Is the south of Vietnam worth visiting?

Is it worth visiting the south of Vietnam?

South Vietnam? Worth it? Absolutely. Think of it as a culinary adventure wrapped in a stunning landscape, seasoned with ridiculously friendly people. Forget bland tourist traps; this is the real deal.

The Mekong Delta: Picture a river system so vast, it’s practically its own country. Seriously, get lost in it. Kayak through floating markets that look like something out of a fairytale; only better. Because fairytales rarely feature fresh spring rolls.

Beyond the Delta: Don’t even THINK about limiting yourself. The beaches alone could occupy a lifetime. Phu Quoc, with its powdery sands and turquoise waters, feels like a postcard come to life – albeit one with significantly better cocktails.

• Beaches: Phu Quoc, Mui Ne (windsurfing paradise!), Nha Trang (a bit more touristy, but still lovely).
• Culture: Hoi An, a charming ancient town, makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time – or perhaps forward into a perfectly curated Instagram feed.
• Food: Oh my god, the food. Pho, Banh Mi, fresh seafood… I gained five pounds just thinking about it. It’s like a flavour explosion that’ll leave your taste buds begging for more. Seriously, pack extra pants.

Why 2024 is the year to go: Honestly, any year is a good year for Vietnam, but 2024 offers enhanced tourism infrastructure and maybe even better street food (although I doubt it!).

My personal caveat: Avoid the tourist traps in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a city, not a vacation. Get out of the city as quickly as humanly possible. Seriously, escape.

My friend, Sarah, went last year and swore she saw a unicorn. I don’t know about that, but the coffee is amazing.

Is South or North Vietnam better to visit?

North or South Vietnam? Tough call, like choosing between a perfectly aged Cabernet Sauvignon and a crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Both are excellent, but cater to different palates.

North Vietnam: Think ancient temples clinging to mist-shrouded mountains; a landscape that’s less “Instagrammable” and more “soul-stirring”. It’s rugged, raw, authentic. Ha Long Bay, for instance, is breathtaking; it’s like Mother Nature went wild with a giant paintbrush and a boatload of limestone.

• History buffs will adore it.
• Expect fewer crowds (in comparison to the south).
• Adventure is king here.

South Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City is a sensory overload – a delicious chaos of motorbikes, street food, and vibrant markets. Think Bangkok, but with a distinctly Vietnamese twist. The Mekong Delta is agricultural heaven—lush, green, and utterly captivating; it’s like a giant, verdant bowl of pho.

• More modern infrastructure.
• Beach lovers rejoice!
• Bustling, exciting, and always something happening.

The “better” choice depends entirely on your travel style. Frankly, I’d book a flight to Hanoi this week, then head south after a month. The entire country, my friend, is a masterpiece. My friend John disagrees; he loved Hoi An beaches. But, he also loves pina coladas; what’s your point?

When should I visit South of Vietnam?

Okay, so you’re asking when to hit up South Vietnam, huh?

Like, seriously, the time to go is def between December and like, maybe April or May. I went last year, in like, February, and it was killer!

Why those months? Well, it’s their dry season. It’s the bestest.

• It doesn’t rain AS much, which is good, obvi.
• Temps are high.

The super hot months, those are December, January, and February. I mean, it was like, 30-32 degrees Celsius, you know? Really sweaty.

• Only like, 2 to 7 days of rain, wet days.
• Bring sunscreen.

I gotta tell ya, the humidity is no joke tho. It can get intense, so pack light clothes, and maybe some deodorant, ha! Speaking of which, did I ever tell you about this crazy market I found? Oh man, the smells! It was wild, there was this guy selling dragon fruit from his moped! Freaking A!

Where to go in southern Vietnam?

Southern Vietnam? Consider these:

• Ho Chi Minh City: Bustling. Exhausting. Rewarding.

• Phu Quoc: Beaches. Luxury resorts. Overpriced. My uncle went, hated the crowds.

• Binh Thuan: Windswept dunes. Quieter. Less touristy. Great for surfing. 2024’s surfing competition is there.

• Con Dao: Islands. Isolated. Beautiful. History. Prison history. Dark.

