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…