For many travelers the small Asian country that is Vietnam has become the destination of choice. As places like Thailand and Bali become over run with tourists, Vietnam’s untouched charm is the place to go for the seasoned traveler. Whilst you can choose to simply spend all of your time in Saigon the best way to really see the county is to make the journey from North to South.
For the most economical way to travel you can purchase a bus ticket that will get you all the way from Hanoi to Saigon and you are able to customize your journey. Train is also an option, however bus is by far the easiest and cheapest way to go. Most buses are designed to lay down rather than sit, so it’s a good idea to take a lower seat.
However if you’re not into taking the bus, then flying is really cheap and Jetstar will get you across country.
Hanoi.
The largest city in the North, Hanoi is a bustling metropolis full of side streets and bright lights. If you have never been to an Asian country then the traffic can be a little crazy. However most moped drivers will simply go around you, so don’t hesitate when you cross the street – just go for it.
One thing about Hanoi is that the price of shopping is a little more expensive than South Vietnam. So save your hard-earned, you’re bound to get things cheaper else where. There is plenty of street food to sample, but the best by far is Bun Cha.
Bun Cha is a dish of grilled pork and noodle. It’s served with grilled pork patties (cha) and white vermicelli noodles (bun). Usually it’s served with some banh goi (a pork, onion and mushroom spring roll type item) and herbs, chili, garlic and dipping sauce. It’s pretty hard to find it in any other place so grab some and your taste buds will thank you for it.
Halong Bay.
Dubbed as one of the wonders of the natural world, Halong Bay will not disappoint you. It’s best to book a tour, but avoid booking through your hotel as many hotels bump up the price. Expect to pay less than one hundred dollars from an off the street tour desk. The journey will take about 2 hours so make sure to book and overnight trip. Watching the sunrise on the Bay is a bucket-list must do. Whilst you’re on the Bay you will enjoy some adventurous pursuits.
Hike through one of Vietnam’s largest limestone caves, Sun Sot Cave and most tours stop here for a walk through the limestone cave. The area is fairly busy leaving little time to stop and enjoy and it really is just a power walk through a really large cave jam-packed with people. It certainly is a spectacular sight.
In the evening there is a quick stop to kayak, where you can either sit in luxury and allow one of the locals to row you through the caves or grab a buddy and have a go at kayaking for yourself. Whichever you choose its well worth the breathtaking views.
Nihn Bihn
Jump on the late bus and make your way to the small out-of-the-way town of Nihn Bihn. Try to book your hotel in advance as arriving late at night in a small town without a place to stay isn’t a great idea. Not a lot of tourists venture here, however for the more experienced traveler it’s a must do for the magical scenery surrounding the town.
Trang An Grottoes
A short drive just outside of Nihn Bihn is the stunning Trang An Grottoes. The UNESCO World Heritage site is an amazing boat ride through picturesque scenery. Paddle through limestone caves so low that you have to duck at times, sparkling stalactites descending from the cave ceilings.
Mua Peak
For the energetic traveler Mua Peak is a 450 stair climb to the peak. Stunning views of the region await you,the Red River Delta to the East, rice paddies below and mountains surrounding. It’s a strenuous climb and steep at times, so take water and make sure to pace yourself.
Hue
The small town of Hue is worth visiting for some of the historical sites that the city boasts. The Imperial Palace is worth a look, but take water, as there is not a lot of shade and it gets pretty hot walking around in the sun. Another really interesting place to visit and hailed as one of the most splendid Imperial tombs is the Imperial Tomb of Khai Dinh. A short drive out-of-town the tomb took an astonishing 11 years to finish. It’s worth a look just to see the architecture and the stone soldiers that stand as sentinels , guarding the front courtyard.
Hoi An
Known as the shopping capitol of Vietnam Hoi An is a place where tourists flock to have garments hand-made by one of the cities many tailors. For around $40AUD you can choose a fabric and by the next day your new garment will be ready. There are hundreds of fabrics and styles to choose from, or you can buy what is known as a ‘ready made’ garment for fairly cheap at any of the local stores. The vendors are usually very friendly and more than happy to alter any garments you choose.
