (£10 – £15)
Top pick mid-range homestay – Plum Eco House – Ta Van (£20 – £30)
The best luxury homestay – Chapa Farmstay – Lao Chai village (£40 – £120)
ALSO don’t miss the amazing village resort – Laxsik Ecolodge (£90 – £380)
How long should you visit Vietnam for?
The ideal amount of time in Vietnam depends on your plans, itinerary and aspirations. We have recommended a 10-day itinerary. In our opinion this is the minimum amount of time required to explore both the north and south of Vietnam. You are likely to need a full day to travel between the north and south, therefore anything less than 10 days would be too rushed. If you have 2 full weeks or more, then you can slow down and explore in depth more.
If you are planning to both visit Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi we recommend spending at least 10 days in Vietnam. On the other hand, if you have less than 10 days we recommend that you either focus on the north or the South of the country but don’t try and squeeze in both.
For example, you could have an enjoyable 7-day trip around Hanoi and the north of Vietnam. alternatively, it is likely to take 5 – 7 days to explore Ho Chi Minh and the south.
Some things to know before you travel in Vietnam
Here are some important things that you need to know before you travel in Vietnam:
Vietnamese currency can be very confusing. The large denominations mean that you are always working in thousands. Many things cost into the millions and this can be very confusing when you’re trying to work out change. We recommend taking your time and not getting flustered. Don’t feel embarrassed about using a calculator if you need to check your change.
There are plenty of ATM machines around, including some international bank machines. The withdrawal charges vary depending on the bank. We found that Agribank had very reasonable fees, charging 22,000 VND for international ATM transactions.
Vietnam lives up to its reputation for crazy busy roads. In the biggest cities the roads in Vietnam are filled with motorbikes and a few cars and buses. Pedestrian crossings are not really a thing in Vietnam. Most people cross the road by moving very carefully and slowly through the traffic. You can wait at traffic lights until traffic is stopped, however we recommend taking care on the Vietnamese roads. Take your time, be observant and steady.
Also it is very important to be aware that the north of Vietnam can be cold, especially in the mountains around Sapa. Therefore, we recommend that you pack some warm clothes and waterproof layers for this part of the trip.
Getting around in Vietnam.
1 Short journeys bus, walking and tours\
Many of the Tours and activities that we recommend in this step-by-step itinerary includes a hotel pickup. This makes getting around a lot more simple and straightforward. Try to book trips and activities that also include a hotel pickup for convenience.
Another way to get around in Vietnam is to rent a motorbike. However, we recommend riding with caution in Vietnam. The roads are very intense and busy, especially in the largest cities. It is important to get to know the local rules and conventions. Always make sure that you are fully qualified, experienced and insured before you ride a motorbike abroad.
If you are hoping to get around Vietnam on a budget you can try the local bus system. alternatively you can walk around to explore Vietnam.
2 Short local journeys by taxi
The most convenient way to get around in Vietnam for short local journeys is to use taxis. taxis are widely available in all of the largest cities and towns in Vietnam. The easiest and most convenient way to arrange a taxi in Vietnam is to use a taxi app. The most common apps in Vietnam are Grab and and Gojek. Gojek is slightly cheaper, but not always. We used both apps to get the best price quickly.
to use a taxi app you will have to get a local SIM card on your phone with mobile data. Download the taxi app and register an account using your local phone number and email address. Once your app is up and running you can use it to book taxis online. The advantage of arranging taxis this way is that the price is a fair price and it is a fixed price. You can also opt to pay the driver directly in cash. Taxis normally come pretty quickly and they know exactly where you are going because all the information is done on the app.
2 Long distance journeys
For long distance journeys in Vietnam there are several options. Firstly, the train system in Vietnam is cheap, efficient, comfortable and a great way to experience Vietnam. You can take trains between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi and also between Hanoi and Sapa.
Vietnam also had some very stylish and comfortable sleeper buses. Many of the sleeper buses in Vietnam have proper beds including bedding and a reasonable amount of space to lie down. Buses tend to have excellent amenities such as toilets on board. Taking a long distance sleeper bus is the cheapest way to get around in Vietnam.
