Vietnam is always worth another trip: travellers

Alongside the growing influence of social media, more travelers are sharing their experiences in Vietnam, helping bring the destination closer to international audiences while inspiring past visitors to return and continue exploring the Southeast Asian country.

Tuoi Tre News spoke with several travelers who have visited Vietnam to find out what they miss most after leaving, and what motivates them to come back.

Jeanine Romo, American travel blogger: “Everything seemed so quiet and peaceful”

Looking back on my time in Vietnam, there were so many moments that stood out!

One in particular was when I was traveling around Ninh Binh. I rented a scooter and set out to explore for the day. I walked through the Mua Caves and enjoyed the beautiful view. It was a windy day with some light rain, and everything seemed so quiet and peaceful.

If there’s one thing that makes Vietnam stand out, it’s the people and the food. The people are kind, even when there is a language barrier. And the food was so delicious, I never get tired of enjoying the local cuisine.

I would like to go back and visit some places I have yet to visit. I’d love to travel the Ha Giang Loop and explore more of the northern part of the country.

I think Vietnam’s natural beauty is a big appeal to travelers. It’s such a beautiful country, and to many Western travelers, it’s an affordable destination.

Harry Bradley, British photographer: “Vietnam has it all!”

What has kept drawing me back to Vietnam was the variety of things to do and places to see in Vietnam. It felt like each city was completely unique from the others and so I always felt like there is still so much to explore.

Looking back, I have two specific moments in my head.

Firstly, exploring the sand dunes in Mui Ne, Lam Dong Province. I had never seen anything like it before and so just walking around with my camera was incredible. I spent the whole day there capturing people on the quadbikes and hiking around. When the sun drops, the shapes and shadows make it an incredible place for photography.

Secondly, there was a moment in Sa Pa, where I was walking along the rice terraces at sunset when all of a sudden three buffalo walked along the hills just as clouds rolled into the valley. The cloud caught the evening light making for the most incredible golden scene.

Vietnam stands out to me because of the friendliness of the people, the amazing food, which felt a bit healthier than the countries around, and of course the variety in cities and nature wherever you go. I think Vietnam has it all!!

I would definitely love to visit Vietnam again, and it would be because there is still so much to explore. I definitely want to see more and immerse myself in your amazing culture once again!!

From my conversations with other travellers, I found that many travellers really love the food here and experiencing the culture in the cities, and also visiting some of the natural places which are so unique that you really can’t find anything quite like them anywhere else in the world.

Kelsey Bell, American graphic designer: “There’s always more to discover”

I spent three and a half great years living in Hanoi: teaching English at ILA for the first half, then working as a graphic designer at the Vietnam Tourism Board. It was a really fulfilling chapter of my life. I made wonderful friends, loved the connection with my students, and spent a lot of my free time exploring the Old Quarter on my motorbike and wandering around with a camera.

The food was a constant highlight, and those everyday moments of discovering something new around a corner are the ones I still think back on fondly.

We actually have just booked a trip back! The food is honestly a big part of the reasons: bun cha, ban dau, banh cuon, pho, bun bo Nam Bo, xoi. There’s nothing quite like it and it’s genuinely hard to find them tasting the same elsewhere in the world.

Beyond that, I’ve really missed Hanoi’s distinct atmosphere: the layered architecture, the narrow alleyways, and those quiet, misty mornings around Hoan Kiem Lake. It’s the kind of place that stays with you, and this trip feels long overdue.

We’re really looking forward to getting back to Hanoi, and we’re also planning a trip out to Ninh Binh, which we loved when we lived there. We’re also planning to revisit the Temple of Literature, which has always been a favourite of mine.

Vietnam has a real depth to it, thousands of years of history and culture, and a huge variety of experiences spread across the country.

What keeps people coming back, I think, is that there’s always more to discover. Each region has its own story, its own speciality. It genuinely has something for every type of traveler, whether it’s your first visit or your fifth.

What sets Vietnam apart is how distinct each destination feels from the next. You’re not getting the same experience repeated across different cities. Every place is unique, whether it’s landscapes, or culinary specialities, they give travellers a real incentive to keep exploring and learning.

The country is also well-connected, which makes multi-destination trips very manageable and rewarding.

Strong social media presence has already shown real impact in getting Vietnam’s experiences in front of new audiences which could be used as a valuable tool. New standout experiences and unique hotels will surely draw new people to the country too. I think preserving cultural sites is incredibly important as tourism grows.

Alongside that, having a reliable and knowledgeable authority like the Tourism Board available to answer traveller questions goes a long way. When people feel well-informed, they’re much more likely to book with confidence and return again.

Liz McGrath, Australian art teacher: “An affordable and fun destination to young people”

Vietnam looms large as a holiday destination for Australians because it feels so vibrant to us: the food, culture and history are colourful and rich. We’re attracted to the atmosphere on busy streets as much as the stunning landscapes.

Young people that I know are drawn to Vietnam as an affordable and fun destination. I know of one young friend who is including a three-day motorcycle trip in his itinerary.

Australians return to Vietnam because they enjoy the food, culture and landscape. They've found locals welcoming and friendly, and felt safe.

First-time visitors are excited by the vibrancy they find in Vietnam. They are enticed by the beauty of Vietnam and its affordability. They realize it’s a deceptively large country, and return to explore new areas they learn about during their travels.

Vietnam is one of my favourite sketching locations, there are so many beautiful scenes to be captured in my sketchbooks. I’d be so delighted to visit again.

Among the destinations I’ve visited, Vietnam stands out as Vietnamese people are renowned for making visitors feel welcome. We are tantalised by the amazing array of delicious and affordable foods.