ABOUT VIETNAM
Vietnam is one of the best backpacking countries we have ever visited. In terms of different kind of nature, food and culture that can all be experienced within Vietnam, but also the transport is something which makes Vietnam very backpack-able. Prepare yourself for an adventurous journey from north to south (or the other way around).
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WHAT TO DO IN VIETNAM
Our route through Vietnam
HANOI
You either hate this city or love it. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and there is so much happening here, wherever you look. The traffic is probably the first thing that grabs your attention as you may have trouble crossing the street since it is so so busy. But then are also the small authentic streets, full of lanterns and plants which makes this city unique and the reason why we loved it. We recommend staying in Hanoi for about 3 days to begin or end your trip!
What to do in Hanoi?
Street food tour
One of the best ways to get to know Hanoi is with a street food tour since the city is all about food. A tour guide can introduce you to the best local dishes and help you discover parts of Hanoi you might not have found on your own.Watch the train
The train is something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Hanoi. You can access the tracks from different parts of the main road right next to it. Just be sure you take a seat when the train arrives. If you snap a pic ‘too late’ like we did, locals will not appreciate it (as you can see on the right in the image above). This is due the fact some tourists have died before by standing too long on the tracks. The government is considering closing the train street, which means no more business for these locals.Take a relaxing massage
Since Hanoi is probably the beginning or end of your trip through Vietnam, a massage is the perfect gift to yourself during your stay here for a few days. A full body massage is around 15 dollars for 1 hour, depending on the company of course. You will find many in the city, but we recommend asking your hotel for a good recommendation.
Our recommendations for Hanoi
Food/Drinks
As we mentioned before, there are many local (street) food restaurants in Hanoi. But over the years also several more western restaurants have popped up. These were our favorites:
Hanoi Coffee Station (breakfast and lunch)
Muôi Tiêu, Salt n’Pepper Kitchen (lunch/early dinner)
Xofa Café & Bistro (all day)
Accommodation
We stayed in Hanoi a few times as it was the base for all our trips north, and each time we chose a different hotel. Our favorite hostel was Hanoi Buffalo Hostel. The only disadvantage was that the private rooms were on the same floor as the dorms so when people came home from the club it would get very noisy in the night.
SAPA
From Hanoi it is about a 5 to 6-hour drive north to reach Sapa, a town at the head of a valley full of rice terraces. The rice fields are lush green from June to August. September and October are the harvest period and the hills turn more golden yellow. We visited Sapa in March and although the mountains were beautiful and you can make beautiful hikes, we did mis the magic of the green/golden terraces. Sapa itself is a nice town that has grown considerably in recent years for tourism. It is the perfect starting point for a (multi-day) tour through the valley.
What to do in Sapa?
The reason people visit Sapa is to hike through the rice terraces in the valley. Most of the hotels can help you organize the tour, but for a multi-day tour we recommend arranging this in advance. It’s of course also possible to walk around without a guide, but to get all the information about the area and the culture of the local people we would recommend to go with a guide.
There are multiple trails available around the area and you can discuss the options with the tour organization. Our tour was 2 days and we hiked for about 30 kilometers through the terraces, the bamboo forest and a waterfall. There are multiple home stays or hotels to choose from. We slept at a basic homestay and cooked with the local family which we thought really gave something extra to the tour.
Our recommendations for Sapa
Food/Drinks
A few days hiking through the mountains can be pretty exhausting. Luckily Sapa is a nice town to rest after your hike, or prepare the day before. It’s a vibrant place with many restaurants and bars to choose from.
Thong Dong Vegan Kitchen & Cafe (lunch & dinner) - our absolute favorite restaurant of Vietnam!
HA GIANG LOOP
The Ha Giang Loop is a popular motorbike route in northern Vietnam, known for its amazing scenery. Located in Ha Giang Province, the loop takes riders through some of the most beautiful and remote areas in the country, including tall odd shaped mountains, deep valleys, authentic villages, and terraced rice fields. We are usually very careful with this statement because everyone has their own preferences, but if you like adventure and nature, the Ha Giang Loop is truly something you cannot miss during your trip to Vietnam!