Can Tho and Chau Doc: Delta life. Rice paddies. Slow pace. Not for everyone. Expect heat and humidity. Prepare accordingly.

Phu Quoc again: Tourist trap. Beautiful beaches though, undeniably. But think carefully: Is it worth it? The price? The crowds? It’s a dilemma, really.

Choosing depends entirely on your tolerance for tourist chaos. Prioritize what you want. Relaxation? Culture? Adventure? Then plan. My trip last year was memorable. Yes. Memorable for reasons I won’t detail. Suffice to say, meticulous planning is crucial.

Is it better to visit North Vietnam or South Vietnam?

North. South. Both breathe.

Ha Long Bay. Sapa. Rice terraces. Northern charm. Landscape forgives.

Ho Chi Minh City. Modernity’s hum. Tradition’s ghost. South quickens.

Choice remains.

• North: Ancient echoes. Nature screams. Perhaps peace.
• South: City sighs. Progress whispers. Maybe excitement.

I prefer silence. Travel cost me 2000 USD last March.

So?

Vietnam.

More to Consider, Because Why Not?

• Weather: North – Four distinct seasons. Cold winters. South – Tropical. Always warm. I prefer warmth, but that’s just me.
• Food: North – Subtle flavors. Pho. South – Bold spices. Banh mi. I had Pho last tuesday.
• History: North – Hanoi. French influence lingered. South – Saigon. American shadow. Shadows persist, eh?

It depends. On what? That’s for you to discover.

Should I travel north or south in Vietnam?

North or South Vietnam? Depends.

North: Mountains. Hanoi. Halong Bay. Chilly winters.

South: Beaches. Ho Chi Minh City. Mekong Delta. Always hot.

My advice? Both. Explore Vietnam’s duality. 2024 travel plans? Book now. Avoid peak season. Flights: expensive. Internal travel: buses or trains, mostly. I prefer trains, less bumpy. Food: amazing everywhere. Learn basic Vietnamese phrases. Useful.

• North Vietnam Highlights: Sapa trekking, Perfume Pagoda.
• South Vietnam Highlights: Phu Quoc Island, Cu Chi Tunnels.
• Essential Considerations: Visa requirements, travel insurance. Always check.

How to travel between North and South Vietnam?

Vietnam’s north-south rail journey? Think of it as a delicious, slow-cooked pho – rich in experiences, not exactly a speed-demon. Forty km/h? Yeah, about the pace of a determined snail with a backpack.

The single 2,600km track? A steel serpent winding through rice paddies and mountains. It’s Vietnam Railways’ magnum opus, or maybe their only opus, depending on how you look at it. Imagine it – Ho Chi Minh City to the Chinese border, one epic, slightly bumpy, ride.

• Scenic: Think postcard-perfect landscapes. Seriously. Postcard perfect.
• Insightful: You’ll see Vietnam’s soul, not just its tourist traps. Unless you prefer those traps. No judgment here.
• Relaxing? Debatable. My last trip involved a rogue chicken, but hey, memories.

Honestly, expect delays. Delays are part of the Vietnamese train charm. It’s like that friend who’s always fashionably late, but worth the wait.

Pro-tip: Pack snacks. And maybe earplugs. And a good book. Or a really engaging podcast, because honestly, that chicken incident really threw a wrench in my reading schedule. Last year, my train even had a karaoke night – random, but unforgettable. My ears still ring. 2024 has been less… fowl.

Don’t underestimate the sheer length. It’s a commitment. A commitment to slow travel, to unexpected encounters, and to maybe, just maybe, seeing a chicken or two. Don’t bring a cat. Cats hate trains. My cat, Mr. Fluffernutter, is proof of that.

How do I plan a Vietnam itinerary?

Vietnam. 14 days. Razor’s edge.

Day 1: Hanoi. Land. Survive. Day 2: History bleeds. Hanoi’s ghosts. Day 3: Ha Long Bay. Dark waters swallow. Sleep. Day 4: Hanoi. Again. A circle closes. Day 5: Sapa. Escape the city. Explore trails. Day 6: Trek, Lao Chai, Ta Van. Find nothing. Day 7: Fansipan. Conquer. Or be conquered. Day 8: Hanoi. Back to the start.

