Vietnam
With more than 10 million tourists visiting annually, Vietnam is quickly becoming one of the most travelled to countries in Southeast Asia. From the endless rice fields in northern Sapa, the ever famous limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, and the french quarter in Hanoi, to the center of the country where you will meet Da Nang - the fastest growing city in Southeast Asia, which is surrounded by multiple UNESCO World Heritage Cities like Hue, Hoi An, and My Son. Take a trip further south through the mountains of Da Lat, the beach town on Nha Trang and make your way to the biggest, fastest and most populated city of Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. The country remains one of the cheapest in Southeast Asia and is a great starting point for a backpacking tour of Southeast Asia.
Why Travel To Vietnam
We were captivated by almost everything is Vietnam. The country boasts beautiful beaches leading into crystal clear water, incredibly interesting history, crazy traffic, bustling nightlife, a communist government, and hardworking locals that welcome tourists with a smile, cold fresh beer and a plate of Bún Chả, a local favorite. There's much to do and see in this long and narrow country and we feel like we have just scratched the surface. We love this country for the never ending access to all sorts of landscapes and activities that fit a tight budget. Vietnam is an easy country to travel within and is one of the most accessible countries in Southeast Asia.
The National Flag of Vietnam
The Nitty Gritty Facts
92.7 million people live in Vietnam, 7.6 million of them live in Hanoi, the capital.
The worldwide known food, Pho, is the national dish.
Ho Chi Minh City was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces.
Vietnam has 3 major religions, Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism.
The war in Vietnam war started in 1954 and didn't end until 1975.
Our Route
Hanoi — Sapa — Da Nang — Tam Ky —Hoi An — Ho Chi Minh City
Roughly a thirty two-hour journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by bus and costs around $40.
There are many stops in between these two cities (Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh in the south). Most backpackers follow this route (in one direction or the other) and stop at the different cities along the way.
The most traveled cities in Vietnam are: Hanoi, Hoi, Hoi An, Sapa, Halong Bay, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat & Mui Ne
Traveling throughout Vietnam is easy because everything is so well connected. It can be very affordable if you're ok with putting in long hours on bus rides. However, there are also regular cheap flights from the north to south or visa versa.
Airlines for Vietnam include:
Vietnam Airlines - The flagship airline of the country
VietJet Air - A budget airline
AirAsiaX - A budget airline
Jetstar Pacific Airlines - A budget airline
The Rugged Budget
The national currency in Vietnam is the Dong 22,800 Dong = $1 USD
Local buses $.50—$2 USD
Intercity bus $5—$25
Accommodation in a 8 bed mixed dorm $4—$6 USD
Private room in a 4 star hotel start at $20 USD
Beer at a bar $1-2 USD
Beer from a shop $.50 USD
Street food $1—$4 USD
Sit down restaurant $4— $6 USD
A pack of 20 cigarettes $3 USD
Vietnam From The Scratch My Pack Lens
Helpful Hints For Traveling In Vietnam
It's more economical to travel by bus, but it does take more time; a lot more time. If you have a limited amount of time to travel through the country by bus the there are a few other options. Depending on the length of your travels, where you want to go, and your route, there are flights into most of the heavily touristed cities, and Vietnam boasts a rail system that is affordable, clean and efficient.
Apply for an E-Visa before your visit. At the beginning of 2017, Vietnam started their E-Visa program (for 25 countries) where you apply for your visa online from anywhere in the world. Before that you would have to go to a Vietnamese embassy somewhere to apply for your journey. It will cost around $25 and only needs 3-5 days for processing. After 3-5 days you can log back into the website and find your approved letter from the government. Print this out and bring it with you upon your arrival into the country.
Buses are a cheap option for local transport, however for $5/day you can rent your own moped and be free to explore whenever you want, wherever you want. But be careful, the traffic in HCM City is brutal. Make sure you always get off to the left, the opposite side as your muffler, or you might end up with what the expats call a "Saigon Kiss" i.e. a burn on your leg from the hot exhaust. If you don't feel comfortable with a moped and buses take too long, download the Grab App. It's Uber for Vietnam: Cheap, fast and efficient.
Buy beer from the local shops rather than the bars or restaurants to save a bit of extra cash.
Vietnam uses the same power plug as in the United States and Europe. I.e. any plug from the US or Europe will work in Vietnam. The voltage is 220v whereas the US is 110V - so your devices may get a little warm while charging.
Ho Chi Minh City is the Bangkok of Vietnam. The ever famous Bui Vien Street is where most backpackers and tourists young and old flock to during the evening. Whether you're looking to suck down a couple nitrous balloons, drink a bucket of beers, rave until the sun comes up, take shots until you can't move, play "find the hooker", or you just want to watch other people do these things, Bui Vien Street is definitely the place to go. If this seems like too much for you, there are dozens of surrounding rooftop bars with a view of the city, complete better sounding music, cocktails instead of shots, waiters instead of an overcrowded bar, and bathrooms that you won't mind using. Of course the price changes with the new scenery as well. Whatever your fancy, nightlife in HCM City is an ever present part of what makes this city so fun and memorable.
Activities That Won’t Scratch Your Budget
Exploring the Rice Fields, Sapa: Free - $4 USD
You have two ways of exploring Sapa, by foot or motorbike. We personally prefer motorbike because the area is vast and there is lots to see. We rented a motorbike from our homestay for $4 a day and were able to explore all day, discovering lonely dirt roads, water buffalo walking the road, children playing in the rain and breathtaking views overlooking the surrounding rice fields.
