Vietnam is a known destination for backpackers, so its travel itineraries are pre-written for you. For once, I didn’t mind staying on the beaten pad and doing that typical south-to-north route, visiting places that friends have also seen. Because every experience is unique anyway!

The country of Vietnam is long and skinny, making it perfect to travel up or down one way. What I kept hearing, is the advice to start in Ho Chi Minh City (south) and travel up to Hanoi (north) because the more you travel up north, the more nature you will see and the more beautiful it gets. On the other hand, you could start with the Ha Giang Loop up north, where you make friends for life, and proceed your trip with your little travel family.