Waking up at 3 a.m. after three days of back to back finals, I started my winter break double-checking my carry-on and my suitcase. My family always chooses the earliest flights to not lose any time at our destination. Ahead of us was an 18-hour flight to Japan, a seven-hour layover to Saigon and a 13-hour loss crossing the time zone boundary. The long flights and jet lag were dreadful, but my two weeks spent in Vietnam were worth the cost of my foot falling asleep every hour and my mom nagging me to stay awake to adjust my sleep schedule.

Having my ông ngoại (grandpa) as a personal tour guide who never failed to impress the family by recalling how he used to skip school 53 years ago to hide on the roof of the temple or how the stone trail leading up to a surreal scenery of rocks wasn’t there 48 years ago, I am grateful to share my five “must-experience” places in Vietnam.

5. Grand World, Phu Quoc

Grand World is known as the “city that never sleeps,” but I would describe it as a “town with everything.” You can rent moped bikes to ride all around the fantasy town for 100,000 Vietnamese dong an hour (about $4.50). The town consists of many shops everywhere you turn and plenty of food stands. There is also a Teddy Bear Museum, Bamboo Legend, Urban Park Contemporary Art and Venetian-styled clock tower. I visited during New Year and got to watch an amazing water show and fireworks. I would recommend this place to immerse in both Asian and European architecture into one town.

4. Datanla New Alpine Coaster, Da Lat

I’ve seen alpine coasters all over TikTok but finally got to experience the high-speed carts flying through the natural wonders of Da Lat’s dense forest and sublime waterfalls. You get the choice to ride solo or with a partner, so I rode the cart with my brother who controlled the brakes.

Make sure to watch out for the signs telling you to break or continue or you might just collide into the cart in front of you that’s frozen in awe. It is definitely a ride worth waiting in line for.

3. Vinpearl Land, Nha Trang

Vinpearl is a great place for pictures with its Hollywood-style sign that can be viewed from an island away or in the cable carts that give you a breathtaking view of the island. However, Vinpearl is known for its park that I’d describe as an “all-in-one amusement park.” With just one admission ticket that’s nowhere near the cost of a Disneyland ticket, you can experience the zoo, aquarium, waterpark, arcade, beach, roller coaster rides and even a VR arcade. It’s a great place that is worth spending a whole day with friends and family.

2. Phu Quoc Four Island Tour

I visited Phu Quoc for my birthday and went on what seemed like an adventure, hopping island to island. You visit the island by speedboat, which I must admit was a very rocky ride with sea water slapping you in the face. You get the chance to helmet seawalking, snorkel, jet ski, water jet pack, fish and paraglide. I took a tour around three out of the four islands: Buom/Mong Tay, Gham Ghi and May Rut and got to learn about the history of these islands and what they specialize in producing. At each island, I got to try fresh honey (the bees were scary), tropical fruits, coconut candies and experience the life of the natives. At the end of the tour we got to see pits of alligators, pythons and catfish and concluded the journey with a row boat ride.

1. Dao Khi Monkey Island, Nha Trang

Like the name suggests, Monkey Island has monkeys in every corner of the island. The monkeys will approach you as long as you have food, but just be prepared to get any snacks snatched if you aren’t willing to share. You can take a tour around the island or go by foot to visit many sections designed for taking photos. There is also a monkey show where you can see monkeys swimming and racing on miniature motorcycles. The island also has an elephant that loves coconut biscuits and fruits and will pick you up and a python you can hold for VND10,000 (about 50 cents). There is also a bird show with ostriches, ducks, quails, hawks and other birds. Just a short golf cart ride away, you can visit a koi fish pond, orchid garden and butterfly garden. Away from the trees and monkeys, there is a beach side area where you can take photos on swings or a staircase above the water. This is by far my favorite place to visit, and I got the most memorable photos there.

Narrowing down to these top fives felt impossible because Vietnam is filled with many places to visit and food worth trying. I strongly recommend these places if you want to open your mind to the affordable, life-enriching experiences these places offer.

Although winter break of 2022 was my second time visiting Vietnam, I might take a break from my motherland and travel around the other countries in Asia like Singapore and Japan.