Travelog

Vietnam Trip December 2025

7 min

Quick Jump

Transportation Weather Safety
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral

Trip to Vietnam

December 2025, I traveled to Vietnam for 2 weeks. The journey started from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), then continued to Sa Pa in northern Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City

Area around Notre Dame Cathedral
Area around Notre Dame Cathedral

General Impression

The business district of Vietnam is a metropolitan city. Especially in District 1, there’s an area like Sudirman with skyscrapers. There’s also an area similar to Singapore. But HCMC consists of 24 districts with a total area about 3 times larger than Jakarta, and each district has its own character. District 3 doesn’t have tall buildings, mostly shops and townhouses. District 10 also but feels more like the “outskirts” compared to 1 and 3 (like East Jakarta vibes), with many narrow alleys. Grab drivers often cut through these alleys which are often one-way.

Suitable for city people especially those who like observing city planning and human activities. If you prefer adventure or nature, better skip rather than “feeling bored here with nothing to do.”

Transportation

Just use Grab Car everywhere (or Xanh SM but I didn’t try). The cars are all new, fragrant, complete with safety instructions. There’s even a driver who gave a small Christmas gift. Even without ordering EV or hybrid, often get EV.

Walking is also still very okay, pedestrian is okay especially in District 1.

Weather

Quite hot although not as hot as Indonesia. Prepare umbrella (can be UV-protected), jacket (can be UV-protected or waterproof), and raincoat because later it can be hot-heavy rain. Clothes are really casual, just wear t-shirts, shorts, sandals are also safe. SUNSCREEN IS A MUST!

In my opinion, this city is okay for children and elderly IF the itinerary is relaxed and not much walking. Suitable because Vietnamese food in general is quite clean and from fresh ingredients.

Pollution sometimes exists but still very little, even though the vehicles are that many (number of motorcycles >>> cars) and still many are ICE.

Sa Pa

Sa Pa atmosphere
Sa Pa atmosphere

General Impression

Oh my God, I LOVE THIS CITY SO MUCH! Very unreal. Those who say Sa Pa is not interesting, overrated, etc.—go there with your bad opinions! But of course, want to be here for visiting, not living, because I don’t even know how people can function daily (work) in this extreme weather.

In terms of pollution, honestly here it’s the second most felt because many diesel vehicles (buses, trucks, etc.). But only felt when they pass by. But in general, the air is WAAAH breathing is refreshing.

What to Bring for Winter

Temperature during winter: -2°C to 7°C or maybe can be colder. Must bring: HEAT TECH shirt and pants, jacket (I used fleece jacket and puffer), total 3 layers. Must also bring beanie or scarf, head, ears, neck should not be exposed! Oh yeah, and thick gloves and socks! If want to be more extra, it’s okay especially for those who can’t stand cold.

But actually it’s okay if don’t want to bring a lot from Indonesia because don’t know what the conditions are like there and can buy there too, many sellers. Oh yeah, must wear reliable shoes for extreme weather, lots of walking, slippery, muddy, rocky, and not complicated (don’t use ones with laces that easily come off, etc.).

City Characteristics

Just walk everywhere if within the city because it’s accessible.

Don’t expect bright clear weather, it’s called “Misty City” for a reason. Many people are disappointed “can’t see anything, the fog is so thick” especially when going to Fansipan. Your expectations are just wrong. Actually, I’m so happy when there’s fog—so beautiful and unreal. When I went to Fansipan, it was foggy but mostly very clear and I don’t mind at all whatever the weather is, don’t expect much, the important thing is no rain.

Minimum 2 nights in Sa Pa, don’t just stay one night chasing Fansipan because round trip Hanoi-Sa Pa is already very tiring, need recovery. And honestly, chilling walking around Sa Pa city is so nice, very healing. So don’t rush chasing time.

This is not a super modern city, mostly very traditional. Small streets, up-down contours because it’s in the mountains. Hotels are also family-owned and many are old-school. Not suitable for those who like super duper clean hygienic, minimalist latest furniture. Hotel prices are okay, the important thing is don’t forget to check the address and Google Maps to know exactly where the location is. There are big hotels, like Hotel de La Coupole but very few and the price is >Rp2.5 million per night.

Very touristy city where locals depend a lot on the tourism sector (food, tours, hotels or accommodations, souvenir shops). So not everything is super duper cheap. Better survey several places first if want to compare prices, don’t be afraid to bargain, don’t be afraid of being judged as long as we’re polite.

During high season like last time, number of tourists >> locals so it’s fun feeling very diverse and obviously feeling safer because knowing these are all visitors.

Safety

Talking about safety, Sa Pa is the BEST! Suitable for solo traveling even. At 5 AM in the dark and foggy, I’m not afraid. Everyone is minding their own business. No weird stares, no drunk people in the middle of the road, nothing creepy. If there are people calling hello-hello, it’s probably just restaurant owners or staff offering to stop by for a meal.

However, NOT SUITABLE FOR SMALL CHILDREN, ELDERLY, PEOPLE WHO CAN’T STAND COLD, THOSE WHO JUST WANT BEAUTIFUL PLACES, THOSE WHO ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR WALKING + CLIMBING STAIRS. Because the weather is super cold especially during winter, thick fog so visibility sometimes can’t be too far, many stairs, up-down road contours, horns are VERY LOUD.

If just want to be in this city with a chill itinerary, can definitely make the main itinerary to Fansipan + walking around the city. But if want more effort + adventurous, around Sa Pa there are many tourist spots including Cat Cat Village, Cloud Dragon Skywalk, etc. but must use Grab Car or motorbike taxi. And honestly, to go to Cat Cat must have strong stamina because the path is very long and super slippery, use motorbike taxi too (must bargain price). I didn’t leave Sa Pa because too lazy to put in that much effort even though only 2 nights. In my opinion, people who can chase all tourist spots are amazing, and maybe their travel duration is not long so their stamina is still strong + determined because feeling chased by time. If I have a total duration of 2 weeks, must maintain stamina and indeed want to chill a lot so can truly enjoy, absorb local life instead of just chasing itinerary. Must understand body condition when going to Sa Pa, because we’re tropical country citizens, afraid of being shocked suddenly dropping health especially after long journey from Hanoi. So in my opinion, just chill-chill, unless in Sa Pa for a week then okay lah the itinerary can be a bit ambitious.

As I said, this is not a super modern city but still pretty and well-organized. There are European-style buildings too, huaa cutesy.

Skin and hair are very good here, not limp, not overly oily.

There are people who do proper makeup, curly hair, wear OOTD-style clothes but honestly I personally don’t care anymore, the important thing is my clothes function to not be cold. No need for makeup, the important thing is MOISTURIZER, SUNSCREEN, LIP BALM.

Way to not get cold quickly: lots of movement aka walk fast.

The most chill city compared to Hanoi and HCMC. Streets are quite quiet, but motorcycles and cars are fast even though the roads have many turns and are small. Crazy driving skills. As I said, horns are VERY LOUD.

Next Steps

This journey has been documented in several detailed guides:

Hope this travel story can inspire and help friends planning to visit Vietnam. Happy exploring! 🇻🇳✨

Vietnam HCMC Sa Pa Travel Guide

Next Guide

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide

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