{"id":8715,"date":"2016-06-18T11:14:24","date_gmt":"2016-06-18T10:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=8715"},"modified":"2020-12-22T17:15:17","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T17:15:17","slug":"cats-top-10-vietnam-experiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/cats-top-10-vietnam-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to experience in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Travel specialist Cat recently went on a research trip\u00a0to Vietnam. From sampling mouthwatering dishes, to visiting\u00a0the country’s stunning countryside here’s a roundup of her best experiences.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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1.\u00a0Pho<\/strong><\/p>\n

After taking multiple trips to Asia, I have realised that we Brits are getting breakfast wrong<\/strong>. It\u2019s supposed to be the most important meal of the day but in the UK, it often consists of stodgy carbohydrate with tons of sugar. Bread, jam, cinnamon flavoured cereal … it tastes great first thing but I always find myself crashing down from my sugar high and starving by mid-morning.<\/p>\n

It seems much more sensible to start the day with a big bowl of noodles in a broth full of goodness to keep you full all morning and set you up for the rest of the day. This is what Pho is. This simple but delicious dish is the most popular breakfast choice in Vietnam<\/a> and tends to go down just as well with foreign visitors. How it is served and what it is served with varies between the north and the south of the country so be sure to try it more than once during your trip around Vietnam<\/a>.\"2016-04-28<\/p>\n

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2. Hanoi Street Food Tour<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The selection of street food on offer in Vietnam can be slightly overwhelming. Luckily, our guide, Mark, has developed a wealth of knowledge over the years he has spent living in Vietnam and so he was able to give us the inside scope on the very best delicacies of Hanoi. Vietnamese food is as fresh as it gets<\/strong> <\/a>and there\u2019s no better way to feel like a local than pulling up a tiny weeny stool on a street corner to get involved with what\u2019s cooking. One thing I learnt from this tour is that you should go for the places where there are a lot of people gathered – it\u2019s a trusty a sign the food is top notch!<\/p>\n

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3. Mia Nha Trang<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mia Resort<\/a> is situated on the idyllic coastline just outside of Nha Trang. It is the perfect place to relax if you want to get away from the buzz of the cities for a few days. Built on a cliff top, every villa has a stunning sea view and some have their own private pool. With two large pools, three dining outlets, and a large beach at each end of the resort, it is easy to really find your own space for some quality R&R.<\/p>\n

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4. Farmer and the Fisherman<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s surprising how quickly you can be out of the city and surrounded by rural landscapes in the heart of the Hoi An countryside. This authentic introduction to the life of a farmer and a fisherman in central Vietnam allows you to really get under the surface\u00a0of local life<\/a><\/strong>, experiencing it first-hand. In the heat of the morning sun, the leisurely cycle between the farmlands and the riverside is the perfect way to take in the expanse of scenery in the welcoming breeze.\"DSC_0012\"<\/p>\n

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5. Signature Hanoi<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Signature<\/a> Hanoi tour was my first activities after arriving\u00a0in the capital\u00a0and it served as the perfect introduction to the city. Vietnam\u2019s history resonates through Hanoi<\/a> and the combination of a visit to the Ethnology Museum, \u2018Hanoi Hilton\u2019 and Temple of Literature provide a fascinating insight into the different stages of Vietnam\u2019s past. In the afternoon, the cyclo ride through the contrasting Old Quarter and French Quarter brings you back to the present day before ending the evening with a traditional water puppetry performance, which was a personal highlight of the day for me \u2013 a fabulously artistic and entertaining show for all ages!\"DSC_2420\"<\/p>\n

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6. Halong Bay<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most trips to Vietnam will include a visit to Halong Bay<\/a> and there is a reason for this. The scenery is spectacular – even in miserable weather such as that which I experienced \u2013 the ethereal haze around the scattering of large rocks poking out the water I think is maybe even the best way to see it! Gliding through the waters on-board a luxury cruise vessel amongst the great \u2018descending dragon\u2019 was a truly magical experience that can only be achieved at this world famous UNESCO world heritage site.\"DSC_2146\"<\/p>\n

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7. Sofitel Metropole Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t lucky enough to stay at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel<\/a>, but I still managed to spend a good 45 minutes looking around this grand building. The history here is immediately apparent and the hotel staff even run daily tours to the underground bunker used during the war period.<\/p>\n

I enjoyed looking through the list of prominent figures who have stayed at the hotel over the years, displayed in the entrance hall, whilst hoping one of my celebrity crushes would walk in at any moment (no such luck!) The service here is beyond fantastic and I can\u2019t imagine anyone not enjoying their stay at this magnificent hotel.\"IMG_2116\"<\/p>\n

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8. Can Gio Mangrove Forest<\/a> and Mekong Delta by Speedboat<\/strong><\/p>\n

This exhilarating day serves as a brilliant introduction to life on the Mekong River<\/a> and includes some incredible wildlife encounters that I will never forget. As we sped past the contrasting districts of Saigon in mid-30 degree heat, I was grateful for the wind rushing through my hair and the fresh fruit and cold drinks provided by the wonderfully hospitable staff on board with us. Stopping off at various locations along the river, I felt like Indiana Jones<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>as we walked between thick mangrove roots and took a rickety paddle boat over a lake busting with wildlife.<\/p>\n

The hordes of fruit bats we encountered in the trees impressed me, but at that point I didn\u2019t know what was yet to come. Our final stop took us to a crocodile breading ground where we suddenly found ourselves on board caged standing boats geared up for a feeding session. The high-sides kept us perfectly safe but the sudden snap on the crocodile\u2019s jaws still made me jump every time! Not for the faint-hearted, but an adventure for anyone who is up for a walk on the wild side!\"DSC_0203\"<\/p>\n

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9. Hoi An by Vespa<\/a> (evening foodie)<\/strong><\/p>\n

I would identify myself as a proper foodie and one of my favourite things about travelling is trying out as much local cuisine as I can get my hands on. This tour is perfect for someone like me, as it includes 5 different food stop-offs with at least one different local delicacy to try in each location<\/a><\/strong>. This culinary treasure trail<\/a>, combined with several cold beers, whizzing around on the back of a Vespa is the best way to spend an evening in Hoi An, hands down.\"DSCN3890\"<\/p>\n

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10. Signature Saigon Full Day<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Spending the morning walking through the Xom Chieu Market in Saigon is a sensory overload \u2013 the brightly coloured tropical fruit everywhere you look, the calls and chatter of bargaining between locals, the smells of fresh produce ready to be snapped up for evening meals \u2013 it\u2019s difficult to choose what to focus on! After being exposed to this every-day hustle and bustle of city life, we headed out to district 7 to witness the other side of city where only the very rich live a rather exclusive life \u2013 a real eye-opener.<\/p>\n

After a spectacular fest for lunch at one of Saigon\u2019s most popular restaurants, next stop was the Presidential Palace. By this point I started to feel like I had a good grasp on the intricate puzzle pieces of Saigon. My absolute favourite moment of the day came in the evening with a visit to the \u2018Chill Bar\u2019 on the rooftop of the AB tower. Sipping cocktails with a view of the city watching the sunset<\/a> <\/strong>was the perfect end to a truly fantastic day.\"DSC_2644\"<\/p>\n

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If you were interested in seeing some suggested holiday ideas, do take a look at all of our Vietnam holidays here:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/vietnam<\/a><\/p>\n

If you were interested in creating your very own Vietnam holiday with one of our travel experts, do get in touch with us on\u00a0020 3468 7064.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em>There are absolutely no obligations and we\u2019re\u00a0here to offer advice for any stage of your holiday planning.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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