By Amanda Richardson
•
January 5, 2026
When planning a trip to Vietnam recently it took me a while to decide what to see and what to leave out as it is such a large country with different climates, sights to see and places to visit I did not want to dilute my time by rushing from place to place.. but after being there I now know that wherever you go it is a wonderful experience and you get a feel for the country and it's culture wherever you go. We started In Hanoi, a wonderful city buzzing with life and history, one place not to miss. Highlights for me was Train Street where the passenger train runs through the narrow, bustling streets regularly and the cafes along the route subtly move their chairs and tables out of the way to accommodate the train then back again for their customers to sit and watch the city life around them unfold. The street vendors making meals in every alley and doorway with fresh ingredients and the tiniest chairs for their customers to enjoy their meals. The rooftop bars overlooking this city but most of all the smiling, happy people. We then had an overnight in Halong Bay sailing around its stunning limestone karsts, emerald waters, and rich biodiversity. The boat was beautiful and the service fabulous. A quick stop but worth seeing. We took advantage of taxis /bike transport via an app called Grab, we used local airports for flights between places and the trains are excellent. The country is geared up for people travelling and is done cheaply and efficiently with regular services. Very user friendly. We next visited pretty Hoi An, an ancient town with a river running through, fabulous buildings, shops and restaurants in stunning wooden buildings but we stayed at the beach a 10 minute ride away so here we had the best of both worlds. The town is famous for its Lanterns which are pretty and in abundance. The weather in the North was cooler but still warm enough to wander round in Summer clothes but we then headed for some serious sun and complete relaxation to the beautiful Mui Ne beach in the South where we chilled and caught our breath for a few days. We enjoyed catching our thoughts and thinking what we had already seen and done. Our final stop was Ho Chi Minh the former Saigon. I thought this would be my least favourite place as it was busier, a soul less city, more cosmopolitan and not very authentic but I was very wrong, I loved it! It is fabulous, the old and new combined. Still tons of culture alongside their history, beautiful French architecture, war memorial, the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong are a must. I could go on...and probably will if you want to call in to chat over a trip to Vietnam. There were so many highs and after travelling through Asia on several occasions I would say Vietnam was a wonderful experience that I thoroughly recommend.