I recently went on a 10-day holiday to Vietnam and it was one of the best trips I’ve had in years. The Vietnamese people are incredibly kind and welcoming, one of the nicest cultures I’ve experienced whilst travelling. And the food, it was sensational. I quickly adapted to the banh mi diet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Ho Chi Minh

I flew directly from London Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh, and spent a few nights here. It’s Vietnam’s largest and fast-paced city, renowned for its buzzing motorbikes and rich history. 

Here are a few things to see & do: 

• Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels – A collection of underground tunnels during the war which is now a museum for tourists 
• Mekong Delta – Take a day trip down the Mekong Delta and explore the local villages
• Take an evening stroll down Nguyen Hue Walking Street
• Have a night out on Bùi Viện – lined with lively bars and restaurants

Next, I took an internal domestic flight to Cam Ranh where I enjoyed some R&R with a few days of luxury on the beach, staying at the Alma Resort. It has 13 swimming pools, an on-site gym & spa and 5 restaurants. This area is known for its resort-style hotels and secluded beaches, some days I had the entire stretch of sand to myself. 

I ventured into Nha Trang one evening but I wasn’t a fan. It’s very touristy and hectic compared to the beach town I remembered from my backpacking days in 2010. It’s with a visit for a night but I would recommend staying in Cam Ranh if you want peace and quiet.

Hoi An

Next stop was Hoi An, flying via Ho Chi Minh as there are no direct flights. I fell in love with the ancient town, it’s a magical place, known for its lantern-lit river and delicious food. 

Here are the top things to see & do:

• Try a cooking class – A popular activity that includes a trip to the local market, a river ride in a coconut boat, and meeting local fishermen. I recommend the Hoi An Tropical Cooking tours which was great!
• Get some tailor made clothes -I was so impressed by the quality and service at Tuong Tailor. If I had more time, I would have revamped my entire wardrobe.
• Stroll around the town & night market – If you like souvenir shopping then this is the place. There are hundreds of shops that offer custom made leather goods (boots, belts, bags) 
• Enjoy a massage – The ancient town is full of tiny spas which offer a range of services. The full body massages were incredible
• Take an evening boat ride down the Thu Bon River – As the sun sets the town is illuminated by the colourful lanterns floating down the river. Hop on to any of the wooden boats and release a lantern into the river for good luck. 
• Eat the best banh mi of your life at Banh Mi Phuong – This spot gained fame after Anthony Bourdain’s visit in 2009, and it lives up to the hype.

Hanoi

The final stop was Hanoi, the bustling capital where you’ll soon become accustomed to the moped-filled roads and street food culture. Crossing the street requires a bit of courage… Top tip – don’t hesitate, just walk confidently 😉 

I stayed at a centrally located hotel (Bendecir Hotel & Spa) within walking distance of all the top sights. 

Here are the top things to see & do:

• Evening food tour – Explore the night markets on foot while sampling the local dishes. I booked a 3-hour tour through Hanoi Street Food Tour which was great value for money
• Visit ‘Train Street’ – A unique narrow street, now lined with bars where you can witness a train flying through. Visit in the evening when the street is lit up with vibrant flashing lights and lively music. You can enter the street at this location point on google maps
• Take a walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple – A peaceful spot in the heart of the city

Local food to try:

• Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) – Try it at Café Giang, the original creator
• Loading T cafe – Another good spot for coffee and egg coffe 
• Bún Chả Hương Liên – Famous for Obama’s meal of bún chả (grilled pork with noodles)
• Banh Mi 25 – Excellent banh mi 
• The best Pho at Phở Gà Nguyệt
• Bún chả 34 – another great spot for bún chả