When I first thought of staying in Vietnam, honestly, my plan was not to stay that long. What I thought was, maybe two weeks were enough for exploration and trying street food here. My thoughts took a 360-degree twist the moment I landed here by booking my Vietnam luxury holidays with Virikson Holidays – UK’s top-rated travel agency.
I wouldn’t exaggerate it if I say that Vietnam fully surprised me and pulled me with its energetic and peaceful vibe at the same time. One moment you are crossing a busy street full of chaos and the next moment you are sipping a drink by a cosy lake. Every place here has something to offer be it the mountains in the north or the beaches in the South.
I will be very honest here – spending an entire month in Vietnam was not part of my original plan but still I ended up staying a whole month here which gave me great insights of the place. Here are my honest opinions and thoughts after spending unforgettable Vietnam Holidays:
The First Few Days Were Overwhelming
The very first few days of my holidays to Vietnam were actually quite loud, fast and overwhelming for me as I wasn’t much used to such places. I got hit by the intense heat and the sound of endless motorbikes was actually buzzing on my mind. The things here were quite fast-paced and it seemed impossible for me to match that quick pace.
Crossing the streets here was actually a part of the adventure and I wasn’t much sure if I liked it or not, still everything here felt actually intense. After a few days had passed, I came to the conclusion that Vietnam isn’t trying to scare me and is just being itself. This is where I took a pause, stopped resisting and actually started enjoying by feeling myself a part of the chaos.
Street Food is More Than Just Food
When it came to the food scene, I had really very high expectations from here. The most famous food here was a steaming bowl of Pho. Soon I came to know that the food here is much more than just Pho and each region of Vietnam has its own specialty.
Bun cha is a famous dish of the North and seafood is quite famous in the southern side. In most of the cases I consumed my food sitting on a tiny stool and fully surrounded by locals and mostly I wasn’t even sure what the name of the dish I was eating was. But one thing I assure you of is, every dish had its own charm and story.
The People Are Warm and Welcoming
The people here are quite warm and welcoming, unlike other populated tourist areas where you may find vendors eager to sell something and people getting quite pushy. I remember how much I enjoyed sitting in a cosy tea cafe and talking for more than an hour with a lady. Even in the train, a random man generously offered me his dinner and asked for nothing in return. So, my interaction with every stranger here was magical. I won’t say that every experience was good, there were a few cases where some taxi drivers tried to overcharge me as well.
Vietnam Is Changing Quite Fast
Another thing that surprised me at Vietnam was how fast it was modernizing. The cafes were turning trendy, digital payments were becoming a norm and many historical cities like Ho Chi Minh were becoming full of skyscrapers. Similarly, other than the modernization, many villages here still use the same old traditional methods such as families cooking over open fires or water buffaloes walking down the road. This contrasting mix of old and new simply fascinated me and made me wonder how the entire country would look like after a decade.
Travelling Around Was Easier Than I Expected
When I reached Vietnam, I was much worried of getting from place to place. To my surprise, it was quite manageable. There were trains, buses and domestic flights that made everything so easy. The trains were slow yet offered a perfect scenic ride. The buses were quite cheap and domestic flights also saved much of my time. I also remember renting a scooter in Ninh Binh and exploring the city on my own pace and terms, and I don’t shy away from saying that this was the best decision I made and the sense of freedom was totally worth it.
There Were Frustrations Too
I won’t say here that everything about my trip was 100% perfect. There were times when language barriers made things uncomfortable for me, especially during my visit to the rural areas. Scams also take place here so one needs to be very cautious. I was overcharged once or twice and had no option other than staying alert. The Internet was mostly good at many places but not always reliable. There were days when I got a bit tired of the scorching heat or the cultural clash but those moments were just a minor part of the greater picture.
I Felt Safe as a Solo Traveller
I would rate this comment as the best one of my experiences. Being a solo traveller is not always easy and safe, but to my amazement, Vietnam never made me feel unsafe. Even when I used to walk freely at night using public transport or overnight buses, I never felt threatened or uncomfortable at any time. I simply trusted my instinct and kept an eye on my belongings. As compared to many other destinations I have already travelled to, Vietnam felt quite safe and calm to me.
One Month Wasn’t Enough
Last but not least, I believe one month was not enough to get through the beauty of Vietnam. I missed a few places that I still long to see such as Ha Giang or Phu Quoc. But I guess, this is the best way to end any trip, remaining still curious or raving for more. Isn’t it?
Vietnam gave more a lot more than I expected, and I know I will be back soon.
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