What to do in Vietnam?
📋 Key points to remember: Vietnam offers a journey from North to South through 7 different climates. Classic 3-week itinerary: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh (the terrestrial Ha Long Bay), Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta, Saigon (HCMC). Budget 30-45 €/day in standard mode. Domestic flights 30-60 €. Best overall period: March-April.
If you don’t know what to do in Vietnam, it’s really because you have never looked into a travel guide. Vietnam offers a range of activities, excursions, and things to do of all kinds.
For those who might have missed out, I offer you a catch-up lesson… my way.
And since I know the south much better than the north (in fact, I’ve never been there), I will omit the latter part.
What to visit in Saigon?
Since our adventure will take place exclusively in the south, I cannot skip the Vietnamese economic capital, Saigon! This megacity has nothing to envy to its big sister Bangkok. Although less developed in terms of infrastructure and public transport, it remains a rapidly growing city.
A growing city means you will find almost everything there. Bars, clubs, places to visit, temples, gourmet restaurants, karaoke, water parks, street vendors, counterfeits… and a thousand other things I couldn’t list in this article.
To help you find your way, here is my selection of things I recommend you do during your Saigon trip. Be careful, however, you will often hear people say there is nothing to do here. False, you just need to mingle with some expats to realize the hidden treasures the city offers. You won’t be able to say you don’t know what to see in Saigon!
Enough chatter, here is the information you have all been waiting for. After your 14-hour flight (or more if you had stopovers), nothing beats starting your stay with a good massage to get back in shape and help overcome jet lag faster. There are dozens and hundreds of addresses and massage salons. Don’t waste your time and go straight to “Hoang Thy Salon” and ask for “Nancy”.
🌍 Did you know?
Vietnam has more than 45 million motorcycles/scooters for 100 million inhabitants. It is the country with the highest motorcycle-to-inhabitant ratio in Asia. Crossing a sidewalk in Hanoi or Saigon literally requires learning: walk slowly, don’t stop, the motorcycles will avoid you.
Well, don’t all go one after the other, I don’t want her to get tendinitis and not be able to massage me the next time I come. If I recommend this salon, it’s simply because it has a very good reputation. Here, no scams, no tips, and no extra charges (you know what I mean).
As for tips, if you want to give one, 50,000 dongs will be more than enough. You will also be sure to be well received next time. Here is the address of this salon, which is located in the backpacker district (Hoang Thy, Beauty Salon, 35 Do Quang Dau, Pham Hngi Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
An excursion on the Mekong Delta
Now that you have recovered well from your long flight, let’s continue the visit. Head to the first excursion shop, for a safe bet, I recommend the agency “Sinh Tourist” located on De Tham street (still in the backpacker district).
We are going on a excursion on the Mekong Delta. For about 16 USD, you will be able to visit this place in one day. Well, not entirely, just the most touristy part but still pleasant. It also allows you to get away from urban life and breathe a little.
🗣️ My experience: My most memorable memory: the 2 days / 1 night cruise in Ha Long Bay. Waking up at 6 am on the deck, mist above the water, karst peaks emerging one by one, and total silence. Cost: 130 € for the mid-range cruise, meals included. Advice: avoid bargain cruises at 60 € (old boats, polluted bay). Aim for at least 110 € for minimal comfort.
On the program, boat ride on the river and its branches, visit to a coconut candy factory, visit to a honey factory, a meal and a snack accompanied by traditional singers. Classy.
Of course, it’s 100% touristy, but sometimes it’s so nice to be guided and not have to think about what to do, or when, or how. Just let yourself live.
| Step | Duration | Specialty | Dry season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 2-3 days | Old quarter, cultural capital | Oct-Apr |
| Ha Long Bay | 2-3 days | 2,000 limestone peaks, cruise | Oct-Apr |
| Ninh Binh (Tam Coc) | 2 days | Land Ha Long Bay, cycling | Mar-May |
| Hue | 2 days | Imperial city, royal tombs | Mar-Aug |
| Hoi An | 3 days | UNESCO old town, tailors | Feb-Jul |
| HCMC (Saigon) | 2-3 days | Bustling city, reunification palace | Dec-Apr |
| Mekong Delta | 2 days | Floating market, sampans | Dec-Apr |
After the walk, return to the bus which will take you back to Saigon around 5 p.m. (depending on traffic jams).
Back in Saigon, between the aftereffects of your flight and this busy day, you must be a little hungry, if not huge. I have the solution! Don’t even think about taking refuge in one of the backpacker district’s restaurants. I’m going to make you walk a bit. You can take a taxi or a Xe Om (motorbike taxi), it will be faster.
Head to Pasteur Street and the restaurant “Nha Hang Ngon”. With its colonial style and yellow facade, you can’t miss it. At first glance, it seems like an overpriced restaurant. You will be surprised to see that the prices are not higher than those practiced in the backpacker district. Notable and indisputable differences in terms of quality. The dishes are delicious. Here is the address to get there (160 Pasteur Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
🍀 Vietnam
- Cultural diversity North/South
- Unbeatable prices (SE Asia)
- Exceptional street food (pho, bun cha)
- Welcoming population
🔻 Limits
- Heavy traffic (motorbikes everywhere)
- Touristification of Hoi An and Halong
- Very variable weather depending on area
- Sometimes persistent solicitation
What to do in Nha Trang?
I’m sure now you’d like to see a bit of the country! Well, we are heading to Nha Trang, this seaside resort with an exceptional microclimate. To get there, just book your seat on a night bus (always at Sinh Tourist). I don’t remember the price but it wasn’t excessively expensive.
Once there, you will have a choice of hotels, I still recommend a hotel just steps from the beach and the “La Suisse” hotel (Truong Giang Hotel, 3/8 Tran Quang Khai, Nha Trang, 0973 887584 / truonggianghotel@gmail.com)
⚠️ Classic trap
Traveling North-South (or vice versa) without checking the local weather. Vietnam stretches over 1,650 km: when Hanoi is in the dry season, Hue may be rainy; when Saigon is hot, the North is cold. Check the weather for each area before finalizing your itinerary, and reverse the direction (South-North or North-South) depending on your period.
Once settled, rent a scooter (beware, driving a scooter in Vietnam is more than dangerous, you’ve been warned) for 100,000 dongs and head to the mud baths north of the city. I don’t remember the address, my Vietnamese friend took me there. Ask the hotel reception for the address, they surely know it.
Once there and for 500,000 dongs per person (yes, it’s a bit expensive) you will be able to relax in the mud and other hot water baths all afternoon. A real treat!
To extend the trip, neighboring Cambodia allows you to combine Angkor. Singapore is an ideal air hub at the beginning or end of the stay. And for the practical budget, the Thailand budget provides similar orders of magnitude.
I won’t say more and I’ll let you discover for yourself.
Well, I must now leave you, I’ll let you continue your journey north on your own. I hope these few lines spent together have made you want to travel to Vietnam and I’ll see you soon on the roads.
