Travel Tips Series: Vietnam
Here's my hot tips for Vietnam. Hopefully, it helps you get an idea of the place. I went back in 2012 with my sister and two best friends. We had twelve days there and flew in and out of Ho Chi Minh. We flew from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang, stayed in Hoi An and caught an overnight train to Hanoi then stayed in a junk boat in Halong Bay.
Basics you need to know:
currency is Vietnamese Dong
you will need to apply for a visa prior to going
traffic is insane so beware when crossing the roads
everything is crazy cheap
make sure you have at least one massage during your time there
sellers will grab you at the markets trying to get you to buy. Just keep walking
ladies selling pineapple will throw the pole at you and put a hat on your head and encourage you to take a photo. They then demand you pay or buy their pineapple
don't worry about roaming or buying a sim, free wifi is everywhere
download WhatsApp app to send messages or call friends and family for free using wifi
download maps.me app and download the relevant maps while you have wifi then you are free to use it when you are not online. I used this everywhere, all over the world and am a huge fan
Ho Chi Minh is also known as Saigon
Suggestions of things to do:
In Ho Chi Minh
Cyclo Drive - Bike Tour
massage
War Museum
Sheraton rooftop bar
Rex Hotel also has a good rooftop
Reunification Palace
Opera House
Ben Thanh Market
Notre Dame Church
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens - only 50c
In Da Nang / Hoi An: (amazing)
Old Town
Bridge
beautiful lanterns at night
Markets
Beaches are amazing
Cooking class
Tailors (wouldn't really recommend, takes a lot of time)
In Hanoi;
Old Quarter
Temple of Literature
walk around the lake, watch people doing tai chi
Water Puppet show
Ho Chi Minh mausoleum - expect a huge queue
In Halong Bay:
stay on a Junk boat for one or two nights
caves
kayaking
tai chi at sunrise
sunset
go in a smaller boat to the Floating Villages
Vietnam will blow your mind. It is such a surprise. I loved it. It’s a place I could definitely go back to. Hope you enjoy your time there. Let me know if you have any other suggestions to add to the list…
