An Insider’s Travel Guide to Vietnam (2021)

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hòa Xã hội Chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) or better known as Vietnam (Việt Nam), is a long, thin country in Southeast Asia. Its neighbouring countries are China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west. Vietnam has become a popular destination for many travellers in recent years and not without reason. Vietnam has almost everything to offer for the intrepid traveller; if you are going from North to South or the other way around, you will have to joy to see the very diverse country and to experience nature intimately or the hectic life of the major cities.

We had the amazing experience of visiting this incredible country in 2016. We decided to make the traditional trip; going from North to South during our 12 days visit here. I have to be honest, 12 days for a North to South trip is possible, but you have to acknowledge that you will not have time to do everything and we often felt like wanting just one more day the various places! Mainly due to the immense beauty of Vietnam and its incredible hospitality, we could have spent another three weeks there.

Vietnam is known for its culture and historic buildings. The country has become modern in the past few years, but its natural beauty and the local tradition remain the same. This country is rather versatile. You can see sky-touching skyscrapers next to Buddhist temples. It’s the perfect place for you to include in your travel plans. It has wildly chaotic cities, filled with immense culture and motorbikes but brimming with beautiful charm. It has nature and serenity. Vietnam has it all, and The Wife wants to go back here! In this photoset of Vietnam, we will be telling you about our experience and showcase our photos.

This history of Vietnam is breathtaking and leave you wanting more. The food is fantastic (although not Vietnamese beef!), scenery, caves, beaches and the buzzing city life. You will love Vietnam, we know we did, and we might even come back. The Wife occasionally brings up her favourite, cosmopolitan, friendly, heartwarming town Hoi An as a personal favourite, which we must visit once more in this lifetime.

Vietnam is divided into 58 provinces divided between four regions;

NORTHERN VIETNAM: Here you find some of the most magnificent views of all of Vietnam, the capital city and the indigenous hill peoples.
CENTRAL COAST: Most popular choices among travellers are the ancient city of Hue as well as the idyllic Hoi An.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS: Forest-covered hills and you might be able to spot an elephant or two.
SOUTHERN VIETNAM: In dire contrast to Hanoi, you will find the economic centre of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. The Cu Chi tunnels, as well as the Mekong Delta, is worth a visit.

Post Series

Destinations

The colours indicate the cities/areas we visited and those we wanted but didn’t have the time for. However, that is not all bad! Then we have some for our bucket list 😉

Fun Facts About Vietnam

1. Vietnamese cuisine is rumoured to have the healthiest food in the world. The dishes mostly consists of herbs, vegetables and seafood that is cooked traditionally.
2. Vietnam is known as the nation of rivers with over 2.300 rivers.
3. You’ll feel like a millionaire in Vietnam. The currency is not only colourful, but the inflation is high so you’ll be equally as poor as you started out with 😉
4. If you are a coffee addict, then wait no longer as Vietnam is the second largest producer of coffee. It has its own coffee style known as Vietnamese coffee. If you, like me, like your coffee black, then remember to say no to Vietnamese coffee. It’s way too sweet!
5. People in Vietnam eat dogs. Beautiful duality; double as a man’s best friend and as dinner. We didn’t try it though. Let me know what you think if you did taste it!
6. There is a fruit in Vietnam known as breast milk fruit. Its real name is star apple (Vú Sữa), and the reason why it is called that way is that after you peel it, a few milky drops drip out.
7. You will see a lot of smokers in Vietnam. About 50% of all men are active smokers (maybe because a pack of cigarettes is roughly one US dollar).
8. Have you ever heard of snake wine? Well, get ready to see it in real life. The locals put the snake in a bottle of rice wine.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Vietnam is divided into three regions: Northern, Southern and Central Vietnam. There is always a reason to visit Vietnam at any given time of the year. As the S-shaped country stretches across more than 1.650 km from north-to-south, there is plenty of possibilities to come either in the winter or summer time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT NORTHERN VIETNAM: The weather remains hot and humid from May to October. This region receives a good amount of rainfall during this period and stays cool from November to April. In the far northern region, it gets pretty cool in December following up to February.

