Vietnam – JohnnyRoams

Vietnam – quick travel guide

February 16, 2024January 9, 2023 by Johnny

Asia’s beautiful, cheap, and less touristy destination. Compact, easy to get around, lots of fun and amazing places to explore.

Culturally and geographically, Vietnam is closest to Thailand. But still distinctly different in many ways and most certainly a unique and worthwhile place to visit. Many people do fall in love with the place and settle down here. It’s a small country with so many amazing and unique destinations. Many different types of terrain and landscapes. Rich in culture and authentic places where people don’t speak English yet. The way everyone gets around is by motorbike (and most likely so will you), leading to a very fun and adventurous experience.

People usually say November to March is the best time since it’s off-season and less busy, less hot. But I’d say avoid Dec to Jan as yes, it’s cooler and less hot…but it’s still cloudy and photos don’t look as nice. Also, the less touristy places feel kind of dead. I feel February or March is better. However late January is nice if you want to be there for Tet Festival (their new year’s). So perhaps late Jan to late Feb would be a good time range for first timers.

Vietnam can be done in 2 weeks to 4 weeks. 4 weeks is probably the ideal time for you to see all the different areas and visit major attractions. Vietnam is rich in diversity of terrain and culture.

Hue – quick travel guide

February 20, 2023January 31, 2023 by Johnny

Small city with historic places, but is also a nice vibrant modern city.

Come for the history, stay for the modern vibe. Many nice restaurants, vibrant nightlife, plenty of people and places, restaurants and bars, things to do, but not overly busy and crowded like other places. I think Hue is actually underrated. Many visitors see it only as a place to see the historic city and pagoda and then move on.

You can see the historic sites within a day. But next time, I’d definitely stay 3 or 4 days for sure.

Ha Giang (Loop Tour) – quick travel guide

January 31, 2023January 30, 2023 by Johnny

Beautiful mountain region of northern Vietnam with the infamous Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour.

Imagine yourself riding around beautiful green mountains with picturesque rice fields and colorfully-clothed local mountain people, zipping through local towns and markets as the mountain kids run along the street to yell “hello” and try to high-five you. Yes…it sounds exactly like a Disney Movie.

For anyone who’s ever done the motorbike tour, many will say it sits among the most memorable travel adventures they’ve ever had in their lives. And I’d have to agree. It’s because the mountain motorbiking experience is REAL! You’re not just sitting from the outside and taking photos. It’s you living the hilly mountain world through your bike, seeing their world as they see it. Experiencing their beauty as they live it.

If you got 3 precious days to spare, I guarantee the Ha Giang Loop is one you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. I can’t think of anything like this in any other country I’ve been.

Phu Quoc – quick travel guide

January 22, 2023January 14, 2023 by Johnny

The touristy developed Vietnam island. Phu Quoc has lots to offer, and more to cater to fancier travelers.

Phu Quoc island is much bigger (than Con Dao island), with more things to do. Hotels, parks, fancier houses, many more restaurants and bars, and also many more foreigners.

2 days is enough to get a taste and experience the island life, but I will personally do 4-7 days here next time I visit. There’s more to explore and I loved the chill vibes as well.

Cat Ba (Ha Long Bay) – quick travel guide

January 22, 2023January 14, 2023 by Johnny

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2 days is enough. I would definitely check the weather as you go, since the beaches and bay views aren’t as pretty/enjoyable when it’s cold. I went in January my first time and wouldn’t recommend that to anybody else. Other destinations like Ninh Binh can still look magical and peaceful in cold/cloudy weather whereas Ha Long Bay looks a little sad/boring.

Ninh Binh – quick travel guide

April 20, 2023January 14, 2023 by Johnny

Known as “Ha Long Bay on land”. One of Vietnam’s top destinations (and my favorite tourist destination). Beautiful nature and relaxing peaceful vibes.

Beautiful, but not loud crazy crowded tourist vibes. A perfect escape from Vietnam’s noisier destinations. Although you can see Ninh Binh’s most popular highlights in a day tour, it’s a grave mistake not to put at least 2 nights here. It’s such a beautiful and spiritual escape from the rest of Vietnam’s noisier destinations. I love that it’s actually real nature beauty. I think it’s even more beautiful than Ha Long Bay, especially during bad weather (the clouds adding to the mysterious atmosphere whereas Ha Long Bay looks sad/dull with clouds).

2 days for the minimum, 3 to really relax and recharge your soul. Also know that a place like this, it definitely affects where you stay. As different properties have vastly different views of Ninh Binh. Some feel like just a cute outdoor garden. Others have a massive view of the water, trees, and surrounding mountains…basically a mini Ninh Binh right in their back (or front) yard.

Hoi An – quick travel guide

February 21, 2024January 11, 2023 by Johnny

The “city of lanterns”, or as I like to say…”The Venice of Vietnam”.

Cute charmy river city with its unique lanterns all throughout the yellow bamboo town. Very touristy but also fun because it’s distinct from everything else in Vietnam.

2 days would be perfect. Extra if you really like to hang out in the bars, cafes, restaurants by the water. Or making days for the beach.

Con Dao island – quick travel guide

April 20, 2023January 4, 2023 by Johnny

Calm, relaxed island. A popular alternative to the busier more touristy Phu Quoc island.

Con Dao island (east of mainland) was historically remembered for where they put prisoners. But nowadays it’s consider the quieter, calmer, more nature, more locals and easy-going alternative to the busier resort-ey Phu Quoc island (west of mainland). You’ll see very few foreigners and non-Asian people.

I’d say 2 days is enough to see major things. Add more days if you want to do nothing. I personally recommend not going during December and January. It’s really dead and empty (unless you like that) and the weather might not be as nice. Going during the right seasons, you have more things to see…also more visibility in the water and nicer-looking water colors.

Hanoi – quick travel guide

March 14, 2023December 30, 2022 by Johnny

Vietnam’s main northern city…different and contrasting against Saigon (Vietnam’s main southern city).

Totally different culture from the South. As the saying goes, they don’t like each other. Different vibe, different accent, different food, and small cultural differences. Unlike Saigon’s busy, chaotic, fast-paced lifestyle…Hanoi is slightly more relaxed, chill…but still busy in its own way.

2 days is enough to feel like you saw Hanoi, but a couple extra days would be easily filled with activities. I spent a week and could still have been here longer. It’s a popular expat place for a reason.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – quick travel guide

October 26, 2023December 30, 2022 by Johnny

Vietnam’s busiest most crowded city, vibrant and choatic all over.

Most native Vietnamese people, Vietnam tourists, foreigners, and expats will all tell you to pass through HCM/Saigon quickly and head to North Vietnam (where there are many more beautiful places to see). Yet…it is HCM (or still commonly called “Saigon”) where you find the biggest Vietnamese city population and also foreigner/expat population. I consider Saigon “the Buenos Aires of Vietnam”.

Why?

Saigon is lively, vibrant, many things to do and see, many things open all day and all night. Sure, it’s not a beautiful beach city or mountain terrain, but it’s packed with fun and many things to do. I recommend spending 2 or 3 days.

Ho Chi Minh vs Hanoi

Fun debate. Many say HCM people are friendlier and Hanoi more arrogant or snobby. I think there’s truth in that (especially since northern Vietnamese make fun of southern dialect all the time). But generally foreigners won’t have any issues with it since local Vietnamese generally treat foreigners well anyway.
And I’d say most foreigners would definitely find Hanoi to be more beautiful and walkable, and more “chill” (although still having its own chaos). HCM is more chaotic and to me only makes sense to be there a long time if you like big city life, big skyrise parties, or need to run a business from there.