Steaming bowls of pho on busy street corners, motorbikes weaving through ancient towns, and sunrises over rice terraces that go on forever. From the caves of Phong Nha to the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is one of those destinations that seems to offer something new around every corner.
We want to hear from you - what’s the one thing on your Vietnam travel wishlist you can’t stop thinking about? Whether it’s a dish you’re dying to try, a place you’ve been dreaming about, or an experience you’ve seen online that gave you instant wanderlust, drop it below!
I haven’t been yet, but photographing those endless rice terraces is definitely at the top of my list I’d also love to have local clothes tailored there and try real street food. And honestly, I want to experience the chaos of those scooter-filled streets and attempt crossing the road like everyone talks about
I’d love to photograph the colorful incense sticks, fishing villages, and the lantern-filled evenings in Hoi An. And of course, that famous train street where the train passes right beside the cafés looks like something I have to experience at least once.
Vietnam seems to have this mix of energy, history, food, and scenery that makes it feel like several countries in one trip. If I were building a dream itinerary, the parts I’d be most excited for would probably be the contrast between the nonstop intensity of Ho Chi Minh City, the surreal calm of Ha Long Bay, and seeing the famous Golden Bridge held up by those giant stone hands in the mountains near Da Nang.
In Ho Chi Minh City, I think the biggest draw is the atmosphere more than any single attraction. Everything people describe about it sounds alive all the time scooters flowing like rivers through intersections, tiny cafés hidden in apartment buildings, rooftop bars above chaotic streets, markets open late into the night, and food everywhere. It seems like the kind of city where you can spend an entire day just wandering and constantly stumble into something memorable.
The food scene there is probably what I’d be most excited about. Sitting on a tiny plastic stool eating fresh food like pho or bánh xèo like ive seen online and heard about while scooters fly past feels like one of those classic travel moments. Vietnamese iced coffee alone seems worth the flight. I’d also want to visit places like:
Ben Thanh Market for the busy street-food atmosphere and shopping
War Remnants Museum because people say it’s one of the most powerful museums in Southeast Asia
Saigon Central Post Office and nearby colonial-era streets for the city’s French architectural influence
The hidden café apartments on Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, which seem to have become iconic
At night, the city apparently changes personality completely, neon lights, rooftop views, live music, and endless food stalls. It sounds exhausting in the best possible way.
Then there’s Ha Long Bay, which looks like the opposite experience. After the intensity of Ho Chi Minh City, cruising through emerald water surrounded by limestone towers would be incredible. The photos almost don’t look real. I think the ideal version would be staying overnight on a boat so you can experience the bay early in the morning before crowds build up — mist hanging over the water, quiet fishing villages, and those dramatic rock formations everywhere you look.
A lot of people talk about kayaking there being the highlight because you can get close to caves and hidden lagoons that larger boats can’t reach. I’d also want to see some of the floating villages and just spend time on deck watching the scenery pass by. It seems less about “doing” things and more about absorbing the atmosphere.
And most of all the Golden Bridge — is probably one of the most visually striking landmarks in Vietnam now. The design looks wild and magical, a golden walkway suspended in the hills and supported by two gigantic weathered stone hands. Even people who normally don’t care about architecture seem impressed by it because it looks almost fantasy-inspired.
What makes it especially appealing is the setting. It’s located in the Ba Na Hills above Da Nang, so you get mountain air, panoramic views, clouds rolling through the hills, and cable cars climbing above the forest. It feels very different from the tropical city atmosphere farther south. I’ve seen photos where the bridge disappears into fog and it almost looks like it’s floating in the sky.
If I could combine all three experiences into one Vietnam trip, that would probably be the perfect balance:
the nonstop urban energy and food culture of Ho Chi Minh City
the peaceful natural beauty of Ha Long Bay
and the dramatic mountain scenery around the Golden Bridge
Vietnam seems like one of those destinations where every region gives you a completely different experience rather than just more of the same. I’ve always wanted to go to Asia and this trip would make my life complete once in a lifetime opportunity to soak and embrace in the culture of Vietnam and what it has to offer
haven’t made it to Vietnam yet, but it’s a place I think about often. I’d love to dive into the country’s food scene beyond pho—sitting down to a smoky plate of bun cha, discovering regional dishes, and tasting the kind of flavors you can only really understand once you’re there.
It’s not just the food, though. I imagine winding my way along the Hà Giang Loop, taking in those dramatic mountain views, then tracing the country’s history from the Imperial City of Huế down to the lantern-lit streets of Hội An. And further north, the terraced hills of Sapa feel like something out of a dream.
I’ve done the research, mapped it out in my head more times than I can count. Getting there is the only real hurdle—but it’s a trip I’ve always known I’d take someday.
I would like to experience the culture and cuisine. And discover all its hidden gems. Plus my ex husband lives in Cambodia and my daughter has not see him since she was seven, she is nearly 21st now.
I’d also love to have local clothes tailored there and try real street food. And honestly, I want to experience the chaos of those scooter-filled streets and attempt crossing the road like everyone talks about 
