"You dont need magic to disappear, All you need is a destination"
After hearing about it so many times, i finally started planning for a Solo "Vietnam" trip and it being a big country, its difficult to cover maximum places in a short span. However i am happy the way i designed the itinerary and covered maximum possible.
To start with "Visa" first, there many online websites/blogs that claim to give you approval letter for around $15 to $20 and pay for stamp fees at the airport which would cost you $20.
Please do not fall into this trick, instead use this website and pay $25 to get the e visa. Simply walk up to immigration for clearance in Vietnam (no additional cost anywhere).
After getting visa, i booked my Vietnam flights from Delhi to Ho chi minh in 6k INR & Hanoi to Delhi in 7k INR.
I preferred not to book internal flight in advance as it is not very expensive even if you book a day before (Benefits of Vietnam).
Finally the day came & i took off :D, with a mixed feeling of travelling solo.
Try to avoid currency conversion in India rather take dollars, once you land you can do currency exchange in local market at a very good rate
I landed in Ho chi minh early morning & took Grab ride to my hotel (150 INR).
I booked my hotel in District 1 as it is closer to most of the places.
IMP - Download App "Grab" and setup your payment method before landing in Vietnam.
If you really do not want to spend big amount in stays then Saigon offers you good hostels at a very cheap price. however i booked a cute hotel " Lief Pulo"
It is a covered market, full of tourist and fake branded stuff.
Good to visit for people looking for shopping
Dont forget to change your currency in this market
Its a very unique natural setup in this big city and quite relaxing, very beautiful. You can even stay here by booking nice cottages.
This place is silent with a small street cafe where you can sit and spend your evening if you want with a nice view of city
Around this tower there many beautiful cafes/restaurant to have your evening coffee.
Lastly, after spending good time exploring the city. I went to this cafe "Tram Cafe" hidden in this big city
A must visit place for food lovers, you would love the ambiance and the feel.
I booked a flight in 2600 INR from Hochimin to Danang, reached there by afternoon. Did a Grab taxi to Hoi an
This place has different vibes and I feel anybody coming to Vietnam shouldn't miss Hoian at any cost. this is one of the most beautiful places i ever visited.
It is a very small town and they do not let you drive any kind of motor-vehicle in ancient town therefore bicycle :D
I booked a very cozy place in hoian "Garden Villa" only in 1000 INR per night (would recommend this place)
In evening i got my free bicyle and headed towards Hoi An night market
*Amazing leather products - Shoes, bags & much more (very affordable prices)
*Best place to buy souvenirs & much more for your friends & family
This place is just jaw-dropping, when you see this place you go romantic, soothing music in shops/cafes and a long walk across the river.
After having some good peaceful time, i went to this "Famous Japanese Bridge" This place is magical, just visit the ancient town and have your breakfast, roam around the streets and you would fall in love.
After a great start, i headed my way to "Danang" (took a cab in 900 INR from Hoian to Danang)
it is again a big city with tall buildings, if you love parties then this is your place however my plan was to explore this city by midnight and leave for Hanoi for next day.
So finally got to see this beautiful coastline
You can easily reach there by Grab, it will cost you around 150 INR for the entrance fee. This place is surprising.
A famous big cave.
After reaching Hanoi, I had booked a tour to Ninh Binh District (Tam Coc) online in 2000 INR for a day. It started early morning 8am & finished at 6pm.
Tam Coc is a lovely place (People call it Halong Bay on land), you experience mix of everything -
* Tour to ancient temples & structures
* A peaceful and quite adventurous boat ride
* Nice cycle tour
After reaching hotel, i had a big list to start the Saigon expedition
(Using GRAB you would hardly spend 300-400 INR and roam around entire city)
And met a very beautiful friend of mine :D
Next day morning, i decided to leave for my next stop "Danang"
Right after reaching Hoian in Afternoon, i went for a massage as it is quite famous here, you pay around 1000-1200 INR in return what you get is "Mind Detoxification"
Best part about Hoian - Its the streets :D
Couldn't stop myself from clicking pictures & some cafes too.
After an alluring night, i woke up with a different energy and was all ready to explore rest of the Hoian
Then i slurped the famous "Egg Coffee" of Vietnam, it wasnt too bad
There are many places that you can plan to go in Danang like Hand Bridge & Hai van Pass, however due to limited time in hand i went to the place i decided to go
After this i came back to my hotel & hit the streets to see how different Danang is
Dragon bridge spits fire at 9pm on Sunday & Saturdays.
After a yummy dinner, i went back to my place i had booked midnight flight from Danang to Hanoi couple of hours before only in 1500 INR
So i got ready and reached Hanoi
After a great tour, i came back to Hanoi and after dinner went back to sleep.
Hanoi is Vietnam's Capital with too much traffic and nothing really to explore except "Dong Xuan Market" & nearby night market
I wanted to book a day tour to the most talked about "Halong bay" however canceled after some feedback as it is 4 hours away from Hanoi and in the tour you do not really get good amount of time to explore Halong Bay with sunset & sunrise,
Best way to explore halong bay is to have a cruise stay for a day or 2 and interestingly it is not an option for solo traveler as most of the cruise only let couple to stay. Therefore it is must for Couples to have a cruise stay in Halong Bay
Thanks for reading above - Some useful information below
>No point in renting anything, always use Grab App & setup before arrival
>I found cheapest hotels through MMT
>Benefits of travelling solo as i made some Koreans, Vietnamese & Chinese friends
>Most of the people do not know English hence make sure you have google translator
>Check before you eat anything most of the stuff is nonveg & not even chicken
>People are quite friendly & helpful
If have any questions regarding this trip or anything about Vietnam, feel free to ask.
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