Which city to visit first in Vietnam?

Which city should we visit in Vietnam?

Saigon. HCM City. Whatever you call it, it’s a whirlwind. Reminds me of that time I got lost in District 1, haggling for a silk scarf. The energy is palpable. Definitely worth a visit.

• Architecture: French colonial buildings are everywhere. Think Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office. Juxtaposed with modern skyscrapers. A fascinating clash. What defines a city’s identity, anyway?
• Food: Street food is king. Phở, bánh mì, spring rolls… Endless options. I once ate a bowl of phở for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t judge.
• Culture: War Remnants Museum is sobering. A reminder of history’s weight. Makes you appreciate the present moment. Ben Thanh Market is chaos, but a fun kind of chaos.
• Nightlife: Rooftop bars offer stunning city views. Live music venues. The city pulsates after dark. Remember that time I danced on a rooftop until 3 AM? Good times.
• Cu Chi Tunnels: Okay, not in the city. But an easy day trip. A glimpse into the Vietnam War. Claustrophobic, though. Not for everyone.

Traffic is insane. Motorbikes everywhere. Crossing the street feels like a video game. But you get used to it. Sort of. Makes you wonder about urban planning. A city of contrasts. Old and new. East and West. Saigon is an experience. I still have that silk scarf, by the way. A reminder of a vibrant city.

How do I organize my trip to Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam trip. Okay, first, flights. Booked mine already, VietJet Air, ridiculously cheap. September, gotta avoid the typhoon season, right? Should’ve checked the lunar calendar, though. My friend went last year, said it was crazy busy during their Tet.

Next, hotels. I’m picky. Airbnb probably. Hanoi, definitely. Hoi An, for sure. Maybe some beach time in Nha Trang? But, Nha Trang… is it too touristy? I hate tourist traps.

Visa? Checked. Got it sorted weeks ago. Currency… I need to exchange some dollars. Don’t wanna rely solely on cards, you know? Safety first.

Itinerary? No way I’m planning everything. Too rigid. I’ll have a loose plan. Hanoi for three days, exploring the Old Quarter, then a train to Hoi An. Sewing clothes there, I heard it’s amazing.

Tour guide? Nah, I prefer solo travel. More freedom. Unless… maybe a food tour in Hanoi? That sounds fun. I love street food. Think I’ll get food poisoning though. Lol. I need to pack Pepto Bismol.

Packing. The struggle is real. Too many clothes? Too little? Seriously, packing light is a skill. And room for souvenirs! Gotta bring back some ao dai fabric. And that weird coffee they have.

Oh, and phrases. “Xin chào” and “cảm ơn”—I should really brush up on my Vietnamese. And learn some basic manners too. Don’t wanna offend anyone. Maybe download a translator app.

Must-dos:

• Hanoi Old Quarter exploration.
• Hoi An tailoring experience.
• Nha Trang (maybe, depends on my mood).
• Street food adventures in Hanoi. (with Pepto)
• Learning basic Vietnamese phrases (this one might be optional)

What exactly does a travel agent do?

Okay, so, travel agents. They, like, plan your trip, right? Flights, obvi. Hotels, duh. My aunt Sharon, she uses one all the time. Goes to like, crazy places, Mykonos last year, some island I cant even pronounce this year. She’s got, like, zero time to plan anything. Travel agent hooked her up, even got her, like, a private chef at the villa thing. It was nuts. Totally jealous. Anyway, they find deals too. Like, sometimes better than Expedia or whatever. Cause, like, they know stuff, special discounts and things. My friend, um, Sarah. She used one for her honeymoon. Saved a ton of money. Got upgraded to first class! Crazy. I’d use one if I was going somewhere super complicated, you know? Like, multi-city thing, or somewhere I don’t speak the language. They arrange tours and stuff. Which is awesome. No one wants to do that themselves. Like, who has time?

• Booking flights and accommodations: Think everything from basic economy to those crazy first-class suites.
• Deals & Discounts: They know the secrets, honestly. Hidden deals you wont find online.
• Tours and activities: Skip the lines, get the VIP treatment sometimes. They handle all that boring stuff.
• Personalized Itineraries: They, like, listen to what you want, you know? Beach bum? History buff? They got you.
• 24/7 Support: Something goes wrong? They’re on it. My Aunt Sharon had her flight cancelled last year, travel agent got her on another one, no problem. Super helpful.
• Destination Expertise: My aunt Sharon’s agent specializes in Greece. So knows all the best places. Hidden gems and all that.
• Visas and travel documents: They can help you with this annoying stuff.

What is a travel itinerary format?

Trip blueprint. Action plan. Time-stamped. Locations. Bookings. Tickets. Done.

• Destination: Specify. Don’t be vague. City, country. Precise.
• Dates: Start. End. No flexibility here. Locked in.
• Transportation: Flights. Trains. Rental. Details. Confirmation codes. Every. Single. One.
• Accommodation: Hotel. Airbnb. Address. Booking ref. No exceptions.
• Activities: Scheduled. Timed. No maybes. Confirmed bookings only. Backups? Amateur.
• Contacts: Emergency. Local. Hotel. Essential. Don’t rely on memory.
• Budget: Track it. Daily. Don’t get caught short. No excuses.

My last trip? Tokyo. Three weeks. Brutal schedule. No regrets. Booked everything myself. Bullet train. Shinjuku. Robot Restaurant. Worth it. Don’t ask about the cost.

Is travel agent a stressful job?

Booking glitches. Lost luggage. Flight cancellations. These are a travel agent’s nightmares. Stressful? Absolutely. Imagine dealing with a honeymoon gone sideways in the Maldives. My own passport expired once mid-trip—talk about a scramble. The pressure is real.

• Client management: Demanding customers. Budget constraints. Ever-changing itineraries. It’s like herding cats, but the cats have expensive tastes.
• Supplier negotiations: Airlines, hotels, tour operators. Each with their own quirks and regulations. Getting the best deal is a constant tug-of-war. I once spent three hours on hold just to confirm a single booking.
• 24/7 availability: Emergencies happen. A volcano erupts. A client loses their wallet. You’re the first call, regardless of the time. My phone is practically glued to my hand.
• Staying updated: Travel advisories, visa requirements, currency fluctuations. The industry is constantly evolving. There’s always something new to learn. Just last week I had to decipher the latest entry rules for Japan. It’s exhausting.
• Long hours: Forget 9-to-5. Weekends disappear. The work-life balance can be precarious. Is it worth it? Sometimes.

The payoff? Crafting unforgettable experiences. Knowing you’ve made someone’s travel dreams a reality. There’s satisfaction in that. I’ve planned trips to six continents—not including Antarctica. Yet. It’s a rollercoaster. Ups and downs. But the view from the top is pretty great. The learning curve is steep. The competition is fierce. The unexpected is inevitable. Still, it’s a job that takes you places, even if only vicariously. The world is shrinking. Travel is booming. And someone has to guide the wanderers.