Alternatively, if you are pressed for time then another way to get around in Vietnam is fly. You can get cheap internal domestic flights between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.
How much does it cost to travel around Vietnam?
Vietnam is a relatively cheap country for travel. For example, you can typically find budget hotel rooms for around £10 per night. You can also find many stylish and beautiful hotels for £20 – £40 per night. Luxury hotels in Vietnam tend to start around £60 per night.
Street food in Vietnam is very cheap and readily available. You can eat tasty, healthy and filling street food starting at around 30,000 – 50,000VND (roughly £1 – £2 or $1.20 – $2.50). The most common street foods are Bahn Mi – baguettes filled with pickled veggies, egg and meats. Pho is also very common – this is a delicious noodle soup served with thin slices of meat and garnish such as pickles, lime and chillies.
Transport in Vietnam is also very cheap. Expect to pay around 30,000VND for a short taxi ride of a few kilometers. A longer ride across a city is likely to cost 100,000 – 150,000VND (£3 – £5 or $5 – $7).
The best way to save money on this 10 day Vietnam itinerary is look for cheap accommodation. If you’re travelling on a small budget you could also miss the luxury Ha Long Bay cruise (which will cost at least £200).
What are the best budget tips for Vietnam?
You’re traveling Vietnam on a low budget, here are a few budget tips to help you keep the cost of your trip down. Firstly, eat plenty of local street food. Local street food is cheap, affordable and delicious. Also it is important to be aware that you can barter for some things in Vietnam. Don’t miss our TOP TIPS for bartering in Asia. For example, it is possible to barter in markets, you can barter for bus tickets and tour tickets and you can also barter for accommodation (either drop them a direct message or just turn up).
If you’re traveling Vietnam on a very low budget, we have also included a more expensive luxurious activity at the end of this trip. The luxury boat cruise of Ha Long Bay is beautiful and memorable but it is not cheap. Another way to see Ha Long bay more cheaply is to organize a cheap independent trip.
What tours and activities should you book online in advance?
This is a high paced and action-packed itinerary with plenty of activities. We have tried to include all the main highlights of north and south Vietnam. However, due to the high pace of this itinerary we do recommend getting your ducks in a row beforehand. We would encourage you to book your accommodation, activities and transport in advance. To help you plan your Vietnam trip beforehand here are the things that you will need to pre-book for this 10 day Vietnam itinerary:
Cu Chi Tunnel tour (day 1)
On the first day of our 10 day Vietnam itinerary we have included a trip to visit the impressive Cu Chi tunnels. The most convenient way to arrange your trip is to book it online in advance. However, if you want to save a little bit of money you can book tours locally. Tours cost around $20 on Klook.
Mekong delta river cruise (day 2)
On the second day of our itinerary we have recommended a Mekong delta river cruise. These day trips are a lot of fun and excellent value for money. If you want to book this online in advance expect to pay around $15 – $20 on Klook.
Travel (Day 3)
On this day you will need to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. Don’t forget to book your flight or train in advance. We have recommended that you either book flights or a night train from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi.
Hanoi City tour (Day 4)
On day 4 we have recommended a self-guided Hanoi City tour. However, if you do not want to do an independent city tour you can also pre-book Hanoi city tours on Klook.
Trang An Tours (Day 5)
On day 5 we have recommended taking a day tour of the beautiful Trang An area. There are so many amazing things to see in this area. Here are the two BEST tours that you can book to visit this stunning area.
Sapa trekking (day 6 and 7)
On day 6 and 7 of this itinerary we have recommended trekking in sapa. One way to arrange your trek is to book it online in advance. Many packages are all inclusive, and they will include return transport to and from Hanoi, a local guide and a homestay. So if you would like your whole Sapa trip to be an all-inclusive experience, we recommend booking online in advance. In this itinerary we have also shown you how to do it step-by-step and independently. You can save a little bit of money by doing this independently but the price difference is not actually that big.
