10 Must-Dos in Vietnam

Mountains, beaches, ancient towns, markets, and some of the best food in the world – Vietnam has everything, and this backpacker route from south to north with 10 destinations takes you through all of it.

Ho Chi Minh, the starting place for so many northbound backpackers. It's chaotic, exciting, and completely addictive as the largest and most populous city in Vietnam. From the moment you step outside the terminal, the heat and the beeping of motorbikes will make it immediately clear that you are somewhere unlike you have ever been before. While you're visiting, enjoy the street food scene, trying Vietnam's traditional dishes of Pho (a type of noodle soup), Bahn Mi (a widely popular Vietnamese sandwich), fresh spring and summer rolls, all of which come at an incredibly low price when compared to the restaurants offered in the UK. For a greater look into the Vietnamese history, explore the War Remnants Museum, one of the most visited museums in Southeast Asia, as well as the Cu Chi Tunnels, which can be done as a day trip just outside the city to see the Viet Cong tunnel network from the war. To buy souvenirs, Ben Thanh Market is great for getting your bearings and a hotspot for street food, as well as Bui Vien walking street, a notorious backpacker's hub to enjoy cheap beer, street food, and bars which spill out onto the streets into the early hours.

After experiencing the true hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang can provide a place for relaxation after your busy arrival. Renowned for its 6-kilometre stretch of white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters, and often referred to as the 'seafood capital' of Vietnam, it crosses tropical relaxation with cultural heritage. Spend your days here lounging on the beach before heading out on the island-hopping boat trips and snorkelling in the clear waters around Hon Mun Island, one of the first marine protected areas in Vietnam. Must-sees include the Thap Ba Hot springs — a rite of passage on the backpacker trail in the famous mud baths. Visit the Po Nagar Charm Towers, a nice cultural contrast to the beach scene and the Sailing club, the most famous beach bar known for its late finish. Nha Trang strikes a perfect balance between lively nightlife, beach relaxation, and culture, making it a highlight of the southern stretch of the route.

After spending some time at the beach, take a bus for around 8 hours to Hoi An to explore the beaches there as well as the beautiful old town. Here you can take advantage of the tailoring services where you can get anything made — boots, sandals, bags, dresses, and suits; even with a turnaround in one day. Explore the lantern-lit streets at night, down windy streets, enjoying the traditional food on offer and be sure to take a boat trip along the river to drop your own lantern. In the day, visit the rice paddy fields and try the spinning coconut boats and for the later night scene, head towards Mr Bean bar or a nice rooftop and finish it off in the craziness of Tiger-Tiger.

Just 3 hours from Hoi An, Hue, Vietnam's former imperial capital, situated in central Vietnam along the Perfume River, boasts the UNESCO-listed imperial city, a must-visit while you're there, as well as royal tombs of Khai Dinh and Minh Mang and Thien Mu Pagoda, an iconic seven-story Buddhist pagoda overlooking the river. A few days are recommended here to ensure you can see the extensive history provided. Hue is also a widely considered culinary capital of Vietnam, home to recipes which were crafted originally for the royal family, so be sure to check those out — a traveller's tip is to see the local food stalls around the Dong Ba Market for fresh and authentic street food.

As you travel further North, stop off at Phong Nha, which is a three-and-a-half-hour journey from Hue. Home to beautiful caves along the river and blue lagoons, the more rural areas provide a slower experience in Vietnam. Try the local cuisines here as well as making a stop at Monkey Bridge, where you can attempt to cycle across it, and then making your way to the famous duck stop — a farm just outside Phong Nha, home to hundreds of ducks, where you become the 'duck king' for the hour, a real traveller favourite.

