Vietnam | March 2025
Vietnam:
Attention Americans - you need 3-5 days for your e-visa to be approved!
Airports:
We started off in the north and headed south.
Flew to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport
Flew to mid Vietnam - Da Nang International Airport
Flew to Ho Chi Minh City (AKA Saigon) - Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Weather:
Mid 60-90's, cooler in the north, warmer in the south. We bought North Face jackets in Hanoi (super cheap) and used them for the Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour where it can get pretty windy and foggy.
Transportation:
Grab is the Uber of Vietnam. They are so cheap (think $1 for a 10 minute ride)
For day trips, we used drivers/tour guides (Around $80 for 12 hours, private driver)
Hanoi: +84 93 685 9189 (Ethan Hunt, driving company)
Hoi An/Da Nang: +84 93 586 5804 (Binh, best driver in the world)
Ho Chi Minh City: +84 93 148 6863 (Highly recommended, we used Grab though)
You can also take sleeper buses for much cheaper.
Accommodations:
Hanoi:
Diamond Westlake Suites - Super Shabbos friendly. Manual key. Freezer, fridge, washing machine, full kitchen and living room. Pool, tennis court, and pickleball court too.
Hoi An:
Emerald Hoi An Riverside Resort - We stayed there for one night. It was clean, great service, and free fruit for breakfast. But honestly, you can probably choose any hotel. Nothing specifically amazing about this hotel choice.
Ho Chi Minh City (AKA Saigon):
Sofitel Saigon Plaza - Beautiful (read: not cheap) hotel. The stairwell lights turn on automatically so we needed staff to walk us up and down the stairs on Shabbos. Not ideal at all. Here is a list of hotels near Chabad.
In general, look for an Airbnb close to Chabad with 24/7 security. Ask them if the door has a manual key option and if the lights turn on automatically when you walk up the stairs. Bring tape so you can cover the fridge light sensor.
Kosher Food:
Chabad is the way to go!
There are Chabad Houses in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Tip: Pay them via Zelle if they have that option so they don't lose out on the credit card fees.
Activities:
Hanoi:
Walking Tour - We booked an Airbnb experience. Was a great introduction to the country when we landed. Black Market, Communist Buildings, Christmas Bombing Memorial.
Train Street - Famous tourist stop. Watch the train barrel down the tracks on the narrow street as all the people stand on the side and try not to get hurt. Ask a local what the train schedule is so you can go at the right time. It's multiple times a day.
Dong Xuan Market - The place to buy fake Rolexes. #iykyk
Old Quarter - Great place to walk around and shop.
Night Market - Only open on weekend nights. Tons of shops/stalls open for a few hours at night, selling everything.
Top of Hanoi Rooftop Bar - The Rabbi recommended it, don't judge;) Free rooftop view of the entire city.
Mega Grand World - Around 40 minutes from Hanoi. Fake Venice, colorful buildings with gondolas. Lots of shops. Was deserted when we went, but supposedly it's full in the summer.
Day Trips from Hanoi:
Ha Giang Loop (2 or 3 day option) - Around 5.5 hour drive from Hanoi. Motorbike tour around the Ha Giang province in northern Vietnam. Someone else drives the bike, while you sit behind them. You can ask for a female driver. You drive around 8 hours a day, with stops every 30-50 minutes for pictures, meals, games, etc. It's so so so fun! You can either stay overnight at a homestay or a hotel. We paid another $10 or so for the VIP option so we can stay in a hotel comfortably and not sleep with random strangers in a random house. We did the 2 day option because we were limited on time, so we missed out on some activities and views. However, even the 2 day motorbike tour was incredible. Definitely one of the top 3 highlights of our trip! Our tourguide, Bibi: +84 97 951 0244
Ha Long Bay - Around 3 hour drive from Hanoi. Boat ride, Kayaking, Thien Cung Cave. So, so beautiful. You can do an overnight cruise option, but we didn't have time for that. Our tourguide: +84 96 598 9699
Ninh Binh - Around 2 hour drive from Hanoi. Climb up Dragon Mountain and go on a super cool bamboo boat ride under caves and near temples.
(Sa Pa - didn't get a chance)
Da Nang & Hoi An:
Ba Na Hills - Cable Cars, Golden Bridge, Amusement Park, Wax Museum, Alpine Coaster
Coconut Boat Ride with Duc Vinh Tran company
Hai Bà Trưng Street for Custom-made Clothing and Shoes - I used Thanh Tu Tailor, but any shop will probably be great. They can generally make clothing overnight. I was headed to HCMC the next day, so they shipped my dress to my hotel and I got it 2 days later. My friend went to a leather shoe shop on the same street and her shoes were ready a few hours later.
Lantern Making Class - just walk through the streets of Hoi An, there are a bunch of classes
Japanese Bridge/Boat Ride with Lanterns - Take a boat ride and float lit up lanterns on the water. Walk around the area, different photo ops, live music, and just all around good vibes.
Ho Chi Minh City:
Cu Chi Tunnels - This is a Must-See. It's around 1.5 hours from the city and there's a lot of city traffic, so calculate 2-2.5 hours driving each way. Our guide: +84 93 860 1284
Saigon Square - More expensive than Hanoi markets, but these seem to be better quality dupes. Always negotiate, everything is marked up 50-100% (or more!)
Ben Thanh Market - Huge marketplace. You can buy anything.
Russian Market - The place to go for winter accessories.
Prive Hair Spa - HCMC is known for their amazing hair treatments. Get a scalp massage, wash & blowout, facial cleansing etc. To be honest, the scalp treatment was painful.. what we do for new experiences lol
Bui Vien Walking Street - Wild nightlife, not sure I can recommend with a clean conscience;) But do check out the musical group performing at the corner restaurant on Bui Vien and De Tham on weekend nights at around 10 pm. Regards to Neal;)
Hu Nguyen Pedestrian Street - A bunch of shops open at night
(Can Tho in Mekong Delta - didn't get a chance. River city, lots of floating markets. A few hours south from the city.)