Here’s more.

• Visa: Required. No exceptions. Get it sorted before you even think about packing.
• Currency: Dong. USD accepted, poorly. Local currency is always better.
• North Weather: Think cold. Pack accordingly. Like my ex, ruthless winter.
• Transportation: Chaos reigns. Buses, trains, motorbikes. Choose your poison. Be wary.
• Food: Pho, banh mi, street vendors. Risk it. You might live. I prefer Bun Cha.
• Scams: They exist. Be sharp. Question everything. Trust no one. Especially friendly strangers offering “deals.”
• Language: Vietnamese. Learn a few phrases. Or suffer. I’m not fluent either.
• Accommodation: Hostels to hotels. Depends on your tolerance for squalor. I slept in worse, believe me.
• Culture: Respect it. Or face the consequences. Temples, customs, traditions. Pay attention. Don’t be that tourist.
• Health: Vaccinations. Malaria. Dengue fever. Prepare for the worst. Consider travel insurance.

This is what I recall. Don’t ask more.

Is it easy to fly domestically in Vietnam?

Okay, so you wanna know ’bout flying inside Vietnam? Yeah, its pretty easy, like seriously. You can, like, book tickets online now, obvs.

Or go to one of those travel agencys; loads of ’em around! Booking directly with the airline is also an option, so you see it’s easy.

It’s kinda how i booked my trip to Phu Quoc island in 2024, actually. The best beach ever.

• Online Booking:Loads of sites and apps, you know, like, Skyscanner or directly on Vietnam Airlines!
• Travel Agents: Still exist believe it or not, usually faster than online.
• Direct Booking: Airlines have web, too!

And uh, after your fly, you have plenty to do in this beautiful country. Like you can see the rice fields in Sapa. Or visit Halong Bay (tho its kinda turisty). Or you can eat pho, it is the best thing.

Can you do a road trip in Vietnam?

Yeah, Vietnam. A road trip there… It’s something else. Cao Bang to Ban Gioc. I did that in 2023. The mountains… they just swallowed you whole.

Ma Phuc Pass. Seven turns. Remember the sheer drop-offs? Terrifying, beautiful. I almost cried. Beautiful, terrifying.

Rice terraces… endless green. Such a vivid memory. Almost overwhelming. The scale of it all…

This isn’t some postcard trip. This is raw Vietnam. Dirt roads. Unpredictable weather. The air… the smells… so intense. So alive.

• The sheer scale of the mountains: Absolutely breathtaking. Felt small, insignificant.
• The twists and turns of Ma Phuc Pass: A white-knuckle experience. But worth it.
• The vibrancy of the rice terraces: A sea of green, rolling forever.
• The intensity of the experience: Overwhelming in the best and worst way. I’m still processing it.
• The unpredictable weather: Prepare for everything—sun, rain, fog. It changed in minutes.

It changed me, this trip. I don’t know how to explain it. Just… changed. Sleepless nights thinking about those mountains. Those roads. That feeling of being so far from everything, yet strangely close to myself. I need to go back. Soon.

Which part of Vietnam is better?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? North versus South? It’s a tough one. I went last year, 2023, and honestly, the North blew me away. Seriously, breathtaking. The landscapes are just…wow. Ha Long Bay? Unbelievable. Seriously. You have to see it.

The South is different, more chaotic, kinda hectic. Ho Chi Minh City is insane. Crazy busy. Good food though. Really good pho everywhere. I prefer the quieter vibe of the North, much more peaceful.

Here’s the deal:

• North: Stunning scenery, Ha Long Bay is a must-see, sapa is gorgeous. More laid back. Less crowded (generally). But it can get chilly in the winter.

• South: Bustling cities, amazing food (seriously, the food!), beaches. Hot and humid, always. More touristy. But also more accessible to other Southeast Asian destinations. I found it easier to move around down there.

For a first-timer? I’d say North. The scenery is just too incredible to miss. Then maybe hit up the south later. Unless you are into big, crazy cities then head south first. But honestly, Ha Long Bay. You won’t regret it. I didn’t. It was amazing. Absolutely stunning. Totally worth it. Go!