view from laika cafe by Hoan Kiem Lake Hanoi Vietnam - laugh travel eat
Mistakes to avoid in Vietnam
man at outdoor market wholesale market a chef's tour Hanoi Vietnam - laugh travel eat
Vietnam Survival guide
sunset view ba be lake view homestay ba be lake ba be national park Vietnam - laugh travel eat
vietnam itinerary

Quick facts

Capital: Hanoi – a lot of people mistake Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) as the capital, but it’s actually Hanoi!

Transport: There are some trains in Vietnam, but mostly people use sleeper bus or tourist buses. Be warned that the driving can be crazy! I use 12GoAsia or Bookaway to book my domestic transfers.If you’re in a city – use Grab!

Currency: Vietnamese Dong. They are really large so a lot of places abbreviate to the thousand e.g. 500,000 dong = 500k dong. 25,000 dong ~ 8 HKD, 10,000 dong ~ 0.4 USD

Sim card: Vietel is a frequently used telecom company, and you need your passport to buy a sim card in Vietnam. You might want to preorder your sim so you can use Grab from the taxi.

Handy apps: Grab for taxi in city, Klook for tickets and activities

Language: Language: Vietnamese, Xin Chow means hello, Cam Yan

itineraries

Vietnam itinerary: 2 weeks suggestions

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Southern Vietnam Itinerary with a Vietnamese Wine Twist

This is post 14 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

Chasing rice paddies: a review of 2 day 1 night Sapa tour, Vietnam

This is post 13 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

Halong Bay overnight cruise: 3 days with Paradise Elegance, Vietnam

This is post 11 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

A 72 hours guide to Danang, Vietnam

This is post 10 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

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Hanoi

26+ Best Things to do in Hanoi

This is post 26 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

Food in Hanoi: best Hanoi restaurants, food to eat, and cute cafes

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Ba Be Lake – a serene weekend trip from Hanoi

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Phong Nha

The Ultimate guide to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam

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Top 8 caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam

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Elephant cave and Ma da Valley Day Trek by Jungle Boss in Phong Nha, Vietnam

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Paradise Cave Vietnam: an adventure in Phong Nha

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Danang and hoi an

A 72 hours guide to Danang, Vietnam

This is post 10 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

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The Ultimate Guide to Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam

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The Ultimate Dining Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam

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The Ultimate Shopping guide for Hoi An, Vietnam – tailors, cobblers and more…

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Top 5 Hoi An day trips, Vietnam

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Danang to Hoi An: a stay with Belle Maison Parosand and Belle Maison Hadana

This is post 20 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

HCMC + south vietnam

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam for first time visitors

This is post 17 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

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Southern Vietnam Itinerary with a Vietnamese Wine Twist

This is post 14 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]

Glaming in Vietnam: a stay at Lak Tented Camp

This is post 16 of 26 in the series “Vietnam” Vietnam has become a favourite [...]