14 Days in Vietnam: Scooter Food Tours, Custom Suits, and Egg Coffee

The final leg of my 50th birthday solo trip across Asia brought me to Vietnam. I spent a full two weeks slowly making my way from the bustling streets of the south to the historic capital in the north.

Vietnam is a country that completely captures your heart. The food is out of this world, the landscapes are stunning, and the people are incredibly welcoming. Navigating a country this large requires some planning.

If you are putting together a Vietnam itinerary, here is my complete guide to surviving the famous scooter traffic, getting custom clothing made in Hoi An, and finding the best food in the country.

Stop 1: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

After experiencing Bangkok, I thought I was ready for Saigon traffic. The traffic in Vietnam is on a whole other level. It is a massive swarm of motorcycles that takes over the road like a school of fish swimming together. Crossing the street as a pedestrian takes real skill. You basically have to start walking and never stop, trusting the motorcycles to just weave their way around you.

I checked into the Akoya Saigon Central Hotel and immediately got to work exploring the city.

Motorbike Food Tours: I feel like food is the best way to experience a new culture. I booked two different tours via Viator, including the Saigon Motorbike Street Food Tour. Weaving from one location to another on the back of a motorbike while eating incredible Pho and Banh Mi was unforgettable.
The Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta: I booked a full 10-hour Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour. Crawling the 100 meters through the tunnels involves navigating tight, humid, underground spaces. It requires serious crouching and crawling. I am very proud that I made it through, but my legs were incredibly sore the next day. If you are claustrophobic, you might want to skip the crawl!
City Views: On my last night, I took in the nighttime views at the Saigon Skydeck, located on the 48th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower.

Stop 2: Hoi An and Da Nang

A short flight took me to central Vietnam. I checked into the Rokas Hoi An Boutique Hotel, which was wonderfully quiet but still walking distance to the town center. Hoi An feels incredibly special with its lantern-lit streets and rich culture.

Custom Clothes: Hoi An is famous for its tailors. I treated myself to a shopping day and visited Tuong Tailor to get measured for a custom 4-piece suit. The service was fantastic. I also visited Khánh lợi shoes shop for custom-fitted shoes. Both were delivered right to my hotel before I checked out.
Cooking and Culture: I took a cooking class through my hotel that included a ride in a traditional bamboo basket boat. That evening, I booked an Evening Walking Food Tour which was both delicious and highly educational. I wrapped up my time in Hoi An by watching the visually stunning Hoi An Memories Show.

When it was time to move on, I hired a local driver to take me to Da Nang, stopping to explore the Marble Mountains along the way. I splurged on a large suite near the top floor of the Sala Danang Beach Hotel. With only one night in the city, I booked a Private Da Nang Sightseeing Tour on the back of a motorbike to see the massive Lady Buddha statue and catch the 9:00 PM weekend fire show at the Dragon Bridge.

Stop 3: Hanoi and Ninh Binh

My final stop was the northern capital of Hanoi. I stayed at The West Hotel & Spa and immediately booked a Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour. This tour included a thrilling visit to the famous Train Street, where active trains literally pass inches from the cafe tables.

Private Motorbike Tour: The next day, a private guide showed me around Hanoi. The highlights were riding out to see how the local farmers live and eating Bun Cha at the exact same restaurant Anthony Bourdain took Barack Obama to.
Ninh Binh Day Trip: I booked a full-day tour to Ninh Binh. We traveled in a comfortable limousine van, cycled around rice fields, took a boat through the caves, and hiked up to the panoramic Mua Cave viewpoint.
The Coffee Buzz: On my last day, I took a Vietnamese Coffee Class to learn how to make egg, coconut, salt, and dripping coffees. I drank every single coffee I made and left the class with quite a buzz. The teacher informed me afterward that I was not actually supposed to drink all of them!
A Final Feast: I ended the trip of a lifetime with a 5-Dish Traditional Cooking Class and Market Trip, hand-picking ingredients for a shared feast.

What to Pack for Vietnam

Between crouching in tunnels, hiking up to cave viewpoints, and walking miles through the cities, you need to take care of your feet. I highly recommend packing a pair of top-quality, breathable walking shoes like these for a trip to Vietnam.

Have you ever had clothing custom-made while traveling, or tried Vietnamese Egg Coffee? Head over to our Facebook page and let me know!