Backpacking Vietnam: The Ultimate Travel Guide for Travellers

Vietnam is one of my favourite places I’ve visited and really blew my mind. It stood out to me because, unlike other countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnamese locals didn’t really care for tourists. They just kind of ignored us. Don’t get me wrong, they were still super friendly and helpful, but there wasn’t a fuss. This made things feel extremely authentic, and I felt that I got to witness their culture and day-to-day life in a different way.

Why it’s a great place to travel for solo travellers

Vietnam is a beautiful country with incredible food, buzzing cities and jaw-dropping landscapes to explore. This part of my travels was with my best friend, so I wasn’t technically solo, but I would absolutely recommend it for anyone travelling alone.

Solo travel Vietnam feels safe, it’s easy to get around and you’ll never struggle to meet other backpackers. It’s also affordable; the hostels are great, but in some cases, hotels were actually cheaper. This gave us a much-needed break from communal dorms when we needed a bit of space.

Where you start and your Vietnam itinerary depend on how you arrive. We flew in from Bali and started in the north, in Hanoi, because we were heading to Cambodia afterwards. This is why it’s always worth keeping your options flexible when travelling, your entry and exit points can really shape your route. This can be important in Vietnam to avoid going back and forth.

My Vietnam route

Hanoi

We began our journey in Hanoi. After spending a month in Bali, Hanoi was a bit of a shock to the system, especially as it had been a couple of months since we’d set foot in a big city. It was overwhelming at first, but it’s an incredible place to dive into Vietnamese culture and history.

There are endless museums and galleries, and you can’t miss the famous Water Puppet Show. It’s quirky, inexpensive and very unique. Just make sure to pay extra for the audio translation; otherwise, you’ll miss the fascinating stories behind it.

Hanoi is also home to the iconic Train Street. This is the railway track that cuts through the city, lined with cafés and restaurants pressed right up to the tracks. Lots of people go for photos and to sit by the track with a coffee or some good. But you actually have to be invited in by a café or restaurant; there is security to stop you otherwise. Of course, for safety reasons. My friend and I tried for ages with no luck. However, everyone else I’ve met since seemed to get in fine, so maybe it was just us! I would say it’s definitely worth a try.

The café culture in Hanoi is brilliant. From trendy coffee shops to quirky gems like Note Coffee, a café covered head-to-toe in colourful sticky notes. There are loads to explore. And, of course, Hanoi is the place to try Bún chả, the grilled pork and noodle dish famously enjoyed by Obama when he visited in 2016. It was also one of my favourite foods I tried in Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay

Our next stop was Ha Long Bay tour. If you’ve got the time, it’s a must. We booked a one-night boat tour in Hanoi that included all food, transport and even a VIP coach to Ha Long Bay and back to Hanoi. Cruising around the limestone karsts and emerald waters was such a beautiful experience and something I would definitely do again. The tour included a visit to Sung Sot Cave, a pearl farm, Kayaking and a local island. On the boat, there were also fun activities like a cooking lesson, cocktails, karaoke and squid fishing.

However, one tip I do have is to do your research on tour companies or book through your hostel. We went through a street booking agent. The tour itself was great, but it was a random mix of people, and I think we’d have preferred a more backpacker-oriented group.

Ha Giang

From Hanoi, we headed north to Ha Giang to do the legendary loop. It takes a night bus to get there and most tours include transport. Honestly, this was one of my favourite travel experiences of all time. This is a three-day tour that takes you around Northern Vietnam on the back of a motorbike. The landscapes are incredible, there are so many viewpoints, local villages and businesses to visit too.

We booked online with Cheers Hostel. This tour included food, accommodation in lovely homestays and our guides. They also stored our big backpacks while we were on the loop for free. We chose to do the loop with “easy riders”, experienced local drivers, which I definitely recommend. The roads are intense, the views are insane, and unless you’re a very confident rider, it’s better (and more fun) to go with a driver.

When we did it, it was right after COVID and TikTok hadn’t yet flooded with recommendations. If I went again, I’d probably book with one of the bigger companies that attract more backpackers. Still, it was an amazing adventure, think winding mountain roads, tiny villages and scenery that doesn’t look real. The whole tour is a “pinch me” moment. Even when it was raining, I was still having the best time. Before heading north, stock up on some cheap long layers and maybe even a cheaper jacket. It can get quite chilly in the mountains. There are so many places in Hanoi you can buy these items.

