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Why You Should Visit Vietnam

If you are looking for a destination that offers high adventure without sacrificing comfort, Vietnam should be at the top of your list.

The Vibe: It is a country that invites you to slow down. Whether you are meditating on a yoga deck in Mai Chau or drifting down a river in a rowboat, Vietnam forces you to be present.

The Diversity: In just over a week, you can experience bustling metropolises, UNESCO World Heritage seascapes, and quiet mountain villages.

The Value & Quality: Whether it’s a bespoke suit tailored in 24 hours or a 5-star retreat in the jungle, the quality of service and craftsmanship here is exceptional.

The Landscape: The limestone karsts—both in the water at Halong Bay and on land in Ninh Binh—are unlike anything else on Earth.

Days 1-2: The Hustle of Hanoi and the Serenity of Halong Bay

Our Vietnam adventure began in Hanoi, a city that greets you with an electric mix of history, chaos, and charm. We touched down in early November, and while the skies were a bit gray with occasional drizzles, the weather was pleasantly cool—a welcome change from the tropical heat I expected.

Hanoi is a place you don’t just see; you feel it. We wasted no time immersing ourselves in the local rhythm. I spent the first day navigating the bustling streets, soaking in the sights, and taking advantage of one of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets: the tailoring. I had a custom suit measured and stitched right here in the city—the speed and quality of the craftsmanship are truly impressive. Between fittings, there was plenty of time to sit at a street-side cafe, sip on local coffee, and watch the world go by.

On Day 2, we traded the city horns for the silence of the sea. A trip to Northern Vietnam is simply incomplete without visiting Halong Bay. We booked a day cruise to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, and it was nothing short of spectacular. As our boat drifted through the emerald waters, we were surrounded by thousands of towering limestone karsts jutting out of the sea like ancient sentinels.

The overcast sky actually added a mystical, moody vibe to the landscape. We spent the day exploring the bay, hopping onto smaller boats to get closer to the rock formations, and venturing into massive, awe-inspiring caves that felt like cathedrals built by nature. Standing on the deck with the wind in our hair and those prehistoric peaks rising all around us, it was the perfect start to this 9-day journey.

Days 3-5: The Soulful Silence of Mai Chau

After the electric energy of Hanoi, we piled into a car for a four-hour drive west, watching the concrete skyline dissolve into rolling green hills. We were headed to Mai Chau, a remote valley known for its deep serenity, endless rice paddies, and slow-paced village life. If Hanoi is the heartbeat of Vietnam, Mai Chau is its breath.

We stayed at the Avana Retreat. Nestled deep in the tropical jungle, Avana Retreat is a secluded sanctuary built around the breathtaking Pung Waterfall and surrounded by rolling rice terraces. It offers a profound disconnect from the world, where days are spent soaking in the tiered Cloud Pool or practicing yoga in an open-air stilt house. Check it out at: https://avanaretreat.com/

The agenda here was simple: slow down. We spent our mornings practicing yoga and meditation on an open-air deck. There is something profoundly grounding about finding stillness while clouds drift through the peaks right in front of you. We even experienced a sound bath session, letting the resonance of the bowls wash away any lingering travel fatigue.

When we weren’t looking inward, we were soaking up the lush surroundings. We hiked down to a stunning waterfall on the property and spent hours just gazing out at the emerald rice terraces that carve the hillsides. The evenings brought a touch of local culture, where we enjoyed traditional dance performances that celebrated the heritage of the hill tribes. It was the perfect pause button—a few days to truly disconnect and just be.

Days 6-8: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay on Land

A five-hour drive from the mountains brought us to Ninh Binh, a place frequently—and accurately—dubbed “Halong Bay on Land.” If you strip away the ocean from Halong Bay and replace it with winding rivers and lush rice paddies, you get Ninh Binh. It is a surreal landscape where limestone karsts erupt from the flat earth, creating a scene that feels prehistoric.

We anchored our exploration here with a visit to the Trang An Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We took a boat trip that wound through picturesque valleys and navigated through mysterious, low-hanging caves. While we also visited Tam Coc for a serene journey down the Ngo Dong River, I found Trang An to be the standout experience—the water was glass-like, and the scenery felt untouched.

But Ninh Binh isn’t just about nature; it’s a spiritual powerhouse. We visited the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam. The scale here is hard to comprehend until you are standing at the foot of the towering pagoda or gazing up at the massive golden Buddha statues. It’s a striking contrast to the ancient, weathered architecture of Hoa Lu, the country’s ancient capital, where we walked through royal history.

For a change of pace, we climbed the steep stone steps to Mua Cave. It’s a bit of a workout, but the panoramic views of the valley and the river winding below are the ultimate reward. We rounded out the trip with a stop at Bich Dong Pagoda, a tranquil set of cave temples nestled right into the mountainside. It was the perfect blend of adventure and reverence.

Day 9: A Luxurious Farewell at Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat

We decided to end our 9-day journey not with a sprint, but with a deep, restorative exhale. For our final leg (days 6-9), we checked into the Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat, a sanctuary that perfectly balances luxury with the rustic charm of the region.

If our earlier days were about exploration, this day was about indulgence. The resort is designed to feel like a traditional Vietnamese village, with villas tucked away amidst the limestone hills and calm waters. The staff here were nothing short of fantastic—warm, attentive, and genuinely eager to make our stay perfect.

We started our mornings with an amazing breakfast spread that set the tone for the day. While the resort is a destination in itself, it’s also incredibly convenient. They offer a free shuttle service to the nearby Tam Coc downtown area, which we took advantage of to explore the local shops and grab some delicious street food one last time.

Honestly, the stay at Jiva Hoa Lu alone made the entire Ninh Binh experience fantastic. It was the perfect place to reflect on the last nine days before heading home.

For more details on this gem, check out: https://jivahoaluretreat.com/

Summary of the Trip

Vietnam: A 9-Day Journey of Contrasts From the chaotic energy of Hanoi to the silent majesty of the northern mountains, this 9-day trip was a masterclass in balance. We stitched custom suits in the city, cruised through the limestone pillars of Halong Bay, found deep serenity in the remote valleys of Mai Chau, and explored the “Halong on Land” landscapes of Ninh Binh. It was a journey that fed the body, the soul, and the palate in equal measure.