> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.travelelli.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Three weeks in Vietnam - URL: https://www.travelelli.com/three-weeks-in-vietnam/ - Published: 2026-10-04T07:32:10.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-04T07:38:18.000Z - Author: Simon - Tags: Stories, Vietnam, Southeast Asia So basically after our one month adventure in Thailand, we were not quite ready to return to the cold, darkness and responsibilities waiting for us back home in Estonia. If January in Thailand already felt like a dream, then February in Vietnam felt like the sequel we didn’t know we needed. The plan was simple: fly from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, explore the south, spend proper slow island time in Phu Quoc, and then finish strong in Hanoi before heading back to reality. ## Ho Chi Minh City – organized chaos and coffee heaven ![Ho Chi Minh City – organized chaos and coffee heaven](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/8b/8c8bbc13-48e5-4c03-b4b8-c94e59c5d2cc/content/images/2026/10/placeholder-three-weeks-in-vietnam-ho-chi-minh-city-organized-chaos-and-cof.jpg) Placeholder: Ho Chi Minh City – organized chaos and coffee heaven. Replace with your own photo. We stayed in Ho Chi Minh City for half a week, and honestly, it was a hard landing into Vietnam. After Thailand, I expected something very similar, but Vietnam has its own personality entirely. I loved: - The mix of French colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers. - Vietnamese iced coffee. Strong, sweet, with condensed milk. I don’t think I’ve ever been so caffeinated in my life. - The food. Sticky pork belly for breakfast? Yes please. - The rooftop bars- they know how to make their world class cocktails. I hated: - The heat. Somehow it felt more intense and sticky than in Thailand. - The insane amount of scooters. Crossing the street felt like playing a real-life version of Frogger. You just have to walk confidently and trust the flow. - The traffic noise and honking. It never really stops. - That I was constantly slightly anxious when crossing bigger roads. Still, half a week was perfect. I wouldn’t have stayed much longer, because our real goal was island life. ## Phu Quoc – two weeks of doing (almost) nothing ![Phu Quoc – two weeks of doing (almost) nothing](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/8b/8c8bbc13-48e5-4c03-b4b8-c94e59c5d2cc/content/images/2026/10/placeholder-three-weeks-in-vietnam-phu-quoc-two-weeks-of-doing-almost-nothi.jpg) Placeholder: Phu Quoc – two weeks of doing (almost) nothing. Replace with your own photo. From the city chaos we flew to Phu Quoc and stayed there for two full weeks. Yes, two weeks in one place. After moving around a lot in Thailand, we consciously decided to slow down. And wow – best decision ever. Phu Quoc in February was HOT and sunny almost every single day. It felt like we had stepped into a tropical screensaver. I loved: - The fact there were only a few other tourists, not crowded at all. - Fresh seafood dinners with our toes in the sand. - The fact that life revolved around sunsets. - How affordable drinks and food were compared to many Thai islands. - Renting a scooter and exploring hidden beaches (yes, I was still slightly stressed on the back seat, but less than in Phuket). The water was warm, calm and perfect for swimming. We truly embraced the “sweetness of doing nothing” again – sunbathing, swimming, napping, repeat. One day we took the cable car to Hon Thom, which is apparently one of the longest over-sea cable cars in the world. The views were absolutely insane – turquoise water and tiny jungle-covered islands everywhere. It felt surreal. I hated: - Some overly developed and slightly artificial-looking resort areas. - Random trash in certain less touristy spots (which made me sad). But overall? Phu Quoc was our reset button. Two weeks in one location felt luxurious. We had a routine, a favorite smoothie place, a favorite beach spot. It started to feel like temporary living rather than traveling. If you are someone who gets nervous moving hotels every few days – I highly recommend staying longer in one place. ## Hanoi – dramatic skies and chaotic charm ![Hanoi – dramatic skies and chaotic charm](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/8b/8c8bbc13-48e5-4c03-b4b8-c94e59c5d2cc/content/images/2026/10/placeholder-three-weeks-in-vietnam-hanoi-dramatic-skies-and-chaotic-charm.jpg) Placeholder: Hanoi – dramatic skies and chaotic charm. Replace with your own photo. For our final half a week, we flew to Hanoi. And let me tell you – the vibe shift was real. If Ho Chi Minh City felt warm and tropical, Hanoi in February felt moody, grey and slightly mysterious. The temperatures were cooler, and for the first time in two months, I needed a light jacket during night. I loved: - Walking around the Old Quarter and getting completely lost. - The tiny plastic stools and street food culture. - Local tiramisu- suprisingly the best I have ever had. - The lakes and softer, more poetic atmosphere compared to the south. We walked by lakes almost every day. There was something calming about watching locals exercise, dance and socialize there in the mornings and evenings. I hated: - The grey skies (we were so spoiled with sunshine before). - Air pollution on certain days. - That half a week was not enough to explore the north properly. I would have loved to see Ha Long Bay or Sapa, but we simply ran out of time. Still, Hanoi had character. It felt more raw, less polished and artsy. ## Comparing Vietnam to Thailand ![Comparing Vietnam to Thailand](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/8b/8c8bbc13-48e5-4c03-b4b8-c94e59c5d2cc/content/images/2026/10/placeholder-three-weeks-in-vietnam-comparing-vietnam-to-thailand.jpg) Placeholder: Comparing Vietnam to Thailand. Replace with your own photo. Since we had just spent a month in Thailand, comparisons were inevitable. Thailand felt: - Softer - More tourism-polished - Easier to navigate Vietnam felt: - More raw - More chaotic - More intense culturally and historically Both were incredible, just in very different ways. Food-wise? Thailand might actually win for me. The freshness, the herbs, the spices – I’m still dreaming about them. ## Final thoughts Three weeks in Vietnam right after Thailand was the perfect combo. One month in Thailand gave us adventure and variety. Three weeks in Vietnam gave us contrast and depth. Half a week in Ho Chi Minh City was enough. Two weeks in Phu Quoc was pure therapy. Half a week in Hanoi left us wanting more. If I could change anything? I would probably add a few more weeks in coastal Vietnam to explore beyond Hanoi. But overall – no regrets. Escaping the Estonian winter for almost two whole months was one of the best decisions we have ever made. Asia, you really did heal parts of us we didn’t even know were tired.