There’s a balance I’m always chasing when I travel—but I wish I understood it better, so I’d stop booking flights. I know I need to begin with lower-cost, slower journeys, and once again, Vietnam felt like the perfect calibration.
I landed in Hanoi, Vietnam on November 17th, 2025—because apparently I like good decisions.
~$572 for the flight and ~$263 for an entire month’s rent (yes, a month).
I skipped Northern Vietnam earlier in 2025, so this trip was basically my “fine, I’ll do it properly this time” trip. 🪣📃
Anytime I find a cheap flight, I’ve learned to check the accommodations before I start emotionally packing.
I knew it would be budget-friendly, but I didn’t expect a full-on resort situation—pool, gym, and a games room with a river view… all for “are we sure this is real?” prices.
The history of Hanoi: A City That Refuses to Sit Still
Hanoi has been around for over 1,000 years, which basically means it has more history than most people have Instagram posts. It started as a sleepy riverside settlement until Emperor Lý Thái Tổ decided in 1010 to move the capital there and call it Thăng Long—“Rising Dragon”—because why settle for boring when you can be mythical?
Fast forward a few centuries, and Hanoi became a cultural, educational, and political hotspot, surviving invasions, occupations, and a fair share of bureaucratic headaches. The French showed up in the late 1800s, built boulevards, colonial buildings, and cafés where you can still sip coffee pretending you’re in Paris.
After a mid-20th century revolution and reunification, Hanoi officially became the capital of Vietnam, a city where ancient temples, motorbike chaos, and modern skyscrapers collide. Basically, it’s a city that refuses to sit still—and you’ll love every chaotic, delicious, history-packed second of it.