We flew with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, and treated ourselves to business class. It made the long journey feel relaxed and comfortable, so we arrived in Vietnam actually excited to start exploring instead of exhausted.

Da Nang: Trendy Riverside Vibes And The Dragon Bridge

Our first stop was Da Nang, a modern, buzzy city on Vietnam’s central coast. We stayed at the trendy Wink Hotel Riverside, overlooking the famous Dragon Bridge. I loved being high up, with big windows and a view straight out over the river and the dragon’s sweeping body crossing it.

We dropped our bags and headed straight out to explore. Da Nang quickly won me over with its mix of shops, cafes and local culture. The location of our hotel was ideal, as we could walk to plenty of restaurants as well as to the bridge itself.

At one point we grabbed a Grab (Vietnam’s version of Uber) to a local dog café. You can cuddle the dogs there, which sounds very cute, but to be honest I am not sure I would really recommend it. It was interesting to see, but it is one of those things I would probably skip next time. After that we browsed the shops, wandered the streets and just got a feel for the city.

In the evening, after a quick shower back at the hotel, we headed out for dinner in a local restaurant, then joined the crowds to watch the famous Dragon Bridge fire and water show. Watching the dragon breathe fire and spray water over the river at night, with all the city lights around us, was such a fun way to end our first day.

Lady Buddha, Cheeky Monkeys And Beach Club Time

The next morning we went to see the enormous Lady Buddha statue, which looks out over the city and sea from the Son Tra Peninsula. The statue is around 67 metres high, so she really does dominate the skyline and is seen as a protector for fishermen and the city. The views are beautiful, even if the stars of the show ended up being the tiny monkeys running around pinching ice creams from visitors. They were very entertaining, but you definitely need to keep an eye on your snacks.

In the afternoon we decided to relax and headed to Kala Kala Beach Club. The weather was warm but quite windy and cloudy, so not the classic “perfect blue sky” beach day you see on Instagram. Even so, it was lovely to sit by the sea, enjoy a drink and soak up the atmosphere after a busy morning of sightseeing.

Ba Na Hills And The Golden Bridge: Beautiful But Busy

Our next adventure was Ba Na Hills, home of the famous Golden Bridge held up by giant stone hands. This is one of the most photographed spots in Vietnam and I was really looking forward to seeing it.

The cable car ride up the mountain was amazing, with wow‑factor views over the hills and forest below. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side that day. It was raining and very cloudy, so our photos did not really do the scenery justice, and we ended up buying raincoats to stay dry.

We had joined a group tour but, in hindsight, I would recommend doing Ba Na Hills independently. Being in a group meant there were very mixed abilities and different walking speeds, so we eventually left the tour and explored on our own. That suited us much better. Even though the weather was poor, it did not spoil the day. The bridge and the whole area are still very impressive and worth seeing; you just need to be prepared for crowds and cloud.

Hoi An: Lanterns, Tailors And River Magic

My favourite place of the trip was Hoi An, only around 40 minutes from Da Nang by Grab taxi but with a completely different feel.

We stayed at Hoi An Central Boutique, which was about a 10‑minute walk from the Old Town. The location was perfect. We could wander into the historic streets and along the river easily, and there were plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby. The weather in Hoi An was gorgeous too.

Hoi An’s Old Town is famous for its lantern‑lit streets and tailor shops. You can have suits, dresses and even shoes made within about 24 hours, which is very tempting. The atmosphere is incredible, especially in the evenings when everything lights up and the streets get busier. Along the riverside there is street food everywhere, including frogs, large shrimps and octopus on sticks. I must admit I did not try those, but it was fascinating to see what was on offer.

Coconut Boats, Village Life And A Water Buffalo

The next morning we joined a tour that took us out by army‑style Land Rovers to the famous coconut boats near Hoi An. These are round basket boats made from bamboo, traditionally used for fishing. We climbed in, and our boatmen spun us around, sang and showed us how they fish for tiny crabs hidden in the mangroves. It is amazing how quickly they can spot them.

We then visited a local village where vegetables are still farmed in the traditional way. It was a lovely glimpse of everyday life outside the main tourist areas. The highlight there was meeting a very patient water buffalo and having the chance to sit on him for a photo. It is definitely one of those “only in Vietnam” moments.

Simple Luxuries: Massages And Local Food

One of the joys of Vietnam is how affordable some little luxuries can be. We treated ourselves to massages every day while we were there, and they were amazing value, often around the equivalent of £10 to £15 for an hour. It became our daily treat and a lovely way to unwind after walking and exploring in the heat.

We also tried local dishes, including pho, Vietnam’s famous noodle soup. Sitting down with a steaming bowl of pho, watching everyday life pass by, is such a simple but memorable part of being there.

