Vietnam

With Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, a cruise, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc in just 10 days, you’ll see a wonderful range of Vietnam—but it’ll be a busy itinerary with a few flights and transfers. I’d plan it in this order to limit backtracking:

Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Sapa → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay cruise → Da Nang → Phu Quoc

I’m assuming you mean a Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruise. If you’d rather cruise the Mekong, the route would need adjusting.

10-day Vietnam itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive in Hanoi

Settle in, keep the first day gentle, and get your bearings.

• Check in around the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem Lake.
• Take a stroll around the lake and through the Old Quarter’s lively streets.
• Try a first Vietnamese meal: pho, bun cha, or a banh mi.
• If you have energy, catch a traditional water puppet show.

Overnight: Hanoi

Day 2 — Hanoi highlights

A full day for the capital’s history, food, and street life.

• Visit the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh complex (check opening days and dress respectfully).
• Have lunch nearby or head back toward the Old Quarter.
• In the afternoon, visit Hoa Lo Prison or the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.
• Finish with a café stop—egg coffee is a Hanoi classic—and dinner in the Old Quarter.

Overnight: Hanoi

Day 3 — Ninh Binh: Trang An and viewpoints

Head to Ninh Binh in the morning; the drive usually takes around 2–2.5 hours.

• Take a boat trip through the limestone scenery at Trang An.
• Visit Hang Mua for the panoramic view, if you’re up for the steep climb.
• Have dinner in Tam Coc and enjoy a quieter evening.

Overnight: Tam Coc or Ninh Binh
Tip: Staying in Tam Coc makes it easy to enjoy the countryside, while Ninh Binh town is more convenient for transport.

Day 4 — Ninh Binh, then overnight to Sapa

Make the most of the countryside before travelling north.

• Visit Bich Dong Pagoda or cycle among the rice fields around Tam Coc.
• If you prefer temples and history, visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital.
• Have an early dinner, then travel to Sapa by overnight sleeper bus or return to Hanoi for an overnight train/bus.

Overnight: On the bus/train
This is a long travel day. If you’d rather not travel overnight, add a night and make the trip 11 days.

Day 5 — Sapa: village walk

Arrive in Sapa, drop your bags, and take it easy before heading out.

• Have breakfast and rest or freshen up after the journey.
• Take a guided walk through nearby villages, such as Lao Chai and Ta Van.
• Enjoy the mountain scenery and learn about local communities from a reputable local guide.
• Have a relaxed dinner back in Sapa town.

Overnight: Sapa

Day 6 — Sapa, then return to Hanoi

Use the morning for one more Sapa experience, then travel back.

• If the weather is clear, take the Fansipan cable car for high mountain views.
• Alternatively, keep it relaxed with a short walk, local market visit, or café stop.
• Take an afternoon or evening bus back to Hanoi.

Overnight: Hanoi

Day 7 — Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruise

Travel from Hanoi to the bay and board a two-day, one-night cruise.

• Most cruises include transfers from Hanoi, lunch, and time among the karst islands.
• Depending on the route, you may kayak, visit a cave, or stop at a beach.
• Watch the sunset from the boat and enjoy dinner onboard.

Overnight: Cruise boat

Day 8 — Cruise, then fly to Da Nang

Enjoy the final cruise activities, then make your way south.

• Have an early breakfast and join a short morning activity, if offered.
• Disembark around midday and transfer back to Hanoi.
• Take an evening flight to Da Nang if schedules allow; otherwise stay near Hanoi airport and fly early on Day 9.

Overnight: Da Nang, if flying that evening
This is the tightest connection in the itinerary, so book a cruise with a reliable return time and leave a generous buffer before your flight.

Day 9 — Da Nang and Hoi An

Spend the day exploring the coast and nearby Hoi An.

• Visit Marble Mountains in the morning.
• Head to My Khe Beach for a swim or a relaxed lunch.
• In the afternoon, travel to Hoi An (roughly 45–60 minutes) and wander the old town.
• Stay for dinner and the lantern-lit streets, then return to Da Nang—or stay overnight in Hoi An.

Overnight: Da Nang or Hoi An

Day 10 — Fly to Phu Quoc

A flight is the practical way to fit Phu Quoc into this trip.

• Take a morning flight from Da Nang to Phu Quoc, typically with a connection depending on the schedule.
• Check in, then enjoy Long Beach or a quiet afternoon by the pool.
• Watch the sunset and have dinner near the beach or at the Duong Dong Night Market.

Overnight: Phu Quoc

A quick reality check

This itinerary gives you one day in Da Nang and only the first taste of Phu Quoc—it doesn’t leave time to explore the island properly or fly home from there. If you can stretch the trip, I’d add at least two more days for Phu Quoc. If 10 days is firm, consider dropping either Sapa or Phu Quoc to make the trip less rushed.

Before booking, check current domestic flight schedules and transport times, especially the cruise-to-flight connection and the Da Nang–Phu Quoc route.