The itinerary to not miss anything in Vietnam
The paradise beaches of Phu Quoc
First stop: Phu Quoc! Equipped with an international airport, it is a large island famous for relaxation and beautiful long fine sand beaches. On this island, you will find the longest Cablecar in the world (over 7000m long). An infrastructure that connects several small islets to the south of Phu Quoc. This is an attraction to do if you are not afraid of heights, because it goes very high and with the wind blowing hard at times in this region, the sensations are strong! Sensitive hearts, refrain. You can enjoy a large water park and also various charming towns recently built specially for tourism.
Vibrant Ho Chi Minh between modernity and traditions
My journey continued to Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon. This city is a real blend of modernity and traditions. Enjoy the architectural beauty of the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the Independence Palace. Not forgetting a visit to the War Remnants Museum, to learn about the tumultuous history of Vietnam. You must definitely not miss the night markets, taste the delicious street food and experience the vibrant nightlife of this dynamic metropolis. It is a very large city that never sleeps, divided into several districts. I truly fell in love with it and will be able to share the best addresses with you.
The colonial charm of Hoi An
Continuing my journey towards the center of the country, I discovered Hoi An and Da Nang. Hoi An, with its ancient charm and colonial houses, is a true architectural gem. You can stroll through the narrow streets, looking up at the colorful lanterns that illuminate the city at night. The proximity to Da Nang also makes it easy to visit the famous Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills and enjoy the spectacular beaches of the region. Da Nang is a bit like the "Miami of Vietnam". Tall buildings line up in the background of the long fine sand beach.
Between the two cities lies the Sampan distillery, a must-visit to taste the local rum made there. A Frenchman runs the place and almost everything is still managed manually. Various types of rum are produced there and now exported all over the world.
Dive into the history of Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, which is totally different from Ho Chi Minh. From the narrow streets of the Old Quarter to majestic monuments like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, the cultural richness of the city is palpable on every street corner. I really enjoyed the delicious street food and long walks around Hoan Kiem Lake, discovering the legends surrounding this emblematic place. Opt to visit as much as possible on foot and keep your eyes wide open.
Visit Ninh Binh and Halong Bay, it is breathtaking
Ninh Binh, also nicknamed "Halong Bay on land", offers breathtaking landscapes with its terraced rice fields, picturesque caves, and karst mountains. A boat ride through the rice fields and rock formations allows you to appreciate the serene and soothing beauty of this place.
Afterwards, the ultimate must-see in Vietnam is indeed Halong Bay by boat. Board a cruise ship for 2 days to experience a moment suspended in time. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is an exceptional, admittedly popular, but very pleasant location. The rock formations emerging from the waters are simply spectacular. The show is WONDERFUL even if clear weather is not guaranteed (I had 1 day of rain and the second sunny).
My trip to Vietnam was a superb experience. I simply loved it. The country exceeded my expectations. 1 and a half months traveling from South to North allowed me a total immersion, and I will be able to share my most valuable advice on the must-dos and best practices.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this trip +++
