Welcome to my blog on Vietnam, a country that took me by surprise with its unexpected beauty and serene landscapes. From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquil hills of Hoi An, Vietnam has a diverse range of landscapes to explore. But it’s not just the scenery that makes this country special – it’s the warm and friendly people who are always eager to share their culture and traditions with visitors. In this blog, I will share my experiences travelling through Vietnam, highlighting some of the most breathtaking places I visited, the delicious food I sampled, and the fascinating history and culture I encountered along the way. So join me as we delve into the enchanting world of Vietnam and discover the magic of this fascinating country.
Day 0
Our journey started from Mumbai and we proceeded to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. With eager anticipation to explore the alluring country of Vietnam, we waited for our 2305 Vietjet flight.
Day 1
Upon our arrival in Hanoi at 0530, we swiftly went through immigration, acquired a local sim card for communication and navigation, and exchanged our dollars for the local currency, Dong. We were welcomed by the local driver who picked us up in a Limousine (yes, pretty common there) and dropped us at the hotel.
We had the first day for ourselves. After getting some rest and breakfast, we set out to explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi. As we walked through the streets, our first impression – the roads were filled with a sea of mopeds, motorcycles and luxury cars, a bunch of hawkers (mostly women) in their modified cycles and conical hats selling their stuff and roadside cafes swarmed with people sitting on ankle-high stools and tables relishing Pho (a Vietnamese soup dish), beers, coffee and tea.
It is amazing to see the harmony between the pedestrians who endlessly cross and walk on the roads amidst the traffic and the vehicles weave and dodges the pedestrians without any clashes. These motorcycles are everywhere, on the pavements, and on the roads. To distract ourselves, we turned towards the buildings and architecture. With the domination of French colonial architecture, most of the buildings and houses were narrow, deep and tall.
As we walked, our first stop was Train Street – an active train track in the midst of a narrow alley which is filled with houses and cafes. As the street is bustling with tourists, owing to safety, they are not let on the tracks. We passed through Hanoi Tower and The Supreme Peoples Court as we left the train street.
Our next stop was the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, which is the remains of the demolished Hoa Lo Prison. It was used to capture Vietnamese and American political prisoners during the Vietnamese wars. We can view exhibits showing the conditions under which the prisoners lived, remains from the prisons and various stories.
With non-veg supremacy in Vietnam, it is impossible to find something edible for vegetarians. Fresh and delicious fruits and bread were the only breakfast. In order to have a filling food, we set out in search of Indian restaurants on all the 7 days of our stay.
After lunch at a nearby Indian restaurant, we took a cab to Tran Quoc Pagoda a 1500 year old holy place for Buddhists. Nestled on a small island in the picturesque West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a must-visit destination. You can feel the spirituality and holy essence of the place with the 15 meters tall stupa, idols of lord Budha, people praying, offerings and incense sticks. We then strolled through the bank of the west lake in the amazing cloudy weather of Hanoi to reach the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.
Ho Chi Minh is a revered figure in Vietnamese history and was the first President of the country. His mausoleum is located in the heart of Hanoi and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It is surrounded by a well-maintained garden and bonsai trees, and shopping complexes. We returned back to our hotel.
Evening we set out to explore the night market of Hanoi and the Dong Xuan market (closed at night). After wandering around the market, exploring the specialities of the region and bargaining with the vendors, we stopped to try the local savours. We then set out to find an Indian restaurant for dinner and returned amidst the pouring clouds and the beer street where people partied in large numbers.
Day 2
A very exciting day for me as we were going to spend our next day on a cruise sailing through tranquil waters in Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay is a world-renowned destination, known for its stunning natural beauty, unique limestone formations, and crystal-clear waters. It was a dream of mine to visit this magnificent place, and I was thrilled to finally have the opportunity to see it for myself. Ha Long Bay is also one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is true to its name.
On the way to Tuan Chau Marina, we took a two-hour bus ride and made a stop at a pearl-making workshop and shop. We were picked up by the cruise from Tuan Chau Marina, and it was an incredible experience to enjoy the beautiful weather and the flowing waters, while also receiving excellent hospitality from the staff. Upon arrival, we were served lunch and were allocated our cabins and settled in for the journey.
In the evening our cruise stopped for us to explore the Sung Sot Cave or Surprise Cave, one of the biggest caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave was filled with awe-inspiring formations, each one more intricate and beautiful than the last. We saw stalactites that looked like turtle, and even a towering formation that resembled a dragon two of the four sacred animals of Vietnam (unicorn and phoenix are the other two). The colours and textures of the rock formations were truly remarkable, and we couldn’t help but feel like we were exploring another world entirely.
We then visited the Ti Top island with a beautiful beach and a view of the entire bay. We could see the entire bay, with its towering limestone karsts and pristine waters, stretching out before us. Upon returning to our cruise, we spent the rest of the evening enjoying a demonstration on how to prepare spring rolls, followed by a delicious dinner. As we relaxed, we watched other cruises float by in the sea against the backdrop of the stunning limestone islands, while soothing music played in the background.
Day 3
The following day greeted us with a misty and beautiful morning. We visited Luon Caves, where we were able to kayak on our own and explore the stunning caves. Kayaking underneath the caves was an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, we did not have the chance to see any of the monkeys that are commonly sighted in the area. After kayaking, we returned to our cruise to freshen up and have lunch before heading back to the shore.
