There are many incredible things to do in Vietnam.
I visited Vietnam with my sister, as part of a larger trip across South East Asia. We traveled from North to South before crossing into Cambodia. This is a country you either love or hate.
I must say it took me a while to get the hang of it. I found it to be overwhelming most of the time. There is no denying that Vietnam is crowded; traffic is insane; it is terribly dirty and polluted.
Yet, I ended up truly enjoying it. First of all, I could not get enough of the food – it’s probably the best food in the world outside of Italy (well, at least for me). Secondly, the landscapes are truly spectacular.
And once you understand how to swing the traffic and chaos of the cities, it’s all becomes like a symphony.
Curious to discover more about this South-East Asia country? Continue reading to discover the best things to do in Vietnam.
Make sure to also read my post The Best Vietnam Travel Tips.
20 Best Things To Do In Vietnam
Visit Hanoi
One of the top things to do in Vietnam is visiting Hanoi. This is an interesting city, full of life, and as Vietnamese as it gets. Traffic is frantic and noise incessant. The sidewalks are occupied by parked scooters, stalls of any kind, and impossible to walk on – forcing pedestrians to dodge the crazy traffic.
Hanoi Old Quarter is the historic heart and the commercial center of Hanoi. It is a real maze of tiny alleys, packed with small bars and lots of street food places and there are many travel agencies where you can enquire for guided tours to Ha Long Bay and Sapa. It is also where most people who visit Hanoi stay.
Among the best attractions of Hanoi, make sure not to miss the following:
HANOI TEMPLE OF LITERATURE – A great example of traditional Vietnamese architecture with a temple dedicated to Confucius built in 1070, which later became a university for the education of the mandarins. Don’t miss the stelae dedicated to all the students who received doctorates.
HOAN KIEM LAKE – It will give you a good break from traffic. The bridge that leads to the Ngoc Soc Temple is illuminated at night and a lovely sight.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM COMPLEX – Together with Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and the One Pillar Pagoda, which are not far from each other, the area is lovely – it is near all the embassies, and closed to traffic – so it is really pleasant to walk around especially on a sunny day.
To make the most of Hanoi, you may want to join a guided tour. You can book it here or here. Wanna do it by vespa? Click here.
Head over to my post 17 Fun And Unmissable Things To Do In Hanoi for a more complete guide!
Attend the Water Puppet Show
One of the top things to do in Vietnam is attending the Water Puppet show. It involves puppet being moved from under the water, in a show that explains the pillars of Vietnamese cultural beliefs. It is quite touristy, but the show is fun, it lasts just long enough to make the ticket worth it, yet not so long that one may get bored.
You can book your water puppet show here or here.
Visit the Perfume Pagoda
One of the most interesting places to visit in Vietnam is the Perfume Pagoda. When my sister and I enquired about it in Hanoi, we were actually encouraged not to go and told it is way too touristy. Well, it is – but I’d say that 99% of tourists there are actually local, so it is kind of interesting.
The Perfume Pagoda is a complex of Buddhist temples built into the limestone mountain chain of Huong Tich. There are several temples in the area, all interesting and full of people praying. The most important one is the Chua Trong which is located in a gorgeous cave.
To reach the Chua Trong temple and cave, there’s either a footpath or the cable car. You can actually walk up and then take the cable car on the way down, but beware of the terrible humidity that makes the ground completely slippery.
The cave and Chua Trong temple are gorgeous, illuminated by natural and candle light, and the view from the cable car breathtaking.
It takes about an hour and a half (depending on traffic) to get to a dock on the Yem river, from where you can hop on a wooden boat to then reach the area where the pagoda is located, another hour away.
Traditionally, women row those boats. The ride on the river is pleasant and relaxing, the views incredible. The entrance of the complex pretty much looks like a huge market with shops, restaurants, stalls, blasting music and unfortunately an incredible amount of garbage.
The easiest way to get to the Perfume Pagoda is on guided tours from Hanoi. For more information, click here.
Make sure to read my post 13 Great Day Trips From Hanoi.
Sail on Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is probably the most famous tourist attraction in Vietnam. This archipelago of over 3000 limestone islets in the Gulf of Tonkin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A trip to Ha Long Bay include activities such as fishing, kayaking around the islets, hiking and visiting the many caves that, tai chi classes, biking on the islands, seeing the sunrise (if the weather is nice), and even cooking classes.
