Vietnam top to bottom — fast paced and worth every bit of it

This trip is not for everyone. You are on the move constantly, overnight trains, new city every couple of days. But that pace is exactly what lets you actually see Vietnam properly rather than just one corner of it.

Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nha, Hanoi, Halong Bay. Each city feels completely different. The south is chaotic and energetic, the centre is quieter, more historic, the north has a completely different feel again. You wouldn't understand that contrast staying in one place.

Our CEO Channy was excellent. Good at giving you space when you needed it, good at pulling the group together when it mattered. Local guides in each city added a lot, people who actually live there and know the back streets.

Highlights:

Halong Bay is as good as the photos suggest. Limestone karsts coming out of green water, seafood lunch on the boat, caves to explore. Give it proper time.

Hoi An was my favourite city. Old town at night with the lanterns is something else. The Oodles of Noodles cooking class was genuinely good, hands on, proper lunch after.

Phong Nha caves are underrated. Most people skip them or rush through. Don't.

Nha Trang street food crawl at night covered more food in two hours than I managed in a full day on my own. Do it on day one.

Budget around 115 to 150 USD for meals across the trip outside what is included. Very manageable.