Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia and is known for its vibrant culture. Vietnam has so much to offer from the mountains in Sapa to rice fields to the history of Ho Chi Minh City to the limestone formations in Halong Bay to the quaint town of Hanoi. There are so many different places to see in Vietnam, but this travel guide will highlight Halong Bay, Hanoi, and Hoi An.
Things to Know About Vietnam:
- Depending what passport you have, you will need a visa to visit Vietnam regardless of the length of your visit. It is important to have all your paperwork in order before arriving in the country.
- Vietnam is split into three regions: Northern, Central and Southern Vietnam. The weather patterns can vary significantly month to month based on where you visit.
- The overall best time to visit Vietnam is November to April
- Asia is a relatively inexpensive place to visit relative to other regions of the world. It is possible to stay at really beautiful, high-end resorts at an affordable rate.
Things to Do In Halong Bay/Hanoi:
Cruise Halong Bay: Halong Bay was declared a UNESCO site in 1994. It is located about two hours by car from Hanoi. A visit to Hanoi is often combined when going to Halong Bay. There are a ton of tour companies that will provide transportation from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The most popular activity is to take an overnight cruise to explore Halong Bay. The views and vistas in Halong Bay are absolutely beautiful!
Explore Hanoi French Quarter and Hanoi Old Quarter: The French Quarter and the Old Quarter are a must while in Hanoi. There is so much to see and plenty of restaurants where you can try the local Vietnamese cuisine. On weekend evenings, Hanoi Old Quarter closes for their night market, which is when the city becomes alive with children playing the streets, dancing, and performers all along the main street.
Take a Cooking Class: Whenever we visit a new country, we usually take a cooking class as it is a great way to get immersed in the culture as well as an opportunity to meet new people who are also traveling in the country.
Hoan Kiem Lake is located right on the outskirts of the Old Quarter, and provides a bit of a quiet sanctuary compared to the rest of the city.
Things to Do in Hoi An:
Hoi An has been consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the world to visit due to its charm and history as an old port town. As you walk through the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, the Chinese and Japanese influence permeates the streets.
During your visit to Hoi An, it is worthwhile to spend a few hours exploring the center town. The center is located on the banks of Thu Bon River. Hoi An shows the historical impact of the Japanese and Chinese cultures throughout its streets. Another way to spend your day is to pick a walking tour, which is a good way to learn more about the history of Hoi An that you wouldn’t otherwise know just by walking throughout the town. Hoi An is a pedestrian only town.
Things to Hoi An Old Town:
Lantern Festivals: It is believed that Japanese (and the Chinese prior) introduced the lanterns to the Vietnamese culture as a symbol of good luck. Once a month, depending on the lunar calendar, Vietnamese locals as well as tourists travel to Hoi An to spread the lanterns throughout the city. The lanterns are thought to bring good fortune, love, and happiness.
Get a suit tailored: Hoi An is known for its tailoring. There are many of tailors located throughout the city, which makes it easy to get a completely custom suit over a matter of a couple of days. In addition to its history, Hoi An is known for its tailors as it is possible to get a new custom suit or dress in a matter of a couple of days.
Visit the Beach: Vietnam has some of the most beautiful beaches. Da Nang, located between the airport and Hoi An, has a number of luxury beachfront resorts, if looking for more of the beach vacation.
Try a Banh Mi: Vietnam is known for its Banh Mi, a baguette sandwich filled with pickled vegetables such as carrots and daikon, meat, and mayo. While there are tons of options in Hoi An to eat a traditional Banh Mi, Hoi An is home to the best Banh Mi sandwich according to the late Anthony Bourdain.
Vietnam is an incredible destination to visit when in Southeast Asia. You could easily spend weeks exploring the whole country. If you are looking for more guidance to travel to Vietnam (or any other trip), please feel free to reach out to learn more about our services.
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