Meals are consumed on the boat and they are usually delicious (and abundant). Cabins on the boat are quite nice – two beds and a private bathroom with hot water, and a huge window to admire the view from the comfort of the bed.
If the weather is nice, Ha Long Bay shines of an emerald green. However, keep in mind that the chances of seeing the sun are quite slim between February and April, when temperatures are typically cold and the weather drizzly. The experience is nevertheless great.
One thing to know before visiting is that Ha Long Bay is packed with tourists. The downside of uncontrolled tourist development (and of development and overcrowding in general, I’d say) is that Ha Long Bay is truly dirty and polluted (picture any sort of debris, plastic bags and garbage floating on the water).
Bai Tu Long is a bit less visited, and you may well enjoy spending a night there. The island has a lovely local feel, and it practically knows no tourism yet.
Picking a good boat to tour Ha Long Bay is hard: boats are of varying quality, rats are commonly seen even on the best ones. That’s why you are better off booking online: it’s a bit more expensive than booking the tour locally, but you can read the reviews.
New safety regulations have been adopted after a boat sinked in 2011, but lots of operators don’t abide by the rules: avoid super-budget cruises and opt for ones that go a bit off the beaten path and that are run in a more ethical way.
Tours of Ha Long Bay normally leave in the early morning from Hanoi (about 5 hours away by car) and consist of a night (or more) on a boat and (for multi-day tours) one an island (either Cat Ba or Bai Tu Long, sleeping in bungalows or home-stays).
For information on cruises on Ha Long Bay click here or here. If you want to go to Bai Tu Long click here. For tours that stop in Cat Ba, click here.
Go to Sapa Valley and Bac Ha
This is the most indigenous region of Vietnam, an area where the Hmong minorities live following a traditional lifestyle and a place to fully grasp how multicultural the country is.
The region is packed with hiking trails. My sister and I went on a guided hike that also took us around the lovely village of Bac Ha, during which we hardly met anybody, we crossed beautiful green fields and met local families.
The other hike we did followed an easy route from Sapa to the Black Hmong village of Ta Van. During the hike, we met lots of women and children wearing traditional clothes who were really eager to talk to us (and some of them spoke surprisingly good English!).
The views of the valley are incredible: rice terraces, buffalo lazily chewing on the grass, traditional villages and the smiling faces of the locals make this area truly enjoyable.
For a guided hike around Sapa Valley, click here.
For multi-day tours of Sapa and Bac Ha departing from Hanoi, click here or here. If you just want the tickets for the night train, click here.
You should also read my post The Best Things To Do In Sapa.
Visit Bac Ha Market
The traditional market of Bac Ha is an absolute must-see. It takes place on Sundays, when men and women from around the region, wearing their traditional clothes, gather early in the day to sell just about anything: from household goods, fruits and vegetables to all sorts of souvenirs.
Bac Ha market bursts with color and life and it is one of Vietnam must see for shopping, but it’s also a great opportunity to see a bit of local action. Make sure to (respectfully) haggle on the prides and you can score quite an array of items to bring home as souvenirs.
Indulge in Hoi An
If I had to move to Vietnam to live there for a few months, I’d have no doubt to pick Hoi An as my base. It simply is gorgeous. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is blessed with a relaxed atmosphere: the historic centre is closed to the traffic; its cobbled streets and historic homes perfectly kept, making it a favorite of tourists.
Make sure to discover its traditional architecture in the many historic buildings are scattered around the centre of town, such as the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese community.
To make the most of Hoi An, you should get the tourist ticket. Ticket boots are scattered around town selling a carnet of 5 tickets for a total of 120000 VN (little over $5 USD) that can be used during the course of 10 days. Tickets allow entrances to the many temples, historic buildings and museums across town.
For information on guided tours of Hoi An click here or here.
There is lots to see and do in Hoi An. For more information, make sure to read my post The Best Things To Do In Hoi An.
Get a tailored suit in Hoi An
Hoi An has the highest density of tailors in Vietnam, so you should not miss a change of having some clothes tailor made.
Although haggling is what to do in Vietnam and prices at tailors are somewhat subject to haggling, I recommend to use moderation in this case: you simply don’t want to exploit anybody or force anybody to work overnight for just pennies.
Although Vietnam is a real bargain, good tailors are not as cheap as you may think. Having said so, even the best tailors will cut clothes that will end up costing half of the price you would pay in Europe or in the US.