BEST TIME TO VISIT CENTRAL VIETNAM: The weather remains dry and humid from January to August. During September, October and November, there is an increased amount of rainfall. Central Vietnam is most prone to the most extreme weather types.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SOUTHERN VIETNAM: The weather is generally hot and humid from May to October. There is plenty of rainfall, whereas, it can get a little chilly from November to April.

Just remember that by sticking to the preferred months is only a rule-of-thumb, but will undoubtedly result in more tourists and often higher prices. The Wife and I usually plan our itineraries outside the peak months as we thus get the best prices, fewer tourists and, e.g. the rainy seasons often include greener fauna. Often the rain comes in downpours of one hour followed by blue skies leaving you with the possibility of a natural coffee break 🙂

Vietnam is a very versatile country. Due to the uniqueness of Vietnam’s length and location, the country experiences three weather systems. You can travel to Vietnam all year long and there will always be favourable weather for you: E.g. while it is cold and the mountain is covered in snow in the northern areas, the temperature in the southern region will be 30+ degree Celsius. There is never a wrong time to visit Vietnam.

You can travel to Vietnam during the monsoon season. The tourist load will be less (which is good if you are going on a budget!) and you can grab that great cheap accommodation. There is a high risk of transportation delay if there has been heavy rain the days before your travel. Also, you can face mosquitoes in the more remote areas

The most important festival in Vietnam (and the largest) is their New Year celebration. As Vietnam follows the lunar calendar, the New Year celebration in Vietnam often occurs between January and February. As it is the biggest national holiday in Vietnam, accommodation and transportation rates often sky rockets.

Other important festivals include:

• Tet Nguyen Dan (The 1st day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar)
• Perfume Pagoda Festival (The 15th day of the first month of the Vietnamese lunar calendar)
• Hue Festival (Once every two years during April to June)
• Hoi An Lantern Festival (The 14th day of every month)

Things to to Do in Vietnam // What to Do in Vietnam

Hanoi

Hanoi is the first city we visited as part of our 12-day trip. When we first arrived there, everything seemed chaotic. There were so many people (and felt like even more motorbikes and a constant honking!) even in the outskirts of the city when we first got here. The atmosphere is filled with the unpleasant sound of horns and can get a bit overwhelming at first by the atmosphere, but that is perfectly normal. Spend a day, and you will get used to it (just ask The Wife!). I’ll recommend at least two days here to see everything! Some highlights from Hanoi:

Walk down to the Old Quarters

You need to visit the old quarters if you want to see historical places. Fortunately, most of the hotels are located in the Old Quarter and besides hotels, there are many restaurants and sightseeing locations. We had an enjoyable stroll through the quarters on foot as it is a better idea as the traffic can be quite tedious. Goods sold here are much cheaper as compared to western standards. Don’t forget to purchase a souvenir to bring as memories back home.

Vietnamese Women’s Museum

Is a modern museum that beautifully displays the culture and heritage of Vietnam. It was made in memories of all those brave ladies that took part in the Vietnam War and a tribute to all those heroic women that fought side by side with men to earn back Vietnam its freedom. All the stuff there is labelled in English and French. Some paintings and posters give a fantastic visual presentation. It’s open from 8 am to 5 pm. And the ticket is 30.000 VND.

Spending an evening in Hanoi Night market

Located at the heart of Hanoi city within the Old Quarter, the Hanoi Night market is a place where many people like to go and spend a peaceful yet fun evening. You’ll find plenty of shops and streets decorated with lights. You can go on a shopping spree here.

Imperial Cathedral of Thang Long

It is a relic that beautifully describes the history of Vietnam. It was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2010. Many artefacts and ancient stuff were excavated from this place in 2004 and are on display in the Cathedral as well as bronze coins, ceramic and pottery. Many of the artefacts stem from China which shows the connection and bond between the two countries. You will be surprised to know that this ancient site was once the capital of Vietnam and remained capital for eight centuries. And not only that, it was the political capital of 13 countries. So there used to be a time where the continent major issues were discussed in this site. Pretty cool!

