Vietnam

Written By Alex Hall

Vietnam runs long and north to south, so I flew between regions. I spent 11 days here in December 2025, starting in Ho Chi Minh City and moving through Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Da Nang.

What I did

  • Spent two nights in Ho Chi Minh City, based in District 3.

  • Flew to Hanoi and went on to Tam Coc in Ninh Binh for two nights.

  • Took the Trang An boat tour through limestone karsts, caves and temples.

  • Took an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise with Orchid Cruises. Only seven guests were on board, and I had the rooftop jacuzzi to myself.

  • Spent a beach week in Da Nang over Christmas on My Khe Beach.

Where to stay

  • District 3, Ho Chi Minh City: calmer and leafier than District 1, with French villas and local cafes. I liked La Passion Saigon Hotel.

  • Tam Coc, Ninh Binh: countryside village among karst scenery. I stayed at Tam Coc Golden Fields.

  • Ha Long Bay: an overnight cruise is the way to do it.

  • My Khe Beach, Da Nang: I split a stay between Balcona Hotel and TMS Hotel on Vo Nguyen Giap, right by the sand.

  • Old Quarter, Hanoi: the best base for street food and walking.

Where I stayed

Getting there and around

  • Airports: Saigon's airport is right in the city, 20 to 40 minutes to District 1 or 3 by Grab. Hanoi's is about 45 minutes from the Old Quarter. Da Nang's is minutes from the beach strip.

  • Between regions: domestic flights save a lot of time on a long country. Ninh Binh is about 2 hours from Hanoi by road.

  • Ha Long Bay: roughly 2.5 to 3 hours from Hanoi by expressway. Many cruises include a shuttle.

What to eat

  • Pho, the Hanoi version in particular.

  • Bun cha, grilled pork with noodles, a Hanoi lunch staple.

  • Banh mi, everywhere, and Hoi An is famous for it.

  • Com tam, broken rice with grilled pork, in Saigon.

  • Mi Quang, turmeric noodles, in Da Nang.

What to drink

  • Coffee: ca phe sua da, iced coffee with condensed milk, is the default. Try egg coffee in Hanoi, and coconut coffee at Cong Cafe.

  • Beer: bia hoi, fresh draft beer on Hanoi street corners with tiny plastic stools. Saigon and Larue are the common bottled lagers.

  • Juices: fresh sugarcane juice and coconut water, perfect in the heat.

  • Spirits: ruou gao, rice wine, and corn wine in the northern mountains.

  • Wine: Da Lat in the central highlands is Vietnam's small wine region.

  • Cocktails: rooftop bars in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang are good at sunset.

Don't miss

  • The Trang An boat tour in Ninh Binh.

  • An overnight Ha Long Bay cruise.

  • Hang Mua viewpoint near Tam Coc at sunset.

  • Hoi An Ancient Town at night, about 30 to 45 minutes from Da Nang.

  • Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge.

  • The Ha Giang Loop by motorbike. A back injury kept me off it this trip, so it is first on my list for next time.

Day trips and side trips

  • Hoi An from Da Nang, about 30 to 45 minutes.

  • Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge.

  • Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City.

  • Hue and the Imperial City.

  • Sapa from Hanoi.

Festivals and events

  • Tet: countrywide, usually in late January or February. Lunar New Year, when many shops close and cities empty out.

  • Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival: Hoi An, monthly. The old town turns off its lights and floats lanterns on the river.

  • Mid-Autumn Festival: countrywide, usually in September. Lanterns, lion dances and mooncakes, with kids at the center.

  • Da Nang International Fireworks Festival: Da Nang, usually in June or July. Teams compete over the Han River.

  • Monsoon Music Festival: Hanoi, usually in the summer. A music festival with local and international acts.

  • Ho Chi Minh City Countdown: December 31, big stage shows downtown.

Music and dance

  • V-pop: modern Vietnamese pop, heard in cafes, malls and live venues.

  • Folk and traditional: don ca tai tu in the south and quan ho in the north, and water puppet shows in Hanoi.

  • Electronic: Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have a growing club and beach party scene.

  • Live music: small bars in the Hanoi Old Quarter and Saigon's District 1.

  • Dance: lion and dragon dances are part of Mid-Autumn and Tet, and cultural shows in Hanoi and Hue feature traditional dance. For dancing, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have clubs and beach parties.

Photography spots

  • Hang Mua viewpoint at sunset over the river bends near Tam Coc.

  • Tam Coc's boats in the morning mist.

  • Ha Long Bay's layered karsts from a balcony cabin at sunrise.

  • My Khe Beach at sunrise, since it faces east.

  • Hoi An's lanterns at blue hour along the Thu Bon River.

  • Drones: you need permission from the authorities, and enforcement is real.

