How to plan a DIY Trip to Vietnam in 10 simple steps
- Vanessa Valenti
- Nov 7
- 29 min read
Long-dreamed, anticipated, and organized in every detail.. after months of planning and counting down, our trip to Vietnam finally arrived, and it exceeded all of our expectations.
I must admit planning this trip was a bit challenging for meānot so much because of the logistics themselves, but because there are so many wonderful places to see that I couldnāt decide what to include in our itinerary. I kept changing the plan to fit in and experience as much as possible.
That said, Vietnam is an excellent destination for a DIY trip. Getting around with public transportation is incredibly easy and can be arranged even at the last minute. When it comes to accommodations, thereās a wide range of very affordable options, and the Vietnamese people are extremely welcoming and always ready to help or offer advice. If you wish, you could easily arrive in Vietnam with just your plane tickets and figure everything out on the spot without any issues. However, from a time-saving perspectiveāsince organizing your trip and planning your transportation in advance can save you time and stressāI suggest creating a solid itinerary. Still, leave some room for flexibility so you can make last-minute changes if needed, even to adapt to the weather. For instance, we had to adjust our itinerary the day before due to a typhoon.
With that said, Iām now going to guide you step by step through planning a perfect trip to Vietnam. Iāll share all the useful information and tips I gathered both during the planning phase and during the trip itself.
If youāre dreaming of going to Vietnam but donāt know where to start, if youāre worried you wonāt be able to organize it on your own and need some guidanceā¦ then youāve come to the right place!
Are you ready? Letās get started!
10 steps to plan your trip to Vietnam
1. Pay attention to your budget!
Before we start, letās talk about budget! Itās well known that Vietnam is an affordable destination, but how affordable is it really?
Well, letās say itās pretty affordable. You can explore this country while spending relatively little without missing out on anything! We managed to do everything we wanted without holding back and still stayed within our budget. If you know me by now, youāll know that my motto is: spend less and travel more.Ā I always prefer saving on transportation and accommodation but fully enjoying the destination. Vietnam really makes this easy! Letās take a closer look at what I mean.
For reference: we spent exactly 14 full days + 2 travel days in Vietnam, staying for a total of 14 nights, and we spent ā¬1,750 per person, including everything: highway tolls and parking at Malpensa Airport, flights and transportation, accommodation, food, excursions and activities, and health insurance.
Hereās a breakdown of the costs per person:
Round-trip flight to/from Italy:Ā ~ā¬800
Accommodation:Ā ~ā¬140 total per person for 11 nights
Cruise:Ā ~ā¬190 per person for 1 night (all meals included)
Transportation:
Grab and taxis:Ā ~ā¬60 total per person
Buses:Ā ~ā¬85 total per person
Domestic flights:Ā ~ā¬90 per person for 2 flights
Motorbike rental:Ā ~ā¬5 for one day
Activities:Ā Many are free; paid ones range from ā¬3 to ā¬10 each on average.Extras, e.g.:
Cooking class: ā¬36
Luxury spa (3.5 hours): ā¬40
Meals:Ā ~ā¬130 total per person in 2 weeks
Breakfast: ~ā¬2-4
Quick lunch: ~ā¬2-4
Dinner: ~ā¬6-10
Staying on the topic of money and budget... keep in mind the currency, exchange rates, and payment methods when youāre in Vietnam!
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).
1 ā¬ = 26,000 VND officially, but with exchange fees, you can roughly calculate that 25,000 VND equals 1 ā¬, which also makes quick mental conversions fairly easy: 100,000 VND equals about 4 ā¬.
Paying by card is often possible, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. However, in markets, smaller towns, and some hotels, cash is often the only accepted method of payment, so itās always a good idea to have plenty of cash on hand.
Regarding Euros or Dollars: Euros are rarely accepted, while the US Dollar is generally accepted almost everywhere. That said, itās always better to use Vietnamese Dong.
Getting Vietnamese Dong before your trip is nearly impossible. However, for convenience and peace of mind, you can bring some US Dollars as a backup, which you can use if needed. For exchanging money into Dong once youāre there, we always used Euros without any problems.
Useful Tips:
As usual, I recommend avoiding currency exchange at the airport: if you really need it for a taxi, exchange only the bare minimumāitās extremely disadvantageous.
In every city and town, youāll find numerous ATMs, exchange offices, shops, and banks (some more or less authorized). We never had any difficulty finding someone to exchange the Euros we brought with us.
Some hotels, restaurants, and markets, especially in smaller towns, donāt accept credit cards and only take cashāso having cash on hand is essential.
We brought ā¬300 per person, which was enough. Most of the hotels, some meals, and extra activities were paid for by card. However, itās always best to verify payment methods before your trip to plan accordingly.
