10 Days to Experience Authentic Vietnam

Travel is about deep, enriching cultural experiences, adventure and the people. This is how to experience authentic Vietnam.

Day 1: Check in to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Step into 5 star luxury, with a touch of French history in this prestigious hotel in the Old Quarter. Book through me, and receive VIP amenities including breakfast, a welcome gift (or a few!) and upgrades upon arrival.

Day 1: Street Eats Exploration and Tea with Vietnamese Family

Street food can create a powerful impression on your trip, whether it is food poisoning or the best meal you’ve ever had. Our guided tour ensures that it is a life changing meal and good conversation instead of a hospital visit. After our food tour, we were invited into the home of a local Vietnamese family and shared stories. This is what is what travel is all about, this is authentic Vietnam.

Day 2: Vespa Tour & Hidden Thrifting Spots

A vespa tour mixes my two favorite things: adventure and culture. Zooming through the city with stops at local bakeries to try Vietnamese traditional wedding cake, explore Pagodas, or have exclusive access to the extremely popular, Train Street. There truly is not a better way to explore a city.

The ladies of our family love shopping. International shopping? Even better! We wanted to know all the hidden gems of Hanoi and best places to go thrifting and that is when we met Dustin. Dustin was our vespa tour guide, who very quickly became a good friend. He showed us the ins & outs of thrifting, helped negotiate deals for us, and took us to the highest quality booths. I left with a pair of fun orange pants and a tulle skirt, for $5! Dustin even stayed in touch with us throughout the whole trip, offering to help us in any way possible. It was so sweet of him. Heading to Vietnam soon and want the authentic Vietnam experience? Message me for Dustin’s information!!

Day 3: Explore Nature’s Playground, Ninh Binh

My mom insisted that we go off the beaten path to explore Ninh Binh and I am so glad she did! It was my favorite part of the trip. Packed with Pagodas, Temples, beautiful boardwalks among rice paddies, and views from 400 steps above ground, Ninh Binh was jaw dropping.

Day 3: Check into Nham Village

Nham Village embodies the essence of serenity. Secluded and surrounded by mountains, this five star resort inspired by ancient villages will convey authentic Vietnam. From reclining poolside, to journaling on your private deck, to Vietnamese spa treatments for $20, you will experience true tranquility.

Want little messages like this? Book through me and I will ensure you feel the love.

Day 4: Sampan Ride Through The Rice Paddies

After all of this adventure, we needed a moment of peace to take in the beauty. Float along the rice paddies and admire the mountains, workers harvesting, and bright lotus flowers.

Day 5: Check into The Ginger Heritage Line at Lan Ha Bay

These luxury suites are for all of my “non-cruisers” out there who hate tight spaces! Our room was bigger than most European hotel rooms. With only 12 rooms on board, the boat was intimate enough for us to make good friends, but spacious enough that we could all spread out.

Day 5: Bike through Cat Ba Island and Indulge In Local Dish

I would have never expected this, but the food on board was to die for! The meals were so incredibly fresh with a burst of unique flavors, accompanied by incredible presentation.

Day 6: Kayaking Lan Ha Bay

There is no better way to explore than by paddle! Bundle up during the off season, it is windy out on the water.

Day 6: Check Into Four Seasons Nam Hai

Speaking of luxury, the Four Seasons really outdid themselves. If you want high touch, elevated service and a large, stunning property you need to stay here. As VIP-ed clients through my booking process, we were welcomed with warm towels, a chocolate sculpture of the Silk Road ship, breakfast included, and $100 resort credits per person that we used towards our spa treatments.

Day 7: Bike Ride and Basket Boats

Talk about authentic experience! Biking through rural Vietnam to meet a grandmother who makes handwoven basket boats, is something that probably isn’t on your bucket list, but should be! Our guide was so hilarious, always playing little pranks on us even through our language barrier.

Day 8: Lantern Making Class

Hoi An is known for their lanterns, the streets are lined with them and vendors are selling them everywhere. But not everyone has the opportunity to learn how to make them. I booked a local lantern experience, learning to make lanterns with one of the top lantern producers in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An Tailoring

One of the most unique, luxurious experiences we had was ordering custom made, high end clothing. While the clothing was incredible quality, it was at a fraction of the price because the US dollar travels so far in Vietnam! My sister, mom and I each ordered a couple pieces from Oche, the less crowded sister store of the well known Yaly Couture.

My best advice is to get creative and design clothes that you love on other people, but never fit you right. For example I am really short so jumpsuits never fit me, or corset dresses don’t fit my chest so I designed those!

I would not recommend this authentic Vietnamese experience to everyone, if you have any body insecurities it would not be very fun for you. It is a very vulnerable experience.

Day 10: Pool Day and Depart

A vacation is not complete without a pool day in the sunshine! We spent our last day resting and relaxing from our incredibly adventurous trip. Then we had a late night departure for our red eye flight back to the states.