An Exciting South Vietnam Travel Itinerary 10 Days
Looking for the perfect 10-day South Vietnam travel itinerary? Whether you’re craving beach time, culture, or jungle adventures, this southern Vietnam itinerary will help you make the most of your trip.
I’ve spent two unforgettable holidays exploring Vietnam, and the south has a special kind of magic. With warm, sunny weather and beautiful natural landscapes, it’s ideal for soaking up local life.
This 10 day South Vietnam itinerary takes you from the chaotic energy of Ho Chi Minh City to the palm-fringed beaches of Phu Quoc Island, the colourful floating markets of the Mekong Delta, and deep into the rainforest for a wild gibbon trek in Cat Tien National Park.
Vietnam is a safe, affordable, and welcoming destination, perfect for solo travellers or anyone looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure. If you’ve got under three weeks in the country, I recommend focusing your time. This South Vietnam itinerary shows you how to do just that, hitting the highlights without feeling rushed.
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Southern Vietnam Itinerary – When to Go
The best time for travel in southern Vietnam is from December to March. These are the ideal months to visit Ho Chi Minh City when the weather is cooler, drier and sunny.
Summer is from May to October, and temperatures soar in south Vietnam, with average daily temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City between 27C (81F) and 35C (95F). April is the hottest month of the year and best avoided in the south.
December is the coolest month, with temperatures from 24C (75F) to 32C (90F).
I travelled to Vietnam in January and experienced perfect beach weather in southern Vietnam: hot, sunny, and humid.
TIP: Vietnam experiences very different weather from the north to the south of the country. Learn more about the best and the worst times to visit Vietnam and the best time to visit Cambodia and Vietnam on the same trip.
10 Day South Vietnam Itinerary
This 10 day south Vietnam itinerary begins and ends in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll need:
- return flights to Ho Chi Minh City
- a one-way domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet)
To get around on this South Vietnam itinerary, you’ll travel by plane, bus and ferry. For shorter distances, I suggest downloading the Grab App to book taxis and Motorbike taxis (Xe-Om’s).
TIP: Local Flights, Buses, trains and ferries can be booked in advance with 12Go Asia. I use and can recommend this service for booking South Vietnam travel in advance.
South Vietnam Travel Itinerary 10 Days
Days 1-2 Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is huge, busy and sprawling. Skyscrapers sit next to charming colonial French buildings, and the city has more motorbikes than I have ever seen in one place. I spent the first day of my South Vietnam vacation adjusting to the hectic pace and the crazy traffic.
TIP: To reduce the stress of your arrival in Vietnam, book a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
The city centre is flat and easy to explore on foot and on the back of a scooter. I enjoyed visiting the small Taoist Jade Emperor Temple, the charming colonial Central Post Office and the lovely Notre Dame Cathedral, a reminder of Vietnam’s French colonial past.
I teamed up with the bell boy at my hotel who was happy to show me around on the back of his scooter and we sat near the cathedral, eating Banh Mi (a crispy baguette filled with spicy pork and pate) and enjoyed the bustling atmosphere and charming French colonial architecture of the city.
The War Remnants Museum is an important place to visit in Ho Chi Minh City and a shocking reminder of the tragedy of the Vietnam War. I found some of the exhibits at the museum distressing, but it’s worth taking time to learn how the civil war has shaped the country and the people of Vietnam. The Museum of Vietnamese History is also worth visiting.
Not far away, the stark and impressive Independence Palace is open to visitors, and you can see inside the former residence of Vietnam’s communist president.
The lush Botanical Gardens are are welcome escape from the from the craziness of the city, and when you’re hungry, try some local food at the Ben Nghe Street Food Market on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street.
Trying the local Pho is a must in South Vietnam. It’s a tasty traditional beef or chicken noodle soup often eaten in the morning. There are variations of this staple dish found throughout the country.
TIP: A Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour is an ideal way to introduce yourself to the local food and culture and the perfect way to begin a south Vietnam travel itinerary. I went on similar tours in Hanoi and Da Nang and loved them both.
Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels
On this South Vietnam itinerary I suggest spending a day visiting the fascinating Cao Dai Great Temple, Black Mountain and Cu Chi Tunnels. They are well worth visiting, but it takes several hours to get there, so I booked a tour. My visit was timed to watch a Cao Dai mass in progress.
At the Cao Dai Great Temple, hundreds of worshippers dressed in white were kneeling and praying. It was a fascinating glimpse into a very different culture and way of life.
After lunch, we visited the Cui Chi Tunnels and learnt how the Viet Cong survived in a network of underground tunnels during the American war.
TIP: Ho Chi Minh City can be a bit overwhelming when you first arrive, but you’ll quickly get your travel legs. Like Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is a bit crazy, and even crossing the road can be challenging.
But there’s an art to it. My advice is to choose your moment and walk across the road without stopping. If in doubt, watch a local and follow closely behind them. The traffic will magically part as you walk, and the motorbikes will ride around you. Whatever you do, don’t stop walking!
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Mid-Range: I stayed at the Duc Vuong saigon Hotel on Bui Vien Street surrounded by restaurants and bars. It’s a central location in District 1. I loved the fabulous service at this hotel and the colourful Vietnamese lanterns decorating the rooftop bar. I would stay here again, but the internal rooms have no windows, so choose your room carefully.
Luxury: The Hotel Majestic Saigon is a luxury hotel in a prime location near the river with exceptional reviews for its excellent service and restaurant.
Day 3-5 Phu Quoc Island
The next stop on my southern Vietnam itinerary is the beautiful Phu Quoc Island. After the hectic pace of Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc is a welcome change of pace. Phu Quoc is the ideal place to chill out on the beach and enjoy perfect sunsets with a cocktail.
I took an early morning flight with Vietnam Airlines and arrived on Phu Quoc Island late morning. Finding a taxi at the airport to take me to my hotel was easy.
Phu Quoc Island is quite big so you’ll need to join a tour or hire a motorbike to get around. There are lots of stunning beaches to discover around the island and the Phu Quoc prison is worth visiting to learn about the history of the island.
I booked an island snorkelling tour and had a great day out on the water.
I went walking along the beach to the Phu Quoc harbour, where colourful fishing boats come and go and found more local colour at the Duong Dong market. In the evening, explored the busy night market, tried the street food and shopped for souvenirs.
Phu Quoc Island also has a cable car and theme parks, so there’s plenty to see and do.
Where to stay on Phu Quoc Island
Mid-Range: Sunshine Bungalows are set in a pretty tropical garden a short walk from the beach. My bungalow was quite basic, but I had everything I needed and enjoyed my stay. The staff were helpful and arranged onward travel and tours for me.
Luxury: If you’re after more luxury, try the Shells Resort & Spa. This resort has a private beach and a pool and gets excellent reviews.
Day 6 – 7 Can Tho & the Mekong Delta
The next stop on my South Vietnam travel itinerary is Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. To get there, take the Superdong Ferry to Rach Gia on the mainland (2.5 hours) and travel by bus to Can Tho (3.5 hours).
I booked a combined ferry/bus ticket that included all transfers and connections from my hotel in Phu Quoc to my Can Tho accommodation. This made the trip very easy, but the ferry crossing can be rough, especially during the rainy season.
With just 10 days in South Vietnam, I spent only one night in Can Tho. The main attraction here is the colourful Cai Rang Floating Market on the Mekong River.
TIP: Book an early morning boat tour to see the floating Cai Rang fruit and vegetable markets in full swing. I was collected from my hotel before dawn and was in a small boat on the Mekong River as the sun rose.
At the floating market there were lots of small longtail boats full of fresh fruit and vegetables and there was a lot of buying and selling going on. We stopped for breakfast on the river, enjoyed some fresh pineapple and explored the canals on the way back to Can Tho. Visiting the floating market is a fascinating insight into local life on the river.
If you have time in Can Tho, the tiny Chinese Can Tho Ong Temple and the Buddhist Truc Lam Temple & monastery are also worth visiting.
