What to do in Vietnam in 1 week

Vietnam was my last trip before Covid-19 hit and incapacitated us to travel across borders for more than a year. A pandemic of this magnitude, with the ability to cripple the entire world and lock them inside their homes, was unprecedented and unimaginable for me back in December 2019, when I backpacked across one of the most culturally unique countries in Southeast Asia. I was fascinated, to say the least, with how diverse Vietnam was - from the chic rooftop bars and nightlife in Hanoi, to the quaint backwaters in Ninh Binh, the jaw- dropping landscapes of Halong Bay, and the lush green paddy fields & mountain villages of rural Sa Pa, the country brims with exquisite experiences and sights. Here are my suggestions on what to do in Vietnam in 1 week.

Let me start by saying, 1 week is nearly not enough to explore Vietnam. Do not underestimate the country's perimeter - just getting from the north to the south is a long journey and with so much to see and do, especially for nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts, culture & history buffs, or architecture connoisseurs, it's best to take it easy and explore every part in detail rather than rush through cities only to be able to cross off the touristy items from your bucket list. Nevertheless, I tried to build my itinerary keeping in mind some places that I really wanted to see - especially Halong Bay and the famous giant palm bridge, so I made sure to include these in my plan. At the same time, I wanted to make it to the mountains and throw in some hiking too, while making sure to experiment Vietnam's culinary highlights & soak in the coffee scene.

Before I dive into What to do in Vietnam in 10 days, here are a few tips & things to keep in mind before/ when you travel:

• Although not difficult to get, most people require a a visa to enter Vietnam which can either be applied online beforehand or on arrival. The best idea is to apply for an evisa at least 2-3 days prior to your travel dates and avoid long queues at the airport
• Vietnamese people are very welcoming. But they're also quite scamming in general. So be nice, but also be vigilant & alert at all times. It is not uncommon to be overcharged for some services or products, or not receive the right amount of change back when paying. Nevertheless, they are nice, friendly and helpful
• Keep your phone and wallet safe! Although you are unlikely to experience any violent crimes, petty theft and pickpocketing are quite normal so keep your valuables close to yourself
• Like most temples across the world, the pagodas and temples in Vietnam also expect you to dress decent, so carry a scarf along with you to show some respect and cover your shoulders/ knees. Some pagodas will provide a loose robe but others may not, why take a chance
• Traffic is extremely disorganized and disarrayed; don't assume that if the the signal is 'red', vehicles are going to stop. Or if you are at a pedestrian crossing, they will let you pass. We watchful, be road-smart
• Don't underestimate the size of the country, it's huge. Overnight train journeys are actually the best way to cover long distances without wasting the productive part of your day, and making the most of your time in Vietnam. Trains are mostly clean and safe to travel in
• As a woman, I did not feel unsafe at any given point. However, basic care needs to be taken, like you would in any other country
• Some useful resources/ apps for ride-hailing in Vietnam, especially for scooters, are: Go-Jek & Grab. It is extremely cheap to hail a scooter-taxi and its sometimes more sensible to get a scooter for shorter distances because of their flexibility to maneuver through narrow & jampacked roads
• A very useful app that I found for car taxi transfers, especially inter-city, is Dichung Taxi. Its cheap, efficient & a great idea for longer distances

Stairway to Heaven?

• Although many places accept dollars as currency, its best to convert to Vietnamese dong at the (Hanoi) airport itself, on arrival. This will give you the best conversion rate and also a chance for you to feel like a millionaire