Sapa

After Ha Giang, we made our way to Sapa. Top tip: if you’re planning to visit both Ha Giang and Sapa, try to go directly between the two rather than backtracking to Hanoi. It will save loads of travel time. We did not think about this and had to go back to Hanoi to get our bags, which we now know could’ve been stored in the hostel in Ha Giang too.

Sapa is less touristy than other stops, but it’s magical. The mountain air is cooler and the town has a bit of a ski-resort vibe (minus the snow when we were there). It’s brilliant for hiking, there are trails everywhere. Sapa trekking is very famous. But it’s also perfect for slowing down with coffee and mountain views. One highlight is taking the cable car up to Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina. I think if you have the time, it’s a good idea to visit. You get to experience Northern Vietnam culture.

Ninh Bình

From Sapa, we took the night bus south to Ninh Bình. It’s a small but popular backpacker town surrounded by dramatic karst landscapes. I wasn’t feeling great here, so I took it easy, but it’s a lovely spot for boat trips through Tam Cốc, cycling through rice paddies and hiking up to viewpoints. The boat trip was actually so nice and the women rowing with their legs are absolute machines.

The backpacker scene here is surprisingly lively, with fun hostels, bars and cafés. It’s a good place to both relax and meet other travellers. We also opted for some spa treatments here. This was a very interesting experience, where we received a very painful massage without any oil.

Da Nang

Next up: Da Nang. We took the overnight train, which I definitely recommend over buses. Da Nang is a modern coastal city. This is a great place to do laundry, stock up on toiletries and reset. One unexpected highlight? A random theme park downtown where we paid about £7 for unlimited rides on proper rollercoasters. Perfect after a long night train when you need a bit of fun!

Also, if you’re craving something Western after weeks of noodles, Bikini Bottom Café absolutely saved me. I’d been dreaming about grilled cheese toasties and soup and they delivered, pure comfort. They’ve got a few branches around Da Nang and even one over in Hoi An, so it’s easy to find when you need a taste of home.

Da Nang is a great base for day trips, too. From here, you can visit Bà Nà Hills, home to the famous Golden Hand Bridge. We went on a rainy day with no views (classic), but it’s still worth seeing for the surreal mountaintop French village vibe. You also get to go up on a cable cart, which is a huge plus in my eyes.

Hoi An

Hoi An is about an hour from Da Nang, and you can get there by bus, taxi or even scooter. It’s one of Vietnam’s most popular backpacker spots and for good reason. The nightlife is lively and the old town is gorgeous. In terms of safety, I would be extra cautious here. Try to avoid walking around at night on your own and use official taxis. Also, be cautious with your personal belongings, especially on the street.

Hoi An is also famous for a number of things, including coconut boat rides and tailor-made clothes. Be cautious when booking the boat trips, as scams are common; hostels usually recommend reliable tours. There’s also the lantern row boat in the middle of the town. This is such a cool experience with many official companies on the water to choose from. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a Tangled moment. As for tailoring, I loved it. I had a playsuit, skirt and shorts made, and the women running the shop were wonderful to chat with about their lives and businesses. A brilliant way to support local makers and go home with something unique.

Bikini Bottom has a beachside spot in Hoi An, which is perfect for a sunset snack and a little home comfort before diving back into the local food scene.

Nha Trang

After a rough night bus from Hoi An, we landed in Nha Trang, a beach city perfect for relaxing. This is an ideal place if you just want to chill, hit the beach and recharge. It had been a while since we were by the ocean, so we headed down to Nha Trang. It was on the way and broke up our trip a little more. It’s a very touristy place, but still nice. It’s important to relax when you’re backpacking, but looking back, I do wish we had gone to Dalat instead.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

We flew south from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City (domestic flights are cheap and save so much energy after weeks of buses). HCMC has a buzz unlike anywhere else. It’s chaotic, modern and fun.