Ha Long bay cruise (day 9 and 10)
On day 9 and 10 of this itinerary we have recommended that you take a luxury cruise of Ha Long Bay. If you are planning to do this luxury cruise, we recommend booking online in advance as early as possible. We recommend Peony cruises for a great balance of quality and price. Read in for a few more recommendations…
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh city tour
Morning – Cu Chi tunnels tour
The first day of this 10 day Vietnam itinerary starts with exploring Ho Chi Minh city. There are many cultural and historical attractions in Ho Chi Minh. We recommend that you make the most of this beautiful city and its attractions by exploring independently or taking a tour.
We highly recommend that you take a morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. This is an impressive and extensive network of small underground defensive tunnels that were constructed by the Vietnamese soldiers in the US-Vietnam war. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as a hiding place, for supply and communications, medical care and weapons storage. A visit to the Cu Chi tunnels is a great way to learn more about the history of the war, meet local families and learn about the creativity and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people.
Tours of the Cu Chi tunnels normally 7.30am – 2.30pm. Tours normally cost around $20 if you book in advance online. This include two-way transfer from Ho Chi Minh
Afternoon & evening – Explore Ho Chi Minh city
Map of some epic attractions around Ho Chi Minh city
After taking a tour of the Cu Chi tunnels we recommend exploring Ho Chi Minh. Here are some things that you may be interested in seeing around the city:
- Ho Chi Minh statue at the Nguyen Hue Music Fountain
- Reunification palace
- Tao Dan Park
- History Museum of Ho Chi Minh city
- Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
- Chợ bến thành market (explore clothes markets & try some amazing food)
- Ho Chi Minh city book street (grab a coffee and peruse the shops)
- Bui Vien Walking Street (evening – grab a beer and some street food)
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh Mekong cruise
On the second day of our 10 day Vietnam itinerary we recommend that you take a Mekong river cruise. This is a fantastic way of experiencing some of the beautiful countryside around Ho Chi Minh. On the boat you will see fishing villages, stilt houses, palm mangroves and rice paddies. Mekong river trips normally visit Unicorn island (Ky Lan) and allow time to explore by bicycle.
You can also see local music and dance performances, try traditional Vietnamese food and see how they make coconut candy. Most tours also include a visit to the vibrant and historical Vinh trang pagoda. Overall all these tools are lots of fun and definitely worthwhile.
Costing around $20 (if you book online in advance) they are also great value for money. You can get tours for as little as $10 – $15 if you book locally and barter. If you take a Mekong river cruise day tour it should be an all-inclusive experience with a hotel pick up. Tours normally start around 7am and return to Ho Chi Minh by 5pm. They may also include lunch, soft drinks and fruit. Always check what is included when you book.
A Mekong river cruise is a very enjoyable way to learn about the Rural culture and Village life in Vietnam. However, keep your expectations in check. This is a popular and touristy option. Don’t expect to be in the middle of nowhere with no other tourists around.
Day 3 Travel to Hanoi
This is the big travel day of your 10 day Vietnam itinerary – going from the south up to the north of Vietnam.
The journey from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is very long – roughly 1726 km. If you travel over land you can expect this journey to take around 30 hours. This is why we have left a full day of the itinerary for this journey. There are several ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi:
Take a long distance sleeper train
One option is to take a long-distance train from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. The train journey takes around 30 hours. If you take a train that leaves in the evening of day 2, you will actually have two nights on the train and arrive early in the morning on day 4 (having two nights on the train). This will save you two nights accommodation and give you a full day to enjoy relaxing on the train. Sleeper trains provide private secure cabins (you can lock the doors) with comfortable beds including bedding.
Take a domestic flights
The fastest and most convenient way to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is to take a cheap domestic flight. Cheap flights start at around £30 or $40. Keep an eye on Vietjet for the cheapest tickets. Average prices are around £70 or $90. Watch out for additional booking fees, add on and expensive check in baggage fees. Make sure you budget for this when you are planning your trip.
