Vietnam 3 Week Itinerary
Vietnam is a beautiful country that has captivated my heart. I was fortunate enough to travel there for 3 weeks and will forever cherish those memories. When I came back, someone told me that I had changed, something about me was different. And that’s true. I feel like Vietnam was a very healing trip that allowed me to truly experience Asia for the first time.
- The Basics -
I traveled in late June and came back home in mid July. Many people avoid visiting Vietnam during the summer because it is considered rainy season, however, I found that it rained about a total of 4 times during a 21 day stay. The enjoyable aspect of going during rainy season was the absence of tourists. Many places I traveled to were free from tourists, and if there were, there were limited amounts. Research on the internet told me that I could be traveling during all the rain and when all the tourists visited, and I felt that it truly wasn’t the case.
Sadly, I booked flights late (less than 2 months before my trip). This caused my roundtrip tickets to be incredibly expensive. If you are booking roundtrip flights to Vietnam, book your tickets ahead of time! Don’t wait until the last minute. I would have saved $2,500.00 had I booked ahead of time.
I recommend booking your flights through a third party organization, as they can find it cheaper. I booked my flights with Expedia, but don’t recommend it. I had checked my flight and it said it was cancelled. Expedia denied this and said that it was still on. I ended up having to drive to a city four hours away to get onto a flight to Atlanta to make it. I’ve booked with Expedia before and have never had major problems like this. It’s your decision what you would like to do.
To prepare for Vietnam, I researched a lot. Here is some advice for you to follow:
- Water: Most of the water is not clean. You will have to purchase bottles of water from the store. The issue with this is that most of the bottles you will purchase will have been previously used. To avoid any potential infections, I recommend purchasing a purification water bottle. It is also advised that you do not use the tap water for your toothbrush. At first on the trip, I followed this rule and as time progressed, I used the tap water. Nothing happened to me, likely because I wasn’t swallowing the tap water. The decision is ultimately up to you and you can decide based upon the situation.
- Crime: There is very little violent crime in Vietnam. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and other petty crimes are common, especially in the bigger cities. In Hanoi, I purchased a purse and asked the employee if I could use the purse in the city. She responded by saying I should keep away at all times. There have been many instances where people on motorbikes, the most common mode of transportation in Vietnam, snatching people’s belongings as they pass.
- Unwanted Photographs: This is something I was not expecting or prepared for at all! All of my research online told me that I would likely by stared at for being a foreigner, but I didn’t know that meant people would takes pictures of me. I went on this trip with my mom and we were on a excursion where the driver grabbed his phone and just took a picture of her, he wasn’t even trying to be discrete about it. We asked around about why this was occurring, as it happened quite frequent to both of us. We were informed that it was because we were very pretty. Just be prepared for the potential to get photographed!
- Clothing: Blogs across the internet mention to dress conservatively for Vietnam, and they aren’t necessarily wrong. Many Vietnamese will wear clothing that covers their knees, and at least mid-thigh. There were a few times when I purchased dresses that exposed the shoulders, and it was not an issue. This does not mean wearing very revealing clothing wouldn’t draw a large amount of attention. Wearing conservative clothing shows respect for the culture and religions when entering a pagoda or a religious location. As well as being respectful, in general, to the Vietnamese. Bringing breathable clothing that protects you from the sun is a must. Vietnam has a “color system.” People that have darker skin are assumed to be farmers, fisherman, etc. and are seen as lower. People with fair and pale skin are seen at a more superior status. Many women will wear long sleeves or use umbrellas to protect against the sun’s rays.
- Dislike for Americans: This was not something I noticed a lot as the Vietnamese are very kind and considerate people. There was one specific tour guide that was not fond of Americans. He had fought for the Americans during the Vietnam War and felt that they had abandoned him. Another person’s father had a strong dislike for Americans following the Vietnam War. From what I encountered, the older generations that were alive during the Vietnam War are more likely to dislike Americans than the younger generations.
