In January 2024, I made a 15 hour trip to Hanoi, Vietnam from Geneva, Switzerland. I flew with Qatar Airways and had a layover in Doha for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Vietnam was only added to my travel bucket list a couple of years ago when I hadn’t heard of many people visiting the country. I thought an adventure would be found there and that excited me. This was my second trip to Asia, the first country I had visited was China in 2013.
Vietnam is a beautiful and intriguing country that is often underrated and overlooked. It truly is a country to form magical memories. From its stunning landscapes, pristine bays and beaches surrounded by islands and islets, fascinating agricultural villages, chaotic cities, friendly people, fresh food, and intimate luxury cruises, there is something for everyone.
For anyone planning a trip to Vietnam or considering it as a possible destination, here is a travel guide to help you plan your trip there and make the most of it.
Check Out Instagram Video Content On Vietnam
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About Vietnam
Some people associate Vietnam for its lush green forests, beautiful beaches and incredible caves. While those things play a part in its ability to draw travellers to its location, this destination offers so much more than that. Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country bordering the Gulf of Thailand, the Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea. It is impossible to summarise what makes Vietnam so unique. It is the most endlessly interesting outdoor adventure area you will encounter.
The Best Time To Go To Vietnam
Vietnam is an all-year round destination. However, the weather does vary depending if you are visiting the North or the South. In the South, the dry season runs from December to May whereas the rainy season runs from June to November. In the North, May to October is hot and humid with high rainfall whereas November to April is cooler and dry. Depending on how far north you travel, December and January can get pretty cold. I visited the North during their winter season in January 2024 and the average temperatures were between 14 to 25 °C. While it did rain while I was in Hanoi, I was told that it was rare to see rain around that time. Though it didn’t stop me from enjoying the activities.
Getting To Vietnam
I flew from Geneva to Hanoi via Qatar Airways – there are quite a few options to choose from here. The airport that you want to get to is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. It’s the only international airport in Northern Vietnam. My flights were really good and I got to Hanoi by midday. Make sure to search for your flight early to catch good deals. This is really important if you are going late January to early February as their Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year) celebration is around that time and people are travelling back home for the celebrations. The prices of flights will increase quickly.
The only flight tracker that I used for this trip was Google Flights. I would clear cache often to get the best deals.
For most countries, entering Vietnam requires a visa. Depending on the passport that you hold, you may not need a visa but you do need to have at least 6 months left before the expiry date of your passport. Their immigration has a strict policy on this. Check their official website for up-to-date information as it does change every so often.
Where I Stayed In Vietnam
There are a variety of places to stay in Vietnam. In the cities, you’ll find luxury and boutique hotels, hostels, beach resorts, apartments etc. In certain locations, you’ll find unique home stays which are very popular. There is accommodation for any budget.
During my trip, I mainly stayed in the Northern and Central Vietnam and flew between the cities with Vietnam Airlines. I booked my tickets a few days before I left Geneva. Sleeper trains are another popular form of transportation to get around the country. Lastly for short distances, you can order a Grab, Southeast Asia’s version of Uber. It’s used for food deliveries, groceries, package deliveries and financial services.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and it is located in Northern Vietnam. While I was in Hanoi, I stayed at the Acoustic Hotel & Spa which is located in the Old Quarter. I had a great stay there and tend to seek out boutique hotels when I travel as I love the intimacy and the bespoke experience. My room was upgraded when I arrived and I had a balcony with a city view. There was a grand piano in the back of the hotel that I was itching to play. There is a restaurant on site where I had breakfast every morning. For my other meals, I took the opportunity to venture into the Old Quarter and explore the variety of food options. I recommend staying here if you want to be in between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. Rates are around $240 per night.
There are other places that you can stay in Hanoi such as Babylon Premium Hotel & Spa and a popular choice: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay is part of the famous Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its unique formation of over 2000 islands and islets in the ocean. While it is a popular tourist destination, there are multiple activities that you can do depending on both the bay you choose to visit and the cruise ship that you book. I booked my cruise with Indochina Junk and went on their 2 day 1 night on the Dragon Legend Cruise. I had access to a spa, a sundeck roof and the indoor restaurant. Despite all the other cruise choices, I chose them because they were one of the few companies that were visiting Bai Tu Long Bay. An immersive and intimate experience was what I wanted. You can check out my cruise review on Instagram. Rates are around $240 for the cruise package.
Hoi An
Lastly my final stop was in Hoi An, the city of lanterns, and my favourite destination. I stayed at the Cozy Savvy Boutique Hotel. It was definitely cozy and my room was delightful! I was captivated by the breathtakingly gorgeous showering area and its art deco bathtub. As Hoi An is a beachside destination, the hotel rents out bikes to explore the countryside, the rice fields and visit the beaches. There is a restaurant on site that offers breakfast and dinner. I enjoyed the restaurant for breakfast as I was able to explore a typical Vietnamese breakfast. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere of the hotel was warm.
I had a balcony where I could sit and read in the afternoons. Likewise, if I wanted a change of scenery, I could easily head over to the rooftop pool or walk five minutes to the Old Town. Rates are around $180 per night.
