Vietnam In Two Weeks: Culture, Food and Unforgettable Experiences

Whether you visited Vietnam before or are yet to explore this vibrant country, I hope this blog is able to provide you with a bit of inspiration.

This blog post is a recap of my two-week adventure, filled with travel tips, must-visit spots, and personal stories from the road. Whether you’re planning your own trip or just dreaming of Vietnam, I hope this guide helps you get a feel for what this incredible country has to offer.

Planning the trip to Vietnam over two weeks happened so effortlessly as there is so much to explore that it’s quite difficult to fit it all in such a short amount of time anyway. From stunning landscapes, delicious food, rich history and traditions, it is impossible to run out of things to do and see. So I would like to take you through my two weeks journey from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the peaceful waterways of the Mekong Delta.

I started out landing in Hanoi where I spent a few nights in a beautifully redecorated hotel in a traditional style however super chic and modern with a rooftop jacuzzi and amazing views of the capital from the top floor bar. The hotel was very conveniently placed in the old quarter and whilst that means being within walking distance to great restaurants and points of interest, it also means lots of traffic noise and business from the many scooters and vehicles passing by constantly which let’s be honest it’s all part of the charm! Before arriving here, I stated that I was eager to try new and delicious foods. Hanoi exceeded my expectations, offering a variety of culinary experiences from exceptional Vietnamese traditional dishes to remarkable Japanese cuisine, mango crepes, ice creams, and much more. From the outset, it provided the culinary refresh I needed. I would definitely recommend trying the city’s most popular spot for Banh Mi sandwiches which is called Bánh mì 25, and other staples such as the Pho soup, Mi Quang – a rice noodle dish, spring rolls and so much more.

The city is brimming with culture, from temples and pagodas to museums, with a few that stood out for me being the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and Vietnam National Fine Art Museum. You can also take scenic walks around the many lakes all across the city, where vendors, dancers, locals and tourist alike are embracing the vibrant street life.

One of the highlights of this first part of the journey was the overnight stay on a cruise boat in Ha Long Bay, and whilst you will find mixed opinions on this with some saying that it’s a tourist hotspot and overcrowded, I visited in August and did not get that feeling at all. I also believe that if you are in proximity of this UNESCO-listed place then you shouldn’t miss out on experiencing it. You could choose to do a day trip only, however with the overnight stay I got to learn how to wrap and cook spring rolls in the evening, saw one of the most beautiful sunsets, kayaked and swam in the emerald waters in Ong Cam Area. As you cruise through Lan Ha Bay and you get amazing views of the limestone landscape and doing this also provided one of the most memorable parts of the trip - we left the boat at 6am and we were taken onto traditional bamboo boats to explore the wilderness of the Dark and Bright caves and islets and learn more about the area.

For the second part of the journey I was based in Đà Nẵng, in a gorgeous hotel placed right on the beach, and had some of the most extraordinary sunrises I have ever seen from a hotel room. I explored Đà Nẵng in one afternoon on a scooter and it is such a great way to see the entire place and make stops wherever you like. From there, I took a day trip to Huế, the historic seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. A primary attraction in this area is the expansive 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, which is encircled by a moat and fortified stone walls. This citadel includes the Imperial City, featuring numerous palaces and shrines. Another notable day was a trip to Hội An, a city known for its well-preserved Ancient Town and canals, this former port city showcases a blend of wooden Chinese shophouses, French colonial buildings, Vietnamese tube houses, and the Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. In Hội An, it’s where I got to experience my first chaotic night market and got to refine my negotiation skills to buy little gifts. After long days of exploring, I think it’s important that you come back to a hotel that has the amenities you are looking for, as it’s so rewarding to enjoy a spa treatment and top floor infinity pool and reflect on all you have absorbed so far in a comfortable setting.

The third part of my journey, took place in Ho Chi Minh City, where I stayed for a few days and it was great to soak in the contrast between all of the areas I visited so far and being greeted by the modern vibe of the city, compared to the more traditional ancient feel of Hanoi and the beachside Đà Nẵng. You get plenty of cultural moments here with lots of museums especially if you are interested in history and the war, and it really struck me to see that after all this nation has been through, they are such a resilient, positive, warm and hospitable people. Consider a day trip to the Mekong Delta for an authentic experience of local life. This region in southern Vietnam features a vast maze of rivers, swamps, and islands, with floating markets, Khmer pagodas, and villages surrounded by rice paddies.

With a whirlwind of experiences and each moment more memorable than the next, it’s truly an irresistible destination and a place I will always recommend to visit at least once!