South Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days + Map
TL;DR
From bustling cities and war history to tropical islands, lantern-lit streets, and imperial palaces, our route packs South and Central Vietnam’s best contrasts into 10 unforgettable days.
If you’re looking for a South and Central Vietnam itinerary that packs in cities, beaches, history, and plenty of local experiences without spending days on the road, this 10-day route is for you. From the buzzing streets of Ho Chi Minh City and the waterways of the Mekong Delta to the tropical beaches of Phu Quoc, the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, and the imperial history of Hue, our itinerary covers the highlights without wasting time on unnecessary detours.
We know Vietnam can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out where to go, how long to stay, and how to get between destinations. We’ve travelled through Vietnam ourselves and put together this Southern Vietnam Itinerary to make planning easier, with a mix of public transport, guided tours, and flights where they actually make sense.
Our 10-day South and Central Vietnam itinerary is particularly suited to backpackers and independent travellers who want to see a lot in a relatively short time. We travel fast ourselves, so this is definitely not a slow-travel itinerary – but if you’re anything like us, you’ll get to experience a lot of central and south Vietnam in just 10 days.
South Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days
South Vietnam Travel Itinerary Map
3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 1 – Downtown, War Remnants Museum, and Nightlife
You’ll probably start your Southern Vietnam itinerary by flying into Ho Chi Minh City.
For your downtown sightseeing, check out:
- Book Street.
- Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Opera House – iconic French colonial landmarks.
- Ho Chi Minh City Hall & Statue and stroll down Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street.
The War Remnants Museum is a must-visit for its powerful exhibitions on the Vietnam War.
Don’t miss the HCMC nightlife: Check out the night market at Ben Thanh Market, visit a rooftop bar and check out the lively Bui Vien Street.
You can follow our complete 3-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary:
Day 2 – Mekong Delta Tour
The Mekong Delta is a highlight on your Southern Vietnam itinerary. A day trip is the most convenient way to do so. You’ll visit Unicorn Island where you’ll enjoy local fruit, music, and a sampan ride through coconut tree-lined canals. At Ben Tre Coconut Farm, you’ll learn about coconut candy production while sampling treats. The tour ends at the stunning Vinh Trang Pagoda, featuring giant Buddhas and a unique blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese architecture.
This is the Mekong Delta tour we did:
We have written a full review of our Mekong Delta tour:
Travel Guides
Our Review – Is a Mekong Delta Day Trip Worth It?
Is a Mekong Delta tour is worth it? Spoiler: It depends.
Carina
Day 3 – Chinatown and Hidden Gems
Start your day in Cholon, which is also known as the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the markets, temples, and assembly halls.
We strongly recommend you make time to explore some of the city’s hidden gems. How about a Secret Weapon Bunker or a flower market?
2 Days in Phu Quoc
Day 4 – Hit the Beach
Take a night bus or flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc. We recommend staying in southern Phu Quoc for your two days on the island.
Start your Phu Quoc itinerary at its highlight, the beach. Sao Beach is the island’s most famous beach and hence can feel quite busy. With its white sand, palm trees, and crystal-clear turquoise water, it looks more like a postcard than a real place.
From Sao Beach, you can easily continue to Khem Beach, another beautiful stretch of sand in the south of Phu Quoc. It is considered cleaner and quieter, featuring high-end resort zones.
Day 5 – Cable Car & Sunset Town
Start your second day in Phu Quoc with one of the island’s most spectacular attractions: the Hon Thom Cable Car. The cable car connects An Thoi with Hon Thom (Pineapple Island) and is famous for being the world’s longest over-sea cable car. Once you reach Hon Thom, you can spend a few hours enjoying the beach.
In the afternoon, head to Sunset Town, right next to the cable car station. The colourful Mediterranean-inspired architecture, waterfront promenade, and sea views make it a strange albeit fun place to wander around. As the name suggests, this is also a great place to watch the sunset. If you’re into light shows, the Symphony of the Sea Show is a must-see!
3 Days in Hoi An
Day 6 – Old Town, Tailor, and Lanterns
Although we generally avoid flying, by far the most convenient way to travel from Phu Quoc to Hoi An is to fly to Da Nang and make your way to Hoi An from there.
Once you reach the town of Hoi An, start by exploring the charming old town, with its cafes, alleys, and historical sites.
Don’t miss:
- A 30-minute performance at the Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House
- The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum (free entry)
Hoi An is famous for its tailors. If you want to get clothes tailored, we can recommend 45 Tailor inside Hoi An Market.
At night, Hoi An glows with lanterns. Stroll the riverside, release a lantern, or book a scenic lantern boat trip.
We have written a full 2-day Hoi An itinerary:
Itinerary
2 Day Hoi An Itinerary + Map
You have 2 days in Hoi An, we have the perfect itinerary for you!
Carina
Day 7 – Bike, Beach, and Food
Rent a bike and explore the Hoi An countryside. Start at Tra Que Vegetable Village, an island of organic farms growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In the afternoon, relax at An Bang Beach or try a Basket Boat Ride in the Coconut Forest. Hoi An’s street food scene is incredible. Follow our self-guided street food tour to discover the best local dishes.
Day 8 – Sightseeing Transfer from Hoi An to Hue
Why just travel when you can explore? A sightseeing bus tour is the perfect way to make the most of your journey from Hue to Hoi An. You’ll stop at:
- Thanh Toan Bridge – A historic masterpiece with intricate dragon carvings.
- Lap An Lagoon – A stunning mirror-like lagoon for dreamy photos.
- Hai Van Pass – Breathtaking mountain roads with ocean views.
- Marble Mountains – Discover caves, temples, and peaks with unbeatable panoramas.
This is the tour we chose:
We have written a full review of our sightseeing transfer:
2 Days in Hue
Day 9 – Imperial City, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Perfume River Cruise
Hue’s main attraction is the Imperial City, a vast fortified area within the citadel that served as Vietnam’s imperial capital during the Nguyen dynasty.
The Royal Tombs are the resting places of Nguyen emperors, with the tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc being the most popular.
The Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s unofficial symbol, stands out for housing the car featured in the iconic photo of the burning monk, Thích Quảng Đức.
A dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River is a popular activity and a scenic way to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda.
If your time is limited, it’s best to explore Hue with a guided tour or private driver.
Hue was one of our favourite places in Vietnam. We might have gone a bit overboard with the Hue content, but here are a full Hue travel guide, the 14 best things to do in Hue and a self-guided bicycle tour:
Travel Guides
14 Amazing Things to Do in Hue Vietnam + Map
The 14 best things to do and things to see in Hue Vietnam.
Carina
Day 10 – DMZ Tour
When you’re interested in Vietnamese history, touring the DMZ is an absolute must.
You’ll visit loads of sights connected to the Vietnam War and the separation of Vietnam. The highlight might be the Vinh Moc Tunnels, which have been constructed to shelter people from the intense bombing.
This is the DMZ tour we did:
We have written a full review of our DMZ tour. Spoiler: We 100% recommend it 😉
Where to Stay for Your Southern Vietnam Itinerary
In Vietnam, we loved staying in homestays both to save money and to enjoy a more local experience. We have written a full guide on how to find your perfect Vietnam homestay:
Travel Planing
How to Find your Perfect Vietnam Homestay
Homestay Vietnam Guide - including the best places to stay!
Carina
How to Get Around Southern Vietnam
Many guided tours include transfers.
For night buses, trains, and flights, we recommend you check out 12Go. We used them to book our tickets and have zero complaints.
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