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Vietnam Travel Guide 🇻🇳
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items Here’s my Vietnam travel guide, covering everything from DIY adventures to organized group tours. Whether you want to explore at your own pace or have everything planned for you, I’ve got tips and recommendations to make the most of your trip!
Sections
5
The Best Guided Tours 👍
DIY city tour (Hanoi)
Go To Restaurants (Ho Chi Minh City)
Vietnam backpack essentials 🎒
Get Ready For Your Trip 👌
The Best Guided Tours 👍
Here are some guided tours I have personal done and recommend!
My favorite tour in Vietnam was the Ninh Binh tour from Hanoi! We visited a beautiful temple, biked through the stunning Vietnamese countryside, and enjoyed a delicious local meal. The highlight was the classic boat ride through Ninh Binh’s rivers, r...
Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi
I had a wonderful time on the overnight Halong Bay cruise! We explored a beautiful cave, relaxed on a beach, and enjoyed delicious family-style Vietnamese meals. The rooms were very comfortable, and the next day we kayaked through the stunning bay. I...
Hanoi: Cozy Halong Bay Overnight Cruise with Meals
DIY city tour (Hanoi)
Here is the DIY city tour I personally did (highly recommend!)
A visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi was absolutely peaceful and beautiful. Situated on a small peninsula in West Lake, it’s the oldest pagoda in the city and full of history and charm. The intricate architecture, serene gardens, and lakeside views m...
Tran Quoc Pagoda
One of the wildest experiences in Hanoi was Train Street! It’s a narrow street where a train passes literally just inches away from the cafés and homes. The street is lined with locals and tourists, and when the train comes, you can feel the vibratio...
Train Street
The Imperial Cathedral in Hanoi is certainly beautiful, with grand architecture and intricate details. That said, it costs money to enter, and honestly, it’s not a must-see if you’re on a budget. The views and experience are just as pretty as Tran Qu...
Imperial Cathedral (optional)
You have to try egg coffee at Café Giảng — it’s the birthplace of this iconic drink! Invented in 1946 by bartender Nguyễn Văn Giảng during a milk shortage, egg coffee combines whipped egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk atop strong Vietnamese coffee...
Café Giảng - Famous Egg Coffee since 1946
Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi is a serene escape from the bustling city streets. You can stroll around the lake, admire the Ngoc Son Temple on its small island, and take in the views of locals practicing tai chi in the morning. The iconic red ...
Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)
We went to this place and it was fantastic! They have so many options to choose from, everything is very affordable, and the quality is excellent. You must get a massage in Vietnam!
Get a quick and cheap massage
Go To Restaurants (Ho Chi Minh City)
This restaurant was so popular, the line stretched across the street! Despite that, the wait moved quickly, and it was absolutely worth it for the authentic banh mi. They only make one type of banh mi, which tells you right away it’s going to be good...
Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa
This place had a vegetarian banh mi with peanut butter sauce, and it was so good! The flavors were unique and really came together perfectly. Definitely worth trying if you love creative and vegetarian twists on classic banh mi!
Banh Mi Xanh - Perfect for Vegans and Vegetarians
This place had the classic Vietnamese coffee, and they make it right in front of you! Watching the coffee drip and mix with the sweetened condensed milk is part of the experience. Definitely a must-try for anyone who loves authentic Vietnamese coffee...
ĂNG-Ê Coffee
This place had delicious pho that was so filling with amazing flavors. I had the classic pho, and my boyfriend tried the Pho Tron. Both dishes were packed with flavor and absolutely satisfying. Definitely a spot for anyone craving authentic and tasty...
Xưởng Phở 118
Go to this little cart on the side of the road if you’re a fan of flan. Flan in Vietnam? You heard that right! It’s rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. Definitely recommend stopping by if you want a sweet treat with a local twist!
Bà Bành - Bánh Flan & Bánh Bao ở TP. HCM
Vietnam backpack essentials 🎒
We’ve literally traveled with this backpack to over 50 countries across the world over the past five years, and it still remains our go-to travel companion. Despite constant use, it’s held up remarkably well and is still in good condition. Its compac...
