Vietnam
Rich culture, lush mountains, motorbike madness and odd sightings are just a few of the reasons I found Vietnam so intriguing.
Rice fields fill the countryside while fishing boats fill the sea.
The people work hard in their community and take pride in their heritage.
The chaos of the street vendors and motorbikes creates a magical place to people watch.
As it is a relatively inexpensive destination, it is definitely one place that I would love to return to for a much-extended stay. (I am also highly intrigued by the Golden Bridge tour in Da Nang!)
In 2016 I was able to rent a motorbike for 8 hours, paying just $5. Talk about the most bang for your buck!
Here you will find information and pictures from the following locations:
DA NANG
A very picturesque town with many temples and statues.
GETTING THERE:
Fly directly into Da Nang (DAD) with the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best method of transportation will be found locally with private car hire, bus, or motorbike rental.
Keep in mind many Vietnamese cites are very busy, therefore unless you have experience riding in large amounts of traffic, it is not advised to take this route.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
HALONG BAY
This may be my favorite location in Vietnam, simply for the scenery and ability to explore via motorbike.
An 8-hour rental cost only $5 (in 2016) and is a small enough city that you can get around without feeling overwhelmed or too uncomfortable.
There are boat tours that will take you around the rugged limestone rocks in the sea or you may wish to visit one of the many caves local to the area.
All in all, there are many ways to explore the countryside or along the beautiful bay, which also lights up at night!
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Halong Bay is Van Don (VDO), which is approximately 30 miles away.
Other nearby airports that may be more affordable would include Hanoi (HAN) and even Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), depending on where you want to start your Vietnamese experience.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best method of transportation will be found locally with private car hire, taxi, or motorbike rental.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
HOI AN
A small village gem, this is a very charming place to visit for an authentic Vietnamese experience without the madness of a big city!
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Hoi An is in Da Nang (DAD), which is approximately 20 miles away.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best method of transportation will be found locally with a taxi, scooter, or a bicycle.
At just about 23 square miles, this area is relatively easy to explore.
THINGS TO DO:
Get Your Guide or explore more options with Trip Advisor
NHA TRANG
A good option for those looking for the Vietnamese culture experience with easy access to the beach.
Nha Trang sits on a pristine stretch of the southern coast, thus offers plenty of swimming, snorkeling and seafood.
GETTING THERE:
The closest airport to Nha Trang is Cam Ranh (CXR) but you may opt to fly into a larger city and add this location to your overall itinerary.
Search the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best method of transportation will be found locally with a taxi, scooter, train or bus.
This is a larger city so use caution if opting to rent a motorbike/scooter.
THINGS TO DO:
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
It wouldn't be the capital if it wasn't filled with skyscrapers, traffic and people, right?
As the largest and most populated city in the country, this is a perfect destination if you wish to be entertained and baffled by how chaotic yet organized the traffic can be.
It is highly advisable to hire a driver in order to safely get around this city as there are many tricks to navigating the busy streets and many attractions only locals are aware of.
GETTING THERE:
Fly directly into Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) with the best rates on flights here.
PLACES TO STAY:
Find great deals on hotels here.
Traveling on a budget? Hostels provide a unique experience with extraordinary savings.
GETTING AROUND:
The best method of transportation will be found locally with car hire, motorbike/scooter, train or bus.
This city is incredibly busy with very large amounts of traffic therefore it is not advised to drive your own motorbike unless you are highly experienced with these types of situations.
THINGS TO DO: