By aussiematesvietnam 
A Guide to Senior Travel: Staying Active and Engaged in Vietnam
G’day, fellow adventurers! Aussie Mates here from my little slice of paradise in Vietnam. After calling this vibrant country home for nearly two decades, Tracy and I have learned a thing or two about staying active and engaged as we’ve gracefully entered our silver years. Vietnam isn’t just for the backpacker crowd – it’s a bloody fantastic destination for us older travellers who want to keep moving, learning, and experiencing life to the fullest.
[IMAGE:vietnamese-landscape]
When Tracy and I first moved here from Down Under, we were barely touching our forties. Now, with a few more grey hairs and wisdom lines, we’ve discovered that Vietnam offers unique opportunities for senior travellers who want to maintain an active lifestyle while exploring at a more comfortable pace. So grab a cuppa and let me share our insider tips for making the most of your Vietnamese adventure as a senior traveller.
Choosing the Right Time and Place
First things first, mates – timing is everything in Vietnam. The weather can be a bit of a mixed bag depending on where you are in the country.
For us older travellers, I’d recommend visiting northern areas like Hanoi and Sapa between October and December when it’s dry and cooler. The central regions around Hoi An and Hue are lovely from January to May. And if you’re heading south to Ho Chi Minh City or the Mekong Delta, the dry season from December to April is your best bet.
Tracy and I learned this lesson the hard way when we got caught in monsoon season our first year here. Trudging through flooded streets with arthritic knees is not the holiday memory you want to take home!
[IMAGE:vietnamese-seasons]
Accommodation with Senior-Friendly Features
After a day of exploration, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest those well-travelled bones. Here’s what we look for:
- Hotels with lifts or ground-floor rooms
- Accommodations with Western-style bathrooms (trust me on this one!)
- Establishments with on-site restaurants for those evenings when you just want to stay in
- Properties located away from the nightlife districts (unless you’re still a party animal!)
We’ve found fantastic senior-friendly accommodation in Hoi An’s Ancient Town, the French Quarter in Hanoi, and District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Many newer hotels cater to Western standards, though Tracy always reminds me to pack our own pillows for that touch of home comfort.
Transportation Tips for Older Travellers
Getting around Vietnam has become much easier in recent years, but it still pays to plan your transport with care.
For longer journeys, domestic flights are affordable and save your energy for actual sightseeing. Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways offer senior discounts if you ask nicely (and sometimes even if you don’t!).
For city exploration, skip the infamous motorbike rentals (leave those to the youngsters) and opt for Grab cars (Southeast Asia’s Uber), which are surprisingly affordable. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Tracy and I often hire a private car and driver for the day – it typically costs around $50-80 USD and saves your legs for exploring temples and markets.
[IMAGE:vietnam-transportation]
Staying Physically Active
Vietnam offers countless opportunities to keep moving without overdoing it:
- Tai Chi at dawn: Join locals in parks across Vietnam for gentle morning exercises. Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is our favourite spot.
- Walking tours: Most cities offer walking tours that can be done at your own pace. The Ancient Town in Hoi An is particularly flat and manageable.
- Water activities: Gentle swimming in the South China Sea at places like An Bang Beach or Nha Trang provides low-impact exercise.
- Cycling: The countryside around Hoi An and Ninh Binh offers flat, scenic routes perfect for a leisurely pedal.
Tracy and I start most mornings with a walk along the beach near our home in Da Nang. It’s become a ritual where we watch the local fishermen and practice our Vietnamese with morning vendors. Keeping active daily has been our secret to enjoying all the delicious food without bringing back extra baggage (if you catch my drift).
Culinary Adventures for Health-Conscious Seniors
Vietnamese cuisine is a blessing for seniors watching their health – it’s fresh, nutritious, and bloody delicious to boot!
Pho (noodle soup) is gentle on digestion and available everywhere. Goi cuon (fresh spring rolls) offer vegetables and protein without the deep-frying. Canh (Vietnamese soups) are perfect for lighter evening meals.
For those with dietary restrictions, learn the phrases: “Không thịt” (no meat) or “Ít đường” (less sugar). Most restaurants in tourist areas can accommodate special requests, especially if you communicate clearly and with a smile.
[IMAGE:vietnamese-cuisine]
Mental Engagement and Cultural Immersion
Keeping the grey matter active is just as important as physical exercise. Vietnam offers rich opportunities for meaningful cultural engagement:
- Cooking classes: Tracy and I have taken cooking classes in most major cities. The Saigon Cooking Class in Ho Chi Minh City offers shorter, seated options perfect for seniors.
- Language learning: Even mastering basic Vietnamese phrases provides a terrific mental workout.
- Craft workshops: Try lantern-making in Hoi An or pottery in Bat Trang village near Hanoi.
- History tours: The country’s complex history offers endless learning opportunities at museums and historical sites.
One of our most memorable experiences was spending a week at a homestay in Mai Chau, where we learned traditional weaving techniques from H’mong women. Not only did it keep our minds and fingers nimble, but we also made connections that transcended language barriers.
Health Considerations and Preparation
Being prepared health-wise makes all the difference:
- Travel insurance is non-negotiable. Make sure it covers pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation.
- Bring all medications in original packaging with a doctor’s letter.
- International hospitals with English-speaking staff are available in major cities (we recommend Family Medical Practice in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City).
- Stay hydrated, but stick to bottled water – even we locals don’t drink from the tap after 20 years!
Tracy keeps a small medical kit with basics like paracetamol, anti-diarrheal medication, and rehydration salts. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around, as my father used to say.
[IMAGE:medical-preparation]
Building Social Connections
One of the unexpected joys of travelling in Vietnam as seniors is how respected older people are in Vietnamese culture. You’ll often be referred to as “Bác” (uncle/aunt) or “Ông/Bà” (grandfather/grandmother) – terms of endearment and respect.
We’ve found incredible social opportunities through:
- Expat groups on Facebook and meetup.com in major cities
- Senior-focused tours through companies like Intrepid Travel
- Volunteering with organizations like KOTO or Streets International
Some of our dearest friends are fellow Australian retirees we met at a book club in Hanoi. There’s nothing quite like swapping stories over a cold Saigon beer with people who understand both where you’ve come from and where you are.