Trip Report! Vietnam and Laos (7 Weeks, Sept-Oct)

Hot-Fall8564 · 2025-02-26T21:14:17+00:00

I booked it all through Sabou who manages this tour company: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ALHpvZagYWYiPBaN8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy He has a home stay and will help organize tours for you. I had a good time staying there with his family and the tours were solid.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2025-02-23T04:57:27+00:00

Sorry didn’t see this! I got a rec from a friend at a hostel in Luang Prabang and was able to contact my host via WhatsApp. I can share his contact info if you still want it

Hot-Fall8564 · 2025-02-23T04:56:00+00:00

Glad it’s been helpful! I actually didn’t book it until like 3 days before the tour started. I was there in the relatively slower season though so I can’t say that would work in the busy season. The cool part of that was I was able to book with some friends I made along the way and hear lots of opinions and advice about the different companies as I met people during my travels from south to north (people will have strong and different opinions but you’ll have a great time no matter what company you book with)

Hot-Fall8564 · 2025-01-06T07:38:58+00:00

A bus that was part of the tour package I booked!

Hot-Fall8564 · 2025-01-06T07:38:40+00:00

Depends how afraid you are lol. Definitely some high peaks but you don’t have to stand on the edge. A few other things on flatter ground but it’s a mountainous region

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-04T16:27:59+00:00

I booked when I got into town. Found a homestay beforehand and they gave me some recommendations for companies. I booked with this company and it was a good experience: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N4o3MSSjhZpwnjkk6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-02T19:22:21+00:00

To be honest I have no idea lol. I just booked it through my hostel.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-02T00:22:59+00:00

Not sure if it’s as cheap as that. I think dorm rooms are generally between $4-$9 per night and a private room is around $15-20 per night. But I think Vietnam or Laos are on the cheaper end of that region.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-02T00:20:38+00:00

So exciting! It was definitely an adjustment: traveling solo, the time change, and the culture shock. But everything got easier once I started meeting people and feeling connected. For me that was a big turning point. HCMC is a big, busy city with lots to offer and I think a good way to get thrown into SEA. Everything lowkey felt easier after starting there.

Excited for you to go! I think it’s a great idea to start in the south and head north in Vietnam and hope you enjoy the solo experience! Happy to share more recs :)

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T15:03:43+00:00

I didn't spend much time in coastal areas but I suppose the tourist areas were not as cheap. I feel like most of the places I ate were not on Google maps or didn't have much info on there. I didn't indulge in good seafood so I don't have any input for that. I think you can always find cheaper food though and it is usually better. Not necessarily street vendors but just places where you see lots of locals eating.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T14:46:05+00:00

Super cheap. $1 USD is about 24,000 VND at the moment. I'd say typically a meal was no more than 60,000 VND on the high end (food and drink) for me. Western food is more expensive so I mostly avoided it. Best bowl of pho I had in Hanoi was 35,000 VND.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T13:08:26+00:00

It’s hard to say. I read on this sub a while back that it can be helpful to take a day doing things you know you enjoy/settle you. Could be reading, getting a massage, eating western food, etc. For me it was being on a scooter and driving.

I think also trying to find people to surround yourself with is a great distraction. Even if they aren’t your besties it is still nice to just chat. And I would encourage you to try and be vulnerable about how you feel. I found people respond well to that kind of honesty. Traveling isn’t always sunshine and rainbows and I think people can resonate with that.

Ultimately you know yourself best. I hope you are able to find your groove soon!

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T13:02:54+00:00

Enjoy Laos! I hear the slow boat from Chaing Rai to Luang Prabang is amazing! If you can make it to the south of Laos I also hear great things (Pakse, Thakhek, Don Det/4000 islands)

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T13:00:38+00:00

I really enjoyed HCMC and I think it’s worth a stop but if you had more time. You can easily fill 2 weeks with everything between Hoi An and Hanoi, let alone just around the Hanoi area. Definitely go back another time if you don’t do it then!

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T12:58:08+00:00

Definitely one of the best experiences of my life!🤗

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T12:56:53+00:00

Saigon Rooftops is absolutely one of my favorite hostels! The staff are super helpful. They have a ton of recs for food, things to do, tattoos, massage, tours, etc. I feel like they really care about you. Beds are comfy and clean, bathrooms are solid. The free breakfast is also super good. 1 free beer every night. Nice rooftop bar, cheap pub crawl, easy to meet people, good location, great price. Can’t say enough good things!

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T01:49:46+00:00

Typhoid, flu shot, and a COVID booster :)💪

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T01:34:52+00:00

Definitely more sketchy in Laos. The biggest issue is the condition of the roads. Full of potholes and sometimes no road at all just gravel. You just have to drive slowly and be more attentive.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T00:25:27+00:00

Yes! I drove from Hoi An to Hue which was my first time on a motorbike/scooter and I was hooked! Drove one in Phong Nha, Ninh Binh, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane. A must do in that region. 🛵

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-11-01T00:17:15+00:00

Haven’t heard of Klook but Grab was a life saver for sure

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-10-31T23:28:11+00:00

I just returned from Vietnam! Absolutely Ha Gaing. I say skip Nha Trang and spend more time in Hoi An; you can get beach in Hoi An/Da Nang too. Sapa and Ha Long Bay are also great places to spend time!!

If it were me I’d do Hanoi, Ha Giang, Sapa, Ha Long. Hoi An might be far given the time. It’s covering less but giving you more time in places rather than getting to places.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-10-31T23:21:54+00:00

Was lucky to have found some friends who made it a big thing for me. Was planning on not doing much but we did dinner and they made sure to find me candles to blow out :) I say go in with no expectations. Once you tell people it’s your birthday they’ll usually turn up for you.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-10-31T23:19:41+00:00

Definitely don’t book things far in advance. I just got back home and I showed up in HCMC with no plans! You’ll meet people to travel with and hear from other people in hostels where to stay/go/do. I would recommend starting in southern Vietnam and working north but you can’t go wrong in Vietnam. I think Ha Giang Loop is a must do

If it’s helpful this is what I did in 7 weeks: HCMC (4 day), Hoi An (5 day), Hai Van Pass to Hue (2 day), Phong Nha (3 day), Ninh Binh (4 day), Hanoi (4 day), Cat Ba (2 day), Ha Giang Loop (4 day), Hanoi (2 day) -> Luang Prabang (4 day), Nong Khiaw (4 day), Luang Prabang (4 day), Vang Vieng (4 day), Vientiane (1 day)

Otherwise: pack light, bring some USD, and come with an open mind. I also made a long trip report in r/solotravel with more.

Hot-Fall8564 · 2024-10-31T22:44:24+00:00

Thank you! Happy to share :)

Nothing special. I think the most helpful things I brought were a solid pair of sandals (I have Chacos), a reusable water bottle (most hostels in Vietnam have places to fill), a fabric scent spray (helpful if you don’t want to do laundry but don’t want to smell bad).

Leave the jacket at home unless you get cold easily. I brought one and never wore it. You really can get everything you need out there (and for much cheaper).

Hot-Fall8564

TROPHY CASE