We had given ourselves 10 days in Vietnam, thinking ‘Yep, that should probably be enough’. It wasn’t. We made it work because we had too, but I think we missed some of the key spots that you should probably add to your list. Here’s a breakdown of how we spent our short time in one of our favourite countries in the world. If you’ve got 10 days, start with this. If you’ve got 14, that’s better.
Day 1-2 Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital the city of Vietnam is where we started our Vietnam adventures. Makes sense since this is the largest city of the North and has an international airport. It’s pretty easy to catch a taxi into town from the airport if you’re arriving by air. Just keep all the things in mind you’ve heard before about Vietnam and taxis – Make sure the metres on and follow your route by GPS on your phone.
Hanoi is pretty hectic for a first-timer and you’ll soon get used to walking on the road, given footpaths are for everything other than feet. You’ll learn to expect scooters to zip out of alley ways (which hide a neighbourhood behind the street) and to make the most of egg coffee, as you’ll probably never experience anything like it again.
The lakeside comes to life on the weekend and it’s the place to be for locals and tourists a-like. You’ll see all sorts of fun and frivolity, including groups of girls in traditional dress being followed around by photographers. Apparently that’s a thing.
Make the most of 30c local beers at Beer Corner and ice-cream (Kem), for just as cheap, hidden away in alley-ways down near the French Quarter. Explore the heaving markets of Dong Xuan, walk the railway until you make it to Long Bien Bridge, where you’ll experience beautiful country side views just minutes from the crazy streets of town.
We stayed in the old town and suggest you do the same. It’s just the most convenient and in walking distance of pretty much everything. More details on Hanoi here
Day 3-4 Halong Bay
Ha Long Bay is one of those places everyone has seen the pictures of and put on their bucket list. We booked our over-night (as that’s all you need) trip via www.saigoncafetravel.com a couple of weeks prior. We were picked up by the tour operator from our guest house in Hanoi,driven the three or so hours in a comfortable mini-van with other tourists just like us. We booked the IMPERIAL CLASSIC CRUISE 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT DISCOVERING HALONG BAY and ended up on a slightly different boat, but it turned out to be exactly what we were after. I’d say they just fill the boat as and when they can, with a multitude of vendors running the same waters. So probably just head straight for Lemon Cruise, where we ended up paying around VND2,230,000. Not all boats are created equal and offer different things so make sure you do your research. Ours was perfect for making some new friends, enjoying cocktails on the deck and laughing uncontrollably at banter between an Australian mother and a German backpacker.
It was midday by the time we departed from Ha Long city, the growing city on the shores of Ha Long Bay and headed first to Ban Chan beach for swimming and kayaking, followed by a lazy retreat to the sheltered bays just in time for sunset. If you’re lucky like us you’ll have an awesome guide who’s pretty chilled and goes with the flow and group consensus. On the morning of day two there will be plenty of time to chill, a visit to a cave and no doubt some Spring Roll making-type activity. Meals were generous and did the trick (nothing amazing) and there will definitely be a bar on board, with a barman who somehow manages to get your bill exactly right when you disembark
Day 4-7 Hoi An
One of the most beautiful towns you’ll ever meet. It’s no wonder tourists flock to the well-preserved Ancient Town to explore the streets lined with wooden Chinese shophouses and French colonial buildings. (You’ll pay a small fee for a couple of day pass). There’s lanterns for Africa, a gorgeous canal structure and tailor shops like you’ll never again see. We stayed about 3km outside of the old town and enjoyed the bike ride in each day to explore the shops, eat the amazing food and immerse ourselves in the history and culture. I would totally recommend New Sunshine Homestay which we booked through booking.com (our go-to).
I’m not going to lie, but we spent most of our time here walking between eateries and cafes, as we couldn’t get enough of the amazing food. When we weren’t eating or walking somewhere to eat, we cycled to the beach (make sure you pick a nice day), explored the Tra Que vegetable village, rode in Basket boats, shopped, had custom shoes made and enjoyed every minute we could of our fave place in Vietnam. Head over to our next post on Hoi An here
Day 7-8 Ho Chi Minh
If you thought Hanoi was mental, then you’ve got something else coming. Ho Chi Minh is Hanoi on drugs. We talked to some other tourists who to avoid crossing a busy road, caught a cab from one side of a round-about to another. You think this is crazy? You probably haven’t been to Ho Chi Minh yet.
You could easily spend a day wandering. Another day checking out the War Remnants Museum (we didn’t bother) and must-see sites – the post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace and at least half a day in the Binh Thahn market. We opted for some less-touristed places too, the likes of the 3A Alternative Art Area, where you’ll see some hipster shops and the start of a groovy little space frequented by cool kids and street art.
Any time you’re not getting lost walking the streets. You’ll be eating. We’ll tell you more about eating here.
Day 9 – Mekong Delta
I’ve heard of people booking over-night’s here and all sorts, but I reckon if you truly have your heart set on a trip to the Mekong (which we did), just make it a day trip. Trips are easy to book once you’re in Ho Chi Minh and probably cheaper than you’d get anywhere online. We booked at a travel agent, An Travel, just round the corner from our hotel Rooms@Saigon and they gave us decent rates on both this day trip and the Cu Chi tunnels which we planned to do the next day.
It’s a couple of hours to the Mekong Delta. You’ll be taken on a tourist guided exploration of villages, floating markets and be sung to by local folk singers (probably the most awkward 15 minutes of your life). You’ll have an opportunity to buy ‘the hat’, sample the confectionary and donate to the ladies who will push your wooden boat down a very tiny canal. You’ll see a side of life you won’t see in the city. Whether I’d do it again? probably not. Am I glad we went? Yep.
Day 10 – Ho Chi Minh
Because you’ve got a day to kill before you fly out in the late evening, make sure you take the trip to Cu Chi Tunnels, you’ll learn a lot. We purchased our tour once we arrive in Ho Chi Minh and they picked us up from around the corner from the hotel. You’ll take a bus to the tunnels (via a tourist trap or two) and arrive for a couple of hours of learning about a war that seemed such a long time ago before you visited, and not that long ago after you’d been. It’s crazy to see how some Vietnamese people lived during the war and how life above ground is so much more comfortable than below.
Where to go if you’ve got an extra couple of days:
Sapa or Sa Pa
Everyone we spoke to raved about the beautiful northern province of Sapa – A backpacker and trekkers dream. Head north on the train and spend some time amongst the countryside and with local families.
Phu Quoc
“Honeymooners dream”, they said. “You should definitely go there”, they said. I wish we had. In Vietnam’s southern most extreme lies Phu Quoc. It sounds like the perfect pace to unwind after a hectic trip in this fast-paced little country.
Hue
Huế is a city in central Vietnam that hosts a hoard of history. The photos you see look gorgeous and you might even find an excuse to ride on the back of a motorbike to get there, if you need an excuse that is.