There are some destinations that leave an impression on you long after you return home. Vietnam is one of those places.
As part of my "Would I Go Back?" series, I like to reflect honestly on destinations after the excitement of travel has worn off. Some places are amazing once and feel compete. Others leave you already planning your return before your suitcase is unpacked.
Vietnam firmly falls into the second category.
Not only would I go back to Vietnam, but I actually think Vietnam is a country that deserves a return visit. After spending time there, I realized how impossible it is to fully experience the country in a single trip. Vietnam is massive, layered, diverse, and constantly changing from one region to the next. The more I saw, the more I realized how much I didn't see.
And honestly, I loved that feeling.
Would I Go Back? Reexamining Vietnam
I'm not one of those people who travels just to cross countries off my list. I'm not adding up how many places I've been and I don't keep a tally just to prove how well traveled I am. No judgement. It's just not my thing. I don't have a problem going back to a place that I feel connected to even if it doesn't move the country count forward.
Vietnam is one of those places I could easily see myself returning to again and again. But it isn't for everyone!
I went to Vietnam as a solo female traveler in the late spring. The weather was hot and humid and I was often sweating through all my clothes. I did things I know my husband would not enjoy doing. I'd chat with him every day and run down the list of things I did and he didn't get excited in the same way about the same things that I did. I get a lot of joy out of getting a bargain, and that doesn't move the needle for some people. And there's a rustic raw element to Vietnam that isn't for everyone.
The thing that I've learned while working in the travel space is that everyone travels differently. Not every place is for everyone. But for me, Vietnam is high on my list of favorite places I've visited. And before we even dig into this reflection, I'll be fully transparent and tell you that I would absolutely go back. In fact, I'm hoping to plan a trip back soon!
Vietnam is Bigger Than You Think
Before visiting Vietnam, I don't think I fully grasped just how geographically diverse the country is. Looking at a map doesn't quite prepare you for how much ground you cover traveling from north to south.
Vietnam stretches over 1,000 miles long {it's almost as long from top to bottom as the US is}, and each region feels distinctly different. Hanoi has a completely different energy from Ho Chi Minh City. The mountain regions feel worlds away from the coastal towns. Even the food changes depending on where you are.
On our trip, we covered a lot of territory, which gave me an incredible introduction to the country. One of the biggest advantages of joining a small group tour for a first-time visit is how much easier it is to see multiple regions without spending all your energy figuring out transportation, accommodations, logistics, and language barriers.
That's exactly why the experience worked so well for me.
But traveling through Vietnam also made me realize something important. Vietnam is not a country I would rush through again.
If I return...and I hope I do...I'd want to travel slower.
Instead of moving frequently, I'd love to choose a few smaller areas and stay longer. I want mornings at neighborhood coffee shops where I become a familiar face. I want time to wander local markets without feeling like I need to check something off a list. I want lazy afternoons sitting on tiny plastic stools drinking Vietnamese coffee and watching everyday life unfold around me.
Vietnam feels like the kind of place that rewards slower travel.
My First Small Group Tour Changed How I Travel
One of the biggest takeaways from my Vietnam trip was how much confidence I gained from taking my first small group tour.
Before this trip, I honestly wasn't sure how I'd feel about group travel. I've always been an independent traveler who likes flexibility and figuring things out as I go. But Vietnam felt intimidating enough, especially as a first time visitor, that I appreciated having experienced guides helping to navigate the details.
And it turned out to be one of the best travel decision I've made.
The tour gave me a soft landing into a country that was completely unfamiliar to me. I didn't have to stress about internal transportation, navigating train stations, booking overnight cruises, or trying to communicate complicated logistics across a language barrier. Instead, I got to focus on soaking in the experience.
What surprised me most was that the group tour didn't make me feel less independent. It actually made me feel more confident. And I had plenty of time to explore on my own.
Shout out to Intrepid Tours. I paid my own big girl dollars for this trip and I'd do it again.
By the end of the trip, Vietnam no longer felt intimidating. It felt approachable.
I learned how things worked. I became more comfortable crossing the chaotic streets. I understood the rhythm of ordering food, using currency, and navigating cultural differences. Suddenly the idea of returning independently didn't feel overwhelming at all.
That's one of the biggest gifts thoughtful travel can give you...confidence.
Now that I've had that first introduction to Vietnam, I'd feel much more comfortable planning future trips on my own or creating a hybrid trip with some guided portions and some independent travel mixed in. There's still a language barrier!
Vietnam is Surprisingly Affordable
As someone who is naturally frugal, affordability absolutely impacts whether I'd return to a destination. I can appreciate beautiful places all over the world, but some countries are simply more realistic to revisit than others.
Vietnam is one of the most budget-friendly destinations I've ever visited, especially considering the quality of the experience.
