Vietnam Travel Guide: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An & Getting Around

Vietnam stretches long and narrow, so most first trips follow a simple north-to-south (or reverse) route rather than trying to zigzag. Hanoi is a good starting point: the Old Quarter rewards aimless wandering, and it's an easy base for a Ha Long Bay overnight cruise, worth booking through a mid-range operator rather than the cheapest option since boat and food quality vary a lot.

Hoi An, further south, is smaller and slower-paced, known for its lantern-lit old town and tailors who can make clothing in a day or two. It pairs well with a few beach days nearby or a motorbike ride over the Hai Van Pass toward Hue.

Domestic flights are cheap and cover long distances quickly, while the reunification train between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is slower but scenic if you have time to break it into a few stops. Sleeper buses fill the gap for shorter hops.

Street food is central to the experience almost everywhere — pull up a plastic stool, point at what looks good, and expect some of the best meals of the trip to cost under two dollars.