Bring a credit cardĀ in case you need to withdraw cash: ATMs are everywhere and accept major networks (Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, etc.). Just make sure youāve activated the āworld optionā on your card before departing to enable withdrawals abroad.
In markets and many shops, always negotiateĀ before buying anything! Youāll often manage to buy what you want for about half the original price. This applies in all Vietnamese cities except Hanoi, where no one seemed willing to compromise on prices.
2. Check if you need a Visa to enter Vietnam
From 15th August 2023 Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with a 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry - apply here https://immigration.gov.vnĀ .
Citizens of 13 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus) enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam up to 45 days.
Here is the full list of 25 countries +Kazakhstan that are exempted from visa requirements:
Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama.
I always recommend checking the required documentation for entering a foreign country for good measure.
For this, I always find the iVisa.com agency extremely useful: by entering your country of origin and destination, youāll quickly get an updated list of the required documentation.
If you need any documents, you can also rely on iVisa.com, which handles visa applications online for entry into countries around the world, as well as health declaration forms, embassy documents, passport photos, passport renewals, tourist cards, and other travel documents. The site is secure, the service is fast and efficient, and the team is experienced and available 24/7 for any needs. Click here to access the page directly to request visas and travel documents.
3. Choose the best time to travel to Vietnam
Here we are! This point is perhaps the most challenging when planning a trip to Vietnam. Itās practically impossible to find the perfect time because, due to its elongated shape, Vietnam has a huge climatic difference between the north and the south. So, if you want to plan a trip from north to south, itās pretty tough.
Letās start with the assumption that:
Northern Vietnam:Ā the north is generally warmer, with temperatures rising especially in July and August, during the rainy season. Summer is not the best time to travel to northern Vietnam, while from November to March, the chances of rain decrease, although the temperatures are slightly lower. In general, the best time for a trip to northern Vietnam is from October to April, and I can confirm this. However, keep in mind that in Sapa during winter, especially in January and February, it gets very cold.
Central Vietnam:Ā the rainy season in the central region doesnāt match that of the north. Most of the precipitation in central Vietnam falls between September and Decemberāand I can confirm this as well. Aside from the rain, the real issue is that the central part of the country is also prone to typhoons and hurricanes, which occur most frequently between August and November. The best time to visit the central part of the country is from February to July, with temperatures ranging from 25Ā°C to 34Ā°C and minimal chances of rain.
Southern Vietnam:Ā the rainy season in southern Vietnam runs from May to October, but compared to the rest of the country, the rain is not as heavy, and the temperatures remain fairly constant. The best time to visit the south of the country is from December to April.
So, the best time for a trip to Vietnam, covering the entire country and taking an average of the various climatic conditions, is between February and April. However, if you're planning a tour that only includes the north and south, avoiding the central region, the best period extends from November to January.
In general, there is no wrong time to visit Vietnam: no matter what time of year you choose, you'll find a region where the climate is perfect. You just adapt to the rest, and we are living proof of that!
We did a trip covering the entire country during the last two weeks of September. Due to job reasons, we couldnāt do it any other way, which wasn't ideal for any part of Vietnam. However, we were pretty lucky: we had a few brief showers lasting about 20 minutes, which didnāt bother us much, and only one day of heavy rain when we were in the central region, between Da Nang and Hoi An. We took a bit of a risk here, as there was a typhoon in Da Nang that caused some damage, but we were in Hoi An at the time, and apart from heavy rain, we didn't notice anything. We took advantage of the time for a few hours at a spa, a lantern-making lesson, and a cooking class.
What bothered us the most were the extreme temperatures and the overwhelming humidity that took our breath away... but we survived!
Unfortunately, those were the days we had planned to visit the Cham Islands, but we had to change our itinerary to avoid any issues at sea.
In conclusion: it's best to prefer the months from November to April. If youāre tied to other periods due to necessity, donāt worryāyouāll still enjoy the trip, and no matter what, itāll be fantastic!
Time Zone
Vietnam is in the UTC +7Ā time zone, which means itās 6 hours aheadĀ of Italy. During daylight saving time (in summer), the difference is only 5 hours.
4. Find a comfortable and convenient flight to reach Vietnam
Remembering the crazy prices to go to Bali, this time we started earlier looking for flights and we began in March to travel in September
Our search, as always, started with Skyscanner, where we explored all possible options, comparing airlines, departure airports, dates, times, and finally, of course, prices from all available platforms.
Finding the flights was a bit more complex than usual because our search was multi-leg, meaning our goal was to fly to the north (Hanoi) and depart from the south (Ho Chi Minh City), or vice versa. Fortunately, Skyscanner allows this type of search.
In the end, we chose to fly with Qatar Airways from Milan Malpensa: it was the most convenient option in every way. Moreover, we had recently flown with Qatar Airways to Tanzania in March, and we had an excellent experience, plus the Doha airport is spectacular, so we were very happy to return.
