Vietnam

Vietnam is one of those countries that grabs you and doesn’t let go. The food is incredible, the landscapes are wild, and it’s still cheap even though tourism has blown up. You can spend a month here and barely scratch the surface.

Hanoi up north is chaotic and I love it. The Old Quarter is tiny streets packed with scooters and street food everywhere. Bun cha, pho, banh mi for breakfast. The coffee culture is serious here. Egg coffee sounds weird but trust me. Day trip to Halong Bay is touristy but those limestone cliffs coming out of the water are something else. Better yet, go to Cat Ba Island and skip the crowds.

Central Vietnam has Hoi An and it’s beautiful. Old town with lanterns everywhere at night. Get clothes tailored for cheap. The beaches nearby are great. Hue has the old imperial city and tombs if you’re into history. Da Nang is modern and has good beaches but honestly it’s pretty skippable.

Ho Chi Minh City down south is huge and modern. The War Remnants Museum is heavy but important. Ben Thanh Market is tourist central but the food stalls around it at night are great. Cu Chi Tunnels make a good day trip. The Mekong Delta is close and worth a couple days for floating markets and river life.

Getting around is easy. Overnight buses and trains connect the main spots. Cheap flights too. In cities rent a scooter if you’re brave. Traffic looks insane but it flows somehow. Grab works everywhere for rides.

Money goes far. Meals are a couple dollars. Nice hotels are twenty bucks. ATMs everywhere. Haggle at markets but not restaurants. Bring small bills because change can be an issue.

Best time is tricky because the country is so long. Generally October to April works for most regions.