Ten Tools You Must Have To Vietnam Backpacking Tour Guides

You're bound to find something cool. But if you're into that then definitely take 2-3 days to see Dalat between Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh. Being warmly welcomed on a tour about the damages of the Vietnam war was just one of countless surprises Vietnam had in store for me on a two-week backpacking trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. For travelers who love jumping into the bustle of big cities, vietnam travel does not disappoint.

A mural depicts three of its saints: Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen, French writer Victor Hugo and Vietnamese poet Nguyen Binh Khiem. Most people travel here with the main aim of visiting the famous floating markets but the city itself is well worth a few days of your time. As well as this there is the hammock strewn roof terrace with views across the city.

The rooms are quirky and if you are willing to pay for one of the pricier suites, you will even get a hot tub on your balcony. As the name suggests, this is more like staying with a family than a regular hotel or hostel. I spent a wonderful afternoon cycling along the smaller channels of the river through tiny villages near the home stay, catching a glimpse of the delta's local life.

However, if you are after a slice of local life, then this is the perfect place for you. Hot pots are a large bubbling dishes of meat, veg or tofu served on a gas cooker directly on your table. However, if you're feeling a little brave, you may be tempted by one of the menus stranger items; grilled field mouse.

It is now a local delicacy and doesn't come cheap (by street food standards) but it is surprisingly tasty. Here you can eat incredible food with views over the river. Originally built in the 1940s to serve Can Tho's Khmer community.

As you enter you will be met by monks relaxing in the doorways of the ground floor buildings and colourful banners strewn above you. On a weekend, two blocks in the centre of the city come alive as people head out for an evening at the night market. It is overpriced and to be honest, not all that interesting but may be worth browsing if you're looking to take home a memento of your time in Vietnam.

Look for the busiest places in order to find the best dishes. On Hai Bà Trưng, just past Cho Can Tho you will find both sides of the street bustling with activity as people trade fruit, vegetables and seafood. Chances are that there won't be anything you want to purchase here but it is worth walking the length of the street to immerse yourself in local life and hopefully capture a few pictures of the hectic scenes.

Just 45 minutes by boat from Can Tho's promenade, Cai Rang is a frenetic, fast paced wholesale affair, with large barges piled high with produce as their owners call out to the armada of smaller boats weaving their way between them hoping to get a good deal.