As for the site where we booked, according to Skyscanner, the best offer was through booking.com. For the first time, we decided to try booking a flight on booking.com, and I must say everything went smoothly: the booking code they provided worked perfectly on Qatar Airways' official website, where I was able to check in online, change our seats, and choose our meals for the flight.
The flight cost us exactly 793ā¬ per person, with a 25kg checked bag included.
Outbound:
SAT 16/09 MPX 9:40 - DOH 16:25,
SUN 17/09 DOH 2:20 - HAN 13:45
Return:
SAT 01/10 SGN 19:30 - DOH 23:15,
SUN 02/10 DOH 1:20 - MPX 7:00
Long layover at Doha airport
As you may have noticed, our layover in Doha on the way there was quite long: about 10 hours. If you also find yourself in a similar situation, don't worry, in fact, it can be a great opportunity to take a little tour of downtown Doha.
With a long layover, you can leave the airport (without having to pick up your bags) without requiring a special visa and take a quick trip into the city.
I was very curious to visit Doha and, especially, I really didnāt want to spend 10 hours in the airport, while Enri was a bit more hesitant because he was worried about missing the next flight. So, we found a good compromise and decided to rely on one of the Transit Tours organized by Qatar Airways: these are tours organized by the flag carrier that allows you to visit the city during long layovers in total safety. You travel on a bus with a guide, and they ensure you are back at the airport in time for your next flight.
There are various tours to choose from, and we opted for a Doha city tour, spending 99 QAR (25ā¬) per person, lasting 3 hours.
The tour we chose included a brief stop at the Museum of Islamic Art, a drive along the Corniche, a short visit to the Katara Cultural Village, and then a stop at Souq Waqif. There are also other options, such as a desert tour, depending on your budget and the length of your layover.
We booked directly at the airport at the information desk, before leaving the airport!
We were very happy with the experience: we saw quite a bit, comfortably, and most importantly, ācoollyā ā the bus, fortunately, had air conditioning because outside it was about 45Ā°C and the heat was unbearable.
In conclusion, I think itās a good way to get a feel for Doha at a good price and in complete comfort! If you have a long layover, I recommend this experience!
5. Get a good travel insurance before departing for Vietnam and pay attention to these tips
For traveling in Vietnam, it's best to get health insurance that covers medical expenses and potential air medical repatriation.
If you're looking for good, easy-to-apply travel insurance that offers great value for money, I recommend Heymondo Travel Insurance. In just a few minutes, you can calculate your personalized quote by entering some simple details into their form and get your policy almost instantly at excellent prices!
Heymondo Travel Insurance provides comprehensive coverage, including medical expenses and hospital care, advance payment for emergency needs, rescue operations, and the possibility of returning home early if necessary. I also always add coverage for lost or damaged luggage, reimbursing an amount equal to the value of the missing items. Coverage for luggage can go up to ā¬1000-1500, depending on the policy selected.
There are various policies: Tranquility, Top, and Premium, and you can quickly compare what each offers and the price difference!
Also, I love their app: itās super convenient and allows you to have all your documents at your fingertips and contact customer service in real-time for any emergencies!
To summarize... if youāre still wondering why you should choose Heymondo:
5% DISCOUNT for my readers: By accessing this link [Let Her Go x Heymondo], you will get a discount on your next policy.
No advance payment for costly medical expenses: The insured doesnāt have to pay upfront for medical bills, as this is a direct travel insurance that, in cases like the USA, covers up to ā¬10,000,000 in medical expenses.
Cancellation of excess: Itās one of the few international travel insurances that offers this service. Just select the option, and for a small extra charge, itās done!
For Vietnam, I chose the Top policy with excess cancellation, and I spent ā¬99 for myself and Enri! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get your travel insurance to travel peacefully and without worries!
Regarding the health situation in Vietnam, as in most Asian countries, it is suggested not to drink tap water, eat raw foods (including fruits and vegetables), or consume drinks with ice.
This time, we were maybe a bit adventurous and used tap water to brush our teeth, paid little attention to ice in drinks, and ate lots of raw fruits and vegetables, even from questionable street vendors. Honestly, we didnāt have any issues, although as usual, we took good preventive measures with probiotics. So, while I recommend caution, I wouldnāt worry too much about excessive restrictions.
As for vaccinations, nothing is mandatory, but for Asian countries, hepatitis A and B and typhoid are recommended.Ā Before you leave, itās always a good idea to visit the international vaccination clinic at your local health authority to assess with the doctors which vaccines you should or shouldnāt get.
If you encounter any issues during your trip, you can contact the Embassy of your country in Vietnam for assistance.
6. Plan how to move across Vietnam
Staying on the topic of transportation, now that weāve addressed how to get to Vietnam, letās look at how to get around within the country.
