It’s true that it’s the people who make the difference! I’m lucky to be traveling with my best friend Hannah but don’t worry about doing it alone either because we have met the most incredible people….
Like stopping for a bike break in Hoi An and ending up doing shots of rice wine at the insistence of Vietnamese War Veterans, some of which were missing limbs but still had the biggest smiles and funniest stories.
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This travel story from Vietnam was contributed by Heather, a friend of Hostelgeeks. Heather Jayne Wilkes is from Wales UK. She’s a world traveler, exploring every single corner of the globe to find experiences, joy and stories to share.
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More travel stories from Vietnam
Read: my last impressions from Saigon changed everything
Read: my first 24 hours in Hanoi
More guides on Vietnam
We have traveled around Vietnam for more than 3 months.
On our journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, we have experienced so many wonderful things.
Our travel tips Vietnam here:
27 Best Things to do in Vietnam – including motorbikes, tractors and monkeys
24 BEST Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City/ Saigon (including understanding the cities history and name)
The coolest and best hostel in Ho Chi Minh City with roof top terrace and fun vibes
109 travel photos from Vietnam
a guide to Sa Pa Vietnam, how to get there and have a great time with the locals villagers
Best Travel Websites we recommend ❤️
(Fresh Update 2023)
Booking Hostels and Discounts 👏👏👏
As a user of Hostelgeeks, you also have access to exclusive hostel discounts. For booking hostels, we use:
- Hostelz.com - hostel price comparison
- Hostelworld
We recommend installing the Hostelworld App. It is very useful!
How to find cheaper Flights ✈️
The first websites we always check are Skyscanner and Google Flights.
Find our step-by-step process in our review about Skyscanner.
Travel Insurance made easy 🤒
We are currently using Safetywing and Hey Mondo. We wrote detailed guides about these insurances:
- Our review of Safetywing, compared to others
- a detailed review of HeyMondo Travel Insurance
Smartest Travel Tools you need to know 🤓
- Onward Ticket - get a proof for onward travel
- iVisa - get your visa online fast
- Get Your Guide - for activities and sightseeing tickets
- Omio.com - for all types of transport
Find all our recommended travel tools and websites here.
Get your Smart Packing List (Free Printable)
Knowing what to pack and what not to pack is key. As an example, you need a one-fits-all padlock.
We put together the ultimate list of smart items to bring.
