For many years, I have been dreaming about exploring different countries. There is always desperation in my mind that I couldn’t step out of the country even once and my passport has been lying empty. We want to start with something short as our maiden international trip and at the same time looking for something memorable. Vietnam was the place that we came across with a diverse geography, rich history, and cultural heritage. It has everything to offer from beaches and canals to caves and hill stations, and the narrow streets of Hanoi to the skyscrapers of Ho Chi Minh. Also, It is always special when we plan the whole trip from scratch and execute it.
Day 0:
There are direct flights to Vietnam from cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Cochin but due to proximity and pricing, we chose Hyderabad and had to take a connecting flight from Kuala Lumpur. We chose Air Asia for it’s famous as a low-cost airline and Kuala Lumpur is its main base. It is well-connected to most of the Southeast Asian countries and is often the transit airport. We reached early to the airport excited for our first immigration stamp. The entire process was really smooth and we finally boarded on time.
Day 1:
After 4 hours of flying, we landed in the morning in Malaysia and had to hurry to our gate (only a two-hour layover and our first experience of a connecting flight). The departure gates are really far from the arrival ones and we got to burn a lot of calories early in the morning😫. After searching for food, we got a sense of how our next few days were going to be thanks to our dietary preferences😥. We boarded our next short flight to Ho Chi Minh City also called Saigon which is the most populous city in Vietnam. Very few Indians were seen onboard probably owing to less popularity compared to Hanoi/Da Nang among Indian tourists. After a couple of hours, we reached Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The first few glimpses of the airport cleared off all the doubts and prejudices about the country.
The immigration queues were really long and we had to wait for more than 30 minutes for our turn to come. After the immigration, we exchanged the USD brought with us at a fair price even though I have heard accounts of people saying the exchange rate is exorbitant. We took a Viettel SIM card. It is costly compared to other providers but it has got good coverage in rural areas as well and has coverage across the country. We stepped out of the airport and it was so crowded. There are public transport facilities but we were really tired and started looking for cabs. Just like any other Southeast Asian country, Grab is quite popular here for cabs, bike taxis, or food. The best thing about Grab is it has an inbuilt translator in the chat and you can also share a photo of where you are waiting. We booked a cab and we were surprised when a driver came to us by himself in a few seconds. Cab drivers in Vietnam were really polite in all the cities throughout our time there.
Ho Chi Minh City is full of motorbikes, and Japanese and Korean cars. A lot of luxury cars were seen on the roads and surprisingly SUVs as cabs. Traffic reminded me of Bengaluru except that there are very few cars and most people use scooters for commute. We were told there were no accidents due to slow-moving vehicles. We stayed at “Amango Home” present in a short alley in District 1 which is the most happening place in the city. It’s not far from the airport but it took more than 30 minutes due to the traffic. The place is cozy and more like an apartment where you can cook at your wish. We were early for the check-in and really hungry.
We stepped out in search of food and found all the multi-national shops and franchises. We were initially thinking of having Indian food but were too tired to walk and settled for a McD. But we were disappointed. The taste wasn’t like how we anticipated but had to settle due to hunger. The good thing about restaurants and hotels in Vietnam is there is free WiFi everywhere with good bandwidth. After lunch, we took some rest and in the evening went out sightseeing. Grab was our go-to guy for most of our transport needs in Vietnam. Hassle-free, quick acceptance, and drivers used to arrive in less than 5 minutes. Most of the tourist places are present in District 1 itself and can be covered by walking if you are not tired.
Our first stop was The Independence Palace. We weren’t allowed inside and we just clicked some photos outside. There is a park close by called the April 30th Park which is definitely worth clicking some photos. From there we walked toward the Saigon Central Post Office which is again a major tourist attraction. It’s a 19th-century building and interiors holding a huge portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. Half of the place is filled with souvenir shops and other still functions as a post office. There were many tourists who were sending out a letter to their dear ones. Opposite the post office is Notre Dame Cathedral where we weren’t allowed. The majority of the Vietnamese do not follow any religion but practice folk religions from the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism similar to China. Other than that Buddhism and Christianity are the majority religions.
