In May 2026, travel specialist Iida set off on a 12-day tour of Vietnam, discovering many of the country’s highlights from north to south. Below, she shares five special moments where she truly felt connected to the local people and their culture – moments that were both moving and enlightening.
1. Morning run to a local market in Hoi An
One morning, before the day’s itinerary began, I felt like exploring the area around my hotel in Hoi An – and the best way to do that was by lacing up my running shoes.
I hadn’t planned a route in advance but simply decided to run towards the old town, where you can, for example, find the Japanese Bridge – one of Hoi An’s most famous landmarks.
By pure chance, I arrived during the morning rush at the nearby market, where hundreds of locals come each day to buy their fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat and fish. The aroma of fresh coriander – a key ingredient in Vietnamese cooking – was delightful! I took a short break to take it all in and watch the market already buzzing with life at 6.30 in the morning.
2. Early morning in Ho Chi Minh City
Just around 200 metres from the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City lies Tao Dan Park, a favourite spot among locals for their morning exercise and dance classes, including tai chi. Many people are already up by 5 a.m. to experience the lively atmosphere outdoors before the heat of the day really sets in.
In the park, I was met with lively music, a great atmosphere and people who all seemed to give each other space to enjoy their morning routines. It was fascinating to witness the strong sense of community among the locals. I almost felt tempted to join in the dance class myself!
3. The guide’s stories from the war years in Ho Chi Minh City
Many of the well-known attractions in Ho Chi Minh City relate to the Vietnam War.
During our city tour, I had the pleasure of being accompanied by an elderly guide who shared his personal stories with us. He showed us, for example, where his grandparents had lived when the Vietnam War ended, and told us how, as a twelve-year-old, he had gone out into the street just to see what the communists looked like. He had been curious to find out whether they really did have horns on their heads, as the propaganda films had claimed.
The guide’s father had also served in the war as a secret agent and had later been forced to flee into the jungle in Cambodia. He was gone for seven years, but fortunately, he managed to return home.
It was deeply moving to both hear and see the story through the guide’s personal accounts, and suddenly history felt much closer to us.
4. The Mekong Delta and local crafts
The Mekong Delta is not only famous for its stunning natural scenery and the river of the same name but also for its traditional local craftsmanship.
On a day trip to the delta, we made several fascinating stops, one of which was at a local factory where they produced clay pots. It was fascinating to learn about the process and see just how physically demanding this craft really is. Massive brick kilns were used to fire the pots, and the temperature inside the factory felt like 50 degrees – no doubt making the work even more demanding.
5. Hué and dinner at a restaurant
I’m always very open to trying local dishes – even the ones where I’m not entirely sure what’s in them.
The evening in Hué offered yet another exciting culinary experience in Vietnam. I had chosen a local restaurant with great reviews that served delicious sharing plates filled with a variety of treats like tofu, fried spring rolls, vegetables, and chicken.
My colleague and I started eating, dipping the fillings in soy and fish sauce, when the waiter quickly came over to show us the proper way to do it.
It turned out that the fillings were meant for us to make our own fresh spring rolls. The fillings were tasty enough on their own, but of course, we had to do it the local way! And it tasted absolutely amazing.
This was my first time in Vietnam, and these five moments were just a few of the many highlights I experienced on the tour. The country truly exceeded my expectations, and the locals were wonderfully friendly everywhere we went. Perhaps one day, I’ll return with my family!
/Iida
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
