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I had my heart set on a trip to Vietnam for the Spring Festival. As a first-time international traveler, I was navigating uncharted waters and faced a lot of uncertainties. Fortunately, the warm and enthusiastic community on Xiaohongshu showered me with invaluable advice and tips. Now, as I reflect on this journey, I hope to share my experiences and insights, which might serve as a helpful guide for other travelers.

My initial itinerary was ambitious: starting from Dongxing, I planned to explore Halong Bay, then move on to Hanoi, Da Nang, and finally fly back to Hanoi before returning to Dongxing. However, reality didn’t quite match my expectations. When I arrived at Halong Bay, I found it to be a vast expanse of water dotted with rather unremarkable rocks, leaving me underwhelmed.

Hanoi, with its chaotic and somewhat unkempt streets, didn’t leave a lasting impression either. The weather in Da Nang was less than ideal, and the sea, shrouded in gloom, failed to captivate me. As for Ho Chi Minh City, it felt like a scaled-down version of Shanghai, lacking the charm and allure I had hoped for.

Disappointed, I decided to cut my trip short and head back home.

In the following sections, I will delve into the details of my itinerary and the various experiences that shaped my journey.