Vietnam with its lush mountains, golden beaches, and bustling cities is sure to impress one and all. The city is the perfect place for a vacation either with friends and family and here is the Vietnam travel story of our traveler Salon, who went on to unveil the gems of this happening city with her mother. Here is how they spend most of their time on their 7 days trip to Vietnam from Delhi.
I had read about Vietnam a lot, and a few of my friends had been to the place and had an amazing experience. Also, my mother read about the country, and she really wanted to visit it after getting good reviews. So, after researching about the place by reading blogs and talking to friends, we decided to plan and take a trip and get close to the culture and life of this city.
Details Of Our 7 Days Trip To Vietnam From Delhi
Trip Type: Family
Cost: INR 29,854.56 per person
No. Of People:
Duration: 6 Nights 7 Days
Inclusions: Transfers, Accommodation, Breakfast, Guide, Sightseeing, Kayaking boat in Ha Long bay (if any), Tissues and water on coach, Services charges and government tax, 24/7 hotline support guaranteed, Vietnam Visa letter approval, No extra charge after services confirmation
Exclusions: Incoming and outcoming flight & Departure taxes, beverage, personal expenses, tips, and gratuities, Travel insurance, Early check-in and late check-out, Visa stamping fee on arrival at the airport, Surcharge for airport cabs from 12:00 am – 05:00 am
Itinerary Of Our Vietnam Trip From Delhi
Day 1: Arrival in Vietnam
Day 2: Ninh Binh Province Tour, boat trip to visit Tam Coc
Day 3: Cruise
Day 4: Visit Limstone Cave, Transfer to Ho Chi Minh
Day 5: Cu Chi tunnel, sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh
Day 6: Arrival in My Tho, Sightseeing
Day 7: Departure from Ho Chi Minh
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Weather In Vietnam In September
We went in the month of September, and the weather was pleasant. However, on the last day of our trip, it rained like cats and dogs for an hour or so, but it did not bring down our spirit of exploring the beauty of the alluring country.
How To Reach Vietnam From Delhi
By flight: During the time we booked our flights, there were no direct flights from Delhi to the Hanoi and so our flight was via Bangkok.
Experiences On Our 7 Days Trip To Vietnam From Delhi
Here are a few experiences on our trip to Vietnam that we will cherish for a lifetime.
1. Exploring Hoa Lu To The Fullest
After gearing ourselves with breakfast on the first day of our trip, we started towards our first destination called Hoa Lu which was approx. 2 hrs. away from our hotel. The guide was good, helpful, knowledgeable and he did not let us go bore by sharing the story about the country and their people. The route through Ninh Binh Province was lined with mountains and flora, and I loved the ride. On reaching the historic capital, we visited the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties. The pagodas (meaning temples) were enriched with the history of the country, and well-maintained, the landscape was serene and rumpled green. After exploring the pagodas, we had our lunch and food was good. Cycling for an hour through the rice fields, rocky terrains and villages of Tam Coc. was so quiet and peaceful. We also took a boat ride to see the beauty of the karst formations while passing along their base and row into one of the many caves carved through the limestone. At night, I went to a quaint cute coffee shop which was a kaleidoscope of colors. I have never been to such a beautiful coffee house ever, and the coconut & egg coffee tasted heavenly.
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2. The UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ha Long Bay
On one of the mornings, I managed to go to the famous Hanoi train street which was hardly 1-1.5 km away from my hotel. It is a unique place where one can watch a train speeding by along a cramped thoroughfare. Nestled with beautiful cafes, and I fell in love instantaneously. In the afternoon, we reached the most awaited place of our trip, UNESCO world heritage site, Ha Long Bay, and no adjective or fancy phrase can do justice the beauty of the place. In the middle of the ocean with clusters of islands all around, and no internet connection, which gave us the digital detox as well. After the sumptuous lunch, we went to Sửng Sôt (Surprising) cave, which in the center of the Ha Long Bay. Home to spectacular grottoes with many stalactites hanging from the high ceiling, it is another miracle of nature. In the evening, we did kayak for an hour, and it was dreamy. Water all around, sailing through the small islands, the sound of the paddling through the water was music to the ears. Also, we had a cooking class, where we learned to make Vietnamese spring rolls. The guide and staff were supportive and courteous, and thanks to them our trip was smooth. At night, I sat on the terrace, and the sky was decorated with sparkling and gorgeous stars, and the moon accented the night sky perfectly; I lost the track of the time.
