Vietnam is one of my favourite countries and for good reason. It has some of the best food, stunning scenery, cool activities, and immaculate vibes. Here are my recommendations for the country going from north to south so you can do them in this order or just choose the standouts based on how much time you have. Completing all of this would take about 3-4 weeks.
What to Do
Cruise Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba – Book a one or two-night cruise through the stunning limestone karsts. The boat will include stops to get off to see the views and do some activities.
Ha Giang Loop – Spend three nights and four days on a motorbike through rural north Vietnam. You can drive the route yourself or have an easy rider drive you. In the evenings party with the group at your homestay. I booked the tour through Mama’s Homestay but there are many other tour groups for you to choose from. It’s an unforgettable experience!
Trek in Sapa – After the loop, you can head to Sapa and stay in the town or at a homestay and complete some treks through the mountainous rice terraces.
Cooking Class or Food Tour – These can be completed all over the country, but one of the main places is in Hoi An. The best food tour I’ve ever done was in Ho Chi Minh City with XO Tours where you are taken around the city on motorbikes to try various dishes.
Hit the Beach – Compared to the rest of SE Asia this country isn’t known for having the best beaches, but it still has plenty of good ones throughout the country.
Get Clothes Custom-made in Hoi An – If you have a few days here definitely take advantage of getting clothes perfectly made for you at an affordable price.
Visit the Vietnam War Museum – If you visit Ho Chi Minh this is a must to get a glimpse into the horrors of the Vietnam War. It’s a heavy topic but it’s important. If you’re brave enough (I wasn’t) you can also visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to immerse yourself in the topic more deeply.
What To See
Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam has a lot to offer for food and vibes, and acts as a hub to enter or leave the country and set off on tours from
Sapa – Some of the best Rice Terraces you’ll ever see and outstanding mountain views, especially if you take the cable car to the top of Fansipan, the highest point in Indochina. Visit Cat Cat Village if you have time.
Ha Long Bay – deemed a Unesco World Heritage site for a reason, this area is something to see
Ninh Binh – referred to as Ha Long Bay on land. You can ride bicycles around the area, visit temples, go on a riverboat, and climb 500 steps to a viewpoint (ideally for sunset) – prepare to be wowed.
Phong Na National Park – A region known for caves having three of the five largest caves in the world.
Hoi An – Most people who visit here would agree it’s the best city in Vietnam. A backpacker paradise with many young travellers and activities. The old town is iconic with all the lanterns and alleyways
Ho Chi Minh City – The biggest city and business hub of the country has a more upscale vibe with less charm but still has plenty to offer
What to Eat
Banh Mi – french bread with meat, pate, and veg
Pho – the most well-known Vietnamese beef noodle soup
Bun Cha – grilled fatty pork served with broth, rice noodles, and herbs
Cao lau – a popular dish from Hoi An typically served with pork, rice noodles. and greens
Egg Coffee (Ca phe trung) – a thick creamy coffee made with egg yolk, sugar, and condensed milk
Coffee with Coconut – Vietnamese coffee with an ice coconut slush
Where to Stay
Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel – super comfy beds with a staircase to get to the top bunks
Central Backpackers Hostel, Phong Nha – there’s a pool with nice views and plenty of tour options to see caves and go to the duck stop
Fuse Old Town, Hoi An – a fun hostel in a good location with a free shuttle to the beach multiple times every day
Lustig Hostel, Sapa – The highlight here is the included breakfast, and is a good option if you’re looking to stay right in town but be warned the beds are a little hard. I still suggest trying to find a homestay in this area as I regret not doing so but I still had a great time
Airbnb – many affordable, lovely Airbnb options if you’re looking for some privacy or are travelling with a group. The picture above is at a condo we booked in Ho Chi Minh City with a rooftop pool