Marvellous Vietnam Tour: An Honest Review

Thinking about zipping around Vietnam for close to two weeks? The ‘Marvellous 12 Days Vietnam’ thingy, which hits the big spots, could be just up your street. What you might want, it’s the lowdown before you spend your money. This isn’t your regular review; we will keep it genuine, sort of chatting about the real feel, maybe even the sweat, and the charm of zooming across this pretty special corner of the world. Are you ready? Good, because we are getting going, so strap yourselves in!

First Stop: Hanoi’s Old Town Charm

Hanoi, right, is more or less where things kick off. You usually drop right into the Old Quarter. That’s where the whole vibe is, really, with these tiny lanes that have hawkers and the little shops which all compete for space. You are not just seeing things. What happens, is you are kind of swimming in the smells of street food which hang heavy. Could be a Banh Mi or something noodle-y bubbling away right in front of you. Maybe wander over Hoan Kiem Lake too, just a breather from it all, you know? It tends to be tranquil even. It feels very removed somehow from all the motorized mayhem that surrounds you only moments away.

One tip? Put on some shoes you don’t mind getting dusty. That way, you can feel all the feels under your feet without thinking too hard! The hotels are generally right there, in the heart of things, so expect a bit of noise, yeah, early doors. I will say, there’s something seriously cool. What it is, is being so bang in the middle of it all. It has a vibrancy, somehow.

Ha Long Bay: Picture Postcard Perfection (Sort Of)

So, the following stop is usually Ha Long Bay. It’s something ripped straight off of a postcard, yet? Like, seriously magnificent, with these limestone lumps poking out everywhere from the water. The boats, typically, it’s junks, you know? Those sailing boats with fancy sails. Often they overnight there. Loads of them do. So, you’ll sail between all those rock things and possibly kayak a little, might even see some caves if you’re lucky.

A word of advice? Don’t assume you will be on your own, it’s popular with many different types of people! What might be, it’s a load of other boats doing almost precisely the same thing. What can feel a little crowded, arguably, somehow. But even so, when you wake up and the sun rises above the bay, you get this light. In fact, it’s soft, warm, and spills over these crazy rocks. The effect, basically, it’s mind-blowing, in a way.

Hoi An: Tailors, Lanterns, and Ancient Streets

Then there’s Hoi An. Now, Hoi An has that something really special, in that you sort of slip back in time a notch. Arguably, this UNESCO town has got it all together. Think what? Little shops selling paintings. Seamstresses ready to knock you up a suit in close to 24 hours. Those paper lanterns all strung up between the buildings so they glow at nighttime.

A tip for you: haggling’s usually expected, and that’s only natural, really. You should push for what’s acceptable. What happens, you can get some really decent clothes super affordable if you’re just that tiny bit firm, yeah? And at sundown? When those lanterns twinkle? Actually, it’s pure magic. Also, make sure you take some footwear that feels good to wear, because walking is involved if you want to feel every nook and cranny this spot has.

Ho Chi Minh City: Modern Hustle with History

Ho Chi Minh City (used to be Saigon), basically, it’s very unlike Hanoi. So you may find tall buildings everywhere and many more people hurrying everywhere. But hold on. Is that, there’s stuff from history right there mixed in. Like what, maybe the War Remnants Museum. This tells some hard stories, but I think it is seriously necessary to know the real thing, yeah?

A recommendation? Grab yourself a proper local coffee from a stall, and then, just watch everything passing around you, because that’s usually how you drink it there! See? It’s chaotic, kind of noisy. It also has that energy you can feed from, if you catch my drift?

The Mekong Delta: Floating Markets and River Life

Lastly, there’s the Mekong Delta. It’s possibly where the super-big river splits all up into branches going all around. You know, it is a proper switch from all that city buzz, and then? Well, you just glide on by, sort of, on these small boats, passing so close to those floating markets. Arguably, those markets burst with all sorts of colorful fruits, too.

Something you may like? To give the local foods a whirl when you get a chance. Often, some of them have different stuff than you might be used to! Think what? Fresh spring rolls. Soups with some weird herbs, it tastes great, yeah! Be open, it tends to be that you will spot something so great that you’ll feel that this place just won you over! So don’t feel all anxious; just dive into it head-on!