The tour
You can book a tour ranging from 3 to 5 days where you will ride on the back of a local's motorbike. Although the tour is amazing, we personally were glad we chose the 3-day option. Your bum might hurt quite a lot after many hours on the back of the motorbike, but this varies for each person. Most companies offer group tours, making this activity even more enjoyable. Spending multiple days with the same group, sharing experiences, helps you really connect with each other. You will stop several times each day to eat, rest, or just enjoy the view and chat.
In the evening, you will stay in the same hostel or hotel, where you will likely meet people from other groups. Not long after dinner, the 'happy water' (strong alcohol) will be passed around, and the party, including karaoke, will begin.
HALONG BAY (CAT BA)
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most iconic and breathtaking landscapes, consisting of thousands of towering limestone islands. It is a popular destination for travelers from around the world, and we even ranked it as one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been. From Hanoi, it’s about a 3-hour drive to the harbor of Hai Phong. From there you will need to take a ferry to the island Cat Ba. The easiest way to arrange this trip is through a tour organization, which can pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi and drop you off in the center of Cat Ba or close to your accommodation.
What to do in Halong Bay?
Of course you go to Halong Bay to explore the area by boat. But there are many different boat tours to choose from. You can choose a 1 day tour where you will visit a floating fishing farm and discover caves with your own kajak. But you can also choose a multiple day tour where you will sleep on a floating accommodation or on the boat where most tour also offer a cooking class or tai chi class (traditional fighting art). There is a wide variety of luxury between tours so choose the tour that suits your needs and budget.
Cat Ba
The departure location for the tours is the harbor of Cat Ba. Most people therefore spend 1 or 2 days on Cat Ba before or after their boat tour. The island is perfect for a scooter ride around the island or to lie on the beach for a while.
Our recommendations for Cat Ba
Food/Drinks
The center of Cat Ba is not as pleasant as Hoi An, for example, but there are a number of good restaurants and bars where you can enjoy an evening meal.
Like Coffee (breakfast & dinner)
The Little Leaf Restaurant (lunch & dinner)
The restaurant of the Republic hostel (dinner)
We stayed at JoyStay, which was a 15 minute scooter ride from the centre of Cat Ba. It was nice and quiet here and the staff was very friendly. You can rent a scooter at the accommodation for about 3 dollars per day.
NINH BINH (TAM COC)
Tam Coc is a city in Ninh Binh province, known for its beautiful limestone (a lot of limestone in Vietnam) rock formations and peaceful waterways. Often referred to as the "Ha Long Bay on land," Tam Coc's natural beauty is just as stunning. There are many activities to do in the area, and the center of Tam Coc offers some nice restaurants. We stayed here for two days, but that was too short. If you want to take your time, we would recommend spending at least three days in Tam Coc.
What to do in Ninh Binh/Tam Coc?
Go on a scenic boat ride
The highlight of your visit to Tam Coc is probably the Tam Coc boat ride or the Trang an Boat Ride. Local rowers, often using their feet to paddle, guide you through a picturesque landscape where the towering limestone formations rise from the rice fields. We recommend going very early or late in the afternoon because it gets very busy during the day.Explore the area with a bike
Renting a bicycle is a popular way to explore the scenic countryside of Tam Coc. The flat terrain and quiet paths make it easy and enjoyable for riders of all levels to discover the area's natural beauty and charming villages. If you don't feel like cycling, you can also rent a scooter!Bich Dong Pagoda
This ancient pagoda complex, partially set into a limestone mountain, offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Climb the steps to explore the pagodas and enjoy the panoramic view after your (exhausting) ascent. In the park of the complex there are some shops where you can buy ice cream or a fresh coconut.
Our recommendations for Ninh Binh/Tam Coc
Food/Drinks
Chookie’s Beer Garden (all day) (fantastic)
NGON Vegan Restaurant (lunch & early dinner)
T-Pub Restaurant (easy lunch or dinner)
We stayed at Fairy Mountain Retreat located between Tam Coc and Ninh Binh town, in the middle of the nature. This view from the accommodation was so beautiful that it felt a bit unreal. They offer scooter rental so you can go everywhere easily.
HOI AN
Many tourists absolutely love Hoi An, others find it far too busy. We were right in the middle. Hoi An has a nice center with plenty of shops, lanterns everywhere and for the first time in Vietnam we saw a restaurant with a cozy outdoor area. But the number of tourists walking around is a bit shocking, and of course you are one of them. And that means there are about the same number of street vendors, which makes it difficult to walk around without getting bothered. But it's always good to support the locals, so always be polite, and if you can spare something, it will help the people a lot.
What to do in Hoi An?
Wander the old streets of Hoi An: Hoi An’s Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its well-preserved architecture, narrow streets, and vibrant lanterns. This is the place for souvenirs like lanterns, pottery, and other handmade crafts in the local markets and shops.
Enjoy the daily Floating Lantern festival
Each evening, you can see floating lanterns on the Thu Bon river. Vendors sell small paper lanterns that you can release into the water while making a wish. You can take a small boat ride on the Thu Bon river to enjoy the view of the lantern-lit town from the water. These boats all have illuminated lanterns, creating a beautifully enchanting scene together with the paper lanterns.Design your own clothes
Get custom-made clothing from Hoi An’s famous tailors, known for their high-quality workmanship and fast turnaround. You can find many in the city centre but ask your hotel if you want a good recommendation.Relax at the beach
An Bang Beach is just a few kilometers from the ancient town and is a popular spot for both tourists and locals. Cua Dai beach, another beautiful beach near Hoi An, is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying fresh seafood at beachside restaurants. This beach is a bit calmer, making it ideal if you want to read a book or prefer a less crowded atmosphere.Visit the countryside
Rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding countryside, including rice paddies and local villages. It’s also possible to do this with a tour guide. Ask your hotel for a good recommendation.Make your own lantern
Follow a workshop to learn traditional crafts and make your own lantern. You can choose your own fabric and decide whether to assemble the frame yourself or use a pre-made one for an easier and shorter experience. They will help you fold it correctly so you can take it home in your backpack!
Our recommendations for Hoi An
Food/Drinks
Nourish Eatery (breakfast and lunch)
Rosie’s Cafe (breakfast and lunch)
Nū Eatery (dinner) (prepare for a queue, or be there early)
Lim Dinning Room (‘romantic’ dinner)
We stayed at December Hoi An Villa during our time in Hoi An, and it was honestly the nicest hotel we stayed at in all of Vietnam. The swimming pool was fantastic, the rooms were spacious, and the staff was so friendly that they brought us tea when we were not feeling well. It is located between the center and the beach, which we found ideal because we could get everywhere quickly by scooter.
MEKONG DELTA
Formed by the Mekong River, this delta is a network of waterways, swamps, and islands that show a peaceful side of Vietnamese life. The Mekong delta is a perfect place for travelers looking for a genuine and peaceful experience, full of culture and natural beauty. It’s a long way to travel if you’re only visiting this place in the south of Vietnam and if we are honest, maybe not worth it. But if you are traveling to South Vietnam anyways, the Mekong delta is really nice to explore for a few days!
What to do at the Mekong Delta?
Explore the floating markets
If you have been to the floating market in Thailand, this may be a minor disappointment. Unlike Thailand, the floating market of the Mekong delta does not have small boats, but mainly larger ships. There are a number of ships where you can go to order some fresh fruit and a cup of tea. Furthermore, you can really see the trade on the ships. Hundreds of melons and other goods are thrown to each other and each boat has its own share of the trade.Go an a boat tour
Take a boat tour through the maze of canals and rivers. These tours often include stops at local villages, fruit orchards, and also a floating market.Join a cycling tour
Rent a bike, follow a guide, and cycle through the scenic countryside. The route passes through rice paddies, coconut groves, and small villages. Our tour also included a stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda for some cultural exploration.
Our recommendations for Mekong Delta
We stayed at Green Village Mekong delta and we would recommend this place! The food was basic but good and the rooms were very large. The best thing about this place are the hammocks that each house has on its veranda. From here you can hear the birds chirping while the sun goes down, an oasis of peace.
Hi, we are Bren and Tess! We travel to the most beautiful places in the world, and with our video's, we hope you feel inspired to do the same.