My sister and I had our clothes made by Be Be, which has several shops in the city (the main one is located at 11 Hoang Dieu Street) and has the reputation of being the best tailor in Hoi An.
When approaching a tailor it is important to go with a clear idea of what to have made and with what fabric. The top tailors have a great array of designs and know what fabric works well with a specific design. Plan to spend enough time in the city in order to attend the various fittings without putting the tailors under too much pressure.
Enjoy Hoi An nightlife
Hoi An has a buzzing nightlife. Right after the sun sets, vendors start crowding the streets right outside the historic centre (on the other side of the river) at the night market, where you can find a wide range of street food and budget eateries.
While prices at bars are good, keep in mind that some sell cheap drinks: we went to Tiger Tiger, on the river bank, and left after trying one of the worst gin and tonic ever.
Go to the rice fields of Cam Kim
You can’t leave Vietnam without visiting the rice fields, and you’ll find some beautiful ones near the center of Hoi An. An easy bike ride from Hoi An historic centre, there is Cam Kim, a lovely island where life has a different, slower pace.
Simple homes and the smiling faces of the locals and green fields make Cam Kim a perfect escape from the city and what to see in Vietnam.
You can easily visit Cam Kim independently, but if you want to join a guided tour, consider this one.
Go to the beach
The beaches near Hoi An are clean and well kept. An Bang beach is the trendiest and most serviced one in the area. Soul Kitchen is a bar-beachfront restaurant where you can also rent a sun bed.
A bit further north, on the drive towards Da Nang (the closest big city to Hoi An, as well as the closest airport), there is a beach that is truly nice and secluded, with very few tourists.
Get a massage
Vietnam is very budget friendly so getting a good yet cheap massage is what to do in Vietnam, especially in Hoi An, as there are many spas scattered around town. The easiest way to go about it is to ask your hotel or guest house to recommend a spa, and they will make reservations for you.
Visit Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Saigon is the starting point to explore the Mekong Delta and eventually head to Siem Reap, in Cambodia. It’s a massive city, but you can’t help loving it. Here is a selection of places you should not miss:
SAIGON SKYDECK AT BITEXCO FINANCIAL TOWER – For great views of the city from above, take the elevator to the skydeck. It costs $10 USD to get there, but on a clear day the views are spectacular. You can get tickets here.
DONG KHOI – This is where you will find Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the National Theater.
CHOLON AND CHINATOWN – This parts of the city are the best to visit markets and see pagodas.
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM – This museum has an incredible collection of pictures and other kinds of documents of what in Vietnam is known as the American War. Visiting is a heartbreaking experience. What you see is touching, it is disturbing, but it is a piece of recent history that we should not forget.
For a guided tour of Saigon, click here or here.
Make sure to read my post The Best Things To Do In Saigon.
Go to the Cu Chi Tunnels
About 40 km from Ho Chi Minh, in the Cu Chi District, these tunnels were used as hiding spots and supply routes by the Viet Cong soldiers during the war, and often happened to be living places too. It’s one of the most interesting places to visit in Vietnam.
You are better off exploring the tunnels with a guide. For a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnel clic here.
Explore the Mekong Delta
Known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is one of the most popular places to visit in Vietnam. This region is crossed by an incredible number of waterways.
Life floats here, quite literally: houses, restaurants and even markets float on the rivers, canals and streams that flow like arteries. Cai Rang, about 6 km from Can Tho, towards Soc Trang, is one of the biggest floating markets in the region.
Traffic and noise characterize the main centers such as Can Tho and Chau Doc. Yet, the back sides are incredibly quiet and rural, and a whole world apart.
A typical tour of the area includes a stop at a typical Vietnamese bakery (yes, the cakes are delicious!), at a coconut candy factory, at a rice paper factory (these are all family run businesses), a boat ride along the small channels to admire the landscape and the wildlife, a bike ride around the smallest villages, and a visit of the Muslim minority that lives in the region.
You can book your Mekong Delta tour here or here.
Make the most of the food
Eating in South East Asia is an incredible experience: food in Vietnam won’t disappoint.
You will find great noodle soups such as pho bo – rice noodles in a slowly cooked beef broth, served with bean sprouts and thinly sliced beef that cooks with the heat of the soup; interesting desserts of grilled banana with sticky rice and coconut milk and nuts and an abundance of delicious noodle dishes.
