My seven-day journey through Vietnam began in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. From there, I flew to Hanoi, although the trip took a frightening turn when the plane encountered severe turbulence. I then continued to Trang An, where the spectacular landscapes served as a filming location for Kong: Skull Island.
The journey concluded with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where I paid my respects to “Uncle Ho.” His embalmed body is displayed inside a glass sarcophagus, reminiscent of Vladimir Lenin’s mausoleum in Moscow.
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Day 1: Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City
I arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), the main airport serving Ho Chi Minh City. You will notice that the name “Saigon” is still widely used by locals, businesses, and even in the airport code. However, Saigon is the city’s former official name. It was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976, following the end of the Vietnam War.
After arriving, I booked a taxi through a ride-hailing app. Since some drivers may not speak English, it is helpful to confirm your destination and fare through the app. Tourists should also be cautious of taxi scams and preferably use Grab or another reputable service. A few drivers asked me to pay cash in advance. Although they did not scam me, I would still avoid this arrangement whenever possible.
I stayed in District 3, an area known for its clothing and other locally manufactured goods, including affordable items made in Vietnam. The district also offers a perfect balance between old and new. Its streets are lined with classic French colonial villas, century-old churches, modern cafés, and local businesses. With its historical attractions, rich culture, and vibrant everyday life, District 3 is an excellent place to experience a quieter, more authentic side of Ho Chi Minh City while staying close to the major sights.
District 3 is also home to Tân Định Church, popularly known as the “Pink Church.” Built under French colonial rule in the 1870s and completed on 16 December 1876, the church features predominantly Neo-Romanesque architecture, complemented by Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance elements. Both its exterior and interior have been painted pastel pink since a major renovation in 1957, giving the building its famous nickname.
Although there is no definitive historical explanation for why this colour was chosen, rose—the official liturgical term rather than pink—is traditionally associated with moments of joy and hope in Catholicism. However, this symbolism should not necessarily be interpreted as the original reason behind the church’s distinctive colour.
Pink Church
Address: 289 Hai Ba Trung Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward (Ward 8), District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Visiting Ho Chi Minh City’s Historic Sites
Unable to sleep that night, I decided to visit Ho Chi Minh City Hall. Even after midnight, the city showed no signs of slowing down. Street-food vendors were still serving customers, while the roads remained busy with an endless stream of motorbikes. One of the main reasons I wanted to visit was to see City Hall illuminated at night, when its warm lights make the building look especially beautiful. Constructed during the French colonial period, the building features an elegant French architectural style, with its ornate façade standing out against the energy of modern Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Address: 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
The following morning, I headed to the War Remnants Museum, which documents the Vietnam War through extensive collections of historical photographs, military weapons, aircraft, and other wartime artefacts. Many of its exhibitions portray the devastating impact of the conflict on Vietnamese civilians, making the experience both informative and emotionally confronting.
Admission is very affordable: adult tickets cost 40,000 VND (approximately US$1.50–$2.00), while tickets for children aged 6 to under 16 cost 20,000 VND. Children under six can enter free of charge.
If you have enough time, I recommend combining your museum visit with a trip to the Củ Chi Tunnels. This vast underground network demonstrates how Vietnamese guerrilla fighters used narrow passages, hidden entrances, living areas, and concealed routes to evade detection and launch surprise attacks. The tunnels offer remarkable insight into the strategies and difficult conditions that shaped guerrilla warfare during the conflict.
War Remnants Museum
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Next, I continued to the Saigon Central Post Office. Although the building is often said to have been designed by Gustave Eiffel—the renowned engineer behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris—the historical evidence supporting this claim is weak. The building we see today is more reliably attributed to French architect Marie-Alfred Foulhoux, while some sources also identify Auguste-Henri Villedieu as his collaborator or assistant.
Despite becoming a major tourist attraction, the building still operates as a functioning post office, where visitors can send letters and postcards. It also preserves several historical features, including old maps, telephone booths, wooden counters, and its impressive vaulted interior. Souvenir stalls sell affordable Vietnamese gifts such as bookmarks, postcards, decorative fans, and other locally themed items.
The Saigon Central Post Office
Address: 125 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.
Day 3: An Overnight Stay at Hanoi Airport Before Travelling to Ninh Bình
Before dawn, I was already at the airport preparing to fly to Hanoi with VietJet Air. The flight was delayed several times, so I bought a bánh mì from Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best-known sandwich shops, to keep myself from getting hungry. Its sandwiches generally cost around 40,000–55,000 VND (approximately US$1.60–$2.20).
Flying during Vietnam’s winter season can be challenging, as northern Vietnam is affected by the northeast monsoon, which brings colder air from mainland China. My flight encountered severe turbulence, and the cabin crew remained seated in their safety positions near the emergency exits.
Although the experience was frightening, the cabin crew would not open an aircraft door during flight; they stayed near the exits so they could respond quickly if an emergency occurred after landing. Based on my experience, nervous flyers may prefer daytime flights and should check the weather forecast, although turbulence can occur at any time and is not necessarily more common at night.
Arriving at Hanoi’s Nội Bài International Airport was exhausting, so my friend and I decided to book a sleeping pod instead of travelling directly into the city. VATC SleepPod operates inside both Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights, offering compact single and twin rooms. Despite their limited size, the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a television, an alarm clock, power outlets, and basic toiletries.
Complimentary bottled water and snacks may also be provided. The pods do not have private bathrooms or showers, so guests must use the airport’s nearby public facilities. Nightly rates generally range from approximately US$45 to US$75, depending on the terminal, room type, date, and booking platform.
VATC Sleep Pod
Address: Terminal 1, located on the 3rd floor in the public landside area. Terminal 2: Located on the 2nd floor in the public landside area.
Although I arrived in Hanoi, I did not immediately begin exploring Vietnam’s capital. My next destination was Ninh Bình, often described as “Hạ Long Bay on land” because of its towering limestone karsts, winding rivers, and lush rice fields. Its spectacular scenery was featured in the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island, with scenes filmed around Tràng An, Tam Cốc, and the Vân Long Nature Reserve. Ninh Bình also holds historical significance. During the Qing invasion of Đại Việt in 1788–1789, Tây Sơn forces used the Tam Điệp area as a strategic defensive position before marching north and defeating the Qing army.
The train journey from Hanoi to Ninh Bình took approximately two hours. Curious about the experience and facilities, I booked a berth in a sleeper compartment. For only around US$6, it offered surprisingly good value. The compartment was clean and comfortable, with four berths shared among four passengers.
A restroom was also available nearby for passengers travelling in the sleeper carriage. Tickets can be booked before your departure through the official Vietnam Railways website or third-party platforms such as Baolau. Although the journey was relatively short, travelling in the sleeper compartment made my trip to Ninh Bình particularly memorable.
Day 4: Exploring Vietnam’s Ancient Capital
I stayed at Mua Caves Ecolodge, which offers several advantages for visitors planning to explore Hang Múa. The accommodation is located inside the attraction complex, close to the trail leading up Ngọa Long Mountain. Hang Múa is best known for its nearly 500 stone steps, mountaintop dragon sculpture, and panoramic views of the limestone karsts, winding river, and surrounding rice fields.
General visitors pay an entrance fee of 100,000 VND, plus approximately 10,000 VND for motorbike parking at the official gate. Admission to Hang Múa is generally included in the room rate for ecolodge guests, although it is worth confirming this when booking. Staying within the complex also makes it much easier to begin the hike early for sunrise or return in the late afternoon for sunset, without having to travel from another hotel.
