Vietnam
Vietnam
I often felt that Vietnam divides travelers’ opinions like no other country. Some friends love it and others don’t like the country at all. First of all: I belong to the category of the loving ones. Why? The prices, the nature and the food. I had a great time in Vietnam. Why didn’t friends of mine have it? The answer was almost always the same: The weather. It is generally said that the best time to travel to Vietnam is from January to May. However, I find it difficult to determine a perfect season for Vietnam because the country is so elongated and has three climate zones. In addition, the weather is difficult to influence and difficult to plan, especially due to the different climate zones.
Here you can see my highlights in Vietnam and the places I regret that I haven´t seen:
Sapa und Ha-Giang-Loop
One thing to start with: The north of Vietnam was the highlight of the trip for almost every traveler I met in Vietnam. I can also confirm the beauty in the north. However, I was in Vietnam in October and it was just too cold for the swarming Sapa and the Ha Giang Loop. Due to the breathtaking nature, the two places are actually the “must-sees” in Vietnam. If you can do it in any way, I strongly advise you to go there. I almost regret having been to Vietnam without seeing the two places.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay: The beautiful bay, yes it really is. I would advise going straight to Cat-Ba, the place is not only cute but a perfect base for a boat tour. I can especially recommend the Hostel Secret Garden, which has a unique atmosphere and offers family dinners in the evenings (for free with all the people from the hostel). The hotels next door are also incredibly cheap, I think I paid 3 Euros per night. The boat tours for Halong are available in different variants. If you want to buy them inexpensively, the best thing is to go directly to the pier and buy a ticket on site from one of the small travel agencies. I know that the “Cast Away” tour was very popular with party-loving travelers.
Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh: I was very surprised and had no expectations of the place, but Ninh Binh was terrific! It is highly recommended to go to Ma Yen Mountain at sunset. A boat tour in the dry bay is also great. You will see the ladies who drive the boat and row with their FEET. I’ve never seen anything like this before, it was really amazing! Incidentally, the film King Kong was shot in Ninh Binh. There is also a bird park that is very beautiful and green. For a hostel I would recommend the Banana Tree Hostel with a great pool! I think it is best not to stay in the city, which is not so nice, but better in Tam Coc.
Small note: I wanted to see Phong Na National Park, but there was constant rain at the time and I could not visit it. I have only heard positive things about it from other travelers.
Hue
There is a lot to see in this city for those interested in culture. Hue is a former imperial city and is one of the UNSESCO World Heritage Sites. I personally took a look at the citadel in the imperial city and, due to the weather, I quickly moved on to see the next places without rain. In Hue there is also a great water park that can be visited.
Hoi An
Hoi An: On the way to Hoi An you can ski down the Hai Van Pass, which is known to be the most beautiful motorcycle bike route in Vietnam. Since I do not ride a motorcycle myself, but did not want to miss the view, I went with a driver on the motorcycle (including my backpack !!!). The offer is called “Easy Rider” and can be booked in Hue. The trip was a great experience with really beautiful nature that can be admired. It is also recommended to look at the Marble Mountains.
Hoi An is my favorite place in Vietnam, the city is very popular for travelers. Hoi An is just sweet with a lot of lights and lanterns in the evening. All the tourists in the city make it easy to get in contact with others and also the nightlife has a lot to offer. If you want to have clothes and even shoes made to measure, you’ve come to the right address. Tip: Rent a bike and drive to the beach, you will pass the picturesque rice fields. Beautiful, really! Cooking classes are also recommended in Hoi An.
Da Nang
Da Nang is absolutely not a backpacker place, but still recommended to see! The city often offers cheaper prices compared to other places and I have met many emigrants from all over the world there. There is a beach in Da Nang (please don’t be fooled by Google, the water is not quite as turquoise as in many photoshopped pictures). At the weekend there is a fire show on the bridge with the dragon. Da Nang is a good transfer point because the distances in Vietnam are so long; there is also an airport. One of my highlights in the city is the Ba Na Hills with the Golden Bridge, which looks really spectacular.
Nha Trang und Da Lat
Nha Trang: The city is very popular with Russian tourists, not at all among Europeans. I would also say that you don’t necessarily have to see Nha Trang because there is no real highlight there. I noticed positively that the Vietnam Backpacker Hostel in Ninhvana, which is located directly on the beach and has its own vibe – at the same time relaxed, but also a bit party-focussed.
Da Lat: A great place for everyone who likes action. Da Lat is particularly popular for rafting and abseiling on high waterfalls. There is also the “Crazy House”, a building with an unusual architecture. Tip: Make sure you go to the “Maze Maze Bar”, this is really interesting to visit and you can get lost really quickly. There are many farms around Da Lat where you can try crickets or grasshoppers. You can also go there to get an insight into the village life of the locals.
Mui Ne
Mui Ne is known for kite surfing and similar to Nha Trang for many Russian tourists. A tour to various dunes is recommended in Mui Ne, where there is both red and white sand. This distinguishes Mui Ne from many other places in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh/Saigon
This big city is really, really hectic. I have never seen so many scooter riders at once, WOW! The Cu-Chi tunnels are a bit outside, where you get a really good insight into the history of Vietnam. Despite the long journey and many tourists, I would recommend a trip there. Those who are claustrophobic should not go into the tunnels, these have already been expanded for tourists, but are still very, very narrow. In Saigon itself you can also see the war museum, which tells about the really sad history of the country.
There is a lot going on in the city center in Saigon, I recommend you to just take a stroll 😉
