🇻🇳 Vietnam – A Journey Unfolding Step by Step: Hanoi, Da Nang & Ho Chi Minh City: Xin chào!

 Vietnam is surely going  to feel like one long story waiting to unfold as we travel from north to south, with every destination adding its own colour, flavour, and rhythm. and I JUST CAN'T WAIT!

Hanoi – Where the Past Will Never Sleep

Hanoi will immediately pull us in. Founded over 1,000 years ago, the city will feel deeply rooted in history while still buzzing with đổi mới (modern change). We will explore Hanoi on foot—wandering freely, getting a little lost, and letting the city guide us naturally. :)

In the Old Quarter, motorbikes will buzz past as street vendors call out “ăn đi!” (Come eat!), and everyday life will spill onto the sidewalk. Around Hoan Kiem Lake, locals will practise tai chi at sunrise while others will sit quietly with a strong cup of Vietnamese coffee. Hanoi will feel calm, chaotic, and beautiful all at once.

One of the most unforgettable moments - I'm sure will be visiting Hanoi Train Street, where we will sit with a coffee as a train rushes past just inches away. Locals won’t even blink—it will be just another normal day for them. For us, it will feel unreal. Watching people play board games on the sidewalk, photographing the Long Bien Bridge, and enjoying the slow rhythm of the city reveal to us the true spirit of Hanoi—chậm mà sâu (slow but deep).

Hoa Lu & Tam Coc – Quiet Beauty Will Surround Us

Leaving the city behind, we will arrive at Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital from the 10th century. The ancient temples of Dinh and Le will be so peacefully  and it will have dramatic limestone mountains, carrying centuries of history.

We will get in the sampan boat ride through Tam Coc or Trang An will feel magical. As we float through caves and rice paddies, surrounded by towering karsts, it will be easy to understand why this place is known as “Ha Long Bay on Land.” Seeing the boatwomen row with their feet will be something we won’t forget. Everything here will feel simple, calm, and truly bình yên (peaceful).

Ha Long Bay – Nature Will Show Off

From Tuan Chau Island, we will cruise into Ha Long Bay, and it will almost feel unreal. Thousands of limestone islands will rise straight out of the water, creating a landscape that looks like a painting.

Climbing up to Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave will live up to its name. Inside, massive chambers and dramatic rock formations will surround us, each tied to Vietnamese legends. Nearby spots like Ti Top Island and Luon Cave will add even more beauty. Ha Long Bay will feel like nature asking, “Đẹp không?” (Beautiful, right?)

Da Nang – Where Sea, Mountains & Modern Life Will Meet

Da Nang will feel fresh and relaxed. At the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, we will climb into basket boats, laughing as they spin through palm-lined waterways. It will be playful, local, and full of smiles.

Then we will head to Ba Na Hills, riding one of the world's longest cable cars. As the air cools and the views stretch endlessly below, we will step onto the Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands. It will feel surreal. Nearby, the Lady Buddha at Linh Ung Pagoda will stand tall, watching over the sea with quiet strength and calm.

Hoi An – Lantern Dreams Will Come Alive

Hoi An will feel like stepping into another time. As evening arrives, lanterns will light up the Old Town, and the streets will glow with warmth. Walking across the Japanese Covered Bridge, cycling past rice paddies, and wandering through night markets will all feel timeless.

The lantern boat ride will be one of the most capitavating moments of the trip. We will release paper lanterns onto the river, make quiet wishes, and watch them drift away. It will be peaceful, romantic, and full of meaning.

Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi – Stories Will Lie Beneath the Ground

In the south, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) will greet us with nonstop energy. The city will feel fast, loud, and alive—Vietnam’s future moving at full speed.

Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels will be a powerful experience. Crawling through the narrow underground passages, we will begin to understand how difficult life was for the Viet Cong soldiers. The tunnels will have served as hiding places, communication routes, hospitals, kitchens, and living quarters. American soldiers once called them “Black Echo,” and stepping inside will make that name feel chillingly real. Life underground will have been incredibly harsh, but also a symbol of resilience and determination.

The Journey Will Come to an End

As the trip will come to an end, Vietnam will leave us with unforgettable memories—of history and modern life, chaos and calm, mountains and rivers, and countless moments of ngon (good), đẹp (beautiful), and đáng nhớ (worth remembering).

Vietnam won’t just be a destination—it will be an experience we will carry with us long after we leave. 🇻🇳✨