Mother Lode Travel Backpacks
I’ve been wearing Vessi shoes on my travels for the last 6 months, and I honestly couldn’t recommend them enough! They’ve held up beautifully, and after a wash, they still look almost like new. Truly waterproof — I’ve walked through puddles and wet s...
Vessi
These Smartwool Women’s Hike Light Cushion Zig Zag Valley Mid Crew Socks have been my go-to on all our travels! They’re incredibly comfortable, keep my feet dry, and provide just the right amount of cushioning for long days of walking or hiking.
Women's Hike Zig Zag Valley Mid Crew Socks - Smartwool
My boyfriend loves these cargo shorts — they’ve become his go-to travel staple! They’re super comfortable, practical, and perfect for on-the-go days. The pockets make it easy to carry everything he needs while exploring, and they hold up great throug...
Wearfirst Mens Cargo Shorts With Zipper Pocket
These are my boyfriend’s go-to workout and active shorts for travel! He loves that they’re comfortable enough to wear all day and easy to pack for any trip.
Gerry Men's 4-Way Stretch Trail Short
Such high-quality sports bras! I’d go with basic colors so you can wear them with anything. They’re comfortable, supportive, and perfect for workouts, travel days, and hikes when you want something reliable that lasts.
Women's Sports Bras
These Unbound Merino Wool T-Shirts are a game-changer for travel! They’re soft, lightweight, and breathable, yet still keep you warm when the weather cools down. They resist odor, dry quickly, and are super durable — perfect for wearing multiple days...
Men's Merino T-Shirt
If you’re only picking one pair of yoga pants, Lululemon is the solid choice. These leggings combine durability, comfort, and style, making them a long-term wardrobe essential.
Women's Yoga Pants
This Anker Power Bank has been a lifesaver on my travels! It’s reliable, durable, and can charge my devices 3–4 times before needing a recharge. With both USB and USB-C ports, I can charge two devices at once — perfect for keeping my phone and camera...
Anker 20000mAh Portable Power Bank
These Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes are great! They keep travel bags super organized and make it so easy to find what I need without unpacking everything. They’re super lightweight, durable, and barely take up any space — perfect for full-time trav...
Ultralight Packing Cube Set - Luggage and Pack Organization Accessories
My Epic Water Filters Nalgene OG water bottle goes everywhere with me when I travel. It’s super sturdy, easy to clean, and the built-in filter gives me peace of mind when filling up from taps or random water sources abroad. I’ve used it for months, a...
Epic Water Filters Nalgene OG
This power converter has been a total must-have for our travels! It comes with adapters for wherever you go, and it has plenty of ports so we can charge all our devices at once no matter the country. It’s a little bulky, but still perfectly fine to p...
Travel Voltage Converters & 13.8 Power Suppliers
My boyfriend swears by the Handyman Razor! It gives him a super close shave without cutting his face, and the battery life lasts forever — he can go ages between charges. It charges quickly, is easy to pack, and has held up for over a year without ne...
Manscaped Handyman Razor
The Insta360 X5 has been a game-changer for documenting my travels! It’s compact, easy to carry, and lets me capture everything from epic landscapes to little travel moments in amazing 360° detail. Perfect for anyone who wants to relive their adventu...
Buy X5 - Flagship 360º Action Cam - Insta360 Store
The Insta360 X5 has been a game-changer for documenting my travels! It’s compact, easy to carry, and lets me capture everything from epic landscapes to little travel moments in amazing 360° detail. Perfect for anyone who wants to relive their adventu...
Buy X5 - Flagship 360º Action Cam - Insta360 Store
This is the perfect companion to the Insta360 X5. It lets you capture amazing drone-like shots with minimal gear. The best part is that the selfie stick disappears within the footage, keeping your shots clean and cinematic. It’s perfect for travelers...
Liuliron 3m Invisible Selfie Stick
Get Ready For Your Trip 👌
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