Unique Experiences You Can Only Do In Vietnam

Good morning, or shall I say “Xin Chao!”

For my 20th anniversary, I was determined to plan something out of the ordinary and memorable just for my husband and me. 2023 has been filled with challenges, both personal and global, and there is nothing more important than celebrating life’s big moments and accomplishments, so given the chance we wanted it to be big!

Although Vietnam has recently been voted one of the top destinations in Asia, it's still not completely overrun by tourists and it’s still affordable. In the back of my mind, I can’t help but feel like a bit of a traitor for visiting “Communist” Vietnam. There is still some contention within the country not just towards Americans, but also within splits of the area like North, Central, and South Vietnam. I decided I wouldn’t let any of this deter us from planning our trip.

With almost 100 million people living in Vietnam, it ranks as the 15th largest population of a country in the world, but 66th in terms of area--over 125,000 square miles (for my fellow Floridians, it's roughly double the size of Florida). We picked 4 different cities and started to connect the dots.

Here are my TOP 10
Only in Vietnam…

CENTRAL VIETNAM: HOI AN/ DA NANG

Hoi An’s Ancient Town is so beautiful- filled with tiny streets, alleyways, Pagodas, Temples, homes, and a maximum of 2-story buildings aligning this whole area.  There is a combination of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture here, all adorned with beautiful colorful lanterns that light up the night. The preservation of the original architecture of all these buildings standing side by side, is what earned this city the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The delicious street food typical of Vietnam is a must-try.

1.& 2. CUSTOM CLOTHING AND LEATHER

You can find this all over Hoi An, but specifically in the ancient town. Visit the store one day, pick a design you like, pick the fabric you want, get measured, come back the next day for a fitting, and take the clothes home with you the next day! We went to Yaly Couture, the most well-known of these shops. For men, you’ll find custom suits, blazers, ties, button-down shirts & more. For women, it can be casual pants, dresses, jumpsuits, skirts, coats & even ball gown dresses–you name it, they’ll make it! The workmanship, fabrics, and service here are just incredible. Did I mention they make custom shoes as well?

Since Hoi An was colder than we expected, my husband and I walked into a leather shop, Lilo Boutique, where they make jackets (not to mention shoes, cosmetics/toiletry bags, purses, and even leather duffel bags), from a prototype of your choosing. We chose matching navy leather on Saturday, and less than 24 hours later, we walked around town with our custom-made leather jackets, at an incredible price. There are many stores around the area selling great leather goods. The quality, design, and craftsmanship were impressive. I also made a custom pink leather toiletry bag, cause why not?!

3. LANTERN BOAT RIDE ON HOAI RIVER

This experience has the feel of riding a gondola in Venice, but the boats are lit with lanterns at night, which is so unique. I always love the vantage point of looking at a city from its shores. The architecture comes to life under paper lanterns. Before riding the boat, some vendors sell different colored paper lanterns, with a candle placed in the center. You are requested to light it, place it gently in the water, make a wish, and watch it gently float away, personalizing the experience and making you more present in this moment.

4. GOLDEN HANDS BRIDGE

Located in the Ba Na Hills, this Bridge is “Instagram Famous.” This is where I experienced a real “Instagram vs reality moment” of the trip. It was cloudy but we decided to go anyway. The way to access the bridge, via the Ba Na Hills, is a beautiful 20 minute cable car ride through forest, and waterfalls, with stunning views of Da Nang, the city adjacent to Hoi An. Another cable car ride, and we arrived at the bridge–1,414m from the sea level, 150m long, and totally awesome

NORTH VIETNAM

HANOI AND HALONG BAY

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. Some French influence is evident in its architecture, as well as many beautiful scenic points and historic monuments.

5. HANOI TRAIN STATION

Another Instagram vs. reality moment. What’s so interesting about drinking coffee, while a train passes right near you? It’s exhilarating, thrilling, and scary all at the same time. Located in the Old Quarter in a hidden narrow alley, we had a hard time finding Cafe 1990s at first- but we are so glad we did. Right before they knew the train would pass, we were instructed to move our legs and arms in. The train passes by just a few inches (yes inches) from you! And the local shopkeepers and cafe owners know the risks, so heed their warnings and take in the experience!

