Ten days in Vietnam means a choice: race the full length of the country or savour the best of the north and centre.
Days 1–3: Hanoi
Arrive in the capital and give yourself a gentle first day — a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, a bowl of pho, an early night. Day two, hit the Old Quarter properly: the Temple of Literature, a cyclo ride through the narrow streets, and a street-food crawl after dark. Day three, take it slower — the museums, a water-puppet show, or just more noodles.
Hanoi highlights
- The Old Quarter's 36 streets and the lakeside
- Temple of Literature and the mausoleum district
- A street-food crawl after dark (bun cha, pho, egg coffee)
- A water-puppet show — traditional and a little odd
Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay
Transfer east for the trip's centrepiece: an overnight cruise through the limestone karsts. Kayak through sea caves, swim off the boat, and watch the sun set from the deck. It's the single image you'll remember the whole trip by. Disembark late on day five and head back toward Hanoi for a short flight south.
Days 6–9: Hoi An
Fly to Da Nang and transfer down the coast to Hoi An, the lantern-lit merchant town that's the most romantic stop in the country. Take a lantern-making class, do a cooking course, cycle through the rice paddies, and spend at least one full day on An Bang beach. Evenings belong to the old town's glowing streets.
Hoi An highlights
- A lantern-boat ride at dusk
- A cooking class with a market visit
- Cycling the rice paddies to An Bang beach
- Getting something tailored (it's genuinely good value)
Day 10: depart
A final morning for a silk fitting or a last banh mi, then the transfer back to Da Nang for your flight home.
Why we love this route
Three bases in ten days is the right tempo — enough variety to feel like a proper adventure, not so much moving that you lose days to logistics. It's exactly the shape of our Hanoi to Hoi An package, which bundles the cruise, the internal flights and every transfer into one price from £1,745 per person.
Quick questions, answered
Is ten days enough for Vietnam?
For the north-and-centre route, yes. To add the south (Saigon and the Mekong), give yourself fourteen days — that's what our family explorer does.
How do I get from Hanoi to Hoi An?
A one-hour flight to Da Nang, then a short private transfer down the coast. It's the quickest and most comfortable option, and it's included in our packages.
Is the Ha Long cruise worth an overnight?
Absolutely — day trips only scratch the surface. The overnight is where the magic is, with sunset and sunrise on deck.
Can you arrange it all?
Yes — call 020 7946 0958 and we'll book the route end to end.
