Stress-Free Vietnam Travel Thanks to KimKim and a Great Local Team

Vietnam | Nov 6 - Nov 27, 2025

Garden View Court Suites offers an ideal location in the former District 1, with beautiful views overlooking the Independence Palace and easy walking access to many of Ho Chi Minh City’s top attractions. The service stands out immediately—every staff member is warm, friendly, and genuinely attentive, making the stay feel welcoming from start to finish. While the pool and gym area are pleasant, the presentation via their website photos creates an expectation of greater luxury than what's actually offered. The breakfast buffet is a pleasant highlight, featuring a generous spread of options including an egg station and a comforting pho station. While the suites are spacious and impeccably clean, they do feel a bit dated and reflect more of a mid-tier extended stay hotel. Overall, it’s a comfortable, well-situated choice with standout service and great value.

Review: Dragon Legend 3-Day, 2-Night Cruise Experience We joined the Dragon Legend cruise directly from Ha Long Bay, though the company also offers convenient pick-up and drop-off options from Hanoi—including a village tour and traditional water puppet show on Day 3—for those wanting a more curated, all-inclusive experience. Check-In & First Impressions: The starting point was serviceable but could use improvements. Amenities were limited while waiting to board, and the check-in process felt awkward at times. Staff called out last names and room numbers in front of the entire group, along with announcing anyone who still had an outstanding balance to pay before boarding—something that could easily be handled more discreetly. Cabins & Comfort: Once on board, the rooms were a highlight. They were remarkably spacious, clean, and offered a comfortable retreat between activities. Dining Experience: Meals were generally enjoyable, with breakfast and the farewell lunch offered buffet-style. All other meals were served family-style, which works well for groups but may feel restrictive for some. That said, the staff is very accommodating and will gladly provide additional portions upon request. Activities & Onboard Programming: For a multi-day cruise, the activities could use some enhancement. The programming felt repetitive—especially if you choose not to kayak both days—leaving some downtime that wasn’t optimally filled. The spa, however, was a pleasant surprise; the therapists were excellent and well worth booking during the trip. Facilities & Common Areas: While the cabins and spa shine, other areas of the boat fall short. The pool area lacked appeal, and the upper lounge deck also felt underwhelming and outdated given the otherwise premium experience Dragon Legend aims to deliver. Disembarkation: Unfortunately, the final experience didn’t end on a strong note. Shuttles that were supposed to take passengers from the pier back to the main terminal never arrived, leaving everyone to walk the distance instead. Luggage retrieval was also slow, with bags taking quite a while to reach the terminal’s baggage claim area. Overall: Dragon Legend provides a comfortable and scenic cruise with standout cabins and excellent spa services. Staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. However, there’s room for improvement in the check-in process, onboard programming, and disembarkation logistics. With a few refinements, the experience could easily match the beauty of the landscape it sails through.

Hoi An Golden Holiday Hotel & Spa is an excellent choice for travelers who want comfort, convenience, and genuine Vietnamese hospitality just outside the bustling heart of Ancient Town. Its location strikes a great balance—close enough for an easy walk to the main attractions, yet slightly removed from the crowds. Rooms & Comfort The rooms were a standout surprise. Spacious, beautifully designed, and far more luxurious than expected, they offered a relaxing retreat after a day of exploring Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets. Service & Staff The staff deserves special mention. Service was consistently warm, attentive, and thoughtful, creating a welcoming atmosphere from the moment we arrived. Whether arranging transport or providing recommendations, the team went above and beyond. Surroundings & Noise Considerations One thing to note is the large Bia Hoi establishment located right next to the hotel. It’s a lively spot popular with locals for cheap beer and open spit-roasted goat—a fun and authentic experience if you’re in the mood. However, the noise from the crowds can carry into the night, which may impact light sleepers. Overall Hoi An Golden Holiday Hotel & Spa delivers a high level of comfort and service at a great value. If you don’t mind a bit of nighttime noise—or plan to join the festivities yourself—it’s a fantastic base for exploring Hoi An.

