All Travel World

The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi.  The best time to travel is during their winter months, which are like our summers in temperature – travelling in their summer is just too hot and humid for most to bear well.  So go September to December to get warm weather punctuated by the odd rain shower (those kind of tropical rain showers that are warm and heavy).

A must-do in Hanoi is to take a trip to Halong Bay. You can take a three-day trip which includes a boat ride in a junk boat, and visits to many different islands.  The islands are mountainous and the best way to picture them is to look at any book by Dr Seuss, since he was inspired in his illustrations by these very islands.  The tours include all food and accommodation and as well as a night on the boat you’ll get a night in a hotel on Monkey Island where you can trek up one of the mountains (take sensible shoes or get muddy). 

Beware of which boat trips you book onto, as many are booked by large groups, which is fine if that group shares your own interests but is not great if you’re, say, a newly retired couple who finds themselves on a ‘Party Boat’ which is rather akin to an 18 – 30 experience. 

You can chill out on the beaches, or wade out 30 metres into the crystal clear blue sea that will still only reach to your chest; it’s warm and there are no sharks or jelly fish at that time of year.  Or you can take a canoe to explore round the islands.

If you’ve booked your tour through your hostel they will store your other luggage for free (if you’ve booked independently, most hostels will store your bags for a fee).  Accommodation in Hanoi itself ranges from $4 – $10US pppn.  Note that September – December is the city’s off-season, so some attractions (e.g. the water park in the city) will be closed.  Try the street foods and explore the narrow streets.

Further South is Hoi An, which is the tailoring capital of the country.  Here you can be measured and fitted for a brand-new, tailor-made fine suit for as little as £50 in three days: if you don’t have room to pack it to take it home with you it’s easy enough to arrange for it to be packaged and posted.

You can get a nice room in a nice hotel with a pool for as little as $8US pppn; if you’re travelling in a group you can barter an even better rate.

Both cities are worth exploring and offer an insight into the Vietnamese way of life and culture.