One of the great things about Vietnam is that getting around is really simple and cheap, with many options available, from planes to trains, or the famous overnight buses. These are truly an institution in Vietnam: you canāt travel in this country without trying an overnight bus, itās a real experience to have!
We tried almost all the possible means of transport, except for the train, so letās go over them together!
- Domestic Flights
If youāve already taken a look at the geography of Vietnam, youāll have noticed that itās an extremely long and narrow country, so the distances to cover are often quite large. In some cases, these distances are so vast that traveling by bus would take 12-14 hours. Therefore, to save time and effort, itās worth considering whether domestic flights would be a better option.
There are several Vietnamese airlines offering various domestic routes at great prices and convenient times:
We tried two (Bamboo and Vietravel Airlines), and we had a great experience with both and had no issues. In both cases, we booked through Skyscanner.
We used Vietravel for the Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City route (ā¬36 per person), and Bamboo for the Hanoi - Hue route (ā¬51.5 per person).
There are pros and cons to choosing a flight over a bus: the flight can be a bit more expensive, and even though you arrive, fly, and exit, you still lose some hours. However, in most cases, the time saved is at least half, the journey is far more comfortable, and sometimes not much more expensive than the bus.
Of course, it all depends on the situation, but with so many airlines, there are countless options.
- Sleeping bus and luxury van
As mentioned earlier, overnight buses are a real must-do experience in Vietnam: they allow you to cover long distances overnight while sleeping and are often very cheap... it all depends on the type of bus you choose.
There are usually two types of sleeping buses:
Those with reclining seats
Those with actual berths
The first type is a large bus with three rows of reclinable seats, foot space, a table, and a bottle holder. You cannot get on the bus with your shoes, so youāll have to leave them in a bag provided to you before boarding, and your luggage is usually stored under the bus. A small pillow and blanket are typically provided. These buses are usually the cheapest and, contrary to what one might think, they are more comfortable than the ones with actual berths, based on our experience.
The second type has two rows of bunk beds, where you get an actual berth with a curtain, a mattress with a pillow and blanket, and even an LCD screen. Fortunately, we only traveled on this type of bus once, and it was a nightmare: you could feel the driverās sudden braking, the bumps, and the potholes in the road. The mattress was very hard, and we had to keep our luggage inside the berth!
In conclusion, if I had to give you advice, I would suggest choosing the first option, both for the quality of the trip and the price. If youāre wondering where to find these buses and how to book them, the answer is on the website 12go Asia: here youāll find many options and prices to choose from.
Itās always better to book online as the prices are generally lower than booking directly at bus station offices, etc. (Iām telling you this because weāve tried both experiences). Just keep in mind that sometimes the confirmation of your booking arrives by email after a few hours or even a day, so if you want to book something at the last minute, itās better to go to physical sales points.
On this website, youāll also find other means of transport to choose from, such as trains or luxury vans: these are "luxury" vans that can hold a maximum of about ten people, and they travel shorter distances compared to the sleeping buses, but they are just as comfortable and allow you to travel during the day from one city to another.
For example, we used the sleeping bus to reach Sapa from Ninh Binh, while we used a luxury van to get to Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh City and Ninh Binh from Ha Long.
Grab App
For transportation to and from the airport, as well as within the various cities, we always relied on taxis and drivers found through the Grab app. Itās like an Asian version of Uber, which handles both deliveries and transportation, offering rides on scooters and in cars.
We had already tried it during our trip to Bali, and it literally made our vacation so much easier: incredibly convenient, super easy to use, and very affordable!
You simply set your departure and destination locations, and in just a few minutes, the driver arrives at the location: since everything is done through the app, all drivers are serious and reliable. Thereās no risk of being scammed or having problems because everything is tracked. Additionally, the ride prices are displayed when you enter the locations, so if you accept the ride, the price is fixed and canāt change. Typically, the prices are much more affordable compared to the taxis youāll find on the street or those offered by hotels.
This time, I tried setting my credit card as the default payment method, and I must say that it was much more convenient than in Bali, without having to pay in cash every time.
In my opinion, downloading the Grab app is a must if you're traveling in these Asian countries!
Renting a motorbike
Just like in Bali, in some cases, we also rented a scooter in Vietnam to move around freely and explore certain areas on our own.
We did this in Ninh Binh and Hue: in both cases, the accommodations we stayed at had scooters available on-site, which we rented for about ā¬5 for the entire day, including helmets.
The issue of the international or Vietnamese driving license is quite complicated, and I must admit that I still havenāt figured it out... Let me explain: on many websites and blogs, Iāve read that to drive in Vietnam, you need a Vietnamese license and the international one is not recognized. On Viaggiare Sicuri, it states that the international license is only valid for visas longer than 90 days. Meanwhile, other blogs and the updated 2023 edition of Lonely Planet Vietnam (which, as you know, is my travel bible) mention that you canĀ drive with an international license.
