Hanoi

Hanoi was a city of contrasts, and most of my highlights came from moving between them.

I found myself returning again and again to Hoan Kiem Lake, especially in the evening. It felt like a pause in the middle of everything. Locals walking, people exercising, a softer, calmer side of the city.

Just a few streets away, the Old Quarter was the complete opposite. Busy, loud, and constantly in motion. It was chaotic, but in a way that became strangely familiar the longer I stayed.

One of the most surreal experiences was Train Street. Sitting in a small café while a train passes just inches away doesn’t feel real, but somehow it’s just part of everyday life there.

Other places that stood out:

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, especially in the evening when the area fills with people
Ngoc Son Temple, beautifully lit at night, reflecting over the water
The more historical side of the city at the Ho Chi Minh Mausloleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature

Sa Pa

Sa Pa felt completely different from Hanoi.

I visited Cat Cat Village, which is very touristy, but also easy to reach and still worth seeing for a first impression of the area.

The weather during my stay was mostly foggy, which changed the experience a lot. I had considered taking the cable car up the mountain, but without visibility, it didn’t make sense.

Instead of big views, Sa Pa offered something quieter. Mist, cooler air, and a slower pace.

Cát Bà & Ha Long Bay

This was, without a doubt, my favorite part of Vietnam.

Exploring Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba felt like stepping into a different world. Limestone formations rising out of the water, calm surroundings, and a slow rhythm that was a welcome contrast to the city.

The overnight cruise included kayaking, swimming, and time to just take everything in.

One thing that stood out to me personally: I was the only vegan on the boat, but the crew still prepared full meals for me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was such a small detail, but it made the experience feel even more thoughtful.

Waking up surrounded by water and silence was one of those moments that stays with you.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh felt like the land version of Ha Long Bay, but even more peaceful.

The Tam Coc boat tour was one of the highlights here, drifting along the river between limestone cliffs and rice fields.

One of my favorite parts, though, was simply renting a bike from the hotel and cycling through the area. Passing rice fields, small villages, and quiet roads made it feel much more personal and unfiltered.

I also visited:

Thai Vi Temple and Hoa Lu, which added a bit of history to the experience
Hang Mua, with its viewpoint over the landscape
Trang An boat tour and Bai Dinh Temple as part of a group tour

Ninh Binh was less about doing and more about moving slowly through the landscape.

Can Tho

Can Tho offered a completely different kind of highlight.

The focus here was on the Cai Rang floating market, which meant a very early start (meeting at 5 a.m.). Boats moving through the water, selling goods directly to each other, creating a rhythm that feels entirely shaped by the river.

Around Ninh Kieu, especially near the waterfront, the atmosphere was more relaxed, a nice contrast to the early morning activity.

A bought my ticket the day before from an older lady which in hindsight could have been a total scam, but it wasn’t.

It felt less like a “sight” and more like observing daily life.

Ho Chi Minh City

HCMC felt like the most intense place on the route.

Some of the key stops:

The Central Post Office, a beautiful colonial building
The War Remnants Museum, which was heavy, but important and impactful
Bên Thanh Market, busy, crowded, and very much part of the city’s energy

The city itself was a highlight in a different way. Not necessarily for specific places, but for the constant movement, noise, and pace. Crossing the street, even on the pedestrian crosswalk, definitely raised my heart rate.

My Highlights of Vietnam