Halong Bay

Is a popular tourist destination in Quang Ninh province and situated in the Northeast of Vietnam. This beautiful location is known for its majestic emerald waters and its thousands of limestone islands topped by rainforest. It is indeed in a literal sense the Tropical Heaven. You will for sure, have a fantastic time there. There are many junk boat tours and kayak adventures waiting for you; and when you visit the bay area, you will see tourists having one of the best time of their life. If you have a thing for outdoor activities, you will have a variety of activities to choose from: famous for scuba diving, rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking. This place looks like something right out of a movie. You need to spend at least two days there to experience one epic sunset and one magnificent sunrise (spoken from a true photo enthusiast!).

Titov Beach

Is in the centre of Halong Bay and a very famous tourist destination with good reason. The name of the beach is given after a Russian astronaut named German Tiptop. They (re)named this beach after the astronaut visited this place in 1962. The beach has breathtaking landscapes and beach and is known for having a very refreshing atmosphere. The water is clean, and the sand is soft as cotton. The only complaint is that we only were here for approximately 2 hours!

Bai Tu Long Bay

It is the three triangular peaks of the world heritage. It might not be as famous as the Halong Bay, but it is still a place worth seeing and exploring. It is famous because of its two types of ecosystems; a coastal marine ecosystem as well as a tropical rainforest ecosystem. This charming place has caves, stone mountains, rainforests, sandy beaches and unexplored wilderness. If you happen to be a nature lover like me, then you better see this place. You will surely not regret it.

Pearl farm in Halong Bay

A farm where you can see locals making products out of the pearls harvested from the waters. If you are lucky, you can even make some custom products for yourself as well. You will see the whole process from taking the pearls out and making the pieces of jewellery. The farm is located in an area called Tung Sau and is surrounded by limestone islands. Pearl farming has been a Vietnamese tradition practised for years.

The Gulf Of Tonkin

Is an area that connects Vietnam and China and covers three bay areas. These bay areas are Halong Bay, Lan Hay Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay and consists of about 3.000 islands and breathtaking sceneries. If you have the time, don’t limit yourself to Halong Bay alone. Millions of years of erosion have resulted in the formation of the many caves, lagoons, and coral reefs. It displays an amazing view of biodiversity, and its magnificent beauty has been the focal point for many famous movies and documentaries. The best way to experience the beauty of this place is by taking up a private cruise. Definitely let me know if you have done this!

Hue

Hue is a central Vietnamese city and a place where the emperors Nuygen Dynasty once resided and a significant tourist attraction today. It is home to many palaces, shrines and cathedrals and is gathered around the Perfume River. You can visit and spend a few minutes in silence at the Hue Jungle Crevice where 3.000 prisoners were pushed to their death. Another of the famous places includes Thanh Toan Bridge, Royal Tomb of Khai Dinh King, Perfume River and the Forbidden Purple City. It has an intense history where “The Battle of Hue” was fought. Some of the highlights of the city:

Perfume River

This river is 30 km in length and flows from Dãy Trường Sơn mountain to Bằng Lãng Fork. The name of this river is due to the scent it once had (It’s not the scent you will get today). The scent came from the flowers that fell into the river from the upriver orchids, and the mesmerising scents attracted many people. The scent is not as strong as it used to be 100 years ago due to the formation of industries and numerous boats floating in the river. You can spend a romantic evening at the bank of the river and see the Trang Tien Bridge that helps people to get to the other side of the river. There are many cruise options you can choose from so remember to ask for some prices before settling for a specific one.

Elephant spring

An (in)famous spring close to Hue. There is a natural pool where locals come for a dip although the water and scenery lately have been tormented by trash and plastic bottles. There are a waterfall and refreshing water you can have a nice swim in. It is located about 55 kilometres from the city.

