Vietnam is one of the best long-haul destinations for travellers from Ireland. In this guide, I share my full Vietnam journey starting from Dublin – including flight routes, real prices, best places to visit, islands, cities, cruises, and mountain regions.
You’ll find practical tips about travelling around Vietnam, where to stay, what things really cost, and how to plan a multi-city trip covering Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Hanoi, Ha Giang, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Da Nang and Hue.
This guide is based on my real experience and is updated to help travellers from Ireland plan Vietnam smarter, cheaper and with fewer mistakes.
My journey to Vietnam started in Dublin.
From there, I flew to London Heathrow, continued to Singapore, and finally arrived in Ho Chi Minh City. The total travel time one way was around 20 hours. Heathrow Airport is huge, but extremely well organized. We had only 1.5 hours to transfer from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5, yet it took us just about 15 minutes. Everything was smooth and stress-free — a perfect start to a long-haul journey.
Ho Chi Minh City – First Impressions of Vietnam
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, I stayed at La Vela Saigon Hotel, La Vela Saigon is one of the best rooftop pool hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. 👉 Click here to book La Vela Saigon Hotel
Ho Chi Minh City immediately impressed me with its energy — endless scooters, street food, vibrant nightlife, and a fast-paced atmosphere.
Vietnam is incredibly affordable, and you notice it straight away:
Tailoring (hemming trousers): ~€2
Lunch in a good restaurant: €10–15
Grab taxi rides: very cheap (my longest ride, 35 km, cost only €7)
One of the most memorable experiences here was a Mekong Delta day tour. We traveled in a very comfortable bus with reclining seats and massage functions — the comfort started right from hotel pickup. We cruised through the Mekong Delta by boat, and even though it rained, the experience was unforgettable. Seeing people living on boats, smiling and proud of their simple way of life, was deeply moving. For many of them, their boat is both home and livelihood.
Phu Quoc Island – The Asian Maldives
From Ho Chi Minh City, we flew to Phu Quoc Island, where we stayed at Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay (Managed by Accor), located on Khem Beach. This is one hotel I genuinely recommend to everyone. Excellent food, friendly and professional staff, spacious apartments, and a stunning beach with white sand, crystal-clear water, and palm trees — truly the Asian Maldives. 👉 Click here to book hotel Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay
From Sunset Town, we joined a day trip via cable car to a nearby island. The cable car is approximately 8 km long and offers breathtaking views. On the island, there was an amusement park and a beautiful beach. During our week-long stay, we also received complimentary tickets from the hotel for evening shows, including the Fire Show and the iconic Kiss Bridge — an amazing bonus.
👉 Click here to explore Phu Quoc activities and transfers
Flying North – Hanoi & Northern Vietnam
We flew from Phu Quoc to Hanoi with VietJet Air, and I was pleasantly surprised: no delays, free seat selection, and 20 kg of checked baggage included. Domestic flights in Vietnam were efficient and affordable.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, located in the northern part of the country. I stayed in several hotels, chosen for location, comfort, and value:
Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre – central location, spacious rooms, excellent comfort 👉 Click here to book hotel
Hanoi Nostalgia Hotel & Spa – in the Old Quarter, perfect for feeling the city’s atmosphere 👉 Click here to book hotel
Railway Apartment & Spa – chosen for its proximity to the famous train street and major historical sites 👉 Click here to book hotel
Grab taxis in Hanoi are extremely cheap, and Vietnam is one of the few countries where you can even arrange day tours directly with a taxi driver — often cheaper than standard tour packages.
Ha Giang Loop – Real Vietnam
From Hanoi, we traveled with a private driver to the Ha Giang Loop for four days. This was one of the most breathtaking parts of the entire trip. Mountain roads, dramatic passes, endless motorbikes, and views that simply leave you speechless. Here, you see real life — how people live in mountain villages, how hard they work, and how their days start with sunrise in the fields.
We stayed in local homestays, experienced Vietnamese daily life up close, and ate home-cooked meals. The most delicious soup, without question, is pho. Vietnamese cuisine is incredibly diverse — from simple chicken dishes to luxurious seafood.
👉Click here to book hotel Plum Homestay Dong Van
👉 Click here to book hotel Royal Palace Hotel Tuyen Quang
👉 Click here to book hotel Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang
Halong Bay, Ninh Binh & Central Vietnam
After returning to Hanoi, we explored Halong Bay and Ninh Binh. Our 2 days / 1 night Halong Bay cruise was unforgettable. We sailed aboard Velar of the Seas, staying in a private cabin with a balcony and jacuzzi. The food onboard was exceptional — honestly, Michelin-star quality. During the cruise, we: took smaller boats to beaches and caves
Kayaked through limestone formations
Fished directly from the boat
Joined traditional Vietnamese cooking classes
Enjoyed morning exercise on deck
The scenery in Halong Bay is truly unreal.
👉 Click here to reserve a Halong Bay & Velar of the Seas cruise
Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land”, impressed with its peaceful boat rides through rice fields and towering karst mountains.
👉 Click here to book a Ninh Binh day trip
Da Nang, Hue & Central Coast
From Hanoi, we flew to Da Nang, staying at BlueSun Danang Beach Hotel, located right across from the beach. We had spacious two-room apartments and excellent value for money. 👉 Click here to book hotel
From Da Nang, we visited Hue, a colorful city rich in history, temples, and imperial heritage.
Prices in Vietnam – What Shocked Me Most
Vietnam offers incredible value:
Full body massage (1 hour): €6–10
Fresh coconut drink: €1.50
Beer: €1.50
Taxi rides: often around €1.80
Deep facial cleansing (90 min): €30
Japanese head spa: €6 (around €95 in Europe)
Hair wash, blow-dry & curls: €3–5
Laser teeth whitening in a modern clinic: €60
Domestic flights: €20–50
The local currency is VND, counted in millions. For example, 30,000 VND ≈ €1, which looks shocking at first — but you get used to it quickly.
Final Thoughts
Vietnam is a country where you can experience everything — chaotic cities, peaceful islands, dramatic mountains, authentic local life, luxury hotels, and unbelievably low prices. This journey didn’t just give me photos; it gave me memories, perspective, and emotions that stay with you long after you return home.
✈️ Plan Your Vietnam Trip
Vietnam is perfect for:
Multi-city flights (arrive in one city, depart from another)
Halong Bay cruises, Ha Giang Loop tours, Mekong Delta trips
Affordable luxury hotels in Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc & Saigon
👉 Search hotels here
👉 Use our flight search to find the best deals
👉 Search tours here
Safety Tips:
Traffic looks chaotic — cross the street slowly and steadily, scooters will flow around you
Avoid very cheap alcohol and “happy balloons” in backpacker bars
Use hotel safes and keep photos of your passport and visa on your phone
After Vietnam’s constant movement, noise, flavors, and intensity, Bali feels like an exhale.
Vietnam keeps you alert — crossing streets, catching trains, absorbing history and chaos. Bali does the opposite. It slows your breathing, softens your thoughts, and invites you to stay still.
If Vietnam is a journey forward, Bali is a journey inward.
👉 Continue to my Bali experience → Press here
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