BEST TIME TO VISIT: December – February. We traveled through Vietnam during August. For us, it was nice because it’s a lower time of year for tourists, but it was also SUPER hot in the north and rainy in the south. Also, if you plan on motorbiking the country, definitely plan to make the trip during the driest months of the year.
NOTE ON MOTORBIKING: If you can, motorbike the country. Motorbiking will give you a chance to see more of the countryside, meet locals that rarely interact with travelers, and provide more flexibility when you travel. Also, I motorbiked alone, so if you’re a solo female traveler, don’t count it out! The locals are INCREDIBLY helpful and I never felt unsafe. However, if you are not a confident driver, it is just as easy to navigate the country through the local buses. Any place that you stay at can coordinate your travels.
If you choose to motorbike, make sure you leave as early in the day as possible. You may encounter some mechanical problems or rain, so make sure you leave enough time, so that you aren’t stuck driving at night. Also be prepared with backup phone batteries, cash, and a good attitude in case you run into anything unexpected.
I rented my motorbike through Tigit Motorbikes. They are more on the expensive side, but I thought it was WORTH EVERY PENNY. Their bikes are really high quality, and I never had mine break down (an almost universal occurrence with fellow travelers). They also have offices in most major towns and cities, so you can always drop off your bike if you decide that biking isn’t for you.
ho chi minh city.
We stayed at The Dorm Saigon. It was super central, has a nice rooftop terrace, and a great breakfast.
DAY 1: If you have the time flexibility, take a day to settle in and adjust to the time change. If not, plan to get picked up for a day trip to the Mekong Delta. A lot of people had negative reviews of the Mekong Delta because it is extremely touristy. We found this great option that pairs you up with a local to show you around. You won’t go to some of the tourist hot-spots, but it feels a lot more authentic, and they will take the time to explain the cultural and historical undertones of what you are experiencing.
When you get back, head to the Ho Chi Minh night market for dinner. We didn’t get a chance to visit, but we heard great things from other travelers.
DAY 2: Grab brunch at L’Usine. It is a splurge, based on Vietnam prices, but is SUCH a nice spot to relax in. Next, head to the War Remnants Museum. You really can’t leave Vietnam without visiting. It is immensely impactful, and absolutely ESSENTIAL for any foreigner traveling through the country. For your afternoon, plan to travel to Da Lat either by bus or motorbike.
da lat.
Grab breakfast at La Viet Coffee. The food and coffee are fantastic, and you can also enjoy a free tour of their coffee roastery while you are there. Next, head to Crazy House. I don’t think there are words that can adequately explain the wackiness of the attraction, but plan to spend around two hours exploring this place.
Since jet lag be hitting you at this point, go to Ớt Care for a massage. It’s elegant, relaxing, and probably one of my favorite hidden gems from the trip.
Finish your day with a cooking class. We did Life in Laugh Cooking Class and really enjoyed getting to pick the menu and stroll through the night market to pick up ingredients. If you aren’t too tired, end your evening at 100 Roofs Bar for a drink. Just like Crazy House, you’ll LOVE this spot.
For those who are motorbiking, get excited, because your road to Nha Trang is the Omega Pass. It is a beautiful, winding, mountain pass, and it was definitely the HIGHLIGHT of my time motorbiking Southern Vietnam.
nha trang.
Nha Trang was probably my favorite spot in Southern Vietnam. It is definitely a Russian-tourist haven, but I thought that it was a good spot to relax and enjoy the beaches of Vietnam. I HIGHLY recommend staying at The Erica. It had a great rooftop infinity pool, and was the best combination that we could find for staying within our budget, while still treating ourselves to a little bit of luxury.
Once you settle in, head to Rainforest for lunch. We actually ate here multiple times because we enjoyed it so much. It is a giant treehouse, with swings and slides, and great fresh food options. Spend the rest of the day by the beach or pool, fitting in some much needed R&R.
Whenever you want a break from the beach, head to Long Son Pagoda. I recommend getting there as early as possible in the day to avoid the tourists. I also recommend getting a late-night bite at some point at Bánh Cān. We just stumbled upon it, so look closely or you might miss it, but it had some of the best cheap eats of anywhere we found while traveling.
quy nhon.
Quy Nhon is still pretty new as a Vietnam destination for travelers, but it is a good stopping point if you are working from Nha Trang to Hoi An. Kind of like Nha Trang, it is a place meant for relaxing. We stayed at this Airbnb, which is actually about 45 km South of Quy Nhon. It had a great pool, kayaks, and beautiful accommodations, but I would probably recommend staying in the city if you want to be able to go out to eat or explore a bit.
hoi an.
Hoi An is simply LOVELY. Start your day out by exploring Old Town. It’s not too big, so I recommend just wandering and seeing what you find, instead of setting out with a real plan. If you want a suit made, this is the area to do it. Once you work up an appetite, head to Banh Mi Phuong.
Next up, head to my FAVORITE place in Hoi An, Reaching Out Teahouse. It is a tranquil oasis in the middle of Hoi An. The teahouse is run entirely by speech and hearing impaired staff, so they give you pads of paper to communicate, and discourage visitors from making too much noise. Reaching Out is operated “with the vision of providing opportunities for people of disability to learn skills and gain meaningful employment so that they are able to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives.”
If you can plan your visit around a Full Moon Festival, DEFINITELY DO IT. At night, glowing lanterns and candles fill the river. It was a special moment that brought out travelers and locals alike. I recommend strolling by the water, and then working your way over to the Night Market.
hanoi.
Start your day at The Note Coffee. Try an egg coffee (the best one that we had in Hanoi) and a croissant. Then, head to the museum of your choice. Hanoi has plenty of options, but our pick was the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Next, grab a bite at Bun Cha Huong Lien. Yes, this is where Obama and Bordain famously visited. We thought it might be overhyped, but it exceeded all of our expectations.
Next, relax for a while with a massage or some reflexology. A tea at Hanoi Social Club would be a perfect way to end the afternoon.
For dinner, head to Sadhu. Next, grab a beer or five at Bia Hoi Junction. It’s pretty touristy, but is a fun nightlife experience.
ha long bay.
I though Ha Long Bay would be too touristy, but it was actually BEAUTIFUL. You will have plenty of options to choose from, be we ended up doing this 3 day/2 night cruise.
When you get back from the cruise, book a night train to take you to Sa Pa.
sa pa.
Our final stop in Vietnam was Sa Pa. A lot of people don’t make it to Sa Pa because it is a little out of the way, but it was my FAVORITE area that we visited. Inspired by one of my favorite travel bloggers, the Blonde Abroad, we stayed with Hong and her family. She welcomed us into her home, showed us all of her favorite local spots, and made sure we had a beautifully authentic experience while in Sa Pa. If you enjoy motorbiking through tea fields and meeting wonderful locals, I think this is a MUST-DO while visiting Vietnam. All of the details can be found here.
I know planning to travel to Vietnam can be intimidating. Feel free to comment below or send us an email at thepeoplespassport@gmail.com if you have any questions!