At this point, to avoid any issues, we planned our trip assuming we wouldnātĀ rent a scooter, even though I still put Enriās international license in my backpackājust in case.
Once we got there, we saw countless tourists zipping around on scooters and just as many rental options, so in the end, we decided to give it a try. We trusted the fact that it really seemed like the norm and, therefore, allowed by law. To this day, I still canāt say for sure whether itās officially permitted or not, but the fact is that everyone does itāwe did tooāand we had no issues at all.
The traffic, excluding major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is much more manageable compared to Bali. In our case, in Hue and Ninh Binh, we had a great experience and faced no difficulties.
To sum up:
Itās best to have an international driving license, just to be safe.
Gasoline is very cheap, around ā¬1 per liter.
Traffic drives on the right.
Helmets are mandatory.
Except for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, traffic is manageable and relatively calm.
7. Book your accommodations along your journey from north to south Vietnam
During our trip to Vietnam, we explored many different regions and cities ā and of course, that meant a lot of different accommodations too. Our usual approach was ābetter to spend less and experience more,ā while always keeping an eye on cleanliness and quality. As mentioned earlier, we spent more or less ā¬140 per person for 11 nights (one of which was on a cruise and another on a sleeping bus). On average, we paid little for mid-range rooms. Of course, it was possible to stay in more luxurious places (by spending more), but also to save even further. Only once did we treat ourselves to something slightly above average, mainly because of the place's uniqueness and location. For the rest, all the accommodations were quite similar in quality, so for us it wasnāt worth spending extra.
The only must-haveĀ I recommend checking when booking is air conditioningĀ ā trust me, the heat and humidity at night can really be tough, and without A/C or a dehumidifier, sleeping comfortably can be a challenge. Also, keep in mind that most hotels are very flexible about storing your luggage both before check-in and after check-out for as long as you need.
Letās go through them in detail:
Hanoi: Classic Street Hotel āāāā 28 ā¬ for 1 night for 2 people, breakfast included
The Classic Street Hotel is located on the historic HĆ ng BĆØ Street in Hanoiās Old Quarter, just a 5-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. The location is excellent ā perfect for exploring the city on foot and enjoying the nightlife (Hanoi Beer Street and the night market are just a short walk away).
The hotel is comfortable, clean, and well-maintained, with a modern style and some traditional Vietnamese touches in the decor. The staff were extremely kind and helpful. Free Wi-Fi was available, and the included Vietnamese-style breakfast was plentiful and delicious ā one of the best we had during the trip! The bathroom had towels and complimentary toiletries, and the hotel also offers a paid spa and a tour desk. Highly recommended ā excellent value for money!
Hanoi: Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa āāāā 30 ā¬ 1 night + breakfast
Compared to the previous one, the Classic Holiday Hotel was a bit of a step down. Itās located not far from the Classic Street Hotel, so the location is still excellent, but itās slightly more expensive and less well-kept. The rooms are smaller and a bit shabby, and the breakfast could have been a little better. The bathroom still had towels and complimentary toiletries, and you could also use the paid spa and the tour desk if you wished.
Overall, not bad, though at that price you could probably find something better!
Ninh Binh: Trang An Lamia Bungalow āāā 50 ā¬ 1 night + breakfast
The Trang An Lamia Bungalow is undoubtedly the gem among all the accommodations we tried on this trip ā simply spectacular, peaceful, and absolutely wow!
This was the only night when I allowed myself to go over our daily budget, because it was truly worth it. The property is nestled in the greenery of the Trang An countryside, a small village outside Ninh Binh, and close to Tam Coc. It offers about ten independent units, each unique and all absolutely stunning!
I chose the Deluxe Bungalow with a mountain view: the bamboo bungalow featured a beautiful private bathtub with an incredible view, a very distinctive round bed, and an outdoor bathroom. We literally fell in love with this place.
The property is family-run, and the couple who manage it are wonderful and incredibly helpful. They booked the sleeping bus to Sapa for us, arranged a taxi to the bus station the day after our stay, and even let us use the bathroom to shower and freshen up after a day spent exploring the area.
They also have a few motorbikes available for rent, since the place is a bit outside the centerā¦ but donāt worry, thereās a charming on-site restaurant serving simply divine local cuisine if you donāt feel like going out in the evening!
Honestlyā¦ if youāre visiting the Tam Coc and Trang An area near Ninh Binh, staying here is an absolute must!!
Hue: Nana Homestay & Villa 32 ā¬ 2 nights + breakfast
In Hue, we spent two nights at Nana Homestay & Villa, a charming and very welcoming family-run property with kind and helpful staff.
The rooms are spacious and clean ā nothing fancy, but they provide everything you might need: towels, toiletries, a hairdryer, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The breakfast is perhaps a bit basic, very homemade, and without much choice: Vietnamese coffee, bread, and eggs. The villaās inner garden, which our room overlooked, was truly beautiful and had an oriental charm.