I visited a total of 13 cities during my trip. Many of these were via day trips, however I physically stayed in 8 of them. I traveled North to South and ended my trip back in Hanoi, the capital.
Transportation in Vietnam was incredibly nice and well-run. There are definitely a few options for getting around!
- Public Transportation – Buses
- Car Rental
- Airplane
- Private Chauffeur
- Grab
- Organized With Tours
Check out this post for more detailed information and tips:
I booked activities via TripMasters and Expedia. TripMasters was a great option because I could also book my hotels through here and it allowed me to plan everything perfectly. Check out The Bucket List Activities Of Vietnam.
Many places in Vietnam will not accept credit or debit cards. Always have cash on you in a secure place where pickpockets can’t grab it.
- The Essentials -
On The Bucket List
Day 0: Arrival
Vietnam
I arrived at Noi Bai Airport, in Hanoi, at 11:00 pm. It took me one hour to get a Grab car to take me to my hotel. Sadly, I set up my Grab with the credit card option. DO NOT DO THIS! Drivers will not pick up people using the credit card payment because they lose money in the transaction fees. Instead, always use the cash option when using Grab in Vietnam. I didn’t know this and stood outside of the airport trying to book a Grab car. My mom got a Vietnamese taxi driver to book a Grab for us and we finally left the airport. The Grab driver realized we weren’t the ones who booked the Grab so he kept increasing the price of the ride. During this ride, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the Grab app. I thought I needed to buy a Vietnamese SIM card to use the app. I later found out it was because I was using the credit card.
I finally got to my hotel after getting cheated out of my money. I was beyond amazed by the generosity expressed by the hotel attendant. He organized for us to get a car the next morning for us to get to our pickup spot for Sa Pa.
The way that my flights were set up resulted in me having a 24 hour layover at Incheon International Airport. I was really excited about this, I started to research different things to do. I found tons of articles that mentioned a movie theater, gyms, a butterfly garden, etc. Basically, all the super cool things that you wish you could find in an airport in the city that I live in. After flying for over 13 hours, we finally get to the airport. Since we didn’t stay in South Korea, we weren’t required to take a PCR test upon arrival (keep in mind, I traveled during COVID-19 times). We couldn’t figure out which terminal to go to, and randomly chose one. Lucky guess because we chose the one that had our gate but also the one that had nothing to do. The airport terminal hotel was slightly more pricey than we had hoped so we only booked a 12 hour stay there. After the next morning, we had to grab all of our bags and walked from one end of the terminal to the other. Aside from walking to kill the time, there were a lot of highlights of the experience. I do recommend watching something at the Korean Traditional Culture Experience Center. They sell a variety of different trinkets and souvenirs that are ingrained in Korean culture. At different time intervals, various performances occur that illustrate traditional music, outfits, and dance, as well as depict scenes from Korean history. Another great part of the airport experience was the food. Typically airport food doesn’t taste very good, at least in my experience. However, the Korean food here was delicious. I only ate breakfast and lunch because the portions were so big and I didn’t have space for dinner, although, I regret not going back and grabbing something.
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Vietnam is a beautiful country that has captivated my heart. I was fortunate enough to travel there for 3 weeks and will forever cherish those memories. When I came back, someone told me that I… -
I hate international flights. I know as a well-seasoned traveler I should be used to them by now but I still hate them. My flight from Atlanta to Seoul was about 13 hours. My upcoming…
Experience
Incheon International Airport
The airport is absolutely beautiful, with real flowers spread all around the terminals. Orchids line the rows of the gates and there are trees and shrubs surrounding a fountain. They also have a piano with this large wooden space to lounge. Many of the shops are duty-free and there are machines that will allow you to get your tax money back. Sadly, the stores that I purchased from weren't included in this. However, many of the stores provide high quality items and they also sell Korean skincare products. I recommend splurging a little bit if you don't plan on staying in South Korea, but if you are, the prices will likely be cheaper outside of the airport. Currency exchange may also be slightly difficult as they only provide popular currencies. I had to wait until I arrived at my hotel in Vietnam to exchange my USD to Vietnamese đồng.
Food
Incheon International Airport
The best food I've ever had in an airport, hands down. I ordered from the Garden Cafe area, which is right across from the Airport Terminal Hotel (located on the second floor). They have many different options here, including Korean and Chinese food. The food comes with different sides, all of which taste delicious. Some of the food can be on the spicy side (i.e. kimchi, soup). If you can't tolerate spicy foods very well, try to go for the 자장면 - Jajangmyeon (black bean noddles) or 탕수육 - Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).
Korean Traditional Culture Experience Center
Incheon International Airport
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Day 1: Sa Pa
Vietnam
The first day of my trip involved getting up early and finding my way to Cafe La Mensa to get picked up for my Sa Pa 2 Day, 1 Night Trekking Experience. If you are taking a Sa Pa trip, which I highly recommend, pack lightly! One couple on the bus I was traveling on brought a very large suitcase that they had to drag around with them. I booked this experience through Trip Masters and loved how they organized the transportation, homestay, and guide for trekking.
We made our way to Cafe La Mensa and boarded our sleeper bus. A typical rule of thumb for sleeper buses is that you have more privacy and the ability to adjust the angle of your seat on the top row and more space on the bottom row. Read about sleep buses here! It takes about six hours to get to Sa Pa from Hanoi. The bus will stop two or three times at stations where you can buy snacks or get drinks. There are also bathrooms at these stops, however, you will have to pay for the toilet paper. It costs less than $1 USD but make sure you have cash on you! Another note for the sleeper buses, you are not allowed to wear your shoes on the bus. Instead, you must place them into a plastic bag and walk barefoot on the bus. You are provided with one bottle of water and one blanket during each ride.
Other ways to get to Sa Pa:
- Book a train or bus with 12 Go Asia. I booked most of my buses with12 Go Asia and was able to compare the prices and dates. Click here to go to the website!
- Book via a tour with pickup in Hanoi. You can find many tours on Trip Masters, Expedia, Viator, Trip Advisor, etc. that will pick you up from your hotel or a central location in Hanoi. I recommend booking with Sa Pa Sisters, an all female group that will organize the transportation for you.
- Book a private car. This is normally the most expensive option, however, you will have a private car with air conditioning (and most likely WiFi).
We finally arrived in Sa Pa town around 1:00 pm. We disembarked from the bus and met with our guide. She took us to a restaurant in the town and then we proceeded to start our trekking. As we started walking, three other women joined our group (other women will walk with the trekking group so that at the end they can get you to buy things). Another important thing to note before booking a Sa Pa Trekking Experience is where you will be visiting. My excursion was set to visit three villages and we would spend the night in the last one. Some of the other tourists on the bus had scheduled ones where they solely walked around Sa Pa Town, it all depends on what you would like to do. I recommend trekking through the jungle and the rice fields because it is a truly incredible immersive experience. Our guide was a member of the Black Hmong Tribe and was so knowledgeable. She taught us about dying clothes with indigo and the importance of farming for the Vietnamese people in Sa Pa.
At first, you must walk out of Sa Pa Town along a road to get to the farms and rice fields. After that, you walk through the jungle and through corn. Trekking in Sa Pa requires a lot of physical strength and endurance. If you get tired easily, this might not be the best option.
As you walk through the rice fields, you get to learn a lot about the Vietnamese culture and how to farm rice, dye with indigo, herd animals, and so much more.
Sa Pa Recommendations:
- Bring comfortable walking shoes! This is a must. I brought Vessi shoes that were super comfortable, waterproof, and overall amazing. Except! They aren’t amazing for hiking. I got blisters so bad of both feet that I was bleeding as we were walking to the homestay. I also couldn’t get a grip on the rocks with the soles of the shoes.
- Mosquito Repellant is another must have. Instead of bringing a spray, I purchased No Bug Zone tags that I hung around my neck. They were incredibly effective in preventing many mosquito bites.
- WATER! Do I really need to explain this one? I bought Greyal Water Purification Bottles that purify your water by pressing down on it so the water flows through a filter. The bottled water is safe in Vietnam, however, the bottles are often reused once thrown away. To prevent any other possible illnesses, I bought these water bottles as an extra layer of protection.
Should I Spend The Night In Sa Pa?
YES! You should absolutely spend the night in Sa Pa if you can. Sa Pa town has hotels, but if you want the true experience, I recommend booking a homestay. The owners of the homestay I stayed at were members of the Giay Tribe and told me about their culture. When tourists stay at a homestay, the owners often make a large family-style meal for all of you to eat. Sa Pa is a truly beautiful place and it is one of the best places to stay overnight. If you aren’t a fan of staying in a small wooden house in the middle of rice fields, you can stay in a hotel in Sa Pa. These hotels are very beautiful, but can be a bit pricy because they are in the prime location. If you are taking a trip to Sa Pa, I recommend going for at least 2 days and 1 night. Just be careful to book it when it’s not forecasted to rain! The second day of trekking, it rained and we weren’t able to take the scenic route to the waterfall, instead, we had to walk along the road (the less desirable option of the two!).
Day 2: Sa Pa
Vietnam
The first day of my trip involved getting up early and finding my way to Cafe La Mensa to get picked up for my Sa Pa 2 Day, 1 Night Trekking Experience. If you are taking a Sa Pa trip, which I highly recommend, pack lightly! One couple on the bus I was traveling on brought a very large suitcase that they had to drag around with them. Also, be cautious that there is a possibility for it to rain. I got rained out my second day which sucked because we couldn’t go via the nature path.
Day 3: Hanoi
Vietnam
The first day of my trip involved getting up early and finding my way to Cafe La Mensa to get picked up for my Sa Pa 2 Day, 1 Night Trekking Experience. If you are taking a Sa Pa trip, which I highly recommend, pack lightly! One couple on the bus I was traveling on brought a very large suitcase that they had to drag around with them.
Hotel
Flying To Vietnam
I hate international flights. I know as a well-seasoned traveler I should be used to them by now but I still hate them. My flight from Atlanta to Seoul was about 13 hours. My upcoming flight to Finland will be 13 hours and then from Finland to Thailand, will be another 13 hours. The worst international flights are those with lengthy layovers. On my way to Vietnam, I landed in Seoul Incheon Airport and was there for 24 hours (23 hours and 55 minutes if you want to get technical). Sadly, very few shops were open due to Covid-19 and the only shops open were selling high end jewelry or bags. My mom and I often talk about how something always seems to go wrong on our trips. This one was full of surprises and the entire process of getting to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi and then to my hotel was a mess, how about we take a walk down memory lane!
Day 1: Flight Troubles
My first flight was scheduled to leave at 6:00 AM to take me to Atlanta, Georgia. When I checked Delta’s website, it said that the flight had been cancelled. I immediately contacted the flight provider that I used to book the flights and asked for them to find me another flight. They stated that the flight was scheduled and that I should go to my airport the next morning to board the plane. I didn’t believe this but still went the next morning, just in case Delta’s website was incorrect. I arrived and was told that the flight was indeed cancelled. I spent over an hour on the phone arguing with the company trying to find a way to get a flight to take me to Atlanta’s airport. At last I get another flight booked from a city 3 hours away from me, meaning I had to drive and there was a potential that I would miss my flight from Atlanta to Seoul. I made it to the airport, checked in, and then was told I couldn’t board the planes. The woman at the desk in front of the boarding gate had to call down and request verification that I could board the plane. Finally, I was allowed onto the plane and was on my way to Atlanta. We arrived in Atlanta with about 15 minutes to run and grab food, then get into line to verify our Covid-19 negative tests and get on the plane.
Vietnam Pre-Trip Planning
Asia: Vietnam
Kickstart Your Journey In Vietnam
Vietnam is a beautiful country filled with vibrant culture, delicious food, scenic cities, and so much more. Although it is a communist country, it means an extremely touristy country and is loved by many around the world. kickstart your travel journey in Vietnam by exploring the rice fields, the bustling big cities, the serene beaches, and everything else this country has to offer!
Going to Vietnam: Important FAQS
What's the Currency?
The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dồng. The Vietnamese Dồng is equivalent to 0.000042 US dollars (as of September 2022). One US Dollar is equivalent to 23864.98 Vietnamese Dồng (as of September 2022).
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Based off of internet research, the best time to visit Vietnam is March through May. May to October is the rainy season with July being the wettest season. November to April is considered the winter season in Vietnam. many people who travel during February have said that is was dark, gloomy, cold, and sometimes rainy. I went during June and July, the supposed rainy season. Out of 21 days, I think it rained five times for short periods of time. All of the locals said we were in hot season, not rainy season. From what I gathered, rainy season starts in August.
Vietnam is a great place to visit year-round due to its wide variety of things to do. If you want to go to Sa Pa and hike through the rice fields, I recommend going in June, July, or August. If you wish to go to the beach, I recommend going April to August.
My internet research also informed me that there is an increase of tourism during the summer and that you should try to book hotels and activities ahead of time. I planned my trip three weeks before I left and had no difficulties finding availability.
What Languages Are Spoken?
The national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. English is spoken in the touristy areas and larger cities. While there, I also discovered that many of the older generations can speak French because of French influence. One of my tour guides also informed me that many Vietnamese in bigger cities, like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, will speak more than one language.
What is the Capital?
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is a large city and is known for having Chinese, French, and Southeast Asian influences. During the Vietnam War, Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam and Saigon was the capital of South Vietnam. The ancient capital was Hoa Lu.
Time Difference?
Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of the Eastern Coat and 7 hours ahead of the Pacific Coast.
Pre-Trip Planning
Unfortunately, you have to get vaccines before going to Vietnam. I had to get Japanese Encephalitis and Typhoid before this trip. Unfortunately, I was unable to get my second dose of Japanese Encephalitis because I had to wait 28 days after the first dose, to get the second, which coincided with my trip. It was 4 days after I was already in Vietnam so I stuck with the one dose. As for typhoid, you have to get 1 dose at least two weeks before travel. Luckily, I had the other vaccines recommended for traveling to Vietnam. Here are the recommended vaccines you should get before traveling to Vietnam:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Typhoid
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends you get a Rabies Vaccine, although treatment for rabies will most likely be available. They also recommend you bring malaria medication with you.
There are no quarantine requirements for Vaccinated or Not-Vaccinated travelers to Vietnam as of June 2nd, 2022. You may be require to do a Covid-19 test upon arrival in Vietnam, however, travelers are not required to show a negative Covid-19 test upon boarding. To stay updated on changing Covid-19 protocols in countries, I like to use Sherpa (see link here).
I booked my entire trip with hotels except for my trip to Sa Pa, where I stayed in a homestay. I prefer to book with hotels because I prefer my privacy and would rather not sleep in a room with other travelers. Hotels are more expensive than homestays and hostels, however, they do have more westernized amenities. As for homestays, they are often on the cheaper side and allow you to live like a local. In a homestay, you will sleep in a room or building on the property of a Vietnamese family. The family would invite you to eat dinner with them, however, you would each stay in your separate parts of the house. In hostels, they are also cheaper than hotels, they will be housing many people in one room. You will not experience a true Vietnamese lifestyle in a hostel as it is not typically run by a local Vietnamese family who also lives there.
