From the scent of sizzling street food to the hush of ancient temples, Vietnam is a symphony of contrast — bold yet serene, fast yet reflective. Whether you’re a slow traveler or a city-hopper, this S-shaped beauty of Southeast Asia has something that will leave an imprint on your soul.
Join the Wanderlust Family
Experience Travel Like Never Before!
Get Heavy discounts on
Annual Membership
Join the Wanderlust Family
Experience Travel Like Never Before!
Get Heavy discounts on
Annual Membership
🇻🇳 Trip Overview
- Trip Duration: 3 weeks
- Route: Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Da Nang → Hue → Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) → Mekong Delta
- Best Time to Visit: March to April or October to November (pleasant weather, fewer crowds)
🧳 Packing Essentials
- Loose, breathable clothing (linen, cotton)
- Light jacket for cooler evenings in the north
- Rain poncho (especially if visiting between May–October)
- Power bank and universal adapter
- Google Translate & Grab app for transport
- Reusable water bottle and eco-friendly toiletries
🗺️ Hanoi – The Soul of the North
The city thrums with life. In the Old Quarter, every street specializes in something — from silver to silk. Get ready for:
- Bún Chả at a local stall (Obama ate it here!)
- Train Street: Trains pass inches from your coffee table (visit early morning for fewer crowds)
- Temple of Literature: A serene escape amid chaos
- Egg Coffee at Giang Café — creamy, warm, unforgettable
🚣♀️ Ninh Binh – The “Ha Long Bay on Land”
A couple of hours from Hanoi, this underrated gem offers towering limestone cliffs, lush rice paddies, and sleepy riverside villages.
- Trang An boat tour (choose the longest route!)
- Hang Múa viewpoint: A steep climb to a jaw-dropping panorama
- Stay in a homestay surrounded by rice fields for the full zen vibe
⛵ Ha Long Bay – Floating Through Dreamscapes
One of Vietnam’s most iconic natural wonders, dotted with over 1,600 limestone islands.
- 2D1N cruise with kayaking, cave exploration, and sunset deck dinners
- Bai Tu Long Bay for a quieter, more exclusive experience
- Wake up to misty mornings and birdsong on the water
Explore the World with Us
Become a Travel Insider for Perks
Explore the World with Us
Become a Travel Insider for Perks
🌸 Hội An – The Timeless Town of Lanterns
A UNESCO World Heritage town that looks like a watercolor painting.
- Tailor-made clothes at Yaly Couture or BeBe
- Release a paper lantern on the river with a wish
- Join a cooking class for Cao Lầu (a local noodle dish)
- Explore An Bang Beach for lazy sunsets and chilled cocktails
🌉 Da Nang – Modern Seaside & Marble Peaks
Often overshadowed, Da Nang is the perfect balance of modern city life and natural wonders.
- Chill at My Khe Beach with fresh coconuts
- Visit the Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands in Ba Na Hills
- Marvel at the Marble Mountains and their hidden caves
- Taste Mi Quang — turmeric noodles with shrimp, peanuts, and fresh herbs
🏯 Hue – Imperial Grandeur & Tranquility
Once the capital of Vietnam, Hue is rich with ancient relics and poetic charm.
- Imperial Citadel with crumbling beauty and ancient halls
- Perfume River boat rides at dusk
- Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh — where East meets West in design
- Try Bún Bò Huế — spicy beef noodle soup with lemongrass
🎧 Soundtrack suggestion: Play soft lo-fi or traditional Vietnamese music during a Perfume River sunset cruise.
🌆 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Urban Pulse & Hidden Corners
This city is fast, flashy, and fiercely addictive.
- Visit The War Remnants Museum — a sobering but vital history lesson
- Climb up to Bitexco Skydeck for skyline views
- Experience street food night tours via motorbike
- Try Cơm Tấm (broken rice) and Bánh Xèo (crispy pancake)
🚣♂️ Mekong Delta – Life on the Water
A few hours from the city, the Mekong shows you rural life in all its floating charm.
- Cruise through Cai Rang Floating Market
- Visit coconut candy workshops and lush fruit orchards
- Enjoy fresh grilled fish wrapped in lotus leaves
📱 Useful Apps for Vietnam
- Grab (Uber equivalent for bikes, taxis, and food)
- Google Translate (especially voice mode!)
- Maps.me (offline maps for remote areas)
- Currency Converter (Vietnamese Dong can get confusing)
- Zalo (popular local messaging app)
🧘 Things I Learned Along the Way
- Vietnamese hospitality is unmatched. Locals will go out of their way to help.
- Always carry small cash — many places don’t accept cards.
- Take your time. The real beauty is in the in-between moments — sipping tea in silence, hearing the rustle of palm trees, or watching paper lanterns drift gently into the night.
- Don’t be afraid to get lost — the best gems are the unplanned ones.
🌅 Final Thoughts
Vietnam isn’t just a destination — it’s a feeling. It’s waking up to roosters in the countryside, or dancing under neon signs in Saigon. It’s the quiet kindness of strangers, the heat of chili in your bowl, and the sense that, somehow, this place knows how to stay with you.
Pack light, bring your curiosity, and let Vietnam unfold for you — one scooter ride, one bowl of noodles, one sunset at a time.
Would you like this adapted into a PDF travel guide, a blog template for WordPress or Notion, or formatted for Instagram carousels and Reels?