Minh Mang Tomb

Is a royal tomb built during the Nygen Dynasty and is a historical place with small ponds and trees. It gives a very authentic and peaceful vibe, and the lakes and trees make the temple very aesthetically appealing. It is located on the west bank of the famous perfume river, and a cab from Hue city centre will take roughly 30 minutes to reach the destination. Emperor Minh Mang planned its construction before his death but was completed by his successor, Thieu Tri. There is a total of 40 buildings including temples and terraces and the ticket of Minh Mang temple will set you back 100.000 VND.

You can plan a full day on the back of a motorcycle to see the Tomb of Tu Duc, Tomb of Thieu Tri, Tomb of Khai Dinh, Tomb of Gia Long and of course Tomb of Minh Mang in one go!

Bach Ma National Park

This majestic park has waterfalls, lakes and is a favourite tourist spot. There are many hiking trails that you can cover either in a group or alone (depends on the type of traveller you are). The park is located in the Annamite Range with an abundance of wildlife in the park. Don’t forget to bring your camera because you will see a lot of rare plants in this area.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a Central Coast city and is highly popular. Its beautiful architecture is a reflection of the mix eras of Vietnam: The French colonialism, wooden Chinese shop houses and colourful temple are highlights of this city. You will also be able to see iconic Japanese bridges and Vietnamese Tube houses. The city has no airport, but you can use the airport in Da Nang – or plan a private car tour to Hue as we did. Hoi An was the favourite place of The Wife.

Ancient Town

Hoi An is a living museum. It is a reasonably small town which you can explore on foot. It gives you a break from the crazy traffic of bigger cities. You’ll find plenty of tailors, cafes, souvenir shops, art galleries, leather shops and restaurants.

Japanese Covered Bridge

A famous attraction of this small city is the Japanese covered bridge. The bridge is dated back to the 18th century and represents the historical Japanese rich culture. The bridge was constructed by the Japanese in the city to reach the Chinese quarter. The bridge has sculptures of two dogs and two monkeys and thus symbolises the birth of several Japanese emperors during its time. It also represents the year in which the construction of the bridge started (dog) and the year it was completed (monkey).

Cua Dai Beach

After having a great time during the morning and afternoon hours in the city, you can come to the beach to relax and read a book during hot hours (remember sunscreen!). It’s on the northeast of Hoi An, and most hotels offer a free shuttle to and from the beach at selected hours. The clean sand is the perfect place for you to have a nice nap. As for the water, don’t worry, it’s crystal clear. The people of Vietnam claim this beach as “Vietnamese most stunning coastal shore”.

Hoi An Night Market

The market comprises of over 50 vendors and is selling local snacks, clothes, and jewellery. The streets are covered in lights with vibrant colour to it with the possibility of buying lanterns from the market and set it free near the river. The price of products is above average during peak months, and you should bargain. Although some vendors have initiated a different approach, stating the final prices at a fair price point.

Ho Chi Minh

Mostly known as Saigon, this city located in the southern part of Vietnam and is known for playing a very crucial role in the Vietnam War. The French made many landmarks and Cathedrals during their colonialism. In modern day, Ho Chi Minh is known for its advancement in Commerce resembling a lot of the Western way. You will find many rooftop bars in the city as well as restaurants that serve tasty food.

War Remnant Museum

This museum is a shocking reminder of the deadly Vietnam War and was first opened to the public in 1975. There are many graphic images of war on display that shows the weapons used on both sides that tells the story of a brutal war. Heavy machines and vehicles are also present outside the Museum, where you will see helicopters with rocket launchers, tank, aircraft and fighter jet planes.