The food is incredible and inexpensive. Coffee costs just a fraction of what I'd pay at home. Transportation is affordable. Hotels can be shockingly nice for the price point. Even activities and excursions often feel accessible without constantly doing mental math conversions every time you pull out your wallet.
For travelers who want meaningful international experiences without draining their savings account, Vietnam offers tremendous value.
And the affordability doesn't feel like "cheap travel" in a negative sense. It feels like a place where your money simply stretches further, allowing you to travel more comfortably and more slowly.
That matters to me.
I found myself able to say yes to experiences I might hesitate over in more expensive destinations. Another coffee? Sure. A massage after a long travel day? Why not! Fresh pastries from a bakery? Absolutely.
Travel becomes more relaxing when every decision doesn't feel financially stressful.
If I returned to Vietnam for a longer stay, I truly think it would be one of the most affordable ways to spend an extended period abroad while still enjoying incredible food, comfortable accommodations, and unforgettable experiences.
I have dreams of doing an adult study abroad and Vietnam might be the backdrop.
The Coffee Culture Alone is Worth Returning For
I'm a basic girl. I am happiest when I walk to a hidden coffee shop and have an iced latte in my hand.
I could probably write an entire post just about Vietnam's coffee culture.
Before visiting Vietnam, I knew Vietnamese coffee was popular, but I didn't realize how deeply coffee culture is woven into everyday life there. And I'm from Seattle where coffee culture is a whole thing. Vietnam was like, hold my mug!
Coffee shops are everywhere, and they aren't just places to grab caffeine and leave. They're gathering places. Social spaces. Places to linger.
And the coffee itself? Incredible.
From traditional Vietnamese iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk to creamy egg coffee in Hanoi, every cup felt intentional. Strong, rich, flavorful, and memorable.
It's a slow process to make the coffee too. When you are on the streets, things feel like they move fast, but when you walk into a coffee shop, things slow down. After I paid, I'd often be invited to sit down to wait. There was no waiting at a counter, but instead it was a full experience.
I loved sitting in cafes watching scooters buzz past while people met friends, worked on laptops, or slowly sipped drinks over conversation.
The cafe culture reminded me a little of Europe in the sense that there's less pressure to rush.
You sit.
You stay.
You enjoy the moment.
As someone who genuinely loves coffee culture while traveling, Vietnam immediately climbed high on my list of favorite destinations for cafes alone!
I still think about some of those coffees.
The Kindness of People Stands Out
One of the strongest memories I brought home from Vietnam wasn't a landmark or specific meal. It was the people.
Everywhere we went, we encountered kindness.
People were patient. Welcoming. Helpful. Curious. Warm.
Even when there was a language barrier, there was still generosity.
Travel experiences are shaped so heavily by human interaction, and Vietnam consistently made me feel welcome. That doesn't mean every moment was perfect or polished, but overall there was an openness from people that made traveling there feel comfortable and enjoyable.
I think that's one of the reasons Vietnam stays with people long after they visit.
It's not just the scenery or the food. It's how you feel while you're there.
My 10 Day Vietnam Packing List In a Carry On
If I Went Back I'd Travel Differently
One thing I love about revisiting destinations is that your first trip teaches you how to better experience the place the second time around.
If I returned to Vietnam, I wouldn't try to see everything. I hit all the highlights that most people recommend the first time, instead I'd slow down.
I'd probably pick two or three regions maximum and spend more time in each. Maybe I'd spend a week in one city instead of two nights. Maybe I'd rent an apartment for part of the trip and settle into more of a daily rhythm instead of constantly moving.
I'd rent a bike and ride all around.
I'd love more time in the smaller towns and less time worrying about the must-see lists.
Vietnam feels like a destination where the magic is often found in ordinary moments:
- sitting at a tiny cafe table
- eating pho on a street corner
- wandering a night market
- watching scooters flow through intersections
- chatting with the locals
- having a custom made outfit {not in the touristy parts!}
- getting caught in a sudden rainstorm
- discovering a quiet alley you weren't looking for
Those are the kinds of experiences that become even richer when you slow down enough to notice them.
So...Would I Go Back to Vietnam?
Without hesitation, 1000 times yes!
Vietnam surprised me in the best possible ways. It challenged me, inspired me, and made me want to become a slower, more intentional traveler.
It game me the confidence through my first small group tour experience while also showing me that independent travel there feels possible too.
It's affordable, welcoming, endlessly interesting, and full of incredible food and coffee that I still think about on the regular!
But more than anything, Vietnam feels unfinished to me.
Not because the trip lacked anything, but because the country had me longing to go back. There is so much more depth that is waiting to be experienced.
And honestly, I can't wait for the chance to go back.
Don't miss the other posts in this series!
Would I Go Back? Reexamining Rome
Would I Go Back? Reexamining the Amalfi Coast
disclaimer: this post may have affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing through them, I may receive a small commission. These small purchases help me to continue to keep writing content and creating at Rachel Teodoro. Thank you!
No comments
Post a Comment