A Quick Intro to Vietnam

Vietnam’s long, thin shape makes it very easy to explore – either start in Ho Chi Minh City and work your way up to Hanoi, or vice versa. The country has a well-trodden tourist route, with several ways to get around, including night buses, trains and domestic flights.

A visit to Ho Chi Minh City will allow you to learn more about the Vietnam War by visiting the War Remnants Museum and the famous Chu Chi tunnels. The city is a sprawling one, with skyscrapers, wide roads and lots of traffic.

The capital of Hanoi has a completely different vibe and feels a lot more like a town than a city. The historic Old Quarter is filled with French colonial buildings, casual restaurants and bars frequented by locals and tourists. Many visitors use Hanoi as a starting point for visiting Sapa and taking boat tours to Halong Bay.

On your Vietnam itinerary you should definitely visit Hoi An, which is perhaps one of the prettiest towns in the country. This UNESCO Heritage-listed town has a tranquil vibe, with pretty lanterns, historic buildings and a flowing river running through it. A popular activity to do in Hoi An is take a cooking class, so you can learn how to cook some popular Vietnamese dishes.

For more information, check out my full Vietnam 10 day itinerary, which includes all the major highlights.

Vietnamese cuisine is one of my favorite cuisines in the world. When I think back to my time in the country, I immediately think of sitting on plastic chairs and slurping fragrant bowls of pho. Other dishes to try include summer rolls, bánh mì (sandwiches), bun cha (barbecued pork, fresh noodles and fish sauce) and hủ tiếu (pork bone soup).