Anthony Bourdain was one thousand percent right when he said, "Going to Vietnam the first time was life-changing for sure. Maybe because it was all so new and different to my life before and the world I grew up in. The food, culture, landscape, and smell; they're all inseparable. It just seemed like another planet; a delicious one that sort of sucked me in and never let me go."
I don't even know where to begin with this post because I have so much to say that I'm breaking this trip up into 3 parts so that I won't overwhelm you and myself. Pictures won't do Vietnam enough justice but they will suffice and I made sure to take enough to flood my camera roll. I spent two weeks around Vietnam with my family, and for me, it wasn't enough time. If I could've doubled that time I probably wouldn't have ever left.
We visited four different cities in Vietnam -- Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, & Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon). Ha Long Bay was my favorite destination and this leg of the trip is deserving of its own post, so look out for that, along with my Hoi An post in the coming days! Every city we visited had an energetic pull. The thousands of scooters crowding the streets, the delicious street food, Vietnamese coffee, and the ancient temples. This country exceeded any and all expectations
I fell in love with this country in a different way than I have with other places I've visited. It felt like a trip I'd never taken before. I quickly felt so much appreciation for how friendly and inviting everyone was, and wherever I went oddly felt like home. I'm not even being over-dramatic here when I say that the Vietnamese are the kindest, happiest people I've ever met throughout my travels.
A week has gone by since my trip and I miss sitting and dining outside on stools smaller than my ass, eating a $2 big bowl of Phở for lunch, then waking up in the morning and instantly sweating off the calories I consumed the day before. I miss the buzz of the traffic-choked cities and the quiet hours in the early morning when the shops are just opening up. I miss the hospitality and the laughter I shared with everyone I crossed paths with. I miss walking until my feet hurt and learning and growing wherever I went. I miss the beautiful chaos.
Good eats in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh:
Cafe Giang - Best Egg Coffee in Hanoi. I suggest the matcha egg coffee.
Bun Cha Huong Lien - Pho restaurant where Obama & Bourdain dined.
Hoa Tuc - A hidden gem of a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh in the courtyard of a former Opium factory.
Renkon - Incredible service! Modern Japanese/Vietnamese spot in Ho Chi Minh.
Ben Thanh Market - Such good Pho and shopping.
OMG! Rooftop Bar & Chill Skybar - Great views and even better cocktails.
Life in Vietnam has its mix of pace but if you're a go-with-the-flow kind of person and can uproot and embrace a new culture, it'll be easy to find your sense of comfort in this country. As a traveler, I like to think of myself as a wide-eyed learner and open to trying everything once or even twice.
It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.
Visiting Vietnam beats every trip I've ever been on, and it's going to be difficult topping this vacation. The country captivated me so much, I know I'll be back a few more times in the coming years to soak more of it up. If you've never been or are on the fence about going, I hope this post is a catalyst for you.
I now understand Bourdain's intense affinity for this country. If anyone ever talks about you in the way he has spoken about Vietnam, you've found the right person. "Why Vietnam? Again like falling in love, you know? You describe the first woman you ever fell in love with. Why did you fall in love? I mean, you can say because she's beautiful, she's funny, she's brilliant. You know... But the fact is it is none of those things. It's something else. It's maybe philharmonic. It's magic, and it's probably best to not try and figure it out at all."
Tip me, baby, one more time!
You need a visa to enter the country, and there's no way around it.
My quick itinerary summary: Hanoi (3 days), Ha Long Bay (3 days), Hoi An (5 days), Ho Chi Minh (3 days).
Cover up your shoulders and wear pants to any temples you visit.
Have some confidence when you cross the street. It's a game of Frogger.
Vietnam is super safe because the police have a tight grip on social order. Scams and hassles happen, but I never felt uneasy about my surroundings.
The exchange rate is $1 - 23,000 dong. Your dollar goes a long way.
Vietnam has a tropical climate, so it's warm and humid. Dress in your lightest fabrics. The sun gets intense at times, so carry an umbrella if you're not trying to faint.
Shopping is cheap in Vietnam, and it is okay to negotiate prices at most places unless stated otherwise.
Avoid drinking tap water and just drink straight from the bottle.
Vietnam is a foodie's dream. You will never starve or find something you don't like here, so try it all.