Clean drinking water can be extremely hard to come by in Vietnam unless you are drinking out of bottled water. When in Vietnam, you should try to avoid uncooked vegetables, fruits with thin skins or no skins, and cold soups. Vegetables and fruits in Vietnam are washed with contaminated water and should only be eaten when cooked to prevent water-borne illnesses. You should also always eat cooked vegetables because many farmers will place pesticides on produce to make them appear greener, thus increasing their profits if more people purchase them. Pho is one of the most well-known dishes in Vietnam and is eaten so much because the soup is boiling hot. You will find very few cold soups, if any, in Vietnam because the bacteria and viruses in the water are only killed by boiling the water. A great rule of thumb is, if your soup isn’t steaming and extremely hot, do NOT eat it. Market stalls and local restaurants might not have clean working practices so try to stick to eating where more locals eat at. If a market stall or restaurant is abandoned, it is probably for good reason. A general rule of thumb is, if a market stall or restaurant is packed, it probably means it’s delicious and won’t get you sick.
The main use of transportation in Vietnam is via motorbike. The streets are crowded with them, so be careful when crossing the street! You can either rent a motorbike or use Grab to get around, unless you love to walk!
Vietnam is an extremely safe country. The United States State Department rated it a Level 1 Country where you should exercise caution. Common crime includes mugging and pickpocketing. Hotel staff have warned people to not have their phones out while walking in big cities (like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh) as people on motorbikes will come by and grab them. I recommend having a money belt where you place all of your important belongings or have a lanyard that has a pouch connected to it where you can store important documents and etc. Then place this lanyard into your shirt so that others cannot grab it. If absolutely necessary, place your important belongings into a purse and hold tightly to your body so that muggers/pickpocketers will have a hard time grabbing it. Violent crime in Vietnam is extremely rare, however, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.
Vietnam is a safe place for solo female travelers, however, many women have chosen to purchase a decoy wedding ring as Vietnamese men will come up to them asking if they are married or why they aren’t married. Women who wear revealing clothing are often looking down upon as it is disrespectful towards Vietnamese culture and their beliefs. Women wearing revealing clothing have also been approached for sexual requests by men. When entering a pagoda, temple, or religious site, make sure to cover your shoulders and knees. It is important to note that the North is more conservative than the South, which is more exposed to Western influence. If you are to wear something revealing, the South would be more accommodating.
For men, it is normal for them to wear a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. However, the attire for women is stricter than what we find in Western countries. There is no formal dress code in Vietnam, but if you want to blend in with the locals, women should wear modest clothing. As I mentioned above, the North is more conservative than the South. In the Northern parts of Vietnam, especially in the countryside, you will see women covering up more, even while swimming. I recommend bringing a few long sleeve flowy shirts that won’t cause you to get too hot. You can also bring flowy and breathable pants. Dresses are appropriate as well, however, I recommend wearing dresses that go to at least mid-thigh. When entering a pagoda, temple, or religious site, cover your shoulders and knees.
Many hotels will ask to hold onto your passport. I recommend that you request it be kept in a safe to limit the chances of it getting stolen. You should also take photocopies of all identification documents prior to your trip.
The police and military do not want pictures taken of them or their operations. If you are caught, they will ask for you to either delete the picture or for you to hand over your SIM card. It is best to not take pictures of them at all.
Many Vietnamese people do not want their pictures taken without their permission. If you are to take a picture of them, I recommend you ask for permission first.
Flights: I booked roundtrip flights from where I live to Vietnam on Expedia. I used Trip Masters for my flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. As for all of my other intercity flights, I booked them directly from the airline’s website.
Hotels: I booked all of my hotels through Trip Masters . Trip Masters will give you the option of Air or No Air (meaning do you want them to book flights for you). I clicked the No Air option and they planned all of the hotels for me.
Activities: I booked my activities and excursions on a variety of sites. My Sa Pa homestay was booked on Trip Masters whereas my Halong Bay Cruise was booked on Expedia. Some of my other activities were also booked via Trip Advisor and Viator.