White Lotus Hue Hotel is well-situated within easy walking distance of Hue’s lively tourist area—surrounded by restaurants, cafes, shops, clubs, the waterfront, and the iconic Truong Tien Bridge. The property shines in its amenities, especially the impressive pool area and what may be the largest, most well-equipped hotel gym I’ve ever seen, complete with an unexpected outdoor mini golf practice range. Staff throughout the hotel, including laundry services, were friendly and accommodating, and the breakfast buffet offered a generous and varied spread. The bar and restaurant boast beautiful views with a menu that’s decent, though not remarkable. Rooms, however, felt a bit small, and the open bathroom concept—with the combined toilet/shower and a raised water threshold—was not ideal and proved easy to trip over. Overall, White Lotus Hue delivers strong value with excellent facilities and service, even if the room layout isn’t for everyone.

Au Lac Legend Hotel is ideally located within easy walking distance of Ho Chi Minh City’s top attractions, including the Independence Palace, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, and the Ben Nghe Street Food Market. The convenience continues right outside the front door, where numerous local food stalls make breakfast and lunch options incredibly accessible—and for those craving something non-Vietnamese toward the end of their trip, Jollibee is only a block away. The hotel offers several solid amenities, including a small but pleasant pool area with a sauna and an upper rooftop lounge featuring great views. The gym is well-equipped but extremely compact. Rooms are a good size and impressively quiet given the busy surroundings. Staff throughout the hotel, including laundry services, were consistently friendly and helpful. The breakfast buffet was average, and the bar and restaurant offered nice views with a menu that was just okay. Afternoon tea was a thoughtful touch, though not the strongest execution. The biggest inconvenience was the hotel’s single elevator, which often resulted in delays. Overall, Au Lac Legend provides strong value through its excellent location, warm service, and comfortable rooms—despite a few limitations in its amenities and dining.

The driver was very friendly and professional. He was waiting outside of baggage claim with printed name sign. I arrived around 11pm so it was great to have this stress-free experience to get to my hotel in HCM.

A full day in and around Ho Chi Minh City offered two unforgettable experiences that I’d recommend to anyone looking to truly understand the city’s past and present. The Cu Chi Tunnels were absolutely worth the visit—especially for anyone interested in war history. Exploring the underground tunnels provides eye-opening context to the Vietnam War, and for an additional cost, the on-site shooting range even allows you to try Vietnam War–era weaponry, adding an immersive (and adrenaline-filled) element to the tour. In complete contrast, the evening Vespa street food tour was an electric and delightful way to experience the city’s modern-day culture. Riding on the back of a scooter through Saigon’s bustling traffic is an experience in itself—made stress-free thanks to skilled local drivers who handle the chaos effortlessly. Our guide, Heidi, originally planned a mix of bars and restaurants, but once we mentioned we wanted to focus on authentic local delicacies, she immediately adapted the itinerary. What followed was an incredible culinary journey through hidden gems and street-side favorites across the city—an experience that felt both personal and perfectly curated. Together, these two tours offered a powerful blend of history, adventure, and culture—making it a standout day in Ho Chi Minh City.

If flying VietJet, highly suggest flying business class. The Skyboss status had its own private check-in desk, its own security line, priority boarding and deplaning with private shuttle (if not connected via jetway). For any checked bags, they're ensured to be off-loaded first. You also get a meal onboard no matter how short the flight. If traveling during peak tourist season, this upgrade is definitely worth it. Vietnam Airlines does have their own check-in lounge in the bigger airports.

If flying VietJet, highly suggest flying business class. The Skyboss status had its own private check-in desk, its own security line, priority boarding and deplaning with private shuttle (if not connected via jetway). For any checked bags, they're ensured to be off-loaded first. You also get a meal onboard no matter how short the flight. If traveling during peak tourist season, this upgrade is definitely worth it. Vietnam Airlines does have their own check-in lounge in the bigger airports.

We joined the Dragon Legend cruise directly from Ha Long Bay, though the company also offers convenient pick-up and drop-off options from Hanoi—including a village tour and traditional water puppet show on Day 3—for those wanting a more curated, all-inclusive experience. Check-In & First Impressions: The starting point was serviceable but could use improvements. Amenities were limited while waiting to board, and the check-in process felt awkward at times. Staff called out last names and room numbers in front of the entire group, along with announcing anyone who still had an outstanding balance to pay before boarding—something that could easily be handled more discreetly. Cabins & Comfort: Once on board, the rooms were a highlight. They were remarkably spacious, clean, and offered a comfortable retreat between activities. Dining Experience: Meals were generally enjoyable, with breakfast and the farewell lunch offered buffet-style. All other meals were served family-style, which works well for groups but may feel restrictive for some. That said, the staff is very accommodating and will gladly provide additional portions upon request. Activities & Onboard Programming: For a multi-day cruise, the activities could use some enhancement. The programming felt repetitive—especially if you choose not to kayak both days—leaving some downtime that wasn’t optimally filled. The spa, however, was a pleasant surprise; the therapists were excellent and well worth booking during the trip. Facilities & Common Areas: While the cabins and spa shine, other areas of the boat fall short. The pool area lacked appeal, and the upper lounge deck also felt underwhelming and outdated given the otherwise premium experience Dragon Legend aims to deliver. Disembarkation: Unfortunately, the final experience didn’t end on a strong note. Shuttles that were supposed to take passengers from the pier back to the main terminal never arrived, leaving everyone to walk the distance instead. Luggage retrieval was also slow, with bags taking quite a while to reach the terminal’s baggage claim area. Overall: Dragon Legend provides a comfortable and scenic cruise with standout cabins and excellent spa services. Staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. However, there’s room for improvement in the check-in process, onboard programming, and disembarkation logistics. With a few refinements, the experience could easily match the beauty of the landscape it sails through.

Our full-day Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City offered a rich blend of culture, scenery, and hands-on learning, supported by a private driver, boat, and knowledgeable guide. The stops at a coconut brick factory and a coconut candy production shop provided fascinating insight into local craftsmanship and traditions. A visit to a nearby village added to the experience with a relaxed lunch and opportunities to shop from local vendors. While the overall day was engaging and educational, a couple of the stops clearly catered to large tour groups, which made some moments feel overly staged. Still, the mix of river exploration, cultural learning, and village life made the journey a meaningful way to experience the Mekong Delta.

Our walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town was the perfect blend of culture, history, and incredible eats. Before the tour even began, our guide brought us to one of Hoi An’s highly recommended tailor shops—one of the many the city is famous for—where we were able to get custom suits and dress shirts made with impressive speed and craftsmanship. From there, we explored the heart of Ancient Town, stopping at beautifully preserved Chinese cultural assembly halls and crossing the iconic Japanese Bridge. Along the way, we sampled a fantastic lineup of local specialties, including banh mi, coconut coffee, Mi Quang, and the uniquely Hoi An dish, Cao Lau. Although a couple of the destinations were clearly geared towards tourists, each stop offered a deeper appreciation of the Hoi An influenced flavors and stories behind the food. The tour wrapped up perfectly timed for us to stay and experience Hoi An’s magical transformation at night, when lanterns illuminate the streets and the famous night market comes alive. It was a memorable, immersive way to experience the charm and culinary richness of Hoi An.

Our full-day Hidden Heritage and Old Quarter Street Food Tour in Hanoi was unforgettable, thanks entirely to our amazing guide, Ms. Linh—truly the best we could’ve asked for. She took us to an impressive variety of truly local establishments, the kind you’d never find on your own, each stop offering a deeper look into Hanoi’s everyday flavors and culture. Along the way, we experienced the city exactly as locals do—from sipping lime tea and snacking on sunflower seeds on tiny plastic stools in the shadow of St. Joseph’s Cathedral to enjoying beers and small bites on Train Street as the train rumbled past just feet away. Beyond the food, Ms. Linh brought Hanoi’s heritage to life with her passion, depth of knowledge, and engaging storytelling at every historical stop. The day was the perfect blend of history, culture, and street food adventure, and it left us with a true appreciation of the soul of Hanoi.

We spent an unforgettable morning in Da Sy learning how to craft our very own knives, and the experience was incredibly rewarding. While the metal is pre-stamped and modern grinding tools help speed up the process, it’s completely reasonable—and impressive—to leave with a finished knife in just half a day. The hands-on portion was absolutely the highlight. From shaping to grinding and refining, we got to be involved in each step, guided by skilled artisans who made the process both safe and engaging. Feeling the weight of a knife you helped create is surprisingly satisfying, and it offered a fascinating window into the craft that Da Sy is known for. Overall, it was a very cool and unique experience—highly recommended for anyone interested in craftsmanship or simply looking for something different to do near Hanoi.