The Tour du Mont Blanc
April 10, 2025
Most Americans have never been to Vietnam, but our narrative around Vietnam typically derives from stories of relatives who fought or died in the war, or movies like 'Platoon' (or even 'Good Morning Vietnam') depicting a war-torn country. When I got back from my first trip there, many people asked if the Vietnamese were angry or bitter about our involvement in their history. Surprising to many — the answer was a resounding “No!” The Vietnamese people were friendly and engaging, with no resentment or anger. They have a sense of pride about 'The American War', which is a totally unique perspective that most Americans have never considered.
The Vietnam I experienced is far from the war-torn imagery of the 1970's. Instead, I found a magical and unique country, blending the ancient world's traditions and history, the modern world's fast pace and global perspective, and a bit of fairy tale mixed in.
Perhaps nowhere in Vietnam is this more apparent than in Hanoi, where sleek, luxurious hotels and modern restaurants are interspersed between centuries-old buildings and tenement blocs housing family-run businesses managed down through generations.
In the fast-paced metropolis of Hanoi, crossing the road on my first day in town was as difficult as understanding the Vietnamese language. I'd heard the traffic in Hanoi referred to as 'motorbike madness', and that's an understatement — with pedestrians, cars, bicycles, and motorbikes all weaving through what seems an impossible network of lawless intersections, the streets of Hanoi can be exhilarating (and intimidating). Crossing the street is a cultural experience.
Hanoi is a loud, energetic city where everyone has somewhere to be, and yet — surprisingly — you can still find quiet walking streets and lakesides where locals and tourists alike take a stroll amongst ancient temples and garden pathways.
On our Spring-Roll Vietnam 2026 trip, we explore Hanoi's Old Quarter on foot, dive into the legendary street food scene, and experience nearly 1,000 years of Vietnamese history before heading into the countryside. It's the perfect way to start a Vietnam adventure.
After some time spent in Hanoi, getting into the rice paddies of the countryside is a literal breath of fresh air. In the areas around Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay, the beauty of the karst rock formations jutting straight up from the flat rice fields is truly fairy tale material.
A few days spent in the Vietnamese countryside is like stepping back in time. I remember hearing the bellows of the local carabao (water buffalo) and the birds chirping in produce trees as my local guide pointed out edible plants that were cultivated along the road. Dogs ran from home to home while families gathered in their open-walled homes for a meal together.
In small villages, they still use traditional methods for crafting and harvesting — it's fascinating to see those methods in action, including processing rice and other produce to eat, weaving reeds into mattresses or boats, harvesting indigo for dye, and various traditional crafts passed down from generation to generation.
If the Vietnamese countryside is a step back in time, Ha Long Bay is a step into another world entirely. Towering karst islands rise from emerald waters, hidden caves wait around every bend, and floating fishing villages dot the seascape. It's one of those places that looks unreal in photos — and even more unreal in person.
Our Vietnam trip includes a 3-day, 2-night cruise through Ha Long Bay, which gives you time to actually experience the bay rather than just see it from a tour boat. We kayak through limestone arches, hike on Cat Ba Island, and wake up anchored among the karst formations. It's the kind of thing that sticks with you long after you get home.
Vietnam is a FEAST for the senses, and nowhere is that more true than at the table. From Hanoi's legendary street food stalls to countryside home cooking, Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavorful, and endlessly varied.
Egg coffee (cà phê trứng) in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Bánh xèo (Vietnamese crispy pancakes) from a roadside vendor. Fresh dragonfruit after a morning hike. Phở for breakfast — and honestly, phở for lunch and dinner too. The food alone is reason enough to visit.
A heads up: while vegetarian and vegan requirements are easily met in Vietnam, travelers with severe food allergies (peanut, tree nut, etc.) or strict gluten-free/celiac needs may want to research carefully. The language barrier can make communicating food restrictions challenging in smaller towns, though our guides will do everything possible to ensure your dietary needs are met.
This isn't a sit-on-a-beach trip. Vietnam rewards active travelers — people who want to cycle through rice paddies, kayak in emerald waters, hike lush rainforests, and actually engage with the places they visit. The terrain is varied and the pace keeps you moving, but it's accessible for anyone with a reasonable fitness level.
On our Spring-Roll Vietnam trip, the daily activities include biking, hiking, kayaking, and walking tours — designed for adventurous travelers looking for a balance of action and culture. It's an active and immersive way to experience a country that most Americans don't even know exists beyond the history books.
A few things I wish I'd known before my first trip:
Reading about Vietnam is one thing. Being there is something else entirely.
Before I experienced Vietnam for myself, I had no idea what to expect. The sprawling temples, traditional handicrafts, tranquil countryside and positive vibes from the locals made me want to go back again and again to see, taste, and discover more. I can not wait for the next time I touch down in Hanoi, find one of the many cafes in the Old Quarter and have myself an egg coffee, bánh xèo and fresh dragonfruit while watching the traffic go by.
I sincerely hope you are there to join me!
— Kristin M., F4A Vietnam Lead Guide
We're heading back — and this trip sold out fast. Get on the waitlist:
Not ready for Vietnam yet? Here are a few other active adventures we think you'd love:
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