Chu Chi tunnels

Do you ever wonder what it feels like to go through underground tunnels made by the Vietnamese army? Chu Chi tunnels are actual tunnels dug by soldiers and used during the war. Although the tunnels have been fortified and expanded to accommodate tourist, the tunnels are still the originals (although widened a bit to accommodate the slightly bigger westerner!). The tunnels have turned into an underground museum and will leave you with a glimpse of how soldiers lived in 1948. If you decide to venture down the tunnels, it will give you the chills. The tunnels are 250km in its full length and go as deep as 10 meters. However, you will only be able to venture into some hundreds of meters, and it will still make you feel the atmosphere. There is a shooting range where you will be able to shot some bullets by an M16 rifle.

Cao Dai Temple

This temple practices a number of religions. The worshipper of this temple believes that all religions come down to a single point and that is to seek tolerance and enlightenment among all. The temple looks like a Christian cathedral with nine hierarchies of worships and two main ceremonies every day. The followers are told to follow five virtues of Confucianism – humanity, obligation, civility, knowledge and reliability. You will be allowed to watch the whole process from the gallery, and like every other place in Vietnam, you will have to take your shoes off at the entrance.

Bitexco Financial Tower & Sky Deck

Want a skyline view? Look no more. This is the best place to view the whole city from a 360-degree angle. It is 262,5 meters high. This 68-storey tower has all sort of shops, restaurants and offices. Sixteen elevators will bring you to the top in less than 40 seconds.

Sapa

It is a small beautiful town located in the mountains of northwestern Vietnam. Upon reaching this town, you will be able to view the terraced rice field of Muong Hoa Valley, and lies close to the Chinese border. This aesthetically appealing town is home to many ethical tribes, and the highlight of this town is the rice paddies and forest treks. The two main things you can do in this town are hiking and just simply enjoying nature. Fan Si Pan, the highest mountain in Vietnam is also located in this region. The best way for you to reach Sapa is by taking an overnight train from Hanoi. Here are some of the famous attraction in Sapa.

Tribal Trekking

Five tribal groups are residing in Sapa: the Hmong, Tao, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho. Tribal Trekking includes a trip to the local villages, and you will get a chance to eat their most excellent cuisine while glancing at the beautiful rice terraces. You will not just see the landmarks and beauty of the city; you will get to experience the culture of the natives of Sapa. Trekking maps will be available, and you can get these maps from the tourist information centre on Fansipan Street.

Fansipan Mountain

If you are up for an adventure, then go ahead and climb the highest mountain in Vietnam. Due to its great height, it is called “Roof of Indochina” with an elevation of 3.413m. You can reach the top of the mountain in a day in roughly 12 hours (depending on your stamina!). It is advisable to take help of an expert to omit any sort of danger. The top view should be truly magnificent with excellent photographic opportunities while white clouds cover the valley.

Shopping in Sapa

Get the experience of shopping at the local Sapa market. Again, don’t forget to bargain. The people will try to take advantage of the foreigners to sell goods at a very high price. So master the art of bargaining and get the best products at an affordable price. The best market in Sapa is Sapa market, Bac Ha market and Coc Ly market.

Da Lat

If you happen to travel Vietnam during summer, then head over to Da Lat to spend some time. It has been a popular tourist site since the colonialism of the French and is known as “Le Petit Paris”. They even built a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Da Lat is located on a plateau and therefore, the weather is relatively more cooling than the rest of the country and is famous for its flowers, vegetables and fruits. If you are a vegan, then get ready to eat some delicious vegan recipes. The citizens of this city earn mainly through agriculture and tourists.

Elephant Falls

The beautiful fall got its name after the huge rock that resembles an elephant. Located in a valley outside of Nam Ban village you can reach it through local buses that run every day. It cost around 20.000 VND for a two-way drive and is a 30 minutes’ drive from the main city. Beware! The path to reach the falls is a bit tricky (and lately been rumoured to be very littered! 🙁 ). You have to go down a steep that is often very slippery, so good hiking shoes might be a good idea. Despite all the struggle, the fall is still worth the effort.

