It’s irrational but I can’t help it.

Part of me has been putting off making the Vietnam guide because of how much I loved my time there.

Putting places, activities, sights in a list and evaluating them based on my impression seemed like such a one-dimensional way of sharing the magic that I had experienced.

How it changed me.

Is this overly dramatic?

You betcha.

All this to say, regardless of what you think of the below, if it sways you in favor or not, you NEED to hop on a plane and go to Vietnam to decide for yourself.

Ho Chi Minh

It’s the metropolitan vibe of Vietnam, reminiscent of bustling New York City energy.

Eats

• Hearty Soup: On the second floor of my first Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh, 47-57 Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1, there’s a soup and coffee establishment. You’d only be able to identify this establishment by the sight of metal tables and small plastic stools in the hallway. The owner, 78 year old Bei, operates this out of her kitchen and makes some of the best soup and iced coffee I’ve ever had.
• Stir fry: Most of the best food in Vietnam is on the street served out of questionable containers. The likelihood of these street vendors being in the same place is probably unlikely but hey, Anthony Bourdain has been able to revisit some of the same food spots years later, so maybe they stay put. I had the most incredible seafood stir fry at this stand right in front of Đồng Hồ Shop. Best of luck finding it, mate. It’s run by two sisters if that helps.
• 7/11: You’ll probably find yourself in one of these fine establishments at some point. My recommendation would be to get an egg banh mi, and try a few snacks.
• Bun Cha: This soup is incredible, like near pho level good. Any food stall will do, but you need to try this soup!
• Pho Viet Nam: As you would imagine, there are a ton of places that offer pho. This is just one that we went to that was pretty good; it’s also Michelin recommended if that sways you at all!
• Banh Mi: Once again, the best one we had was off a street vendor, this one off the backpacker street, Bui Vien Street.
• Broken Rice: Did someone say another street vendor? This one was near Phindeli Coffee – 65 Đ. Nguyễn Du, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.
• Ben Nghe Street Food: Imagine an open-air food court with a ton of different stalls for different cuisines. You’ll find food here to be a bit more expensive since these stalls are paying a higher price for rent.
• Takashamia: I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Takashamia’s are the best!
• Arabica Ho Chi Minh City, The Cafe Apartments: You do have to pay to use the elevator, but most cafes will reimburse you. The cafe we went to was actually horrible, but I’m convinced it was because we got a crepe cake that was 4 days old…a one-off hopefully.

Sights

• Bach Dang Wharf Park: Great area to walk around and see the view of the lake.
• Sai Gon Central Post Office: Some of the most incredible souvenirs here.
• Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon: I’m convinced it’s always under construction, but it’s literally right across from the post office, so you can’t miss it.

Activities

• Ben Thanh Market: Bargain for a jersey, earrings, shoes, any gift you could imagine.
• Nguyen Hue Walking Street: The pigeon mafia lives here. Fun to have such a large swath of pavement just for walking.
• Bui Vien Street: Definitely feels more like a party street, so I didn’t spend much here, but lots of food options.
• Do a cooking class: We booked ours through Airbnb experiences.
• Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum: Super cheap admission, feels a bit haphazard but I kinda loved it.
• Ho Chi Minh City Book Street: I wasn’t blown away by my experience, but I could see how under the right circumstances it could be magical.

Next Time

• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Tao Dan Park
• A O show Lune production
• Binh Tay Market
• Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
• All of the food recs from Anthony Bourdain

Hanoi

This is one of the most accessible ways to experience the more charming and relaxed (motorbike mayhem withstanding) side of Vietnam. It feels like home, although the air quality is noticeably worse than Ho Chi Minh and has been an ongoing problem for them.

Eats

• Bánh cuốn 49 Hàng Điếu: They’re known for their soup, and it did not disappoint.
• Phở Tự Tráng A Trà: They’re famous for chicken pho – I wasn’t blown away, tbh.
• Cafe Thung Lũng Hoa – Tây Hồ: Right next to a magical flower garden, field, and with white canopies sprinkled across the yard with a projector screen and sand and bean bags, this is the SPOT!!!!
• Tree Ami: Incredible hangout spot and cafe on a busy street that hides a garden oasis. It’s like a jungle with various cute structures and nooks to hang out in – a must-visit.
• Bánh canh ghẹ 69: This place was super special. They had a gelatinous soup that had these thick tapioca noodles and a dish of snails tossed in a wok over high heat with butter and garlic. This dish still has a hold on me!

Activities

• Omamori Spa Old Quarter: Messages given by blind masseuse, that all my seasoned massage going friends LOVE.
• Ho Tay Flower Garden: beautiful but not the best time of year to go in October
• Book Street Hanoi: comparable to book street in Ho Chi Minh
• Ha Giang Bike Loop: (booked through get your guide) – notable stops on the loop:
  • Hong Hao homestay
  • Trường Phổ Thông Dân Tộc Bán Trú Trung Học Cơ Sở Thần Sa
  • Mỏm Đá Tử Thần
  • Du Gia Panorama
  • Bánh cuốn Bà Làn: (166A Lý Tự Trọng, Tổ 17, Hà Giang, Vietnam)

Da Nang

Da Nang is a cozy little beach town that feels like San Diego.

Eats

• MEET – Banh Mi And Coffee: This place was okay. Once again most of the good food was had on the street.

Activities

• Marble mountains
• Non Nuoc Beach

Hoi An

This is a historic area that feels like a cute little town – really fun vibe. 

Eats

• Smoothies & Seafood: no specific place to mention

Activities

• Explore the ancient town
• Clothing tailors & leather goods: I don’t have a specific store to recommend because the jumpsuit I had tailored, although similar in style to what I wanted, was made with completely the wrong material. I believe that this consideration should have been a part of the consultation process. Regardless, the speed and range of items they can create are incredible. Essentially, anything you can find an image of online, they will make for you. they can make you is incredible. Basically anything you can find an image of online they will make for you.

I also found the Vexere bus app incredibly helpful.