My experience

The Ha Long Bay cruise was the standout. The food was some of the best of the whole trip, and I had the boat nearly to myself. Ninh Binh surprised me, and Da Nang was a relaxed place to spend Christmas. I would recommend Vietnam to anyone who likes variety, as long as you are ready for the pace of the streets.

Cost of living

  • Overall: Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi: $, about 70% cheaper than New York. Hoi An and Ha Long Bay resorts run higher.

  • Coffee: about $2

  • Local lunch: about $3

  • Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $30

  • Beer or cocktail: about $1.50 / $5

  • Ride across town: about $3

  • Mid-range hotel: about $40 a night

  • Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $600 a month in Ho Chi Minh City's District 2, $450 in Da Nang's My Khe area, $500 in Hanoi's Tay Ho

  • Daily budget: about $35 budget, $80 comfortable, $200+ luxury in Ho Chi Minh City; Da Nang is about 15% less

Vietnam is one of the cheapest places I have been, and the food is excellent value. Even comfortable hotels and private tours cost far less than in the West. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is generally solid in cities, often 50 to 200 Mbps. Cafes are everywhere and good for work. Rural areas and Ha Long Bay boats can be slow.

  • Coworking and cafes: Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest hub, with Dreamplex and Toong and cafes in District 1 and 2. Da Nang has a beach lifestyle, a growing nomad crowd and cheap living. Hanoi is cultural, with cafes in Tay Ho and the Old Quarter.

  • Time zone: UTC+7, 11 hours ahead of US Eastern (12 hours when the US is on standard time).

  • Visa for longer stays: US citizens need an e-visa for up to 90 days. Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa yet. Check current rules.

  • Nomad rating: 4 out of 5, very cheap and lively, with good internet, though traffic and air quality can wear on you.

Good to know

  • Language: Vietnamese. English is decent in tourist areas and hotels, limited elsewhere. A translation app helps.

  • Currency: Vietnamese dong. The notes look alike, so count carefully. Cash still matters at street stalls.

  • Plugs: mostly Type A and C, 220V. US plugs often fit.

  • Entry for US citizens: an e-visa is required in advance. Check current rules before you fly.

  • Best time to visit: it depends on the region. The north is cool and misty in December, the south is dry and hot from December to April, and Da Nang has its rainy season earlier in the year.

  • Getting around: Grab, Be and Xanh SM electric taxis, and domestic flights.

  • Tipping: not traditional, but appreciated for guides, cruise crew and spa staff. Round up for drivers.

  • SIM/eSIM: Viettel has the best coverage. Vinaphone and Mobifone are also fine. Airport kiosks or an eSIM.

  • Apps: Grab for cars and motorbike taxis, and GrabFood and ShopeeFood for delivery.

  • Water: drink bottled water, not tap.

Useful phrases

  • Hello: Xin chào

  • Thank you: Cảm ơn

  • Please: Làm ơn

  • How much?: Bao nhiêu tiền?

  • The check please: Tính tiền

Nightlife

Vietnam's nightlife splits between loud tourist strips and relaxed street culture, with plastic stools, fresh beer and seafood. Locals eat early and wrap up sooner than visitors do, so the late scene is mostly in the big cities.

  • When people go out: Locals eat early and go out until midnight. Bars fill from 8 and clubs run until 2 or 3, though street strips like Bui Vien go later. Friday and Saturday are the big nights.

  • Where the action is: In Ho Chi Minh City, Bui Vien walking street in District 1 is the backpacker strip, and Nguyen Hue and the District 1 rooftops are more upscale. In Da Nang, the My Khe beach area and the Han River bridges have beach bars and seafood. Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay are quiet.

  • The music: Vietnamese pop, EDM and hip hop in the clubs, with acoustic and live covers in the bars.

  • Good to know: Drinks are cheap, and clubs may charge a cover with bottle service common among groups. Dress is casual at street bars and smarter at rooftops. Use Grab for rides, keep your phone away from the curb to avoid motorbike snatch thefts, especially on Bui Vien, and agree prices before ordering.

Meeting people

  • Social scene: Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have the best social scenes. Coworking spaces, rooftop bars, run clubs and beach sports at My Khe make it easy to meet people. Hostels and tour boats are good for travelers.

  • Apps: Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are used in the big cities. Facebook groups, Meetup and Zalo, the local messaging app, are common. Expat WhatsApp groups help too.

  • Etiquette: A handshake or a nod is standard, and use two hands when giving or receiving something from an elder. Be punctual. Plans are made on Zalo or Facebook Messenger. The host or the person who invited often pays, so offer to share.

  • Stay smart: Meet in public and watch your drink. Keep your phone away from the curb to avoid motorbike snatch thefts.

Staying safe

  • Generally safe.

  • In Ho Chi Minh City, phone snatching from motorbikes happens, so keep your phone away from the curb side.

  • Use Grab or Xanh SM to avoid taxi meter scams.

  • Crossing the street takes practice. Walk slow and steady, and do not stop suddenly.

Alex Hall
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