Meet the storytellers

To understand the journey, you must know the travelers. Our group was a beautiful mix of personalities and travel styles:

1. Paola Bertoni (Paola in Viaggio | Instagram)

As a single mom and student pilot who once toured Europe in a camper van, she looks for freedom and adventure.

2. Cristina & Marcello (Vi do il Tiro | Instagram)

They are true travel veterans. Based in Bologna and married since 1988, they have been exploring the globe for decades.

3. Marina (The Travelling Petsitter | Instagram)

The daughter of an Alitalia captain (once the flag carrier of Italy), she grew up with luxury travel but now uses pet-sitting to unlock local experiences worldwide.

4. Veronica (Oggi dove andiamo? | Instagram)

A Ligurian soul with a heart for volunteering. She represents the responsible traveler who wants to give back.

5. Annalisa (Tre Valigie | Instagram)

A marketing expert who loves the seas. She sees travel through the eyes of a mother and a family planner.

6. Marina Loblundo (Maraina in Viaggio | Instagram)

As an archaeologist and a tea expert, she views Vietnam through its history and its tea culture.

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival

The journey began after an 18-hour long-haul flight from Milan. As the group touched down at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, the fatigue was heavy, but the curiosity was stronger.

The drive from the airport to the city center is the perfect introduction to Northern Vietnam. The writers watched in silence as the landscape shifted. Emerald green rice paddies slowly surrendered to tall, narrow “tube houses,” and finally, the dense, tree-lined streets of the capital appeared.

And then, the motorbikes. Thousands of them. They flowed like water around the car, carrying everything imaginable: crates of fruit, giant furniture, and even families of four.

“It looks like madness,” remarked Annalisa, watching the traffic weave together. “But it is a chaos with its own secret order. Everyone knows exactly where they are going.”

Travel Sense Asia’s hospitality

We didn’t take the writers straight to a hotel. We brought them to our headquarters. Walking through our doors, the writers were surprised.

Our reception space was designed to replicate a traditional Northern Vietnamese ancestral home, with red terracotta roof tiles and a sacred wooden altar for local deities.

Ms. Liliana, our Head of Italian Market, greeted them like family, same as other guests. She served hot, fragrant tea and traditional local snacks. In this intimate setting, we explained the “why” behind what they saw: why we worship ancestors, the traditional clothings, and the importance of hospitality.

Hoa Lo Prison

The jet lag seemed to melt away, replaced by the warmth of the welcome. Thus, after saying goodbye to Liliana and checking in the hotel, the writers immediately dove into the history of the city at the Hoa Lo Prison Relic.

Known ironically as the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs, this place is heavy with emotion. Walking through the dark corridors, Marina (the petsitter) was deeply moved, “I learned about the harsh reality of the wars, but I also discovered the Vietnamese spirit of reconciliation”.

They were all touched by the stories of kindness shown by locals to the prisoners. It was a powerful lesson: Vietnam is a country that forgives, but never forgets.

Where to stay in Hanoi: Bespoke Boutique Hanoi

For this trip, accommodation was key. We chose the Bespoke Boutique Hanoi, a stunning new property opened in late 2025, for the writers. It is modern comfort with a local touch.

Just 500m from Hoa Lo Prison, 600m from the famous Train Street, and 800m from Hoan Kiem Lake. It offers the writers the freedom to explore Hanoi by night on foot, without needing a taxi.

Day 2: Hanoi – City Tour

Hanoi is a city of layers. To understand it, you must peel them back one by one.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

We started early at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Standing before the resting place of “Uncle Ho,” the writers felt the solemn atmosphere. Our tour guide, Lan, shared stories not of a distant leader, but of a man who lived simply. Visiting his humble stilt house behind the mausoleum, the group connected with the human side of history.

Temple of Literature

Next, we visited the Temple of Literature. Built in 1070, this was Vietnam’s first university. The architecture is stunning, with five peaceful courtyards and stone turtles carrying the names of ancient scholars

But the real highlight for our Italian writers was the people. The temple was filled with young Vietnamese students wearing the traditional Ao Dai. They were taking photos for the upcoming Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year) and praying for luck in their exams.

“I couldn’t resist,” said Cristina. “They looked so beautiful and proud of their culture. We had to take photos with them!”

Hoan Kiem Lake & Street Food

In the afternoon, we walked around Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword). This is the living room of Hanoi. Locals practice Tai Chi, play chess, and read newspapers on the benches. We crossed the iconic red The Huc Bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple, soaking in the legends of the giant turtle.

But you cannot know Hanoi without tasting it. Our guide took the group on a mini street food tour. We sat on the famous small plastic stools, a culture shock for some, but a delight for our writers!

We tasted the legends:

• Banh Mi: The perfect fusion sandwich.
• Banh Cuon: Steamed rice rolls
• Pho Cuon & Pho Chien Phong: Variations of the famous pho noodle.
• Bia Hoi: Fresh draft beer brewed daily.

Water Puppetry

We ended the day at the theater. Water Puppetry is an art form unique to Northern Vietnam, born in the flooded rice paddies centuries ago. Watching the puppets dance on the water to the sound of traditional drums and flutes, the writers were transported to the rural villages of the past. It was a colorful, joyful end to a long day.

Day 6: Halong Bay & Dinner in the Cave

After returning from the mountains of Ha Giang, we headed to the coast. No Vietnam travel itinerary is complete without Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Selected cruise in Halong Bay: The Ambassador Day Cruise

We chose the Ambassador Day Cruise for its size and luxury. While small wooden boats can feel cramped, this ship offered space to breathe. With twin 360-degree sundecks, the writers could find their own quiet corners to photograph the thousands of limestone karsts rising from the emerald water.

We sailed past thousands of limestone karsts rising from the emerald water. The itinerary included:

• Sung Sot Cave: The largest and most impressive cave in the bay.
• Titov Island: A steep climb rewarded the writers with a 360-degree panoramic view.
• Luon Cave: A peaceful bamboo boat ride through a hidden lagoon.

Dinner in Dragon Pearl Cave

But the true magic happened after sunset. While most tourists returned to Hanoi from the harbor, we stayed and moved to another destination. We arranged an exclusive dinner inside the Dragon Pearl Cave, also operated by Ambassador Cruises.

A massive natural cavern, lit only by soft candlelight. The tables were set with white linens and fine crystal. The acoustics of the cave made the traditional music performance sound ethereal.

Paola was mesmerized. She told us: “Never imagined I would have dinner inside a cave. The atmosphere was surreal.”

Travel tips from 10 days in Vietnam | Suggested by travel writers

Here is the practical advice our Italian team wanted to share with you:

This was just a glimpse of the first week. But looking back at the full journey, our Italian writers realized something profound.

Ten days in Vietnam is a true adventure. It is a sprint through history, geography, and flavor. Vietnam is a country of contrasts, and we have only just begun to show you its layers.

Follow our series to discover:

Part 2: Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang
Part 3: Danang, Hoi An, Hue
Part 4: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta

Would you like to plan a similar 10-day journey in Vietnam? Contact us here for a transparent, personalized consultation.