Katheryn Romeyn, a travel writer, wrote in Travel & Leisure magazine that she chose Vietnam as her destination because of its beautiful scenery, highly rated food, and diverse local culture.
“Since Vietnam reopened to international tourists in March, waiving pre-arrival COVID-19 testing, Westerners have been returning to a place known for its flavorful cuisine, herbs and vegetables, quaint towns, vibrant cities and stunning beaches,” she told Travel & Leisure magazine.
She and her small family traveled along the S-shaped strip of land to explore famous tourist destinations of Vietnam. Below is Katheryn Romeyn's 10-day itinerary in the capital Hanoi, the ancient town of Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the coastal city of Nha Trang.
Hanoi: Romantic like a movie
Katheryn Romeyn and her family began their first day in the capital city of Hanoi. A city of 97 million people, Hanoi often appears bustling or stuffy. However, to her, Hanoi resembled the setting of a romantic period film, with colonial architecture shaded by lush green trees.
Katheryn’s family chose Capella Hanoi as their Hanoi accommodation. She described the architecture as transporting them back in time to the golden age of opera. Designed by architect Bill Bensley, the 47-room hotel opened in April 2021. However, Capella Hanoi had to temporarily close at that time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Katheryn's family enjoys bun cha at Dong Xuan market.
In the morning, she and her family enjoy famous Hanoi pho, then learn how to make traditional Vietnamese coffee and Japanese dishes made with wagyu beef.
"The locals advised us to wake up early and enjoy the Hanoi atmosphere at 7am. It was the wisest decision I have ever known," Katheryn wrote.
7am in Hanoi is a very special scene, Katheryn feels a source of calm energy when witnessing the locals meditating around the square, playing badminton on the sidewalk, dancing together by Hoan Kiem Lake, praying at the temple. In addition, she and her family rented a Vespa to visit traditional lacquer craft villages and learn about the performing rituals. In particular, the Bun Cha dish at Dong Xuan market made Katheryn's family remember it fondly.
Hoi An: a healing journey
Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was Katheryn and her family’s next stop in Vietnam. Here, she chose Four Seasons Resort Hoi An, a resort renowned for its natural ocean views and wellness services. Katheryn attended bell bowl therapy sessions, meditation sessions and massages to help her raise her vibrations.
“We enjoyed plant-based Vietnamese dishes from the hotel’s Glow With Food program, and the coffee and tea presentations elevated the role of those ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine,” Katheryn shared.
Hoi An night market is crowded in the eyes of international tourists.
According to Katheryn, Hoi An itself is a charming ancient city and is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site with lantern streets reserved for pedestrians. During the Covid-19 period, she had heard stories about a strangely deserted and quiet Hoi An. However, Hoi An seemed to have changed unexpectedly on a full moon festival night on the weekend, the old town was packed with people and people.
"The sight of hundreds of boats lit with seven-colored lights gliding along the river is so special, like temples and pagodas glowing under the turquoise sky," Katheryn wrote in the magazine.
Nha Trang: Experience Robinson Crusoe on a deserted island
From Hoi An, Katheryn’s family flew to Nha Trang and then took a boat to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Katheryn described it as a Robinson Crusoe-like desert island retreat, with wooden villas, hammocks, wooden bathtubs and bamboo furniture. The resort is stacked on granite boulders, surrounded by Mother Nature’s most beautiful creations.
“We enjoyed locally caught pomfret at a private dinner inside a candlelit cave,” she said.
Scene at a beach in Nha Trang taken by Katheryn.
The next day, Katheryn cycled and hung out at the VOOC Village Kids Club and learned about the conservation of the rare black-shanked douc and red-shanked douc langurs. According to Travel & Leisure magazine, the VOOC Village is named after the douc langurs, which are cared for and conserved by staff at a famous resort in Nha Trang. There are also dedicated kids’ clubs and playgrounds within the resort.
"Watching animals found in only three places on the planet leap from rock to tree as we sailed by on a fishing boat at sunset was an experience beyond words," Katheryn wrote in the magazine.
“Throughout the trip, people shared bits and pieces of life and culture in Vietnam. Flights are still operating normally, especially direct flights from Singapore and Seoul to smaller cities like Cam Ranh,” she suggested.
Ho Chi Minh City: The final vibrant destination
Katheryn Romeyn and her family arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on the last days of their Vietnam trip. The family enjoyed dinner at a famous hotel in the city, which combined elegance and tradition in its architecture and food.
Katheryn experiences a motorbike tour around the city.
The dishes she and her family choose have the salty taste of the North, the spicy feeling of the Central coastal region, the sweet taste of the South and the simplicity of the cuisine of the Mekong Delta.
"I was excited to listen to people in Ho Chi Minh City share stories about Vietnamese culinary culture," she wrote in her diary.