5 hours northbound, you can find yourself in Ninh Binh, a place celebrated for its dramatic mountains, winding rivers and lush green rice paddies. Best explored at a relaxed pace, here are some of the must-see highlights. Take the Tam Coc boat tour along the Ngo Dong River, where, during the 1.5-hour journey, you can see three natural caves while observing the renowned foot rowing technique of the local rowers. Visit the Hang Mua viewpoint, a 500 steep climb which is all made worth it by the panoramic views over the karsts and rice paddies, with the top being one of the most photographed spots in Vietnam. Also visit the buffalo cave in Dam Khe village, which can be accessed by car or bike (most accommodations in Ninh Binh rent pedal bikes to explore the area). Here you can sit by the waterfall, fish in the river, and relax in the breath-taking natural surroundings of Ninh Binh.

Heading another 1.5 hours north, you will reach Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam. Home to over 8 million, the city provides a never-ending source of attractions. While Ho Chi Minh City is loud and frantic, Hanoi has a different energy. While still chaotic in nature, it has a character that feels older. While there, ensure to visit the old quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and other historical landmarks such as the imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Explore their food scene and try the Bun Cha and Vietnamese egg coffee, famous in Hanoi. Also, take a trip to the note café, where you can leave your mark in Hanoi with a handwritten note and visit Beer Street to explore the bustling nightlife in Hanoi. Hanoi also serves as the perfect base for other trips, such as the Ha Long Bay Cruise, outlined below.

No trip to Vietnam is complete without the Ha Long Bay cruise, one of the most captivating natural landscapes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. 3 hours from Hanoi, you can opt for a day trip or a 2/3 night overnight cruise (often most popular). Here you can kayak through hidden lagoons and sea caves, swim in the bay, and eat freshly cooked seafood on board and enjoy watching as the mist rolls over the Karsts in the mornings. A tip is to book this trip through your hostel, as it's reputable and will ensure your travel arrangements to and from Ha Long are included and secured.

A world away from the heat and chaos of the south lies Sapa, a sanctuary high in the Hoang Lien Son mountains in north-western Vietnam. Surrounded by dramatically terraced rice fields and mist-covered peaks, you can trek through the Muong Hoa Valley and the ethnic minority villages of Cat Cat, Ta Van and Loa Chai, home to the black Hmong and Red Dao communities, whose culture and traditional dress are unlike anything else you'll encounter on the route. Stay in a local homestay for the most authentic experience and wake up to views of the valley that you'll remember forever.

As they say, save the best for last. Ha Giang is the most remote of the route and is often argued to be the most spectacular stop on the entire route. Home to the Ha Giang loop, a 3–4-day motorbike journey that takes you through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Southeast Asia, past villages, towering limestone peaks, and bends with drops that take your breath away. Book through Jasmine Tours or other reputable tours — you can hire a local guide. Ha Giang is Vietnam at its most raw and beautiful, a perfect way to end the journey. From here, you can make your way back towards Hanoi to either fly home or continue your travels elsewhere.

Another thing you can tick off the list before landing is your data. Many travellers make the mistake of leaving their connection for when they land, opting for the physical SIM, which leads to trying to locate the SIM providers, long queues with everyone else trying to do the same thing, and then finally, when you think it's sorted, being told its cash only, so losing your spot to go off and find an ATM.

However, this could have been easily solved before you even got onto the plane. By purchasing a Mozillion travel eSIM, your data will be working from the moment you switch off aeroplane mode as your plane touches down. Simply choose your region, purchase a data plan, and activate it through the QR code sent instantly to your email, meaning it's all set up for you when you land, also working alongside your UK number.

If you are going to be travelling across countries, such as going from Laos into Vietnam or further across into Thailand, you can purchase a regional Asia travel eSIM, which covers 28 or 17 different countries with one download. This is the perfect option for a traveller – no more having to worry about being without connection at night when passing across borders on a sleeper bus or flying into your new country to try find a new physical SIM, as your plan will work throughout all countries included in the plan. You can also top up on the go, so you will never find yourself without a connection.

Whether you're spending two weeks exploring the south or doing the full route from Ho Chi Minh to Ha Giang, there's a plan to match your timeline.