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Planning a trip to Vietnam but feeling overwhelmed? This local guide covers where to go, when to visit, what to eat, safety tips, scams, SIM cards, and everyday travel advice.

Xin chào! This is Dung (Emma) again 👋 After hosting many guests from all over the world, we wrote this guide to share honest, practical, and local tips so you can travel more comfortably, enjoyably, and memorably - not only during your time with us but throughout your entire journey in Vietnam. 1. If Hanoi Is Your First Stop, Please Take It Slow If Hanoi is your first destination in Vietnam, we strongly recommend that you take it easy for at least half a day after arrival ,

One of the most interesting Vietnamese traditional toys — and also one of the best Vietnam’s souvenirs to bring home — is the bamboo dragonfly (chuồn chuồn tre). Small, colorful, and surprisingly balanced, this toy carries much more than playful fun. It carries stories of village life, the spirit of handmade craftsmanship, and a window into Vietnamese childhood where nature, patience, and creativity meet. For families visiting Hanoi, it’s not just a toy — it’s a cultural expe

Many travelers have asked us what to bring home after their Vietnam trip, so we wrote this blog to share our honest suggestions. Not the usual touristy stuff, but something truly authentic - items that carry stories, souls, and culture. They’re light, easy to pack, and meaningful enough that when you give them to someone you love, they can feel the care and thought behind your choice. Almost like they’ve touched a small piece of Vietnam themselves. Vietnamese Coffee – A Local

Hanoi street food isn’t about fancy restaurants or long menus. It’s about timing, balance, and eating what locals eat at the right moment of the day. If you’re visiting the city for the first time, don’t try to eat everything. Eat smart. In this blog, we’re sharing the Hanoi street food dishes you shouldn’t miss, based on how locals actually eat — what we enjoy daily, and what we’d suggest you try if you want to understand the city through food. Pho Made with flat rice noodle

A Slow, Thoughtful Journey from North to South If this is your first time in Vietnam, it’s tempting to rush. Many travelers try to see everything in two or three weeks, moving quickly from one famous name to the next. At Beyond Vietnam, we believe Vietnam reveals itself best when you slow down just enough to listen, observe, and live alongside local people. This guide is written to give you a clear overview of the country—North, Central, and South—while helping you sense whic

February is one of the most beautiful — and most misunderstood — times to visit Vietnam. The weather is great, the country feels alive with color and emotion, and Tet in Vietnam (Lunar New Year) often takes place during this month. At the same time, traveling during Tet is very different from traveling at any other time of year. Things slow down, prices change, crowds appear in unexpected places, and routines disappear. In this guide, we share honest, local tips to help you u

Hanoi, Oct 5th, 2025 Meet Daniel’s family of 3 from Australia at our Cocoa-Coffee Workshop! Kate and Daniel came to Hanoi for a short break, hoping little Mollie ( or “Monkey”, her nickname) could explore new culture and learn through experiences. And oh, what a fun and memorable day it was! Casey and Chihara - our passionate instructors guided our friends through the art of Vietnamese coffee: From the iconic egg coffee to the smooth coconut and bold salted coffee, each cup

From crunchy bánh mì to bamboo dragonfly painting, Bridget’s family explored Hanoi’s Old Quarter, learned local crafts, and made memories they’ll never forget.

From crunchy bánh mì to bamboo dragonfly painting, Bridget’s family explored Hanoi’s Old Quarter, learned local crafts, and made memories they’ll never forget.

Hanoi, December 14th, 2025 What happens when two families from two different countries come together on a food tour? Different stories, one shared curiosity for Hanoi’s local life and food. Let’s join Deb’s and Monish’s families from Australia and India on our Taste of Hanoi food journey. The food adventure was full of surprises. From bánh rán (Vietnamese donuts) — where the long line finally made sense after just one bite — to a buzzing nộm (papaya salad) spot, sitting on ti

Hanoi, October 1st, 2025 Say hello to Wanda’s lovely family of six from Australia, exploring Hanoi during a two-week family holiday. From the very start, we knew the day would be filled with laughter, curiosity, and great energy. With Casey as their companion for the day, Wanda’s family wandered through Hanoi’s streets on a family-friendly walking food tour, discovering hidden gems, enjoying local street food, and learning the stories behind each dish. Our Aussie crew loved e

Hanoi, August 31st, 2025 From the very first “Hello,” Chantal’s lovely family of four from Australia brought sunshine to Hanoi’s streets. Let’s join them on today’s food journey with us! Chihara - our companion guided everyone through Hanoi’s hidden gems, tasting local street food and uncovering the stories behind each dish. Among them all, “bánh cuốn” - steamed rolled rice pancakes and “bánh rán” - Vietnamese donuts became instant favorites. But today wasn’t just about food

Hanoi is not a city you “do” in a rush. It’s a city you slowly get to know — through food, stories, everyday life, and human connections. As locals, we often see travelers trying to squeeze too much into a short time. What usually stays with them, though, are not the famous names — but how they felt walking by the lake at sunset, sharing a meal with locals, or watching their kids proudly hold something they made themselves. This guide is for you if you’re looking for things t

Planning a trip to Vietnam but feeling overwhelmed? This local guide covers where to go, when to visit, what to eat, safety tips, scams, SIM cards, and everyday travel advice.

When winter arrives in Hanoi, the city slows down just a little. The air turns cool, streets feel quieter, and locals instinctively start craving one thing comfort food. Not fancy dishes, not restaurant dining, but local foods eaten on small stools, shared with friends, and cooked by familiar faces who have been feeding the neighborhood for decades. These are the 15 winter dishes Hanoians truly crave, found at local vendors, often in hidden spots, deeply connected to daily li

In Northern Vietnam, Lunar New Year (Tết) is not complete without a full table of traditional dishes. Food during Tet fest is about more than flavor - it represents luck, balance, respect for ancestors, and hopes for the coming year. While every family has its own variations, some dishes appear on almost every Northern Vietnamese table. Banh chung (square sticky rice cake) The most important dish is bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) . Made from sticky rice, mung beans, an

Just a few steps off Hanoi’s busy Old Quarter streets, there’s a little alley that leads to "The little plan" - a vintage hidden cafe in Hanoi that you'll enjoy, especially cat lovers.

Discover 9 must-try Vietnamese street foods loved by locals, from phở and bánh mì to bún chả and bánh xèo. A local guide to Vietnamese food culture.