Mỹ Sơn Temple
Just outside Hoi An is the Hindu temples of Mỹ Sơn ( pronounced mee soon, not my sun) a temple that was constructed between the 4th and 14th century to honour the God Shiva. The temples were bombed heavily during the Vietnam War however many still remain somewhat intact. A local guided tour will set you back about $10 AUD and is worth it if you want to know the history of the place. Otherwise hire a moped and take a self guided walk. Again its pretty hot here so make sure to drink a lot of water. Insider tip: The only toilets are at a kiosk on the way in and don’t stock any toilet paper, so make sure to pack some or you could have a very embarrassing experience.
Saigon
Even though its labelled as Ho Chi Mihn City on the map, its a bit of a faux pas to call it that when in Vietnam. Saigon is what the locals will always call it and they are immensely proud of this bustling city, refusing to accept the renaming. There is a lot to do in the city, however with four million mopeds be super careful where you walk. Most drivers will simply go around you, but the occasional one will be too busy staring at their cell phone to notice you, so make your presence known when you need to.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Originally built in the late 1940s the Cu Chi tunnels are an intricate system of tunnels running underground in the Saigon district of Cu Chi, and were a hiding place against the French invasion. Later they were used as hiding places during the American War and it is believed the tunnels run all the way to the Cambodian border. Nowadays they have been widened for the slightly taller tourists and are a really interesting half day tour. They are eerie to crawl through and if you are brave, you can find out exactly how inhabitants lived. For the more adventurous try your hand at shooting a round at the firing range, where you can fire live ammunition from any of the high-powered guns such as the M-16. Warning: This is a lot of FUN! To book a tour, they are fairly cheap and a half day is recommended. If you can go in the morning its best to do so as the area is known to experience afternoon Monsoonal rains.
Ben Thanh Market
Saigon is famous for its bustling market places that inadvertently crop up all over the place in alley ways, out the front of hotels and on street corners. The largest and most permanent market place is in District one and is loud, over priced and very touristy. However its worth a look here as all the different kinds of food are simply amazing and will have you scratching you head in wonder. However if you can avoid it, don’t buy your trinkets here, the prices are geared to tourists and are over inflated. Stick to local shops to make purchases to take home.
For the experienced traveller Vietnam is a delightful country that will tantalise and seduce you with its simple charm. The people are freindly, curious and always helpful. For the less experienced traveller it is a country that will welcome you with open arms and leave you wanting to explore more of this increadible planet.
The best way to travel in Vietnam is to go with a sense of wonder, curiosity and manners. People will bend over backwards to help you, but also make sure you are aware of common scams. Like with many developing countries there is a common misconception that if you have light skin you must be wealthy and Vietnam is no excpetion to this. Make sure you travel smart and do your reading up on what to expect. Whislt its nice to be invited for a drink, you will be stuck with the bill – so be careful of things like that. Its people are warm and friendly and always willing to sit down and talk about life and share thier experiences- making it a truly heart warming place to visit.
Important Visa Info:
Vietnam requires a visa for any entry into the country whether it transit or an extended stay. If you are planning to visit more than one country make sure to get a multiple entry visa or you will have trouble returning. There are two ways of getting a visa and that is to apply before you leave at your local consulate or to apply upon arrival. Applying upon arrival will slow up your entry into the country so it is advisable to apply before you go, at least a month in advance. A new wave of scams has seen websites offering on-line visas. Do not be fooled by this, Vietnamese customs will not accept these visas and they are a scam that will leave you out-of-pocket.
Photography tips:
For photography at Halong Bay you will need a wide lens such as the Samyang 14 mm to capture the sunrise and inside the cave systems. The water is still enough to be able to capture some really pretty sunrises and sunsets on the Bay.
Cities like Saigon and Hanoi are amazing for Street Photography but you will need a long lens such as the Samyang 135mml so you can get away from the action and shoot from a distance.
Compact Light travel tripod is a must. You don't want to take anything too heavy as you will be doing lots of walking. The Benro MeFoto Backpacker Tripod, Aluminium would be my tripod of choice for sunrise in Halong Bay.
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