Buying an open bus ticket is one of the most convenient and budget conscious ways to make your way backpacking from north to south (or visa versa) through Vietnam. Almost any tour agency offers them, but not all companies are equal.
Read MoreTraveling for 3 Days in Da Lat, Vietnam
Onto a city full of adventure with new weather to boot! Time to dig down in that backpack and pull out a jacket. My afternoons were spotted with rain showers, I hope you get luckier than I did.
Arriving in Da Lat after being in the tropics of Southeast Asia is somewhat of a surreal experience. You wind along curvy, narrow, and very steep roads up the mountains until you arrive in the city. At the center of it is a small lake, almost looking like something out of Switzerland or Germany - complete with swan boats! Plus, cool weather! No more sweating from just walking outside - I actually wore pants and a jacket. A first for sure.
Read More10 Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An was one of the most picturesque towns in Vietnam, with charming colorful old buildings, great food, beautiful beaches, and of course shopping. You can spend anywhere from two days to a week and not run out of places to explore. So, rather than sharing a day by day itinerary for this town, I've decided to share my top ten things to do in Hoi An.
Read MoreTraveling for 2 Days in Mui Ne, Vietnam
When I started traveling north from Ho Chi Minh City, the first stop on most of the "open bus" tickets are in Mui Ne. It's about a 4-5 hour bus ride north of Ho Chi Minh, located along the east coast. A lot of backpackers and other travelers stop here because of the famous sand dunes - which is just one of the sights to take in. Though obviously I agree that the sand dunes are a "must-see" in Mui Ne, there are a few other things worth grabbing your attention.
Read MoreTraveling for 2 Days in Ho Chi Minh City
When flying into Vietnam, there are two major airports - Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Pretty much one of these has to be your starting destination if you're flying in from anywhere but locally. For me, it was Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City was formerly called Saigon, but was renamed officially after the revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, although the name Saigon is still widely used. The city has a rich history, used by the Khmer as a seaport in the 17th century, then under French influence until the mid twentieth century, then became the capital for an independent republic of South Vietnam, but today, still remains the largest city in Vietnam as a whole.
With such a varied history, there is a wide mix of influence that shaped the city, making it worth spending a couple of days here to take in those experiences.
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