Vietnam is my favorite Asian country after Thailand. I’ve been to Vietnam twice and I absolutely loved it. It’s one of the countries I’d go back to without hesitation. The food in Vietnam is also out of this world. Keep reading so you can make Vietnam your favorite Asian country to visit too!
I flew with a budget airline from Bangkok to Hanoi and checked into our hotel. Once in Hanoi, you can opt for a city tour booked through Agoda or rent a bike to explore on your own. We chose the city tour. We started our day with Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) at a local shop. The city tour covered Hoan Kiem Lake, Dong Xuan Market, the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Temple of Literature, and the prison complex. For lunch, we enjoyed a bowl of bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli noodles).
In the evening, we went on a street food tour, sampling local dishes like Banh Xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake), Nem (spring rolls), and Bun Thang (Vietnamese noodle soup with shredded chicken, pork, and egg). We then visited Train Street to watch the train crossing while sipping on egg and salt coffees. Be sure to check the train timetable before you go, as trains come at specific times. Purchasing something at the cafes is mandatory to view the train crossing from them. We were in food heaven!
Later, we enjoyed a traditional water puppet show, explored the Old Quarter, and visited the night market before returning to our hotel.
There are two ways to explore Ha Long Bay: an organized day trip from Hanoi or an overnight stay on a boat. We chose the day trip, and here’s how you can do it too. Book an organized tour on Agoda. The tour representative will pick you up early in the morning around 7 AM for the 3-hour drive to Ha Long Bay.
Upon arrival, the tour provider will handle ticket formalities and get you onboard the cruise boat. The cruise offers refreshments, lunch, and snacks. Throughout the day, we enjoyed stunning ocean views, explored beautiful caves like Sung Sot Cave, and went kayaking through the limestone karsts. The sunset on our way back was breathtaking. We returned to the port around 6 PM and were back at the hotel by 10 PM.
The next day, we chose a day trip to Ninh Binh. Alternatively, you could visit Sapa, known for its rice fields and greenery. The trip to Ninh Binh takes about 2-3 hours. We started at the Trang An Landscapes, famous for its scenic views and river caves. You can cycle here, enjoying the waterways, limestone caves, and ancient temples.
Next, we explored Tam Coc-Bich Dong, known as “Ha Long Bay on Land.” We took a sampan boat tour along the Ngo Dong River, surrounded by limestone cliffs and rice paddies, and saw three natural caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. After a tour-provided lunch, we hiked Mua Cave, climbing over 500 steps to a viewpoint with a majestic dragon carved from stone.
Afterward, we visited the Bai Dinh Pagoda before returning to Hanoi. Alternatively, consider staying longer in Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, or Sapa to explore more.
The next day, we checked out and caught an early flight to Da Nang. From the Da Nang airport, we booked a cab to Hoi An and checked into our hotel there. We started off the day by renting bicycles from our hotel and exploring the old town. We rode through narrow streets lined with centuries-old buildings, traditional shops, and lantern-adorned alleyways. Make sure you see the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Tan Ky Old House. We then stopped by a cafe for coconut coffees and had Banh Bao Vac (white rose dumplings) for lunch.
In the afternoon, we booked a tour to Cam Thanh Village for the coconut jungle adventure. As the tour began, we hopped onto traditional bamboo basket boats, also known as “Thung Chai.” They took us around the water coconut jungle, and we were also able to try a spin in the coconut boats. Do keep in mind that it spins really fast, and you will get dizzy quickly. Also, wear pants if you are considering going for this spin!
In the evening, we took a sunset boat ride along the Thu Bon River to see the lantern festival. The illuminated lanterns reflecting on the water is a beautiful sight to watch.
Once done, we grabbed dinner at a restaurant nearby before returning to our hotel.
Hoi An is also known for its amazing tailors, who can stitch clothes according to your preferences in just a few hours. So if you want to get something made for you or have been eyeing those fancy-looking clothes on Pinterest, this is the right place to get them made.
Alternatively, you could also book an overnight bus from Hanoi to Da Nang. The overnight buses in Vietnam are very cool and definitely worth the experience.
The next day, we started at 6 AM to get to the Ba Na Hills. We booked a private car to take us there early, ahead of the tour groups that usually start arriving around 8 AM, so we could take nice pictures without the crowd. Alternatively, you could consider staying at the Golden Bridge itself if you want to avoid the crowds. Once there, we bought the tickets, which included a buffet lunch with options for Korean, Japanese, American, or Indian cuisine, and took the cable car ride to the summit.
At the summit, we explored the Golden Bridge and got some great pictures. We then visited Fantasy Park and played all the free arcade games before going on the Alpine Coaster. The coaster was amazing and is a must-try at Ba Na Hills. We also explored the Debay Wine Cellar, the French Village, and the Linh Ung Pagoda before returning to the entrance point via the cable car. Our driver promptly picked us up and drove us to our hotel in Da Nang.
It was almost late evening when we arrived, so we rented a bike and explored Da Nang city a little bit. We rode through the Dragon Bridge and the Han River Bridge, ending the day with pho for dinner and a stroll along My Khe Beach.
The next day, we checked out and flew to the capital city of Ho Chi Minh (HCM). HCM is like any other city but with its own unique charm. On our first day in HCM, we opted for a day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, where you can see and experience the extensive networks of underground tunnels. You can crawl through narrow passageways and learn about the guerrilla tactics employed by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. Afterward, we went on a small cruise through the Mekong Delta before returning to our hotel.
At night, we visited the Bitexco Sky Deck, one of the tallest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City, to enjoy some drinks with a view. Afterward, we experienced the nightlife in District 1.
The next day, we had our flights back home later in the evening, so we used the whole day to explore the city. We visited the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace, and the Saigon Opera House. Don’t worry too much about transport, as all of these places are within walking distance from each other.
We then went on a mini street food tour to try out dishes like pho, banh mi, bun cha, and fresh spring rolls before catching our flight back home.