Crazy House

Get ready to spend some good time in the crazy house. Designed by a Soviet-trained architect, Dang Viet Nga, the fanciful structured house is a place worth going. Located 3,1 km from Da Lat train station, it should be easy to get to. The unique thing about this place is the odd yet satisfying structure of the building. The original name of this building is Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery although people started calling it crazy house because of its design. Build up with more than a dozen room in the building; every single room is created with a different theme. Don’t forget to take pictures here and impress everyone back home. Entry fees are 20.000 VND.

How to Get to Vietnam

It is relatively easy to get to and from Vietnam; especially for the three main airports. The two main international airports, Noi Bai Airport (HAN) in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. There exists a smaller airport for international passengers at Da Nang Airport (DAD), in Da Nang close to Hoi An. There also exist several small domestic airports scattered across Vietnam.

As we flew from Copenhagen Airport (CPH), we had to have a stopover in Bangkok International Airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) before we flew to Hanoi. We did take flights between Hanoi and Hué and Hué to Ho Chi Minh City, from where we flew back to Bangkok.

Between Hanoi and Halong Bay, we were picked up at our hotel and transported by minibus to the ferry. We took a private car between Hué and Hoi An and back again.

How to Get Around Vietnam

Vietnam is a charming destination for foreigners. The amount of tourist who visited Vietnam in 2016 was a staggering 10.01 million [1] and increased to nearly 15,5 million in 2018. Tourists from all around the world are pouring in to get a glimpse. Probably because of the vast and unparalleled beauty of Vietnam, its culture and people. You have the option to view Vietnam through various means of transportation mode; ranging from aeroplane, train, bus, and tuk-tuk. It mostly depends on your preference, budget, time and passion for adventure.

VIETNAM BY AIR: Vietnam has several international and domestic airports. It will set you back as low as USD 50 if you book your flight in advance. Most of the international flights arrive in either Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, although some land in Danang.

The international airline companies that fly to or away from Vietnam are Singaporean Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Thai Airway, Air Asia, Jet Star, Hong Kong Airlines and of course, the Vietnamese Airline.

VIETNAM BY TRAIN: You will be surprised to know that trains are more expensive than buses. Trains are very comfortable and provide (usually) on-time services; Reunification Express runs through multiple destinations in Vietnam. For example, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh by Reunification Express takes a little over 30 hours and will set you back between USD 50-100. You will be able to catch up on your sleep (or blogging?) while lying on a soft air-conditioned berth. It is the best option if you are on a budget or in no hurry – you even skip the cost of accommodation. It’s a win-win. Moreover, it’s way better for the environment by going by train than air when factoring in the carbon footprint.

VIETNAM BY BUS: Is the best choice for you if you are a daredevil and want to get out of your comfort zone. Vietnam has many bumpy and rickety roads and leaves you hanging on the cliff (literally!) several times. A 250 km travel can take as much as 8 or 9 hours.

Backpackers can avail Open Bus Tour services. If you are travelling on a shoestring, this might be your best option. Take a window seat and check out the different places on your journey. These buses are air conditioned and (mostly) arrive on time. Take care of your stuff; Don’t fall asleep with your phone in the hand unless you have made a spit-handshake with your fellow backpacker to guard your things as you might end up losing it. Stay cautious!

VIETNAM BY MOTORCYCLE: You can rent your own motorcycle to ride in the chaotic roads of Vietnam and experience the outback, and the lesser travelled places. I would love to hear from you if you have done this; which areas did you visit, how much did it cost, how many days and any risky things I should know of? You have to remember, that I need to convince The Wife 😉 .

Before renting, thoroughly check the vehicle. Make sure there is no problem. And confirm your price before taking the vehicle for a ride.