Nana Homestay also offers motorbike rentals, which are essential for exploring Hue and its surroundings freely and independently. We paid just under ā¬5 for a full day.
Overall, if youāre looking for budget-friendly accommodation in Hue without too many frills, Nana Homestay & Villa is an excellent choice.
Hoi An: Phong Phu Villa Hoi An āāā 35 ā¬ 2 nights + breakfast
At Phong Phu Villa Hoi An, we stayed for two nights, though not consecutively. Originally, for the middle night of our three nights in Hoi An, we planned to stay on Cham Island, just a few kilometers off the coast, but a typhoon forced us to cancel and remain on the mainland ā unfortunately, this villa was already fully booked for that night.
Anyway, we stayed here for two nights in two different rooms. Both were very spacious, with modern wooden decor that felt warm and welcoming, clean, and equipped with well-appointed bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi was available, and breakfast was good, offering a choice of a more or less typical dish from the menu.
The staff were extremely kind and helpful; this is also a family-run property. Through them, we arranged transportation to My Son at a great price.
In my opinion, the location is excellent ā about a 7-8 minute walk from Hoi Anās Ancient Town, offering an excellent value for the price. Definitely recommended!!
Hoi An: Hoi An TNT Villa 29 ā¬ āāāā 1 night + breakfast
Compared to the previous property, Hoi An TNT VillaĀ is closer to the Ancient Town and slightly more expensive relative to the extra amenities it offers. The villa features a beautiful pool that guests can use for free, as well as a gorgeous and very comfortable in-room bathtub ā the room itself is also spacious and clean.
The only downsides Iād mention are the breakfast, which I didnāt enjoy at all and had few vegetarian options, and the reception staff, who were a bit pushy at times and made me slightly uncomfortable with repeated questions about our plans. Donāt get me wrong ā they were very kind and helpful, just perhaps a little too much!
From here, you can also take advantage of the same transport arrangement to My Son that I mentioned earlier, which weāll go into more detail about when discussing the temple complex.
So, if youāre looking for a slightly more upscale option, Hoi An TNT VillaĀ is the way to go.
Ho Chi Minh City: Nicecy Boutique Hotel āāā 25 ā¬ 1 night + breakfast
This boutique hotel is in a great location in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, just a short walk from Ben Thanh Market and other points of interest. The reception area is fabulous, though it doesnāt quite reflect the rest of the property, which is housed in a 10-story building. The room was small, clean but somewhat neglected, and the bathroom was the same ā at this price, you could probably find something better. The breakfast also leaves room for improvement, with mediocre food and no vegetarian options at all.
The staff were very kind and had no problem storing our luggage even during our night in Can Tho. Originally, we were supposed to stay out for one night and then check back in at Nicecy Boutique Hotel, but due to an air-conditioning issue, we were moved to their sister property just a few meters away, The Hotel Nicecy.
So, at this price, you might find better elsewhere, but the location is excellent and itās still relatively affordable!
Ho Chi Minh City: The Hotel Nicecy āā 32ā¬ 1 night
Although technically a lower class than its sister property, The Hotel NicecyĀ is actually much nicer ā newer, better maintained, and more stylish. Just a few steps away from each other, but this hotel is more modern, functional, and very appealing.
We werenāt originally supposed to stay here, but we were moved after an issue with the room we had booked at Nicecy Boutique, and I have to say we were very happy with the change.
The price is slightly higher and breakfast isnāt included, but itās consistent with the quality of the property. The location is still excellent, and the staff are extremely helpful and friendly.
Between the two, I would definitely recommend this one.
Can Tho: Emerald Boutique Stay 2 18 ā¬ 1 night
This small hotel in Can Tho has huge potential, but as often happens in Vietnam, itās quite neglected. Be aware that there are two locations, 1 and 2 ā we stayed at the second one, which was a little farther from the main tourist area of Ben Ninh Kieu, about a 15-minute walk away.
The rooms are huge and very nice, though, as mentioned, a bit worn ā with a little more care and attention, it could be a real gem. The entrance is located inside a laundromat, which is a bit unusual, but honestly, we barely noticed it during our stay. The room comes at a very low price, which makes it worthwhile overall!
8. Plan what to pack for a trip to Vietnam
Packing for this trip was actually pretty quick and easyā¦Ā there are just a couple of tips I want to share with you!
For checked luggage, I generally recommend a duffel bagĀ over a traditional trolley suitcase, as itās more manageable and convenient for trips with lots of DIY transfers and frequent moves, like this one.
Specifically, we use the Duffel Base Camp Large (91 liters), which I think is perfect for trips lasting 2 to 4 weeks. There are several options for this type of duffel ā for example, the Medium version (71 liters, around ā¬140)Ā or even larger models.
