If you have been dreaming of an exotic destination, where you can relax but also experience a bunch of different adventures, then Vietnam is the perfect getaway for you. Not only is Vietnam safe for a solo traveler, but it is also incredibly affordable. Its evergreen landscapes are a hidden gem that will leave you breathless.
Let me tell you more.
By Renata
Following research on volunteering opportunities around the world, I took a leap and chose Vietnam as the country in which to volunteer.
In June 2019, I went to Haiphong (a small city nearby Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam) to volunteer as an EFL teacher for one month. I didn’t have time to go on any trips during that time as I was always teaching. However, in July when I finished my volunteering program, I decided to book a flight to Phu Quoc Island. That’s where my solo traveling experience began. I traveled for one month, starting from the south continuing up to the north of the country.
Whilst I had a good time exploring Phu Quoc Island with a friend I had met there,, I had felt quite disappointed because the public beaches were full of plastic and garbage with the only clean ones reserved for clients of resorts. Still, I’d gotten the chance to visit the most important places there, such as the Coconut prison and the night market.
My next destination was to HCM (Ho Chi Minh), the biggest city in Vietnam and the most populated one in Southeast Asia. HCM is a world of its own, as you can find any and everything there, from cafes to restaurants to all kinds of shops and a very busy vibrant night life. My only recommendation is to make sure you keep your belongings safe and be aware of your personal safety.
Da Nang was my next destination and its beautiful beaches with views across the mountains in the background, got me speechless.
Hoi An was undoubtedly my favorite city. With an abundance of history to learn about, you can also experience the peace and quiet of the rural side and catch some sun at the beach as well. This city has a particular vibe. It is known for its cute and colorful lanterns all over the place, even at night time, where you can see all the boats illuminated with different light colors.
When it was time to leave Hoi An, I decided to do the “Hai Van Pass” by motorbike. The Hai Van Pass is the highest pass in Vietnam (500m above sea level) and you basically ride on the very high mountains and get to experience the most wonderful landscapes from up there.
I paid a motorbike driver to take me, and it was one of the most intense and breathtakingly experiences of my life. It takes you through different touristic points and overall, it is quite a long ride since its duration is around 4/5 hours. I was very lucky with my driver because he took me to the best viewpoints and even took photos of me. I recommend it 100%.
I later arrived in Hue, a cute small city, where I made more friends and had a lot of fun.
Together, we took a night bus to Phong Nha, and this city is surrounded by mountains, all you can see is nature all around you. We visited the caves and a had a blast doing the zip-lining and riding a canoe.
Our next stop was to Ninh Binh and believe me when I say this place is out of this world. Similarly, to Phong Nha, this city is surrounded by mountains and nature. We climbed 500 stairs to get to the top of the Mua Caves and the view was absolutely worth it.
Our final stop was Hanoi, the capital city. It was the opposite to what I had expected it to be, we found that Hanoi didn’t have much to see, compared to the other cities, so we mostly took the time to relax before going back home.
All in all, my first solo traveling experience was a delight. I’ve made friends for life, I explored incredibly beautiful places, got in touch with a totally different culture and most of all, I’ve expanded my horizons, developed my skills and grown a lot through this once in a lifetime and very enriching experience.
List of 10 Places to Visit:
Mua Caves – Ninh Binh
Adventure Park – Phong Nha
Hai Van Pass
Boat tour – Ninh Binh
Touristic city tour and try the famous Banh mi – Hoi An
Marble Mountains – Da Nang
Landmark 81 and surrounding park – HCM
Coconut prison – Phu Quoc
Suoi Tranh park and waterfall – Phu Quoc
Imperial City – Hue
About Renata
Renata is a full time Portuguese and English teacher based in Lisbon. She takes every opportunity she has, to go on a trip and shares her adventures on her Instagram page whilst writing about self-love and self-awareness. Besides traveling, she is also crazy about astrology.
Instagram: @portuguesegirltravels
