Clare's Solo Vietnam and Thailand Trip

Some of the best journeys we arrange aren’t planned for months. Clare Leeman’s solo Vietnam and Thailand trip came together in just a few days, and it turned into one of my favourite guest stories of the year. She reached out close to her departure date, and what followed was a fast, friendly scramble that ended with one very happy traveller crossing two countries on her own terms.

Clare’s trip at a glance

Traveller: Clare, an independent solo traveller
Route: Bangkok → Phuket → Hanoi → Ha Giang → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City
Trip style: last-minute, solo, active and food-focused
Highlights: Ha Giang’s mountain viewpoints, lantern-lit Hoi An, and street food in every city

A solo Vietnam and Thailand trip booked at the last minute

Clare first messaged us about a Vietnam and Thailand trip quite close to her departure date. At first she’d planned to stay with relatives in Thailand, so she hadn’t put together a full itinerary. Then her plans shifted, and suddenly she needed us to arrange everything — hotels, flights and tours — with the travel day already racing towards her.

Because time was so tight, we sorted the details quickly and clearly over messages and calls. Tickets, rooms and activities were confirmed one by one, and bit by bit the schedule came together. By the time her departure date arrived, every service was ready and waiting for her. For a booking made on the fly, it felt remarkably calm.

Meeting Clare in person

I had the chance to meet Clare at her hotel during the trip. My first impression was her curly hair and her constant smile — she looked friendly and completely at ease, even though she was travelling solo in a country she didn’t know.

My Viva Tour seller Ivy meeting solo guest Clare at her Hanoi hotel — Meeting Clare at her hotel – that curly hair and easy smile made the introduction simple.

That confidence set the tone for her whole journey. Clare is the kind of traveller who likes to stay active — moving around, soaking up the landscapes, and finding places for herself. She joined the scheduled tours, but she never let a fixed plan box her in. Whenever she had free time, she was out exploring the cities on her own.

“My first impression was her curly hair and her constant smile — she looked friendly and completely at ease, even though she was travelling solo in a country she didn’t know.”

Thailand first: Bangkok and Phuket

Clare started in Thailand, taking in Bangkok and then Phuket before flying on to Vietnam. Both are easy, rewarding stops for a solo traveller who likes to wander — big-city buzz in the capital, then beaches and islands in the south. If you’re mapping out a similar route, our Bangkok travel guide and Phuket travel guide are good places to start.

Into Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Giang and the road north

From Thailand she crossed into Vietnam, starting in Hanoi and heading up to the far north for Ha Giang. The featured photo at the top says it all — Clare at a mountain viewpoint, Vietnamese flags snapping in the breeze and layer after layer of karst peaks rolling into the distance. It’s one of the most dramatic corners of the country, and exactly the sort of landscape she loved to chase.

Between the organised activities, she kept doing what she does best: walking a lot, hunting down local food, and trying the small street restaurants she spotted along the way. She’d send through short updates and photos as she went — usually simple moments, like a street corner, a bowl of food, or a view she’d stopped for.

Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and a love of street food

Further south, Clare reached Hoi An — the old town famous for its silk lanterns — before finishing in the energy of Ho Chi Minh City. In every place she walked the neighbourhoods, found her own restaurants, and let the day unfold. That freedom to move between cities and explore on her own was, I think, the part she enjoyed most.

Clare holding a silk lantern at a lantern-making workshop in Hoi An, Vietnam — Clare among the colourful silk lanterns of Hoi An, one of central Vietnam’s prettiest stops.

Comfort tip: A north-to-south route covers a lot of ground, so build in a slow morning here and there. Clare paced herself with easy wanders and long lunches, which kept the trip feeling relaxed rather than rushed.

Tips from Clare’s trip

Last-minute is doable. Even with a tight timeline, hotels, flights and tours can be arranged — just keep communication quick and clear.
Leave room to roam. Booking guided tours and keeping free time to explore on your own is the best of both worlds.
Follow the food. Some of Clare’s favourite moments came from small street restaurants she found herself.
Go north for the views. Ha Giang’s mountain landscapes are worth the extra travel if you love dramatic scenery.
Pack for two climates. Thailand’s beaches and the northern Vietnamese highlands feel very different — bring layers for the cooler north.

Want a trip like Clare’s?

Like the look of Clare’s journey across Vietnam? Her Vietnam leg ran from Hanoi in the north down to Ho Chi Minh City, much like our 10-day Best of Vietnam route — and I’d happily tailor the same north-to-south trip, with Thailand added on, to suit you. Just message me, Ivy, and we’ll start planning.

Over to you: have you already been to Ha Giang or wandered the lantern streets of Hoi An? I’d love to hear how you found it — tell me in the comments below. Thank you!

Whether your plans are months in the making or, like Clare’s, come together at the last minute, we’re here to help you travel Vietnam and Thailand your way. Enquire with My Viva Tour and let’s shape a trip that fits you.