As it happens, the cheapest domestic flights are actually a similar price to the long-distance train. So it all depends on which type of experience you prefer. The advantage of the train is that you can see the countryside, and enjoy relaxing with space to move around. You also save on overnight accommodation because you will sleep on the train. The advantage of a flight on the other hand is the speed and Efficiency. remember however that you do need to factor in travel time to the airport and additional costs such as taxis.
Day 4 Hanoi city tour
Hanoi is a beautiful city packed with culture, history and heritage. You can either take a self-guided tour of Hanoi or book a tour. Here are the main attractions in Hanoi that we recommend visiting (we have listed them in order).
Did you know? You can also take a rickshaw tour of Hanoi for around 200,000 – 300,000VND for an hour. You will find many drivers waiting around the old quarter.
Map route of a self-guided Hanoi city tour
1 Tran Quoc Pagoda
Beautiful lake pagoda with a charming temple. Located on a beautiful lake. Free to visit.
2 Quan Thanh temple
Rustic Daoist temple with artwork and statues. Free to visit and it wont take long to explore.
3 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Visit the grand final resting place of Ho Chi Minh. Don’t miss the Stilt house nearby. Former residence of Ho Chi Minh. 40,000VND to visit
4 One Pillar Pagoda
Visit the impressive and unique one pillar pagoda in a pool. Free to explore the area.
5 Ho Chi Minh Museum
Learn more about the culture and history of Vietnam at the Ho Chi Minh museum. 100,000VND – 200,000VND entry fee (cheaper on weekdays). Open daily: 8am – 11.30am and 2pm – 4pm.
6 Temple of literature
Magnificent Confusian temple with lush green grounds and oriental buildings and artwork. 30,000VND entrance fee.
7 Train street
Train Street Hanoi is a fun and unique place to visit. Narrow street with a train line running between small shops and cafes. Great spot to try a Vietnamese coffee and take in the atmosphere. Free to visit.
8 Jade island
Visit the stunning Ngoc Son Temple on Jade Island. This small pretty temple costs 30,000VND to visit.
9 Water puppet show
Enjoy a cultural experience at the water puppet theatre in Hanoi. Shows start at 5.20pm and 6.30pm, with an additional 8pm show on fridays and saturdays. Shows take around 1 hour. There is also an early show on Sundays at 4.10pm. Tickets can be purchased from the office at the theater. Prices range between 100,000 – 200,000VND depending on your choice of seat.
10 The Hanoi old town
Finally, explore the Hanoi old town. This area has a beautiful atmosphere in the evenings and it is packed with street food and there are often live performances. Don’t miss our guide to THE BEST things to do in Hanoi at night.
The route of this tour is around 6km. If you walk this route expect it to take around 3 – 4 hours including stops and photos. It is possible to use taxis for some of the longer sections. Use the Gojek taxi app to get a good price for taxis in Vietnam. Alternatively consider renting a motorbike or bicycle to do this Hanoi city tour.
Day 5 Take a day trip to Trang An & travel to Sapa
Visit Trang An
The landscape in this area has been awarded status as a UNESCO world heritage site. Here are a few things that you can visit in the area. Make sure your tour includes the attractions that you are most interested in (tours don’t generally include all of these):
- Mua Cave (Ninh Binh) – impressive mountain cave, temple and viewpoint
- Ngoa Long Mountain – Amazing Lying Dragon mountain
- Bai Dinh Pagoda – the largest pagoda in Vietnam.
- River caves: Sang Cave (Bright Cave), Toi Cave (Dark Cave), Ba Giot Cave and Sinh Cave.
- Perfume Pagoda (Huong Pagoda) – striking Chinese temple located amongst jungle and mountains.
- Don’t miss the Hoa Lu (the ancient capital)
In our opinion, the Mua cave mountain is the most impressive site to visit. You can book day trips to Trang An for around £20 – £40 if you book online in advance. They should include a hotel pick up, guides and entry fees (always check exactly what is included before you book).