Following our two-hour journey, we arrived back at our hotel before being transferred to the airport. We then boarded a Bamboo Airways flight from Hanoi to Da Nang. Reached Da Nang late at night and after an hour’s ride, reached our hotel in Hoi An.
Day 4
Another exciting day as we got ready to tour Ba Na Hills. This magical destination is known for its breathtaking views, lush greenery, and a wide range of attractions that cater to all interests. From the stunning Golden Bridge and French Village to the cable car ride up the mountain, Ba Na Hills offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.
After an hour of the ride to the bottom of the hill, we took the cable car amidst the misty and green hill to reach the top. We couldn’t see anything with the mist. We visited the French wine cellar, Linh Ung Pagoda and Le Jardin D’amour which consists of nine different gardens. The next attraction was the famous Golden Bridge. This stunning pedestrian bridge is known for its unique design, which features two enormous hands that appear to be holding the bridge up in the air. The bridge itself is made of shiny, golden-coloured steel, which gives it a magical and otherworldly appearance.
We then took another cable car to visit the French village at a further higher altitude. There, we took a Lava train, this miniature train takes visitors on a leisurely ride through the beautiful gardens and forests of Ba Na Hills, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. As we reached the Sun World, we experienced the 4D show and other activities. We then enjoyed a buffet lunch at Arapang that had 200+ dishes (hardly, 1/8th for vegetarians) from different cuisines, beverages and desserts. The huge catfish was the attraction here.
After strolling through the French village, we revisited the beautiful Golden Bridge before returning back to the cable car. The ride back was pretty terrifying as we rode through the steepness of the hill. We came back to our hotel.
Post lunch at an Indian restaurant (2.5 kilometres from the hotel), we visited the Hoi An night market. The market is located in the heart of the town’s historic district and offers visitors a chance to experience the local culture and cuisine. Hoi An night market proved to be a delightful destination with its hundreds of lit lanterns, boats adorned with lanterns cruising on the Thu Bon river, vendors offering a plethora of goods, live music, and locals relaxing in nearby bars. We walked back to our hotel.
Day 5
Today we had our Pacific Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. We spent our morning chilling and visiting nearby places like the Japanese bridge before flying to HCM City.
HCM City is a bustling and modern metropolis known for its fast-paced lifestyle, modern infrastructure, and impressive skyscrapers, making it a stark contrast to the more traditional and laid-back Hanoi in the north. The city’s streets are filled with a constant stream of motorbikes and cars, and the sidewalks are crowded with people going about their daily business. We spent the evening taking a short walk around the city before coming back to our hotel.
Day 6
Our destination for the day – The Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta is a vast and vibrant region located in the southwestern part of Vietnam. It is often referred to as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam due to its fertile soil and abundant rice crops. The Mekong River, one of the longest rivers in Asia and the seventh longest in the world runs through the region and is the lifeblood of the area, providing water for irrigation and transportation. The Mekong Delta is a diverse and fascinating region, home to numerous floating markets, fruit orchards, and traditional villages.
On our two-hour ride to the Mekong Delta, we visited the Vinh Nghiem Buddhist Temple which has three large statues of Lord Buddha standing, sitting and sleeping. Upon arrival at My Tho, we took a boat to Unicorn Island along Dragon Island, Turtle Island and Phoenix Island. In Unicorn Island, we visited a coconut candy-making factory where they prepared hand-made coconut candies with no sugar (they use the sweet extracted from rice) and a bee-keeping farm where we tried fresh honey tea and royal jelly. We then took a rowing boat ride along the coconut canal where we could see the daily lives of the people on the island.
After enjoying some traditional Vietnamese music whilst tasting fresh fruits from the island, we had lunch at a local restaurant. Post lunch, we relaxed on the swings and explored the island on bicycles. We then started back to our bus in the motorboat and reached our hotel by 1730.
We spent our evening exploring the local stores like 7-eleven, specialities in the city, the local market and more in the beautiful city. We also strolled through the famous Bui Vien Walking Street, a vibrant and bustling area located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. The street is known for its lively nightlife scene, with numerous bars, restaurants, and street vendors lining the sidewalks. Visitors to Bui Vien can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment options, from live music performances to cultural shows and traditional Vietnamese dance performances. There were people on the road trying to pull visitors into their restaurants with their menus. We returned back to our hotel.
Day 7
The final day of our trip we spent at our leisure. Enjoying breakfast at the hotel, shopping for shoes which are predominantly manufactured in Vietnam, trying the coconut milk coffee, iced tea, and varieties of beverages which are specific to Sout East Asia and experiencing the country for one last day. We took the Indigo flight back to Kolkata the following morning.
Vietnam is a country full of diverse and fascinating cultures, stunning landscapes, and friendly locals. From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the charming alleyways of Hanoi and the quaint historic town of Hoi An, our 7-day journey through Vietnam was an unforgettable experience. We were delighted to explore the various attractions, indulge in the delicious local cuisine, and immerse ourselves in the rich history and traditions of this beautiful country. Whether it was taking a cruise through the emerald waters of Halong Bay, exploring the enchanting caves, or visiting the historical sites and markets, every moment in Vietnam was truly special.
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