6. HALONG BAY

The 7-8 meter deep bay is dotted with 1,969 islands jutting up through it. The Bay has been recognized by UNESCO 3 separate times: for its geology, its beauty, and last year, most recently for its nature.  Hundreds of boats depart out into the bay daily, maneuvering their way around islands named for their shape. We boarded an overnight cruise and the highlights were the sunrise, sunset, and the overwhelmingly beautiful scenery.  We also took a smaller boat  to one of the few remaining fishing villages here and it was just breathtaking.

SOUTH VIETNAM: NINH THUAN/ SAIGON

7. AMANOI

The Aman is an incredible hotel brand, choosing off-the-beaten-path locations, always honoring the surrounding geography and nature. The Amanoi ranks among their best.  Located near Phan Rang, which is not as visited by tourists, the setting is serene and pristine.  The sound of the waves crashing in the ocean is everywhere, and the views are unbeatable. It’s a 35-room hotel situated on 100 acres of hilltop coastline and each room has its own individualized spaces all spread out over a mountain.

8. WALK THROUGH RICE FIELDS

Although the best places in Vietnam to see the rice fields are in Sapa and Mu Cang Chai, there are rice fields located throughout Vietnam. What makes rice fields so beautiful to walk through, is the way they are leveled/ terraced. Although the technique increases the crop yield, it also makes for an incredible aesthetic. Just one seed of rice can grow 3,000 grains! It grows just about anywhere (but you can’t walk through the fields in most places) and has been a staple in the diets of so many. Walking through rice fields in Vietnam, the second largest rice producer in the world, is a scenic way to connect with the land, the people, the culture, and the food.

9. DISTINCTIVE MARKETS IN HO CHI MINH

SAIGON/ HO CHI MINH CITY

There are so many countries and cities like this-- going through name changes due to politics, war, or other dramatic changes. The name changes tell a story. Ho Chi Minh City is the name used for this city after the war, but most locals still prefer to call it Saigon. It is the largest and most populous city in Vietnam- 9 million people.

HO CHI MINH CITY BOOK STREET

I am an avid reader. I love discussing books with friends and people I meet. I especially love the feel of a real book in my hands, finding an old copy of a great novel, and digging in. Being surrounded by other people who appreciate literature makes me happy! I like that this small pedestrian street in a huge city takes a moment to recognize the importance of books. Kids books, finance books, translated classics, and rare books- they have it all here. It's interesting to see this as a permanent staple in the middle of a huge city, being visited by locals all day every day.

HO THI KY FLOWER MARKET

Here you will find hundreds of different types of flowers and an array of colors–they even dye flowers here! Some say this is a great place to get a feel for “old Saigon.” This is a wholesale market that opens 24/7  with lots of hustle and bustle, great prices, and varieties you’ve probably never seen before. The arrangements they make here are quite beautiful. The city’s best street food vendors are mixed in among the flower stalls from 3 pm late into the night, so grab an affordable snack and take time to look around.Here you will find hundreds of different types of flowers and an array of colors–they even dye flowers here! Some say this is a great place to get a feel for “old Saigon.” This is a wholesale market that opens 24/7  with lots of hustle and bustle, great prices, and varieties you’ve probably never seen before. The arrangements they make here are quite beautiful. The city’s best street food vendors are mixed in among the flower stalls from 3 pm late into the night, so grab an affordable snack and take time to look around.

10. COFFEE, FOOD & MOTORBIKES

THE COFFEE

The coffee menus here offer more combinations than you knew could be done with coffee- including egg coffee and coconut coffee. Vietnamese coffee, and white coffee, both bring in condensed milk to balance the bitterness of the coffee.  It is prepared with artistry and expertise and presented beautifully. In other words, it is an experience in and of itself.

THE FOOD

there's a reason why Gordon Ramsay rated Vietnam in his top 3 food destinations in the world. Think spring rolls in more varieties than you can imagine, vegetarian Bánh mì, and roasted peanuts on everything.

THE MOTORBIKES

The main mode of transportation in Vietnam is motorbikes. We saw everything from a family of 5 on a scooter, dogs riding with their owners, and a refrigerator being hauled on the back of a bike. Everyone honks like crazy and crossing the street is at your own risk. It felt like being in a game of Frogger. Once you start crossing, you’ve just gotta go with confidence.

After 10 flights, which took us around the world, 4 hotels, one overnight cruise, and beautiful sunrises, and sunsets, I can tell you this was an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to help you plan your next out-of-the-box, halfway-around-the-world adventure.