Ho Chi Minh is famous for coffee made from Robusta which is mostly grown in Vietnam and has a high bitterness. It is not advised to drink on an empty stomach and should be accompanied by some food. We just strolled through some streets and hopped into a cafe. We had a good smoothie but the vibes there are really good. People studying and completing their assignments, painting, and a lot of other activities going on made the cafe lively. Then we went to the famous destination for shopping Ben Thanh Market. One has to be really good at bargain else you will be fooled easily. We were hungry and accidentally found an Indian restaurant called Haveli just opposite the market. Taste is really good there and it’s the best Indian food we had in Vietnam. We really enjoyed the food and called off the day.
Day 2:
We woke up in the morning and I went in search of some food for breakfast. During the early hours, we could only get Vietnamese food. Instead, I just went to a supermarket and managed to get an instant noodles pack and some other items like milk, biscuits, and chocolates. Vegetarians have to be really careful when getting anything from the supermarket even for a packet of Lays. Our plan for the day is to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. We booked the trip through Klook which is comparatively cheaper. They pick you up from the hotel itself and are very punctual.
For someone who is aware of the USA’s History and the Cold War period, the Vietnam War is an important piece and how a small Asian country defeated the mighty US. Vietnam at different periods had to face the Japanese, French, and finally the US. Future President Ho Chi Minh and other Vietnamese soldiers were initially trained by the US OSS to fight the Japanese during World War 2 and France thereafter. Later after the war, Ho Chi Minh aligned towards forming a communist country which irked the US, and then after division happened in Vietnam. North Vietnam headed by a communist government or Viet Cong was supported by the USSR and China and South Vietnam headed by a capitalist government supported by the Western bloc.
Cu Chi tunnels are an immense network of tunnels of more than 100 km that were initially built as a defense mechanism against the French and later had a crucial role in the Vietnam War between the Viet Cong and South Vietnam. They served as hiding spots for the Viet Cong as well as communication networks, food and weapon storage, and living quarters. They helped them resist the US Army frustrating them due to its vast network along with booby traps and dead ends in the tunnel. It has multiple levels, water facilities, strategic air vents, and even kitchens. The smoke from underneath the ground was put in a separate chamber before leaving so that it would settle like a carpet just above the ground instead of rising high which might give away the location to enemy airforces.
On the way to Cu Chi tunnels, we stopped at a lacquer painting shop managed by the handicapped people affected by Agent Orange a dangerous herbicide mixture used by the US military during the Vietnam War to clear the jungle. Meticulously made artwork using eggshells takes many days for the final product and looks exquisite. We went on further and reached the Cu Chi tunnels. Some aircraft used by the US Military were put on display and a documentary on the tunnels with a small museum. We were allowed to crawl inside the tunnels and experience them. They were made larger to accommodate tourists. But they were still very difficult and many gave up after going through some tunnels. The next few days were like hell due to quadriceps strain thanks to all the crawling inside the tunnel. As soon as the tour ended, it started raining heavily. We were fortunate in that way.
We missed going to the Mekong Delta due to time constraints and could have planned better. We came back to the city, had food, and started to the Airport to get to our next destination Da Nang. We were worried about the luggage during the whole trip but luckily we did a kiosk check-in for the Vietjet flight to Da Nang. Due to heavy rain, we were deboarded from the airport shuttle after the whole boarding process was done which is funny. We had to wait for some more time and the flight took off with a delay of an hour. By the time we reached Da Nang, it was already late. We stayed at the Dana Marina Hotel which is close to the beach and had to pass by the beautiful Dragon bridge. The hotel was cheap and really good. It was more than what we expected. We ordered some Indian food from Grab and called off the day.
Day 3:
We woke up early for our trip to Bana Hills and had nothing to eat except to resort to instant noodles. Even though My Khe beach is at a walkable distance from our hotel and seen from our room, we couldn’t go due to time constraints. Bana Hills is a hill station founded by the French and is a 40-minute drive from Da Nang City. We were greeted by the longest non-stop cable car in the world and adding to that it is our first cable car experience. The experience was thrilling through the foggy hills, valleys, and slight drizzles. Our first stop was the most famous Golden Bridge. Luckily due to the drizzles and fog weather is so pleasing. Then we went to the flower garden and Buddhist pagoda. A tall statue of lord buddha in a serene and pleasant environment will definitely keep you calm and composed.
We then took one more cable car to reach the French town. We experienced our first 5D movie in a massive theatre and a bird’s eye view of the wonders of the world. Also, who would forget the funicular to get to the theatre complex. Our trip was around Halloween and the French town was decorated accordingly. We kind of had a mini Disneyland experience. The French architecture and aesthetically pleasing buildings are heaven for all photography lovers. We bought tickets for the buffet in 7 Seasons restaurant for a hefty amount. We had to walk a lot to get there and ultimately food was really disappointing. It would be a nightmare, especially for Indian vegetarians. We were tired from all the walking and rested for a while before we started along with our group back to Da Nang City. We initially didn’t have Hoi An in our plan, but we were advised to go in the evening which is also not far from Da Nang City.
We reached the hotel and with the help of the receptionist booked a two-way cab to Hoi An – famous for its canals and lantern boats seen everywhere on Instagram. We were initially disappointed that we couldn’t add Hoi An to our plan but we were happy to finally go there. We passed by the beautiful market and as soon as we reached the canal, it was a whole different experience for the eyes with all the yellow lights in the water just like a painting. It was definitely worth the visit. We had a ride in the canal and came back to the city for the Dragon Bridge fire and water show which happens only on weekends from Friday to Sunday at 9 PM. We were lucky to be present at the right time. Traffic over the bridge was stopped during the show for 20 minutes and it was amazing.
Da Nang City looks very well-planned with clean and wide roads and traffic is less. It also has a beach and hills close by causing the weather to be pleasant. It rained during our stay there but didn’t cause much trouble to our trip leaving us to love the city a lot. Indian food is available both on grab and for dine-in which is a relief. One thing that is disappointing in Vietnam is water is very costly. Everyone from hotels to trip planners was miser about water and we had to buy everywhere for a hefty price which is not a good experience. Also, Indian food and multinational food/beverages were quite costly. It was also unfair to expect it to be cheaper compared to the local food.
Day 4:
We woke up in the morning to get to the last city on our trip i.e. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. We reached the airport on time and took a different airline called Vietravel which is a very new entrant in the Vietnam airlines industry with very limited fleet. The experience was better compared to the more famous Vietjet. We reached Hanoi airport early and thought of taking public transport instead of taking a cab since the city is 28 km away. Buses from the airport to the city center are air-conditioned and cost 40.000 VND per person (roughly 140 rupees) whereas grab cab costs more than 1000 rupees. Grab bike taxi is a cheaper option to commute in the city, especially for solo travelers. Our stay was in the Old Quarters area and we had to walk for around 15 minutes to reach our hotel.
After staying in Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang cities, Hanoi looks like a third-world country with small lanes and congested buildings. Hotels are much smaller with tiny rooms even though with all the facilities. Later we realized that the whole old quarters’ area is like that and other parts of the city look good. We also get to see good old cycle rickshaws in the area but they charge heavily. It is famous among tourists for a tour along the narrow streets and market of the Old Quarter area. smoothies made from fruits are delicious with coconut milk added. We were supposed to stay at the Hanoi Delica Hotel but we were moved to a different hotel by the same group called Carillon Boutique Hotel. The room looks tiny but has all the facilities including OTT on smartTV, bathtub, kettle, and free breakfast with a welcome drink. The staff were very polite and the same was seen everywhere in Vietnam.
