From Siem Reap, I took myself to Hanoi and what awaited me was chaos, culture, and an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
I arrived in Hanoi late at night, and the chaos was immediate. Cars couldn’t access my street because of the weekend buzz, so there I was, dragging my suitcase through the rain, weaving between an endless swirl of motorbikes. It was loud, overwhelming, slightly stressful… and somehow, the perfect welcome to Vietnam’s vibrant capital.
Vietnam is a one-party nation with one of the oldest continuous histories in Asia. After over 1,000 years of Chinese domination, the country absorbed Confucianism, Taoism, and elements of Chinese governance that still resonate today. Interestingly, over 70% of the population does not follow a formal religion, though Buddhism, Catholicism, and animist traditions remain present in everyday life.
A Brief History Snapshot
After declaring independence in 1945, Vietnam entered into conflict with the French, leading to the First Indochina War, which ended in 1954.
The country was then split into communist North Vietnam and US-backed South Vietnam, culminating in the Vietnam War or American War, as it is known locally, which devastated the nation.
In 1975, the North captured Saigon, reunifying Vietnam under the Communist Party. The years that followed were marked by isolation, poverty, and hardship, making Vietnam’s modern growth even more remarkable.
Geography & Regions
Vietnam stretches in a long, elegant S-shape over 1,650 km and is divided into three main regions:
- North: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa Mountains
- Central: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An
- South: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc Island
On this trip, I explored Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, a spontaneous detour from Cambodia before heading home. It was short, but it has definitely set the tone for a much longer return trip.
Food Adventures (and My Balut Moment)
One of the highlights of my trip was a walking food tour on a cold, rainy October evening. I met a lovely mother-daughter duo from Canada, the daughter worked in Japan training journalists, and her mum was visiting. They decided to hop over to Vietnam, and somehow, our paths crossed.
And then… there was balut.
A boiled fertilized egg.
I had successfully avoided trying it in the Philippines and Thailand, but this time, a passionate young Vietnamese guide convinced me. He spoke about the dish with so much pride that it felt almost disrespectful not to try it.
I still cannot believe I did it.
Thankfully, the rest of Vietnamese cuisine was pure joy:
- Phở – comforting noodle soup
- Bánh mì – crispy French-influenced baguette
- Gỏi cuốn – fresh spring rolls
- Cơm tấm – broken rice with grilled pork
- Bún chả – smoky grilled pork with vermicelli (a Hanoi staple)
The drinks deserve special mention, I fell in love with egg coffee and coconut coffee. Both are products of innovation during colonial times when locals had limited access to fresh milk.
It also made me reflect on something deeper: former French colonies like Vietnam, Benin, and Togo lean toward condensed milk, while British-colonized regions like Nigeria and India prefer milk powder. Food really does carry history.
At the end of the tour, my hotel was quite far. My guide walked me to the market where he had parked his motorbike and he rode me back. I will never rent a scooter alone on holiday, so this was as close as I was getting to experiencing Hanoi’s motorbike madness!
Ha Long Bay Magic (and an Unexpected Lesson in Feedback)
My 2-day, 1-night cruise through Ha Long Bay was unforgettable.
We hiked, explored caves, kayaked, made spring rolls, danced, sang karaoke, and even tried squid fishing, the squid are surprisingly drawn to light, and yes… I caught one! Mornings began with Tai Chi on the deck, surrounded by mist and limestone karsts. Peaceful doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Visiting Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) was a highlight. Inside, I noticed people praying at a tortoise statue and leaving offerings. The tortoise, revered in Vietnam for wisdom and longevity, instantly took me back to Igbo folktales from my childhood, where the tortoise is always the clever main character.
I was honestly stunned. Different continents, same symbolism. It left me with a burning desire to preserve and tell our own stories more intentionally.
The cruise itself was a mix of personalities, big Indian families spanning generations, lively Australians keeping karaoke alive, quiet but meaningful conversations with travelers from Japan and Central America… and me, the only solo traveler, constantly being “paired” in people’s minds.
One moment had me in stitches, an older man assumed two women I befriended were mother and daughter. When he asked where the “daughter” was, we couldn’t stop laughing. They were simply friends traveling together!
Then came one of the most unexpected moments of the trip.
Before disembarking, we were asked to fill out feedback forms. I gave mostly high ratings but marked 4 out of 5 for communication, thinking it was fair.
To my surprise, the staff reviewed the forms immediately. My tour guide came to find me and gently asked what could have been better. I was shocked, feedback is rarely that immediate or personal.
Then, before I left the jetty, he returned with a small silk scarf as a gift.
It was simple, even inexpensive, but incredibly thoughtful. Not because of the item itself, but because it showed attentiveness, pride in their service, and a genuine desire to improve.
That moment stayed with me.
Hanoi Highlights (and a Lesson in Booking Tours )
My Hanoi city tour… was a bit of a disaster.
After booking through my hotel, I wasn’t picked up on the morning of the tour. Turns out, I had been completely forgotten. Eventually, someone came to get me in a taxi and rushed me to join the group.
Second shock, it was a large bus tour, not the small group experience I’m used to.
The group was mostly Chinese and Indian tourists, with just a few of us from elsewhere. The Chinese group kept to themselves, likely due to language, while the Indian group was lively, very lively, to the point where we had to ask for quiet whenever the guide needed to speak.
It was chaotic and not quite my style, but I still got to see key sites:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum : where the nation’s most revered leader lies preserved
- Tran Quoc Pagoda : a stunning lakeside pagoda with its iconic layered tower
- Hoa Lo Prison : the “Hanoi Hilton,” once holding American POWs like John McCain
I balanced it all with what I love most, wandering markets, indulging in massages, and eating my way through the city.
Final Thoughts: Short, Sweet, and Calling Me Back
This was just 4 nights and 5 days, but Vietnam left a deep impression on me.
It’s a country of contrasts, chaos and calm, history and resilience, simplicity and depth. From dragging my suitcase through rainy Hanoi streets to sailing through the mystical beauty of Ha Long Bay, every moment felt alive.
Next time, I’m heading to Sapa and the central region, because this was only the beginning.
Would you add Vietnam to your travel list?
Because I already know one thing for sure. I’ll be back.
