Vietnam had been on our travel wish-list for some time, not only because it was where Hai was born but because almost every traveler we met raved about it, and we can understand why. We spent three weeks traveling from the south to the north. It's do-able but we'd recommend a month if you have it to cover the long distances and account for delays. Here are our top picks from our time in this wonderfully chaotic and colorful nation.
1. Go South
The Mekong Delta region is worth the trip south from Ho Chi Minh City. Not only is there a super-relaxed vibe, but you'll eat some of the most delicious food Vietnam has to offer, the kind that makes you want to lick your plate clean or slurp every last mouthful of broth from your finished noodle soup. Don't even get me started on the coffee: hands down the best we tasted in the country.
2. Get to know Vietnam's war history from the Vietnamese perspective
Vietnam is much more than a war, but you can't put what you experience in the country into context without knowing something about it. And there are many opportunities to get in touch with Vietnam's war past.
While it is super touristy and you'll be herded around like cattle, take a tour of the Củ Chi tunnels on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City to experience the underground guerrilla network for yourself. Crawling through the hot and narrow tunnels will give you a momentary sense of what conditions must have been like during conflict. Then learn more about the Vietnam War and the effects of Agent Orange at Ho Chi Minh's War Remnants Museum. It's not an easy visit, but you'll come out humbled about the gravity of war and its ongoing legacy. Most Củ Chi tunnel tours swing by the War Remnants Museum on the way back for those who'd like to make it a full day outing.
Downed B52, Hanoi, Vietnam.
3. Get a bus from your bus
Most bus companies operate a free shuttle service from bus stations to your hotel in town. They are usually unmarked and unpublicized to foreigners so that the taxi services inevitably waiting for you as soon as you step out of the bus can make their dong out of you. Watch the locals and follow their lead. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for the buses/vans to come, so don't be put off by the empty bus station and save yourself a most likely inflated trip into town.
4. Take a free walking tour in Hanoi
Want to experience the capital from a local's perspective without paying for and joining a tour group? Then check out Hanoi Free Walking Tours. They are a student-run organization who provide free English guiding services around the city. While they have some itineraries on their website, these are just as some inspiration. You can go wherever you like for a full or half day depending on your interests. You'll just need to cover the costs of the student(s) – admission fees, lunch etc and any tips you may want to give. The tour is always private even if you are a solo traveler so you can be sure to have a very personalized experience and lots of interaction with your new friend(s).
5. Whatever you do, get to Sapa
Sapa is not only one of the most spectacular places you will ever see, but it is so different to other parts of Vietnam that you won't have truly experienced all that the country has to offer without going here. Go straight to the locals for a true village homestay experience and we promise you won't regret it.
Great article Jess. I have been to Hanoi so many times and did not know there is a downed B52 in the lake. That’s so cool. I have moved back here last year and have a few tips for those who want to travel to Vietnam as well.
1. When crossing the street, be patient and don’t panic. Let the motorbike avoid you.
2. Withdraw money from foreign bank ATMs for larger amount and avoid transaction fees.
3. Exchange money at jewelry shops in city centers for better rates.
4. Avoid Tet holiday which is end of Jan and early February. Its empty in big cities like Hanoi and HCMC but super crowded with local tourists in hotspots such as Hoi An and Nha Trang. Prices are all marked up during this period
5. Book an Uber instead of Taxis. Uber price is half price of local taxis.
6. Have your clothes tailored and don’t be afraid to bargain.
7. When you have massages, make sure to ask them if tips are compulsory. A lot of masseurs ask you for tips and make you feel guilty telling you that your tips are their only source of income.
Great travel blog with great pictures Jessica.
Vietnam is an amazing country to travel in. Sapa and Halong Bay are my personal favorites!
Good tips, Jessica Korteman. You have a lot of knowledges and experiences in Vietnam. We can recommend our tourist with your tips. Thank you so much :)
wow. they are my friends from university in Vietnam. Hope you have such a great time in Vietnam
Nice tips.. Planning to visit Vietnam early next year.. Thanks a lot..
Thank you, Tina! Hope it helps you to plan your trip. You’re going to have a wonderful time!
Very nice experience to fo HAnoi tour with young students
For sure! We had such a great time with them! :)
Great tips for visiting a beautiful country! We were lucky enough to visit Vietnam twice in the last couple of years and it is definitely one of our favorite countries. We never made it to Sapa but we’ll put it on the list for next time. We did do a motorcycle tour through the southern half of the country and we definitely recommend it. It was an incredible experience!
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks so much. It’s definitely right up there at the top of the list for us too. Your motorcycle tour sounds amazing. Certainly an incredible way to see the country and get right in the thick of it.
Love your blog and your photos are stunning. Really looking forward to following your adventures. It seems we have quite a lot in common; it would be wonderful to meet somewhere on the road one of these days.
All the very best as you prepare to leave Japan. Can relate so much to how you feel about this. Sending you positive vibes! :)
Sorry, perhaps I read your post wrong. Will you actually be staying for one more year now?
It seems we do have a lot in common! My husband is also Vietnamese, super cool! Yea, we will be in Japan for about another 8 months or so for a total of 4 years as well. We really don’t want to leave either! We really look forward to following your adventures as well and perhaps we shall meet on the road one day :). – Stephanie
Both Huynh’s too! :) I’m sure our paths will cross at some point. Until then, happy to connect in the virtual world. :) – Jess
Vietnam is definitely on our wanderlust list! It seems like a magical place.
It’s one of our favourites :)
For a great perspective of the war history, a visit to Quang Tri province is essential. Forget a tour out of Hue but travel to Dong Ha instead and get a private tour guide from there for the same price. You get to see what you want, have a true insight into how the war affected the area and you won’t be rushed around in a crowded minibus.
Also, I would recommend Ha Giang over Sapa. The town is like a theme park and many of the local ethnic traditions have been diluted with the western influence and the influx of money to the area. Whilst there are hidden places with many ‘authentic’ experiences, these are hard to find. Ha Giang offers arguably more spectacular scenery, peace, traditional ethnic villages, few tourists and the best trekking in the country. Sapa is definitely somewhere to leave out if you’re looking for somewhere different.
My other advice is to get off the tourist track on a motorbike and really see the country and you’ll be amazed by the results and the things you’ll see as well the hospitality you’ll receive.
And finally, the absolute number one place to visit is the Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park in Quang Binh province – this is an experience not be missed.
A month, in my opinion, is a minimum requirement to get a fulfilling experience of the whole country.
Hi Marc,
Thanks for your suggestions for future trips. There’s a lot to see and the longer one can spend the better.
I guess we had really different experiences in Sapa. I can see what you mean about the town succumbing to tourism. That’s why we skipped Sapa town altogether and went straight to the home of a friend of a friend, rather than a homestay through one of the tour companies that just take you a little way into the valley and to the same places.
Deeper into the valley and spending time with a local family where there is no tour schedule and you can really get to see how they live was an amazing experience. You can see some of Hai’s photos from our time there in our recent post “The Month in Photos” for July.
Our time in Sapa was really one of the highlights of our trip and for others who decided to do the same “direct homestay” experience, and so for us it was a definite on this list.