Client Blog: Travelling in Vietnam with Bev
- felicitybenn
- May 15
- 5 min read
When Bev got in touch with her plans for Vietnam, I just knew this was going to be a holiday to remember.
She had a vision—and with the help of my trusted team on the ground in the Far East, we brought it to life. From buzzing cities to peaceful landscapes, we carefully crafted every detail of this unforgettable family adventure.
I’ve loved being part of their journey (honestly, I was almost as excited as they were when departure day rolled around!).
So, pop the kettle on and settle in—Bev’s story is full of colour, culture, and connection. I hope it leaves you as inspired as it left me.
Vietnam has been on our travel bucket list for years – a place we’ve always wanted to visit, but for one reason or another, kept putting it off. Finally, we decided it was time to make it happen.
Planning the trip ourselves felt overwhelming and time-consuming, so we reached out to Felicity, who made everything so much easier. We told her the places we wanted to see and the experiences we wanted, and she took care of the rest. Our trip to Vietnam has been beyond anything we expected!
We began our journey in Manchester, flying to Doha with Qatar Airways. We had a comfortable 3-hour layover at Doha's airport, which has plenty to offer. Our connecting flight took us directly to Hanoi, with great service, food, and plenty of drinks.
Once we arrived at Hanoi airport, our tour guide, Suzie, was there to meet us and take us to our first hotel La Siesta Premium. The hotel was in a great location, right in the middle of Hanoi. The rooms were spacious with a really comfy bed and all the essentials we needed. The breakfast buffet offered an impressive variety of food to choose from!
Hanoi
Hanoi is in the north of Vietnam and was a bit wet and cool, which we expected. It’s a very busy city and can be quite noisy with all the traffic. The traffic was unlike anything we had seen before, but we found a great way to get around.
Ninh Binh Tour
Our tour guide, Suzie, took us to Ninh Binh, passing beautiful rice fields along the way. We enjoyed a 1.5-hour cruise that took us to a cave, where we explored and had another boat ride inside. Despite the rain, it was a fantastic tour!
Train Street
We were told not to miss Train Street, and we're so glad we went. It was a bit tricky to find, and we weren't sure how to get on it, but we ended up going into a coffee shop where they sat us at tables outside.
Halong Bay
Next, we headed to Halong Bay, where we boarded the Orchid Classic boat for a night on board. The boat was beautiful, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. We took a couple of short trips from the boat, which were enjoyable, though it was still quite wet.
Onboard, there was a large hot tub, which we made good use of. Our room was fantastic, with a breathtaking view. The food was delicious, but the drinks were VERY expensive.
Overnight Train to Danang
Next, we travelled to Hoi An on the overnight Laman train from Hanoi to Danang. We had a 2-berth private cabin, which was comfortable for one night. The room had complimentary snacks and drinks. There was a bathroom at the end of the corridor, which stayed clean and was fine to use. I had a good night's sleep, and the views in the morning were amazing.
Hoi An
Next stop was Hoi An! Hoi An is a pretty city, perfect for shopping and exploring. It's famous for its talented tailors and lantern-making classes. Our hotel, Allegro, was in an excellent position in Hoi An and was yet again a fabulous hotel with everything you could need and more.
We found it to be very busy at night, but we didn’t mind the crowds. One of our highlights was an evening boat ride on the Thu Bon River, where we lit our own paper lantern—a magical experience. This area of Hoi An is a little more expensive but worth a visit.
Walking Tour
Our tour guide took us to some hidden spots in Hoi An and shared fascinating stories about the city. We then visited a local home, where we got to make a tofu dessert—it was delicious! To end the day, we had a fun Tai Chi lesson with a master. We had a chance to learn some basic moves which was a great laugh!
Ba Na Hill
Our last tour was to Ba Na Hill, which was just over an hour from our hotel. After about 15 minutes in a cable car, we reached the top and the view was spectacular. Luckily, we had a warm, clear day and could see for miles. At the top was a small theme park, where most rides were free. Also, lots of lovely restaurants and a beer hall where we got free beer, winner. There was so much to see and do, it really was an amazing day. The highlight was the Golden Bridge.
Ho Chi Minh City
The next part of our journey took us to Ho Chi Minh City. We flew with Vietnam airways and the flight was around an hour. We had a really easy transfer with no issues and our next tour guide was there to meet us at the airport. On arrival we went straight to our hotel, another La Siesta Premium and again an excellent hotel in a great part of the city.
Cu Chi Tunnel
On our first day our guide took us to the Cu Chi Tunnels. He suggested an early start (7 AM) to beat the crowds. It was an early wake-up call, but definitely worth it, as the site got much busier later in the day.
The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us a fascinating lesson on the history of the tunnels. We even had the chance to enter one of the larger tunnels - an amazing but slightly terrifying experience, especially if you're claustrophobic!
Midway through the tour, we stopped at a firing range where we had the chance to fire an AK-47. It was a bit pricey, but an experience we didn’t want to miss! In the afternoon, we visited the Presidential Palace and the War Remnants Museum. The museum was fascinating, giving us a lot of information on Vietnam’s history.
Mekong Delta
Another early start took us on a two-hour drive to the Mekong Delta, where we were welcomed by really friendly locals who were keen to share their trades and way of life. Cruising along the river, sipping fresh coconut milk, was an unforgettable experience. We sampled delicious tropical fruits and chilli! tried traditional dishes and watched as locals made coconut candy. It was a fascinating glimpse into daily life along the Mekong Delta and a highlight of our trip! We ended the day with a short ride on a Lambro motor-tricycle which was very loud but worth experiencing.
Phu Quoc
Our final stop was the stunning island of Phu Quoc, just a short one-hour flight with Vietnam Airways. The transfer was easy, with free hotel transport meeting us at the airport and taking us by bus to our accommodation.
From the moment we arrived at Ocean Bay Resort & Spa, we were absolutely blown away. The staff were lovely, and our bungalow was just fabulous. It had a small balcony with comfy lounging chairs with an unusual outside / inside bathroom, which made you feel you were in the jungle! The on-site restaurant served delicious food, and the breakfast spread was fantastic. We also had two spa treatments at the Bamboo Spa, which we highly recommend. We absolutely loved this resort and would love to go back!
What a wonderful holiday debrief from Bev and her family, I'm so pleased I could help them create these precious memories on the trip of a lifetime!
If you're thinking about booking a trip similar to this but aren't sure where to start then let's have a chat and I can help take the stress out of booking!
Flis x
