Top Vietnam Travel Tips: A Frequent Visitor's Guide to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An

Where to go on your first visit to Vietnam.

I've traveled to Vietnam more than any other country over the last 15 years. Even though It's become an increasingly popular tourist destination the magic is still there. It's also still affordable.

What do I love about Vietnam? It must be a combination of the delicious and diverse food, the warm welcoming creative and resilient people, the rich art, architecture, and natural beauty. Many items in this store have been sourced directly from Vietnam, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Over the years, I've been asked countless times for my top tips on visiting Vietnam. So, I’ve put together this handy city-by-city guide to help you make the most of your trip to this incredible country. This isn't a comprehensive tourist guide to Hanoi, Saigon and Hoi An - but it is a personal collection of my favourite places to hang out, and where I like to shop and eat, with some sightseeing tips thrown in.

How Much Time Do You Need?

For a first trip to Vietnam, I recommend spending around two weeks to explore the main highlights. This will only scratch the surface, but you can see more when you return, which you'll likely want to do after that first time. Here's how I suggest you split your time:

• 3 nights in Hanoi

• 1 night in Halong Bay (or save for your next visit)

• 5 nights in Hoi An (for relaxation and exploration)

• 3–4 nights in Ho Chi Minh City (incl side trips)

If time allows, consider adding Hue to your itinerary — a beautiful and historic city worth exploring.

How to Travel Between Cities

Getting from one city to another is pretty easy. Vietnam Airlines offers affordable and frequent domestic flights, and other budget airlines like Vietjet and Bamboo are also good options, though they’re not as reliable. Always check the weather before you go. There's vastly different climes between North and South. Hanoi in the winter can get chilly, while the South remains warm year-round. However you'll want to avoid wet season in the Centre and South. 

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Where to Stay:

• Myst Dong Khoi amazing breakfast buffet. Excellent location

• Au Lac Charner love the rooftop pool with city views. Stroll to Walking Street
  

There's many big chain hotels in HCMH if you can't get into the boutique hotels I've mentioned above. District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and easily walkable. Don’t miss “Walking Street,” a lively area perfect for dining and people-watching. 

Sightseeing Recommendations:

• Arrange a small group or private tour for must-see attractions. If you're up for it, explore the city on the back of a scooter.

• Consider a day tour to Mekong Delta and/or a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels (if you're not claustrophobic).

Eating & Drinking:

Ho Chi Minh City is a food lover's dream. Here are a few of my top picks:

• Hoa Tuc Restaurant

• Anan Saigon (you'll need to reserve well in advance)

• Seafood Trail Food Tour with Vu

• Bánh Xèo 46A Vietnamese Pancake Street

• Back of the Bike Tours for sightseeing and eating with friendly informative tour guides

  

For a change of scene, head to the expat District 2 for some shopping and cafe culture.  I recommend Madam Lam for lunch in this area. Shop at the retail and cafe square 32 Tran Ngoc Dien. For an explosion of colour, you have to visit the ceramics store Amaï house

Hoi An

Fly into Danang and take the 1-hour drive to Hoi An. I always recommend staying in Hoi An instead of Danang; the latter has wall to wall big chain hotels if that floats your boat. 

Where to Stay:

• Hoi An Boutique Resort— offers the best of all worlds. It's on a lovely stretch of beach but it's also a short shuttle bus trip to the old town.

  

Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its beautiful colourful architecture and lantern-filled streets. Though it has become too crowded in some parts - especially on the side of the river where the backpacker pub crawls end up - the Old Town still retains its magical charm. 

What to Do:

• Wander the Old Town in the morning to avoid the crowds, especially on your first visit.

• Take a half-day cultural tour to explore the historical landmarks.

• Visit the Precious Heritage Museum where you'll see Rehann's exhibitions showing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through photography and traditional costumes.

Shopping in Hoi An:

Hoi An is a hub for custom tailoring, shoe-making, and artisan jewellery, not to mention ceramics, art and everything in between. Tip: Bring clothes/shoes/jewellery you love for replication or show them photos for custom pieces.

