What to do in Vietnam for 10 days?
1. Saigon for three days
2. Hanoi/Sapa/Halong Bay for 7 days.
3. If you're interested in getting some bespoke items made for you, I would cut out Halong Bay and go to Danang/Hue instead.
My husband and I are what we call half and halfers. We love to spend half of our vacation exploring, and half of our vacation relaxing. We don't like to feel rushed and we don't like to be on someone else's time. We shy away from group tours and prefer either a private tour or self tour. If you guys are half and halfers - you all have come to right place to plan your 10 day Vietnam trip. Here was our itinerary.
2. Hanoi/Sapa/Halong Bay for 7 days.
3. If you're interested in getting some bespoke items made for you, I would cut out Halong Bay and go to Danang/Hue instead.
My husband and I are what we call half and halfers. We love to spend half of our vacation exploring, and half of our vacation relaxing. We don't like to feel rushed and we don't like to be on someone else's time. We shy away from group tours and prefer either a private tour or self tour. If you guys are half and halfers - you all have come to right place to plan your 10 day Vietnam trip. Here was our itinerary.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - 5 star hotel options: Villa Song Saigon, The Reverie Saigon, Hotel Nikko Saigon
Day 1: Fly into Saigon. Get adjusted to the time change. Here were some of our favorite restaurants Den Long, Noir, Pho Hoa Pasteur, My Banh Mi,
Day 2: MeKong Delta Day Trip
Day 3: War Remnants Museum, walk around the crowded streets and end your day at to the Ben Thanh night market
Hanoi - Hanoi is probably my favorite city in Vietnam. I will never go to Vietnam without stopping in Hanoi.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays and Fridays), open from 8-4:30 on Tuesdays and only 8-11:30 on Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun. Enjoy the city and prepare for your journey to Sapa. Get a bespoke suit made for your hubby. Return on Day 9 to pick up.
Sapa - 4-5 star hotel options: Aira Boutique Hotel, Sapa Clay House, Silk Path Brand Resort & Spa
Day 5: The first time I went to Vietnam, I didn't get the chance to go to Sapa. So this time around, I made sure to take the time to go. You can either travel there by an overnight train or take a private limousine bus. We hear the train ride can be a bit bumpy and a little sketch. We had two toddlers with us, so we decided to take a private bus instead. I am glad we did because the 6 hour ride was comfortable, we were able to recline our chairs and sleep.
Day 6: We took a hiking Tour though the Muong Hoa Valley and went to the Fanispan Summit. Spend some time in the city center, eat, and be merry.
Halong Bay
Day 7: If I were to do it again, I'd go straight from Sapa to Halong Bay. Hire yourself a private driver so that you get to Halong Bay in time departure on your overnight cruise.
Day 8: Halong Bay Overnight Cruise. You can't go wrong with any of the cruise lines. Pick one and book it!
Hanoi: JW Marriot Hotel, Lotte Hotel Hanoi, Hotel Pearl
Day 9: Continue to explore Hanoi, eat, and relax. The food here is amazing. Pho 10, Pho Thin Bo Ho, Banh Cuon Thanh Van, Bun Cha Huong Lien
Also, you HAVE to get an egg coffee here- Giang Cafe- Delicious and a cream puff from here Laetitia Cream Puff
Day 10: Depart or spend one more night in Hanoi
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Day 1: Fly into Saigon. Get adjusted to the time change. Here were some of our favorite restaurants Den Long, Noir, Pho Hoa Pasteur, My Banh Mi,
Day 2: MeKong Delta Day Trip
Day 3: War Remnants Museum, walk around the crowded streets and end your day at to the Ben Thanh night market
Hanoi - Hanoi is probably my favorite city in Vietnam. I will never go to Vietnam without stopping in Hanoi.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays and Fridays), open from 8-4:30 on Tuesdays and only 8-11:30 on Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun. Enjoy the city and prepare for your journey to Sapa. Get a bespoke suit made for your hubby. Return on Day 9 to pick up.
Sapa - 4-5 star hotel options: Aira Boutique Hotel, Sapa Clay House, Silk Path Brand Resort & Spa
Day 5: The first time I went to Vietnam, I didn't get the chance to go to Sapa. So this time around, I made sure to take the time to go. You can either travel there by an overnight train or take a private limousine bus. We hear the train ride can be a bit bumpy and a little sketch. We had two toddlers with us, so we decided to take a private bus instead. I am glad we did because the 6 hour ride was comfortable, we were able to recline our chairs and sleep.
Day 6: We took a hiking Tour though the Muong Hoa Valley and went to the Fanispan Summit. Spend some time in the city center, eat, and be merry.
Halong Bay
Day 7: If I were to do it again, I'd go straight from Sapa to Halong Bay. Hire yourself a private driver so that you get to Halong Bay in time departure on your overnight cruise.
Day 8: Halong Bay Overnight Cruise. You can't go wrong with any of the cruise lines. Pick one and book it!
Hanoi: JW Marriot Hotel, Lotte Hotel Hanoi, Hotel Pearl
Day 9: Continue to explore Hanoi, eat, and relax. The food here is amazing. Pho 10, Pho Thin Bo Ho, Banh Cuon Thanh Van, Bun Cha Huong Lien
Also, you HAVE to get an egg coffee here- Giang Cafe- Delicious and a cream puff from here Laetitia Cream Puff
Day 10: Depart or spend one more night in Hanoi
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Sharing the pics of our trip!
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Mekong Delta
What to wear in Saigon, Vietnam: Breathable materials, a good pair of walking shoes like these.
Ben Thanh Night Market
Sapa Valley
Local indigenous tribe
Breathtaking views of Sapa Valley
What to wear in Sapa, Vietnam? Depending on how the weather is, Sapa can get rather chilly because it is at a higher altitude. There was a chance of strorms during our hike, so I opted to carry a rain poncho just in case.
I also love taking a piece of each country home with me, this time I decided on a hand-made pillow case. This lady had some incredible pieces!
Halong Bay
My precious little niece and nephew. They had an amazing time running along the upper deck of the Paradise Cruise.
What to wear at Halong Bay, Vietnam? Again, depending on what time of year you go, I would pack items you an kayak in, a bathing suit, and again breathable materials.
Hanoi
Pho 10
Bun Cha
Hoan Kim Lake
Banh Cuon
Banh Bao
Giang Cafe - egg yolk coffee
What to wear in Hanoi, Vietnam? Of course, as a traveler, you want to make sure you always have your purse/wallet in front of you. When I travel, cross-body purses are a must. A lightweight t shirt, denim, comfy sandals, and a sweater just in case I get chilly.
I hope you all enjoy your trip to Vietnam. I'll be more than happy to answer any and all questions!