23/05/2026
Spent almost a month doing Vietnam from North → South and if anyone is planning it, here are my honest takeaways:
• North and South genuinely felt like two different countries.
• Hanoi had more culture, chaos and character. Ho Chi Minh felt faster and more modern.
• The cafe culture is unreal — I don’t think I’ve spent this much time sitting in cafes anywhere else.
• Vegetarian food was easier than I expected (still needed some effort and Google Translate sometimes).
• Hostels made a huge difference — easiest way to meet people and find plans.
• Weather changes a LOT across regions, so don’t pack assuming one climate throughout.
• Don’t overpack. Learned that the hard way.
• Some of my best memories were unplanned — random conversations, hidden cafes and getting lost.
Route I did:
Hanoi → Sapa → Ha Giang → Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh → Da Nang/Hoi An → Mui Ne → Ho Chi Minh → Phu Quoc
A few personal highlights:
• Ha Giang loop – absolutely worth the hype
• Sapa – beautiful views and slower vibe
• Ninh Binh – felt underrated
• Mui Ne – very different from the rest of Vietnam
• Phu Quoc – perfect for slowing down towards the end
Overall: Vietnam felt affordable, beautiful and very easy to travel through for a long trip.
Happy to answer questions if anyone is planning a Vietnam North → South trip :)