With its turbulent history, rich variety of cultures, stunning natural beauty, and world-renowned cuisine, Vietnam is a destination worth spending your time on. This immersive 15-day tour travels along the east coast of Vietnam from south to north by train, bus and boat, with hiking and cycling along the way. Led by an expert team leader and in collaboration with local guides and communities, we explore the many facets of daily life in Vietnam, with ample downtime to relax and explore. These are some of the most memorable moments of my intrepid journey.
Sailing through the Mekong Delta
I met my group in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, a bustling metropolis where simply crossing the street is an exhilarating adventure (top tip: walk at a steady pace, don’t stop, let them surround you). While we had time for sightseeing on the third day (I visited the moving War Remnants Museum and the imposing Reunification Palace), our real adventure began on the second day in Ben Tre, a province in the Mekong Delta.
Guided by a Ben Tre local, we cruise the palm-lined canals by boat and visit local businesses, such as a coconut candy producer that shells a colossal 20,000 coconuts a day. Lunch on the banks of the Delta was a highlight: we enjoyed elephant ear fish, a Mekong specialty, served whole and crispy with fresh salads on the side. We then settled into our homestay for the night, a local guesthouse, where we received a warm welcome and more delicious Vietnamese cuisine prepared by our hosts.
City residents especially appreciated the opportunity to unwind for the night in such peaceful surroundings.
Exploring Hoi An and its surroundings
Hoi An’s reputation precedes it – from the stunning World Heritage-listed architecture to the abundance of quality tailors. So I was glad to have three full days in Hoi An under my belt, with plenty of free time to wander around. Here, our group leader took us on a fascinating walking tour of the old town, visiting iconic sites such as the vibrant Quan Cong Temple and the historic Japanese Bridge. We also had the opportunity to explore the surroundings of Hoi An on wheels, with a refreshing bike tour that took us through peaceful rice paddies and streams.
The city takes on an air of romance after sunset, when its narrow streets and riverside promenades are illuminated with swaths of vibrant paper lanterns. It’s the perfect time of day to peruse the night markets or visit one of Hoi An’s many bars and restaurants; some of my favorite places include Market Bar and Hill Station. Like most of my travel companions, I also took advantage of our extended stay to visit one of Hoi An’s famous tailors (our guide recommended Yaly Couture) and whip up some quality pieces.
Hiking in Da Bac
Our second homestay experience on the trip did not disappoint, this time at Sung Village, located in the verdant Da Bac district of Hoa Binh province, a few hours west of Hanoi. The village is home to about 70 families of the Dao Tien tribe, whose main source of livelihood is agriculture, particularly Shan green tea, which is grown in terraced plantations along the mountainside.
Our first hike was more of a warm-up: a two-kilometer walk to visit the majestic Sung Cave and a 100-year-old tea plantation. That night we enjoyed a generous selection of dishes made with seasonal products. I appreciated this fuel the next morning on our second, longer hike, this time a ten kilometer hike from Sung village to Da Bia, through local villages and past stunning mountain views.
Relax on Cat Ba Island
If you’re a water baby like me, then two full days on Cat Ba Island may seem like paradise. Located in Lan Ha Bay in the greater Halong Bay area, the jungle-covered island features white sand coves and a lush national park ready for you to explore.
Most of our time on the island is free, with a relaxed boat cruise including lunch, followed by a fun kayaking session on our second day. For those of us who didn’t beach camp with a good read (guilty), some members of the group embarked on a short but steep hike to Cannon Fort, which on a clear day offers panoramic views of the karst. -dispersed bay.
A taste of local life in Hanoi.
We conclude our tour in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, where French colonial architecture contrasts with grand Buddhist pagodas: layers of architectural influences that speak to centuries of foreign occupation.
Here we explore the city’s bustling old town with a local guide, still going strong after over 1,000 years of trade. With a handful of free nights in Hanoi, I took the opportunity to visit some recommended places to dine with other foodies in the group. Top of our list was Café Giang for a sweet egg coffee, Pho Thin for their fragrant pho soup, Banh Mi Hoi An for a stuffed and crusty baguette to take away, and Cha Ca Thang Long for sharing a hot plate over low heat. fish pot with turmeric, fresh herbs, peanuts and rice noodles.
Following the advice of our group leader, the early risers among us also went for a sunrise walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. That’s when you’ll see energetic locals in their element, with everything from Tai Chi to ballroom dancing and yoga at the water’s edge.