How to Say Hello in Vietnamese

You don’t have to depend on the level of English in this city, only a few phrases of English is spoken here. Many hotels and tour guides speak very well English, although you may consider trying out a Vietnamese phrase book. The language is tonal, so you may not get the pronunciations quite well. Your best bet is to use the international language of bodily gesticulation 😉

1	2	3
Hello	Xin chào	sin jòw
Goodbye	Tạm biệt	daạm bee-ụht
Yes	Vâng (North) Dạ (South)	yạ kawm
Please	Làm ơn	laàm ern
Thank you	Cảm ơn	ğaảm ern
Excuse me	Xin lỗi	sin lõy
How are you?	Có khỏe không	ğáw kwả kawm
What’s your name?	Tên là gì	den laà zeè
My name is	Tên tôi là …	den doy laà …
Do you speak English?	Bạn có nói được tiếng Anh không	baạn ğó nóy đuhr·ẹrk díng aang kawm
I (don’t) understand	Tôi (không) hiểu	doy (kawm) heẻ·oo

(Our) Two Week Vietnam Travel Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival Hanoi

• Upon arrival transfer to hotel
• A casual walk around the Old Quarter just to get an idea of the city
• Food and sleep (Long journey from Denmark)!

DAY 2: Around Hanoi

• The Huc Bridge
• Hoan Kiem Lake
• Ngoc Son Temple
• Weekend Night Market
• Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
• Barbecue at Ta Hien Street
• Closed Streets of Hanoi (Weekends)

DAY 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay

• Pick-up at hotel
• Embark on V’Spirit Classic Cruise
• Sung Sot Cave
• Titov island
• Sunset Party
• Fish for squid

DAY 4: Halong Bay to Hanoi to Hué

• Tai Chi exercises
• Kayak
• passing Ba Hang fishing village and Dog Islet
• Fruit carving and Cooking class
• Transfer back to Hanoi
• Hanoi to Hué by air

DAY 5: Hué to Hoi An

• Early morning walk at the market
• Private car to Hoi An
• Hai Van Pass
• Marble Mountains
• Lang Co Beach
• Cau Hai Lagoon
• Eat, eat and eat

DAY 6: Hoi An

• Suit and dress @ Hoi An Silk
• Japanese Bridge
• Bicycle trip around town
• Spa hotel
• Shopping
• Happy hour at the pool
• Night market

DAY 7: Hoi An to Hué

• River cruise
• Bicycling Hue Citadel

DAY 8: Hué

• Motorbike trip
• Tomb of Khải Định
• ​Lăng Minh Mạng
• Chùa Thiên Mụ

DAY 9: Hué

• Relax

DAY 10: Hué to ho Chi Minh City

• Pool swimming on rooftop
• Photographing thunderstorm

DAY 11: Chi Minh City

• Cu Chi Tunnels Day Trip

DAY 12: Ho Chi Minh City onwards to Bangkok, Thailand

• Flight to Bangkok, Thailand

What ot Eat in Vietnam

Vietnam has no doubt, some of the best food in the world. Being an agricultural country and therefore, rice plays a very crucial role in Vietnamese cuisine. You will find many hotels offering different types of rice dishes like porridge, steamed rice, rice cakes, rice crisps and so much more. You will be surprised to know that rice is even used for worshipping in some temples. The fertile soil and the regional weather of Vietnam results in the production of many fresh fruit and vegetables.

Pho
This is one of the most famous dishes of Vietnamese cuisine. We had Pho two times in two cities. Made of noodles that are complemented with other fresh and tasty ingredients, it was invented in the 20th century, inspired by the classic French broth. It looks like a simple bowl of noodle topped with some items, but in reality, it is much more complicated. It is very satisfying and delicious. It is served by local street vendors and by top restaurants as well.

Banh mi
You will come across many Banh mi in Vietnam which means bread. It is served with a variety of tasty fillings. When walking down the streets of Hanoi, we spotted many food carts offering the delicious Banh mi sandwiches. There was hardly a street that didn’t have these sandwiches.

Egg coffee
Have you ever had an egg coffee before? Well, you are about to taste it in Vietnam if you dare. This is without a doubt, the tastiest coffee I had in Vietnam. It is made of egg yolk, sugar and condensed milk and is served either hot or cold. It is found in many cafes; especially in Hanoi. You can even get your coffee with some tasty toppings like chocolate, green beans or cherries. To be honest, it was a bit heavy than the usual coffee. But, it is still worth the try.

