It’s just the time to pack my back and set off to the holiday to Vietnam, As a student I have saved my pocket money for a year and worked part time in the evening to which I can afford a nice and relaxed trip to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and the Thailand, this part of the Asia was in my list of destinations for years now, just can’t wait anymore, it’s my time now.
Saigon: Starting point of my holiday to Vietnam
Some of the reviews I have seen through all the many website that offers Vietnam vacation packages advised to start the journey in Saigon and end in Hanoi, but I think this doesn’t matter as long as you find an affordable flight that meets your departure time with your schedule, however, I landed in Saigon, and as soon as I find myself in the city then I faced all those photos that I have seen before I planning my trip to Vietnam.
I choose April to start my vacation, I read that this is a good time and almost all Vietnam has an stable climate, means not always rainy, not too hot and not too humid, that’s perfect to start and hope all the amazing scenery could be seen in the time frame I have given for my holiday to Vietnam.
I expected an exotic and thrilled country and have almost a month ahead to find out and see all those vibrant beauty on my own. I travel light and I never carry too much things on my vacations, just a light luggage, a pair of pants, t-shirts and some other small things, Vietnam is cheap enough to buy whatever you need.
I planned my vacation well in a head of time to avoid any rush and missing, I have had some basic knowledge of what I should include on my days when in Vietnam but it seems a bit frustrated to do it on my own, I am adventurous but I would like to get help and use the knowledge of the peoples who have a long hand and all the necessary factors to create a once in a life time trip to me.
Saigon to Hanoi: What not to miss?
Like I said, there are many attractions to see and a lot of things to do, but I don’t like to go through all the must see attractions, I do believe there are places that worth to visit for a new experience, some people go on a holiday to visit what other want to see but that’s not always work for me, I divided my stay in Vietnam by 3 part:
South Vietnam and beaches
South to central
North and Halong bay
After spending 3 days in Saigon, I decided to take a 3 exotic and adventurous day to visit Delta of Mekong. This is rice bowl of Vietnam, said my guide, I have taken a cruise through the mekong to feel the life and see the beauties from the water, I visited Cai rong, cai be, Vinh Long, Ben tre and slept over night on the cruise, this was an awesome experience to me.
Back to Saigon, I met fellow travelers who said they are off to Nha trang, this is a holiday destination for almost every Vietnamese as well as tourists, but except the beauty, I don’t like to go to commercial beaches, Instead, I took a plan ticket and flight to an island called Phu Quoc, it was beautiful, clean and just the way I want, I spent another 3 days in there, tasted very delicious sea foods selling by locals right at the beach, I took a fishing and boat trip as well. It was all great, I do recommend it.
Back to Saigon and took a day to visit cu chi tunnel, this is what remind you to the bloody war days in Vietnam, where the troops of the South Vietnam have dig this underground tunnels to protect themselves, the site is very well designed, the tunnels included kitchen, clinic and places to rest, all underground. Well done, nice job !
South to central Vietnam
Its time to say good bye to Saiogn and South Vietnam, I jump on a night train to Hoi An, this river side city is so peaceful and recognized as a UNESCO heritage city, my initial plan was to stay few days here, but now I changed my mind and want to stay 1 week to visit 3 places: Hoi An, Da nang and Hue.
I visited many historical attractions, beaches and have had a lot of fun times with locals and the tourists. Hue and Hoi and as well as Da nang should not be missed at all. My holiday to Vietnam is going very well, Hoi An old town was absolutely the star of central Vietnam if I say Hue citadel and attractions was the gems.
North Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa
Hanoi is very different compare to Saigon, the atmosphere is more relaxed and the city itself looks more classic. I plan to stay in Hanoi for at least a week, to relax, enjoy and do the deep sightseeing. My hotel was near the old town where almost 70 % of traveler will stay because it is almost close to anything you want.
Time to go to the Halong bay, well, I wanted to plan and visit the bay on my own, and then I met some travelers in my hotel that advised me to take a tour as it is way more hassle-free and more convenient. I took 3 days 2 night halong tour with Lux Travel DMC, the bay is amazing, it looks like you are in the other world, can’t imagine such a beauty as all I have ever seen was castles, palaces, historical attractions and so on. The seafood lunch was mouthwatering and the cruise facility as well.
Sapa is my last destination of my trip to Vietnam; this trip was arranged by the same company and I experienced a light trekking along with visiting the ethnic minorities, people wearing beautiful and colorful customs. The Sunday market was such a good experience.
Last advice for anyone visiting Vietnam
I try to make it short; if you are coming for a holiday to Vietnam the first thing you need to know is when to go? Where to go? And how? Vietnam has so many things to see and I’m sure even 1 month can be less.