Phu Quoc: Beach Days, Cable Cars And Night Markets

Next we flew down to Phu Quoc, an island off the south coast of Vietnam, for some proper beach time. We stayed for three nights at Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc, a large family‑friendly hotel with its own beach. It is opposite local food markets and there are lots of beauty parlours nearby, so it is easy to mix resort time with a bit of local flavour.

One evening we took a Grab to Sunset Town, a newly built area at the southern tip of the island. It has a very Italian feel, with pastel‑coloured buildings and an Amalfi‑style seafront, a kissing bridge and coastal views. At the moment a lot of the buildings are still empty, so it feels a bit like a beautiful film set or an elegant ghost town, but it is great for photos. Every night at 9 pm there is a free fireworks show, which we watched from the waterfront, and there are lots of gorgeous restaurants to choose from.

We hired a moped one day, which cost about £5, and used it to explore the island. First we visited Khem Beach, with its beautiful white sand and crystal‑clear sea. It was quite busy but absolutely stunning. After that we headed to Sao Beach. The sand and sea were again very beautiful and it was much quieter, but there was a lot of rubbish left towards the back of the beach, which was sad to see and a reminder of how important responsible tourism and waste management are.

That evening we watched the sunset at Long Beach with cocktails and a mixed grill. It was very reasonable at around £20 in total. Afterwards we jumped back on the moped and browsed the Chợ Đêm (night market), which was full of food stalls, souvenirs and a really lively atmosphere.

The next day we went on the Sun World Hon Thom cable car, which stretches around 7.9 kilometres and is one of the longest non‑stop three‑rope cable cars in the world. It glides out over the sea to Hon Thom island, where there are water rides and a beach. Floating above the water with islands scattered below us was a real “wow” moment.

Ho Chi Minh City: Controlled Chaos And City Surprises

Our final stop was Ho Chi Minh City. We stayed at Liberty Central Saigon, in a really handy location that meant we could walk to many of the main attractions.

The first thing that hits you in Ho Chi Minh City is the traffic. I have never seen anything like it. There are motorbikes everywhere, flowing like a river. Crossing the road is an experience in itself. You basically have to take a breath, put your hand out to signal and just walk at a steady speed so the bikes can move around you. It feels terrifying the first time, but it does work.

We also used Grab motorbikes to get around, which was an adventure. Sitting on the back while your driver weaves in and out of the traffic is quite something, but it is very cheap and surprisingly efficient.

Ho Chi Minh City’s markets were another highlight. We spent time wandering through the busy indoor halls and side streets, browsing stalls packed with clothes, bags, souvenirs, spices and snacks. There are bargains to be had if you are happy to barter a little with the stallholders. It is all done with smiles and good humour, and once you get into the rhythm of it, it becomes part of the fun. It is a great way to pick up gifts and get a feel for local life at the same time.

One of my favourite spots in the city was the Café Apartment building on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, just around the corner from our hotel. It is an old apartment block where each unit has been turned into a different café or boutique, stacked up several floors. You can climb up and choose from all sorts of cute coffee shops and little stores, each with its own style.

To be honest, I did not expect to like Ho Chi Minh City as much as I did, but I loved it and would definitely go back. At night, Bui Vien Walking Street comes alive with bars, clubs and neon lights, and karaoke is hugely popular. It is busy and noisy but has a real energy to it.

An Unexpected Extra Stay

On our final day we headed to the airport, ready to fly home, only to find out that our flight was cancelled just as we were about to board. This was the day before the conflict in the Middle East started, and we ended up staying three extra nights in Ho Chi Minh City.

We moved to the Lotte Hotel for those extra nights and it turned out to be an unexpected highlight. The hotel was amazing, with outstanding food and excellent service. What could have been a stressful experience actually became a bonus mini‑break at the end of our trip.

Travelling to Vietnam to see my son and his girlfriend while they were on their big adventure made this trip feel very personal. It was a chance to see a fascinating country, but also to share experiences together that we will talk about for years: the dragon breathing fire in Da Nang, tiny monkeys stealing ice creams, spinning in coconut boats, lanterns floating down the river in Hoi An, cable cars gliding over the sea in Phu Quoc, amazing markets and bartering with locals in Ho Chi Minh City, and the organised chaos of the traffic there.

Vietnam is fun, friendly, great value and full of contrasts. You can be getting a £10 massage in the afternoon and watching a world‑class firework show in the evening. You can spend the morning in a peaceful village and the night in a neon‑lit city.

If you are thinking about visiting Vietnam, whether to see family who are travelling or simply to explore somewhere new, I would love to help you plan it. From choosing the right places to stay in Da Nang, Hoi An, Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City to arranging tours, transfers and those special little experiences that make a trip, I can tailor everything to you.

Contact me to start planning your own Vietnam adventure.