Well hello to you my reader chums! Vietnam to date is still one of the most incredible countries I've ever visited and I really long to go back. The country had a very authentic atmosphere about it with fewer tourists, friendly locals wherever you went and dreamy sights - and the food is pretty epic too. It's one of those places I wish I spend a lot more time exploring!

I was in Vietnam for 10 days in total and visited 3 different locations during my stay: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hanoi. 10 days was nowhere near enough to soak up the culture completely, but it allowed me to experience the main sights, and get a taste of what life in Vietnam is like.

Ho Chi Minh City used to be called Saigon and is located in the south of the country, and has to be one of the cleanest cities I visited in Asia. Everyone I met there welcomed both of us with open arms and I felt safe everywhere I went. For a city, although there are a million motorbikes around, it didn't feel too hectic and I loved having the chance to explore around.

I was only in Ho Chi Minh City for 2 days in total but that's enough time to see the main sights and get a feel of things in my opinion as it's not the largest city ever. If you're heading for 2 days, here is what you should get up to.

Day 1: Sightseeing and exploring

Every city has it's renowned sights and Ho Chi Minh City is no different, as there are a lot of things you can go see and spend a few hours walking around. The main hot spots I've mentioned below are all within walking distance to each other that you won't need to pay out for taxis.

War Remnants Museum - On my travels to both Cambodia and Vietnam, I learned a lot about both the wars that went on there which I wasn't aware of beforehand. The War Remnants Museum is a must-see in my opinion as it gave me an insight into the horrors that went on during the war and how recent it really was. You'll learn all the historical facts and probably find out a lot of things you didn't know. My hotel was located in the centre of town, around the Ben Thanh area, and it took around a 20-minute walk from there. The museum is also really cheap, around 15,000 VND which is the equivalent of 50p.

Notre Dame - Paris may be renowned for its Notre Dame, but Vietnam has its own version. It's incredibly similar to the real Paris version and is beautiful to go visit. As it's a church, it's free to enter - but you have to make sure to visit when there isn't a service going on.

Post Office - You may be thinking, why should I visit a post office? But Ho Chi Minh City's post office is like the equivalent to Grand Central Station in New York - a mundane place that looks really cool inside. 

Independent Place - The Independent Palace is something I wanted to visit on our trip, however, it was closed when we arrived in the evening. The palace is beautiful to walk around as it has lush gardens, secret rooms, antique furniture, and a command bunker to see.

Ben Thanh market - If you've been to Asia then you'd know it's renowned for its markets. The Ben Thanh market is quite the highlight in this city. When I arrived, it reminded me of a stacked up indoor boot fair with loads of trinkets you can buy.

Walking around the area - Ho Chi Minh City has two different sides to it in my opinion. There's the one side which has manicured lawns, quaint cafes, and a quiet vibe to it, and then the other side which is completely busy, with motorbikes and business buildings. The quieter side is located near the main attractions, and you can spend a while soaking it all up and stopping at one of the coffee shops, or dining on local cuisine.

Day 2 - Day trip to the Mekong River and Floating Market

Ho Chi Minh City isn't that big and if you're there just to see it, you can visit all the main sights in one day - that I'd recommend using the second day for a day trip. There are loads of trips you can go for but I chose the Mekong River and floating market one. Although tourism has wiped out the floating market quite a bit, the day trip was incredible.

The bus picked me up early around 7.30am to drive to the river for the boat tour. I then hopped on the boat and it took us along the Mekong River, where the first stop was Hav Von, a lovely little village on the riverside. At the village, I learned how they made rice corn, rice paper, and coconut candy which is a delicacy there. And, I even got to sample some! 

The next village I stopped off at was Xa Hoa Ninh. From the boat stop, I got given a bike and had the opportunity to cycle through the Vietnamese countryside - which still to date one of my favourite experiences. I rode to a restaurant and had some traditional lunch there. Then, I took a walk down to a smaller river and had the opportunity to row small boats and wear the traditional Vietnam hats. The small river was ever so peaceful and I had the opportunity to listen to the quietness of nature. After the boat ride, it was time for a 3-hour journey back.

Although it was a pretty long day, I absolutely adored the excursion! I had the opportunity to experience the countryside, row our own boat, go for a cycle, and eat good food. It was certainly a highlight of my trip. 

Where to stay 

Ho Chi Minh City is packed with loads of hotels in different price ranges and I chose the Blue River Hotel, which was located near the Ben Thanh district - and within walking distance, to all the attractions I've listed above. It was a super lovely hotel that included breakfast and the best customer service ever. The two receptionists were very helpful with recommendations.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Have you visited Vietnam before?

Thank you for reading <3