Graduation Trip to Vietnam
“Vietnam. It grabs you and doesn’t let you go. Once you love it, you love it forever.”
I finally completed my masters, and before I start my big girl job I decided that I wanted to take a trip back to the motherland. My classmate Brooke Deroche and I hopped on a plane and headed 22 hours to the HOT and HUMID city of Hanoi in northern Vietnam.
Hanoi
Ca Phe
Hidden Gem Cafe - Gives you all the feels and has amazing coconut coffee and teas.
Cafe Giàng - The original egg coffee.
The Note Coffee - Leave and read a note.
Công Cà Phê
Restaurants
Tuyêt Bún Chà Ta 34 - You have to get this in Hanoi, it is amazing! They teach you how to eat it here.
Things we did
Explore Hanoi Old Quarter
Walk around Hô Hoàn Kiêm Lake
Dên Ngoc Son Historic Temple
Go to the spa
Hidden Gem Cafe
Tea and Coconut Coffee
Ninh Binh
We wanted to see more of the countryside so we booked a Baolau bus ticket and headed 2 hours south to Ninh Binh, the “Ha Long Bay on Land”. The first two nights we stayed at Tam Coc Sky Bungalow and enjoyed the rice fields, water buffalos, goats, and limestone rocks on bicycles. We booked the 2 hour Trang An boat tour where we got to see temples, caves, and the limestone cliffs where King Kong was filmed.
Ca Phe
Nam Coffee Beer Garden - This place has amazing views and the owner gives you a fresh mango from his tree.
Brick Coffee Shop
We were going to spend the next two days at Hang Múa Ecolodge and hike the Hang Múa Viewpoint. But we were bamboozled by instagram, and could not take the living conditions and bugs. So we checked out after our hike and went straight to HaLi Home. The breakfast pho was de-li-cious. A staff member named NAM was extremely helpful and sweet and taught us how to say BA CHAY (It’s LIT). It was the best decision ever, because check out this view…
HaLi Home - My favorite stay in Vietnam
Da Nang
We took the bus back to Hanoi airport and took a Vietjet Airplane to Da Nang in central Vietnam. We stayed at the beautiful Zest Villa and Spa on the outskirts of Hoi An. We attempted to go to the city to see the beautiful lanterns and shop. Boy is this place overrated. You are hustled the WHOLE TIME. It was so crowed and stressful we decided not to go back. We spent a lot of time at our hotel spa and pool. The following day I attempted to do a solo trip back to the city in the early morning. I was able to visit these places without the stress:
Bánh Mi Phúóng - Anthony Bordain approved.
Maam Khanh - The Banh Mi Queen
Ren Rúa Cafe - Super cute, highly rated cafe.
Phin Coffee & Restaurant
We booked a tour to see My Son Sanctuary, received our custom made sandals, and said goodbye to Hoi An.
My Son Sanctuary
Saigon
We hopped in another Vietjet Airplane and headed to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) in southern Vietnam. And the food got better.
Bánh Xèo 335/2
Bò Kho Cô Mai
Bún Bò Xua
Pizza 4P’s Ben Thanh
Ca Phe + Chocolate
Dabao Concept
OKKIO - Another hidden spot on the third floor
D’art Chocolate Premium Store
OKKIO
Things we did
Sai Gon Central Post Office - Sent a post card to loved ones.
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
Ben Thanh Market
War Remnants Museum
Cho Tinh Cua Boo (Boo Beauty) - Shopped skincare.
Saigon Centre Shopping Mall
Sai Gon Central Post Office
