Hanoi

I arrived in Hanoi and my first challenge came when my taxi driver dropped me off and pointed to my hotel across a small but very busy road in the heart of the Old Quarter. Cars and mopeds were flying in every direction and the sound of horns was constant. Fast forward 24 hours and I was on the back of a Vespa with the ‘Top Gear Ladies’, loving being in the middle of it all and feeling completely comfortable. The trick is to step out confidently and let the traffic flow around you. It feels impossible at first, but you quickly realise there is a rhythm to it and it just works. On my first jet lagged morning I walked around Hoàn Kiếm Lake just before 06:00 and was surprised to find it full of life. People were taking part in group exercise classes, music was playing, and my personal highlight was an elderly couple ballroom dancing next to their portable speaker. It was such a lovely and unexpected moment.

Ha Long Bay

My biggest regret about Ha Long Bay is that I only stayed for one night. It was absolutely stunning and incredibly peaceful. If you take one tip from this blog, stay for two nights if you can, so it does not feel rushed. It also really matters which boat you choose, as the atmosphere can vary quite a bit. Our boat had karaoke which was fun and great for some groups, but it felt at odds with the calm surroundings for me. The boat itself was beautiful, with en-suite cabins and floor to ceiling windows so you could enjoy the views at all times. The food was excellent and the service from the crew was fantastic. Alongside taking in the scenery, we explored caves, swam, and kayaked. This was where I saw the most wildlife, including birds and giant butterflies. We also started the day with an early morning tai chi session on the top deck, which was a really special experience.

Hoi An

I loved Hoi An. It was my favourite place in Vietnam and I think it should be included on every itinerary. It has a much calmer pace than the other cities, with colourful lanterns lighting up the streets and canal and a lovely atmosphere in the evenings, especially around the night market. Hoi An is also famous for its tailoring. We visited a tailor where the rooms were filled with fabrics in every colour, pattern and texture you could imagine. You can go in with a clear idea or take inspiration from the designs on display. They took our measurements and began work straight away. We returned the next morning for a fitting, and the finished pieces were delivered to our hotel that same evening. The quality, speed and skill were incredible. They also keep your measurements on file, so you can order again in the future and have items shipped to your home.

Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta

Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), was much more modern than I expected. I had imagined something similar to Hanoi, but instead found skyscrapers, rooftop bars and pools, food-halls, shopping malls and a more commercial feel. We took a cyclo tour around some of the main sights and learned a lot about the history of the city. The history is a big reason why I recommend travelling Vietnam with a guide. From there we travelled to the Mekong Delta by boat, where we saw a completely different side of life in Vietnam. We visited a homestay and went on a bike ride through a local village, which was one of my personal highlights, even if I was a bit rusty on a bike! No two stops in Vietnam felt the same, and that is what makes it such an interesting destination.

Coffee

I have to dedicate a section to the coffee because it was the best I’ve ever had! Egg coffee sounded awful, but it tastes like tiramisu and is definitely worth trying. My favourite was the salt coffee, made with condensed milk and a whipped salted cream over iced coffee. I need to find out  how to make this at home, but I’ve already found a couple of Vietnamese coffee shops in Manchester, so hoping I can get something similar!

Why you should consider group adventure travel

By joining a tour, everything was organised from start to finish, including transport, internal flights, hotels and experiences. The accommodation was good quality and we were taken to, or recommended to try the best food spots, which is important in a country where food standards might not be quite what you’re used to… It took away so much of the guesswork and luck! Having our guide (CEO) Hue, lead the way meant we could completely relax and enjoy the trip, which is especially valuable in a destination that can feel quite intense, especially at first. Because everything was so well planned, we were able to see and do a huge amount in a relatively short time. Hue is local and incredibly knowledgeable, so we learned so much about the culture, geography and history, and always had someone on hand to answer questions. There is still flexibility within the itinerary, with free time built in. Hue also adapted parts of the trip to suit the group, even adding in extra things that weren’t on the itinerary (like Train Street in Hanoi) when we showed interest. One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was experiencing community projects supported by Planeterra, the non-profit partner of G Adventures. These projects are designed to ensure tourism directly benefits local communities through employment, education and cultural preservation. It adds a deeper layer to the experience and allows you to travel in a more responsible and impactful way. This is something you just couldn’t do on your own, but it made the trip more meaningful. There are many different travel styles available such as solo, 18 to 30s, National Geographic Journeys, family trips and more. These are small group tours, not large coach trips, and they are designed to feel personal and immersive. It’s highly likely you will meet some amazing people that will completely enrich your trip and probably be friends for life!

Final Thoughts

Vietnam is not a one size fits all destination, which is exactly what makes it so special. If it is somewhere you have been thinking about but are not sure where to start, this is exactly the kind of trip I can help you plan. You can follow a similar route to mine or we can tailor something completely to suit you.