In this article, I give you a whistle-stop tour of Vietnam, and why the 3 weeks I spent here were the best 3 weeks of my life. Hanoi offered a beautiful old town with endless smiling faces offering hair washes, massages and the best Banh Mi in Vietnam. Dinners consisted of sitting on small plastic seats outside the most local restaurants, and if the food costed £1.50 and was served at a plastic table, you knew you were in for a treat. The infamous ‘Train street’ hosted bars and cafes on the railway tracks, letting tourists experience the thrill of the train coming through 5 inches from your face, as well as its bustling ‘Pub Street’, filled with bars, clubs and restaurants.
From Hanoi, we went North and completed the Ha Giang Loop – a motorcycle tour of the mountains and villages in North Vietnam. On the back of a motorbike driven by amazing ‘easy riders’, who know the roads like the back of their hands, you get to explore villages, towns, and the most incredible scenery of rice fields and mountains. A 4-day excursion sees new friends, new cultures, insane views, and the best time of your entire life. If I could recommend one thing for everyone to do before they die, it would be this.
As we left Ha Giang with tears in our eyes, we made it to Ninh Binh – the ultimate relaxation spot. From bike rides to poke bowls this place had it all, and with so many outdoor activities such as the duck farm, the Mua Cave hike, and the gorgeous Pagodas, it’s the perfect escape from city life.
Continuing south we hit Da Nang – the Miami of Vietnam. With sandy beaches, luxury (but cheap) beach clubs, and the infamous ‘Hand Bridge’ at Ba Na Hills, Da Nang offers the perfect balance of city life and beach holiday. From Da Nang we reached Hoi An – my second favourite place in Vietnam. Sunset volleyball on white sand beaches, coconut boating with the locals and the best night out in Vietnam were only a few things Hoi An had to offer. Our favourite hostel ‘Fuse Beachside’ would be my top recommendation, as well as an interesting experience in the Mr Bean bar…
Saying goodbye to Hoi An, we boarded one of many sleeper buses and made our way to our final stop – Ho Chi Minh. Speeding around the city on motorbikes, we saw apartment buildings turned cafes, learnt about the extensive and compelling stories from the Vietnam War and ate the best pizza of our lives at ‘Pizza 4 Ps’; the perfect end to our Vietnam trip.
Complete with the friendliest people, the tastiest food, and life-changing experiences, I couldn’t recommend Vietnam more.