The duffel is extremely spacious, waterproof, and ideal for frequent travel thanks to its padded shoulder straps, allowing you to carry it like a backpack. Plus, it can handle anywhere from 10kg to 20kg without losing shape.
Traveling with Qatar Airways, we had 25kg of checked baggage per person: on the outbound flight, we were around 12kg each, while on the return, closer to 20kg ā as usual, we ended up bringing back a lot of stuff!
Track your luggage anywhere with Appleās AirTag, a coin-sized device you can place inside your suitcase and link to the Find MyĀ app on your iPhone. You can track your luggage in real time anywhere in the world. An AirTag costs around ā¬29 and can easily be placed on a keychain attached to your duffel bag;
Choose a good carry-on: for flights, trekking, city tours, or 1-2 day trips, a good backpack is essential. The Borealis Classic by North FaceĀ is definitely one of the best investments you can make. Itās comfortable, lightweight, and super practical thanks to its multiple pockets and external bottle holders ā essential in hot and humid countries. With a 29-liter capacity, it can hold everything you need and can even be reused for 3-4 day trips without checked luggage;
Bring a waist bag or small crossbody for evenings and city walks. The FjƤllrƤven KĆ„nken hip packĀ has been a total game changer for me ā so much so that Enri ended up getting one too! Itās extremely comfortable and spacious, and it lets me move around even in crowded areas without worrying about theft, since I can always keep it right in front of me and within sight!
Give your passport a proper home: remember ā in todayās world, having a passport is both a privilege and a luxury, so itās essential to take good care of it. I chose an inexpensive but compact model on Amazon, with an elastic closure and slots for cards and SIMs, available in tons of colors. Itās honestly one of my best purchases ā and Enri agrees! You can find it here: passport holder.
Get yourself a good travel pillow! For those endless flights, itās best to have your own pillow (airplane ones are terrible!) so you can actually rest and arrive at your destination without feeling half-dead and with a sore neck. After carefully comparing shapes, materials, and ā most importantly ā size (I needed something that wouldnāt take up much space in my backpack), I chose the Masswish memory foam travel pillow. Itās well-priced, super comfortable, and compresses beautifully into its small carry bag, taking up almost no space. I can recommend it without hesitation!
Plastic bottle waste is a serious issue in Vietnam, as in many other Asian countries. Bring a reusable stainless steel water bottleĀ with you to refill throughout your trip. We use the 1L thermal stainless steel bottle by SparrowĀ ā both Enrico and I have one, and after trying several brands and models, this is hands down the best.
Donāt forget sunscreen! No matter what time of year youāre planning your trip to Vietnam, make sure you always have some sunscreen in your backpack ā at least to apply on your face and shoulders. If your itinerary includes beach stops, always choose a product that does not contain oxybenzone, which contributes to coral bleaching and reef damage, and make sure itās REEF FRIENDLY certified. I use the Aloha Care line by Hawaiian Tropic, both body and face versions, each with SPF 30;
Choose comfortable shoes for lots of walking. We averaged about 20 km of walking per day, so comfortable footwear is absolutely essential! Always pack a few Compeed blister plastersĀ too ā they can be real lifesavers. For our trek in Sapa, I specifically brought my Salomon X Ultra hiking shoes, which I canāt recommend enough for their incredible grip and Gore-Tex waterproofing ā they were a true blessing in Sapaās muddy rice fields. These shoes are lightweight and take up far less space than traditional hiking boots, so if youāre planning to visit the north, definitely bring them along.
Always keep a rain jacket in your backpack. As mentioned before, especially in certain seasons, the weather can be very unpredictable ā and getting caught in the rain isnāt unusual!
Bring sunglasses and a hat. On sunny days, the sun can be really intense, so protect yourself with a good pair of sunglasses and a hat.
Plan for at least one change of clothes per day. The weather in Vietnam is hot and extremely humid, so expect to change clothes more than once a day. I recommend packing plenty of tops and T-shirts, and of course a good supply of underwear and socks ā although you can always do some laundry halfway through your trip. In general, opt for light-colored, cotton clothing, which is more breathable and comfortable, and avoid synthetic fabrics that make you sweat twice as much. You might need a light sweatshirt or fleeceĀ for the Sapa area (depending on the time of year), but otherwise, you wonāt need anything too warm.
Pack a good supply of medications. Weāll go over this in more detail shortly, but make sure youāre prepared for any situation.
Concerning power plugs and adapters, Vietnam uses Type A (American, two flat pins), Type C (European, two round pins), and Type G (British, three rectangular pins)Ā outlets. Type A and C sockets fit standard European plugs, but some places only have Type G ā so itās best to bring a Type G adapter (230Vā50Hz)Ā just in case.
