Vietnam
If you're looking for an amazing and exotic travel destination, look no further than Vietnam. This stunning country is home to bustling cities, spectacular landscapes, and some of the world's most impressive caves.
I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam in November 2019, and it was an incredible experience. The trip started in Hanoi and ended in Hồ Chí Minh City, and I saw a lot of beautiful sights in between. If you're thinking of traveling to Vietnam, be sure to put it on your list!
Information about the trip
| # | City | Duration | Transportation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanoi | 1 day | |
| 2 | Halong Bay | 2 days | Bus to Halong Bay |
| 3 | Phong nha | 1 day | From Halong Bay to Hanoi by bus. From Hanoi to Dong Hoi by plane. From Dong Hoi Airport to Phong nha with a Taxi |
| 4 | Phong nha | 1 day | Rent scooter and visit the national park. Back to Dong Hoi by bus at night. |
| 5 | Dong Hoi | 1 day | Visit the city. At night, train to Hue (~3h) |
| 6 | Hue | 1 day | Visit the city. Bus to Hoi An at night |
| 7 | Hoi An | 1 day | Visit the city, Tour to My Son |
| 8 | Da Nang | 1 day | From Hoi An, bus to Bana Hill then bus to Da Nang |
| 9 | Da Nang | 1 day | Rest day |
| 10 | Da Lat | 1 day | Morning flight to Lien Khuong Airport, Bus to Da Lat |
| 11 | Ho Chi Minh | 2 days | Flight to Ho Chi Minh |
Recommendations
I really love Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh city. I think those two cities are great for street photography. Street are crowded, lively and there's always something interesting to create a good composition for your picture. Don't forget to have a rest while drinking a Vietnamese iced coffee!
If you prefer mountain/beach over cities, then I truly recommend you to spend at least 5 days in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park (which is part of the UNESCO's world heritage). Get a bike / scooter and explore the beautiful village, caves, jungle, etc.
Hang Son Doong, which is the world’s biggest cave, situated in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park can be visited by the only authorized company (Oxalis) for a 4 days trip. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to book the tour, so if you planned to do it, please book it at least 1 month before!
The small city of Hoi An is gorgeous, full of littles shops and temples. At night the market are open, bridges are illuminated and you can rent a boat decorated with a lantern to go around the city. Hoi An is also close to Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary (Hindu temples) which really worth the travel!
I personnaly think that I took a few bad decision about what to visit, especially because I didn't take my time to get enough information about that trip and I listen to some tour guide agency 😅 So take your time carefully choose your activities and avoid tourist traps.
About the places I do not recommend are :
- Halong bay : way too crowded and touristic. The bay (as you will see on the pictures) is full of tour boat and kind of ruin the magical moment of this place. There's many alternative to Halong bay. Still, many activities are interesting, such as kayaking and squid fishing tour, etc.
- Bana Hill - I'm not a theme park person
Transportation
If you're in a hurry, you can easily take a flight to travel through Vietnam. Otherwise the train is quite convenient and cheap (but a bit slow). Take your ticket in advance (the day before it's fine), and do not hesitate to take the first class if possible.
Otherwise, you can ask your hotel for a ride in a taxi. Taxi will easily travel from cities to cities, and it's still cheaper than a flight ticket.
During this trip, I shot with a Canon 6D + 24-70mm and Lightroom for the editing process.
Halong bay
Halong Bay is a spectacular sight, and it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. Here are some interesting facts about this iconic destination:
1. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's been listed as such since 1994.
2. The bay is home to over 1,600 limestone islands and islets.
3. The formations in Halong Bay are constantly changing, thanks to the wind and water erosion.
4. The bay is a popular destination for fishing and bird watching.
Phong Nha
Phong Nha is a stunning destination in Vietnam that's definitely worth a visit. This magnificent cave system is home to some of the world's most impressive formations, and it's a popular destination for tourists.
Đồng Hới
Hué
Hội An - My Son
Bana Hill
Hồ Chí Minh
This bustling city is the country's largest, and it's home to some of the most interesting attractions. Here are some things to do and see in Hồ Chí Minh:
Visit the Reunification Palace. This imposing palace is a must-see for any visitor to Hồ Chí Minh City. It was built in 1966 and served as the home of the president of South Vietnam.
Check out the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. This beautiful church is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. It was completed in 1877 and is modelled after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The food in Hồ Chí Minh City is some of the best in Vietnam. There are countless restaurants serving up delicious Vietnamese dishes, so you're sure to find something to your taste. Some of the most popular dishes include phở (a noodle soup), bún bò Huế (a spicy beef soup), and cơm tấm (rice mixed with pork and vegetables). Be sure to try as many different dishes as you can while you're in Hồ Chí Minh City!
