Vietnam Highlights
Vietnam Highlights
Saigon
15 Things To Do In Saigon In Just 3 Days
A Complete Guide to the Cu Chi Tunnels – This is a must. As an American, I learned more about the Vietnam war in one afternoon here than I did in 13 years of American schooling. For others it’s still a fascinating look into history and how it shaped the country as it is today. It is entirely possible to visit on your own, but once you get there you will need a guide anyway. While I am not one to usually prefer tours, the convenience of setting up transportation and your guide I think is worth skipping the long taxi ride for this particular occasion. They’ll also throw additional activities in there for you.
Mekong Delta Day trip – I personally was not a huge fan, it was too touristy and inauthentic for me. If I had more time I would’ve loved to have done it independently.
25 Must-Eat Dishes in Saigon (and where to try them)
CRAFT BEER!! Such a rarity in SEA and neither disappoint.
Sa Pa
When you head out to the hills there is only one man to go with. And his name is Huy. His experience is affordable and much more off the beaten path than others. We had such an amazing time we kept extending our time with him and we still keep in touch today. The entire experience start to finish – communication, food, happy water (rice wine), accommodation, hospitality and activities were unforgettable. Spend your days trekking through rice paddies and the hillside as he explains culture and life in Northern Vietnam (which is distinctly different than the South). Learn about the different people and languages as well as daily and seasonal life as you wander through bamboo forests and lunch at waterfalls.
His contact info: FB message him at with the name Sapa Bob. Or get in touch if you want me to connect you, it’s truly worth it.
Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba Island
Hoi An
7 Best Day Trips and Tours from Hoi An
Hoi An Food: 12 Must Eat Food and Where to Eat
Eat as much Cao lầu as often as you can. It is a regional dish of Hoi An and rarely found outside the city so enjoy it while you can! The meat (usually pork) is marinated and served with rice noodles, greens, bean spouts and a little bit of broth.
Hue
14 Must-Eat Restaurants and Street Food Stalls
In addition to the typical dishes of Hue also lies the tradition of royal cuisine. Have a six course meal with explanations of the varying dishes and leave happy and full. It is advertised all over and we just picked a random place and walked in!
Nha Trang
I have heard mixed reviews. Large groups of tour buses stop here, crowding the place and driving up prices. I have heard that it can be a blast with some good beach time and a fun amusement park but it was an easy skip when under a time constraint and having already been to Phu Quoc Island.
Ninh Binh
After going to Phong Nha and with plans to visit Sapa decided to skip Ninh Binh because I had heard it is quite similar.
Da Nang
To be honest I have no idea why I didn’t come here. If I ever go back to Vietnam I’d like to go to Da Nang.
Mui Ne
I really wanted to come here but there just wasn’t enough time!
Where to Stay, What to Eat and What to Do