You will also find a good selection of vegetarian dishes, though beware that many will still include fish sauce.
Markets in general are cheaper than restaurants, and the food is fabulous. Perch yourself on a tiny stools, sit at a small tables and have full meals (including a beer) for under $2 USD.
The key to finding a good place is checking its audience. A good mixture of locals and tourists, women and children, and more than anything else food being continuously cooked are signs that the food is good and safe to eat. Beware that some markets are invaded with rats, however!
To make the most of food in Vietnam, you may want to join a food tour. Hanoi is a great place for that. You can book a street food tour of Hanoi here or here.
Take a cooking class
A cooking class is a great way to get a bit closer to the local culture, to meet other travelers and to learn how to prepare some of the tastiest dishes in Vietnam.
You can book a cooking class in Hoi An here.
Have a cold beer
Beer in Vietnam is crips and cold and a bottle never costs more than 20000 VN (less than $1 USD). Lots of local places sell beer by the glass. You can pay as little as 4000 VN for a 0.30 cc glass. I call that a deal!
Try Vietnamese coffee
Coffee in Vietnam is a big deal. Don’t expect a quick drink like espresso in Italy or a brew like American filter coffee.
Vietnamese coffee is filtered indeed (using a Vietnamese drip filter), but the process is ever so slow that the coffee is almost thick and incredibly rich in flavor (not to mention, packed with caffeine). Some prefer the coffee with condensed milk – but beware it gets truly sweet.
Go shopping
Shopping is one of the things to do in Vietnam. Lots of multinational brands have their factories in Vietnam but many shops sell counterfeited products. If a branded jacket or a backpack are really cheap, chances are that they are counterfeited.
Original stuff is as expensive in Vietnam as it is in the rest of the world so watch out for actual deals.
There are also plenty of markets and shops in Vietnam that sell souvenirs. It goes without saying that vendors shoot the prices much higher when they deal with tourists.
You will have to haggle. At times, walking away as if not interested is a way to immediately get a cheaper price. If that doesn’t happen, it is a cue that the price stated is pretty much the right one.
Pin It For Later!
Mmmhhhh…am I the first one here ? Thumbs up for the “recent history” bit ! And that does not mean the rest is not interesting…
It was disturbing to see that. I realized I knew so little about the American war…
Astonishingly exotic and utterly compelling, Vietnam is a country of breathtaking natural beauty with a unique heritage, where travel quickly becomes addictive.
The Thais may grumble, but in Southeast Asia nothing really comes close: Vietnamese food is that good. Incredibly subtle in its flavors and outstanding in its diversity, Vietnamese cooking is a fascinating draw for travelers – myriad street food tours and cooking schools are testament to this.
You nailed it! Besides, there are so many things to do in Vietnam!
Never would I not see VietNam country. But I know very well the history of VietNam.
That is great!!
Vietnam is one of the countries I love to visit in Asia and spend my entire summer vacation. What do you think is the best month to go there?
I really think: ANYTIME! I visited in March, and it was great. If you read Sherry Ott’s blog, she even recommends going in the rainy season. The weather varies a lot from North to South anyways, so you are bound to get a bit of everything 🙂
Vietnam is on my bucket list. This was so informative!
Happy to know it helps!!
I have visited Vietnam three times and it made a very positive impression on me. I loved exploring Hue and the surrounding region. I enjoyed your post and your images bring back fond memories of the country.
It is a gorgeous country and I can’t wait to go again!
Hey, Tavani, an amazing list of things to do in Vietnam! They all are very outstanding! Actually, we are planning to visit this country and I have made a hot list:
1. Vietnamese Women’s Museum
2. Old Quarter
3. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
4. The Nguyen Dynasty Tombs
That’s great! I am sure you will love it!
Hi Claudia, i just read your story on Vietnam cover to cover!! it was great to get some ideas of what to see and do.. my husband and i are visiting in Feb for 3 weeks, we are flying into Saigon and out of Hanoi… its the middle part that i am not sure what to chose to see and how to get there, any ideas?
Hello Toni, thank you for your comment. 3 weeks is a decent time to spend in Vietnam – it is more than I had. My advice is to pretty much visi the places I recommend, without rushing it so much as I did. In Central Vietnam, do not miss Hoi An as it is STUNNING, and you can also visit Hue. I didn’t go – didn’t have time. But I have heard good things about it!
thank you so much Claudia! i am really looking forward to going and will definitely check out Hoi An and Hue.
toni
I am sure you will love it there!
