Vietnam is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in Southeast Asia and there’s no shortage of things to see and do here. If you only have a limited amount of time in Vietnam, such as 10 days, you should stick to one region instead of trying to see the entire country. Unfortunately, you’ll just end up spending all your precious travel time in transit. Instead, try to decide which region you’re mostly interested in.
The south is a great place to start your travel in Vietnam because you can always count on the weather to be good. It doesn’t matter which season you go, it’s always sunny and warm. So if you’re looking for a vacation where you can relax on the beach, the south of Vietnam is where you want to be. Take a look at our 10 day itinerary in the south of Vietnam to see how you can get the most out of your trip.
Ho Chi Minh City
Start in the biggest city of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. The city is full of life, motorbikes(!), restaurants and shops. It’s the most modern city in Vietnam, which you can tell by the skyscrapers. But there’s also plenty of old, traditional buildings left in the city, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office and the Ben Thanh Market. One of the most charming places in Ho Chi Minh City is the famous ”CafĂ© Apartment” which is a building filled with cafĂ©s and boutique shops. Be warned though – you’ll probably get stuck there for the rest of the day.
If you want to learn more about Vietnam’s past, go to the ”War Remnants Museum”. It’s tough to walk through, but highly important. If you’re staying in Ho Chi Minh City for 2 days, try to spend one of those days to go to ”Cu Chi Tunnels,” where you will see the underground tunnels which were used by the Vietnamese during the war.
Phu Quoc
After spending 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City, fly to the island of Phu Quoc to get some well deserved beach time. The best way to get around Phu Quoc is by motorbike. The roads here are developed and very easy to drive on so even if you’re a beginner, you’ll have an easy time to navigate the roads here. One of the most popular beaches is ”Starfish Beach” which is filled with – you guessed it – starfishes. Phu Quoc is the perfect place to relax in, but there’s also plenty of activities here. You can hike to waterfalls, jet ski and even visit the biggest waterpark in Vietnam, the Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc. At night, head over to the night market where you can eat fresh seafood and try one of the best coconut ice creams you’ll ever have in your life!
Stay here for about 3-4 days if you want to really unwind and enjoy everything that Phu Quoc has to offer.
Mekong Delta
When you’re ready to leave the island of Phu Quoc, make your way to Mekong Delta, either by flight or by ferry and continue with a bus or taxi. Although the flight is more expensive, it might be worth it if you only have 10 days to spend in Vietnam. Mekong Delta is the 12th longest river in the world and runs through 6 countries in total. Life here is more tranquil, peaceful and quiet. The best way to experience the Mekong Delta is by taking a boat trip and paddle your way through the river. On the boat trip, you’ll be able to see the stilt houses, stunning rice paddies, coconut trees and visit the many floating markets in this area. It’s the perfect way to get a close glimpse of rural Vietnam. Stay in Mekong Delta for at least 2 days.
After Mekong Delta, make your way back to Ho Chi Minh City where you can spend a night before traveling back home. Why not spoil yourself for a spa treatment on your last day? Or go shopping in one of many malls in the big city? We can’t think of a better way to end a trip in Vietnam.
In order to enter Vietnam, you must remember to apply for a visa. You can do this by either going to your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate or apply for it online. The Visa on Arrival is by far the most popular way to get a visa because of how convenient, fast and simple it is. You only need to fill out an online application form, there’s no need to send important documents. The third option is the E-Visa. However, it’s only available for certain countries in the world.