Medications kit
A good bag for Vietnam should definitely include a decent supply of basic medicines: personally, after many trips of this kind and a few unpleasant experiences, I have my own list of essentials:
Paracetamol 1000mg
Aspirin
Antihistaminic
Cortisone
Broad-spectrum antibiotics - usually Amoxicillin
Intestinal specific antibiotics
Antidiarrheal and antinausea
Antacid
Supplements of mineral salts - es: PolaseĀ - on this trip, Polase really saved my life; I took 2-3 sachets every day to avoid fainting in the middle of the street because of the constant hot and humid weather!
Plasters and disinfectant spray
A good mosquito repellent is also essential (make sure it contains at least 50% DEET), especially for areas like Ninh Binh and the Mekong Delta, where the abundance of rivers and waterways means there are many mosquitoes. I usually use Jungle Formula Molto Forte Spray, recommended for areas with high risk of malaria and other insect-borne diseases such as Dengue.
Additionally, for this type of trip, itās always a good idea to take probiotics before leaving and throughout your stay to strengthen your gut and prevent digestive issues ā I always use Enterogermina Viaggi
9. Choose how to manage your internet connection while in Vietnam
At this point, one of the things you might be wondering is whether, once you arrive in Vietnam, you can access the internet, use WhatsApp, and most importantly, use GPS and Google Maps.
The answer is yes, and youāll be happy to know itās very simple and, above all, affordable. You have two options:
Buy a local SIM cardĀ at one of the many sales points ā youāll find them everywhere, even at the airport. We bought ours as soon as we landed in Hanoi. The vendor will copy your passport, insert the SIM, and it will work immediately. We chose a plan with the operator Viettel, which gave us fast 4G connection with unlimited data for 30 days at 350,000 VND (ā¬13.50), but cheaper options are also available.
Choose a convenient and fast eSIM, which allows you to have an instant connection without waiting in long lines at the airport and avoiding possible scams. We use Holafly, an eSIM service compatible with both iOS and Android.
With Holafly, you only need to download the app once, avoiding the need to install a new eSIM for every country. For each trip, you just select the plan with the duration that suits your needs ā and yes, every plan offers unlimited data ā and thatās it! If you encounter any issues, the Holafly app offers 24/7 customer support via chat.
The Holafly website and app provide step-by-step instructions to use your new eSIM.
Get your Holafly eSIM now for your next trip to Vietnam: use the code LETHERGOĀ to get a 5% discount exclusively for Let Her Go readers. Enter it at checkout once youāve chosen the plan that works for you.
10. Choose your perfect Vietnam travel guide
This is one of the parts of this article that excites me the most because Iām particularly proud of my Lonely Planet Vietnamā¦ yes, I know, more than usual. When I finally received it after a very long wait (Iāll explain why in a moment), I was so thrilled that I told everyone about it ā and showed it off as if it were my favorite child.
The Italian edition of Lonely Planet Vietnam, in its latest version, dated back to 2019 and was almost impossible to find. But I wanted something more recent and, most importantly, post-Covid. So, I tried searching for the English version and noticed that an updated edition was set to be released in July 2023. Of course, I pre-ordered it, and when it arrived, I realized it was the special 50th-anniversary edition of Lonely Planet ā and it was completely different from the classic ones! Finally, so many colors, endless photos, and way more tips and insights instead of the usual lists. Absolutely stunning! I read it over and over again, Iām so proud of it, and I literally fell in love with it. Go grab your copy, trust me, you wonāt regret it: Lonely Planet Vietnam.
Iād say you now have all the information you need to plan a dream trip to this amazing country, which Iām sure will make you fall in love the moment you step off the plane.
Now all thatās left is to plan your Vietnam itinerary; below Iām sharing a very concise outline of ours:
2-Week Vietnam Itinerary from North to South
arrival in Hanoi
Hanoi
Halong Bay
Sapa
Ninh Binh
Hue
Da Nang
Hoi An
Ho Chi Minh City
Delta del Mekong
back to Italy from Ho Chi Minh City
From here on, weāll start exploring each stop of this incredible trip together; for convenience, Iāve divided them by region:
Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam
Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam
Southern Vietnam
Southern Vietnam
Do you want to travel to Vietnam but donāt know where to start? Let me introduce you to my digital map of the country from north to south!
With this map, youāll have a foundation on which to build your entire trip.
Itās a private Google Maps map where youāll find:
over 50 places to visit, organized by city
attractions and activities personalized based on my experience
where to stay
where to eat
To receive the map for FREE, you can choose one of these two options:
ā follow me on Instagram and request the map directly via DM
ā subscribe to the mailing list and request the map below in the comments (leaving your email address) or by sending me an email at: lethergo.it@gmail.com
For any questions, doubts, or further information, donāt hesitate to contact me privately or in the comments.
Make sure to keep following me and donāt miss the upcoming articlesā¦ the best is yet to come! And donāt forget to leave a like or a comment below if you enjoyed this post or found it useful!
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