Vinh City, Nghệ An Province

mr.hotsia travel Vietnam Nghệ An HOT07990

Country
Vietnam

City/Province
Nghệ An

Story Code
HOT07990

Author
mr.hotsia

Vietnamese Grilled Button Squid

Vietnamese Chicken Biryani

Vietnamese Nem Chua

Vinh City, Nghệ An Province: The Gateway to Laos and a Must-Try Eel Soup

When talking about Vinh City, Nghệ An Province, many may know it as a transit city between Hanoi and Laos, or a place where travelers stop to change vehicles before heading to neighboring lands. But for me, mr.hotsia, my latest visit was not just a passing stop but a deliberate trip to capture the life, lifestyle, people, and flavors of this place fully.

Traveling to Vinh City: Sleeper Bus from Hanoi to a Less Touristy City

I took a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Vinh City, a route many say has poor road conditions, and indeed it was true. The bus left Hanoi around noon and arrived in Vinh at night. Although the journey was not very comfortable, I enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere along the way and seeing the communities on both sides of the road that still maintain a simple way of life.

If anyone is interested in details about traveling by sleeper bus from Hanoi to Vinh, I have written a detailed article.Sleeper Bus from Hanoi to Vinh CityI recommend booking your seat or sleeper in advance and preparing well because the roads still need much improvement.

Vinh City: The Real Atmosphere That Is Not Romantic but Has Its Own Charm

Arriving in Vinh at night, I walked across the street from the bus station to Thuong Hai Hotel, which I chose intentionally for good accommodation. The city streets have homeless people and an unpleasant smell of urine mixed with dirt in public parks, but it did not ruin my feeling of walking around or experiencing the local lifestyle much.

The Vinh bus station I passed through is the main station of the city, located centrally opposite my hotel. There are buses to nearby provinces and another station behind the big market focusing on cross-border freight routes to Laos. For more details about Vinh bus stations, I have written extensively in the article.Vinh Bus StationYes

Three Border Checkpoints in Vinh: The Challenging Laos-Vietnam Route

Vinh has three main border checkpoints to Laos: Nam Goi – Na Meo, Nong Haet – Nam Can, and Nam Phao – Cau Treo. Each checkpoint operates from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Although it seems convenient, from my experience passing through Na Meo and Nam Phao checkpoints, traveling through these is not always easy, especially regarding fares and transfers where you might face fare scams or other complications.

Therefore, if anyone is traveling from Hanoi to Laos or back, I, mr.hotsia, recommend taking a direct bus from capital to capital for safety and peace of mind rather than transferring in segments like this.

Boiled Eel Soup: The Famous Flavor of Vinh I Will Never Forget

Speaking of Vinh’s food, I must sayEel Soupor boiled eel here is the absolute must-try. Small, tender eels with all bones removed, no fishy smell like elsewhere. The taste is mild, but adding fish sauce, chili, and lime turns it into a dish that truly suits Thai taste buds like mine.

Along Vinh’s streets, there are many shops selling boiled eel and eel noodles. Hotel food also includes eel soup available freely. I stayed here two nights, having breakfast at the hotel, lunch at Big C near the big market, and dinner at street stalls offering local dishes like noodles, rice porridge, and the eel soup I loved.

For those interested, I have written a detailed article about eel soup and Vinh’s local cuisine.Eel Soup, Eel Rice Bowl, Vinh Local Foodwhich will help you visualize and prepare to fully enjoy this delicious dish.

Vinh City’s Lifestyle and Local Markets

Besides food and travel, I, mr.hotsia, also enjoy walking around markets and communities around Vinh. The markets here are not as bustling as big tourist cities but are full of real local life with many shops selling fresh and dried goods and made-to-order food that tastes good and is affordable.

Additionally, Vinh is the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh, giving it significant historical and cultural importance. Visiting here is not just about eating and sightseeing but also experiencing a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s history.

Summary of mr.hotsia’s Experience in Vinh

If you are looking for a less touristy destination, Vinh might be an interesting choice. Although the atmosphere and cleanliness are not perfect, the sincerity of the people and the taste of food, especially eel soup, make it a worthwhile destination.

Don’t forget to book a good hotel in advance and prepare for travel that might not be as comfortable as big cities, but I assure you will have a unique experience and stories to take home.