Local Insider – Showcasing the Beauty of Vietnam

“The thing I enjoy most about my job is that it’s more than just being a guide. I like the concept of Culture Trip’s Vibrant Vietnam itinerary because with such a small group you become like a family.” Huy tells Adam over a recent catch-up.

Huy likes to show his guests a good time and stays in touch with many of the people who travel with him.

The 12-day itinerary starts in Hanoi and Huy has a number of highlights he wants to share with everyone. “The street food is great in Hanoi. We have 36 different streets and each one specialises in one type of food. It’s lively and colourful. We get to taste a bit of everything and spend time with the locals. This interaction with people is one of the best ways to travel” Huy explains.

You get to do things like the famous train track street, which has become popular on social media, but it’s much better to do this with someone in the know. Coffee has become popular in Vietnam, and the local speciality is another hot tip from Huy. “You have to try the Hanoi Egg Coffee, it’s the perfect blend of sweet and bitter”.

“From Hanoi we get to a hidden corner of Mai Chai with a beautiful hotel. It’s a different type of culture here where you can meet people from a Thai background. Not many people know about this area.”

Wellness plays an important part on this trip. “We have some retreat activities where people can relax. If you can get up early there is a Tai Chi lesson in the morning. Of course there is coffee afterwards to wake up and, compared to the business of Hanoi, this is a great escape from reality.”

Adam has curated a trip that combines a bit of the city and country in one. There is a night train trip with a private cabin for each passenger. “When you wake up and see the different scenery comparing the north and the south there’s a big difference from the coast to the jungle,” Huy says.

The ancient cities in the south are a great way to end the trip. “We take a trip with another local expert to the imperial palaces, which are even more spectacular at night. The food here is different, and then onto Hoi An, where there is a real blend of cultures from around the world.”

Huy makes every part of the trip sound like a highlight, and frankly tasty too!