Last October in Vietnam

After landing in Hanoi, I took a taxi to my hotel through traffic that never seemed to quit. Scooters and cars wove through the streets in a chaotic yet synchronized melody. When I asked a local for advice on crossing the street, he suggested raising my hand to signal drivers. I tried observing this technique, but it appeared to have little effect. Ultimately, I realized the only way through the madness is to breathe, keep walking, and trust you'll reach the other side.

 

The scale of the country surprised me. Exploring Northern Vietnam, I encountered rolling hills, green valleys, and more buffalo than I could count. The local communities there are quite dependent on tourism, and I was frequently approached by vendors during my two-day stay. While it was initially difficult to find meals beyond the standard chicken or pork dishes, a bit of exploring and some help from Google led me to several healthy alternatives. I even found the occasional Bánh Mì shop serving tofu and vegetables, though such vegetarian options were few and far between.

I spent my time in Da Nang wandering near the Dragon Bridge and Han River, both of which are perfect for people-watching. I frequented Bamboo2 Bar, where the drinks were as good as the prices. There, I met a waitress named Thao. When I told her she was beautiful, she replied with a confident “I know.” I found the Vietnamese people to be refreshingly straightforward, if occasionally indifferent. The traffic was a bit more manageable than Hanoi’s, but only just. My time in Hoi An was defined by constant rain, yet I still explored the streets in my jacket and sandals. Interestingly, the smaller town of Hoi An had a better vegetarian scene than Da Nang, catering heavily to tourists with its boutiques and live music. Next time, I hope to explore the broader district beyond the main tourist hub.

I would love to explore Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) further, though I’m still not sure which city feels grander: Bangkok or Saigon. While I’ve traveled throughout Vietnam, the traffic elsewhere simply doesn’t compare; Saigon is on an entirely different level. At first, meandering through the streets felt like pure madness, yet there is a strange thrill to it. It eventually began to feel like a symphony—a chaotic yet coordinated performance where everyone knows exactly which instrument to play and when to join in.

I ventured out on a Grab scooter several times, realizing quickly that the secret was to focus on anything but the traffic itself. I chose to trust the process, operating on the assumption that these drivers knew exactly what they were doing. While I did witness a few accidents during my time in Vietnam, the flow usually felt intentional. Much like Da Nang, Saigon offers an incredible variety of healthy places to eat, but a week was nowhere near ample time to see it all. With so many distinct districts to navigate, it’s just like Bangkok: a city that would take months, if not years, to truly uncover.