I wrapped up the first 28 days of my Vietnam adventure on February 11th, 2025.
During that stretch, I spent time exploring much of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC/Saigon) and made my way through a wide swath of central and southern Vietnam—getting a real feel for how different each region can be, even within the same country.
What stood out most wasn’t just the places themselves, but how quickly Vietnam shifts in tone:
big-city chaos to quiet riverside towns, motorbike madness to morning markets, tourist centers to places that still feel almost untouched.
Every stop felt like a new chapter, not just a new pin on a map.
After two days of plane, bus, and ferry travel, I reached my last destination, the island of Phu Quoc.
It took a night bus and ferry, and a full day of travel, but I made it to Vietnam Paradise Island!
I took the train North, stopping in Nah Trang, Da Nang, and went as far as Hue, Vietnam. It was a great experience, but exhausting. My longest train ride was 18 hours.
After riding trains for what felt like forever, I came down with a pretty severe case of “fuck it” and booked a flight back to my home base in Ho Chi Minh City.
Sometimes slow travel is about patience and rhythm.
And sometimes it’s about recognizing when you’ve had enough of moving sideways and just want to reset.
The train had been great. The scenery was unreal. The experience was worth it.
But in that moment?
I didn’t want another platform, another timetable, or another overnight seat.
So I flew.
And honestly—that flexibility is part of the whole point.
The ironic part? The flight barely cost more than the train.
I loved the train—the views, the slow-paced touring Vietnam. It was absolutely worth doing. But clicking buy on that flight and being back in HCMC in a few hours later felt incredible.
Sometimes the best travel move is resetting—it’s the one that gets you home, rested, and ready for whatever’s next.
I started my bus and ferry journey from HCMC to Phu Quoc!
Below is the legendary night bus—the rolling cocoon many travelers use to reach their next destination.
No seatbelt.
No personal space.
No hotel was needed that night.
Once I wedged myself into that pod, my ass wasn’t going anywhere, but somehow… it worked.
It’s not luxury. a
It’s not comfort.
But it adventureturous to say the least.
The ferry is a lot more comfortable for me, and watching the water go by is great too!
Here’s the walk from my hotel to what might be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
No taxi, short walk, and no rush.
Just a few quiet streets away, warm air, and that moment when the sand finally appears and you realize this is part of your daily routine—not a $200 excursion.
This is what slow travel looks like in practice.
Phu Quoc was less than half price compared to most of the islands I visited in Thailand and the Philippines.
It is perfect for someone on a lower travel budget like me!