Above all, most of the hotels in Hoi An are boutique hotels. There are other places you can stay at such as La An Central Boutique Villa and a popular choice: Hotel Royal Hoi An -McGallery
What To Do In Vietnam
Vietnam isn’t just about the lush green forests – even though those views are postcard worthy. Vietnam isn’t just about its beautiful beaches and incredible caves. This country has so much to offer and I didn’t even touch the surface during my visit. Here are my top activity recommendations to do:
Hanoi
1) Take a street food tour in Hanoi Old Quarter
Taking a street food tour is highly recommended especially if you don’t know much about Vietnamese cuisine. It will introduce to their food and how to spot the best street food spots in the country. I’m glad that I did this tour as this was my first eating Vietnamese food. This tour also included a visit to Train Street. You can book the tour here.
2) Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and Walking Street
Exploring a new destination is one of the best ways to learn more about the country, its people and its history. Hoan Kiem Walking Street is the perfect place to start in Hanoi as it’s a peaceful. While you’re there, you’ll see a few historical sites surrounding the lake.
3) Visit Quang Phu Cau Incense Village and a Lacquer Art Making Village
Visiting the Quang Phu Cau Incense Village and the Lacquer Art Making Village was a unique and immersive experience! I was able to participate in the process which made it wholesome. This is an opportunity to support small and local businesses. You can book the tour here.
4) Visit Bat Trang Ceramic Village and Van Phu Silk Village
Hanoi is filled with hidden craft villages that are incredible to visit. The ceramic village is the most famous in Vietnam and the silk village lures you in with the beautiful silk clothing. You’ll be able to see and learn about the process of making the ornaments and clothing. In addition, you’ll be able to join a ceramic workshop and buy souvenirs for family and friends.
Bai Tu Long Bay
5) Do a cruise in the Halong Bay region
To add a little luxury retreat to your Vietnam itinerary, take a cruise in the Halong Bay region. It is popular for its limestone mountains and emerald waters. However as it is a popular region for cruises, I opted for the lesser know bay, Bai Tu Long Bay because I wanted a more intimate and meaningful experience. With this option, there were only four other cruise ships around us and we were able to spend more time doing the activities. You can find all the information here.
6) Go to a water puppet show
Water puppet shows are a unique art form in Vietnam which originates from the delta of the Red river in the 10th Century. These shows are usually held to celebrate the end of the rice harvest, religious festivals or simply for entertainment. In Hanoi, you can book tickets to a show at the Thang Long Theatre. My cruise package came with a water puppet show at the Yen Dun Dun agricultural village.
Hoi An
7) Get custom made clothes at the tailors
Of course I wasn’t going to leave Vietnam without getting some clothes made. Hoi An is known for offering a unique cultural experience when it comes to tailoring services. Having custom made clothes was too good of an opportunity to pass up. You can see all the clothes that I got made here and tips to make sure that you get your clothes well-tailored.
The tailoring service that I used was Tuong Tailor, a bespoke designer tailoring. Here are their details:
📍 65-67 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An, Vietnam
📞 (+84) 905 639 168, (+84) 914 049 595
8) Visit An Bang beach
You have to visit the pristine beaches of Vietnam regardless if you are where you are in the country. Before I went to Seychelles, beaches were not my thing. As soon as I could rent a bike, I cycled to enjoy this picturesque destination for some relaxation and stunning sunsets.
9) Join a cooking class in Coconut Village
Joining a cooking class is another way to immerse yourself into the Vietnamese culture. You get to move away from the tourist spots and into the heart of where the locals congregate: the market. Visiting the market as part of the cooking class helped me understand more about the ingredients used. Also, you’ll get to experience the Coconut Basket Boats ride before arriving at the cooking class. You can book the experience here.
What To Eat
Vietnamese cuisine is so light, healthy and fresh! As it is a coastal country, I took advantage of eating as much seafood as possible. I tried calamari and squid for the first time. However, chicken, pork and beef are very popular meats that you can find on every menu. For vegetarians, they have a lot of dishes with tofu in them. When it comes to street food, I opted for places that had more locals than tourists to get the local price. In short, it’s hard to choose what my favourite dish was but I aimed to be adventurous with what I chose.
Here are some restaurants to go to in Hoi An:
- Cao Lau Thanh for Hoi An brown noodles
- Madam Khanh for Banh Mi
- Ba Buoi, for the best chicken fried rice
- Reaching Out Teahouse for a tea tasting experience
- Hoi An Night Market
What To Wear
Vietnam is an all-year round destination. However, the weather does vary depending if you are visiting the North or the South. If you are going to the North, I recommend bringing a light jacket and a hoodie with you as it does it get cold at night. For Hoi An, you can pack light when you go as its in Central Vietnam and average temperatures are around 20-25 °C. I’m not a light packer so I can’t give you any recommendations on that. Swimwear for the beaches. Clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is mandatory when visiting historical sites. Overall, Vietnam is a modesty country and its people value humility, restraint and modesty. Short shorts, crop tops and tank tops aren’t considered appropriate. In sum, follow the rules of the land.
Final Thoughts
Vietnam was such an exciting immersive cultural experience for me! For my second international solo trip, I was captivating! It’s an incredible destination that I barely scratched the surface of and as a result, I’ll definitely be revisiting it some time in the future. I hope that this travel guide and my video content has convinced you to add Vietnam to your travel bucket list.
Thank you for reading and share this with a friend that might be interested in visiting. Check out my Instagram to see what I got up to in Vietnam. To see all my other travel guides, please check the Travel tag. Drop any questions or comments that you have down below. If you enjoy travel content, make sure to subscribe to the blog, so you don’t miss any future posts.
Until next time,
Folakemi
