My First Vietnam Trip - 10-Day trip Review – Anything I Should Add or Change?

Hi everyone! I'm planning a 10-day trip to Vietnam last 10 days of march and would love feedback from people who have been there. I'm wondering if I'm missing anything major or if any stops should be adjusted. ( i have optimized this post using AI)

Cities included: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh → Da Nang → Hue → Hoi An

Day 1 – Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi.

Activities:

• Check-in and settle in
• Visit a local wet market
• Vietnamese cooking class

Overnight: Hanoi

Day 2 – Ha Long Bay Cruise

Travel from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay.

Activities:

• Transfer to Tuan Chau Marina
• Board cruise and lunch onboard
• Cruise through limestone islands
• Kayaking or swimming
• Sunset on deck
• Vietnamese cooking demonstration
• Squid fishing at night

Overnight: Cruise in Ha Long Bay

Day 3 – Ha Long Bay → Hanoi

Activities:

• Morning Tai Chi on the sundeck
• Breakfast while cruising back through the bay
• Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina
• Transfer back to Hanoi

Free time in the evening to explore Hanoi.

Overnight: Hanoi

Day 4 – Ninh Binh Day Trip

Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.

Places visited:

• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (former capital of Vietnam)
• Tam Coc (boat ride through limestone caves and rice fields)
• Bicycle ride through countryside villages
• Mua Cave viewpoint (climb ~500 steps for panoramic views)

Return to Hanoi.

Day 5 – Hanoi → Da Nang

Domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang.

Activities:

• Hotel check-in
• Free time to explore Da Nang

Overnight: Da Nang

Day 6 – Ba Na Hills

Full-day trip to Ba Na Hills.

Activities:

• Cable car ride over the Truong Son mountains
• Walk across the Golden Bridge (bridge held by giant stone hands)
• Visit Le Jardin D’Amour flower gardens
• Explore Linh Ung Pagoda
• Visit Fantasy Park amusement area

Return to Da Nang.

Day 7 – Hue Day Trip

Travel from Da Nang to Hue via Hai Van Tunnel.

Places visited:

• Imperial City (Nguyen Dynasty palace complex)
• Royal tomb (Tu Duc or Khai Dinh)
• Thien Mu Pagoda on the Perfume River
• Dong Ba Market

Return to Da Nang.

Day 8 – My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An

Travel to My Son Sanctuary (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Activities:

• Explore ancient Champa temple ruins
• Watch traditional Apsara dance performance

Continue to Hoi An Ancient Town.

Places visited in Hoi An:

• Japanese Covered Bridge
• Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
• Historic merchant houses
• Night market
• Lantern boat ride on the river

Overnight: Hoi An

Day 9 – Cam Thanh Coconut Village

Visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village near Hoi An.

Activities:

• Basket boat ride through coconut forest
• Fishing demonstrations with local fishermen
• Crab catching
• Lantern making workshop
• Cooking show and local meal

Return to Hoi An.

Day 10 – Departure

Free time for last-minute shopping before transfer to Da Nang Airport for departure.

Questions

1. I would like to visit Hoi chi Min city but would that be possible to fit in this schedule ? What should i be replace or which place to skip ?
2. Does this itinerary feel too rushed or fairly balanced?
3. Is Ba Na Hills / Golden Bridge worth the full day, or should I replace it with something else?
4. Should I add another day somewhere (Hanoi, Da Nang, or Hoi An)?
5. Any must-do food spots or experiences along this route?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!