American Traveler Recounts Dream-Like 3-Day Journey in Vietnam

American Traveler Recounts ‘Dream-Like’ 3-Day Journey in Vietnam

“For many years, I dreamed of visiting Vietnam. The food and scenery here always inspired me, and in the fall of 2025, I finally made it happen.” — writes American traveler Chimedae Ford in Lonely Planet, sharing her unforgettable Vietnam travel experience. 

She traveled with her boyfriend and mother, beginning in Hanoi, then spending a few days in Lan Ha Bay and Hoi An, and finishing in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta during a 10-day trip around the country. Ford described the journey.

Day 1: Hanoi

Ford’s adventure began with a guided walking tour around Hanoi to get acquainted with the city. Her first stop was the narrow Train Street, a unique street lined with cafés and shops where trains pass just inches away several times a day. Walking through the city, Ford was struck by Hanoi’s green beauty and bustling motorbike traffic. 

She visited Hoa Lo Prison to learn about Vietnam’s history, and though a sudden storm flooded many streets, she and her group adjusted plans by wading through water to enjoy a hot bowl of beef pho at a local restaurant. Ford noted the difference between northern and southern pho styles — the Hanoi broth was lighter, with the beef as the star. 

Later, they tried Vietnamese egg coffee at Café Giảng, wandered back to their hotel in the rain, and stumbled upon an unmarked temple where they learned about traditional offerings. Dinner at a local restaurant included banana flower salad, stir-fried beef noodles (her favorite), and even fried frog legs. as magical and lively, with ever-changing weather, diverse cuisine, vibrant cities, and peaceful rice fields that created moments she will never forget

Day 2: Hoi An

Hoi An, once a bustling port town, is now famed for its beautifully preserved ancient town with craft shops and tailors. Early in the morning, Ford’s group began a bike tour of the rural countryside and the local market. Riding past rice fields, they saw buffalo and cattle before stopping at a local noodle maker’s home — where they learned to make noodles by hand, from grinding rice to cooking and cutting them for dishes. 

After a scenic boat ride, they visited a family who weave traditional sleeping mats. Ford then explored the Museum of Folk Culture to learn about local customs, sampled Hoi An’s famous banh mi, and finished the day at an artisan’s workshop learning indigo dyeing to make scarves to take home. 

That evening, back in the ancient town, she tried on custom-made leather boots, enjoyed dinner, and had cocktails at a bar. During their stay, the Mid-Autumn Festival was taking place — complete with traditional costumes and lion dances to the beat of festive drums.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City

After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the group had dinner at a local restaurant to fuel up for sightseeing. They visited the Ben Thanh Market, where Ford bought hand-painted ceramic chopsticks, then saw the iconic Saigon Central Post Office and Independence Palace, ending the day with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. 

At night, they explored the city on classic Vespa scooters during a street food tour. “It was exciting. We zipped through the city with the breeze on our faces, blending into the everyday life of the locals. It made me feel like part of the city and experience what life in Ho Chi Minh City truly feels like,” she shared. 

Late in the evening, the group watched a performance at Saigon Opera House. The show “A O” combines storytelling about Vietnam’s history with acrobatics — an experience that reminded Ford of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil.