10-Day Vietnam Itinerary Under $1,000: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Da Nang & Ho Chi Minh City

A 10-day loop through Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City runs $950-$1,000 total: a $560-650 round-trip US flight, a $25 e-visa, nine nights of dorms and guesthouses (~$75), two domestic flights (~$75), and the rest split across a Ninh Binh day tour, the Ba Na Hills cable car, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and $5-10-a-day street food. Skipping the $120-300 overnight Ha Long Bay cruise is what keeps this route under four figures.

• Days 1-2: Hanoi — Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, $6-9 dorm beds
• Day 3: Ninh Binh day trip — Tam Coc boat ride and Mua Cave, $25-35
• Day 4: Fly Hanoi to Da Nang, $35-45 one-way
• Days 4-5: Da Nang — Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, $40 ticket
• Days 6-7: Hoi An — Ancient Town lanterns, $3-22 lodging
• Day 8: Fly Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, $30-45 one-way
• Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum
• Day 10: Ben Thanh Market and departure

Hanoi (Days 1-2)

Land at Noi Bai, grab a 5GB/30-day eSIM for about $10, and settle into an Old Quarter dorm bed at $6-9 a night while eating $1.50-3 bowls of phở around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Ninh Binh (Day 3)

Book a full-day guided trip to Ninh Binh for $25-35 with lunch and pickup included — a Tam Coc boat ride through limestone karsts plus the climb to Mua Cave, the budget stand-in for an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise.

Hanoi to Da Nang (Day 4)

Fly rather than take the 15-17 hour train: domestic fares on VietJet and Vietnam Airlines run $35-45 one-way and get you to Da Nang by early afternoon.

Da Nang (Days 4-5)

Buy the Ba Na Hills cable car and Golden Bridge ticket for about $40 and spend the day on the bridge, French Village, and Fantasy Park before sunset over Da Nang Bay.

Hoi An (Days 6-7)

A 30-minute Grab from Da Nang (~$10-15) gets you to Hoi An, where dorm beds run $3-9 and private rooms around $22 a night, and the lantern-lit Ancient Town riverside is free after dark.

Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City (Day 8)

Another VietJet one-way flight runs $30-45 and takes about 80 minutes, against a 17-hour train ride.

Cu Chi Tunnels (Day 9)

A self-guided bus tour or half-day group tour costs $15-25 including the $3.50-5.40 entrance fee, paired with a free afternoon at the War Remnants Museum.

Ho Chi Minh City (Day 10)

Close out at Ben Thanh Market and the Bui Vien walking street, saving a dollar or two for a last $1-2 bánh mì before the airport.

People also ask

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
Most nationalities need an e-visa. The official Vietnam e-visa costs $25 single-entry or $50 multiple-entry, is issued in 3-7 working days, and covers up to 90 days.

Is $1,000 realistic for 10 days in Vietnam?
Yes, if you fly budget carriers, stay in dorms or guesthouses ($6-25 a night), eat street food ($5-10 a day), and take the Ninh Binh day trip instead of an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise. Add $100-150 back for private rooms and a cruise.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the train between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City?
Flying: a one-way VietJet ticket runs $30-45 and takes about 2 hours, versus $57-85 and 32-37 hours on the Reunification Express sleeper train.

Prices, visa fees, and ticket costs were checked against official and current sources as of September 16, 2026. Confirm current rates before booking, since Vietnamese airfare, attraction tickets, and visa fees change often.