• Lac Viet Jewellery Boutique (for custom jewellery and ready make pieces. Also bring jewellery you love that needs repairing)

• Friendly Shoe Shop run by fempreneur Thong who I've nicknamed The Queen of Hoi An. When I first met Thong in 2010 she had one shop. She now has 3. Friendly Shoe Shop makes leather shoes and bags to order and they'll be ready by the time you leave (if you have 3 or more days in town).

• Tailors—This is a recommended tailor I’ve used - Phuong Nam - but generally the tailors are all much of a muchness. Some of the bigger corporatised tailors who have connections with the big tour groups will be more expensive, but you do get aircon in those, which makes the trying on process more bearable. Allow a few days between first visit, trying on and picking up for all the tailors. Pro Tip - it is easy to make the mistake of being sold to in the tailor shops, and consequently having multiple pieces made only to get them home and wonder why you did that.  Plan ahead - be circumspect about what you really need and ensure it's the right fit and style before accepting the finished product.

Eating:

Hoi An is a foodie’s paradise, offering everything from street food to fine dining.

You must try uniquely Hoi An dishes - White Rose Dumplings, Cau Lau and Mi Quang Noodles. For a pre dinner snack grab a Banh Mi from a street stall, or my absolute favourite the Dalat pizza. 

• The Field Restaurant dine amongst the rice paddies. Serene surrounds. Very unique Vietnamese menu. Love this spot for a quiet lunch. Take mossie spray!

• Baby Mustard Similar to above, also amongst the rice paddies.

• Morning Glory Signature restaurant overlooking the river in the old town. It's one of the most renowned restaurants in town but the food and service is still fabulous. Great place to watch the crowds below.

• Faifoo - 2 restaurants in the old town. You'll find all of Hoi An's specialities at Faifoo as well as classic Vietnamese favourites.
  

• Ang Bang Beachfront Bars and Restaurants — I almost don't want to share this secret, but if you've made it this far I'll make an exception for you! Ang Bang is a beautiful beach area, but what makes Ang Bang all the more special is the small group of beach front bars and eateries perfect for chilling. Soul Kitchen and Deckhouse are fab lunch spots. After you've sated your appetite looking over the sea, find your sun lounger on the beach and sleep off lunch. You might be lucky to catch some live music at night at these bars, but my top pick for Ang Bang at night are the seafood shacks where you'll get fresh live seafood from the tanks cooked to order. That's where you'll find the locals.

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There are a few cooking schools to choose from in Hoi An and you should definitely try one if you have a few days in town. My pick is Red Bridge Cooking School, which includes a market visit followed by a boat ride to the riverside school with its alfresco kitchen.

Hanoi

Where to Stay:

• Apricot Hotel  one of the only hotels to face onto the stunning Hoan Kiem Lake. The spa and indoor/outdoor pool are fantastic!

Walking around the lake in the early morning or at sunset is an obligatory Hanoi past time, as is watching the Tai Chi and group dancing sessions you’ll see around the lake.

Sightseeing Recommendations:

• Hanoi Opera House

• Temple of Literature

• Vietnam Women’s Museum

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

• Westlake/ Ho Tay (expat area for a change of scene).

Shopping in Hanoi:

• Hanoia House — exquisite colourful high end lacquerware and jewellery

• Tan My Design — If you like the collections you see in this store, you'll love Tan My

• Chula Fashion ignature store Ho Tay (vibrant designer clothes the like you will not find anywhere else in the world - Vietnamese/Spanish design. Sustainable fashion. Luckily you can order online now too)
  

Eating:

• Chef Duyen’s Street Food Tour 

• Cau Go — exquisite modern Vietnamese with a breathtaking view of the lake

• Pho and Hanoi favourite Bun Cha -  everywhere and anywhere in Hanoi. Look for the busy spots packed with locals, and you can’t go wrong!