Tales from TravelLocal: journeying across Vietnam from north to south

In June this year, I had the opportunity to join one of our local travel agencies in Vietnam, to get first-hand experience of the types of trips that they plan for our TravelLocal customers. It was a 12-day trip from the north of Vietnam all the way to the south with lots of adventure, relaxation and luxury along the way. Spoiler ahead: on this trip to Vietnam, I absolutely fell in love with the country and will for sure return…

Northern Vietnam: from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

Arriving into the bustle of Hanoi

Our trip started off with a free day in the bustling city of Hanoi. Our hotel was located very centrally, so that I was able to walk and explore the city by myself easily. Being tired from my long journey from Germany to Vietnam, I wasn’t able to resist a classic Vietnamese egg coffee, which was being sold in very charming cafés in nearly every street that I walked down. I opted for the iced egg coffee and it was exactly what I needed for an energy boost after a long travel day!

From my seat at the window of the café I was able to do some people-watching, observing how the locals sell fruits on the street and admiring the chaos of the motorbikes. I wandered around for a while until I reached the famous train street. I wasn’t there at the right time to actually see the train pass through the narrow street with the shops lined on each side, but the street was beautiful with its colorful lanterns nonetheless.

Keeping traditions alive in Mai Chau

On the next day we visited the beautiful and quiet village of Mai Chau, where we had a local lunch and went on a cycling tour through the village and rice fields. In the village we got to join some locals for the traditional bamboo dance.

This was a particularly special experience for me: I had written an assignment about traditions and cultures at university, and part of my assignment was about the bamboo dance and the importance of keeping such traditional dances alive. And to no surprise – tourism is one way to make sure these traditions are passed on to the following generations! We also learned about weaving techniques when we passed through a handicraft market, and about rice harvesting while cycling through the lush green fields.

Read more: Spotlight Q&A: expert tips and highlights for your trip to Vietnam

Relaxation time in Pu Luong

We continued our journey to Pu Luong where we stayed at a beautiful retreat – with one of the best views I’ve ever seen. My bungalow sat directly above the vast rice fields, with the mountains in the distance and a pool just below.

In Pu Luong we enjoyed a local dinner with a dance show, embarked on a trekking excursion through the jungle in pursuit of a refreshing dip into a waterfall, and spent some well deserved relaxation time by the pool.

On to the waters of Ha Long Bay

Up next was our Ha Long Bay cruise, definitely another one of the highlights of my trip! We almost didn’t get to go on the cruise due to a typhoon warning, but the team of our partner tour operator very quickly came up with an alternative plan to visit Ninh Binh. Just after we’d started our journey to Ninh Binh, the typhoon warning was lifted as it had changed its direction, and we were able to circle back and embark on our cruise eventually!

I loved how quickly the team came up with an alternative itinerary when the cruise was cancelled, and their flexibility to then cancel the alternative plan and get us on the Ha Long Bay cruise that everyone was looking forward to. This moment, along with their excellent service and great choice of accommodations and local experiences, showed me that our TravelLocal customers are without doubt in good hands with our Vietnamese partner tour operator.

And, the cruise was a dream! The boat was luxurious and from the cabin I had an amazing view of the limestone mountains. We went on a small boat tour to explore Lan Ha Bay, which is a quieter area compared to Ha Long Bay, and we had time in the afternoon to enjoy kayaking and swimming around the bay. We concluded the day with a sundowner on deck and a delicious dinner with live music.

Read more: The best time to visit Vietnam: a monthly guide for travelers

Central Vietnam: exploring Hoi An

In central Vietnam we headed to a beach resort near Hoi An, where we were welcomed with a beach party at sunset. The next day was mostly spent switching between the pool and the beach, before we headed into the old town for the Hoi An memory show.

This afternoon was the moment when I absolutely fell in love with Hoi An. I wandered through the streets of the old town with its yellow houses and colorful lanterns. I had some time to browse through the art shops, buy a few souvenirs and grab some food, while other people from my group went to one of Hoi An’s famous tailors to get tailor-made suits, pants and dresses.

At night, the old town was even more magical as lots of tourists hopped onto lantern boat rides, lighting up the river, and the night market was bustling with people. I’m usually not the sort of person who likes to travel to the same place multiple times, but Hoi An is a special place that I for sure want to return to!

South Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong River

For the last four days, we made our way to the south of Vietnam and started off with a Vespa food tour in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. It was so much fun riding on the back of the Vespa through the busy streets at night… and the food was delicious!

Next, we made our way to the Mekong River for an overnight stay at a calm lodge, located right at the riverfront. We went on a cycling tour through the village where we got to explore how local handicrafts and rice paper were made.

After cooling off in the pool, we took an evening cooking class where we got to make our own delicious summer rolls. On the following day, we visited a market to learn how the typical Mekong Delta treat – rice popcorn – is made. No one was able to resist trying it! Afterwards, we headed for a canal boat ride through the mangroves and tried fried banana – by far my favorite Vietnamese treat!

Back in Ho Chi Minh City, we enjoyed the skyline from a rooftop bar and reflected on this exciting Vietnam adventure: it’s safe to say that I will be back some day…

Read more: A Vietnamese odyssey: how to plan the ultimate trip

Planning your own trip to Vietnam: our top trip ideas

The itineraries our local experts offer are entirely customized to you, and just like Marie’s trip, they come filled with memorable experiences showcasing Vietnam at its most authentic. With greater flexibility and the chance to adapt your itinerary to your needs and budget, there is no better way to plan your dream trip to Vietnam.

To get you started, take a look at three of our best trip ideas, carefully put together by our local experts. You can request them as they are, or tailor them to suit you and your fellow travelers:

• Vietnam in a nutshell: 12-day adventure: the perfect combination of scenic landscapes and authentic cultural immersion, this highlights trip offers a deep-dive into the very best of Vietnam, from journeys into its imperial heritage to unforgettable street food tastings and rice field treks.
• Explore Vietnam by train: an in-depth journey: those looking to experience Vietnam from a unique vantage point will delight in this 16-day rail adventure from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with many stops along the way to enjoy bay water cruises, wildlife-spotting, island relaxation, and more.
• Ultimate Southeast Asia: best of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Thailand: push the boat out with the 23-day trip of a lifetime across several incredible destinations, starting in Thailand’s capital before soaking in the historical wonders of Cambodia and Laos, and ending with cultural delights and tranquil bay cruising in Vietnam.

Make it happen

If Marie’s adventures have made you want to plan your own tailor-made trip to Vietnam, simply get in touch with our local experts today and start putting together the itinerary of a lifetime.