Women's Museum, Hanoi: $1.50 USD
This is a great museum that boasts five levels of women's history. Each floor has a different theme: fashion, war, marriage, motherhood, and daily life. This museum gives you a great insight into the role the Vietnamese women play in the country and in history. Give yourself about 2-3 hours to enjoy everything it has to offer. You can purchase an audio headset for an additional 50,000 dong, but we don't find it necessary as there are explanations for everything you see.
Hỏa Lò Prison Museum, Hanoi: $1.50 USD
Hỏa Lò Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War. This museum (which still looks like a prison) exudes Vietnamese propaganda and is full of pictures, videos and audio stories that will almost make you change the way you think about Vietnam history.
Watch the Dragon Bridge breath fire and spit water, Da Nang: Free
This is super awesome. Every Saturday and Sunday, the Dragon Bridge will close down at 9pm. At around 9:05 the dragon will breathe fire for about 5 minutes and then spit water for about 10 minutes. This is a really cool sight so make sure to bring your camera but don't stand to close or you will get drenched.
Lady Buddha & Monkey Mountain, Da Nang: Free
This beautiful white statue of Lady Buddha is taller than Lady Liberty in New York. It is surrounded by Monkey Mountain where you can drive your motorbike for hours searching for monkeys or making your way to the very top for a 360 degree view of Da Nang and the ocean.
Relax on the Beach, Da Nang or Hoi An: Free
Da Nang and Hoi An boast some of the best beaches in Vietnam. Head to the beach and grab a chair under an umbrella for 50,000 Dong ($2USD) or order drinks or food and your chair is free.
Take a ride down the Thu Bon River, Hoi An: $5 USD
This is a rather famous tourist attraction in Hoi An. You can take a long-boat, boat ride down the river either during the day or at night when the city is lit up with lights and floating candles in the water.
Weekend Street Markets, Almost every city: Free
Almost every city you go to i Vietnam boasts a weekend street market. The market in Hanoi in especially long but every market you may go to will feature roughly the same things: lots of food & drink, clothes, souvenirs, and electronics. This is a fun way to interact with locals, try street food, take some action shots with your camera, and practise you bartering skills.
Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City: $20.00
The tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels and were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort.
War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City :Cost $0.75
The museum comprises a series of themed rooms in several buildings, with period military equipment placed within a walled yard. One building reproduces the "tiger cages" in which the South Vietnamese government kept political prisoners. Other exhibits include graphic photography, covering the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliant sprays, the use of napalm and bombs, and war atrocities such as the My Lai massacre. Curiosities include a guillotine and three jars of preserved human fetuses deformed by exposure to Agent Orange.
Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral of Asia, Ho Chi Minh City: Free
Established by French colonists who initially named it Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saïgon, the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters. During October 2005, the statue was reported to have shed tears, attracting thousands of people and forcing authorities to stop traffic around the Cathedral.
Where Did We Stay (Accommodation We Recommend)
Chien Hostel, Hanoi $5/night for a 20 bed mixed dorm
This hostel is in the center of the old town, minutes away from the lake. The hostel features a free breakfast buffet (which includes eggs, fresh fruit, fried rice, noodles, toast, coffee, and juice). They also give out FREE BEER three times a day for 15 minutes increments. The hostel has wonderful staff, great air-con that is always on, a raging social scene, three rooftop patios, comfortable beds, and is only $5/night.
Barney's Hostel, Da Nang $6/night for a 6 bed mixed dorm
We love this hostel. It is a little far away from everything else in Da Nang, so a motorbike rental is necessary (which they can set that up for you), but is right on the Han River and a five minute ride away from the beach. This hostel has some of the best staff we have ever come across in a hostel, a rooftop patio overlooking the river and surrounding city, lush bathrooms, huge beds, a nice common area and a How I met Your Mother theme.
ZiZi Mekhoo Sapa Homestay, Sapa $6/night for a 8 person dorm
Zizi (the owner) and Meria (who is in charge of hospitality and communication between guests and family) are both really great! They both go out of there way to help you with anything you need and are sure to help you make the most of your stay in Sapa. You are 8km away from town staying in a little village with a real rice farming family so you will need a motor bike, but the family can set that up for you. When you arrive it is clear you enter their world, not the other way around. The house can be dusty, the area loud, & the bathroom a bit dirty, because you are living with a real family, not staying at a hotel. The family dinners and breakfast are amazing and include pancakes, coffee and a huge dinner buffet with multiple food options. This is a true and unique experience.
Mina Le Villa, Hoi An $17/night for a private
Hoi An is very touristy and features lots of accommodation options. We stayed at a hostel and thought is was barely average and didn't want to pay $8/night for a better hostel. Instead we decided to spend the same amount of money we would spend on a better hostel and get a private room. This place was amazing. It was about a 15 minute walk from the crazy part of the city (keep in mind this is a really small city, it shouldn't even be called a city). We had a huge room that features a balcony overlooking the river and road, a huge bathroom, king size bed, tv, mini fridge and floor to ceiling windows. It was a really comfortable room and a nice change of pace from the craziness of Hoi An.
Vy Da Backpackers, Ho Chi Minh City $9/night for a 10 bed mixed dorm or $47/night for a private twin room
"Vy Da Backpackers Hostel is a hub for travellers who wish to meet new people and share stories of their journey around the world. We are located in the heart of Saigon, only a 3-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market and Reunification Palace, the most happening area in the city. Staying at our hostel, you will have full experience of the local perspective as you will get to explore around easily."