3. On A trip To The Floating Village
After breakfast, we went to Cua van Floating Village from the cruise, and it was a boat ride of 40-50 minutes. The picturesque view and witnessing floating shops and village were one of experience. Also, we visited the pearl farm, where oysters are breed for pearl farming, and we were shown how a pearl is extracted. Finally, we bid goodbye to our cruise and went back to Hanoi with loads of good memories. The best part was that my grandparents had a great time and enjoyed it a lot. We had a flight to Ho Chi Minh at night, and we had ample of time left, so we decided to make the most of it by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex and One Pillar Pagoda. Although nothing much to do, it was fun.
Finally, at night, we bid goodbye to the capital city and flew to another gem of the country, Ho Chi Minh.
4. Off To Mekong Delta
Early in the morning on one of our trip days, we were off to Mekong delta which is home to some islands, villages, and markets. The mode of transportation is boat, and the village was vibrant with beautiful eateries and shops. We had honey tea, and one can buy organic honey from there. Strolled around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoying tropical fruits, folk song music which was performed by the local people. Then, we saw how coconut candies are made in the factory, and I loved them so much, I bought. The place had the aroma of coconut throughout, and the kind of coconut water you’ll get here, one cannot find that anywhere else. We then went to unicorn island by boat, and beautifully wild. Home to dragon fruits, I cycled through the small and charming lanes of Tan Thach village, saw crocodile fishing and relaxed a lot. We loved the place, and after lunch, our guide dropped us to our hotel. Since the hotel’s area had an amazing nightlife, I went out and explored the lively streets wishing the day would never end.
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5. Cu Chi Tunnel Story
This day we departed for Cu Chi tunnel. Before exploring the tunnels, there was some short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the wartime. Then we explored the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. There are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war which was shown by our guide. I also walked through some of the narrow and small tunnels, and it was an experience in itself.
In the late evening, we decided to explore the city on our own, went to Saigon Skydeck which was approx. 15-20 min away by cab. Bird-eye view of the city from the 49th floor, it was worth it. The city was decorated with lights, and the view was just strikingly beautiful.
6. The City Tour
We booked a private tour of the city on the last day of our trip. Although there are many group tours available, for the ease and comfort of my grandparents, we decided to book the private one. We firstly went to Reunification Palace which was the home and workplace of the President during the Vietnam War. Next, we went to Notre Dame Cathedral, it was closed so we couldn’t go inside. However, the garden and church were beautiful was the outside. Our next stop was the central post office, which is still in function, and it was nicely maintained. Our stop was Giác Lâm Pagoda which is of great significance. The peaceful vibes and beautiful interiors made it worth visiting.
The second last stop was the War Remnants Museum having the stories and information of the struggles that the country went through the Vietnam war. For a history buff, this is a must-visit place since it has ample information about the stories of the people that went through. Ben Thanh Market, the last leg of our trip, is a local and famous market. Shops of all kinds, clothes, jewelry, local food, spices, fruits, footwear, florists, you name it and this place have it. The price depends on how honed your bargaining skills are. Nevertheless, the shopkeepers are friendly, and one can find good stuff at a good price if interested in shopping. At night, we boarded our flight back to India with a bag full of sweet memories.
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Where To Stay
In Hanoi: We stayed at Diamond Legend Hotel. Even though the hotel was average, but the location was bang on. In the middle of the Old quarters, one of the happening area of the city, I loved it. Luckily, the days went we stayed, it was the time of the Lunar Festival, and the streets were beautifully decorated, and I love the crowd. The street was nestled with beautiful coffee houses and shops. Also, we managed to find an Indian restaurant within 10 minutes of the walking area. The rooms were hygienic and clean.
Also, the staff was co-operative and courteous. Since the language is spoken there is Vietnamese, and the staff helped us in that.
In Hạ Long Bay: We took the Legend White Dolphin Cruise, and it was the highlight of our trip. Since we traveled with our grandparents, the staff was kind enough to give us the rooms next to the dining area for the ease of my grandparents. All the activities, and stay was well-planned. Our guide, Mr. Nam was great, friendly and it was a pleasure talking to him. The food was great, and even they did their best to prepare a vegetarian meal for my family. One of the staff especially gave us yogurt as he knew that Indians really love them, and that was really sweet of him.
Ho Chi Minh: We stayed in Hotel Prague, and the property was beautiful. The rooms were spacious, beautiful and the washrooms were extremely neat and clean. The area in which the was located added more beauty to it. The cafes and pubs in the street were so lively, and it seemed that the place never sleeps at night. The breakfast was great, and it had a great variety and loved the food. My grandparents really like the property of the hotel, and we found an Indian restaurant that was hardly 1 km away from us.
Food
In Hanoi, we explored the local street food, and I liked it. For Indian food, we ate at Zaika restaurant which has good Indian options and the taste was good. Since Vietnam is known for its coffee, I went to the Note coffee shop, a quaint cute coffee shop with beautiful décor and outstanding coffee of the flavors we have never heard of (egg and coconut coffee). In Hạ Long Bay, the meals were all included.