Come on! 🙂
It’s not fair to compare these two cuisines to each other. I love both because they are unique and have distinct tastes of their own.
One example: What should I eat in Vietnam, when I want to have something as good as Matsaman Curry? And what should I eat in Thailand, if I want to have something as yummy as Pho for breakfast. 🙂
All I know is that I want a pho. AND a curry. And a dhal. And a pizza. And a taco.
Dear Claudia,
I was curious, how other writers would report about Vietnam, so I checked out your article. I agree with most things you wrote. Vietnam is just a cool place.
To someone, who visits Vietnam the first time, I would advise to “harden up” a little and to collect experiences in another South East Asian country first. Otherwise you might really not want to go back, when you have been targeted by too many scammers, that won’t take no as an answer and continue to pester you as long as they can.
But there so much beauty in this country and so many nice people, that I always tried to swallow my anger as quickly as possible and move on. I once met a guy, who paid “a zero too much” to a taxi driver, because those Dong bills look so similar to each other. 50 dollar instead of 5. That hurts!
When it comes to the trash situation everywhere in South East Asia I have really asked myself more than once, what will happen to my trash, I left there. So it’s certainly best to produce as few as possible.
And next time you absolutely should explore Vietnam by motorbike. I made a 3 day tour from Dalat to Nha Trang with the so called Easy Riders. I saw incredible landscapes and many other interesting things like the complete silk production from silk worms to the weaving.
With the homestays, I think, it is a hit or miss. I made one in the Mekong Delta, but we stayed in two rooms attached to the family house with no indoor connection. So it was like a small guesthouse, but not really a homestay. But still nice enough with a nice dinner for all five guests after dawn.
When it comes to Halong Bay I actually never understand, why so many people complain about too many boats? I enjoyed it so much there, that it didn’t really bother me, that I could see 20 other boats nearby. It was still awesome. 🙂
I’m glad, that you find Saigon great as well. It’s a nice place to hang out. I once stayed there for a week doing nothing but relaxing, eating lots of yummy food, drinking finest coffee and doing a bit of digital work on the side.
Thanks for your article. I really enjoyed reading it!
Best regards, Charles
Ah, Vietnam by motorbike!! That is a dream I am hoping to make true sometimes, soon! I was lucky enough to visit Vietnam only after having been to Cuba. Scams in Cuba are taken to the next level, and that provided good training to me!
I love Vietnam
I do too! I really want to go back 🙂
Claudia
Thanks. Very helpful information, specially for the very first-timers like me in Vietnam. On my journey from 07 March to 13 March 2017, it will be a guideline for me
I’m so glad you are finding it useful. I am sure you will enjoy Vietnam, it is a great country!
Hello! Love all the helpful and great information. What was the name of the company you used for the Halong Bay tour?
Hi Tony, thank you for your comment. Just so you know, I can hardly recommend the company I used for my Ha Long Bay tour. Do you still want me to mention it?
Very informative and nice article. I have only 4 nights to spend in Vietnam in the last week of June..basis the information i read in your article im thinking of covering only Ha long Bay, Bai Tu long and Hoi An. Would you agree with this idea.
Actually, I recommend going to Hoi An only, and perhaps Saigon. I like it much better there!
It’s best to mention so people can avoid it 🙂
You are right, I may update the post!
Hi.. may I ask when to go in Vietnam sapa so that I can experience their snow or winter season? I am planning to go their on Nov 2017.
I was there in March and there was no snow. It didn’t rain and it wasn’t really cold at all (only at night). I would say that seeing snow in Sapa may well be one of the best things to do in Vietnam, so I can see why you’d want to do that. My understanding is that the coldest months are December and January, so you may have more luck in those months. But as you know, weather is for the most part unpredictable!
Lots of great info, very helpful!
I stopped reading after a while because your writing style got too disturbing for me. It gets too close to keyword stuffing:
– and one of the top things to do in Vietnam is enjoying its incredible food.
If one of the top things to do in Vietnam is enjoying a cold beer and one of the things to do in Hoi An is enjoying its nightlife,
And I didn’t even search for this keyword! Most of your SEO is pretty good, but watch out for getting penalties.
Wow, thank you so much for your comment Tommy. I really appreciate you finding time to help me out with your tips even when you are traveling around on your honeymoon 🙂
Quang Binh, Quy Nhon and Ly Son island that good to explore. Thanks for the post, Claudia.It”s amazing 🙂
I would love to go there too! Looks like more places to visit for me in Vietnam 🙂
Hanoi is definitely a MUST while in Vietnam! I currently live in the Tay Ho district of Hanoi and it is a wonderful quiet area where many expats and locals live. If you are looking for a place to relax and experience cheap and amazing food, come spend the afternoon in Tay Ho. I live on Nuoc Phan Lan and there are many local restaurants that cost around $2 for a meal but are the best I’ve had.
I know! It was great to find delicious and cheap food!
Oh very detailed guide to Vietnam. This is really useful for those who are about to travel around Vietnam. Keep up with your good work.
Glad you think it is useful!
Thanks for all of the information, very informative. My husband and I are planning a trip to Thailand and believe we have time to see one more country. We are stuck between Vietnam, Cambodia, or Malaysia. Which would you recommend?
Thank you
Hi Renee, thanks for your comment. I haven’t been to Malaysia, so I can’t really say much about it (other than I’d love to visit). I’d say what you pick depends on the amount of time you wish to spend there, and on what you are interested in. One of the nicest things to do in Vietnam is trying all the local food (I am craving pho bo, does it show?). So you may want to head there just for a foodie experience. Saigon is full of life, Hanoi chaotic and depending on the season cold and wet. Sapa great for hiking. But if you are into archaeological sites, nothing beats Angkor Wat in Cambodia and that’s where you should go! Hope this helps!
Hey Claudia! Can you tell me which cruise you booked for Ha long bay? Trying to navigate my way through all the options and always like to get as many suggestions as I can : ) Thanks!
Hi Chrissy, I did the Ha Long and Bai Tu Long 3 days / 2 nights tour. It was lovely. I spent one night on the boat, and one in an house stay where we learned to cook local food. You may want to consider this option: http://bit.ly/2nChjw2
Thank you so much for sharing this! We are currently planning a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia and this is extremely helpful. Thanks a lot!
I also have a post on Siem Reap if it helps, and a specific one on Saigon 🙂
O gosh how I miss Vietnam. I absolutely loved the area of Halong Bay ad Ha Giang. The people are so lovely and friendly. The food is super. I want to go back!!
Don’t mention it. I think I am addicted to pho bo!!
This was a very helpful article. I went to Vietnam last year with a bunch of friends. We spend the night cruising along the bay before stopping off at Hanoi for its endless stalls of street food and local delicacies. We even took a tour of the city on a vespa.
Thank you for the suggestion!
Drink snake wine, travel by motorbike, catch motorbike taxi…there’s a lot of the crazy things to do in Vietnam that many backpackers should experiences.
Hi I enjoyed reading your article, great insights, if you dont can you please tell me which tour operators to avoid for the Sapa trekking tour, I will be there in April and I want to avoid the ones with poor service, thanks in advance.
I can tell you which one is the best! Sapa O Chau is one of the best in terms of what it gives back to the community. It won a responsible travel award at WTM in 2017! Look into them 🙂
This is a great post. If you have a second chance, will you visit Vietnam again ?
Of course!
I enjoyed your Blog, my wife( who is from Saigon) and I have been there in 2015 and 2017, we are headed back in 2020, I absolutely love the country as well as the locals, we did a tour to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay in 2015, in 2017 we visited Yung Tau, NA Trang, Dalat, Can Tho, Long An,Ben Tre, as well as HCMC, had a great time, rooms we booked ranged from $9.00 to $15.00 CAD per night, all the hotels we stayed at also offered motorcycle rentals $5.00 per day. we traveled by boat, plane as well as by bus, very cheap transportation costs, street food was awesome and cheap, where e=we stayed in HCMC we had an open market 2 blocks away, great won ton soup lady there served from 5:30 am till lunch time, met lots of my wife’s relatives and was welcomed wife open arms, maybe looking at retiring over there in a few more years, beats living in – 30c weather LOL , again I loved your blog
It was really interesting to read a different perspective and also found a few really good advice here.
However, The Independence Palace (Reunification Palace) in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is really must if you want to understand what actually happened during the Vietnam War.
Also, Da Nang is much, much, MUCH more than just a beach
Thank you so much for the addition to my post 🙂
The food in Vietnam is DELICIOUS!!