A solo cultural adventure in Vietnam
Planning a Vietnam trip may seem relatively easy: exploring big cities and historic monuments, trekking through northern hill regions, sourcing the best banh mi in Hoi An and relaxing on the beaches. But if you want to discover what life is really like, beyond what most visitors see, you need people to show you the way.
The trip I planned recently for solo traveller, Rebecca, was packed with those moments.
Read more below – in her own words.
The traveller
I came to Keely ready for my first ever solo adventure, leaving my teenage children at home. I wanted to explore Vietnam’s history and culture by meeting the people living it for themselves – getting up into the hills and out onto the sea, with plenty of time for trekking and biking in between, saving (some) relaxation for a beach stop at the end.
The trip
Using the Adventurer’s Vietnam and Vietnam Greatest Hits itineraries as inspiration, Keely planned a trip that introduced me to the people of Vietnam: from hearing first-hand stories of war survival from a guide at the “Hanoi Hilton”, to a Pu Luong family inviting me into their home for a rice hulling lesson.
Hanoi
Hanoi city overwhelmed my senses at first – motorbikes revving, people chatting on plastic stools, the smell of bun cha noodles … but friendly locals, who knew exactly where to go, quickly turned my anxiety into excitement.
After a guided tour, visiting the stark “Hanoi Hilton” Hoa Lo Prison and the Temple of Literature (dedicated to Confucius) we visited a musician’s home. His daughter served tea and sesame sweets while he explained the history of Vietnamese instruments, like the single-stringed Dan Bau. His daughter taught me how to play the T’Rung – a traditional bamboo xylophone, an opportunity I’d never have found travelling independently.
By night, the Old Quarter came alive. With traffic blocked off, it became a buzzing walking zone, with night markets, live music at the roundabout, and people dancing.
Pu Luong
My original plan was to head to the Sapa hills, but Keely told me that January mists would obscure the best views. She suggested Pu Luong instead, and I’m so pleased she did.
My accommodation was perched on a hillside with views of rice terraces, mountains and palm trees. Lounging by the infinity pool with that view, it felt like something straight out of a travel magazine. The staff were warm and welcoming and the food was fresh with a surprising Thai influence, like cabbage salad with prawns and deep-fried fish paste.
With my local guide, I trekked past rice paddies and small farms where people were going about their day. A woman warmly welcomed me into her home and showed me how rice is hulled – removing the outer husk to produce the rice we eat. It made me really appreciate every bowl I’d eaten, and felt like a backstage pass to real Vietnamese life.
Lan Ha Bay
Two nights on a sea cruise was the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Each morning started with Tai Chi on the deck at sunrise. One afternoon, I jumped straight into a kayak from the boat and paddled through calm waters, weaving between towering cliffs and feeling completely immersed in nature. We explored Viet Hai village by bike – where part of Kong: Skull Island was filmed – and visited Trung Trang Cave – a huge cavern with rock formations that felt mystical.
The food was truly next-level – every meal felt like fine dining, usually four courses, beautifully presented, with dishes from pho to amok curry. And we got to have a go ourselves too. The crew taught us how to make rice paper rolls – fresh, crunchy, full of herbs – it was surprisingly simple once I got the hang of it.
Hoi An
Hoi An quickly became one of my favourite places in Vietnam, and exploring rural Hoi An by private bike tour meant I went to places I would’ve completely missed on my own.
We cycled along quiet paths, hopped into a traditional round coconut boat, and even helped a local farmer plant crops (fingers crossed they’re still growing!) At lunch, I learned how to make banh xeo, a crispy Vietnamese pancake that’s now one of my favourite snacks.
Back in Hoi An Old Town, the evening lanterns were lit, streets closed to traffic and the night markets opened. The smell of sizzling noodles and music filled the air. Here, I ate the best banh mi of my whole trip from a tiny roadside stall. I took a small boat ride along the river, floating under the lantern glow, and saw the famous Japanese Bridge lit up at night.
Hoi An day trips
Hoi An was an ideal base for two of my favourite day trips.
Though not part of Keely’s original itinerary, I was keen to visit Ba Na Hills Sun World, an amusement park built by the French in the 1920s. After a scenic, foggy cable car ride, I arrived in what felt like a cross between a fairytale village and a surreal theme park, complete with castles and the Insta-famous Golden Hands bridge. It was kitsch and quirky, and I loved it. I’d recommend going early in the morning – though still a little misty, the crowds of ‘influencers’ I’d been assured I’d see were minimal.
The next day was my wildlife highlight of the trip – Monkey Mountain. Up in the Son Tra Peninsula forests we spotted several red-shanked douc langur families swinging through the trees. Our conservation guide told us it’s rare to see even one group of these endangered monkeys, let alone several.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City was packed with people, music and the kind of energy that makes you feel instantly alive. I was there just before Lunar New Year (Tết) – so locals were dressed in bright red for luck, taking photos and celebrating with their families. It made the city feel that much more vibrant.
It’s one thing to read about the Vietnam War in textbooks, but visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels where the Viet Cong soldiers hid for myself provided so much more depth. I learnt how soldiers made shoes to leave footprints pointing in the opposite direction, confusing the American soldiers tracking them – a small but clever example of their resourcefulness. The next day I took a Mekong Delta cruise and visited riverside communities along the way. I learnt how bricks are made by hand (hot, dusty work) and visited a coconut candy workshop where I absolutely stocked up.
Phu Quoc
My first choice for an island stop was Con Dao, but Phu Quoc better aligned with my budget – and I wasn’t disappointed.
Sipping sunset mocktails at my beach-front accommodation, I could easily relax by the water all day. But I’m not one to sit still for long, and I was usually kayaking or paddle boarding before breakfast.
I took the cable car over to Hon Thom Island, with a bird’s-eye view of floating fishing villages below. One of my drivers suggested stopping at the Kiss Bridge – and I’m so glad he did. It was like walking across a piece of art (with a fairytale backstory!)
With a mix of laid-back luxury, natural beauty, and off-the-beaten-track adventure I couldn’t have asked for more from my trip. And meeting people as part of their everyday routines meant I saw life as it’s truly lived.
I can’t finish without giving a big thanks to Keely – she was exceptional. She listened carefully to what I wanted from my trip and her suggestions helped make my experience even more memorable. The final itinerary was seamless and thoughtfully planned – exactly what I needed to get the most out of Vietnam without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
I’m now planning my 2027 trip, and this time, I might bring the kids!
