8 Days in South Vietnam

Vietnam: A Failed Mission (Sort Of)

My trip to Vietnam was meant to be a bit of a mission. For years, I’d heard nothing but negative stories: scams, rude vendors, rigged taxi meters, unwelcoming locals… the list went on. Nearly everyone I met who’d travelled through Vietnam had something negative to say, often claiming it was their least favourite country in Southeast Asia.

Then I saw a stat that floored me: Vietnam has a return rate of just 5%. In contrast, Thailand boasts a solid 50%. What gives?

I had to find out for myself. I went in eyes wide open, ready to sniff out the scams and fight back. I mentally summoned my fiercest alter ego — the one that doesn’t hesitate to shout back at someone trying to hustle her on the street. I was ready to scam the scammer.

So what did I find?

None of it. I didn’t get scammed. I wasn’t mugged, yelled at, pressured, or manipulated into anything. What I did find were friendly, no-nonsense people who, unlike their neighbours, don’t spend their days buttering up tourists. And honestly? That felt incredibly refreshing. More real. Less fake smiles, more authentic interactions.

So yes — my mission to find chaos was kind of a flop. But in the process, I came to understand why some travellers might walk away with less-than-stellar impressions. (More on that in a future post.)

Meanwhile, I had a jolly good time in South Vietnam.

 

Here is how I spent 8 days soaking it all in 

Drinking Vietnamese white coffee

Strong black coffee, sweetened with condensed milk and poured over ice. I had no idea what I was ordering, but the name intrigued me. One sip and I was hooked. Two a day became the rule.

Strolling around the old quarter of Hoi An in the evening

Lanterns glowing, quiet motor-free streets, candles floating on the river… Even without a love interest around, the place practically screamed romance. I found myself daydreaming for days after. 

Admiring colourful dilapidated walls

It took a few days for my travel buddy to catch on, but eventually, she too was pointing them out.
“Look at that one! What a beauty…”
We became wall connoisseurs. Unashamedly.

Contemplating a meal at every street corner

Vietnamese street food smells divine. Every other corner, I was greeted by the mouthwatering smells of a steaming bowl of food. All I needed to do was grab one of the tiny stools, join the locals and dig in. . They say five meals a day is healthy, right?

Getting lost in Hoi An’s tiny streets

No map. No plan. Just wandering — and loving every second of it.

Waking up at the crack of dawn to experience the hustle and bustle of the morning markets

 

Being in awe of the dramatic landscape changes

From misty mountains to flooded rice paddies to quiet beaches to… sand dunes and red dirt?! At one point, I genuinely questioned whether I was still in Vietnam. The dunes in Mui Né, though marred by mass tourism and roaring quads, still held a certain magic. Standing among the tall yellow dunes could have been -and probably once was- a mind boggling experience. But the dozens of deafening quads zooming by killed the marvel. The dunes of Mui Né are still worth a visit though.

Discovering a new kind of stress free work ethic

Some locals have nailed the art of doing just enough — with zero stress and a smile on their face. Enviable, really.

Exploring the Mekong delta by boat and by bicycle 

A glimpse into another pace of life, floating along the river or pedaling through palm-lined paths.

Indulging in Vietnamese cuisine in Saigon

A foodie friend of mine — now a ten-year Saigon local — took me on a culinary tour I won’t forget. Dish after dish, I fell deeper in love with Vietnamese food. Complex, vibrant, and a total revelation. 

Downing shots of “cobra eats scorpion” liquor

Yes, that’s a real thing. A bottle of strong alcohol containing a dead cobra with a scorpion in its mouth. More dramatic than delicious — it tasted like rotten fish eaten out of the stomach of an alcoholic. I spent the next few hours on the loo, regretting my curiosity.

Having sandals custom made

Who knew choosing design, colour, and material could be this stressful? After much debate, I finally made my pick. The shoemaker traced my feet and whipped up a pair of very cute sandals in just a few hours — for fifteen bucks. They looked great and fit like a glove. They didn’t last.

Trying a new and exciting kind of “exotic meat”

You know I love sampling the unusual (remember my dog story in East-Timor?). This time, I hesitated. I even slept on it. But once again curiosity won — and I ordered a portion. It was delicious.
What was it?
Ah… I’ll tell you one day.

 

Have you been to Vietnam? Is it on your bucket list?

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