In the evening take a night train or night bus to Sapa. The night train is more expensive but a little bit more comfortable. You can book luxurious night trains or sleeper buses. Sleeper buses often include full beds so that you can lie down and get some sleep. Trains go to Lao Cai, from here you need to take a short mini bus journey to Sapa.
Travelling to Sapa
There are 4 ways to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. Each method of transport has it’s own unique advantages and disadvantages. Taking a night train from Hanoi to Sapa is a little more expensive, but it is an amazing experience in its own right.
If you do not want to travel to Sapa independently, you can book all-inclusive trekking trips to Sapa. These trips include two-way transfer from Hanoi, a guide for trekking and a homestay. Booking a tour online in advance is slightly more expensive than doing it independently, and there is less flexibility. However – the price difference is not that big. An advantage of booking online in advance is that you do not need to work out all of your own tickets and plans, just let someone else do all of that for you, you can relax and enjoy the trip.
Day 6 Explore Sapa
Exploring Sapa may well be one of the most memorable highlights of your 10 day Vietnam itinerary. There are loads of EPIC things to do in Sapa.
If you travel to supper on the evening of day 5, you should arrive early in the morning. depending on your energy levels this is a great opportunity to explore this beautiful town. Sapa has a wide range of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants. There is also a beautiful Scenic lake in the town.
There is an excellent selection of Hotels in Sapa town. There are even some incredible luxury hotels around Sapa. This is an amazing place to splash out on a luxury stay – lush rice paddies, deep valleys with swirling clouds and towering mountains make the perfect panorama for a luxury stay.
Day 6 would be a good opportunity to visit the scenic Cat Cat Village. Cat Cat Village is an awesome place to experience rural Vietnamese H’mong culture, local food and some amazing scenery. We recommend that you get all the way down into the valley to experience the waterfall and river.
Alternatively, you could use day 6 to start a trek. Trekking in Sapa is an exhilarating and memorable experience. We recommend taking a guided trek with a local guide who can show you the best places to experience the incredible scenery and culture. There are many amazing homestays in the mountains and Valleys around Sapa, and this is also an excellent way to immerse yourself in the local culture.
If you would like to learn more – we have produced an extensive guide to the amazing homestays around Sapa. We do recommend having a read of this because we have included some TOP TIPS to help you prepare for your homestay in Sapa.
Day 7 Sapa trekking & homestay
If you’re planning to trek independently around Sapa it is important to decide on the area you plan to visit. Here are some of the best areas to trek around Sapa.
Map of some of the best trekking spots around Sapa
Cat Cat village
We already mentioned Cat Cat village. This is the closest one to Sapa. This small scenic village, lots of viewpoints, terraces, local art and craft, insta spots, local cafes and quite touristy. Don’t miss the impressive Nhà hát waterfall. There is an entrance permit required to visit Cat Cat village: 70,000VND for adults and 30,000VND for children.
Lao Chai area
The Lao Chai area has farmland, rice paddies and small settlements. Lao Chai is located in the valley to the southeast of Sapa. There are some great viewpoints in this area. If you’re looking for quiet trekking with amazing mountain views, this is an awesome area. Don’t confuse this area with Lao Chai town on the Chinese border.
Ta Van village
Ta Van village is located a few kilometers southeast of Lao Chai. Beautiful small village in the Lao Chai valley with H’mong culture. Try a traditional Vietnamese massage at the Charm Spa.
This area enjoys amazing views of the river, rice terraces and mountains.
Giang Ta Chai
Giang Ta Chai is located to the south east of Ta Van village. There is a scenic waterfall – the Quy Khach waterfall. There are a couple of bridges crossing the river here including a bamboo bridge. Another great area to immerse yourself in rural mountain culture and see the rice paddies.
Su Pan village
Get off the beaten track in Su Pan. As you walk along the trails you can see rice paddies, water buffalo and clouds swirling in the valleys. This area is more remote – located 10km southeast of Sapa. The roads are challenging at points. Su Pan is Located on the hills overlooking the valley, this is a very scenic village with plenty of stunning homestays.