Then take an afternoon Futa bus back to Ho Chi Minh City (3 – 4 hours)
Where to stay in Can Tho
Mid-Range: Holiday One Hotel This comfortable hotel is a little bit out of town. I enjoyed staying here but was surprised to find that the street floods when there’s a King tide. I returned to the hotel after dinner to find the street under several inches of water. No one seemed at all concerned.
Luxury: The five-star Sheraton Can Tho offers luxurious accommodations with spectacular river views and amazing service.
Day 8 – 9 Wild Gibbon Tracking in Cat Tien National Park
Next, on this South Vietnam travel itinerary, catch a bus to Cat Tien National Park, 3 hours west of Ho Chi Minh City. Cat Tien National Park is a huge tropical lowland forest and one of the largest nature reserves in Vietnam. There are ancient trees, waterfalls, wildlife and lots of walking trails. Endangered wild gibbons, crocodiles and bird watching are popular reasons to visit.
To get there catch a direct bus from the Ben Xe Mien Dong bus station in Ho Chi Minh City. The bus drops you on the main road and you have to arrange your own transport into the National Park. Another alternative is to book a private car or a tour from Ho Chi Minh City.
I suggest staying overnight at the Green Hope Lodge Cat Tien inside the National Park so you can join a night safari for wildlife spotting and early morning wild gibbon trek.
The animals are most active at night, and the wild gibbon tracking groups leave before dawn. On a 4-hour wild gibbon trek, you’ll see and hear the gibbons swinging in the trees. The wild gibbon trek also includes the Endangered Primate Species Centre inside the National Park.
Track wild gibbons in their natural habitat and explore the walking trails inside the National Park, then take an afternoon bus back to Ho Chi Minh City.
TIP: Book your Cat Tien accommodation and tours in advance through the Cat Tien National Park office. For the Wild Gibbon trek, you must sleep inside the National Park.
The easiest way to get to Cat Thien and get around the National Park is to book an overnight Cat Tien tour from Ho Chi Minh City. This tour includes camping by the lake but check the included activities before you book.
Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is the final stop on this 10 day South Vietnam itinerary. Returning to the city gives you more time for sightseeing, dodging the traffic and enjoying the delicious Vietnamese food.
Is 10 Days in South Vietnam Enough?
A 10 day South Vietnam travel itinerary is long enough to get a taste of the vibrant culture, to visit crazy Ho Chi Minh City, relax on the stunning beaches of Phu Quoc Island, see the colourful floating markets of the Mekong Delta in action and track wild gibbons in Cat Thien National Park.
For a short holiday in Vietnam, it’s best to concentrate on either the south or the north of the country to maximise your time. But Vietnam has so much more to offer in the Central and Northern parts of the country that it’s worth spending at least 3 weeks on a Vietnam vacation.
2 Week Itinerary in South Vietnam
If you’re looking for a 2 week Southern Vietnam itinerary, consider visiting the stunning Con Dao islands or Da Lat, a charming town in the hills. You can also spend some more time relaxing on the beach at Mui Ne or Nha Trang.
With a 2 week itinerary in North & Central Vietnam, visit the capital Hanoi and experience the French colonial architecture and the city’s Old Quarter, take an overnight cruise on stunning Ha Long Bay, visit UNESCO World heritage sites in ancient Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue and Ninh Binh, and spend a couple of days exploring the largest cave system in the world at Phong Nha-Ke Bang.
A 3-week itinerary in Vietnam is enough time to travel the length of the country and to see many sights along the way from Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta in the south, to Historic Hoi An and Royal Hue in central Vietnam, and the capital Hanoi and the stunning karst scenery of Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island in the north.
Final Thoughts: South Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days
This 10 day South Vietnam itinerary concentrates on the highlights of South Vietnam and can easily be combined with visiting Cambodia or a short trip to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, and a cruise on stunning Halong Bay in the north of the country.
Vietnam is a safe destination and there are so many things to see and do that you can easily stay several weeks or more to experience all that this fascinating country has to offer, whether you’re travelling alone in Vietnam or with family and friends.
I loved visiting South Vietnam and I think you will too!
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