14 Days in Vietnam

By Anna Belsham, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

After finishing up my studies in Hong Kong I took the opportunity to make the most of being in Southeast Asia and met up with two of my friends from home to spend two of the most magical weeks in Vietnam. It was one of the most amazing places I have travelled to, bursting with culture, breathtaking scenery and the most kind people I have ever come across.

Hoi An: 3 Nights

Accommodation: Fuse Hostel Old Town. Would highly recommend staying here, was super social with so many hostel activities and lovely staff that will help you to book things. In a great location, with shuttles to the beach and activities going on every day as well as a pool and bar/restaurant at hostel.

Activities:

Tailoring: Hoi An is known for its cheap tailor made clothes, shoes and bags. I got a custom leather bag made which I love and I regret not getting clothes and custom cowboy boots (I had no room :().
Coconut Boats
Cooking Class: I booked the coconut boat and cooking class together on Getyourguide, this was really affordable and one of the best days we had.
Lantern painting/making
Lantern Boat Ride: just go to the river in the old town and they are all waiting there.
Sight seeing: Japanese covered bridge, Phac Hat Pagoda and Quan Kong Temple.

Food:

Bahn Mi queen
Hoi An Cuisine restaurant
Faifo Coffee
Uncle Huan- Coffee

Phong Nha: 1 Night

We were only here for 1 night to do the Duck Stop.

Accommodation: Thanh Hotel

The Duck Stop: 100 Dong and you get to be a duck leader, Vietnamese pancakes and a beer included. Was such a funny and unique experience. A 10 minute walk away is a place called ‘Pub with Cold Beer’ which is really cute with amazing views to go to after.

Ninh Binh: 3 Nights

Accommodation: The Banana Tree Hostel. This was the best hostel I have ever stayed in, was so clean and comfy beds. The highlight was the outdoor social area which was so chill and nice, was a big outdoor pool, with beds, tables and chairs around it, as well as ping pong, darts and such a nice restaurant and bar. The hostel had so many activities, was in the perfect location and had bikes to rent.

Activities:

Mua Cave: 500 steps up which is tough, so go in the morning and bring water, but views are worth it.
Trang An Boat trip: around 3 hours long. Such a lovely and relaxing activity with stunning nature and temples.
Rent Bikes
Buffalo Caves: we cycled to these which was such a simple scenic route. Once you get there you pay entry, get a free drink and there is so much to do there, fishing, feeding ducks, seeing buffalo and just walking around and enjoying the nature.
Hao Lu ancient town: nice to go to for the evening and sunset, 2 temples, a river with lanterns and a walking street full of shops.

Hanoi: 3 Nights

Activities:

Train Street
Note Cafe
Old Quarter
Silk Shops: Three sisters silk was my favorite.
Ho Chi Minh Museum- need to be covered up.
Den Ngoc San
Water Puppet show- Thang Long Water Theater.
Beer Street
Walking around the old town at all the shops and cafes.

Food:

Pho 10- Michelin guide.
Bahn Mi 25
Pizza 4Ps
Mr Bay Mien Tay- Banh Xeo- Michelin guide Vietnamese pancake.
Bun Cha Ta

Ha Giang Loop: 4 Nights

I was quite apprehensive and nervous before this as I am not a big motorbike person, but I had heard amazing things from so many people about it. I am so glad I did it, this was the highlight of all of my travels whilst studying abroad. It was such a surreal and eye opening experience, as well as being so fun and social, making friends from all over the world. The mountains and nature were like nothing I had ever seen and we all felt like we were in a movie. Riding though all the remote villages in the mountains, was extremely eye opening and put things into perspective, you felt to immersed into the culture and was quite emotional at times seeing how much poverty there was.

I did the loop with Jasmine Tours, I would recommend this company as I really enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun, everyone was friendly and social and I felt really safe on the bike. The food was amazing and home stays were comfortable. I would recommend to do your own research as there are lots of different ones depending on what vibe you would prefer.

Cat Ba Cruise: 1 Night

Venezia Cruises: this is the company I went with, the tour guide was lovely, the food was amazing and the boat itself was fabulous, especially the views from the rooms. The people we were on the boat with were mostly couples and some families so not very social, but this is random and we were only there for a night so it did not really bother us as we were super tired from the Ha Giang Loop.

Activities: