Traveling in Vietnam
Traveling to Vietnam… I can’t even begin to describe the experiences you’ll have if that’s your plan. Vietnam has stolen my heart. I’ve probably said this about lots of places, but with Vietnam, I really mean it. What a country, what a vibe… More authentic than Thailand, but more travel-friendly than Laos. It’s just… amazing. Whether you’re going to busy cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Min, or you’ll visit small towns like Ha Giang or Hue, you’ll love it. And I will tell you exactly where to go, where to stay and what to do.
Basic information about Vietnam
Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia. The people speak Vietnamese, but often also a little bit of English. If they don’t, you can use Google Translate to communicate. The Vietnamese Dong is the currency used in Vietnam.
Bordering Vietnam are the countries Cambodia, Laos and China. Thailand does not border Vietnam, but you can easily visit Vietnam from Thailand by traveling through Laos or Cambodia. The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi, which is located in the north. And last but not least, Vietnam has a superlong coast on the east side, where the South China Sea is located.
Popular destinations in Vietnam
Popular destinations in Vietnam include:
Hanoi. This is the capital of Vietnam and it is one of my favourite places in the whole country. There is just so much to do and to see. The vibe is amazing, the food is good… What more can you ask for? If you do eventually leave Hanoi, make sure to include the Ha Giang Loop in your itinerary.
Ninh Binh. This is small town, but it’s definitely worth the visit. There are a beautiful temple complex and a nature park closeby. Oh, an the hostel I stayed at was just the best. You can find it in my blog about hostels in Vietnam.
Hue. This is a cute town, that I didn’t see a lot of because it was raining when I was there. Mostly, Hue is famous for its abandoned waterpark. And that is definitely worth the visit.
Hoi An. This city is famous for all its tailors. If you ever want to get some tailor-made clothing, this is the place to do it. And besides that, Hoi An is the perfect place to enjoy the beach, a boat ride on the river or do a cooking class. Oh, and don’t forget the coconut boats!
Dalat. This town is home to the Crazy House, the Maze Bar and beautiful nature in the area. If you want to rest for a little bit after busy travel days, stay here for a couple days to be fully charged before going to…
Ho Chi Min. I thought this city was the capital of Vietnam, but apparently it’s not. This is the city where you can learn a lot about the Vietnam war, if you’re interested in that. You can even visit the tunnels
Phu Quoc. This is an island in the south of Vietnam, which is definitely one of the most beautiful islands I’ve ever been to! Just one tip: don’t visit in rainy season, because you’ll be stuck in your hostel or in a cafe most of the time. But during the sunny hours (or minutes), it’s incredibly pretty!