VIETNAM 🇻🇳

The Ancient Town of Hoi An, lined with bright yellow shophouses and beautiful lanterns of various shapes, sizes and colors was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Admission. The Hoi An Old Town entrance ticket costs 120,000 VND (5 USD) per person (per duration of stay not per day) which goes towards the maintenance and preservation of the city. It is mandatory for entry to the Old Town. It allows all access to the streets within the Ancient Town. It also includes admission to only 5 sightseeing places (heritage buildings, museums and a theatrical performance, whatever you choose). If you wish to visit more than 5, you need to purchase additional tickets.

For more information about Hoi An Old Town Tickets, click HERE.

The Imperial Citadel is the former seat of government and Hue’s prime attraction, Within the Citadel grounds is the Forbidden Purple City which was almost entirely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968.

Luu Kiem Lake

Mandarin at the Necropolis forecourt

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the My Son Sanctuary is a cluster of ruined temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in a tropical jungle setting. The complex belonged to the kings of the Champa Civilization, which had its peak between 7th-11th century AD, ending when the final vestiges of the kingdom were absorbed by modern Vietnam in 1832.

Eat. White Rose dumplings, Locally known as Banh Bao Vac, are one of Hoi An’s culinary specialties. They are made from meat or shrimp, wrapped in rice paper that resemble flower petals, hence its name.

The most interesting museum in Hanoi, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam in a variety of exhibitions relating to the traditional Vietnamese way of life, religion and rituals. Some of the highlights of the museum are the full-scale replicas of ethnic minority homes in the outdoor area.

with San and La during the trek to Ta Van Village

Ha Noi's ancient Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was built in 1070, under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty to honor Confuciu. The Temple of Literature hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university.

Dinh Tien Hoang Roundabout

The 36 streets of the Old Quarter (although they number up to 70) may have had its roots in the 15th century, when they developed from 36 guilds or workshop areas, each having a different function and characteristic. When streets were later developed, the guild names were applied.

Drink. Skip your Starbucks (during this trip it has not penetrated the Vietnamese market yet), have some local ca phe instead. Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world and local coffee is xxx times better than any Starbucks drink ever will be.

Book. Handspan is located at 78 Ma May Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Reputable and highly recommended, the company arranged my excursion to Sapa and Halong Bay.

Ha Long Bay which literally means "Descending Dragon Bay," is located in Northeastern Vietnam and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features thousands of spectacular limestone rock formations and islets.

Do. Opt for an overnight cruise, rather than a quick day tour to truly enjoy this place.

Ice cream makes everything better

After a miserable day in Pham Ngu Lao, I walked around Dong Khoi in District 1, a much better neighborhood, and found the Grand Hotel, where i had no second thoughts about checking in. Long story short, I was such in a better mood after a long hot bath.

Book. Choose a room in the Old Wing in One of HCMC’s historic hotels offering modern comfort with a very classic French atmosphere.

The Reunification Palace, formerly called the Independence Palace, is a 1960s government building designed for General Ngo Dingh Diem, the president of South Vietnam during the American-Vietnam War. It was the site of the end of the war after a North Vietnamese communist tank crashed through its gates during the Fall of Saigon in April, 1975.

Capping the entire trip with a beer and beautiful view of the city