Winter has now arrived in Sweden and it is nice to dream away. Today we dream of Vietnam, which we visited in 2007. We suggest travelling around Vietnam, from north to south, with a little help from our travel blog colleagues.
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Myllrets Hanoi
We flew to Hanoi and stayed in a rather luxurious hotel, the name of which we unfortunately can't remember. And you know what we did? We got married! You could choose the long (one minute) or short (half a minute) ceremony, and we chose the long one. Nice and simple at the Swedish Embassy, with the ambassador, a witness, flowers and bubbly.
What we remember most about Hanoi is the traffic. The mop trucks are at least ten wide and the stream of mops takes the never end. Crossing a street is a daring project. You simply have to go straight ahead, at a calm and steady pace, and let the mops go around you ...
Beautiful Halong bay
Outside Hanoi, on the coast, lies Halong Bay. If Hanoi can feel a little hectic and stressful, Halong Bay is the opposite. Here, calm prevails. The air is humidly warm and the wooden boats glide silently between the high sugarloaf mountains. An absolutely perfect destination for our honeymoon!
Sometimes you stop to swim or visit a cave. Then you can return to the tranquil boat life and perhaps have a good Vietnamese dinner while enjoying the view. Read our article on holidays in Vietnam - Hanoi and Halong bay.
Charming Hoi An
Hoi An has long been a classic backpacking destination, but is certainly worth a visit. We had only planned to stay a few days, but we quickly got to know some Vietnamese girls (our tailors) who took us to the theatre, nightclub, karaoke and even invited us home for dinner. More hospitable people you have to look for! We stayed two weeks ...
In Hoi An you can mainly sew and buy clothes from the countless tailors, but also walk around the lively market, take a cooking class, go to the beach, take a boat trip or visit the Hindu temple ruins in My Son.
Read our report on 10 things to do in Hoi An. Read more at the travel blogger Come Fly with Me who wrote about three child-friendly restaurants in Hoi An.
Travelling around Vietnam - more places
We never made it south of Hoi An, but even there is plenty to see and experience. We have taken help from our travel blogger friends and can therefore recommend many more places worth visiting for those who want to travel around Vietnam:
- Mui Ne is a fishing village and seaside resort on the east coast. At travel blogger Ladies Abroad you can read about Mui Ne beaches.
- Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is located in southern Vietnam and, although not the capital, is the country's largest city. Join Discovering the planet on voyage of discovery in Ho Chi Minh City. Ladies Abroad also has tips on Sky bars in Saigon.
- Mekong Delta is a region in south-west Vietnam where the Mekong River flows into the sea via a network of river arms. Ladies Abroad has written about Mekong Delta and Discovering the planet have reported on the liquid market.
- Pooh Quoc is Vietnam's largest island and is located near the border with Cambodia. At Ladies Abroad you can read about Bai Sao beaches.
Great food and great beaches
We loved the food in Vietnam. The dishes are flavourful without being spicy. A favourite is the fresh spring rolls, which are not fried but just so fresh and tasty. In Hoi An, we also fell in love with a very simple noodle dish that you could get just about anywhere, without paying a lot of money.
We end with a picture of the beach in Hoi An. Not exactly crowded, although it was perfect sun and swimming weather. I think we were almost alone on that beach, and the Vietnamese at the bar hurried our orders, while protecting themselves with hats and gloves. After all, they wanted to not get sunburnt ...
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Lena - good for the soul says:
Wow, what a useful post. Packed with tips!
Hug Lena
08 November 2016 - 6:58
Mr Steve says:
Vietnam seems to be an extremely exciting country. What a wonderful memory to have married there and you did the long ceremony as well. I wonder what the difference with the short one was.
08 November 2016 - 7:02
Lennart says:
Dreams are still needed in the darkness of winter!
08 November 2016 - 8:09
LinizTravel says:
Wow didn't know you got married there !!!! Fun!!! Nice post - as always! Is hungry for Vietnam but the question is how child-friendly it really is! Hugs
08 November 2016 - 9:17
Diana's dreams says:
Never been to Vietnam, but would love to go there :)hugs
08 November 2016 - 9:23
Lisa - life from the bright side says:
I had my very best - and worst - days during my six months in Asia in 2000 (!) in Vietnam. Perhaps the extra exposure as a solo traveller was the reason for the worst.
A lot has happened in Vietnam's tourist resorts since then!
My best days were up in Dalat and the surrounding area!
08 November 2016 - 9:46
admin says:
Lena, it is good when you can "team up" with the travel blog colleagues. Together we have a lot of travel experience 🙂.
Steve, haha, yes we wondered that too. At least the long one didn't feel too long 😉.
Lennart, that's right! Even if the snow lights up a little bit now 😉.
Liniztravel, it is probably child-friendly in the sense that people are very friendly and fond of children. If you want it to be more "organised child-friendly" maybe you should choose a charter resort in Vietnam? Towe has been to Vietnam with children, so you can ask her!
Diana's dreams, we liked Vietnam a lot!
Lisa, interesting! If you have a relevant link to an appropriate post, I can add it!
08 November 2016 - 9:50
Renate's travels says:
Oh, so good! This post is almost perfect for me, I'm travelling to Vietnam in just a couple of weeks. 😀 Thank you!
I love that you got married in Hanoi!
08 November 2016 - 9:59
Emelie says:
That's great! And congratulations on your marriage! ^^
08 November 2016 - 10:03
Anna, Travel on a Cloud says:
What an exciting destination and so cool that you got married there! Tasty dishes that are not strong - it would suit me perfectly. 🙂
08 November 2016 - 10:24
Marina says:
We have seen the two big cities + Halong Bay, but have the beaches left and I have heard a lot of good things about Hoi An so there may be a trip there maybe... (you know that "so much to see...") The traffic in Hanoi was absolutely a chapter in itself and just that thing about crossing the street... huga!!!
08 November 2016 - 10:34
Ama de casa says:
Oh! So it will be a 10-year wedding anniversary next year then - congratulations! 🙂
We were in Vietnam in 1994, when they had just opened the border to Westerners. It was extremely exciting and interesting, and super friendly people everywhere. But it certainly wasn't the easiest to get around...
We flew to Hanoi and travelled from Saigon. In some places they probably hadn't seen westerners before, so we were like a travelling freak show 🙂.
Have blogged a bit about it, if you want to read about how it was then you can search for "Travelling around Vietnam 1994" in the blog. But the "tips" that are there are probably not very current 🙂.
08 November 2016 - 10:46
Cattis says:
What a wonderful post and fun with all the links to the others' tips too!:) Have never been there but feel that I was probably a little hungry after this post!
08 November 2016 - 11:00
The travel dream says:
Oh, wonderful Vietnam. Where I always long to go back! There is a lot to see and do like travelling by train between Hue and Hanoi, wandering around the Sapa area and walking in villages and seeing the minority population. Also don't miss crawling in the Cu Chi tunnels outside Ho CHi Minh. Agree with Lisa that Dalat is a nice area. However, I was not exposed, even though I was travelling alone. Nice to see your pictures and read about your experiences from Vietnam.
08 November 2016 - 11:15
Jenn - forever abroad says:
It's definitely on my dream list to go to Vietnam one day!
08 November 2016 - 12:06
nils-åke says:
Have heard a lot about Vietnam from the guys (Vietnamese) I had in the workshop and from grandchildren who were there.
08 November 2016 - 12:18
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
What fun to read about Vietnam. My first real long trip there was in 1998 and we experienced the country from Mekong in the south to Sapa in the north during a month. All the places you write about and many others by train, bus, boat, bike and on foot. I recognise your description of the traffic. I wrote an unforgettable email to my colleagues about walking slowly and purposefully without stopping to cross the street "Da pastas alla vaja". There was a lack of å, ä, ö on the computers so that "Then allegedly all give way" became like the title of a Spanish song... I have sometimes thought about going there again, but there are far too many wonderful destinations that attract and perhaps the country has become more touristy and lost some of its charm.
08 November 2016 - 14:35
Heléna says:
Looks absolutely fantastic! Hahahaa... well it was lucky that you took the long ceremony so you had time to feel it 😀 It really looks beautiful! Hugs
08 November 2016 - 15:17
Eva says:
I will never forget Vietnam, I was there in 2008 (60 years old).
Travelled by myself, with an airline Tours, was never alone just in my room.
I had a friend who was going to join but she 'backed out' last week.
I decided to travel by myself, am glad I made that trip.
Domestic flight to Arlanda, then to Saigon, change of flight to Hanoi.
Cruise on Halong bay 1 night, seen what you describe and much more.
A week to rest in Tein Piet (a luxury hotel spa and nice beach.
I haven't talked about that journey yet on my blog, I started blogging.
year 2010.
Thanks for the nice post, must check my pictures now, hi hi . . . .
Happy Anniversary, (when it comes)
Be well/ Eva
08 November 2016 - 14:27
Ruth in Virginia says:
Nice to read about Vietnam, where my son has lived now for over 20 years.
Married to a Vietnamese; works for an international school.
I have been there several times.
Yes, crossing the streets was difficult at first.
Told to just get off the pavement. If you wait for a break
in traffic, you get stuck. Take an eye mark on the other side and
move your feet at a steady pace; don't stop, don't back up, don't look at you
around. I also rode on the back of a motorbike. Talk about crowded!
Dalat is in the highlands. Beautiful coniferous forest and waterfalls; silk farms.
Hanoi is the capital; feels much more communist than Saigon.
Halong Bay is beautiful and interesting. We visited a floating fishing village, among others.
A common breakfast is 'pho', a broth served with green plants.
and meat if you like. I agree with those who write that the food is
very good. Seafood of all kinds; satay with peanut sauce.
People are incredibly hospitable, even to Americans.
Visited Uncle Ho's tomb in Hanoi; also the "Hanoi Hilton", the jail where the
Senator John McCain was imprisoned for over 6 years when his plane crashed.
Terrible to see - both the rooms and the instruments of torture. The prison had
previously used by the French who 'owned' Vietnam, for opponents
to the French regime. There are so many historical sites to visit in Vietnam, but it's a long country (like Sweden) and it takes time. The roads are not always very well maintained, so a campervan trip would certainly be adventure-filled. 🙂
Election day in the US. Nervous as a cat next to a rocking chair.
The tunnels outside Saigon are not to be recommended for those who
have a phobia about small rooms. Luckily, there are holes where you can get out.
up, if you can't do the whole length. Hard to imagine that
soldiers lived there day and night!
CONGRATULATIONS on almost 10 years!!!
08 November 2016 - 16:11
BP says:
A wonderful post! Oh what a thing to get married like you did. Love it! Much like us who chose drop-in marriage, although Danderyd's church is of course not the same thing as Vietnam; -) Oh our marriage took maybe five minutes or so; -)
Love Vietnamese food, especially the spring rolls and soup. Can highly recommend Nem Nem Quan on Åsögatan 90. Stockholm's best and most authentic Vietnamese if you want to get a little nostalgic at home;-)
08 November 2016 - 17:28
admin says:
Renate's Reiser, but so good! And wish a super nice trip to Vietnam!!!
Emelie, thank you! 😉
Anna, you would surely like the food there! 🙂
Marina, yes it is, there are always many places to see and visit in this world...! 😉
Ama de casa, oh, it must have been fantastically exciting to travel in Vietnam at that time!!!! Today it is probably much easier to get around, and you probably do not get the same sights either 😉.
Kattis, great if we can inspire! Vietnam is nice 🙂
Travel dream, great to hear that you also like Vietnam! I have heard about those tunnels, interesting. Dalat also sounds exciting!
Jenn, Vietnam is definitely on that list!
Eva, how lucky that you went even though your travelling companion backed out. Great to hear about your trip, sounds like a fantastic experience!
Britt-Marie, how exciting that you were in Vietnam so early! And your email was very funny! Really sounds like some incomprehensible Spanish, haha.
Helena, and yet I don't remember a word of what they said during that minute. You are filled with so many thoughts and feelings 😉.
Ruth in Virginia, oh thank you for your interesting story! I'm getting a bit anxious to go back to Vietnam myself now. There is a lot that we haven't had time to see! We also experienced and saw that they were friendly to Americans and also that they listened to American music (even from the 60s and 70s). That last one surprised us a bit 😉 Incidentally, we understand that it is nervous about the election results. It is also here, although I guess it is a thousand times more tense there, on site.
BP, a bit the same type of wedding it feels like ... similar and yet not similar as well 😉 And Nem Nem Quan, it was one of my regular restaurants for many years when I worked at Medis! 😉 Love their fresh spring rolls!
08 November 2016 - 19:31
Cathinka says:
Perfect, I've started planning next year's trips and Vietnam is in a good position...now I'm even more excited./Tinka
08 November 2016 - 20:12
Veiken says:
Long version, shows that you had plenty of time! haha!
Another post to hit the like button for! 🙂
08 November 2016 - 20:49
Linda, 155cm.se says:
Vietnam is one of my favourites, I really want to go back there. Or maybe I should leave my beautiful memory picture alone 🙂 .
08 November 2016 - 20:58
Goatfish says:
I didn't even realise you were married. Well, congratulations! Well, it's been a long time. In fact, my Sigge and I, we lived together for 14 years before we got married and - yes. Six months later I was a widow. But we had fun 😀 as long as everything lasted.
Vietnam, sounds exotic very lovely! Thanks for the tour! ♥
08 November 2016 - 21:28
Days by Johanna says:
My in-laws were there last autumn I think it was, or if it was last spring, they go so much so I hardly know haha.
have so my comments have to be reviewed first so that's probably why you didn't see it, because it ended up right there the first time! 🙂
08 November 2016 - 20:40
Husis blog says:
Lovely post and it makes my owners think of when they got married in Thailand on a beach and drank champagne at sunset.
08 November 2016 - 21:45
admin says:
Cathinka, funny if it is Vietnam! 🙂
Days by Johanna, ok then I know. On some blogs it says that the comment is received, but I could not see it with you ...
Veiken, glad you liked our post! 🙂
Linda, yes sometimes it can be nice to have a nice memory too 🙂 I would love to go back, but maybe to some new places in the country in that case.
Geddfish, thank you so much (even though it was a little while ago ;)). Gets so sad when a nice relationship has to end because someone passes away, but nice that you got married and have a nice time together! Hugs
Husisblogg, oh it sounds like a very lovely and nice marriage! 🙂
08 November 2016 - 22:43
Beppan says:
Interesting post about a country we have never visited. Had intended to go there a couple of years ago, but backed out because of the cost. It became Thailand - again. Found a new favourite place there too. Our old paradise has become too touristy unfortunately... Hope to get to Vietnam before it becomes too exploited.
08 November 2016 - 22:52
Christine's Stories says:
Halong Bay looks absolutely amazing! Asia has never really attracted me, but when I read posts like this I get a little more taste. Maybe it will be a round trip there one day in the future? 🙂
09 November 2016 - 0:53
Ditte says:
Vietnam is really a lovely country and also easy to get around.
I will gladly return here again. Travelling through Vietnam is an experience because the country offers so much variety in terms of both nature and climate.
I visited Hoi Ann in the late 1990s and then also Hanoi and some other places - and later also Puh Quoc and Saigon. But like all nice places, it is easy for tourism to become too big.
Beautiful pictures from a beautiful country.
Glad you got married there! Lovely memory.
09 November 2016 - 2:00
admin says:
Beppan, sorry it wasn't Vietnam but glad you found a new favourite place in Thailand! We experienced Vietnam almost as cheaper than Thailand when we travelled around, but maybe plane tickets to Thailand will be cheaper since so many people fly there ...
Christine's Stories, Halong bay is amazing. And then we took pretty bad photos at that time anyway, so the pictures don't do justice ...
Ditte, glad to hear you like Vietnam! It must have been interesting to travel around there in the 90s!
09 November 2016 - 7:21
Elli says:
Great post! Me and my friend are actually going to Vietnam now in March, will be extremely fun! 🙂
Just a question, if you start in Ho Chi Minh, is it best to take a train and then finish in Hanoi? Or is it difficult to get everywhere by yourself? We are going on to Laos and thought of flying from Hanoi there.
12 January 2017 - 0:45
admin says:
Elli, how nice that you are going to Vietnam! We haven't travelled that exact route, but in general we found it easy to travel around Vietnam. People are friendly and helpful and there are quite a few people who speak English. I don't think you will have any problems!
12 January 2017 - 7:10