In Ho Chi Minh, for Indian food, we went to Punjabi Indian Restaurant, and rest we rest tried the street food. For coffee, we went to Highland coffee, and it was okayish.
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Shopping Places In Vietnam
Although I do not believe in buying a lot, there were few things that I could not resist to buy.
Being a coffee lover, and Vietnam being a coffee paradise, I bought authentic coffee from a shop in Ho Chi Minh. Also, on our trip to Mekong delta, we came across a factory that makes coconut candies, and they tasted heavenly. So, if anyone is a coconut lover, these candies are a must.
Personal Expenses
The package included lunch in some of the full day tours, and dinner was completely on us. The personal expenses per person were around 6K which included dinners and other meals that were not included, shopping, snacks, and other eateries, city tour of Ho Chi Minh, cab and ticket to Saigon Skydeck in Ho Chi Minh (approx. 650 per person).
What To Pack
Following are the things that one should pack for sure:
- Portable charger and power bank
- Umbrella/ raincoat as it might rain anytime.
- Comfortable footwear as for most of the day you’ll be exploring the
- place on foot, and an aching foot is the last thing one wants.
- Camera to capture the moments
Tips For Vietnam Trip
- People who are planning a trip to Vietnam should understand that Indian cuisine is not their staple food, and seafood is the most prominent cuisine that will be found there, and one should be adjustable enough for that.
- Indian restaurants are available with good quality of food. Also, if you ask the restaurant, they’ll provide the best veg meal they can, and it is really wrong to compare with the Indian food. But if someone is not adaptable enough, then this line is perfect for them: “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.
- Make sure to carry some amount of local currency, but mostly have USD as it will work everywhere except a few local shops.
- Carry local sim with a good internet connection, as google maps will the only support in case you travel on own. People here hardly understand English, and then only maps will come to your rescue. It is better if you buy the same on your own from the city and not from the airport.
- If you are vegetarian, carry some ready to eat like poha, upma, some snacks like laddoo and so on because even the veg food in the restaurants is bland and it is easy to make these items if you do not want to go out. Also, if you are someone who needs tea in the morning, take milk powder and dip tea packets with you because here you’ll find only black tea & coffee, and one cannot find even milk powder.
- Do not buy any item from the souvenir shops because the cost was 3-4 times than the ones from the local markets.
- Download grab app (similar to uber) for booking cab/bike which is cheaper and convenient than booking the taxis from the tour agencies.
Special Experiences
There were many special experiences that we had which made it the trip to remember. Firstly, it was our family’s first international trip, so it was quite special. However, the following were some of the experiences which are etched in my mind, and would love to experience them all over again:
Cycling through the rice paddies in Tam Coc: Though I have cycled through a lot during my childhood, cycling through the rice fields with the beautiful view and the best part was that it was natural and even the cycle route was not man-made.
Boating through the limestone caves: Lush green plants, the silence of water and boating through the limestone caves, it was like being close to nature. The boats were peddling the boat via their feet.
Ha Long Bay Trip: This was the highlight of our trip. An archipelago, the cruise was beyond wow. At night, the sky was covered with stars that seem like diamond dust scattered in the sky.
Exploring Chu Chi tunnel: Rich history and walking through the tunnels, it was an exhilarating experience.
Saigon Skydeck: The sky view of the Ho Chi Minh city from the 49th floor was out of the world. My grandparents loved it, and the city lights decorating throughout the city were like a fairy castle.
Our Experience With Travel Triangle
First, a great thanks to Hannah and Megha for the fantastic arrangements. It was the first international trip for my family, and we really had a great time. What is great that we had 2 more people joining the trip at the last moment, and the team took care of everything without any hassle. All the guides in our tour were friendly, helpful and very enthusiastic, and we enjoyed all our tours there. The hotels were good, especially the one in Ho Chi Minh city was terrific and the location of it was superb! The cruise was fantastic, and all the arrangements were as per our comfort. The cab service was great and on time. Special thanks to Hannah Vu, our tour manager, for the excellent coordination. She took care of our trip very efficiently and made this trip a success. Since we are vegetarians, it was taken care of that throughout the journey, we do not have the issue. The cherry on the cake, of all this, is that my grandparents who are above 75 years, also traveled with us, and they had a great time, especially in Ha long Bay. After coming back, they have not failed to praise the complete trip with their friends, and this says that the trip was a great success. Thanks again the team for making this trip of ours a memorable one!
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Vietnam is the perfect spot for a vacation with friends and family. If you are planning to visit the city anytime soon, plan a Vietnam trip with a TravelTraingle for a hassle-free experience.