Ta Phin village
Beautiful villages, valleys and rice terraces. Located around 8km north of Sapa. Less popular as a trekking area than the southeast area. There are some lovely homestays in the area. Don’t miss the ruins of the old French church.
Mount Fanispan
This is the tallest peak in the area. The peak of Fanispan is a dizzying 3,147m. You can take a cable car to the peak of Fanispan. Some people also trek up Fanispan. We recommend taking a guide if you plan to trek. Make sure you have appropriate clothing for a cold climate.
By the end of day 7 we recommend returning to Sapa and checking into a hotel in the town. You may wish to take a night bus or sleeper train back to Hanoi.
Day 8 Sapa to Hanoi & more sightseeing in Hanoi
On Day 8 of this itinerary you recommend traveling back to Hanoi. There are a number of different ways to take this trip. The cheapest method of Transport is to take a bus. The long-distance buses are very affordable and comfortable. Buses normally cost 300,000VND – 400,000VND (£10 – £15 or roughly $12 – $18). You can also take luxury limo vans. They have plenty of space and they tend to be fast and efficient. Limo vans normally cost 500,000VND (around £17 or $20). Alternatively you can take a train from Lao Cai back to Hanoi. Trains cost around 700,000VND – 1,000,000VND (roughly £25 – £35 or around $30 – $40).
When you are back in Hanoi, chill out with a coffee, visit any attractions you missed or try some of the AMAZING Hanoi street food.
Day 9 Ha Long bay luxury cruise
Don’t miss our dedicated review of Peony Cruises
This 10 day Vietnam itinerary finishes on a high with a luxury cruise of Ha Long bay. The luxury cruises are a lot of fun and they are all inclusive. Enjoy amazing food, relax with decadent drinks and enjoy panoramic scenery. There are many luxury cruise ships to choose from.
- Top pick company for budget & quality: Doris Cruise on Agoda and Doris Cruise on booking.com
- Best company for families on a budget: Peony Cruise on Agoda and Peony Cruise on booking.com
- Top pick company for couples: Stellar on Agoda and Stellar on booking.com
- Best company for families: La Regina Grand on Agoda and La Regina Grand on booking.com
- Top pick company for luxury: Le Theatre on Agoda and Le Theatre on booking.com
Don’t miss our full guide where we review and recommend our favorite companies.
Prices typically range between £200 – £2,000 for a 2 day 1 night cruise. Transfer from Hanoi normally costs a little more. One of the nice things about taking a luxury cruise is that all of the details are thought about for you, just relax into the adventure and let the staff look after you.
Luxury cruise day 1 timings
08:30 – 09:00: Pick up from your hotel in the old quarter
12:00 – 12:30: Take a taxi boat through the bay to your luxury cruise ship
13:00: Delicious buffet lunch. Set sail for the beautiful Lan Ha Bay
15:00: Take a bamboo raft tour through Dark and Bright Cave
16:00: Swimming in Lan Ha Bay or relax on the boat
19:00: Amazing dinner on the luxury ship
21:00-22:00: Enjoy the nightlife of the bay. Some companies give you a chance to try squid fishing.
Day 10 Ha Long bay luxury cruise
The second day of the luxury Cruise tends to be quite rushed. They often have quite an early start with a great breakfast and then they may have one activity (e.g. Kayaking). Guests are normally asked to check out of rooms quite early, and a lot of the day is spent traveling.
Luxury cruise day 2 timings
7:00: Buffet breakfast (they normally have an early start)
8:00: Kayaking in the bay.
9:00: Check out of rooms. A buffet brunch is served.
11:00: Taxi boat back to the port.
12:00: Return taxi bus back to Hanoi
16:00: Arrive back in the Hanoi old quarter
Looking for more inspiration?
If you’re only visiting Ho Chi Ming you may be interested in our 3 day step-by-step Ho Chi Minh itinerary. ALSO don’t miss our 3 day Hanoi itinerary too.