We had lunch at an Indian restaurant called PK after hearing the reviews. We later got to know it was owned by a Pakistani but they had even south Indian food. We took some rest and started a bit late for sightseeing as we were really tired. We were clocking an average of 10k-15k steps every day. Our first stop was the Temple of Literature which is dedicated to Confucius, the Chinese philosopher. it has five courtyards similar to the temple at Confucius’ birthplace. It is also the first national university in Vietnam and is almost 1000 years old. We can see the names of the students, pens, books, and other personal items used by the students including the uniform. We also get an understanding of their examination system, question papers, and instructions. Education was mainly focused on literature, poetry, and Chinese philosophy and history. We can see a lot of Chinese influence on North Vietnam probably due to proximity to China.
We went to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum but by the time we got there, it was already dark and closed. We then went to the famous train street. Only the ones to get a drink/coffee in the cafes adjacent to the railway track were allowed, but they were expensive. We were lucky to get closer to the track when the train was passing by. there are barricades present preventing people from entering the railway track. We then strolled through the night market and called off the day early.
Day 5:
Our trip is Vietnam is almost coming to an end. We had breakfast at the hotel itself which provided good continental food. After a streak of instant noodle breakfasts, we finally got a break and got to eat proper breakfast. Food is delicious but unfortunately, vegetarians still have fewer options. Our last day’s visit is to the UNESCO World Heritage site and the most famous tourist place in Vietnam i.e. Halong Bay which literally means the “descending dragon”. There is a legend among the locals that dragons descended to the earth and started splitting jewels and jade which later formed into islands.
Ha Long Bay is a 3-hour ride from Hanoi City through the expressway/freeway. It is well maintained and we had a rest stop in between. Then we were stopped at a Pearl farm which is close to the port. We were shown how pearl farming is done which is a very intricate and delicate process. We were surprised to know most of the pearls in the market are cultured and natural ones are very very rare. We were shown different grades of pearls based on their shape and luster. Adjacent is a shop where pearl jewellery can be bought which is quite expensive. We reached the cruise port by afternoon.
We boarded the cruise and lunch started while it was cruising towards the bay. I got to taste the sticky rice but didn’t like the taste. Seafood lovers may enjoy the food but we ended up leaving in the middle to the upper deck which has an open view and chairs to relax amid the sea breeze and party floor. Our first stop was Luon Cave where we had two options either kayaking or a bamboo boat (used to be bamboo before). We chose kayaking and the experience was really good. we had to pass through a limestone cave-like tunnel to a lake formed by hills surrounding and the whole kayak experience was captivating.
Our next stop is Sung Sot Cave/Surprise Cave. It’s a one-way cave where the cruise will drop us on one end and pick on the other end. We were warned about the long arduous journey inside the cave. Naturally formed stalagmites and stalactites millions of years ago formed amazing caves. It reminded me of “Borra Caves” in Araku near Visakhapatnam. It has multiple chambers of different sizes. The view of Halong Bay from the top of the caves is scenic like a drone shot. It was definitely worth all the effort in climbing and walking.
Our last stop was Ti Top Island. it was visited by Russian cosmonaut Titov (the second human to orbit the earth) along with Ho Chi Minh and as a tribute it was named after him. We can climb the hill to get a panoramic view of the bay or just relax by the beach side. We chose the second as we were too tired and spending time by the beach is always relaxing. We returned to the cruise by the time the sun started setting and had a sunset party on the upper deck with our host rapping a famous Vietnamese rap. The sunset view was breathtaking over the horizon and we bid farewell to the dragon’s bay consoling ourselves to adapt to the norm in the coming days as our holiday is almost over.
Day 6:
We just did some souvenir shopping and got to experience a grab bike taxi and passed by Ngoc Son temple(Jade Mountain temple) which we missed visiting. We took a bus back to the International Airport to finally say goodbye to Vietnam.
We missed visiting some places like the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, Marble Mountains, My Son Sanctuary, and Sapa. We had some learnings and nice experiences from our fellow travelers. Most of them are humble and down to earth. We had some challenges, especially with the food but it would be too ambitious to expect our comfort food everywhere. But overall it was a really good trip and we experienced many things for the first time in our life. Vietnam will always have a special place in our hearts for being our first international destination 🧡. Looking forward to growing and exploring many more countries.
tạm biệt bây giờ 🤞