There’s a huge nightlife scene on Bùi Viện Street (Vietnam’s answer to Bangkok’s Khao San Road), and plenty of history to take in, too. Don’t miss the War Remnants Museum (difficult but important) and the Củ Chi Tunnels, where you can learn about the underground networks used during the war. The post office in Ho Chi Minh is also a tourist destination within itself. It’s beautiful and the perfect place to send a postcard from. From here, it’s easy to continue south or cross the border into Cambodia, which is exactly what we did. We booked through our hostel and the bus and guide took us across the land border, through immigration and to Cambodia.

Other popular destinations

We were so sad to leave Vietnam and would’ve stayed longer if our visa allowed us to. I would 100% go back. Here are some popular destinations that we missed out on:

• Đà Lạt: A quirky mountain town with waterfalls, lakes and cool weather. Famous for the “Crazy House” (part hotel, part art installation) and canyoning adventures. This is also where one of the rainbow slides is.
• Phú Quốc: Vietnam’s largest island, known for white-sand beaches and diving. A great escape if you want a proper holiday vibe after backpacking.
• Mekong Delta: A maze of rivers and floating markets. Many travellers do day trips from HCMC, but you can also spend longer exploring small villages.
• Cát Bà Island: Often chosen as an alternative to Ha Long Bay. It’s less touristy, with similar scenery and you can combine it with trekking in Cát Bà National Park.
• Huế: Once Vietnam’s imperial capital, Huế is full of history. The main draw is the Imperial City (Citadel) with its moats, palaces and temples, but there are also pagodas, royal tombs, and some of the country’s best food. It’s quieter than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, making it a great place to slow down and soak up the culture.

Getting around Vietnam

The main way we got around was by night bus. They’re cheap and easy, but not always the most comfortable. Always book through your hostel, they’ll often arrange transfers and make sure you get on the right bus (sometimes from the side of a motorway, which was… interesting).

Night trains are a much nicer option if available. They are not much more expensive, but they book up a lot faster, as you can imagine. On a train, you can walk around, use the toilet whenever you want and you just feel safer overall. Especially as the roads in Vietnam can feel very bumpy.

For longer distances, consider domestic flights. Airlines like VietJet and AirAsia offer flights for a little more than the price of a bus ticket and you’ll save hours of travel. This can turn a 10-hour bus trip into an hour and a half flight.

Eating your way through Vietnam

One of the best parts of travelling in Vietnam is, without a doubt, the food. Every region has its own signature dish, and you could easily plan your entire trip around eating. In Hanoi, it’s all about Bún chả, grilled pork with noodles and broth (and yes, Obama did eat it here). Down south, you’ll find Phở everywhere, perfect as a cheap breakfast or late-night snack. Street food stalls are everywhere, and honestly, some of the best meals I had were from tiny plastic stools on the pavement.

You also can’t miss Bánh mì, the iconic Vietnamese baguette sandwich. It’s crunchy, packed with flavour, and ridiculously cheap, often less than £1. Each stall does it slightly differently, but it’s always a winner. And then there’s the coffee culture: egg coffee in Hanoi, coconut coffee in Hoi An, and iced cà phê sữa đá (coffee with condensed milk) pretty much everywhere. If you’re backpacking Vietnam, trust me, your taste buds are in for just as much adventure as the rest of you.

Etiquette and rules in Vietnam

• Crossing the road: It looks terrifying, but just walk slowly and steadily. Motorbikes will weave around you. Don’t run or stop suddenly.
• Dress respectfully: Especially at temples and pagodas. Cover your shoulders and knees where required.
• Cash is king: Many places don’t take cards, so keep small notes handy.
• Bartering: Haggling is normal at markets, but do it with a smile.
• Respect locals’ space: Remember that not everyone wants to entertain tourists. Sometimes, the best way to observe culture is simply to step back and watch.

Backpacking Vietnam was one of the most unforgettable parts of my travels. From the chaos of Hanoi to the mountain views of Ha Giang, the lanterns of Hoi An and the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, it’s a country that constantly surprises you.

For solo travellers, it ticks all the boxes: safe, affordable, easy to navigate and full of opportunities to connect with others while still feeling authentic. If you’re planning a trip through Southeast Asia, Vietnam is not one to skip; trust me, it’ll stay with you long after you leave.