Bun Rieu
Vietnam is also famous for soups. Bun Rieu is another tasty dish we had during our stay in Vietnam. It is a type of broth made from crab base stock and tomatoes. It gives an exquisite taste of seafood and is sweet in flavour, but due to the tomatoes, it has some tartness to it. There is also some rice vinegar in it to give the broth a slight sour touch. Noodles are added after the broth has been made and topped with either tofu or meatballs.

How Much Does It Cost Travelling Vietnam

Here is a summary of expenses in Vietnam where you can get an idea and to form your budget according to it. These are average prices of specific things and activities in Vietnam although the prices can vary from place to place. Please note, that in peak periods the price can go up. An average daily expenditure will be according to the list given below:

• One night stay in a ho(s)tel: $8 to $50
• Lunch/Dinner @ local vietnamese restaurant: From $2-$5
• Bottle of water: $0,3
• Vietnamese coffee: $0,8
• Local beer: $0,9
• Halong Bay Cruise (2 nights): $130
• Thang Long Water Puppet Show: 100.000 vnd
• Cu Chi Tunnels: $10

Who Should Visit Vietnam

I might be going out on a limb here, but Vietnam is for everyone. It has everything. If you are a

• backpacker you can catch the overnight train from place to place.
• an adventurist you can either fetch a motorbike, trek the mountains or even do Sapa, go snorkeling, kite-surfing etc.
• ordinary, but a selective tourist, you have plenty of options to fly from city to city and stay at 4 or 5 starred hotels; visiting either cosmopolitan Hoi An, a relaxing Ha Long Bay cruise or get a western cup of coffee at Starbucks in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Risks of Travelling to Vietnam

As always, The Wife needs an updated risk identification of hazards involved when travelling to a foreign land. Luckily, Vietnam is very safe to both backpack and travel. Usually, The Wife has a hard time going by plane, but she felt safe when going from destination to destination. Even more so, when we were going from Hoi An to Hué by private car and the driver on occasion slipped his eyes off the road and glanced at his mobile phone. The car got crossed more and more over to the wrong side of the lane, and a truck almost hit us. If we keep up this track record with going by land from the destination when we are travelling, The Wife might soon be cured of her flight anxiety! 😉

Rural Vietnam is relatively safer than urban Vietnam if you are travelling to these destinations. The usual street robbery, theft and con men are also present, but just take the usual precautions, and you will have a blast in this beautiful land. An annoying (for the locals), but effective method, is to ask for prices of several vendors, tour operators, fares etc. before making a booking or buying something. They might get a little upset, but it gives a better overview of the baseline of the prices.

1. CORRUPTION
The international monitoring group Transparency International has rated Vietnam as one of the most corrupt nations in Asia so if you forgot your international driver license and the fine from the police officer is usually $10 – don’t be surprised if the officer tries to get $20!

2. STREET ROBBERY
Look out for thieves, pickpockets and petty theft; especially in crowded touristy areas.

3. SCAMS
Rumors are that Vietnam probably has the most scams and there are no limits to what people would try to overcharge tourists. Sometimes up to 10 or 50 times more than average prices.

4. TROPICAL DISEASES
Tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are endemic in rural Vietnam.

5. SEA CREATURES
Swimming, snorkelling or (scuba)­diving can lead to unpleasant encounters with dangerous sea creatures; jellyfish, stonefish, scorpion fish, sea snakes and stingrays. Look out if you’re not in familiar and safe areas!

6. TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
You need to re-think your whole experience of how to cross the road. Sometimes, you feel like Sandra Bullock in Bird Box and everything seems irrational! Going by car, bus or motorbike is also not risk-free!

7. UNDETONATED EXPLOSIVES
Huh… Never thought I would add that in any risk matrix! American estimates at the end of the war that the quantity of unexploded ordnance was 150.000 tonnes.

Notes and References

Note 1: Tourism in Vietnam, Wikipedia.