Mua Caves Ecolodge
Address: Khê Hạ, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh 430000, Vietnam
I spent my first day in Ninh Bình exploring some of the province’s historical landmarks, beginning with the ancient capital of Hoa Lư. Established as the capital of Đại Cồ Việt in 968, Hoa Lư served as the country’s political and cultural centre under the Đinh and Early Lê dynasties. It briefly remained the royal seat at the beginning of the Lý dynasty, until the capital was transferred to Thăng Long—present-day Hanoi—in 1010. I particularly loved the atmosphere of the ancient site; walking among its traditional temples and limestone surroundings made me feel as though I had stepped into another era.
I then continued to Bái Đính Pagoda, regarded as the largest Buddhist temple complex in Vietnam. The enormous site combines an older temple with a much larger modern complex and contains monumental halls, bronze Buddha images, a massive bell tower, and a long corridor lined with 500 stone statues of Arhats—enlightened disciples in Buddhist tradition. Its extraordinary scale makes it both an important pilgrimage destination and one of Ninh Bình’s most impressive landmarks.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Address: Xóm 6, Tay Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Day 5: Exploring Tràng An by Boat
It was finally time to explore Trang An by boat! Tickets for the Trang An Boat Tour cost 300,000 VND (approximately USD 12) per person, and the journey takes around two to three hours aboard a traditional wooden rowboat. There are three routes to choose from, each offering different highlights. The route I chose passed the former filming location of Kong: Skull Island and Thuy Dinh Pavilion, with a brief stop at Cao Sơn Temple.
The temple was incredibly quiet and peaceful, with a gentle breeze making the atmosphere even more relaxing. Visitors can pray or simply enjoy the tranquillity amid the surrounding limestone karsts. The temple is dedicated to Cao Sơn Đại Vương, a mountain deity in traditional Vietnamese belief. He is regarded as a protector of the local people and their land and is also associated with agriculture and water management.
Interestingly, many of the boats in Trang An are rowed by women. Some even use their feet to operate the oars, creating a fascinating spectacle for visitors. Besides taking tourists along the river, some rowers also sell local produce, such as fruit and vegetables. Since most of them speak little or no English, I recommend picking up a printed guide at the entrance so you can identify the attractions along the route more easily.
Trang An Boat
Address: Tràng An, Trường Yên, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam
In the late afternoon, I headed to Mua Caves to catch the sunset. To reach the summit, where the iconic dragon sculpture is located, you have to climb hundreds of stone steps. Unfortunately, the sky was cloudy that day, so the conditions were not ideal for watching the sunset. Still, I was lucky enough to enjoy a spectacular view of the seemingly endless rice paddies below.
To reach the dragon sculpture, you first need to climb to the Kwan Yin (Quan Âm) statue and then continue a little farther up. However, this final section can be challenging, as the limestone rocks are sharp and uneven. Make sure to watch your step and maintain your balance while climbing.
Mua Caves
Address: Khe Dau Ha Hamlet, Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam
Day 6: Arriving in Hanoi and Watching a Vietnamese Water Puppet Show
Hanoi has a very different atmosphere from Ho Chi Minh City. While Ho Chi Minh City feels more Westernised, fast-paced, and commercially driven, Hanoi appears more traditional, historic, and unhurried. The capital feels noticeably quieter, yet there is a sense of harmony in its tree-lined streets, old buildings, tranquil lakes, and the rhythms of everyday local life.
While in Hanoi, I made time to watch one of Vietnam’s most distinctive traditional folk arts: a water puppet show. Vietnam has historically been an agricultural country, although it has rapidly developed into a major manufacturing and industrial centre. Water puppetry reflects these rural roots by bringing scenes of village life to the stage, including rice planting, fishing, duck herding, and local festivals, alongside Vietnamese legends and folklore.
Tickets at the Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre cost between 100,000 and 200,000 VND (approximately US$4–$8), depending on the seating category. Since the dialogue and songs are performed in Vietnamese, I recommend renting a multilingual audio guide for around 50,000 VND (approximately US$2) to help you understand the stories and cultural context. Prices may change, so check with the theatre before visiting.
Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre
Address: 57B Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi—next to Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
That evening, I was curious to try Vietnamese coffee, as Vietnam is famous for its distinctive and deeply rooted coffee culture. One of Hanoi’s best-known specialities is cà phê trứng, or egg coffee. The drink combines strong Vietnamese coffee with a rich, velvety cream made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and, in most modern recipes, sweetened condensed milk. Its texture is thick and smooth, while its bittersweet flavour is often compared to liquid tiramisu.
According to the widely accepted origin story, egg coffee was created in Hanoi in 1946 by Nguyễn Văn Giảng, who was then working as a bartender at the Metropole Hotel. During the First Indochina War, fresh milk became scarce, prompting Giảng to experiment with whipped egg yolks as a substitute. His improvised recipe eventually became one of Hanoi’s signature drinks, and his family later continued the tradition at Café Giảng.
Day 7: Seeing Ho Chi Minh in a Glass Sarcophagus
On my final day in Vietnam, I finally “met” Uncle Ho, the founding father of modern Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh spent decades campaigning against colonial rule and established the Việt Minh independence movement in 1941. He later proclaimed the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi on 2 September 1945.
Ho Chi Minh was publicly known for his modest lifestyle. Despite serving as president, he chose not to live in the grand Presidential Palace. Instead, from 1958, he lived and worked in a modest wooden stilt house within the palace grounds. His carefully cultivated public image was also associated with simple khaki clothing and rubber sandals rather than the formal luxuries normally expected of a national leader.
I then visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where his embalmed body is preserved inside a glass sarcophagus. Honestly, the atmosphere felt quite eerie: the chamber was cold and dimly lit, while uniformed guards stood throughout the mausoleum.
Visitors had to remain silent, keep moving, and put their phones away because photography and video recording were strictly prohibited. Seeing his preserved body with my own eyes felt almost unreal. I could hardly believe that the figure lying before me was really Ho Chi Minh, but it was certainly one of the most unusual and memorable experiences of my journey.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Address: 1 Hùng Vương, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
To conclude my journey through Vietnam, my friends and I created what we called the “Vietnamese Movie Challenge.” We chose a Vietnamese film without English subtitles to experience the country’s cinema from a different perspective and see how much of the story we could understand through its cinematography alone. The experience was surprisingly fun! We also spent some time exploring Vincom Center Bà Triệu, a large shopping mall featuring a wide variety of international and local brands.
Travel Cost Summary
| Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh | VND800-850 per night |
| War Remnants Museum | VND40,000 |
| Flight ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi | VND734,000-1,740,000 |
| VATC Sleep Pod | VND1,200,000-2,000,000 |
| Hanoi–Ninh Bình sleeper berth | VND160,000 |
| Mua Caves Ecolodge | VND1,550,000 |
| Mua Caves | VND100,000 |
| Motor bike | VND80,000 VND-150,000 |
| Trang An Boat Tour | VND300,000 |
| Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre | VND100,000-200,000 |
*Note: It is best to book tickets through official websites to avoid scams.
**The budget above does not include snacks and other additional expenses.
Seven days in Vietnam took me through three destinations with remarkably different characters. In Ho Chi Minh City, I experienced the energy of a modern commercial centre while exploring colonial architecture and confronting the country’s wartime history.
Ninh Bình offered a complete change of pace, with its ancient capital, peaceful pagodas, limestone mountains, and unforgettable boat journey through Tràng An. Finally, Hanoi introduced me to a quieter and more traditional side of Vietnam through water puppetry, egg coffee, historical landmarks, and my unusual visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
From severe turbulence and a night inside an airport sleeping pod to travelling by sleeper train and watching a Vietnamese film without subtitles, the journey did not always go according to plan—but those unexpected moments made it even more memorable. Seven days were certainly not enough to understand Vietnam completely, yet they gave me a fascinating glimpse into its complex history, distinctive culture, beautiful landscapes, and rapidly changing modern life.
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