2026 Spring Break : Visiting Vietnam

We explored Vietnam during spring break in March 2026. A continuation of the family tradition established in 2022 to explore new countries and cultures before kids go off to college. We started in Hanoi, explored Sa Pa in the north, and then ended in central Vietnam near Da Nang.

It was a mix of long travel days, great food, and lots of small lessons along the way.

Day 1: Flying to Hanoi (via Seoul)

We flew from Dallas to Hanoi with a layover in Seoul on Korean Air.

Before the trip, we applied for an E-KTA for transit in Korea. It turns out we didn’t need it as U.S. citizens. Not a big deal, but something to know.

The flight was comfortable. Korean Air had great food, especially the Korean meal options. The snacks were also really good. The crew was friendly throughout. I should note that the Korean Air website doesn’t allow you to select seats without paying if you got the basic economy tickets.

One funny moment: Virat wanted to practice during the vacation and carried hist basketball, and at Seoul security they let it through—but removed all the air from it 🙂.

We arrived late in Hanoi and bought an eSIM at the airport (15 days, 5GB/day for 260K VND). It’s cheaper in the city, but convenient at the airport.

Late check-in into the hotel in Hanoi (Dusit Le Palais Tu Hoa Hanoi). Great hotel, friendly staff, amazing breakfast.

Tips

• You don’t need E-KTA for transit in Korea (for U.S. citizens)
• Choose Korean meal options on Korean Air. You won’t regret 🙂
• Airport eSIM/SIM is convenient but slightly more expensive
• Basic economy = no free seat selection on early check-in

Day 2: Ninh Binh (Caves and Climbing)

We started the day walking around Hanoi. Tried to get a haircut at a “24/7” place from Google Maps—it was closed. Our hotel had to call them.

This happened a lot: business hours on Google Maps are not always accurate.

Then we drove ~3 hours to Ninh Binh. On the way, we stopped at a rest stop that was in a factory outlet specializing in bamboo products!! A lot of the tour guides used this as a stop for their clients. We had to sit through a 10 minute product demo to use the restroom 🙂. A tourist trap to avoid.

The boat ride through caves was beautiful. The most interesting part: the locals row boats using their legs!! It was amazing to watch and envied their quads.

After that, we climbed about 700 steps at Hang Múa. Tough climb, but great views.

At the base of Hang Mua, we got guava with salt and pepper—simple and delicious. Typical roadside snack. Fruit with salt and pepper.

The drive back to Hanoi took longer than expected due to traffic. Later that night, finally got that haircut. It was interesting to navigate the process without speaking the language. Google translate was a huge help.

Tips

• Don’t trust Google Maps hours—call ahead if possible
• Skip tour-company rest stops if you can
• Bargain for souvenirs (start at ~50% of asking price)
• Tip boat rowers 50K VND ($2)
• Expect traffic—plan extra time
• Use translation apps for basic communication
• Carry cash (cards not widely accepted)

Day 3: Drive to Sa Pa

We drove from Hanoi to Sa Pa. The highways were surprisingly good.

We stopped at service centers along the way. The service centers typically had a gas station and a strip mall with a bunch of restaurants and street vendors. Clean, but you pay a small fee for restrooms.

Sa Pa is in the mountains, and the weather changes constantly. It can feel like different seasons in one day.

We visited a place called Sa Pa Moana—very Instagram-focused with photo spots everywhere.

Food in Sa Pa was okay, but we realized that guide-recommended restaurants aren’t always the best.

Tried chestnuts and chestnut cake, a local speciality of Sa Pa—both very good.

Tips

• Dress in layers (weather changes fast)
• Expect fog and winding roads
• Be ready to pay small fees for restrooms at highway stops
• Research restaurants yourself (don’t rely only on guides)

Day 4: Fansipan (Highest Point in Indochina)

We took a cable car up to Fansipan. The views were amazing.

From there, another ride and then about 600 steps to reach the peak. It was tiring but worth it.

The weather kept changing, so we only got short glimpses of the big Buddha statues.

After that, we visited the Glass Bridge. Nice views of the mountains, but the bottom of the glass bridge was not well maintained, so you couldn’t see the ground. Blessing in disguise 🙂. Kids enjoyed the zipline and high altitude swing.

Then we drove back to Hanoi—long and tiring. Ordered food using Grab, which worked really well.

Tips

• Sit by the window on the cable car
• Wear layers—it gets cold at the top
• Be ready for lots of climbing
• Visit around noon for slightly warmer weather
• Use Grab for food and transport

Day 5: Ha Long Bay Cruise

We drove ~3 hours to Ha Long Bay.

From the port, we took a small boat to our cruise ship. These cruises are smaller than typical Caribbean ones, but more personal.

Rooms were spacious, and the staff was very friendly.

We went kayaking and saw wildlife, including monkeys.

You can also swim in the bay—even if you’re not a strong swimmer (life jackets provided).

At night, we tried squid fishing. It takes patience and usually doesn’t work—but it’s fun to try.

Tips

• Bring snacks and drinks (extras are expensive onboard)
• Try kayaking—it’s worth it
• Swimming is safe with life jackets
• Try mango snacks—they’re very refreshing
• Be patient with squid fishing

Day 7: Fly to Da Nang

We flew from Hanoi to Da Nang (about 1 hour). Flights are very affordable.

Da Nang felt like a beach resort city—similar to Cancun in Mexico.

We stayed at Fusion Resort in a private villa. Very relaxing, with a private pool.

Tips

• Flights in Southeast Asia are cheap—use them
• Resorts in Da Nang are great for relaxing
• Pool rentals (toys, floats) can be overpriced

Day 9: Ba Na Hills and Hội An

We visited Ba Na Hills, a mountain resort with a European-style village.

The cable car ride was great. Kids loved the alpine coaster.

We got the WOW Pass (~$10), which helped skip lines—definitely worth it.

The Golden Bridge (Hand Bridge) was very crowded. Hard to get photos.

Later, we went to Hội An, a beautiful historic town with Japanese and Chinese influences.

We shopped for custom clothes. You can get them made in 12–24 hours.

At night, we did a lantern boat ride. One of the most beautiful experiences of the trip.

Tips

• Arrive early (8–9 AM) to avoid crowds at Ba Na Hills
• Get the WOW Pass to skip lines
• Take time when ordering custom clothes
• Bargain when shopping
• Be careful with replica items (quality varies)

Day 10: Final Day

We relaxed at the resort, visited Hội An again, and went to Kim Bong village.

This village is known for woodworking. We bought a few unique handmade items.

Tips

• Bargain (about 10–15% is reasonable)
• Look for handmade items—they’re more unique

Final Thoughts

Vietnam was a great mix of experiences—cities, mountains, and beaches. We loved eating pho everyday for breakfast and exploring the country. A place we would definitely come back to again.