5 Days in Northern Vietnam

Our Vietnam trip was a wild ride from start to finish! We kicked things off in Hanoi, landing super early around 8 am. I activated my Gigago eSIM, which was so easy to install. We stayed at Hanoi Paradise Center Hotel & Spa, and they were absolute lifesavers — they got our room ready in just 30 minutes so we could crash after the long flight. The hotel was a steal at about 60 euros for two nights for two people. The breakfast wasn’t great, but hey, you can't win 'em all.

We had two nights in Hanoi and it was the perfect amount of time to explore. We hit up the Temple of Literature, wandered through the Old Quarter, checked out Ngoc Son Temple and visited old pagoda. The city is buzzing—chaotic in the best way possible. We did some shopping, devoured some amazing food and overall felt super safe. Everyone was friendly and we had a blast with our friends on a rooftop bar. We used the app Grab for taxi, it is really cheap. We loved the food at JM Marvel Hotel, really authentic and place was nice. We also tried the famous Banh Mi 25, so good!

Next up was Halong Bay, where we hopped on the Genesis Luxury Regal Cruise. This was a major highlight — luxury vibes, cool activities and stunning views. We opted for the all-inclusive package. The only bummer was seeing plastic floating around while we were kayaking, but that aside, it was epic. We did some beach swimming, explored caves and, even though it rained a bit (September weather, what can you do?), the whole experience was totally worth it.

Then it was off to Ninh Binh, where we stayed at Lalita Tam Coc Resort. This place was adorable, with an awesome pool and gorgeous scenery. We explored on scooters from the hotel, and it was so freeing. Mua Cave is a must-do — a short hike with insane views. We only had two days there, but honestly, I’d go back in a heartbeat and stay longer.

Our last stop was Sapa. We took a five-hour limousine bus ride there (not exactly punctual but it arrived, you just have to wait, no one knows anything), which was pretty chill — we got to nap on the way. The hotel, Sapa Eco Villas & Spa, set up a taxi for us when we arrived and I was talking with them via WhatsApp. It was around 70 euros for two nights for two people. The staff didn’t speak much English, but we got by with texts and Google Translate. We spent our time checking out the rice terraces, took the cable car up to Fansipan Mountain and soaked in the cooler, misty vibes. Sapa’s weather was totally different from the rest of Vietnam, and it was a nice change.

The funny part? We took the limousine bus back to Hanoi Airport, and the journey felt long. The hotel booked it for us, but the stops were announced in Vietnamese, and we almost missed our stop! Make sure you’re paying attention, or you might miss your flight.