Best Route
A realistic ten-day Vietnam route is three nights in Hanoi, one or two nights on Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, and four nights around Da Nang and Hoi An. This keeps the trip focused instead of trying to include the whole country. Forum travelers often warn that Vietnam is long, transfers take time, and weather differs between regions.
Start in Hanoi
Hanoi gives old-quarter energy, coffee culture, lakes, museums, and food tours. Stay central if you want to walk, but expect noise and traffic. Use Hanoi as the base for northern travel rather than moving hotels too often. A food tour early in the trip can help you understand what to order later.
Cruise Planning
For Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, the boat matters more than a tiny difference in itinerary. Read recent reviews carefully, choose a cabin you actually like, and avoid booking only by the lowest price. Weather can affect visibility, so treat the cruise as an experience of water, cliffs, and slow travel, not just a perfect photo.
Central Vietnam Finish
Da Nang is practical for flights, beaches, and modern hotels. Hoi An is better for lantern streets, food, tailoring, river evenings, and heritage atmosphere. Many travelers stay in one and visit the other, but a split can work if you want both beach convenience and old-town evenings.